Golf Insurance - Mind the Gap!

It’s well documented that 90% of UK golfers are playing without suitable insurance cover and playing at risk. But would you believe that even the 10% of golfers who are covered may also be taking a big risk as they are playing with restrictions or gaps in their cover? Many of these policyholders are falling for cheap prices, free gifts and not keeping their eye on the task in hand which is ensuring they get the cover they need and no surprises in the event of making a claim.

Now we all like a bargain, but when looking for golf insurance the priority should be to make sure you’re properly covered. A cheap policy is not such a bargain when you find out the clubs that you bought for £1000 won’t be replaced with new when stolen even though you have new for old cover because they’re over three years old (small print), ouch! Or clubs stolen from a car at night weren’t covered because you didn’t read the small print – ouch again!

So how do you identify the gaps and minimise them to ensure you get the cover you need? Well look for a company that provides comprehensive cover and by that we mean fewer restrictions. Take some time to research who offers what and be prepared to ask key questions. Policy books should be available from each provider so check out the small print
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You may have to pay a little extra but it's worth it in the end if you actually get what you need and the peace of mind every time you tee off. A great website to explain golf insurance cover in detail is CompareGolfInsurance

For golf insurance recommended by the PGA, have a look at Golfplan and compare their policies with their competitors here.

Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship 2010

More than 40,000 young golfers are preparing to participate in the Abu Dhabi Junior Golf Championship 2010 which is held at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. With a history dating back more than 25 years, this is the place where junior golfers dreams come true and an opportunity to see young talent propelled into future Champions.

Some of the finest junior golfing talent in the UK will be attending the Championship, among them:

Tom Lewis - Represented England in the Home Internationals.
Ross Mitchell - Equalled Nick Faldo’s course record of 63 at Sunningdale Golf Club.

Heidi Baek - Represented England in the European Girls Team Championships, and has recently finished 4th in the British Girls Open Amateur Championship. Baek who came third in Abu Dhabi last year will be hoping to win this time and is sure to achieve this with her impressive record of one bogey, five birdies and an eagle for a course record 66.

Tom Lewis of England

It’s a chance for some of the best undiscovered talent to compete and gain experience from all the top qualifiers around the world. The finals take place in late November 2010.

Click here to view Golfplan’s range of Junior golf insurance policies

2010 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final Highlights Future Golfing Champions

Junior golf is proving to be a game open to up and coming young stars from across the world.

Hosted by its founder, the six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo - The 2010 Faldo Series Final, an R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking tournament, saw 76 competitors from 18 different countries playing. Faldo gave players expert advice and support, which obviously paid off for Masamichi Ito when the 14 year old became the first Japanese golfer to win the Faldo Series at Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen, China.

The fourth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final was played under strict tournament conditions over three rounds on the Faldo Course. Boys and girls played from different tees with the Faldo Series Asia challenge trophy presented by Faldo to the player with the lowest gross score.

Masamichi Ito, who last year became the youngest player to make the cut on the Japan Golf Tour lived up to his reputation with rounds of 75, 70 closing with a three under par 69 and beat Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Chi Hsien with a birdie four. Close on Ito’s heels was determined 2008 and 2009 Faldo Series Asia champion Rashid Khan, 18, from India. Khan became the first back-to-back victor in Faldo Series Asia history last March when he birdied the closing hole of the 54-hole Grand Final which he credits Faldo for his form. Khan was hoping to achieve three Grand Final victories in a row but ended up third.
The Girls’ prize went to Thailand’s Thidapa Suwannapura, who had rounds of 72, 74 and 74 and lead from start-to-finish to claim a two shot victory over Liu Yi Chen from Chinese Taipei. England’s Holly Clyburn, the English and French Under-18 champion, shared third place with Chinese Taipei’s Chien Pei Yun on ten over par 226.
The five age-category winners, three boys and two girls, have been invited by Faldo to compete in the 2010 Faldo Series European Grand Final to be held on the Faldo Course at the Lough Erne Resort, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, on September 21st. The overall Asian champion, boy and girl, will also be invited to play in a flagship event on the Asian Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

Will these juniors eventually become tomorrow’s golf stars?

Fit for Golf

Like most sports, golf is very physical and it’s well known that golf puts a lot of stress on the body. Your body has to be fit to play at your best and by doing some easy golf exercises, you will bring benefits into your game. Medical experts have advised that getting fit for the game of golf will increase endurance, boost strength and flexibility – vital for improving your swing and will also have an impact on your overall enjoyment of the game.

The effects of not properly exercising or warming up before a round of golf is shown time and time again through common complaints such as a sore lower back or shoulder after playing. Other symptoms can be pain in your muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. The list of injuries from swinging a club is huge. By not warming up properly and preparing your muscles before a round may cause a nagging injury.

When putting and swinging you need to maintain a particular body position which is difficult to hold unless you have strength. Golfers can suffer from aching lower backs after only 10 mins because their muscles are weak. The solution is exercise and increasing your fitness and then you should be able to practice for about an hour and not feel any pain.

Remember - golf causes injuries to bodies that are not properly warmed up so limber up and start your fitness programme and you should also improve your game too.

Golf and flexibility go hand in hand. If your muscles are tight and not flexible you, will have reduced range of motion and a short swing. Pro golfers have amazing range which is down to their increased flexibility in their shoulders, torso, and hips. With a bit of extra skill thrown in of course!

There are plenty of exercise plans you can try, go online or why not pop in and see your golf professional or gym trainer for advice.

For comprehensive golf insurance view Golfplan’s range of PGA Recommended policies here