Golf, How To Find The Golf Shoe That Is Right For You (Celebrity Recreation)

It all depends on your feet. Basically, golf shoe or not, shoes must be comfortable to wear and should fit good. Also, the shoes should fit your budget as well as your lifestyle.
Out with the old Old golf shoes have those spikes that are made out of metal. These types of foot wear are no longer allowed on the golf greens. Throw them out and get a new pair of great golf shoes. Current makers of golf shoes use spikes that are soft and made of plastic. Brand it or not The brand is not as important compared to fit, comfort and style. You may have the shoes that Tiger Woods wears but that does not mean you will play like him if you wear the brand of shoes he wears. Be realistic. If you prefer the slip-on golf shoes rather than the ones that you have to tie, go and get those. It is your opinion and preference that counts more than anything else. Listen to what your feet are telling you. Why are they on sale? Golf shoes are different and unique. Though you could simply settle for any shoe that fits or any shoe that looks good because they fit your budget, this should not be the only consideration. Take this as an example, a golfer once bought a pair of golf shoes simply because they were on sale. Lo and behold when the golfer tried it on the actual greens, he found out that it was a pain to the feet and very difficult to keep on as well as to tie. So please do not forget to try it out first. Your feet would know better and then let your wallet speak after your feet have decided on the shoes. Walk around the store with the shoes you are intent to purchase. Make sure though that you also try on other pairs.
Know your real golf self However, if you do not play golf very much, it is best that you purchase the kind of shoes that just as well do not cost as much. But if you are a devoted golfer, shoes that are waterproof is the best option. These shoes are good for walking as well as sloshing along the greens. But if you are a golfer that is not so serious in playing and you enjoy the walking over the hills, around trees and tees more than playing or putting, then going waterproof may not be an option for you.


by Edwin Shackleford
About The Author: Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com

Golf, Guides To Golf Lesson Hunting (Celebrity Recreation)

Golf.
Before, it has been acclaimed as a game for those who can afford to buy the equipment needed. But as time goes by, golf has gradually gained mass recognition, as it becomes an affordable sport.
However, golf lessons remain to be very expensive. That’s why it is important to take into considerations the different factors that need to be mulled over before obtaining golf lessons.
Therefore, for those who would like to know how to shop for golf lessons in the market, here is a list of some tips that can be used: 1. Budget Before a Tiger Wood wannabe enrolls into some golf lessons, he or she must first learn how to stick to the budget. Golf lessons’ prices may vary and there are instances where other institutions price their golf lessons really high. So it’s better for a beginner to conform to his budget so that he will not be compelled to take the best and the most expensive golf lessons.
2. Know the preferences It is important to consider one’s preference for golf lessons. For example, if an individual is very particular with the instructors, then, he or she should be prepared to prepare a bigger budget for it because skilled instructors usually offer expensive golf lessons.
3. Consider one’s goals and dedication to learn the game Expensive golf lessons can really do amazement with one’s performance in the game. However, these things will only be put to waste if the concerned individual is not dedicated to do the lessons.
The important thing in golf lessons is to have one’s goals and dedication meet at a certain point.
4. Types of golf lessons Golf lessons can either be private or those that are taught in golf schools. Both are advantageous to a golf wannabe. The only difference they make is with the length of time required to finish the lessons.
Private golf lessons entail a longer period than golf lessons taught in schools.
5. Shop around Not all golf lesson providers are created equal. Hence, it is important for a person who wants to learn golf lessons to shop around first so that he will be able to compare one item from another.
Indeed, golf lessons can be very expensive. That’s why it is important to consider these factors so as to avoid any additional expenses.
Nevertheless, golf lessons can definitely help a person harness his or her skills when playing golf.



by Edwin Shackleford
About The Author: Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com

Golf, Know Your Course: Hazardous Areas (Celebrity Recreation)

Golf can be a pretty demanding game. This is because anyone who wants to be an expert golfer or at least be considered as a golfer should first educate himself or herself about the concept of this particular sport, the rules of the games, and the conditions of the environment where the game is played.
For this reason, experts say that it is extremely important for every golfer wannabe to familiarize himself with the different aspects of golf, one of which is the golf course.
Golf course, basically, refers to a piece of land where the game will be played. Usually, golf courses have a chain of holes. These holes primarily refer to the physical hole in the ground, where the ball is placed and hit. It can also refer to the full vastness from the tee or the first hole where the primary shot is played, up to the green, or the area around the physical hole in the ground.
Normally, golf courses have nine holes up to a maximum of 18. Aside from these holes, golf courses are divided into different parts where each player must learn to play their best in spite of the disadvantages of each area and the trouble that awaits them. The area where the grass is cut almost near to the ground that provides every ball a good playing area is known as the fairway. On the other hand, the rough is that part of the golf course wherein the grass stands slightly taller than those at the fairway, or the area in which the grass is maintained uncut.
The last part of the golf course is the so-called hazards or those that are considered as hazardous areas in the course. These hazardous areas are the most feared part of the golfers because it is assumed that if a golfer’s ball had fallen into one of the hazards, he may or may not win the game.
Therefore, for people who want to know more about the different hazardous areas in the golf course, here is a list of some facts that could be used.
1. Bunkers Bunkers, also known as “sand traps,” are one of the hazardous areas on the golf course. As its other name suggests, bunkers are burrows that are usually full of sand.
Here, the player will have a difficult time playing his best shot in the game. This is because golf balls are hard to control and manipulate when in the sand.
As a rule, players are not allowed to touch the ground, which is still a part of a hazard, using a club. Hence, beginners must know this rule by heart or else they might not be able to finish the game.
2. Water hazards Water hazards are typically small bodies of water that are incorporated in the golf course like ponds, lakes, etc. Usually, water hazards are placed between the hole and the “tee-off”.
These water hazards, like the bunkers, are also considered one of the hazardous areas in the golf course. This is because once the ball has landed on the water hazards, there is a possibility that the overall performance of the player’s game will be affected.
Basically, even if the ball has landed on the water hazard, the player can still opt to play the next stroke provided that the player must hit the ball as it is.
If in the event that the ball is considered lost, in which this particular issue is a subject of numerous debates in the course, the player may hit another ball that can either be played from the area where the ball was previously hit before it hit the water hazard or by dropping another ball from behind the water hazard.
In reality, there are many rules that govern the cases of water hazards. However, the rules mentioned here are the basic rules in water hazards, so it can be very useful especially to those who are planning to start their career in golf.
Indeed, the performance of a player that refers to his stroke and style can be curbed with many obstacles like the water hazards and the bunkers. Hence, it can be concluded that golf players should try with all his might to avoid these hazardous areas as much as possible.



by Edwin Shackleford
About The Author: Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com

Golf, Know Your Course: Greens (Celebrity Recreation)

Golfers are very picky of the golf course where they want play. They don't like playing in areas where the greens were just punched. That is why keepers of the greens implement a lot of methods to make sure expert care is given and golfers play golf without being annoyed.
There are a lot of problems that resemble a nightmare if no perfect trouble shooting tips are used. One aspect that is very important in keeping a good greens is the drainage. Although, this is often overlooked, it is a vital part in keeping the green especially during rainy seasons.
A real golf course will eat up from $65,000 or more for just a single green. A base layer to maintain the shape is required for a green. The drainage should be made up of crushed stones, a layer of sand, PVC pipes, and at least 13 to 14 inches of cheaper sand with peat for the root zone layer. The sprinklers should be available including bunkers. A more expensive part, which is the sod, is needed also for the surrounding area.
The labor needed in providing maintenance for the green is not for golf course owners who do not like cutting the grass more than once a week. The hard part of the work is preventing turf grass problems and being vigilant on how to maintain it as it should be. Cutting of the grass should be made every two to three days or everyday if there are golfers who want to play on the green everyday. There is also other work that demands more time and cost such as aeration, fertilization, putting herbicides, top dressing, putting fungicides and/or pesticides. Below is a list of some methods and time frame needed in taking care of the golf course greens.
Care for Greens Activity and Scheduling Irrigation: 1 - 3 days interval Mowing: 1 - 3 days interval Top dressing: 3 to 6 times a year Aeration: Once a year Pesticide: Only when it's needed Herbicide: Only when it's needed Fungicide: Once a month Fertilization: Once a month The types of grass that can be used are either the creeping bentgrass or Bermuda grass. Bentgrass is considered by gold course owners in areas where the climate is moderate to cool while Bermuda is the type of turf recommended in tropical or sunny temperatures. Bentgrass is easier to grow and provides a greenskeeper income. Using Bermuda in hot climates make it more costly. The techniques used in maintaining the two kinds of grass are the same, the only difference is that it would be difficult to use Bentgrass in places that are tropical since it is hard to keep it moist. Only 22% of American golf course owners use Bermuda while 78% prefer Bentgrass. Here are the list of places and the turf type they use according to a survey made by GCSAA.
US State: Bentgrass/Bermuda grass Alabama: 19/81 Arizona: 59/41 Arkansas: 60/40 California: 86/14 Florida: 2/98 Georgia: 49/51 Louisiana: 2/98 Mississippi: 9/90 Nevada: 93/7 Oklahoma: 90/10 North Carolina: 67/33 South Carolina: 14/86 Tennessee: 65/35 Texas: 50/50 Hawaiian owners are using one hundred per cent Bermuda grass while all the other US states are using a hundred per cent bentgrass. Southeast Texas is using Bermuda while Bent is being used in Northwest Texas. A standard mower, preferably the rotary types, are needed since the greens should be rolled and cut to a height of 4/16 inches. Others are still considering synthetic grass than bentgrass for the golf course. Although synthetic ones can be cheaper, some golfers may not like the idea. Here are the pluses and minuses of each type of grass: Type of Greens: Pros vs. Cons Real bent grass 1. Maintenance can be a hobby but skills and training are needed 2. More pleasing and attractive but can be time consuming 3. Hole locations can be changed but costly grass mowers are needed 4. Grows fast and cheaper than seeds but irrigation is needed Fake grass 1. Maintenance is not needed but concrete holes are permanent 2. May look real during playing but can be discovered fake by expert golfers 3. Can take any weather condition but a bit more expensive than real bent grass seeds 4. Worry free maintenance but requires labor fees for installation



by Edwin Shackleford
About The Author: Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com

Golf, Las Vegas Golf Tips (Celebrity Recreation)

Trying golf and looking for that perfect hot green spot to visit and swing that club on? Perhaps you are looking for Las Vegas; an excellent environment for beginners and professionals alike. Las Vegas is known for its wonderful golf courses. To date, there are at least 40 golf courses offering the best golf tee time packages that everyone will surely find enjoyable. The following tips are designed to make your booking for golf tee times as ideal and perfect as possible, while enjoying all the amenities the golf course has to give. Ø General Structure of Golf Courses - One consideration you have to make in planning your tee times is the general structural plan of the specific golf courses you are going into. The greens should be specifically kept intact and fairways and tee boxes should be strategically located. Clubhouses should be built in appropriate focal points where golfers and other guests could rest along the tournament. Ø Practice Facility and Driving Ranges Adequate and efficient practice facility and accessible driving ranges are also important. Holes should be properly placed on locations where enough excitement is felt along the game as you go through swinging that stick and putting that ball into that hole! Ø Hazards: Spices of Life Additionally, professionally designed natural and artificial hazards are the spices which makes golfing an interesting game to play. However, beginners should not be as concerned as professional golfers in as much as the general plan of the golf course is concerned. If you are a beginner, general structure of golf links should not even pose an issue; instead you are advised to learn the basics of golfing and using the right materials which you can use to start with and learn all that swinging technique! Ø Booking on the Internet! — There is no other excellent portal to getting information on the current hot spots in golfing. Las Vegas boasts its' more than top 40 golf courses complete with amenities which everyone can enjoy.
Best deals are usually advertised on the Internet through authorized Las Vegas Golf Course agencies and are only available for a specific period of time. Ø Great Rates! — Don’t be afraid to book in one of the most famous gambling cities in the world! Great places need not be expensive. Surely, you will be able to find great deals which matches everyone else’s budget. Daytime and nighttime rates differ, usually ranging from $200 to $600 per person including taxes and other applicable fees for car and range balls. Enjoy 18-holes championship golf links across a 7000 yard field. Everything you’re gonna need is in Las Vegas!


by Edwin Shackleford
About The Author: Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com

Golf, Looking Beyond The Tip (Celebrity Recreation)

Golf is not just about looking at the best golf club tip in town. There are also other factors that you should consider. Stay relaxed One of things that you should remember is so easy and simple to do but ironically, most golfers forget it. It is to relax. Although of course, for many people, relaxing is easier said than done, especially on the first round, since it brings intense pressure. This additional pressure will increase the heart rate of your body and will diminish your chances of having a great tee shot. Focus on the breathing that you have before you go straight hitting the ball off. A few deep, long breaths would do the trick. The key point here is you should have the main focus on your shot. Your wrists should not be used When you are to hit your drive, it is of paramount importance to remember that your wrists and hands are not the ones giving you enough power you need in driving the ball. The power you need should come from your shoulders in your back swing, when you are winding the body up while you prepare for your down swing. Any wrist movement could lead to inconsistent ball striking, leading to an inconsistent trajectory of the ball. Keep the wrists straight, and you will see how your drive has become more and more consistent and accurate. In order for you to realize, visualize Before you really hit the shot, stand some few feet, maybe about two to three feet, behind the golf ball and try to visualize how the ball would take the flight path you want. Visualize how the ball is going to take off, “watch” it in air and its landing place. This will dramatically increase the chances you have in putting the golf ball in the exact place where you prefer it.
Prepare what you need to prepare Before you go straight hitting your target, make sure first that you have spent some hours practicing to get a sense of how to sing. Do not strike your first drive without you warming up. If you have no time anymore for hitting some practice balls, spend at least five minutes to warm up. Before you step on to the tee, make sure you have spent some time on the practice range, to get into the feeling of the swing. Never, ever, hit your first drive without warming up. Do some exercises. This will give you a more relaxed and flexible feeling.



by Edwin Shackleford
About The Author: Edwin Shackleford has been helping individuals improve thier golf game for years. Try his Free Online Training Today! http://www.improve-your-golf-game.com

Boats, 4 Tips For Buying The Perfect Fishing Boat (Celebrity Recreation)

The sun is about to rise and the weather is crisp. You pack your tackle box, grab your pole and buy some worms. You make your way to the fishing dock dreaming you had the perfect fishing boat so you were landlocked no more. Now that dream can become reality with these 4 easy tips for finding and purchasing the perfect fishing boat! Have a clear understanding of the purpose of the fishing boat. Obviously the boat is going to be used for fishing, but is it going to be used on oceans or in lakes? For day time trips or overnight stays? If you play to stay in your boat overnight, be sure to choose a boat with a hull which will allow you to ride the waves much better than a boat without one. Make sure to have a clear understanding of your budget. Boats are very expensive items. You should be well acquainted with your finances before you take on the extra burden of a boat purchase. Boats with hulls for overnight stays and rough waters are obviously more expensive than small boats for small lakes. Know your limitations.
Read and understand the warranties fully before making a purchase. A warranty can be your best friend. Make sure the dealer you buy the boat from offers you the proper coverage in case there is any defect or problem with your boat. You don’t want to end up having to pay huge amounts to fix your boat because you forgot to check out the warranties! Make sure the boat has proper certification .The NMMA, or the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association is an organization that tests boats that are manufactured by different companies. They only certify those boats that pass their rigorous testing. Any boat certified by the NMMA is one that you would feel safe owning. Also, just like cars, boats must be registered. Be prepared to register your boat just like your vehicle (i.e. paying money). On top of that expense, you must now stock your boat with life jackets, brand new fishing gear, food and a cooler so you can get fishing!



by Dana Goldberg
About The Author: Dana Goldberg is the owner of The Boats Blog. On her blog you will find tips and advice on buying or selling a boat. http://www.theboatsblog.com

Boating, 10 Reasons To Do A Basic Boating Course! (Celebrity Recreation)

Boating is a great adventure on any type of boat and is being enjoyed by many on a daily basis, but with that comes a great responsibility. It is not mandatory to do a boating course at this time but there are some very good reasons to get your self informed about the rules of the road.
1) You will learn about safety equipment and what you are required to have on your boat before you undertake any boating excursion. This is very important because what you don’t have with you could make the difference between being able to handle a situation or not. Also, that outing for the day could cost you if the sheriff stops you to spot check your boat and fines you for not having all the safety equipment required for your specific boat.
2) You will learn that driving a boat is vastly different from driving a car. You are dealing with air and water currents. If you have never docked a boat you may think that it is easy, until that is, the current is pulling you in the opposite direction that you want to go. Understanding air and water currents will help you learn how to dock your boat.
3) Knowing how to work with lines and tying knots is part of boating. You have to be able to secure a boat properly. If your boat gets away, it is amazing how quickly the current will take it out of your reach and you will probably require the assistance of another boater to help you get to it. So learn your knots.
4) You will learn what the channel markers mean. We learned the hard way the first time we went out on a boat and ran aground outside the markers. We also had no clue what the red and green markers meant on the poles. This you also learn on the course.
5) There are speed limits on certain water ways but unlike the roads, they may or may not be posted. Ignorance may not be enough to get you out of a ticket.
6) Using charts for coastal navigation can be a life saver. It’s your road map that helps you stay away from the shallows and shows where all the markers and bridges are, and by using measurements you can calculate the distance and time it will take to get somewhere. It can be valuable tool for navigation.
7) Just like on the roads, there is the right of way. On a boating course you will learn who has the right of way and why.
8) Every boat should have a horn. You may hear one long toot or 2 short toot and so on, and you’ll learn what they mean.
9) There are boating regulations and laws that must be followed by all boaters, for example, (and I have seen this rule broken so many times) you are not allowed to sit on the bow of the boat with your feet hanging over board. There are many more regulations to learn and not knowing them can cost you.
10) Anchoring a boat is not just a matter of plopping it down to the sand. There is a mathematical technique applied to anchoring that has to do with the size and length of your boat. Knowing how to do this correctly will give you that extra insurance of knowing your boat is going nowhere until you want to move it.
There are different ways to enjoy pleasure boating such as the fast pace of ski boating or the slow pace of a trawler, kayaking or canoeing. In whatever way you want to do it, it is a good idea to know the rules of the road. Then you can avoid potential situations and get on with the fun of being out there with all that sky, sun, water, family and friends.
Enjoy!



by Willie Jones
About The Author: Willie is a freelance writer and researcher and is dedicated in bringing information on health related issues and other topics. http://www.adventure-boating.com

Online Poker, Online Poker Pre-action Buttons (Celebrity Recreation)

One of the key features that speeds up the poker action when playing online is the 'pre-action' buttons. These are playing options that you can choose with a click designed for your poker hand to automatically check, bet, call or fold instantly when it becomes your turn to act.
Many experts will argue against their use, maintaining that the situation is rare that a player should know what he intends to do well ahead of time without knowing the exact intent of all the players to act before of him. An example might be a player that is dealt a pair of Jacks while sitting in late position during almost any type of Holdem game. It is almost impossible to imagine many situations where it is correct to automatically raise or call with those Jacks no matter what the action is ahead of you. The hand plays itself much better in relation to the action. In many scenarios a raise is better when facing just one limper ahead of you, and calling is the often the better move when already facing raises (especially from tight players).
Despite our inability to properly assess which poker action to take beforehand on many good or marginal poker hands, even beginner players can recognize some decisions to immediately fold bad cards regardless of the action that has happened before them. An example of this scenario would be getting dealt a hand like 8s-3c in middle position while playing a relatively tough limit Holdem game. Even before the cards are dealt most players will have a certain standard of hand needed to open the pot or be the first to limp in, and this hand usually falls below that standard. If any players are calling or raising in early position, then it becomes even more certain that it would be a mistake to play this hand. It seems that using the 'check/fold' button wouldn't be much of a mistake when dealt some of these rag hands.
It's interesting to note that making a tiny bet at a pot in online tournaments (normally not strategically correct) has now been turned into a tool to get the players using the 'auto-fold' button to toss their hands without possibility of a free miracle card. Players using the auto-check/fold feature consistently are in fact exposing themselves to a uniquely possible online poker tell, albeit a small one.
The increased resulting game speed is by far the most compelling reason for players to use the pre-action buttons. Many will argue that even if a rare strategic poker betting mistake was made by using these buttons, the higher number of hands dealt per hour more than compensates good players financially and helps all players in way of enjoyment of the game. The fast paced poker action that Holdem in conjunction with these action buttons and the poker software has provided remains one of the most exciting and appealing aspect of playing online.


by Winners Table
This article has been written by the Winners Table online poker experts and can be re-published if a link to http://WinnersTable.com" is included. online poker

Golf, Your Perfect Golf Vacation — Conclusion (Celebrity Recreation)

Your perfect golf vacation with your friends starts and stops with you. Toss the vacation package brochures in a heap and design your own ideal golf getaway. This is the final of four articles to assist you in providing an outing for yourself and your friends that will make you want to do it every year (as we have for 19 years running).
From the last article, you are now at the minus one month point. So far you have rallied the troops, picked the dates, selected the lodging and golf courses and are in the final preparation stage. You will soon see your friends smiling faces at the airport baggage claim. The final preps and smoothly running the whole show are child's play. The tough part was getting your bunch of friends to buy the tickets to enjoy the event. Here are a few things you will want to do before the scream of the aircraft's tires on the tarmac.
1. Transportation. The limiting factor is arrival and departure from the airport due to clubs AND suitcases. If you can just barely stuff everyone in the vehicles at this point, the rest of the week is gravy. From your experience, you know that when you pack up four guys to go golfing locally, you will entirely fill the trunk of a full sized car. With that in mind, you should plan on a full sized car for every three people. We use one minivan/SUV augmented with cars for our adventures. Just make sure you allow for the limiting case.
You need to arrange these rental vehicles ahead of time, but you can only drive one yourself. Here is the minus one-month mandatory. When you figure out your vehicle requirements, contact the group to arrange among them and you who will contact and rent the remaining vehicles. There will probably be some in your group that have existing discounts and can score a great rate. Hash this one out via email.
2. Entertainment. Unless you are going to the deserts in Arizona or get exceedingly lucky, you will have a rain day or two. You will also have a bunch of time at night after golf (after you have all told your lies). We suck that time up pretty effectively watching the golf channel, ESPN, playing cards, or watching videos. The latter is what you can address ahead of time. We have a guy that is pretty good at selecting movies to watch and we task him to bring them with him. Movies like "Gladiator", "Miracle", etc. are big. Some of your group may even have an adult video you may want to avail yourselves of. On severe rain days, we also have gone bowling (a real hoot), done the local movie theater, and toured the area.
3. Checklists. After about ten years of being asked twenty times per day where we were playing the next day, or when we had to leave, or what was for supper, or who stole my teddy bear, I finally started typing out these things. I make a copy of each and post sporadically throughout the house. I make individual laminated cards and hand to each golfer. Know what? It reduced the questions to half and now when asked, I say that I can't remember, let me walk over to the frig and read it for you. Here are the things I prepare ahead of time.
- Listing of course, tee times, course contact number, and departure time. I base departure time on MapBlast directions and factor in a stop for ice for the coolers and if we will need to hit range balls.
- Listing of the menu for the evening meals. If this is your first time, keep the menu simple and make sure you have the recipes in hand. With any size group, you are going to have a chef or two and this won't be a big deal.
- Multiple copies of the "order sheet" for sandwiches. For most of our noon meals between rounds, we dine on our self-prepared, gourmet sandwiches prepared the night before. As you saw from the previous articles, I solicit what the group wants and have that on the shopping list. What winds up being the least confusing way is to have some sheet for people to circle or fill in to specify what sandwiches they want for the next day. You rotate the preparers (two is best) every night and with that sheet, they manufacture the gourmet feast. (Don't discount this! The sandwiches you make will be superior to anything short of the full meal at the course AND you will not have to wait on it if you are pressed for time between your rounds.) - Biggy! We did not keep a record of our scores for our first few years. Big mistake. What great history we tossed out. Keep a record! I prepare a hard copy sheet to fill in as we go. It allows us to follow who is the overall stroke leader and gives us all ammo to use in negotiating the next day's bets. I take this home and plant it permanently on our golf website.
- Expenses. I pay for everything with minor exceptions. That keeps it simple. I currently use a spreadsheet to administer this. It works great. I would provide this for you, but this article format doesn't allow. Before that, I simply used pen and paper and got it to within a penny. My point is that from the minute you start your adventure, keep a tally of what you have spent! Streamline course check in by paying for everyone, buy all the food and drink, buy all the gas, etc. If someone pays for anything, log it in immediately. If you are religious in this, you will have no complaints, only praise.
4. Things nobody else will bring but you.
- Several decks of cards, poker chips - Cribbage boards - Screw driver and pliers (you never know) - Pens, pencils and permanent markers (you will need all) - Over the counter pain killers - Band-Aids - Game 5. Arrival. So here you have a rambunctious group of friends descending on the Mecca of golf. You have motored to the house your staying in and it is the mad dash to the best room to be found. NOT. To avoid any hard feelings between the lodger that got the queen bed and the lodger that got the twin bed, simply set up a quick draw out of the hat. For subsequent years, do the same, but use the seniority system. Once a person misses, he goes to the end of the list.
6. Once you have dumped your bags in the drawn rooms, it is time to go shopping. With the template I gave you in the last article, and with your modifications based on menu and orders, grab one or two volunteers and get what you need.
This is the conclusion of my recommendations on how you can have the best golf outing or outings you have ever had. Since I have folks coming to enjoy my preparations for 19 years should be testimony to you. At least give it a shot once. It won't be perfect, but my guess is that it will be superior and more remembered than anything you can buy as a package. Go for it!

by Randall Ulbricht
About The Author: Randall Ulbricht is a retired Nuclear Submarine Officer with a BA in Physics and Chemistry and an MBA from the Citadel. He has owned local businesses and currently works from home sharing information via several web sites, including: http://www.article-outlet.com , http://www.ezpromotes.com , and http://www.family-tree-templates.com

Casino, Top 10 Reasons For Visiting A Casino (Celebrity Recreation)

Over the course of a few weeks, I conducted a very brief survey, asking randomly chosen casino visitors one simple question. The question was, "Why did you visit this casino today?" Besides receiving an odd look every now and then, I managed to get a range of different reasons why people visit casinos.
Reason 1: To gamble. Not suprisingly, this was the main reason as you can probably guess by looking around the game tables and slot machines.
Reason 2: To eat and drink. While some singles and couples attended the casino to enjoy a few drinks at the bar, others were more interested in dining out at the casino restaurant.
Reason 3: Entertainment. This is another very common reason for visiting a casino. Whether it's to see a comedy, magic, singing or dancing show, entertainment is a major factor when it comes to drawing casino visitors.
Reason 4: To socialize. Catching up with friends and socializing was another very common reason for visiting a casino.
Reason 5: Employment. This is not a reason that you'd expect to come up too frequently in people's minds, but it is nevertheless true. Many people go to a casino because they work there, be it as a dealer, showgirl or a waitress.
Reason 6: Boredom. Many people decided to venture down to the casino because they were feeling bored and did not know where else to go, or what else to do on a Friday or Saturday night.
Reason 7: Someone brought me here. Someone decided to visit the casino and bring their partner, relative, friend or colleague along.
Reason 8: To learn how to play the games. A few people attended the casino to watch and learn how to play some of the casino games.
Reason 9: Romance. Be it the couple who decided to meet at the casino on a date or the single man or woman who is hoping to meet someone interesting, casinos are apparently great venues for meeting interesting new people.
Reason 10: There was no solid reason 10, but a collection of funny, strange and weird answers such as "I needed to use the bathroom" and "Someone owes me money".
So as you can see, people don't just visit casinos in order to gamble, but for a variety of interesting reasons.

by Adel Awwad
About The Author: Copyright © 2005. Written by http://casinoguide.ws and http://popularcasinos.net This document may be freely redistributed in its unedited form and on the condition that all copyright references are kept intact.

Divine Love Making

Have you read or heard about the controversy surrounding the story as to whether Jesus and Mary Magdalene were partners or actually married? There are several books that elude to this matter, including the latest best seller, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Let's suppose for a moment this were actually true. Jesus was in human form after all and he embodied the principles of Divine Love or in other words he was a being of love. So, how would a being of love make physical love? If love’s eternal nature is to keep giving of itself, then would it be safe to say that a Divine being would GIVE love through the sensations of the body’s pure sexuality when making physical love?

What is the body's pure sexuality? In essence, the body is a universe unto itself. Every internal and external organ works in harmony with each other to assure the survival of the system. The intelligence which governs the body happens naturally, and does not require you to think. For example: Do you have to tell your heart to beat? Of course not. Pure Sexuality is the innocent knowledge of love in the body. The magnetic power of pure sexuality attracts the Divine in another in order to give every quality of Love. This knowledge or intelligence directs the whole body during the making of love through the body's sensations.

This is also referred to as making love with the Divine in you and in your partner. This is how a spiritual being of love makes physical love. When two partners join with the conscious intent to make Divine physical love, there is no thinking necessary and the love between the partners is then amplified as their vibrations are raised.

How does our thinking get in the way when making love? Thoughts get in the way when certain demands or expectations are placed on the encounter, instead of each partner being in the moment experiencing the beautiful sensations which occur naturally. Thoughts also get in the way when allowed to go to other places, persons or events from the past or to future imaginings during the love making. When this occurs, we lose the connection to the pure sexuality of the body or the Divine.





Everyone has experienced Divine love making at some time or another. These are the sensational moments when we come together without thought involved. We experience the great passion and connection with our partner through the sensations of the bodies. When the love making ends, we produce the vibration of well being and serenity that is recognizable in the presence of others. We remember these times fondly and may long to repeat them, but they cannot be recreated by thinking about them.

You can not make Divine physical love by wanting to recreate the past because your thoughts are in the way. Making Divine Physical love requires you to be the love that you are in the moment and to give from that place with no expectations or demands. If Jesus and Mary made physical love, we believe this is how they would have practiced.

What do you suppose would happen if more people practiced making love this way? Practicing Divine love making can heal and restore an existing relationship or build a powerful foundation in a new relationship. This may be what is needed to end the disharmony, pain and unhappiness that so many suffer from today.

Man and woman have forgotten how to naturally engage the body's pure sexuality in order to make Divine physical love. This ancient knowledge has been buried under the piles of self absorption and self justification that humanity has been practicing for thousands of years. Giving up these behaviors is the key to freedom and the greatest challenge to realizing the way to Divine love.





When pure sexuality is present, the making of love between man and woman releases energies that are stored in the bodies creating a space for LOVE to expand which increases the vibratory rates of each person. Making love then becomes an opportunity to grow the knowledge of love and restore harmony. This occurs through the release of the finer energies that are exchanged through the organs of love during the making of love. This is really a great miracle and women can especially benefit from these releases, as they tend to store more emotion in their bodies than men do. This also can be transformational and restore man and woman to their true nature or the being the love that they are.

Practicing Divine love making is as natural as breathing once we get our thoughts out of the way. The effort lies in the great undoing that must occur to allow the Authority of love to command our lives. We can return to this beautiful state of being by practicing honest communication and making our intentions with our partners pure. The Authority of Love is ever present and available to us every moment. When we consciously choose to align with this presence, we begin to experience more Divine love in our lives. Is there anyone on earth that would not benefit from having more love in their life?





Those who choose to consciously practice Divine love making can experience a transformation that benefits all their relationships through the realization of something greater than themselves. This is the awesome power of the Authority of Love that lives within each of us.

By Judy Lacroix and Steven Lourakis
Judy and Steven share the powerful knowledge of Divine love and Divine love making with the teachings of JustLove and Just Communication, which they created to assist man and woman to awaken to the authority of love once again. You can learn more about these teachings at http://www.justlovenow.com

Golf Fitness Training Improves Your Golf Swing with Core Training

The words core training, golf fitness, and improving your golf swing have become common words in golf. It is well known the number of professional golfers utilizing a golf fitness program to improve their golf swing. Addition to this well-known situation a common word has become connected to the phrase golf fitness. This phrase has become a buzzword in the world of golf. Unfortunately many do not understand the phrase and the relevance it can have on the golf swing. The phrase is core training. Core training can be a great benefit to your golf swing as a part of comprehensive golf fitness program.

Unfortunately many amateur golfers are unsure of the exact definition of core training and the relevance it may or may not have on a golf fitness program. The core is a reference to an anatomical area of body. The core is the anatomical area of your body from above the knees to below the chest. It includes all the muscles, nerves, and bones within in this anatomical region of the body. It must also be noted that the core includes all the neuromuscular structures on the front, side, and back of your body. For example, your lower back muscles are a part of the core as are your abdominals.

Core training is an integral part of a comprehensive golf fitness program because this is the anatomical area of the body where the majority of the golf swing occurs. For example, the golf swing requires you to rotate around a fixed spine angle. The majority of muscles allowing rotation to occur around a fixed spine angle are found within the core region. The golf swing requires a full shoulder turn to execute correctly. The muscles allowing the shoulders to rotate are mostly found within the core region of the body. These are just a few examples providing a reference between the biomechanics of the golf swing and the core region of the body.

Understanding the connection between the biomechanics of the golf swing and the core should begin to shine some light on why core training can be beneficial to the golf swing. Overall, the golf swing requires certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. If the body lacks the required levels within these physical components the golf swing will be difficult to execute correctly. Knowing that a large portion of the movements in the golf swing occur within the core region, it becomes obvious developing these physical components become necessary in order to improve your golf swing.

The key component of core training in relation to the golf swing centers upon the principle of cross-specificity training. Cross-specificity training implies the exercises within the core program train the body to the positions, movements, and requirements of the sport. A core training program beneficial to the golf swing must train the body specifically for the anatomical positions, movements, and actions encountered on the golf course.

The goal of cross-specific core program is to develop a transfer of training effect. The majority of fitness programs and many core programs do not address the needs of the golfer relative to improving flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power. A cross-specific core program will provide the foundation for a better golf swing. Just because a program is labeled a “core program” does not necessarily mean it will be beneficial to improving the golf swing.

Once the golfer understands the concepts of cross-specific training, transfer of training effect, core, and the biomechanics of the golf swing. You can begin to piece together the components of a golf fitness program. Outside of providing the foundation for the golf swing through providing the golfer with the needed levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to efficiently execute the golf swing. A golf fitness program can also improve a golfer’s swing.

One common area of desired improvement for most any golfer is increased distance. Increased distance in the golf swing is equated to increased clubhead speed. And increased clubhead speed is directly related to the golfer’s power outputs. Increasing power within the golf swing is connected to both swing mechanics and the body. The coiling and uncoiling within the golf swing directly affects the power outputs generated. In addition the body has a direct affect upon power development in the golf swing. Power in relation to the body can be defined as the ability of the body to create the greatest amount of force in a short amount of time.

If the golfer increases the ability of the body to generate more force, what will be the result within the golf swing? The golfer is more powerful, an increase in clubhead speed will occur, and the golf ball will probably travel farther. Interestingly enough improving power outputs by the body in relation to the golf swing, centers upon developing greater power outputs by the core region. Again, the golf swing is a rotational movement centering in the core region of the body. Increasing the force outputs of the muscles in the core can invariably improve the power in your golf swing. This again is only one example of where core training and golf fitness can improve the golf swing. Many additional areas of improvement can occur when the golfer develops the body correctly for the golf swing.

Understand the biomechanics of the golf swing require certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power to execute correctly. The golfer requires minimal levels of these physical components at the very least to execute the golf swing correctly. The core is an anatomical region of the body where much of the movements within the golf swing occur. A core training program can be beneficial to improving the golf swing if the exercises within the program are cross-specific to the movements, positions, and physical requirements of the golf swing. If the core program is not cross specific to the golf swing, the benefits may less than optimal. Realize a comprehensive golf fitness program includes core training to develop the body around the golf swing. Such a program can improve the golf swing in areas like clubhead speed. And remember just because a program is labeled “core” does not necessarily mean it will improve your golf swing. The exercises within the core program must correlate with the movements of the golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters, 2005 PGA, and 2006 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

Tips for the 2006 Golf Season

The 2006 golf season is just around the corner for most of us. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where you can play golf all year, these tips will still be useful. Please take a few minutes to check and see if you are prepared for opening day at your golf course.

First and foremost, if you did not get your grips re-gripped last fall, this would be a perfect time. Make sure you ask the club repair person to measure the size of you grips and to replace them with the exact same size. If they replace them with a grip too big or too small, it can throw off your feel. While you are at it, if you have a shaft that is broken, now is the time to have it re-shafted. Most of the repair shops are not to busy this time of the year.

This is the time of the year when all of the new equipment is hitting the stores. If you wait to buy a new club in June, it might take you some time to get use to it. Start looking now if you want to replace a wedge, or a fairway wood. Here are a couple of tips for buying fairway woods- if the shaft is too stiff, the ball flight will be lower and it might go right. If you buy a shaft that is too weak, the ball flight will be too high and the ball will have a tendency to go left. So, it's important to get your swing speed measured, so that you have the correct shaft lex.

Many people think they know, but really they end up purchasing a flex that is a bit off.

There is nothing wrong with heading out to an indoor facility and start taking some swings. Before you do that, make sure you have taken some swings for a couple of weeks in the garage or outside. A pulled muscle is a tough way to start the season. As age progresses, muscles get tighter. Make sure to take the time to stretch properly in the beginning of the season, and it will benefit you down the road. Many of your "golf muscles" aren't the muscles that you generally use in everyday life. So make sure to warm them up properly before you start the season.

I will post a newsletter again on the February 15, 2006. The topic will be on how to check to see if you have the proper grip before you hit the ball. The grip is the SINGLE most important part of the golf swing, in my opinion. Don't try building a dream house on shaky ground.

Take care, and it is a pleasure to write these tips for you. I look forward to helping you play much better and consistent golf in 06.

Yours in Great Golf,

Bobby Eldridge - Head Professional of "The Simple Golf Swing"

P.S. I am BIG on the short game. Simply put, a good short game can convert you from a "decent golfer" into a scorer". I've put together a short game academy that will do just that, and we've decided to start the "Simple Golf Swing" academy with the short game because it's the easiest and fastest way to lower your scores. We also have posted a special audio message that will tell you more about the short game academy. If you are interested, I look forward to meeting you and teaching you "The Simple Golf Swing - Short Game" personally. You can find the itinerary and apply for the short game academy by tapping below.

http://www.hypertracker.com/go/dnevogt/sendtoacademy1/ss25/

Bobby Eldridge is the Head Instructor for the PurePont Golf Academy where he teaches "The Simple Golf Swing" theory. You can check out PurePoint Golf instructional DVDs at http://www.golfswingguru.com/dvd.php.

Do You Understand Golf Club Swing Weight

Golf club swing weight. Have you heard that term before?

A rather effective method of improving the golf swing is by adding extra weight to the club and then going through the motions of swinging.

This sort of exercise has many advantages apart from the fact that it is very golf specific and works on building the exact muscles you use during a golf swing or drive.

The other reason why extra weight on the club dramatically improves any golf swing is because the whole swing movement usually feels very unnatural to the body. You can easily tell this from the body violently resists it, making the golf swing one of the most difficult things to master in the golf game.

The extra weight on the golf club even as you practice the swing, quickly builds up and conditions the muscles involved so that the next time you do a golf swing, it feels much more natural. The result is that you will be able to execute a much better drive.

The best way of achieving extra weight on a club is by using a weighted club. A weighted club has several advantages. The one that probably comes to mind first is its portable nature. It can be carried around everywhere.

You have seen those movies where the executive is practicing their golf swing even while in a serious meeting discussing weighty issues with juniors.

Maybe this is a little too exaggerated but the point is that with such a mobile piece of useful golf equipment, there is no limit to where or when you can practice your swing with it. Either in the comfort of your home or office.

This can only help you see the dramatic results much faster as you go about exercising and conditioning your golf-swing-specific muscles by practicing a golf swing with some extra weight on the club.


About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his golf fitness site - Perform Better Golf.

Golf Clubs For Ladies (Celebrity Recreation)

If you are seeking a set of golf clubs for ladies, there are a few things you may not be aware of. Some of these things may include the use of shorter shafts and grips, as well as lighter club weights to add more forgiveness and distance to the majority of ladies swings. Golf clubs for ladies are built to help the lady golfer gain more confidence on the course.

You can find golf clubs for ladies just about anywhere you would find all other golf clubs made by top quality producing companies like Callaway, Nike, Wilson, Cleveland and a number of others. Shaft are available in ladies flex and club heads have a higher degree of loft to help get the ball in the air for more distance and optimized angle of trajectory.

With golf clubs, including golf clubs for ladies, remember that you do get what you pay for. If you are a beginner golfer, you may want to rent or borrow a set to determine whether or not you like the sport. Once you are decided on being an avid golfer, it would be wise to invest in a set of good clubs. You will achieve better results and will enjoy the game much more. Quality golf equipment may be more expensive, but you will hit the ball further and with more accuracy.


By Dean Cecere
Dean Cecere is writer and owner of "golf-equipment-accessories.com".
Please visit us for additional info and resources concerning Golf Clubs For Ladies

Using An Elliptical Trainer For Weight Loss And Fitness (Celebrity Recreation)

My second favorite form of cardio exercise is using an elliptical trainer (First is mountain biking). Elliptical trainers make your weight loss cardio program quiet, low impact, and challenging.

Elliptical trainers are kind of a combination of rowing, cross country skiing, and bicycling. You move all major muscle groups in a very fluid, low impact way. A high quality elliptical trainer is very solid, (No jerky motions) quiet, and usually comes with a display that will let you know the amount of time you have been riding, calories burned, mileage, etc.

I prefer using an elliptical trainer because of the full body workout plus the fact I can watch TV, listen to music, or even read while I am riding. The sound of a high quality elliptical trainer will not disturb others in your home. The fact that your whole body is involved makes it less likely that you will get bored or experience discomfort while on your elliptical machine. It is easy to track progress and easy to fit into your schedule. Even the busiest people I know watch at least a half hour of TV per day, now you can combine your exercise, weight loss routine with your TV time!

When it comes to elliptical trainers – Quality Counts! Do not get a loose, squeaky, cheap variety; it will end up being a clothes hanger in your family room! Cheap elliptical trainers do not provide a fluid motion and can sometimes feel jerky. A high quality elliptical machine will have a “natural” feel while you are riding. High quality elliptical trainers can be found at reputable web sites and some exercise equipment stores, but I have yet to find one I liked at a department store. Look for trial periods, satisfaction guarantees, and warranties.

How can you incorporate riding an elliptical machine into your weight loss program? Let me give you a few suggestions but remember to check with your doctor and realize your limits. First off theoretically speaking, 3500 calories represents one pound of fat. If you eat 3500 more calories than your body needs it will be stored as a pound of fat, if you consume 3500 less calories than your body needs it will burn 1 pound of stored energy resulting in fat loss. Perhaps you are saying: “Wait a minute! Why are you talking about consuming fewer calories? I thought this was an article about elliptical machines and weight loss!” The key here is; “consuming fewer calories than your body needs”. Rather than focusing on how to consume fewer calories we are going to think of our elliptical workouts as a way to cause our bodies to need more calories.

Let’s say you are someone who is relatively stable in your consumes/needs bank; You are consuming a few more calories than you are burning and perhaps have been slowly gaining weight over the years. Set a goal to eat as you normally do and ride the elliptical trainer for 3500 calories over a week’s time. Do this consistently week after week and you will achieve weight loss.

Let’s say you are someone who is not so stable in your consumes/needs bank. You are consuming many more calories than you are burning. If this is the case you will obviously need to make some better food decisions. Read some of our other articles for ideas on how to cut some calories from your diet. Start with a goal to ride the elliptical machine for 3500 calories per week and soon you will be on the positive side of the consumes/needs bank and you will start to drop those pounds.

Ride your elliptical trainer consistently and do your best to make it a ritual that you enjoy. Listen to music, watch TV, read…make it something you look forward to every day. The rewards will be a healthier body, less fat, and a better feeling you.

I wish for you the best of health!

by Bill Herren
Bill Herren is the webmaster for weightloss-articles.com Everything weight loss related! Weight loss success stories, product reviews, exercise articles, weight loss recipes, and diet articles. All Free and all designed to help you lose weight!

http://www.weightloss-articles.com

Guide To Buy Used Golf Clubs For Beginner Golfer (Celebrity Recreation)

If you are just starting out to play golf, you should never buy a new golf club set immediately as you may discover that this game is not for you later on. Furthermore, you are yet to find the type of golf clubs that fits you during the learning stage. The good choice is to start with cheap used golf clubs>. And here are some guidelines to help you to hunt down your first used golf club set:

Golf Rental Clubs
First, you may want to play with the rental clubs at a driving range. During this time, don't be afraid to ask your friends or other golfers to try their clubs on the range. This is a good opportunity for you to judge which type of clubs is right for you. After hitting for a period of time at the driving range and you think it is time to buy your own clubs, then ....

Rely on golf expert
When you go out to buy used golf clubs, you should always rely on people who know golf equipment well. You can look for your local pro at your local municipal course as a source of information and advice. Or you can consult the experts at the golf shop or even your friend who plays well or who knows anything about golf clubs. Alternatively, you can search the Internet for used golf club reviews. You can always ask people for advice but keep in mind that what suits them may not necessary prove good in your hands. Therefore, it is more important to identify the golf club set that suitable to your ability yourself.

Golf beginner's half set
As a novice golfer, you are advised to learn with a half set of clubs with all matching iron of the same model. The half-set could be made up from a few combinations of clubs. In general, the half set combination consists of five iron clubs, including 4, 6, 8, pitching wedge and sand iron, in addition to 3 and 5 woods plus a putter. The driver is not recommended in the beginner's half set because it is the hardest club to control. Majority of beginners would achieve better results using a 3 wood on the tee box. Likewise, 1, 2 or 3 irons should be avoided at the early stages of the game, as each of these long irons requires an accurate strike from the middle of the clubface with plenty of club heads speed in order to achieve good results. In contrast, a 5 wood with distance almost equivalent of the 2 iron - the ball can still travel a fair distance despite being hit off-center. Besides, a lofted wood is more forgiving than the thin blade of an iron club heads.

The half set combination not only sufficient for most novice golfers on the golf course for every situation but also makes club selection much easier. It is a good combination of clubs to help the novice to improve their swing technique until they are good enough before they advance to the full set golf clubs. Therefore, you have to make sure to select a golf model for your half set from a reputable manufacturer that can be added to at a later stage.

Golf Feels
The best way to purchase a used golf clubs is to actually hold them in your hand and swing them to get a feel for what you want. The feel of a golf club clearly seems to be all-important. But, what is 'feel'? There is no scientific formula that defines it. In general, feel can be described as the way a golfer feels a club when he or she swings it depends on its swing weight and the flexibility of its shaft.

Iron Club head
Look for club head that made of stainless steel and avoid inexpensive alloy heads. For beginner, you should select the 'heel-and-toe' (or, perimeter-weighted) club head design, cavity backed (hollowed out in the back) and over-sized golf club. You should get bigger club heads because they are more forgiving with enlarges 'sweet spot' that can produce maximum distance even with off-center contacts.

Golf Shafts
Graphite shafts is ideal for beginner even though it is more expensive that steel shafts. Its lighter overall weight allows beginner to swing the club faster even with enlarged clubhead.

Golf Grips
If you have purchased used golf clubs where the condition of the grips could be less than perfect or the grips don't fit properly for you, then make sure you replace them. Grips are fairly easy and inexpensive to change by a pro or club repairman. Ensure all the grips are replaced with same size and design.

Finally, if you are just starting out with golf, chances are your swing is more likely to let you down rather than the golf clubs itself. Having said that, it is still important to try out the golf clubs before buying them in order to find a golf club set that suits your swing, body and game. Most importantly, makes you feel confident when you use it.

By Andrew Loh
Andrew Loh is the owner of Used Golf Clubs Guide, a website that provides complete guide to used golf clubs - where to buy/sell/trade in used golf clubs, what to check before buying a used golf clubs, how to choose a used golf clubs set... and more. You can visit his website at:http://www.used-golf-clubs-guide.com/

Pet Insurance: What Exactly is Pet Insurance? (Celebrity Recreation)

It might seem like an unnecessary expense; but you would never consider going without health insurance for your family - why should your pet be any different? Health insurance for pets is by no means a new concept - people have been doing it for years and saving hundreds of dollars on healthcare for their pets. Veterinary costs have sky rocketed and even a simple problem can cost you thousands of dollars to fix. You don't want to be put in the position of choosing between an expensive life saving operation or saying goodbye to your beloved pet.

Dog healthcare plans can vary greatly and you need to choose carefully when looking for the best coverage for your pet. Some plans cover normal expenses like annual checkups and other routine care. Others only cover sickness or injury. If you are handling the general costs fine and just need something incase of sickness of emergency its worthwhile to consider a plan that caters for serious conditions. Like human healthcare plans - emergency coverage begins right away but you might have to wait a month or so for the other benefits to kick in.

Coverage and costs involved depend on your pet’s age, breed- some even take into account whether your dog is a pet or a watchdog too. The insurance will also take into account whether your pet has preexisting conditions.

General plans should include regular vet visits and long term illnesses/diseases. There are more comprehensive coverage plans; these cost more but if you want the best treatment for your pet its worth considering a plan that includes coverage against poisoning or accidents. Most pet healthcare plans will start coverage when your puppy is as young as 6 weeks. They generally don't insure pets older than 8 years of age. But look around; some policies can cover pets up to 27 years of age. Be sure to read the fine print and check what you are getting for your money. Doing a simple search on Google for "pet health insurance' should return many results. There is a wide variety of pet insurance. Compare and choose wisely.

There are other alternatives when it comes to healthcare. If you don't' want to take out an expensive policy there are some small ways to offset the costs of pet healthcare. Consider asking your vet if there are discounts; cash discounts, discounts for more than one pet etc. You could also check out some discount policies like Pet Assure. It's recommended that you get pet insurance; try to think of it as a normal expense that comes along with having a pet. It's well worth it to think carefully about what kind of insurance you choose. Choose well and you can rest assured that whatever the emergency - you're covered.

By Steve Allison
Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide.