77765

Here is an alternative method you can use to get out of heavy rough. This is especially useful if you have a tree in the way and you have to hit a low running golf shot. It is also a useful way to get distance from the rough where a low running shot will do the job.

If you consider you need a six iron to fly the golf ball to the green, take your four iron from the bag and use this. Place the ball well back in your stance, say just inside your right foot.

Now, you hit steeply down on the ball and hit it hard using a punch type shot. The ball will come out low and you will get lots of run. It doesnt look great, but you will be well pleased with the distance you get.

You will quite often be in a situation where the ball is below or above your feet. Even on the fairway that slopes from one side to the other.

If you hit a normal shot with the ball below your feet, you will find that the ball fades to the right. If the ball is above your feet, the opposite will happen and the ball will draw or even hook.

Set up in your stance to compensate for the movement of the ball.

Soif the ball is below your feet, with the danger or likelihood of a fade, allow for this in your set up. Aim to the left a bit. Do the opposite for the ball above your feet aim to the right a bit.

Always remember, if the ball is really below your feet, say about a foot, bend your knees, and hit down on the ball in exaggerated fashion. Keep your head still, watch the ball and dont bother about follow through.

Now you are in a divot hole that some caring person has failed to repair. You have just hit a good drive too, and you just cant believe it when you see where your ball has stopped. Yeah, in a divot!

Well, if you know how to play your ball from here, the divot should not make too much difference.

The first method you can use is a punch shot. This will cause your ball to run onto the green. If the way is clear to the flag, use this method.

You do it by having the ball well back in your stance, say, a couple of inches inside your right foot.

Hands must be ahead of the ball and they must stay ahead during the complete golf shot. They must be ahead of the ball at impact.

So important! Take your club back to complete a three quarters swing, and hit the ball firmly. You must keep your head still. You should practice this shot so that you have a good idea how far the ball will travel. If, however, there is a bunker or some other obstacle in your way to the flag, and you have to fly the ball, here is what to do. Move the ball forward in your stance, and open the club face. This will make the ball fly high and it will not go as far. So, you have to allow for this.

Here is another example of throwing the club head beneath the ball.

Make your swing and hit hard with your right hand. Take the right hand towards the target and keep the club face on line with the target for as long as you can after you have hit the ball. Do not let your right hand and arm roll over the left until well after you have hit the ball.

Bill Maitland is a thinking, inventive golf guru. He thought out and developed simple techniques and tips which enabled him to lower his handicap from 25 to 18, then from 18 to 15, and finally from 15 to 12. He is a passionate golfer, and delights in helping others with their game should they want his help. To receive a valuable weekly golf tip go to his web site http://www.onlinegolfershandbook.com and subscribe to his free Hole In One News Letter. You will be so glad that you did.

Author of On Line Golfers' Hand Book. An e-Book that takes you step by step to being the best golfer that you can possibly be. The basics in great detail. To learn about his tips and simple techniques and order his book, visit his web site

http://www.onlinegolfershandbook.com

sign up for his free news letter and receive a wealth of great tips every time. He really tries to tell you everything and leaves nothing out as so often happens.

When you sign up, receive his free chapter from his book on bunker play.

Dear Parents and guardians, if you could only hear what I hear your child repeating. I'm sure it was unconscious on your part when you first said what you said. But I'd like to say that little children are SPONGES. They absorb everything that you are saying, doing and putting out there.

The sad truth is that they are already beginning to believe harmful words, concepts, and thoughts. They begin coping with words, and thoughts they received from you. Do you want to hear what you, their teachers and others have been saying in your kid's ears?

You won't believe it!! From a four and half year old. I can't stop sucking my thumb because an invisible witch put a curse on me, that's why I can't STOP!! I stopped my children's yoga class to ask her who told her that? My daycare teacher. I then took the time to explain to this beautiful, bewildered, and now frightened little girl that there was no such thing as witches and she sucks her thumb because it feels comfortable. I explained once you don't want to suck your thumb anymore you'll stop.

From a four year old. What were you thinking!!? That was stupid!! When I asked her if she needed help with her knots in her shoe laces.

From a slim and beautiful four year old girl. I'm too fat already. I can't eat too much.

From another three and a half year old who said to another child when she wasn't going alone with his idea. Keep it up!! And I'm going to SMACK YOU from here to infinity!!

From a pair of brother and sister. Our Mom calls us DUMB. I asked them what does she say. That was a very dumb idea!! You're acting dumb!! I told each of them that they were not dumb and sometimes parents make mistakes.

From a tough and beautiful three year old boy as we were saying affirmations such as I love my mouth, I love my nose. He interrupted to tell me he doesn't like his nose because he thinks he has a BIG nose. I told him that everyone has a special and unique nose and that his nose was perfect and beautiful nose.

When I had a group of all girls --one said Hey guys. I think that this is misused and we need to bring in the thought of using the word GIRLS even among ourselves, moms and friends.

Do you want to hear the favorite story of this beautiful four year old girl? The prince comes and rescues the little princess, so that they can get married, and she will be taken to his castle, where she will wait for him to return.

Here are a few humorous things too. When some of the children learned that my name is yoga Kat. They asked me yoga Kat, where is your tail

A petite beauty boldly announced that she has a boy! You mean a baby brother? No I have a boy. You mean a boyfriend? She giggled, squealed and nodded her head. How do you know he's your boyfriend? I asked. Her response without hesitation- I kiss him.

From a shy little girl who's hand I was holding when we were about to run in a circle. yoga Kat, you don't have to hold my hand because I can run as fast as cheetah. With that she proceeded to show me how fast she could run. And it was fast!!

The little children were encircling themselves with the puffy mats and saying they were building houses. But one little girl said, I'm building a garbage can!!

At the end of a class I was saying to each of the children You did a GOOD JOB. And I love YOU THIS MUCH. One of the little girls noticed that there was one girl who had already run to get her shoes before I made my statement. So she escorted me over to where the other girl was sitting and said to me yoga Kat can you tell so and so that you love her too? With that I said, I love YOU THIS MUCH!!

So remember that you have small ears wide open moms and dads. Think about what you are going to say and about to transmit. It's understood that it's done unconsciously. This is a friendly reminder to become more conscious of your words for your children's sake.

yoga Kat--aka Katheryn Hoban is a yoga teacher and reiki Master teacher with twelve years experience. She teaches children's yoga ages 3-6, and Adults privately in NJ. She is the author of the book -Masters of ConsciousnessA Guide book for the Cosmic Traveler. She has created a children's affirmation CD (ages 3-6) and an affirmation CD for adults. yoga Kat is available for speaking or writing and can be reached at or 201 970-9340 or go to http://www.thecircleofpeace.com and sign up for yoga Kat's newsletter and See me reading from my book on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDd_JyIActw