The vast majority of golfers have a nine-iron in their bag. But many may wonder what, exactly, is this club supposed to be used for?

After all, as most   golf club reviews will concur, the nine-iron can’t be used if the ball is more than one hundred and thirty yards from the green. Any further back and the golfer would choose either a seven or eight-iron. And, while the nine-iron has a highly angled head, for a regular iron, it does not get the loft a golfer gets from a pitching, lofting, chipping or sand wedge, though the nine-iron does offer more distance than clubs in the wedge family.

Is the nine-iron good for anything at all? Does a golfer really need a nine-iron in the bag? The answer to both questions is yes. This is because the nine-iron is a good short-range utility club and does provide good elevation from the fairway to the green. The nine-iron can be used to chip with as well, and works well as a sand wedge should a golfer wind up in the bunker and not have a sand wedge handy.

Then again, should a golfer find him or herself one hundred and forty yards from the hole, the nine-iron can be used in place of the seven or eight iron. However, the golfer may want to think about intentionally blading the ball for the extra distance, though he or she would have to sacrifice elevation. There are times when such a shot is necessary on the course, as a seven or eight iron would be too much club for the distance in question.  This will depend on the course being played and the obstacles the golfer is facing on a particular hole.

For chipping one hundred yards out or closer, the nine-iron is a good choice in clubs. By placing the ball in back of his or her stance, a golfer can get more elevation on the ball, while cutting the distance. If the golfer keeps his or her feet close together, he or she will not be able to hit the ball as hard and, therefore, will not fly the green. (Flying the green is a term used when the golfer hits a ball that carries over the green.)

In addition, according to most  golf club reviews the nine-iron is a good choice in clubs if the golfer is playing a short par 3 hole. Some courses have par 3 holes as short as one hundred yards, so anything more than a nine-iron will be too much club. Again, though, stance is important as the golfer does not want to drive the ball over the green. A closed stance, in this instance will help the golfer cut the distance the ball travels, while putting the ball back in his or her stance will help the ball get in the air faster. Properly struck, the ball should fly in a perfect parabolic curve, landing gently on the green with the ball, hopefully, rolling close to, if not into the cup.

So, the simple answer is, a nine-iron is a good club to have around.

Jake -

While many people enjoy a game of golf more, do not enjoy having to spend a lot of time on the phone to reserve golf course tee times. Thanks to the fact that more and more public golf courses and private country clubs and maintain active Internet Web sites, however, has become much easier and faster to book golf tee times whenever you want.

You'll even save some real money.

More information on Golf Tee times for golf

The real advantage of booking online golf tee times via the Internet is the amount of control you have in the classification, presentation and selection of information – of which there is a lot. In this way, it becomes much easier to book golf tee times that work best for your schedule. For example, if at night and play golf at night works best for you, the time line T shows that the golf courses offer private or public lighting to facilitate the game after sunset.

It 's also possible to order the facilities of the location. If you are looking for time to play golf on the course of a particular community where you live or are visiting, you can find on Internet Web sites.

What else is there?

In addition to tee times online, you discover that the golf courses that offer the services' looking. If you are a beginner, or want to present to family members without experience in the game, you'll want to book tee times at golf facilities with instructors who can provide lessons in a systematic way that allows them to build basic skills in a logical sequence.

When it comes to booking tee times the golf course in private clubs, you may want to look for facilities that offer other activities such as tennis and swimming. Thus, if you aren t the children "in golf, have alternatives. When booking online tee times at this facility, you can also determine whether or not dining facilities, or in a golf shop the place where you can get equipment and supplies if necessary.

The best part of booking tee times the golf course through the Internet however, is saving. Many golf facilities offer discounts for booking times golf tee in progress along this path, so be sure to find it.

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As the great Ian Woosnam himself once said of playing golf in North Wales: “If you are looking for challenging golf then there is no better place to test your driving skills than on the golf courses in Snowdonia Mountains and Coast… it is the ideal location to test all the abilities of your game”.

We’ve said ourselves, time and time again, that North Wales’ golf courses are set in some of the UK’s most breathtaking scenery.

And with golf in Wales being under the spotlight right now, with the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 just around the corner, there’s no better time to talk about what makes golf in Snowdonia so special: the courses.

You’ll find all sorts of courses in Snowdonia, from parkland and upland to clifftop and mountain; but we think you’ll agree it’s the region’s links courses that really put Snowdonia on the map as a golf destination.

The links courses of Snowdonia each have their own individual charm, their own little personality traits that set them apart from each other and from other links courses around Britain. The burning question is: how to choose which links course to play first? Here’s a quick guide which we hope will help you answer that question.

Royal St David’s, Harlech

This par 69 championship course has a reputation as one of the hardest par 69s in the world. Perhaps that’s how Royal St David’s found its way into Ian Woosnam’s top five British courses.

Set against a breathtaking backdrop of Snowdonia’s mountains and coast, Royal St David’s is a formidable course and arguably one of the finest traditional links courses in the world.

Nefyn and District, Morfa Nefyn

Nefyn and District Golf Club is a unique par 71 championship links course with 26 holes – and it’s one of the most dramatic (and attractive) courses in the UK. Even the course designer R H Taylor described Nefyn and District as “one of the most beautiful sites I’ve ever seen”. Every tee offers a sea view, and every hole offers a risk or reward challenge.

Aberdovey

The par 71 championship links course at Aberdovey holds an unusual distinction in that it was the first in Wales to use a turf iron. Set in an Area of Special Scientific Interest, Aberdovey Golf Club is classic links with a thoroughly modern attitude, and is the home of the annual Welsh men’s seniors championship. Watch out for the wind on this course; it’ll change from friend to foe in the blink of an eye!

Abersoch

This par 69 park and links course adjoins the beach at Abersoch and is both picturesque and challenging.

The sheltered position of Abersoch Golf Club lends a warm climate all year round. And something really special about Abersoch is that all the holes have Welsh names, which encourages players to chat with locals in order to learn how to pronounce them!

Conwy Golf Club, Morfa, Conwy

Conwy Golf Club is a par 72 links course at the mouth of the River Conwy which has hosted several major championships during its 140-year history. The course sits in the shadow of Conwy Mountain and offers beautiful views of Llandudno’s Great Orme and the Conwy estuary.

Porthmadog Golf Club, Morfa Bychan

Porthmadog Golf Club is in the lovely seaside village of Morfa Bychan, which is also famous for its vast Black Rock Beach.

This par 71 links course is an interesting mix of heathland and linksland, set among some of Wales’ most beautiful scenery. It’s been said many times that the back nine at Porthmadog are the most natural in Wales.

Pwllheli Golf Club

Pwllheli Golf Club sits very close to the seashore at Pwllheli’s West End. It’s a par 69 links and parkland course, with flat, gentle parkland and a true test of links golf.

It’s suitable for golfers of all ages and abilities, with tree-lined fairways and gorgeous countryside and coastline as a backdrop. Pwllheli Golf Club has an unusual distinction, in that its clubhouse is closer to the sea than any other in the UK.

Fairbourne Golf Club (Clwb Golff Rowen)

The par three, nine-hole course at Fairbourne Golf Club is really special, as it’s a community project dedicated to making sport accessible and affordable for the whole community. The club’s location in the Mawddach Estuary is extremely picturesque, overlooking the Cardigan Bay coastline.

This short nine-hole course is perfect for beginners, and there are free starter lessons for juniors in the off-peak season. Green fees are very low; the club’s motto is “affordable sport for everyone”, a philosophy that all golfers will no doubt agree with.

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If you are on a budget but golf is your sport of choice then you have many options to purchase pre-owned golf equipment. From gently worn items to golf cars that no longer suit the needs of fellow golfers there are countless ways to own high quality low priced golf items. And even if you are not on a set income there are many opportunities to find quality golfing items that are in great condition.

Golf clubs are a very intimate part of every golf game. Purchasing used golf clubs can be tricky but not impossible. If you are patient and have an idea what type of golf clubs suit you best, resale shops are a penny-wise approach to acquiring high quality low cost golf clubs. In looking for left handed clubs or other unique features you might be surprised how easily your search for used clubs will succeed in sound results. Whether you are on a budget or just like to spend your money in a wise manner used golf clubs are the ticket.

Used golf balls can be found by the bag at yard sales or thrift stores. These balls are a smart purchase and serve a great need by allowing the golfer a way to practice his or her golf swing without concern to the loss.  Bags of tees can be found for minimal cost also. Ball washers, golf towels, and cleat wrench kits are all likely finds in the resale atmosphere. Head covers and other accessories are common among yard sales and in resale shops.

Golf cars and carts can be purchased used. Manual push or pull carts can easily be a high cost item. Purchasing gently used golf carts is another way to stay geared up with quality equipment while money remains in your pocket. There are websites available that make finding replacement parts for motorized golf cars a breeze. Even purchasing a golf car that needs a small amount of maintenance or possibly a new mechanical part or accessory is not an unusually bad decision.

Gently worn golf shoes are not an uncommon purchase. Whether found at a yard sale, thrift store or a pre-owned golf accessory store, name brand and low cost shoes are an easy find. Here again patience will be a helpful tool in your search. There is a saying among resale shop patrons, “If you are looking for something specific, odds are you won’t find it until you have bought it new.” An open mind is also a very wonderful thing when shopping resale venues.

Purchasing pre-owned articles is a great way to save money and most times you will find decent well taken care of products. In some cases there are safe guards to take into account so that you are not spending hard earned money on an item that will only cause you grief, give you a headache and cost you more money in the long run. More than likely your pre-owned, resold, or gently used equipment; accessories and personal golfing items will bring you years of happy use.

Jake -

Before he could say of Henry Street, Mr. Lee, one of the great left-handers in the history of the Red Sox, saw me with a pen in my left hand.

"You're a lefty," he said. "We 're the only people in our right mind, you know."

While people who are reading this last installment of "From the deck," and probably just about any other person who has known me over the years might question why, is something that lefties listening all the time.

Yes, yes, the reference of the right-mind has something to do with which side of the brain is dominant, but we won 't detail about that because we only have a certain amount of space and also can read all about it on the Website of the recently held 34th International Day of the lefties.

Things are better for left now, we live in a kinder, gentler world. I know it's true because lefty George Herbert Walker Bush said. As we all know, was the vice president Ronald Reagan 's administration. Reagan, in case you're wondering, was ambidextrous, though some say he was left handed.

Which, come to think of it, many lefties are ambidextrous, simply because about 13 percent of the world 's population are lefties have been forced to adapt to a world made for righties. Lefties, for example, know they have to use her right hand to open more doors. Don 't even ask me about the scissors. And any left-hander can tell how hard it was to put more and use the left hand to hunch over the table at her elementary school was built by fellow righties.

"I remember the ink wells were always on the right side," said 54-year-old Millbury Town Manager and lefty Bob Spain.

Back in the day, it was impossible to get a set of golf clubs for left-handed unless you were rich. Now a rookie Phil Mickelson, who does everything right hand except for golf, featuring a selection of left handed clubs that simply didn 't have existed for years

I remember when I was in first grade, my teacher hit me on the left hand because it was the hand he used to write.

And I was not "Not even in the Catholic school.

Mr. Spain said one of the things he remembers most is to shoot an M-16 when I was in the army. It seems that the gun was made for righties and lefties, when a shot bounced off the empty cartridge and hit in the face or neck. I met a good friend for lunch handed yesterday and recalled the days of shooting M-16. He said spent cartridges were hot and can burn unless you wore protective clothing.

Ah, being left-handed. Some say that lefties tend to be more creative than righties After all, Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney were the lefties, but so were John Dillinger, Jack the Ripper.

ABC News recently said that statistics show lefties are more likely to be schizophrenic, alcoholic, delinquent, dyslexic and more prone to mental disability. The evidence also shows that more likely to become newspaper reporters. If you are stopped in our newsroom, wouldn 't take long to realize that about 75 percent of journalists are left-handed.

Yes, being left handed is different, and as they say in Paris' s left bank, "Viva la difference."

And finally I wanted to note the passing of John J. Tivnan, my fifth grade teacher in the old Plaza Adams Elementary School. I 'm sure many of us remember the clearing of the clouds that are missed us at recess.

May he rest in peace.

Golf is one of the most frustrating psychological games on the planet. It really does not take long to pick up the basics, and even the domain of your swing, drive, tone and shots can be achieved. The hardest part, of course, is to master the psychological aspect, which unfortunately for us, represents about 90% of their game.

It 's no wonder that people get in such rituals when they play their game. People focus on different forms, polishing his ball between each hole and you never see anywhere, but his next shot. This is part of the reason it has the right golf driver or golf club is important. Oddly enough, if you feel connected to their club, or feel safer when 's in your hands, then the club has already made a big difference before making your swing.

TaylorMade golf drivers give additional boost of confidence. They feel great in your hands, feel balanced and perfectly aligned, and that 's because they are. Endless research going on how changes in club head has led to some truly exceptional golf drivers now on the market.

Callaway Golf is another top of the range of manufacturer of golf drivers, clubs in companies is enough to cover even a beginner with bundles of confidence. That confidence, backed by top golf technology, can be the difference between hitting a 80 and hit a 100.

Of course we all know, no matter how confident you are or how great your golf driver is, if "I have not practiced you're going to fail miserably. Getting to the driving range first practice there ' s no tomorrow, then go ahead and buy some Callaway or TaylorMade Driver! You'll be swinging in the big leagues soon.

More children are learning to play golf today than ever before. A big reason for this is Tiger Woods. He has taken the sport and popular among kids of all ages. What once was a boring game for children to play has suddenly become increasingly popular.

Children are now discovering what many adults already know: golf is fun! While your children may love hitting golf balls with one of his old golf clubs, how to begin to develop your skills? Here are some tips to help give their children a good start in the world of golf.

One of the first things you can do is to enroll them in a golf lesson. Many local golf courses have classes for children. No need to go out and buy a new set of golf clubs for your child. The class will provide the necessary equipment. This will not only save some money now, but will give you time to find out if your child really enjoys the game of golf or not. You don 't want to go out and spend a few hundred dollars only to discover that his son does not really like golf, after all.

The following advice is that it is very important for you and your child. Be patient. It's so easy to want to see your child starts to hit long drives and sinking 30 foot putts. To want to continue learning the game of golf that need your support. Let your child progress at their own pace. Golf lessons help them develop enormously.

When you are on the practice field with them be sure to encourage them, even when they are spraying the ball around the range. Setting out the finer points of the game later as they grow.

When your child has taken some classes and show a genuine interest in the game of golf, buy their own set of golf clubs. Be sure to keep your child securely in place. Of course, since that will grow in height and weight, understand that the clubs you buy today may be too small within a year or two at most. You can get children 's golf clubs at a cheap price.

Use the time you spend on golf with his sons as bonding time. Enjoy and once you're out on the course. You can even use this time to develop good communication with your child. Talk about other things than golf. You'll be surprised at how golf can help you and your child bond. Extending to other areas of your life too.

Your child can never be the next Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie, but can grow to love the game of golf. More importantly, they can grow up enjoying the time with you out on the golf course.