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The Stack and Tilt Golf Swing - Some Comments

In a recent issue of golf Digest (June 2007) a "new" golf swing being promoted by golf coaches Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett is featured. This new approach to the golf swing is called the "Stack and Tilt" swing.

In describing the Stack and Tilt swing, Peter Morrice, the author of the article, indulges in a bit of overstatement when he says "Their secret...contradicts almost everything being taught in the game today." But is this swing really that unique?

The Key Difference

The biggest difference with the "Stack and Tilt" swing is that it completely downplays the idea of shifting your weight to your back foot when making the backswing. In fact this "new" swing encourages the golfer to keep his or her weight on the front foot, and, if anything, move it more directly over the front foot during the takeaway.

Some older golfers will think this looks like a "reverse pivot" where the golfer seems to be leaning towards the target at the top of the swing. Teachers of the typical modern swing have their golf students draw the club back and stack their weight over their back leg when the club hits the top of the swing. But Stack and Tilt encourages the golfer to lean towards the target while the club is taken up.

Some Subtle Differences

For many golfers it may be hard to spot the differences at first, but there are some significant ones. For one thing with the typical modern swing the back leg remains bent with a slight flex at the knee. With the Stack and Tilt the back leg straightens out. The photos featured in the golf Digest article (p.122) demonstrate how the back leg straightens out as it pushes back towards the target.

As a result the front side of the body is "stacked" over the front foot, and the trailing side of the body is "tilted" towards the target.

For a comparison with the typical modern swing look at photos of Tiger's swing of the last few years, or see the photo of V.J. Singh's swing on page 43 of the same issue of golf Digest. Singh's upper body is "stacked" over his back leg at the top of the swing, and the trailing side of his torso is perpendicular to the ground as he pushes his weight back over his back leg. This is quite different from the way the torso is angled towards the target with the Stack and Tilt swing.

It's All Been Done Before

If you are familiar with the teachings of most modern golf coaches this may sound like a radical departure from golf orthodoxy. But the fact is, there have always been alternative schools of thought which questioned the simplistic "weight shift" idea. In particular, look at old photos of Jack Nicklaus, ben hogan or Sam Snead. None of these golfers make the major shift over the back leg like you see with Tiger Woods, for instance.

Or have a close look at the famous 1930s videos produced by Bobby Jones. There is no obvious shift towards the back leg. Jones remains centered over the ball throughout the swing and is more concerned with rotation around the center point than he is with the lateral weight shift characteristic of the typical modern swing.

Points of Interest

There are clearly some aspects of the Stack and Tilt swing that may help the average golfer hit the golf ball more squarely and more precisely.

The first is the lack of emphasis placed on the weight shift. For many golfers this idea is misleading and results in a lateral shift that basically turns the golf ball into a moving target. Shifting one's weight to the back also results in a "shallower" swing which increases the chances of bottoming out too early. Depending on a variety of factors this can either result in fat shots or thin ones. As an alternative, pressing into the front foot as you take the club back very definitely forces a steeper approach to the ball and should result in fewer topped shots. It also results in a lower trajectory since it de-lofts the club, and this may give you greater run on certain kinds of fairways.

The second point is that Stack and Tilt promotes a flatter swing. A flatter swing is less vertical and more rotational, and is the way Stack and Tilt compensates for being more on top of the ball when the downswing is begun.

The third point is the fairly advanced idea of the "pelvic thrust" which the Stack and Tilt teachers claim helps get the club approaching the ball correctly. This is probably where Stack and Tilt becomes too difficult for many average golfers. With Stack and Tilt, since one's weight and shoulder position are forward, the approach to the ball will be significantly steeper than normal. The pelvic thrust, along with the more rotational swing, helps to "shallow out" the swing. You achieve this by rapidly rotating your hips around and pushing your front hip up and towards the target. This creates the sensation of almost jumping up and striking the ball while on your toes. If you've ever seen Natalie Golbus swing a golf club you've got a fairly good idea what this looks like.

If these seem like technical points that are beyond your level of expertise, just give the "weight forward" idea a try. All you have to do is start with noticeably more weight on your front foot, and then press into that foot as you take the club up. You will probably find that it feels quite different from what you are used to. This move should result in fewer thin hits. But it may also result in more pushes, especially with the longer clubs, so you may have to adjust the positioning of the ball. You may also find it more physically taxing - requiring more body contortions - and for most of us that is not a good thing.

Rick Hendershot is an avid golfer who writes about the golf swing, golf travel and other golf stuff. Catch his blogs called The Weekend Golfer and golf Around the World

posted by 1920 @ 11:00 PM 0 comments

Buy Pills With Ephedra - Is Ephedra Legal?

A Utah state court judge declared the FDA ban on Ephedra, Ma-huang, as a drug wrong on April 14th 2005. The FDA filed an appeal to have the ruling overturned in a higher court. The appeal was granted and the ruling was overturned as of August 18, 2006. This means the FDA is entitled to pose restrictions and/or limitations on sales of pills with Ephedra. However, the FDA won't be allowed to write their own restrictions as they have done in the past. Any restrictions would be presented via a proposal. That proposal would then have to be voted on and passed through both the House of Representatives as well as the Senate.

So the question for the general public still remains,"Is ephedra legal?" For now, the future availability of ephedra in the U.S.A. is up in the air. The FDA recently made a statement saying that, for the time being, they would be allowing the sale of capsules containing Ephedra that did not exceed 10mg per capsule. Currently, this is only a recommendation since the FDA doesn't have legal control over the herb. For the moment, you can still buy pills with ephedra in the United States, however, that could change at any time.

In December of 2000, the Cantox Report researched 9 controlled studies on ephedra. Each study observed was a minimum of 8 weeks long. These studies looked at heart rate, blood pressure, adverse side effects, and other related indicators. One study revealed that cardiac arrhythmia episodes didn't occur in subjects given 90mg of ephedra per day vs. a placebo. The Cantox Report concluded that 150mg of ephedrine alkaloids per day was the "lowest observed adverse effect level". According to their conclusion, the lowest observed adverse effect level is a full 50% higher than the recommended maximum daily dose of 100mg per day of ephedrine alkaloids you will see on ephedra containing diet supplements.

This study also examined the long-term safety and effectiveness for weight loss of an herbal supplement containing Ma Huang and Kola Nut. The results of this six month randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial were published in the International Journal of Obesity for May of 2002. After a 6 month study, the conclusion was that, "the tested product produces no adverse events and minimal side effects. This is consistent with the known mechanism and action of Ephedrine and Caffeine".

An estimated 61% of the U.S. adults are over-weight or obese and obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Obesity continues to be the second leading cause of preventable death. By current estimations, there are 300,000 obesity related deaths per year. Given the current obesity problems in America, the FDA not allowing U.S. citizens to buy pills with ephedra, a diet pill that actually works, seems pretty silly.

Right now, you can still buy pills with ephedra. How long that will last is anyone's guess. Take advantage of the opportunity while it still exists!

posted by 1920 @ 10:08 PM 0 comments

Secret 7 Necessities for Great Golf

The game of golf can be difficult when you consider all of the individual elements. Most golfers are overwhelmed with information regarding which tips will benefit their game and which ones wont.

The most important aspects of the golf swing and the game, in general, all revolve around the building of a strong and solid foundation for the body, the mind and the basics of an athletic swing. Each of the following concepts plays a critical role in your understanding of what creates a great round of golf as well as contributes to a lifetime enjoyment of the game.

Stamina

Golfers tend to ignore the cardiovascular component of golf. However, walkers cover an approximate walking distance of 4-5 miles each round. Even cart riders put in their fair share of walking depending on local cart rules, weather conditions and following errant shots. Poor cardiovascular conditioning can certainly have a negative impact on your game.

Stability

The most important rule in a golf conditioning program is to work and develop strength from the core region of the body outward. A strong trunk allows forces to be transferred effectively from the legs to the upper body. It also enables the body to withstand those forces without breakdown. Stabilization comes in many forms for the golfer including postural stabilization, trunk stabilization and joint stabilization.

Strength

Strength comes in many forms with regard to the golf swing. Strong back muscles allow the golfer to endure the explosive movements in the swing. Strength in the trunk region or core area of the body produces stability and helps to generate power. Combined muscle strength produces balance and coordination. Strong ligaments and tendons also prevent the joints from going beyond their range of motion.

Supple

Flexibility is the single most important physical characteristic likely to influence your golf swing. A tight body creates restricted motion in the swing and produces injuries as a form of compensation. Keep your body supple so it doesnt become a limiting factor in your performance.

Spirit

Attitude is everything! Many experts believe it is careful and premeditated preparation that allows a golfer to experience a mental edge in recreational or tournament play. What you say, what you think and how you act all contribute to your state of mind, and therefore contribute to the outcome of your game. Keep a positive and hopeful spirit when you play.

Sequence

The golf swing can be separated into five biomechanical phases that work in sequence.

Set-up

Backswing

Transition

Downswing

Follow-through

A true understanding of proper body motion at each sequence will ensure consistency in your swing. Consistency is created through proper sequencing and solid mechanics.

Skill

Good swing mechanics is an absolute necessity in any sport and certainly, golf. The idea behind the golf swing is to create a simple and flowing athletic swing free of wasted motion and unnecessary compensations. To accomplish this, one must have the basis of some degree of skill. Work with a golf pro or read a book on swing mechanics.

Use these secret 7 to make your next round, your best ever. Build a strong foundation for golf and for life when you follow these simple steps to improvement.

Susan Hill is a CHEK golf Biomechanic and president of FitnessforGolf.com, a private, members only, online golf fitness website dedicated to the improvement of golfers worldwide. If you are looking to develop any one or several of the secret 7 just mentioned, then visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.

posted by 1920 @ 5:07 PM 0 comments

Shower Filter Fact vs. Fiction - Why Vitamin C Dechlorination Is Superior To KDF/Carbon

The shower filter industry is a relatively small but certainly a highly competitive one. Most people understand the need to filter drinking water, but never think twice about bathing in unfiltered tap water.

The truth of the matter is, your body has the potential to absorb more water borne contaminates, such as chlorine and chloramines, during an average 10 minute shower than you would by drinking unfiltered tap water throughout the entire day.

During a warm shower, the pores in our skin begin to open up and become highly absorbent, much like a sponge. Many contaminates, such as chlorine, become extremely unstable in hot water and immediately evaporate out of the water allowing chlorine vapors to also be inhaled directly into our lungs. Although the chlorine levels in our showers can vary greatly throughout the day, one thing is certain. There is always chlorine present in shower water that is maintained by a municipal water supply.

The unnecessary exposure to chlorine as been linked by some scientific studies to cases of miscarriage and certain types of cancer in most countries that disinfect their water supplies with chlorine. In the US, the EPA has recently recommended that all municipal water supplies change their disinfectant from free chlorine to chloramine; a combination of free chlorine and ammonia.

The reason for this change is based on recent studies that claim the use of free chlorine generate what are known as THMs or Trihalomethanes. THMs are created when free chlorine comes in contact with organic material present in the water supply. It is believed that higher levels of THMs are what actually increase the risks of cancer and miscarriages in humans. The use of chlormaine may indeed reduce the overall level of THMs in our water, but it must be used in much higher concentrations to be as effective a pure chlorine. Whether chloramine is any safer than free chlorine is the subject of much debate that will require many years of research. Unfortunately, no one knows the long term effects of chloramine on the human body. After all, they've been telling us free chlorine was completely safe for the last 100 years.

Dechlorinating Your Shower Water - Fact Or Fiction?

There are dozens of different types and brands of shower filters available on the market today. The vast majority of these shower filters rely on what is known as KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) as a means of reducing free chlorine. There are others that combinde KDF with some type of activated charcoal (AC) or similar type of supplementary medium.

An alternative method of removing both free and combined chlorine involves the use of Vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid/sodium ascorbate) in a shower filtration device. This form of dechlorination has been used for many years by the EPA to dechlorinate waste water prior to reintroduction into the environment. Although more expensive, Vitamin C dechlorination produces nearly perfect results without a negative impact on the environment or wildlife. Vitamin C dechlorination has also been used for some time to dechlorinate lab samples and has even been used to dechlorinate water for kidney dialysis patients. Vitamin C dechlorination is all natural, instantaneous and provides near perfect results.

KDF and/or AC are less than perfect choices for a shower filter for the following reasons. Arguments for the use of Vitamin C as a dechlorinator in shower filters are listed in bold.

Vitamin C completely neutralizes both free chlorine & chloramines instantly upon contact

Vitamin C shower filters are designed to neutralize chlorine and most chlorinated byproducts though simple chemistry. We invite you to perform your own independent tests in your home

Vitamin C does not promote the growth of bacteria, algae or fungi. The slightly acidic environment within a Vitamin C shower filter discourages the growth of bacteria. This is why cranberry juice or Vitamin C supplements are often prescribed to help speed recovery from bladder & kidney infections by creating an inhospitable environment for the invading organisms

Vitamin C shower filters are effective with all water temperatures; hot or cold and provide complete protection from chlorine & chloramines from the moment it is turned on until the water is turned off

Vitamin C shower filters perform equally well with any water pressure, low or high and remains constant over the lifetime of the filter

Vitamin C is an all natural medium that's safe for the entire family. There are no known adverse side effects associated with Vitamin C dechlorination

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man with numerous proven health benefits. It is known for its ability to protect the body from invading free radicals

Vitamin C shower filters requires no complicated backwashing procedure. It will perform at optimum levels right up until it needs to be replaced

It only takes one shower to know a Vitamin C shower filter is working

Vitamin C shower filters rely on proven Vitamin C dechlorinating technologies to achieve near perfect results every time

The Vitashower Vitamin C shower filter is the clear choice for the 21st century

Please visit our website to contact us with any questions of comments regarding this article. Thank you for your time.

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posted by 1920 @ 8:21 AM 0 comments