Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What Christmas is All About?

Maybe Linus of Charlie Brown did give the most eloquent speech of what the True meaning of Christmas is all about. Happy Christmas and warm wishes from all of us here at GolfDash!

Protect A Badge

I just received a scorecard protector from Protect A Badge in the UK and was amazingly impressed with the service and the quality. I asked the owner (Nick) what might be a good choice and he recommended the alligator over the lizard (what a nice choice!). Alligator is just very cool to look at and it wears amazingly well where its lustre increases over time. It is also feels a bit special, unique and sophisticated - it was worlds apart from the utterly generic ones I have seen at Target or WalMart, local pro shops, etc. I am going to be a getting a few more to give as gifts. And at $17.50 each (including shipping) it is quite reasonable for the quality (or you, golf shops, companies, can order in bulk) I recommend you take a look and then pick one up for yourself (mandatory) or purchase a few to give to friends or impress clients. Tell Nick that GolfDash sent you!

FREE GolfRound Towel!

GolfDash is currently offering a FREE GolfRound towel for new members of GolfDash. Membership is free so you can hardly go wrong with this limited time deal. If you are not familiar with the GolfRound towel it is simply one of the most useable and innovative new golf products on the market today. Here's how it works:

The GolfRound is made with a water repellent material on the outside and an absorbent terrycloth on the inside. Lightly moisten the center, fold it twice and carry it in your pocket. When you get to the green you have a damp towel to clean your ball with. It's that easy!

"I love the GolfRound!! This is one of the most innovative golf products invented! All my golfing buddies want one!" - Kevin O'Banion, CA

Get one for yourself or give it as a holiday gift! They're going fast so sign up now!

So get access to the "Intelligent Golf Directory" where you get the best quality golf information on the web today and some very cool webtools including customized weather center, one-click customization, RSS center, archives of our "Sites of the Day" (many new and cool proucts/sites hand picked by our editors here!) and more.

PS: please confirm that you have registered (remember it's FREE) by sending an email to: info@golfdash.com

December GolfDash Newsletter

Please check out our inaugural GolfDash Newsletter. Content includes Member Benefits, Featured Site, Coming Soon, Sneak peak, 19th Hole and Special Offer. Check it out here: December GolfDash Newsletter and let us know what you think.

"Alternative" Golf Power Using Martial Arts

Curious out there how many folks practice some type of alternative exercise to increase your golf swing power. By this I mean aikido, chi gong, tai chi, etc. I practice aikido so I have some direct experience. It is a type of "power" that you develop over time. One of the keys in any of these disicplines is, of course, you have to practice it but it very much has to do with working on a way to relax your body so you have "effortless" power. I have glimpsed this only a few times in the last couple years and if I had the chance to play a bit more would pursue this adamently. I was actually testing some exercises from Ken Cohen's book, The Ways of QiGong, and did a number of standing postures. Just standing (although in a certain way)and letting your energy or "chi" sink to your center or "hara." It is VERY difficult to just stand for say 20-30 minutes but when I was practicing semi-regularly and played golf I would have that feeling of power coming from my center (hips) and not from the top (which is what I usually do) with a totally relaxed, (almost felt like I did not have a club in my hand) full swing. I easily gained about 20-30 yards. It was almost magical. However, it was VERY fleeting. But I often think back and wonder about how I could tap into this "hidden" power source more often.

Getting Up and Down by Tom Watson

Of all the golf books I own, Getting Up and Down, by Tom Watson, has the most wear and tear, the most coffee stains and (dare I say) the most used. Why this is so is something I have, honestly, never given much thought but I believe it has to do with it's simplicity and directness. The short game, as we all know, can be one of the squirreliest parts of the game due to the myriad of lies and obstacles (sand, water, deep rough, short rough) one has to consider and negotiate. What I think makes, Getting Up and Down so unique is it's simple focus on these challenges. Like to get out of thick rough around the green Watson recommends picking the club straight up and straight down (obviously lessening the grass/clubface contact) - but when I first read this tip many moons ago it didn't really shock me or surprise me (I mean it is JUST a tip) but when out on the course trying the technique it felt completely odd, counter-intuitive and scary. The first time I attempted it (in competition no less)the ball came out high and fluffy and dropped like a feather inches from the pin ;-) The short game demands all sorts of precise club positions, angles, swings that it is truly a science. In my humble opinion it is a must have golf book for your collection and will hopefully bring you years of short game satisfaction. And if budget is a concern, head over to Amazon where used copies start at 95 cents!

East Lake Golf Club

Some (possibly) little known facts about East Lake Golf Club, host to this years Tour Championship in Atlanata, GA.

• East Lake itself, was
  originally the site of an amusement park in the 1890's


• In 1904, a country club was created, engaging golf architect Tom Bendelow to lay out the course.


• In 1913, famed golf course architect Donald Ross redesigned the Bendelow course at East Lake


• Bobby Jones "Home Course" - who also served as it's president


• Hosted the 1963 Ryder Cup


• By the 1980s, once proud East Lake was a tired, mostly forgotten golf course, seemingly as hopeless as the surrounding neighborhood


• In 1994, Rees Jones restored Donald Ross's original golf course layout


• Measures 7,112 yards from the championship tees and plays to par 72 (Par 70 for the Tour Championship)


• Current Course Record - Bart Bryant - 62 (set Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005)


• The course has hosted 17 major championships


• The most talked about hole on the front nine is the 165-yard, par-3 sixth