Every person that I know that loves to play golf wants to lower their golf score. The quest for a personal best score is what keeps many of us returning to the same course again and again. There are many ways to accomplish this goal. You can spend a fortune on golf lessons or go to the range and pound balls until your hands are sore.

New equipment and exercises specifically designed to strengthen those muscles used to whip your driver may add a few yards to your long game, but there are two points that I believe are the key to lower scores for players of all levels. The only investment required is in time and self examination. I love to play golf, but the reason I continue to invest time and money in training is to lower my golf score, and I believe that is the goal of every golfer.

Though you have probably heard it before, the most critical part of your golf game is the short game. While we all would like to hit more greens, the truth of the matter is that we will be chipping to save par far more often than we will be surveying that elusive birdie putt. Therefore it makes sense to devote some serious time to improving this aspect of your game. It’s more than the club, the way you drive the ball.

The key to it all is distance control. Control the distance of your chips with clubs of varying lofts and you will shave strokes off your game. Practicing this part of your game does not require a trip to the driving range, just some room in your yard, a few balls and a target that can vary from the commercial chipping basket to a stick placed on the ground. Using all clubs from your 7 iron down to your highest lofted wedge, concentrate on being able to fly the ball to the target from varying lies. Though perhaps not as exciting as watching a perfectly struck drive, this practice routine will more than pay off in lowered scores, and whats more exciting for a golfer than that?

The other important factor in lowering your scores is to play with a realistic evaluation of your game. Though you have probably seen Tiger hit a pitching wedge stiff from 145 yards, you are not Tiger. Take the extra club or two if needed. Dont be intimidated by playing partners or your own unrealistic self expectations. Evaluate your game over a few rounds and you will find times when a slightly more conservative shot with a higher chance of success will server you well. Remember that the goal is a consistently lower score as opposed to the occasional spectacular shot and you will be well on your way to achieving it.

One of the greatest players ever to step up to the green, Arnold Palmer was born in Latrobe, PA – a city which is justifiably proud of its most famous native son. Ever since his first major tournament win all the way back in 1955, Palmer has been one of the biggest names in golf – many fans refer to him as “The King”. Along with Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, Palmer is one of the Big Three names in the golf world. Palmer’s playing was in large part responsible for the increased interest in golf as a spectator sport once games began to be televised in the 1950s.

Arnold’s father Deacon Palmer was a greens keeper at the Latrobe Country Club (which Palmer bought in 1971), where he learned the game on the then nine hole course there. When he was only seven years old, he scored an impressive 70 – quite an achievement for a seven year old.

It should come as no surprise that Palmer went to Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship; afterwards, he served in the Coast Guard for three years, keeping his golf skills sharp all the while. During his stint in the Coast Guard, he married Winifred Walker, whom he met at a golf tournament in Pennsylvania. In his first season, Palmer came out on top in the Canadian open – he followed up this impressive win with something of a charm offensive, quickly becoming a fan favorite and helping to increase the popularity of the game.

He won his first major championship at the 1958 Masters and by 1960, he claimed his title as one of golf’s leading stars. Signing with sports agent Mark McCormack, in 1960, McCormack was asked in later years what made Arnold so special. He replied, “his good looks, his modest background, the way he played golf, his risk taking and wearing his heart on his sleeve, and his involvement in so many exciting early televised finishes.” Palmer was one the first US player to win The Open Championship in England-Ben Hogan won it in 1953; making Arnold an international star in the eyes of golf fans everywhere. Arnold won seven major championships including The Masters in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964; the US Open in 1960; and, The Open Championship in 1961 and 1962. His best years were perhaps 1960-1963 where he championed 29 PGA Tour events in just four seasons.

Arnold Palmer was the 1960 Sports Illustrated pro athlete of the year; 1960 also saw him winning the coveted Sportsman of the Year award. He continued to win a dedicated fan base (so dedicated, in fact that they came to be known as “Arnie’s Army”). In 1967, Palmer became the first professional golfer to earn more than one million over the course of his career. It is a testament to Palmer’s ability that he continued to win at least one PGA tour event every year until 1970, even against competition from Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus – and in 1971, he won four PGA tour events.

He won four Vardon trophies for lowest average score and played on six different Ryder Cup teams. By 1980, Palmer became eligible for the PGA Senior Tour (now known as the Champions Tour). Palmer won ten events on the Senior Tour and thanks to the efforts of his agent became the highest earning golfer in the game, winning many endorsements and sponsorships. Outside of the game, Palmer was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush; the highest honor given to civilians.

Palmer made his 50th and last appearance in the Masters in 2004. After failing to make the cut for the 2005 Senior Open, Palmer announced that he would no longer compete in the Senior Majors. However, in 2004 he made one of his greatest shots, getting onto the 18th green in his second shot from more than 200 yards. Even Palmer himself was impressed.

Arnold Palmer remains active in the golf world, being involved in the Bay Hill Club and Lodge (which is where the Arnolf Palmer Invitational is held), being one of the driving forces behind the Golf Channel and assisting in the building of one of China’s first golf courses. Palmer also started the Arnold Palmer Design Company and since 1971, he has been owner of the Latrobe Country Club where he got his first taste of the game. Golf Digest ranked Palmer as one of the top ten players of all time and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and a winner of the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award (which he won in 1988). Palmer lives in Orlando, Florida where he still enjoys getting in a round of golf – and being an ambassador for the game of golf to the world.

Making the right decision about choosing the right tool is most important in all fields, same is the case in golf. The brand of the tools generally should not affect the shots a player makes but it says a lot about the standard of the tool. To be distinguished from the amateurs and be regarded as a professional like Tiger Woods one has to choose the right golf drivers.

An amateur, who picked up golf as a hobby could easily notice the wide range of tools available at all possible places like specialty stores, pro shops, online or even at high-end customer retailers. So, it becomes a complicated job for the beginner to choose the best make and brand of the club.

In any pro shop one can find a plethora of tools of varied brand and find himself lost. And as always, variety of low cost goods is there for a beginner. But, for a professional player the quality of the tools does make a lot of difference.

Within all the varieties of equipments used by a professional golfer the most ignored tool is the driver club. It is rightly said that “You get what you paid for” and this happens with the driving range also. It is the least used club as it is put in the basket after the first shot and is seldom used again, but a professional golf payer knows the importance of the driving club.

An amateur player is always advised to buy a cheaper driver among the large number of manufacturer who produces excellent type of clubs, as it serves his purpose. A professional golf player has to look beyond the cost of the equipment. For such players the cost-benefit analysis is less important than the actual quality of the tool.

Some of the manufacturers are quite reputed for good quality of their products. Even the budget-priced tools of Mercedes-Benz are reputed to be of high class with respect to their engineering and reliability. This is true for all the brands which supplies golf accessories. It is well known to a professional player that only the reputed manufactures puts in the efforts to produce high quality equipments for the sake of its status.

Among the most venerable golf brands is Callaway Golf. In everyday discussion, the name “Callaway” is inextricably linked with its long history of producing high-quality golf equipment. Its reputation for durable, top-quality sporting goods is well deserved; players on the PGA Tour, including Tiger Woods himself, routinely rely on the brand.

A good driver, if maintained well, should not require changing for dozens of years. In fact, most professionals will stick with one driver their entire career. Bearing this in mind, the key to purchasing the right professional driver is selecting a brand with a history of durability and a reputation for professional-quality gear.

Okay guys.  I have a confession to make.  All that I know about golf is the slang term about the name of this site (Juicy lie) and that is about it.  Sure, I have played mini-golf before, but that is about it.

Alright, that might not be entirely true.  Back when I was in Grade 8 in elementary school, I did play one round of golf.  I think my "best" round I did a hole in 18 – talk about pathetic.

But, now that I am an adult (most days anyway), I thought that I should learn this sport.  So, what I have done is enroll myself at the Academy of Golf as a student.

At this Arizona Golf School, they offer a program for beginners like me.  It is an introductory course, but it will give me the basics I need to play a game of golf. 

They also offer advanced golf instruction as my abilities get better.  I don’t think that I will be able to take advantage of their advanced courses this year, but if I do like it, I am sure I will be back next year.

While we were out in California on a road trip, we happened to stop in a little town (well it is classified as a city) called Murrieta.  We stopped there for a bite to eat and we sat down in a local restaurant.

While waiting for our meals, we had a chance to glance at the local magazine, the RAAS.  There were some interesting stories inside detailing the local tourist attractions, restaurants, and points of interest.

What really caught my eye was something on the map of Murrieta inside the magazine – golf courses.  In fact, there was one that wasn’t too far from where we were eating lunch that looked promising.

Since we brought our clubs, we were able to take in one game at the local golf course.  It was a much needed break in our long drive home.  I think next time we are back in California, we will be sure to stop there again.