Golf Fitness App Review - CardioGolf

 It is winter here in Massachusetts.  

As a golfer winter is a long wait ... for the snow to melt, the golf courses to open, and the warm breezes of summer.  Until then I try to do different things to keep close to golf:  

• Play indoor golf
• Watch golf on TV
• Read about golf
• Practice golf
• Work on golf fitness

This winter has added the challenge of the Covid 19 restrictions.

So to overcome this, I set up a fitness and practice space in my basement.

For Fitness I have been trying different online and apps work out programs.  One of my favorites I just started recently:  CardioGolf

You should always consult your physician or other healthcare provider before changing your diet or starting an exercise program.

CardioGolf has a web site, an iOS App and Android App.  It is created by Master LPGA Professional and NASM Certified Personal Trainer Karen Palacios-Jansen.  I followed Karen's Facebook page for several years, but never tried her fitness program.

After 2 weeks, I am hooked!  

First she provides general conditioning and fitness workouts.  Added to that a focus on fitness to help with the physical play of golf.

Second the workouts are easy to follow.  Karen starts each sequence with instruction on how to do the exercise.  Then she does the exercises with you.  She always explains how to do a modified version of the exercise if you need an easier version of it.  She emphasizes good form and how it should feel.   For me as I work to get stronger, I often do the easier version to start.  When I am ready I try the more challenging version.

Finally I like the variety.  I can follow a weekly program or scroll thru the workouts and find something to do that day.  The videos are different lengths so you can do one, two or three at a time.

The work outs use no equipment or common home equipment.  Cardio golf offers two work out apparatus

• The CardioGolf™ Slope
• Shortee Training Club

You can do the workouts with or without equipment. Karen and the other trainers explain how to do the exercises on the floor or without the equipment.

I do have a few pieces of equipment which I use for the workouts instead and they work great:

• A step
• A golf club (which I choke down on)
• Hand weights or dumb bells
• Workout band

The best part is that you can try out Cardio Golf for 30 days for Free.  This is longer than most other apps and services which only support 7 days free.

I give this App 12 out of 14 clubs:  🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌🏌

If you want to learn more, check out  CardioGolf at https://tv.cardiogolf.com/browse

Swing Away!

Personal Par

Personal Par is also called your Net score ... or your scored adjusted by your handicap. 

Previously when recording our score for handicap, a max score on a hole or ESC (Equitable Stroke Control) was based on a single number.   For example if your course handicap for 18 holes is 34, your ESC (max score per hole) was 9.

As of January 1, 2020, this is changing to your "Net Double Bogey" ... or 2 strokes over your Net score for the hole ... or 2 strokes over your personal par.  I am re-posting this blog from 2014 about how to calculate and play to your Personal Par or Net score which you can also use to determine you Net Double Bogey on any hole.

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When we play golf, we work to see how well we play the course versus PAR.

PAR is the score a really good golfer would expect to score on a golf hole.

PAR 3 is when the golfer is expected to reach the green with one tee shot and two putt for a 3.

Most golfers will score higher than 3 on a PAR 3.  So how do you figure out how well you should play the hole?

Lets say you play the same golf course every week in your league.  On the PAR 5 you typically score a 7.  Well 7 would be your Personal PAR for the hole.  So if you end up chipping your 5th shot really close to the hole and make the putt for a 6, you would score a Personal BIRDIE! … or one less than your Personal PAR.

Personal PAR is based on how you play.

The Handicap System helps golfers determine their Personal PAR. 

How do you calculate your Personal PAR for a golf course?  You start with your Handicap Index, lets say it is 31.2.  Based on the difficulty of the golf course, your Course Handicap is 33. 
Calculate your personal PAR by adding the course’s PAR (72) to your course handicap (33) for 105.

You can calculate your Personal PAR for each hole..

With a course handicap is 33, add one stroke to each’s hole’s PAR  for 33 - 18 holes = 15.  Then on the 15 hardest holes on the course you add a 2nd stroke.

On the course’s scorecard, cross out the PAR for each hole and write in your PAR so that it looks like this:



Now play the course and see how well you do versus your Personal PAR. 

You can expect to score your Personal PAR or better 1 out of 5 times you play!

Swing Away!

Kate Collins
kate.ewga@gmail.com

Credit:  Dr. Joseph Parent writes about Personal Par in his book Zen Golf.   http://www.zengolf.com/

Golf Balls

The golf ball is the only piece of equipment you use for every shot on the golf course.

We spend lots of time selecting our clubs, clothes and shoes. The selection of the golf ball is often quick. It may be the last ball you found in the woods when you were looking for your golf ball.

Golf Ball manufacturers talk about swing speed, three piece golf balls, urethane cover over rezin mantel, distance off the driver and spin around the green.

It is a lot to understand.

Selecting a golf ball can be simpler.

A pro once said to me that the most important thing about a golf ball is to select one and always play the same one. The reason being is that all golf balls behave a little differently. By selecting a golf ball to play, you will learn how it reacts when you hit it. You will be able to anticipate what it will do. Will it float high and land soft? Or will it land and run along the ground?

Do you need to pay $5 a golf ball to get a good one? No.

New golf balls which are 18 for $15 are better than a used golf ball which has been sitting in the bottom of a lake. A new golf ball will travel higher and further than an old ball. It will give the best option of carrying a hazard. And old golf ball will not compress as well when hit and will most likely end up in the water again.

So how do you pick a golf ball?

Getting “fitted” is one way. Many golf ball manufacturers offer fittings at local golf course or retail store where they put you on a swing analysis and then have you hit different golf balls to see which one results in an optima flight path.

Or you can do some testing yourself. Try this

Go to a putting green and put down 3 or 4 balls of different types on the green. Putt each one at a target. Feel the feedback when the club and ball met. Listen for the sound the golf ball makes when ball and putter meet. Watch how each golf ball rolls when you hit it with the same stroke. Which one feels and rolls the best to you?

Repeat this exercise chipping the same 3 or 4 golf balls around the green. Again listen to what it sounds like when you hit it, what it feels like. How the ball rolls out. Hit each ball until you can see or feel a difference.

Now based on both tests which two golf balls “feels” best to you?

For me I like a golf ball which feels solid when I hit it. It does not sound like hitting a ping pong ball nor does it feel like I am striking a rock. It feels like a knife going through butter.

There is not vibration and the sound is just “right” for my ears.

Take the two golf balls you liked the best and get a sleeve of each. Go play a round of golf. Play one ball type exclusively for 3 or 6 holes (⅓ your round), then play the other for 3 or 6 holes (⅓ your round). Note how the ball comes off your driver and rolls along the ground. Does it fly high or low most of the time? Which one did you feel more confident with? Play the last 3 or 6 holes with the one you liked the best.

When you are done the one that feels the best and makes you feel confident is the right one for you!

Swing Away!

Kate Collins

The Den Caddie

What is a Den Caddie?

A Den Caddie is a small golf bag accessory used for holding golf balls at the range or to decorate your den.

Caddie carries your bag on the golf course and helps you play the round.

A Den Caddie doesn’t carry your bag on the course and helps you play better from the chair in her Den.  

Sort of like an armchair quarterback for golfers.

I hope these articles help you enjoy and play golf!

Swing Away!

Kate Collins
The Den Caddie