Golfers never graduate

That’s what my wife always says to me as I head to meet with the pro for another lesson. I’ve been swinging a club since high school and I turn 70 years old in 2 months. I still take lessons regularly. I find that I can’t improve my game without the help of someone who really understands the dynamics of my swing, my stance, etc.

Some people have a difficult time asking for help

The problem with that is that if you’re practicing your swing the same way over and over, you’re actually developing bad habits that will follow you around the course over and over and over again. In golf, setting up a few lessons with a pro can make all of the difference in not only how you play, but how much you actually ENJOY playing (because as golfers we all know that the frustration is real).

Forget thinking that a Pro will critique you harshly.

All of them that I’ve worked with have been honest, positive, and very helpful. Lessons at the local course aren’t as expensive as you might think and they are worth it because your game will improve rapidly and cause you so much less frustration, making the game much more enjoyable for you. Many places offer group lessons. ME? I prefer to work one-on-one with a pro that I’m comfortable with. I like the fact that he videos my swing so that I can SEE what I’ve been doing wrong and his tweaks make more sense to me.

Be open and honest about your game

Your golf pro knows that you’re no Tiger Woods. The Pro will ask you what you want to start with

• driving
• chipping
• putting
• or whatever you feel you need help with.

Listen carefully and follow the instructions. You may have doubts if the Pro changes your stance, your grip, or your swing; but remember that the Pro knows best (that’s why they’re pros).

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Don’t worry about if the question or concern is stupid-they’ve heard it all before and will not make you feel like an idiot for asking. If you don’t “get it”, tell him/her that you’re not getting it. You are there to learn and you’re PAYING for instructions. You should never walk away from a lesson with unanswered questions.

You may want to concentrate on one thing during a lesson, or several. You might start with a lesson in driving; learn the right grip, the right stance, the right swing, and the right follow-through in one lesson, and then practice it. Get out to the driving range OFTEN. It’s important for all of this to become natural. For your next lesson, you might work on your short game, or putting. It takes time! Don’t expect to walk out of your lesson without knowing that you’ve got to practice as often as you can.

You’ve invested in the equipment, doesn’t it make sense to learn how to use them to their advantage and improve your abilities.

Have you taken a lesson lately? Summer is the perfect time to get out there and perfect your golf game.

Cars, in general, possess both form and function. One of the things that I’ve learned having spent a good portion of my life in the wholesale automobile business is that auto brands NEVER compromise aesthetics vs performance. Both are important not only because of the way a car looks (yes, we buy with our eyes), but also because some of the slick stylings is actually aero-dynamic, making cars more functional.

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT SPORTS CARS!

Something that makes them stand out when it comes to beauty. And we are not talking about external features only. There is more to physical features like sleekness of the car, that determines its beauty.

Here are some of the characteristics that endear sports cars to car enthusiasts.

• Sports cars have attitude at first glance.

Sports cars speak the attitude that they possess. They are not like mere cars whose presence can be ignored. They captivate the eyes of those who see them. They imply that thrill and enjoyment can be expected when their hands are those that control the wheel. These fast cars stand above other cars, that are seen every day, primarily because the designs imply what they are capable of doing. A sleek look should match the great performance.

• Sports cars possess greater power.

Their power comes from their more powerful engines and can do more than ordinary tasks because of the features that only they possess.

• Sports cars are made for driving pleasure.

I once said here that a good car can make you a better driver. It’s true. Why? Because ordinary cars make driving monotonous and boring, while on the other hand, sports cars primarily aim to give the drivers a “high” feeling of speed and control. Only sports cars can provide that need for drivers who seek adventure. They bring the thrill back to driving and express what other cars can not. Sports cars are not designed just for practicality, but for pleasure too.

• Sports cars are made for drivers who enjoy their ‘wild side’.

Someone who really loves to drive will have the need to express this ‘wild side’. Only a sports cars make any road a venue to satisfy those needs and match the “wildness” that drivers innately have. For that reason, sports cars perfectly compliment the child in every driver.

• Sports cars have evolved and improved through the years.

I know that I appreciate the improvements that have been made to sports cars. You could say that sports car technology has infinite possibilities. The stereotypes of sports cars have long been debunked, just take a look at the sports-car SUVS or an EV with that slick sporty styling. You see, those limits have been crossed. The only thing that car enthusiasts can do is to watch as these improvements unfold before their very eyes.

• Sports cars make their owners feel good about themselves.

There’s something very empowering about getting behind the wheel of a car that’s made for speed.

With all these things said about the intrinsic and extrinsic beauty that sports cars possess, only a person who does not appreciate their beauty and/or speed will not opt to get one.

We know they’re better for the environment, but do hybrid cars actually save you money in the long run?

Considering the price of the car vs. a traditional gas model PLUS the gasoline saved, this has been a hotly contested debate in the automobile world.

Several studies released by Consumer Reports and other review agencies have shown that on average, you don’t actually save money by buying a hybrid car. BUT, most of these studies only take into account the difference between gas mileages and they just don’t take into account many of the other factors that go into calculating the total cost of ownership.

A new study released by Intellichoice, a vehicle research center, shows that hybrid vehicles actually DO SAVE MONEY over time. In addition to fuel savings, these are some of the ways that hybrid vehicles save you money.

Better Value Retention

Have you ever heard the saying that your car is worth 30% less the moment you drive it off the lot? As a former wholesale automobile dealer I know that this is true of every new car – except the hybrid. A hybrid vehicle retains its value better than any other type of vehicle. Interestingly, the value retention is as true in the first year, as it is FIVE YEARS DOWN THE LINE!

Grab that Federal Tax Credits

There are numerous tax credits you can take advantage of by driving a hybrid vehicle. Yes, they change based on when and where (state) you’ll be buying the car. These tax credits can range anywhere from $250 to $3,150 depending on the state, the time period and the vehicle you’re driving, so keep an eye out for the rebates as you should be able to find both state and federal credits (to lower your tax bill in April).

Lower Maintenance Costs

Right now a hybrid costs more to purchase up front (in the next few years you should see the prices get closer to traditional gas models), and their maintenance costs are significantly lower than the average vehicle. According to the Intellichoice report, the cost of the average non-hybrid vehicle of a comparable nature to the Prius over a five-year period was $33,305. Conversely, the Prius incurred only $19,897 in costs. As someone who’s wife drove a hybrid Civic for many years (and got over 200,000 miles on that engine before trading it in), I can attest to the fact that it was a HUGE cost saver.

Financing Options May be BETTER

One big hidden cost to buying a vehicle is financing. The percent interest you pay on purchasing your vehicle is a huge part of the total cost of your purchase (unless you’re a cash buyer this is REALLY important). While there are no ongoing special rates for the Toyota Prius, the Civic Hybrid or other hybrid vehicles, the fact is that financing deals are run several times a year specifically for hybrids by most major manufacturers, so again BE ON THE LOOKOUT.

That means that if you wanted to buy a Toyota Prius and just waited until a 0.9% APR deal came around, you could save a significant amount of money.

Insurance Costs

Insurers also take the driving habits of hybrid owners into account. If you own a hybrid, your accident rates are a lot lower than other types of car owners, which in turn lowers your insurance costs.

So, taking all the various factors into account, not just the differences in fuel costs, hybrid vehicles really do end up saving money in the long run.

I received the products mentioned below for consideration of this article. 

I am an old golfer

I have been trying to hit that little ball into a hole for a VERY long time. I began playing in high school and I turn 70 in a matter of weeks. You do the math. My wife often asks me why I play if I come home hurting and frustrated. She asks why I still need to take lessons after all of this time. She obviously doesn’t play, because the love of the game is what keeps we old golfers going…swing after swing (whether at the driving range during the week or on the course on the weekend).

While the game itself hasn’t changed in my over 50 years of playing, my equipment certainly has.

Upgrading clubs and shoes are something we all do, but as we age there are a few more things that I find myself needing and one to enjoy when I get home.

Tuli’s Plantar Fasciitis Insoles

These shock absorbers for your feet are a no-brainer for golfers who suffer from foot pain. I kept thinking that a new pair of golf shoes would help, but it turned out that the paid I bought last season are FINE, all they needed was a premium arch support from Tuli’s. It’s amazing what replacing your inner sole with a product that fully supports your feet. I don’t have plantar fascitis, but I do have issues with my arches and as a result, I get heel pain. It’s amazing that I got IMMEDIATE comfort once I put these into my shoes.

They are simple to use. Simply take out your old insoles and measure your Tuli’s Plantar Fasciitis Insoles and trim to fit. Then toss your old, flat, no-good insoles in the trash and replace them with your new Tuli’s. It’s amazing how comfortable your feet will feel, and how it will improve your game. I’m not promising that they’ll take any strokes off your game, but you may just find yourself playing a full 18 holes instead of quitting after 9.

Tuli’s Plantar Fascitiis Insoles provide

• Metatarsal Cushion – with a multi-layer design to provide comfort with each step you take
• Metatarsal Arch Support – for added relief and comfort
• Arch Support – this superior medial arch support helps with plantar fasciitis and flat feet (like mine)
• Heel Cushion – with a 4″ angled heel support that will improve your posture and offer you comfort

Tule’s Insoles are available from Medi-Dyne – $39.99

Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap

The knees always seem to be the first to go. One wrong twist (yes, honey, THAT is why I’m always taking lessons), and I’m done, so keeping my knee stabilized means that I can play both without knee pain or even worse, injuring it once again. That little bit of support can absorb and disperse the unnatural force that our bodies cam put on the knee and relieve it. Cho-Pat’s knee strap really helps reduce keep mobility throughout the game with great support. Why risk having to sit out another match just because your knee isn’t up to it?

Above the Knee Support

• Reduces the force of quad muscles on the knee
• Lessens the potential for misalignment

Below the Knee Support

• Improves tracking
• Reduces displacement

Relieve and Prevent:

• Patellar Tendonitis
• Weak Knees
• Jumper’s Knee
• Osgood Schlatter Disease

Order a Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap (or 2) at Medi-Dyne for $27.99

2Toms Gripshield Grip Enhancer

My son (who’s a much better golfer than I am) has been asking about this product, so I was happy to have him put it to the test for me. He can go out and play 30 holes with his friends (ah, to be 30-something again), but his non-gloved hand would get sweaty and slippery. He gave it a go this Memorial Day weekend and found that it definitely made a difference in how he was able to keep the club comfortably in his hand by providing a nice dry palm to make gripping the club much easier.

Applying 2Toms Gripshield is as easy as putting on hand cream. Simply shake the bottle and put a small amount on one hand and rub the front, back, fingers, and between your fingers with the product. Unlike other grip-enhancing products, 2Toms stays on all day and doesn’t dry out with a film. The small 1.50-ounce bottle fits easily into your golf bag so that you can reapply it as you need to.

2Toms Gripshield dries your hands for a better grip

• Enhances Grip
• Provides a Natural Grip
• No Powdery Mess
• Works Fast
• Non-Sticky and Non-Greasy

Pick up a bottle at Medi-Dyne and while you’re at it, pick one up for the tennis player in your life. – Priced at $10.99

After a good day on the links, this Dad wants to come home and enjoy BBQ! But, he also wants it to be easy and delicious. That’s why I choose…

Bushwick Kitchens

Whether you like it sweet or hot, salty or tangy, Bushwick Kitchen has a sauce that you’ll love.

The pre-made gift boxes make Father’s Day gift giving easy, and you can choose from an array of trio options from

• Three Knees Spicy Set
• Weak Knees Siracha
• Trees Knees Maple Gift Set with Honey
• Trees Knees Maple Gift Set with Cinnamon
• Bees Knees Honey Gift Set
• Or make up your own gift with individual sauces and honey

They offer free shipping on orders over $35.

Order them now at Bushwick Kitchen – prices vary

We hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day! Now go out and hit some balls.