Sunday, April 13, 2008

Golfers Need Many Talents

So you think that Golf is easy?

O.K., So I toss a little white ball on the ground and puck it with a fat-headed metal stick till it falls in a hole..how hard can that be?

    The Journey Begins:

A friend of mine contends that every round of Golf is different even if played on the same course on the same day in the same conditions and I agree with him 100%. Golf is one of those sports with so many factors involved so as to make it almost quantum and chaotic by nature. I have often felt like a sea captain, driver in hand standing two meters behind a teed ball and overlooking the sea from the port as I prepare to launch my vessel on a fantastic journey. Bending to the ground to remove a pinch of grass between thumb and forefinger then standing erect to momentarily survey the terrain before tossing the light green strands skywards to get some indication of the winds movement. This ancient ritual alone bonds me with my long dead ancestors who lived before our advanced tools of navigation. Watching the grass gives the golfer and idea of the winds strength and direction. Do these current wind conditions allow me to drive straight or should I play right and let the ball be carried back around by the strong breeze? The Golf game now enters the realm of applied mathematics or physics. Each Golf club representing a different distance and height depending on the stance one takes, the individual grip and swing of the golfer (and strength thereof) and the pivot or openness of the golf club face etc. Another factor could be the mental or nervous stress. Are you playing alone or in a tournament? The patience of a vicar and the courage of a G.I. can also be invaluable assets in your Golf arsenal. Relatively happy with your drive you leave the safety of the tee and the voyage begins.

    In Full Sail:

Personally I find electric Golf carts a nuisance and distraction unless of course you are handicapped or elderly but Golf trolleys are fine in order to avert back damage through long years of carrying Golf clubs for hundreds of miles. So being in a good health condition is also a requirement for the game of Golf. Striding down the fairway you reach your golf ball and it is plugged in sponge-like ground. Taking out your archeology tools you begin to excavate. Then enters the new aspects of law and conscience as fair play and sportsmanship are required dropping the Golf ball the prescribed distance in accordance with the rules of the game. How good is the new placement and how far away from the green are you? Has the wind changed? Oh! Oh! A wide bunker and tall tree stand in the trajectory path so I need to play a high Golf shot. I don my aviators cap and prepare for flight. Having plotted in a course both long and high the Golf ball leaves the grass runway and sails high out of the metaphoric airport. Pausing momentarily I watch as it lands safely on the green.

    Reaching Your Destination:

The adventure so far has proved rather predictable leaving you with a comforted feeling of smugness. Arriving at the green you prepare to enter the next phase of this multi-personality game of Golf. Bending to one knee you survey the grooves and texture of the landscape like an experienced engineer. Walking the distance between Golf ball and pin to check for any obstacles that may be laying on the surface the physicist/mathematician returns to calculate the angles and force need to complete the journey. The putter strikes the ball firmly and the echoing hollow plink sound closes a chapter in the days book.

    Epilogue:

True, you may be familiar with every ridge, nook and cranny of a course which you regularly frequent but the constantly changing conditions such as weather, seasons, personal fitness/mental level, course upkeep (pin position/tee distance changes), skill level, playing style, Golf club brand etc. can make each round of Golf a unique experience.

Nigel Nix has been playing Golf on and off since he was 5 years old. He is now 42 and runs a humorous Golf blog. Golf Mad Blog For Golf Mad Golfers

Most Yoga Mat

Dog Clothes make Great Gifts - football jerseys, etc.

When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We all have stories to tell, and if you don't, you will. Just give it time.

Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a dollar. Clothes for her grandkids were always purchased 3 or 4 sizes too big so we could "grow into them". and she passed this charming trait on to my mother. So, we endured our baggy clothes, with the sleeves and pant legs rolled up, until we were finally big enough to wear them with dignity. By which time they were ready for donation.

Then there's my husband. Heaven forbid I should try to give the man a Polo shirt with an uneven hemline. Most Polos are made longer in the back to help them stay "tucked", but hubby goes un-tucked -- always. He rejects any polo that breaks the rule, no matter how subtly. For an otherwise easy-going guy, his behavior is almost perverse.

If you must give clothes this season, there's one giftee on your list who's sure to look great in any outfit you buy him. He'll wear your gift with pride and appreciation, head held high and tail wagging.

That's right, your dog. Or your best friend's dog. It's so easy you'll wonder why you didn't think of it before.

Dogs love any kind of attention you lavish on them. So, Spike will wear his outfit - whether it's cute or ridiculous - as soon as he sees how happy it makes his owner. Spot will eat up all that extra attention he gets from strangers. and Fifi might even want to Vogue for the camera.

Clothes shopping for dogs is a lot like clothes shopping for babies. Unless you're going for practicality, cuteness is what counts. and that's easy to accomplish, given that any dog wearing clothes looks pretty darned cute.

Choices in dog clothes range from winter sweaters to football jerseys and summer tees. You can get a set of flannel PJ's for bedtime or a terry robe for after bath. There's even an entire line of Harley clothes for dogs, complete with leather cap and studded collar. Dog costumes made for parties and holidays are just too cute for words.

If you really want your gift to be a hit with admirers, accessorize. Try a designer dog collar and maybe a cool pair of sunglasses--they make them just for dogs. And I recently heard that leg warmers are making a come back.

Got a mischievous sense of humor? Making the baby look silly might be a no-no, but it's good clean fun when it comes to dressing up a dog. There are some really creative doggie costume out there that are good for a chuckle or two.

There's really only a couple of rules you'll need to keep in mind when shopping for dog clothes:One is that if the dog in question is an avid chewer, you should avoid buying him anything tempting. Shiny buttons, fringe, and feathers are examples that come to mind. An object that can easily be chewed off and swallowed is a choking hazard and can get stuck in the dog's digestive tract.

The other rule is that any dog, no matter how tolerant, will be more comfortable wearing clothes that fit. Proper fit typically requires measuring from the dog's collar to the base of her tail for length. Most garment's girth can be adjusted with velcro tabs, but could still be an issue with a barrel-chested breed such as a bulldog. Measurements are typically in inches.

Remember that a dog will never "diet down" into an outfit that's too small , or -- unless you're shopping for a puppy or a pregnant female -- "grow into" an item that's too big. (Sorry, Grandma.)

Oh, and one more thing--if you're handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own dog clothes creations. Just don't forget to include an opening for the dog to relieve himself. Don't laugh, it happens a lot!

Now, if you're shopping for your own dog, you're all set. But if you're buying clothes for someone else's dog, I've got a few more tips for you.

Surveys conducted on the subject of gift preferences of men and women have shown that men prefer gifts that are more playful or practical. So, if the dog's owner is male this might translate into a doggie Harley jacket, a funny costume, or a reflective hunting vest (more on practical clothing in another article!).

Women, on the other hand, prefer gifts that are beautiful, memorable, and personal. It shouldn't be hard to find an item of clothing for a woman's dog that's either beautiful or memorable or both, and it will of course be personal!

Exception: if the woman is someone you don't know well. The more distant the relationship between giver and receiver, the riskier it is to give a personal gift. So, be they man or woman, if you don't know the dog owner very well, you probably shouldn't be buying dog clothes for their pet.

I hope you'll have fun picking out something nice for the canine on your shopping list. If you get a chance, send me a photo!

Denise Austin Yoga And Pilates Trainner

Keene's Pointe - Magnificent Living in Windermere, FL

Have you ever dreamed of waking up each morning to the beauty of magnificent tranquil lakes, nature preserves that are home to an abundance of wildlife, and where you are surrounded by all of the amenities that exude southern charm, luxury, and grace? Imagine, if you will, the place where your home is your castle, your children grow up surrounded by friends, laughter, and safety, and your backyard is a virtual environmental habitat for Gopher Tortoises, Herons, Egrets, Bald Eagles, and Woodpeckers.

Now, envision yourself dining in the finest luxurious private country club, where elegance is served daily beneath the overlooking Magnolia Trees. A place where your dreams of relaxing while you play on one of the most prestigious golf courses in the nation is not just a reality; its your backyard.

Allow me to introduce you to this gem called, Keenes Pointe. Located in Windermere, FL. Keenes Pointe is luxury living at its finest. Nestled between the Butler Chain Lakes, Keenes Pointe offers a degree of living not found in other communities. Community is more than where you live; it is whom you interact with on a daily basis. That is why Keenes Pointes residents enjoy more than elegant luxury living but they also enjoy close relationships with one another. Through the variety of activities provided, you are sure to make life long friendships at Keenes Pointe.

For example, the exclusive Golden Bear Club features four lighted tennis courts, a 2,250 square foot fitness center, superb swimming pool, and community events to ensure that your life is filled with fun, laughter, and friends. The splendid Golden Bear Grille Room overlooks the lake and gazebo. Luxury homes dont get any better than this. Youll enjoy exquisite dining, served by an expert wait staff, and plenty of activities that the whole family will enjoy.

And it gets better! Not only is Keenes Pointe the central hub for fabulous living, it also features the magnificent Jack Nicklaus Signature golf Course, which has been esteemed one of the top golf courses in America. The exclusively private golf club is the perfect setting for the novice golfer as well as the professional. The 18-hole course is set in the midst of mighty Oak trees and surrounded by tranquil lakes, adding to its serenity and appeal.

Windermere, Fl is in the heart of Central Florida, on the outskirts of Orlando. With its exclusivity, Keenes Pointe offers regal luxury homes that are just miles from Walt Disney world, Sea world, Universal Orlando, and many more popular attractions. Windermeres location to Orlando makes it the perfect location for families.

Keenes Pointe consists of 14 neighborhoods, each that utilize their own unique and distinctive architecture. A team of Central Floridas top builders crafts these luxury homes. You can select homes in the Spanish Colonial design, from the prestigious Muirfield Village Collection. Luxury homes such as The Fernando, are showcased in the collection and boast over 4,200 square feet, generous 2 stories, beautiful swimming pool and spa, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, and exceptional amenities. With over twelve builders to choose from, you know that your luxury home will be constructed with expert craftsmanship. At Keenes Pointe, your dreams of luxury living will come true.

Jeffrey Funk - Licensed Real Estate Agent since 1999 - Realtor specializing Real Estate in Windermere, Fl visit Jeffrey's website at http://www.execrealtor.com or call him at 407-438-4028

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