This past Saturday I played golf with my significant other at Brentwood Country Club in Brentwood, Long Island. The golf course is not as pristine, or well manicured, or aesthetically as beautiful or pleasing as the name may suggest but it is a golf course, whose rates are reasonable and the course is walkable, which is preferable and a plus for us. The golf course is an excellent course for a beginning golfer because it is relatively short ( about 6200 yards from the back tees ), open and not tricked up with water hazards, lengthy carry distance requirements and OB ( out of bounds) areas or huge greenside sand traps and /or fairway bunker locations that are intrinsic to many of the more modern golf course designs. It is a perfect course for a walk in the park on a beautiful day and we enjoyed it thoroughly. My play and scoring was not what I would normally expect at this course but what is the saying ” A Bad Day on the Golf Course is Better Than a Good Day at Work” so I enjoyed myself just the same. I shot 85 which isn’t terrible but the course difficulty rating is not high and my normal round there is about 75 to 80, which is much closer to what I would expect at my ability level. Cathi shot a 96 which wasn’t too bad either considering she plays about once a month and no practice time to speak of. In another writing I spoke about the collateral benefits of golf and this was one of those days where we could appreciate those benefits all the more. We enjoyed some good exercise by walking the course, we unwound from the hectic schedule of the work week, no trains to catch, no bid date to meet, none of the everyday stresses and pressures inherent with many job responsibilities and we had a little competitive fun while taking our stroll in the park.

When I first started writing about golf I wanted to help eliminate or reduce any potential pitfalls a new golfer may encounter when first preparing or learning to play this incredible game. In retrospect and to clarify that statement there are NO real pitfalls to speak of with golf. The pitfalls I was referring to is over spending on your first set of golf clubs, not taking lessons when you may have had the opportunity or giving up on golf before you ever gave the game a real chance. Our nice leisurely round walking the course this past Saturday helped reinforce my belief in the many more benefits to be derived by playing this exhilirating sport. The good exercise, especially if you walk, the banter and comraderie with your friends or significant other, meeting some new and often very nice people who join in your foursome, taking a client out to play, maybe letting them win and signing a huge deal after the round, the wagering and competitive spirit of golf, the exhilaration of hitting a career shot to a tight pin or flag placement, sinking a 40 to 60 foot putt on a double breaking tiered green, winning a $5 Nassau from your best friend or another competitor, coming close to or getting a hole in one, scoring your first par, birdie or eagle, or maybe the enjoyment of lunch or dinner and a few beers with your friends at the 19th hole after you just won the match, now that’s what golf is really all about. So enjoy the collateral benefits of golf and take “A Walk in the Park” every once in awhile, you won’t be disappointed. Have fun and Happy Golfing to all!

For more valuable tips and golf info visit http://www.guideforbeginninggolfers.com

My name is Mike D’Auria and I grew up in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. I started playing golf when I sustained a severe hamstring injury playing softball about 30 years ago and have never looked back. It is a great game and I enjoy it immensely. Visit http://www.guideforbeginninggolfers.com

written by MikeD'Auria

Here are some players that could be worth picking up in your fantasy football league.

Kyle Orton, Quarterback, Denver Broncos: Orton may not be a sexy play at quarterback in fantasy football, but he’s been solid and steady this season for the Broncos. He’s not going to wow anyone with his arm, but he seems to be settling into Josh McDaniels’ offense pretty nicely. He’s got a solid group of wide receivers and Brandon Marshall seems to be coming on now that he’s in football shape. This team seems to move the ball decently and though Orton is not going to blow you away with his numbers, he’s a pretty good backup to have for your quarterback’s bye week and as an injury insurance policy.

Sidney Rice, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings: Rice seems to be developing a solid rapport with Brett Favre over the last two weeks. He’s got nine catches between those two games, scoring in both contests. Rice has a lot of talent and the speed to be a vertical threat. If Favre continues to develop chemistry with him, he’ll be a serviceable starter in fantasy, though perhaps a bit inconsistent.

Kenny Britt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans: Britt is polished for a rookie receiver; he’s big and he runs good routes. He’s also showing his all-around abilities as a possession receiver and hinting that he can be a deep threat, as well. Nate Washington and Justin Gage will get plenty of looks, but Britt is looking like a nice option. He could be extra valuable in keeper leagues.

Jerome Harrison, Running Back, Cleveland Browns: Harrison could end up being the main man in the backfield in Cleveland for the rest of the season. He hasn’t done great in two games as the starter, but Jamal Lewis is hobbled and James Davis is on injured reserve. The Browns’ offense may not be a juggernaut, but a starting running back is a starting running back.

Austin Collie, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts: Collie had his best game of the season in Week 4, a breakout of sorts, catching six passes and scoring a touchdown. He might not sell as many NFL tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/nfl-tickets as Dallas Clark or Reggie Wayne, but he could be a productive fantasy option moving forward, at least until Anthony Gonzalez comes back.

Jermichael Finley, Tight End, Green Bay Packers: Finley has the potential to be the next Antonio Gates. He’s fast, huge and athletic and could be developing into a real threat in the Green Bay offense. He had a breakout game in Week 4, and though he may be inconsistent for a while, he could put together some really big games.

Mohammed Massaquoi, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns: Massaquoi caught eight balls for nearly 150 yards in Week 4. The Browns then turned around and shipped Braylon Edwards out of town a few days later. He’ll either flourish in the number one role or struggle due to constant double teams. He’s worth a flyer, though.

Mercedes Lewis, Tight End, Jacksonville Jaguars: Lewis has always had the talent and he’s starting to show it in some games this season. He’s worth the pickup if you need a backup tight end.

Michael Bush, Running Back, Oakland Raiders: With Darren McFadden out, Bush could be in line for a lot of carries and he’s shown what he can do with that before.

Written by Morgan C. Dunn, sponsored by StubHub. StubHub sells NFL tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world.

written by MorganDunn

Here is how I see the playoffs shaking out in the American League.

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins: This is the battle of opposite payrolls. The Yankees shelled out a king’s ransom last offseason and the Twins don’t have a very high payroll at all. The Yankees are looking like the best team in baseball and have to be the favorite to win the World Series. With CC Sabathia starting Game 1, the Yanks will have a true ace on the mound, while the Twins don’t have several of their top pitchers healthy. The Yankees have one of the most potent lineups in the history of the game, one dotted with All-Stars, and the Twins have Joe Mauer.

Well, they’ve got more than just him, but he’s unquestionably the best hitter in their lineup with Justin Morneau out. It seems like the Yankees should be a huge favorite based on talent alone, but the Twins have been hot down the stretch. They overcame an almost insurmountable lead to win the American League Central division and could just be the team that got hot at the right time. I still think the Yanks will have just too much firepower for the Twins to deal with. Prediction: New York in four.

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels: The Angels’ pitching seems to be rounding into form at the right time, but so does Boston’s. The Angels have a good front end of the rotation with John Lackey and Scott Kazmir heading things up. Lackey came on at the end of the regular season, for the most part, and Kazmir seemed to figure some things out once he came over from Tampa Bay in a trade. The Red Sox pitching is deeper, though, as they’ve got Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Dice-K and Clay Buckholtz. The Red Sox have a more potent lineup, as well, but not by much. The Angels should use their speed to give the Sox fits on the base paths, but the Red Sox have had the Halos’ number as of late and I think there’s a good chance that that trend continues. Prediction: Boston in five.

ALCS

New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox: These will be the most in-demand MLB tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/mlb-tickets of the season if this series arises, the Yanks and the BoSox back in the ALCS yet again. These two teams have had some real battles in the past. Who can forget the recent history of Aaron Boone or the Boston comeback? There’s a ton of bad blood between these two teams and both clubs would want this series badly.

The Yankees have dominated the Sox in the second half of the season, though, and would have home-field advantage. The Yankees might concede the better starting rotation to the Sox, but they’ve got the better set-up/closer combination, which goes a long way. New York also has the better lineup. This would be a great series if it was to happen, but I’d expect the Yankees to come out on top. Prediction: New York in six.

StubHub has sponsored this article, which was written by Morgan C. Dunn. Stubhub.com is one of the leaders in the business of selling MLB tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets, or even special events tickets.

written by MorganDunn

Here is how I see the playoffs shaking out in the National League.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals: At the beginning of the year, I thought the Dodgers were going to cruise to the World Series, and their hot start did nothing to dissuade that notion. But Chad Billingsley took a turn for the worse, the Manny Ramirez suspension occurred and the team as a whole sputtered down the stretch. They’ve got a really good lineup, though. Andre Ethier showed himself to be a big-time power hitter with a penchant for hitting in the clutch, as he had walk-off hit after walk-off hit this season. Ramirez is still a quality hitter. Matt Kemp is one of baseball’s rising stars and the rest of the lineup is pretty solid, as well.

The pitching is what makes me nervous about this team. Randy Wolf has been good down the stretch, but Billingsley has been shaky. Clayton Kershaw is a young stud, but is he ready for the right lights of the postseason? Pitching is one thing that the Cardinals do not have to worry about. The Cards have two of the best pitchers in baseball heading up their rotation in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Both hurlers are in the mix for the NL Cy Young award and we’ve seen dynamic pitching duos excel in the playoffs before. I’m looking for Matt Holiday to have a big postseason, as teams will probably be pitching around Albert Pujols quite often. This is also a matchup between two great managers, Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa. The Cardinals seem like the better-rounded team to me, which is a central reason that I think they’ll prevail. Prediction: St. Louis in four.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies: This is a series you want to get MLB tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/mlb-tickets to see. It’s the reigning champs against the hottest team. The Rockies are hoping to make a run to the World Series in similar fashion to the way they did two years ago. The Rockies have been a very good team since Jim Tracy took over as manager and have the best pitching staff in the history of the franchise. Their lineup is solid, but not great, so the pitching will be a big factor. The Phillies have a great one-two punch in Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, not to mention a great lineup. The Phillies seem like they’re just too strong for the Rockies, but it should be a hard-fought series. Prediction: Philadelphia in five.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals: This would be a great matchup. Both teams have great 1-2 starters, so the matchups would be very intriguing for those guys, as long as they lined up correctly. I give the edge in the starting pitching to the Cardinals, but the lineup edge to the Phillies. This really could go either way, but I think that Carpenter and Wainwright would just be a little too much for the Phillies to handle. Prediction: St. Louis in seven.

StubHub has sponsored this article, which was written by Morgan C. Dunn. Stubhub.com is one of the leaders in the business of selling MLB tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets, or even special events tickets.

written by MorganDunn

Everyone knows that the New York Knicks are looking forward to the summer of 2010, when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and other stars could hit the free agent market. The Knicks have done a lot to ensure that they have ample cap space to sign at least one big name next summer, but they still have to play the 2009-10 season first. The team struggled during the second half of last season, but this club could be in line for some positive things this year.

The biggest thing for this organization in 2009-10 will be the development of small forward Danilo Gallinari. The team’s first-round selection in 2008, Gallinari missed most of last season with back issues, though he looked pretty good in the little playing time he did receive. The franchise has high hopes for Gallinari and this season will be his first opportunity to showcase his talent. Head coach Mike D’Antoni has labeled the young Italian forward as the best shooter he has ever seen, and that’s saying something considering he coached Steve Nash in Phoenix. The kid has a lot of ability and an exciting game that can sell New York Knicks tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-knicks-tickets, but he needs to stay healthy in order to prove it. Gallinari has a lot of potential, but he also should be ready to contribute on the floor after playing in the Euroleague two years ago. His performance this season could be a major factor in luring free agents next summer.

Another big part of the Knicks’ season will be the performance of the rest of the team’s young players. Wilson Chandler showed a lot of promise last season and could be on his way to being the next Shawn Marion. D’Antoni looks like he plans to play him a lot at shooting guard, though, as the Knicks have a hole at the position. He may be better-suited to play the three or the four, but he’s got the quickness to guard twos and is developing a three-point shot. Jordan Hill, the team’s selection with the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, probably won’t get a ton of minutes early in the season. He’s pretty raw and needs time to learn the game, but he figures to get some time at the four spot. Fellow rookie Toney Douglas will likely see time at both guard spots. He’s a good defender and will bring a lot of energy on defense, which should land him in D’Antoni’s favor immediately.

The Knicks have the potential to make some noise in the Atlantic Division this season. Al Harrington should lead the team in scoring, as his versatility makes him a real threat in D’Antoni’s offensive scheme. David Lee is back on a one-year contract and is potentially the best player on this team. Chris Duhon did a solid job running the team last season, and though he’s just a temporary solution, he should do a decent job yet again. Nate Robinson is still in town for another season to provide scoring off the bench and Darko Milicic could add somewhat of a defensive presence inside.

The Knicks are most certainly looking forward to the summer, but the 2009-10 season could hold some positive things for this team, as well.

This article about New York Knicks tickets was written by Morgan C. Dunn in association with StubHub, a leader in the sports tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets and special events tickets market.

written by MorganDunn

Here are some players that could be worth picking up in your fantasy football league.

Kyle Orton, Quarterback, Denver Broncos: Orton may not be a sexy play at quarterback in fantasy football, but he’s been solid and steady this season for the Broncos. He’s not going to wow anyone with his arm, but he seems to be settling into Josh McDaniels’ offense pretty nicely. He’s got a solid group of wide receivers and Brandon Marshall seems to be coming on now that he’s in football shape. This team seems to move the ball decently and though Orton is not going to blow you away with his numbers, he’s a pretty good backup to have for your quarterback’s bye week and as an injury insurance policy.

Sidney Rice, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings: Rice seems to be developing a solid rapport with Brett Favre over the last two weeks. He’s got nine catches between those two games, scoring in both contests. Rice has a lot of talent and the speed to be a vertical threat. If Favre continues to develop chemistry with him, he’ll be a serviceable starter in fantasy, though perhaps a bit inconsistent.

Kenny Britt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans: Britt is polished for a rookie receiver; he’s big and he runs good routes. He’s also showing his all-around abilities as a possession receiver and hinting that he can be a deep threat, as well. Nate Washington and Justin Gage will get plenty of looks, but Britt is looking like a nice option. He could be extra valuable in keeper leagues.

Jerome Harrison, Running Back, Cleveland Browns: Harrison could end up being the main man in the backfield in Cleveland for the rest of the season. He hasn’t done great in two games as the starter, but Jamal Lewis is hobbled and James Davis is on injured reserve. The Browns’ offense may not be a juggernaut, but a starting running back is a starting running back.

Austin Collie, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts: Collie had his best game of the season in Week 4, a breakout of sorts, catching six passes and scoring a touchdown. He might not sell as many NFL tickets as Dallas Clark or Reggie Wayne, but he could be a productive fantasy option moving forward, at least until Anthony Gonzalez comes back.

Jermichael Finley, Tight End, Green Bay Packers: Finley has the potential to be the next Antonio Gates. He’s fast, huge and athletic and could be developing into a real threat in the Green Bay offense. He had a breakout game in Week 4, and though he may be inconsistent for a while, he could put together some really big games.

Mohammed Massaquoi, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns: Massaquoi caught eight balls for nearly 150 yards in Week 4. The Browns then turned around and shipped Braylon Edwards out of town a few days later. He’ll either flourish in the number one role or struggle due to constant double teams. He’s worth a flyer, though.

Mercedes Lewis, Tight End, Jacksonville Jaguars: Lewis has always had the talent and he’s starting to show it in some games this season. He’s worth the pickup if you need a backup tight end.

Michael Bush, Running Back, Oakland Raiders: With Darren McFadden out, Bush could be in line for a lot of carries and he’s shown what he can do with that before.

Written by Morgan C. Dunn, sponsored by StubHub. StubHub sells NFL tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world.

written by MorganDunn

Here are the top 10 teams in the NFL as I see them going into Week 5 of the 2009 season, listed in order.

New York Giants: The Giants are 4-0 and looking strong on both sides of the ball. Their balanced attack on offense looks better each week and this team could be in for a Super Bowl run again, but Eli Manning hurt his heel late last week and he could be hobbled by it. If it continues to plague him throughout the season, the Giants could become vulnerable.

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts look better and better each week. Peyton Manning is the frontrunner for MVP and the defense is stepping its game up in a big way. I like what I’m seeing from this team in all facets. If there was one player I could buy NFL tickets to see play, it would be Manning.

New Orleans Saints: The Saints took down the Jets, exposing Mark Sanchez as the rookie he is. This defense is for real, but the team has also shown that their passing game can be slowed. Pierre Thomas will make teams pay on the ground, though.

Minnesota Vikings: Brett Favre is having a fantastic start to the season and the Vikings look like a legit contender. This team has no real weakness and could be one of the better-rounded teams in the NFL. Balance means a lot in this league.

New York Jets: Mark Sanchez showed that he’s human, but a performance like his against the Saints was inevitable. The defense shut down the Saints’ high-powered offense for most of the game and showed that it’s not going to slow down. This team still has major potential.

New England Patriots: The Patriots proved that they’re back in business with two consecutive wins over Atlanta and Baltimore. A lot of people, including myself, were viewing the Ravens as the best team in the AFC going into that game. The Patriots might not be winning pretty right now, but is that more the Patriots’ style, anyway?

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens are a balanced team, but their defense appears to have lost a step from last season to this season. Joe Flacco looks like a star, but he’s not quite ready to be the team’s strongest point just yet. The running game is strong, though, so this offense can carry the team a good deal.

Atlanta Falcons: I’m not sold on the Falcons yet, as the teams they’ve beaten have not impressed, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles did well, weathering the storm with Donovan McNabb out. LeSean McCoy looks like a really good player and this offense should really take off with McNabb back under center. One thing that could shake this season up, though, would be if McNabb struggles and the fans start calling for Kevin Kolb.

Denver Broncos: The Broncos don’t look like they shouldn’t be 4-0, but they are. They haven’t played the toughest teams, but they did beat the Cowboys. Kyle Orton has yet to throw a pick and the running game and defense have been much better than anticipated.

Morgan C. Dunn wrote this article, which was sponsored by StubHub, one of the finest places in the entire world wide web to get NFL tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets, special events tickets, or almost any kind of sports ticket out there.

written by MorganDunn

The sport of Powered Paragliding or Paramotoring as some call it is rapidly growing. The major reason for this growth in Paramotoring is simply the advent of the quad. Quads (buggies with 4 wheels) have made it possible for those young and old to participate in the sport of Powered Paragliding. Particularly men from the age of 45 to their early 70s!

This article is written with the intent of conveying to those who have chosen to enjoy this sport the importance of learning to TAXI their quad or trike. The Taxi procedure outlined in this article is vital for trike pilots as well as quad pilots. In fact the trike pilots may find this article more beneficial due the inherent instability of the trike vs. that of the quad.

Taxiing is an important skill that when mastered will allow you to accomplish all of the below!

1) Exhibit control over your glider when it’s overhead and your still on the ground.

2) Allows you to check the condition (shape) of your glider and your lines prior to lift off.

3) By exhibiting control off you glider while you taxi your actual lift off will be uneventful and free of oscillations and surges.

4) Lift off will be accomplished in a safe manner.

5) You will look good!! My motto is; if it looks good, it is good. If it looks bad, it is bad!

To accomplish great taxis we will start from the beginning. Into the wind, into the wind, into the wind!! Proper glider layout and placement into the wind are vital to good taxiing in the beginning. Cross wind launches etc. are for later. Don’t set yourself up to fail. After properly laying out your glider, roll your Powered Paramotor into position. When ready, begin your launch by looking out toward your glider tip on your throttle side. Then start rolling on the throttle. You will need to go to full throttle as you don’t want the glider making its own decisions! When it reaches the 11:00 position release the A’s and pull the brakes down slightly to put some “shape” into the glider as well as some stability. At the same time you will need to ease off the throttle to AVOID launching. Yes, I said EASE OFF the throttle. You only need to go as fast as to NOT takeoff! There will be plenty of time later for more precise, slower throttle control and slower speeds. Now your goal is to SEE your glider. Not to look at it but to SEE it! At this point you are the pilot; you must control your glider and hold it directly overhead. Make all inputs slow, well timed and precise. In other words if the glider is at your 10:00 not front to rear but side to side, bring it back to the 11:00 and “hold” it there. It will finish at the 12:00. If you are too late and try to hold it at the 12:00 it will finish at the 1:00! You’d like to see your glider always at the 12 but the 11 to 1 is not bad. Now, the secret here is patience. Do not takeoff until you are at the end of the strip. When instructing we don’t allow students to actually takeoff until they exhibit 6 in a row, straight, full length taxis showing complete control of the glider. Here’s a quick easy practice tip for pilots who are flying but would like better taxi skills. Launch and taxi as described above, Come back around to the strip and land at the beginning of the strip, ease off the throttle and “see” your wing! Proceed down the strip practicing keeping your glider firmly at the 12:00. Her you will want to learn to go as slow as you can yet still exhibiting a good solid glider overhead. When you get to the end of the strip Roll the throttle back on and perform a nice smooth takeoff! After a number of these, now you can play with your taxi and put some S turns into your taxiing!

All the above will not only make you a better as well as safer pilot but will set a good example for all that watch you!

If it looks good, it is good!

For more information about powered paragliders and paramotors visit visit us at: ParaToys.com Click here to learn more about powered paraglider quads

written by MikeRobinson

I am a powered paraglider pilot and cave explorer. I have been primarily exploring wild west coast caves since 1979. I have been a National Speleological Society member since 1980, concentrating most of my efforts in the field of photography and conservation. California has a wide variety of caves with a large concentration of lime stone caves just minutes from my home in the Sierra mother lode of central California.

One evening in early 2001 I viewed a National Geographic’s special of a couple anthropologists flying around the Sudan desert with paramotors on their backs. These scientists were looking for signs of ancient human existence on top of skyscraper tall, flat top formations jutting up from the desert floor. I immediately thought this would be the perfect platform to search for remote caves. How is this possible you ask? Most caves on the west coast hover around 56 degrees. Because natural caves breathe, you can see a condensation cloud rising from the entrance. The bigger the cave, the higher the column of condensation. On my first flight from the Columbia airport, I headed straight for a known large cave in the Stanislaus river canyon. As I approached the cave I could see the rising air from a half mile away. Now it was time to us this technique to locate new caves in previously inaccessible terrain. I headed to the Camp Nine area scouting the south facing slope. The area I had picked out was overgrown with 6 foot high brush that is extremely difficult to penetrate. At the top of the ridge I could see a limestone outcropping which seemed to trend down through the brush. At the bottom of the slope I could see the limestone reappear. This lead me to believe the limestone continued through the brush from the top of the ridge to the bottom. From the air I could see that this was in fact true.

Flying at 100 feet I was able to locate a small condensation cloud about 1000 feet down from the upper limestone outcropping. I was unable to actually see the entrance, but the column of rising air was distinct. I pulled out my GPS, flew directly over the spot and marked its location. A couple weeks later my caving partner and I pulled out the topographical map and plotted the best way to approach the spot. After a half hour of crawling on our hands and knees we reached the location and discovered a vertical shaft about 9 inches wide in a small outcropping. We could feel and see the air rising from the hole but it was too small to enter. Our plan now is to return in the near future to perform the excavation necessary to make entry.

To locate the cave entrance without the use of my paramotor could have taken months of crawling around with the ticks, snakes and all the other critters that live there. The powered paraglider has opened up a whole new dimension of cave exploration for myself and fellow cavers. More exploration updates to follow.

If paramotoring has progressed cave exploration, imagine what other uses it may have for you!

For more information about powered paragliders and paramotors visit visit us at: ParaToys.com Click here to learn more about powered paraglider quads

written by RickHallows

First and foremost is the size of bowl that you choose to play with, it must fit your hand without being so big as to slip, but equally not to small so that it sits too far back in the hand, which leads to you coping the bowl out, instead of it rolling of the fingers. There are a few ways you can tell if a bowls is the right size for you. Firstly place the bowl in your hand that you would normally bowl with, place your fingers around the bowl in your normal ‘claw grip’ then extend your arm to arms length, at this point turn your hand upside down, you should be able to do this without the bowl starting to slip, and without your hand shaking. Taking this into account, you should play with the largest bowl you can execute this exercise with. As a guide the most common Gents size bowl is a size 4, a size 3 being the smaller hand gent, and a size 5 being the larger hand gent. most popular Ladies size is a size 1, with a size 0 being a smaller hand lady, and a size 2 being a larger hand lady, but remember this is only a guide it will greatly depend on the size of your hand, length, width, and strength of grip. Measuring your hand is unsatisfactory as you cannot determine if you will be able to handle the weight of the bowl you have chosen, this particularly applies to Ladies with long slender fingers, which upon measuring leads you to buy a much larger bowl then is suitable, because is has not got the width in her hand, nor the strength required. You will normally find players at your local club, will let you hold their bowls for this purpose, If you haven’t got a specialist bowls shop nearby.

Next is the weight of bowl, this is not quite so important, most bowls are made in a medium and heavyweight, and some slimmer shape bowls made in a heavymedium weight. The weight difference is very small only 3oz on a size 5, dropping down to under 1oz on the size 0 bowl, but surprisingly it is noticeable when coming to bowl. I would normally recommend a mediumweight bowl for outdoor grass surfaces, and a heavyweight bowl for indoor and artificial surfaces, mainly because the mediumweight bowl will get a little more turn at the end of the draw, which is usually a good thing on the heavier grass surfaces, and with heavyweights it is the reverse, just stoping them from getting a couple more rolls on the indoor surface, it can also help the bowl from being displaced so easily, particularly indoors. It is a popular misconception that the heavvweight bowl will roll further having the momentum to carry it on, not so we are told. From research we know that although the heavier bowl will be carried by the momentum in the first half of the draw, it will slow down quicker as it comes to rest, as the heavier weight begins to dig into the surface, of course the heavier or wetter the surface the more this will be noticeable.

Now the interesting part, well for me anyway. What make and model shall I buy ?, This is where your bowls specialist can really play a part in determining you go away with the right bowl for you. There are now over 15 models available in the UK, from 3 different manufacturers, then given the various weight, grip, size and colour combinations, there is hundreds of outcome’s. Taylor bowls are the oldest manufacturer, dating back over 200 years, they are based in Glasgow, Scotland, in the UK, they have 6 current models available, The Lignoid, Legacy SL, International, Ace, Vector VS, and Lazer. In Liverpool we have Drakes Pride, the only English bowls manufacturer; they have the Jazz, Professional, and Advantage models on the UK market. Then we have probably the most well known manufacturer, Henselite, they are based in Australia, and were the first company to develop a composition bowl as we know it today, it was developed in Australia with the help of a British scientist during the early 50’s to combat the heat from the sun, which was shrinking the wood in the old wooden bowls and having an effect on the bias.

You should first determine where you will play most of your games, is it indoors or outside, is the surface, considered fast or slow, are the end rinks a problem (being able to take enough green) what position will you play most of your games Skip, No3. 2nd, or Lead. Armed with this information, your chosen Bowls Specialist should be able to steer you through the minefield of different models available.

Martin Curtis has been involved in the Bowls industry for over 20 years He is currently Managing Director of Bowls World Ltd. who supply lawn Bowls Worldwide. He started playing bowls at the age of 14, but his wealth of experience is from 18 years in the bowls retail business. http://www.bowlsworld.co.uk

written by MartinCurtis