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We would all love to be able to get within 100 yards of the green when we tee off. Unfortunately this luxury is not always possible and most of us will have to reach for a long iron or fairway wood several times during a round of golf.

This is often a frustrating situation to find yourself in. Even though on a par 5 it would be quite common, when teeing off on a par 4, we are aiming to get within an easy shot with a 7 or 9 iron or the green.

So when you find yourself having to take a shot with a fairway wood or long iron on a par 4, it is often because you have made a mistake.

So one of the first things to do is take stock of the situation and try not to get angry with yourself. This only leads to lack of concentration and more mistakes. And you don't want to be taking 2 shots with your long iron or fairway wood!

The second thing to do is to take a normal address position when setting yourself up for the shot. Treat this shot like any other shot and don't let using the long iron or fairway wood intimidate you. Fear will also create more mistakes and frustration.

Next position the ball slightly back and take a full backswing. Because of the design of fairway woods and long irons, you need to hit the ball at the bottom of the swing, instead of the descending blow of the much shorter irons.

also, while setting up your swing, think about aiming to clip the top of the grass. Unlike shorter irons, your long irons will not create the deep divots and you will achieve a greater impact.

I believe that the main thing to do is not to panic when you find yourself in this situation. Fear arises from lack of familiarity with having to use the long irons and fairway woods, so take time to use them at the driving range.

also, if your driving range has a grassed section, spend plenty of time creating a set up that will work for you when you hit the golf course. Next time you are reaching for the long irons or fairway woods, it won't feel like the first time!

Find out more about hitting with long irons and fairway woods, and get some tips on how to hit with these clubs more effectively.

posted by 45193  # 3:38 PM 0 comments

This article will launch my new series in the Why study Math? category. This will be the start of a fascinating series which show that mathematics is more than just a pain in the neck; indeed these essays will permit a fascinating peek into the world of this curiously strange discipline. We start in the land of geometry, where shapes and figures and their many properties drive students to the breaking point of insanity. Each article will feature a specific aspect of a particular branch of mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; and each will endeavor to shed some light on how these fields are used in the real world. So come on board and enjoy the ride.

In the field of geometry, particularly as pertains to the high school geometry course, a student is introduced for the first time to the wonderful world of mathematical proofs. Often times students will be scratching their heads wondering why in the world they would be learning things as proving two triangles congruent or about the different properties of shapes such as trapezoids, parallelograms, or even those solid figures called polyhedrons. What is not understood or even seen is that such shapes play a fundamental role in many areas of science and indeed nature.

For example, the helix structurethat winding pattern best typified by a spiral staircaseis the structure most abundant in nature. Watson and Crick, the scientists who won a Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking work with DNA, the genetic material responsible for heredity, showed that the very structure of the DNA molecule exhibited a double helix structure. running a close second to the helix structure, we have those solids which are formed by regular pentagons and hexagons, those five and six sided figures. Because it is impossible to enclose space (in other words form a polyhedron ball) with just hexagons, it is necessary that pentagons be added to the mix. In fact 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons form the recipe for a nice type of polyhedron ball, which has come to be called a truncated icosahedron.

The soccer ball is the perfect real-life example of the truncated icosahedron. What is even more, many virusesthose potentially deadly nuisancesexhibit this structure. Viruses have outer shells called capsids that are often in the form of an icosahedron. And for those of you who are not familiar with chemistry, the eponymous buckey ball, is an organic molecule made mostly of carbon, which exhibits the soccer ball structure. In fact, chemists have now discovered a whole family of these soccer-ball-like molecules, which are called fullerenes. New and interesting discoveries are being made with these molecules and fascinating applications for their use in diverse fields as medicine and pharmacology are being researched.

Thus understanding geometryshapes, figures, and their related propertieshas profound implications for all of us. Just remember this the next time you go to fill a prescription for that drug which is going to kill that buckey-ball shaped virus that is wreaking havoc on your insides. For without understanding the very nature of the shapes of these viruses, chemists and pharmacologists would be at a loss in their attempt to battle these viral parasites. Stay tuned for more in my Why study Math? series...

posted by 45193  # 11:52 AM 0 comments

I'll let you in on a little secret...I've recently become addicted to Yoga! It's a great way for a type-A personality like me to unwind, get centered and focus on something other than the next task on my list of to-do's. The added benefit is that I've gained more physical power and strength and an abundance of clarity in all aspects of my life.

I've been practicing yoga now for several months and have been so focused on my movements that I failed to notice there is much to be learned about business success in the midst of the 'om'. Here are 3 lessons we can all learn from:

1. Let your inner voice guide you
Unlike competitive sports, Yoga practitioners don't compete with the rest of the room or even themselves. Instead, they honor where they are at in the moment and stretch not based on what the rest of the group is doing but based on how far they can go that day. This requires really listening to your inner voice, honoring where you're at and not imposing preconceived judgments on yourself.

In business, instead of moving at the pace of the pack, or making decisions based on what others are doing (or not doing), develop a strategy that honors your brand statement. When you are clear on your brand, and the value it represents, you are able to make decisions that point back to what really matters and is right...for you.

2. Expect to get out of balance
One of the moves I had the most difficulty with in the early stages of my yoga practice, is called 'Tree pose.' As a yoga newbie, I didn't have the focus I have today and balancing on one foot while my hands floated in the air above me was challenging. I'd fall out of the move, and became frustrated.

No matter the size, or age, of your business there will be times when what you forecasted doesn't go as planned. It's easy to just throw your hands up in the air and give up or change your course completely - your brand isn't built on that now is it? Before you become frustrated, take a moment to readjust and try that marketing strategy or sales tactic again.

3. Model the actions of those that are achieving what you want
Whether you practice yoga in a studio with other people or prefer to move into downward-facing dog in the privacy of your own home, it helps to model someone who is performing the moves successfully. I'm always keeping an eye on my instructor when she introduces a move I'm not familiar with so that I can copy her movements.

As a small business owner, you don't have to go it alone! Look for role models that are achieving the success you want and learn from them. The trick is to avoid taking advice from those that aren't more successful than you. Beware of 'wanna-be' mentors that position themselves as know-it-alls when in fact they are do-nothings.

The most enjoyable part of my yoga practice is the 'Salutation Seal' when we place our hands near our heart and reflect on our accomplishment. As part of your business' practice honor your accomplishments and remember, tomorrow is another day.

Namaste.

2007 Liz Pabon. All rights reserved.

about the author: Liz Pabon, The Branding Maven, is inspiring, motivating and empowering - but most importantly, shes effective. A speaker and author on the topic of personal branding, Liz delivers insights and principles that are proven to achieve WILD SUCCESS. Liz publishes the weekly Keys 2 Wild Success! ezine. If you're ready to ATTRACT amazing clients, set yourself APART from the pack, make a lot more MONEY, and have a lot more FUN in your small business, get Lizs FREE WEEKLY TIPS by going NOW to http://www.thebrandingmaven.com!

posted by 45193  # 4:02 AM 0 comments