If you don’t like the rules, don’t play the game

All sports have evolved – they have become more competitive and equipment has changed considerably over the years. Take cricket for example; proclaimed to be a “gentlemen’s game,” this sport has experienced numerous deplorable acts such as sledging and match-fixing. It is an unfortunate reality that the more money that is being poured into the game, the more temptation there is to do “what needs to be done” in order to receive the lucrative pay-out.

Golf, on the other hand, has always prided itself on maintaining a consistent etiquette that contributes to the allure of the game. Golf rules extend to the decorum, which firstly addresses the required dress code. If you think that you can tee off at the first hole, wearing a pair of board shorts, flip flops and a vest, you are sorely mistaken; the marshal will immediately prohibit you from playing your round.

The correct dress code is as follows:

• A golf shirt (preferably one which displays a golfing brand such as TaylorMade® or Mizuno® – they are made of the optimal material.)
• Chinos (these can be of any colour, but general protocol is beige, black, cream or navy) Women wear a golf skirt.
• Golf shoes (These shoes have spikes. They can be made of plastic or metal, but plastic – also known as “soft spikes” is more common. They serve to increase traction and balance.)
• Golf glove – The glove is an essential piece of equipment. It is generally worn on the player’s non-dominant hand. Its function is to aid in the gripping of the club as well as to prevent blisters, which will occur if your hand keeps sliding on the rubber grip; which can become painful.  Through its ability to increase your grip, you will have more control and be able to attempt more powerful swings that will increase your overall distance.

As one would expect, golf equipment is constantly progressing. Brands are continuously advertising pin-point accuracy for all of your irons as well as enhanced sweet spots for longer distance tee shots with your driver. Many of the Pro Shops offer customisation of any of your clubs to ensure that you are able to use them to their optimum potential.

It is a game of patience and mental clarity and if you have the ability to achieve this, you will rapidly reduce your handicap.

Choosing the Right Hospitality Course in South Africa

Deciding what to do after you leave high school can be really tough. Some people are lucky and know exactly where they want to go and what they want to do. Others are faced with sleepless nights, tossing and turning over which course they want to take and whether or not this is the right plan for them. Below are a few tips that will prove useful to anyone who finds themself in such a position.

• What?

It is of utmost importance to make sure that the course of study chosen is one that you will enjoy. This will help to keep your levels of motivation up throughout the course, as the idea of the final outcome is something to look forward to, whether it’s a career in surgery or hotel management.

• Where?

Choosing an institution that you think you will be happy in is just as important as choosing one with a good reputation. Considering the department, lecturers and programmes are all important factors in making the decision regarding which environment suits you best. For example, if you want to get your international hospitality management degree, you need to consider which institutions provide practical experience and are recognised overseas.

• How?

One of the most difficult aspects of furthering one’s education is figuring out how to fund it. The cost of tertiary education has shot up drastically in the past few years, with the average undergraduate degree now costing roughly R80 000. Student loans, bank loans and part-time jobs are most definitely options that need to be considered.

• When?

One of the biggest mistakes that school-leavers make is thinking that they have to go and study straight away. Some people need to take a year or two’s gap between Grade 12 and 1^st year. This allows them to gain some perspective and decide whether or not they are going into the right field of study. Furthermore, it gives them time to earn some money in a part or full-time job, helping them to reduce the financial pressures that first year can bring.

Too many people leave too much riding on the fact that they will figure out which career path they are best suited to on their first attempt. What is important to remember is that universities and colleges can generally be very flexible and accommodating with students who wish to change direction at a later stage (with a few exceptions, depending on how big the change is.). Stressing about the initial decision will only lead to panic and irrational thought, causing many people to choose a path that they are simply unhappy with.

Original Source: How 2