Tips From The Tour

It goes without saying that players who compete on the PGA Tour are the best in the world. Not only do they have impressive natural talent, but every guy out there spends a tremendous amount of time and effort working on his technique, strategy and fitness. For those of us not fortunate enough to be able to spend all day, every day improving our all around game, this opportunity seems like a dream come true. For the players on Tour, however, its a job that they take seriously, and one thats both extremely competitive and tough.

Recreation golfer who play the game for fun might not have the same level of talent or time to invest in the game of golf as Tour players do, but they can still learn a lot form the guys on Tour. When he teach his student, for example, I constantly use Tour swings to illustrate the proper technique, regardless of whether the student in question has Tour-like ability. The point is, if youre serious about learning to do it the right way, theres no better place to learn than from the best, because the technique they use have proven to work.

1.Get down on it ( Learn to maintain a constant spine angle like Ernie Els, and your balance, ball striking and accuracy will improve immediately)

Tour pros are extremely good at maintaining their posture during the swing. The obvious benefit on this is consistent contact with the center of the face, as well as outstanding arm extension and compressed iron shots. In contrast, amateurs tend to lose their spine angle both in the backswing and the downswing, which leads to a number of poor shots : becoming excessively bent over creates fat shots and chicken wings, while becoming too upright leads to shanks and thin shots. Ernie Els shows how its done correctly. His hips are rotating left to make room through impact while his chest stay out on top of the ball. This ensures the club will bottom out past the ball and create the space necessary to extend the arms after impact. Work on maintaining your swing, and your ball striking should improve dramatically.

2.Wood Cutting

Tour players make a lot of birdies by reaching par-5s in two, largely because of their prodigious driving distance, but also because of their proficiency with fairway woods. To improve your fairway wood play, forget about drawing the ball and learn to hit a controlled fade. Not only is this shot easier to get airborne, but a fade lands more softly and has a better change of staying on the green. Also, a cut shots is easier to control, and adding it to your arsenal will promote aggressive play. To execute a cut shot with a fairway wood, set up with a slightly open stance and place the ball a bit more forward than normal. Concentrate on making contact with the back of the ball, or even a bit on the outside of it, and try to swing slightly across the target line. Focus on making solid contact instead of swinging as hard as you can and youll be surprised how far this type of shot will travel. Even if you dont reach the green, plenty of easy birdies will result.

3.Make every Putt Straight

There are few shots more daunting for professionals and amateurs alike than a short left-to-right-breaking putt. Professionals deal with these putts much more successfully by turning them into straight putts instead of fighting the break. How do they do it? Simply by picking a target other than the hole that represents the apex of the break. In this putt, Tiger is aiming several cups to the left of the actual cup. He starts the ball directly at this target and allows the slope to work the ball into the hole. When you try this technique, keep in mind that the spot you pick is largely dependent on the speed at which you choose to roll the putt.

(c) 2007 Sharon Benaiah All Rights Reserved
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Basement Waterproofing Solutions

Basement flooding is a major problem for many homeowners. Although waterproofing your basement may initially seem expensive and perhaps even unnecessary, keep in mind that in most cases, repairing damage caused by water will cost more than waterproofing your basement.

Insurance
Standard insurance policies do not always cover basement flooding. If you live in a high risk area, purchasing full coverage insurance against flooding should be considered. Keep a detailed inventory of the contents of your residence and take photos of the rooms as it will prove extremely valuable in the event of a flood or major water leak.

Make sure your insurance policies and related records are in a safe location and easily accessible should the worst happen. Too often, homeowners will keep their valuables in a safety box that they store in the basement, which is usually the first part of a house to be flooded.

Basement waterproofing 101
Surprisingly enough, many home foundations are not waterproofed. Because concrete absorbs water, moist earth around an unprotected foundation will cause dampness in a basement. Basement waterproofing will not only prevent humidity, but will also protect your home's foundation, a critical step in maintaining your home's value, as well as an important measure in preventing serious water damage.

Basement waterproofing is generally not recommended as a do-it-yourself project. This is one task best left to reputable professionals; moreover, insurance companies may refuse to pay a flooding claim if your waterproofing was not done by professionals. Ideally, basement waterproofing should be done during the construction stage.

Some temporary solutions
A common foundation waterproofing method used by homeowners is the application of black tar; however, it is not recommended as it is a short-term solution. It will dry out, crack and allow seepage within five to eight years. Tar can be effective as a damp-proofing method, but it is not recommended as waterproofing material.

If you do choose a do-it-yourself waterproofing method, opt for the application of a rubberized liquid membrane, which is essentially the same material that automobile tires are made of. The liquid membrane is quick drying, inexpensive and generally easy to apply with a roller, sprayer or trowel. However, particular attention should be paid to consistency during the application.

Black mold
Mold is a good indication that your basement has leakage or condensation problems. If mold exists in your home, your basement may have cracks in the walls or the floor, improperly installed or a lack of footer tiles, leaks from sweating basement pipes and/or basement windows. Black mold grows where there is dampness or water damage and is considered a serious health concern.

When to Consult a Professional
Basement waterproofing can minimize water infiltration and prevent its growth. If mold is a problem, it is best to consult a professional to waterproof your foundation. Other factors to consider are the climate and landscape of the area.

Herb Mansfield is a master plumber in the province of Quebec, Canada. He has over 35 years experience in the plumbing field. He is now lending his expertise to the Sump Pump Info

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