Crosshair Golf Blog
March 28, 2010
The Golf Driver and Distance
460 cc golf driver, the cc stands for cubic centimeters, 460 is the maximum allowable for playing golf. you can get your golf driver with a much larger head but it is illegal, so don’t bother. These larger driver heads are usually used for competitive distance drivingin which the rules of golf do not apply.
So, the first step in getting more distance from your golf driver is the ball. We will not, at this time, get into a deep discussion about the different golf balls and what they do. We will talk about that some other time. For now, just find a ball that you like that is designed for distance. Golf balls designed for distance have less spin when the club head initially strikes the ball.
Step 2 is to get a golf driver with optimum loft. Optimum loft is different for everyone so I can not really tell you what loft you should get. Experiment with drivers of varying lofts and when it is right you will know. I, for example, tend to hit golf shots very high with all my clubs, so to get optimum loft on my driver I had to drop to 8 degress of loft to get optimized. Slower Swingers might find that a 12 or 14 degree loft driver is optimum for them. A general rule of thumb is the stronger your swing, the lower the loft.
Step 3 tee it high and let it fly. Conventional wisdom is to tee the ball so the center line of the golf ball is about even with the top of the club head. Now, however, some instructors are saying the ball should be even higher. Tee it up so the club head only reaches about 1/4 the way up the ball. Now you know why 3 and 3 1/2″ tees are getting more and more popular.
Step 4 get the ball farther up in your stance. You want the ball at least even with your forward foot, (left for right hand golfers and right for left hand golfers) you can even go a inch or to forward of your lead foot. Just remember, the farther forward the ball is in your stance the less control you will have so your strike needs to be right on. You need to find what is most comfortable and accurate for you. You do not have to move the ball all at once, experiment and practice and slowly get the ball farther up in your stance.
Step 5 get a bulls-eye, hit the ball in the center. You are probably wondering why I say this. Well, it is simple, most of us do not hit the ball in the center. We line up in the center of the ball, but we do not hit the ball in the center. You tee the ball, you take a couple of practice swings, you address the ball, set the club head on the ground behind the ball to line it up, and then WHAM, the ball goes anywhere except the fairway. The reason is this, the club swings like a pendulum. It does not go up and down, it swings.The first thing to remember is that the ball is 3″ in the air. OK, with that knowledge, try this test. Tee the ball up, place the club head on the ground centered behind the ball, then with your arms outstretched lift the club head to the ball. Is it centered now?
This is not unusual, so chalk it up as a learning experience. Just start experimenting and testing. Move back a bit and do the test again and again until you find your own sweet spot.
Finally, you need to hit the ball on the upswing. Everybody’s swing is different, so you will need to have your swing observed. It might only take one lesson. Just tell the instructor you want to make sure you are hitting your drive on the upswing and then he or she will observe and make corrections for you. You might not need a lesson for this you might find that perfect swing on your own. Remember, your golf driver is your friend.
March 21, 2010
The Masters Party- Bourbon Glazed Chicken Drummettes with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
Make the sauce yourself add a bit of Bourbon and your friends will remember your Masters party for years to come.
First a list of what you will need. This recipe is for about 30 drummetes, you can double or triple as needed. The drummet is the part of the wing that resembles a small drum stick. Feel free to use the whole wing, just separate the wing part from the drummet and discard the tip section. You can also go to a butcher and they will prepare your wings for you. Now for the ingredients.
1. 2 tablespoons butter, Not Margarine, unless you are lactose intolerant, then I guess you can use margarine.
2. 1-cup chopped onion, about 1 medium
3. 3 garlic cloves peeled and thinly sliced
4. 1-cup Bourbon, Divided
5. 1-cup Ketchup
6. 1/2-cup hot pepper sauce, your choice, most supermarkets have a nice selection of hot sauces.
7. 1/4-cup tomato paste (one small can)
8. 3 tablespoons (packed) golden or light brown sugar
9. Chicken drummetes, wings, or a combination
First things first. in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat melt the butter. Add onion and garlic and saute’ until golden, be careful not to burn, about 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of the Bourbon, boil until most of the liquid is absorbed, 6-8 minutes.
Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of Bourbon, Ketchup, Hot Pepper Sauce, Tomato Paste, and Brown Sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Place Chicken in a 15×10x2 inch glass baking dish. Pour marinade over chicken and turn to coat all chicken completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
Now it is time to get these bad-boys to the party table. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place a cooling rack atop prepared baking sheet. Arrange chicken on the rack, spacing slightly apart. Spread remaining marinade over chicken season with salt and pepper. Bake chicken (still on cooling rack) until cooked through and brown in spots, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce.
Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
Mix together 8 ounces Blue Cheese finely crumbled, about 2 cups. A 16 oz. container of sour cream, and some chopped parsley. You can make this a day ahead if you want, in fact, it will probably taste better if made the day before.
Enjoy.
March 19, 2010
Tiger Woods to take over The Masters
Tiger Woods is poised to take over The Masters. His long awaited return will happen at, in my opinion, the greatest golf event of the year. The Masters.
What does this mean to us golf fans? What it means is non stop blather from the commentators. Tiger this and Tiger that. We might not even know who the other golfers are.
Is Tiger stealing the publicity of The Masters?
Is Tiger hiding under the publicity of The Masters?
Will the Commentators run cover for Tiger?
Will the commentators talk about any other golfer that is not Tiger Woods?
I hope The Masters this year can be enjoyed by all golf fans and not just the Tiger Woods fans.
March 18, 2010
What would The Masters be without Mongolian Chicken Wings
So you have your recipe for Seven Layer Dip. What next? Well it just wouldn’t be The Masters without Mongolian Chicken Wings. Are you ready for the next recipe.
What you will need:
1. Oil for frying
2. 1/2 tsp minced ginger, fresh is best but jarred is easier.
3. 1 tbsp chopped garlic
4. 1/2 cup soy sauce
5. 1/4 cup oyster sauce (optional)
6. 1/2 cup water
7. 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
8. Chicken Wings, The more you buy the more of the above ingredients you will need.
9. 1 cup all purpose flour
10. 1/4 cup corn starch
12. Salt, Pepper or seasoned salt of choice.
13. Scallions for garnish.
Make the sauce, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in sauce pan on medium/low heat, do not get the oil too hot. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and cook stirring for only about 30 seconds. Quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic burns. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved, add the oyster sauce, if using. Simmer for about 3 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the chicken. Mix the flour, corn starch and salt and pepper or seasoned salt. Whisk and put on a plate. Separate the wing from the drummet and discard the tips of the wings. Salt and pepper wings on both sides. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, tap excess off and place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Once all chicken has been dredged in flour wait about 10 minutes and do it again.
Fry the wings. In a deep, heavy bottom pan, add about 2-3 inches of oil and heat to 375 degrees. Fry in batches until chicken is golden brown and internal temp is about 160 degrees. Set aside.
When ready to serve, heat oven to 350 degrees. Warm sauce and use about 1/2 to coat chicken wings and bake until warmed through. Put on a serving plate and top with chopped green onions.
Heat the rest of the sauce and serve on the side. (your wings will be darker brown than the photo above)
March 17, 2010
Your Masters Party Seven Layer Dip
The Masters golf tournament is fast approaching. Do you have all the goods for your big party. Well, I am here to help. Every great Masters Party starts with a few good dips. Here I will share a great and easy to make “Seven Layer Dip”.
First you will need a few items from the store.
1. 2 cans of re-fried beans
2. 4 ripe Avacados
3. 4 Tomatoes
4. 4 Limes
5. 2 Onions
6. Bunch of fresh Cilantro
7. Sour Cream, or for a richer dip get Greek Style Yogurt
8. Grated Cheddar for top Orange and White mixed makes it look better
9. Jalapeno Peppers (Optional)
10. Taco Sauce
11. Taco Seasoning
12. Sliced Black Olives
13. Garlic
14. Seasoned Salt of your choice
15. A Glass Baking Dish probably 9×9 would be good
Lets get started. If you want to double this and make 2 dishes or 1 large, go for it.
First layer, in a sauce pan mix the canned beans with 2 tablespoons of taco sauce per can and 2 tsp of taco seasoning per can. Cook on med/low heat, stirring to mix, until just warmed through. Place in your baking dish. Layer 1 is done.
Second Layer, make a slasa. Chop Tomatoes and Onion, judge how much you will need by taste, some like mor onion and some like more tomatoe. It is your dip, you decide. To this add a small handful of chopped cilantro, and a few tablespoons of fresh Lime Juice. Jalapenos are optional so use your judgement, I usually do not like the heat but I like the flavor, so I cut them in half and take out the seeds and white membrane, then chop the pepper’s and add them. Toss this together and let sit in the fridge for about an hour. Once chilled toss all the juices to coat and strain, then spread this on the bean layer.
Third layer, make Guacamole. Add Avacadoes to a bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher. To this add some lime juice, chopped garlic, seasoned salt, that’s it. Spread this on top of the Salsa.
Fourth Layer, Sour Cream. This is a real simple layer. Spread sour cream or greek yogurt on Guacamole
Fifth Layer, Sliced Olives. Spread Sliced olives over sour cream.
Sixth Layer, Cheese. Sprinkle cheese over top.
Seventh Layer, Taco Sauce. Pour taco sauce over cheese. You are done and a hit at the party. Serve with chips of choice.
You do not have to limit yourself to seven layers. feel free to add what you want. Have fun.
March 14, 2010
Change your clock for more Golf
It is Sunday 3/14/2010 did you move your clock ahead one hour.
Remember what it means, an extra hour of golf every day until November.
March 12, 2010
Have a Masters Party
The Masters Golf Tournament is about a month away, are you ready? The Masters is probably the most watched golf tournament of the year. I personally treat The Masters just like the Superbowl.
We are having Wings (Hot,Mild,BBQ, and Mongolian), Seven Layer Dip, Adult Beverages. In the back yard we are setting up some chipping targets. And, in the TV room we have a putting green ready to go.
Just like the Superbowl, it does not matter who is playing or who wins. You do not watch The Masters, you experience The Masters
March 3, 2010
Tip #2 For the Beginner Golfer…Get on the Golf Course
Get on the Golf Course
I don’t think I am good enough to get out on the golf course. I might embarrass myself. I might slow everyone down. Does this sound familiar. How many of us have said this in the past and how many of you are saying this now. Remember, golf is a game that you play against yourself, so try not to worry about everyone else.
The golf course is full of players from high handicappers to scratch golfers. Every person you meet on the golf course fought with these thoughts before you, and more will torment themselves in the future.
If you have done everything you should have, then lets get ready to play. You have a few lessons under your belt, you spend some time at the local driving range and practice your chipping in your back yard. What else is left but to get out on the golf course and play a round. Here are a few things you can do to get ready.
First, you might want to make your first outing at a 9 hole course. You can get through a 9 hole course in about 2 hours.
Second, go to the course and see if they have a driving range, hit a bucket of balls. Then go over to the putting green and putt for a while. Just get comfortable in the environment. try and do this late in the afternoon, then ask if you can walk the course. This is a good way to see what you are up against.
Third, have a drink at the 19th hole. Meet some people, you will probably be surprised to find that there are alot of people there at your level of play.
Fourth, find out what the dress code is so you do not feel embarrassed when you show up to play.
Fifth, Play your first round late in the afternoon on a Sunday, and only play with one other person. Play with someone you are comfortable with, your best friend or spouse is a good choice. Playing this way there will be no pressure and you can laugh off the bad shots. Playing late in the afternoon on a Sunday gives you the advantage of slow play. If you hit a bad shot, put another ball down and hit it again, hell, put 2 or 3 down and practice. If you do not finish the round, who cares, you are building confidence.
Sixth, Get your butt out there and play!!
