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The oldest golf course in the world
If I asked you where the oldest golf course in the world was what would you say? Scotland - yes, good guess so far. But where in Scotland?
When pressed most golfers eventually say St Andrews, but they’re wrong. Golf was played at Musselburgh near Edinburgh at least ten years before any recorded games at St Andrews. Local records suggest that golf was played on the links land near the shore at Musselburgh from around the year 1567.
The “old course” in Musselburgh is still there today and retains much of its original layout. It has nine holes and can be played by all comers. Seven of the holes were laid out before 1830 (and probably much earlier) and the two “new holes” were added in the mid 1800’s.
The British Open golf tournament was held at Musselburgh on five occasions between 1874 and 1889 and the first ever golf competition for women was played on the course in 1811. The club members still compete for the Old Club Cup, which dates back to 1774.
Even the holes in the greens are significant at Musselburgh. In 1829 the members decided to buy a mechanical device from a local blacksmith to cut the holes on the green. By chance he made it with a diameter of exactly four and a half inches. Golf holes at the time could be any size that the members wanted - there was no rule about it. In 1893 the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews - who by this time wrote the rules of golf for the game worldwide - decided that all golf holes should be the same size as the ones at Musselburgh and the decision has remained unchanged to this day.
For a course of such historical importance, access is remarkably easy. You can simply pay and play if you wish and there is a small shop selling special souvenirs. Memberships are available for both local and overseas members - the latter might make a particularly unusual golf gift. Each overseas member receives a welcome pack with a history of the club, a special bag tag, special golf balls and tees and is welcome to join in any competitions if they come for a holiday in Scotland.
This truly is golf at it’s most authentic and in its most historical setting. Come try it - you will really feel the history of the place.

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Paintball is one of the fastest growing recreation sports in the world. At the tournament level, players require all the athletic prowess and skill of more traditional physical sports. In the US and Europe in particular, huge amounts of money are being invested in paintball athletes and teams.
Pretty much everyone comes into paintball at the recreational level; it’s a fun day out and a chance to outsmart the other side. If you are just getting into paintball, here are some ways to get the edge over other new players and even the odds with more experienced players. These tips aren’t going to get you on to a professional paintball squad, but they should help get you beyond ‘newbie’ status.
* Use cover effectively *
So here’s a tip from the army - don’t look over obstacles or cover, look around them. The shape of a human head peering over a barricade is easily recognized. If possible, look around the base of the bush instead; it makes you much harder to spot. Sometimes you may want to be spotted, if paintballs are flying your way it helps your team locate the opposing players. If you do stick your head up, then, limit exposure to a maximum of two seconds.
That advice is only useful, however, if the cover that you have selected is appropriate. Make sure that you are adequately hidden; a shot to the foot in paintball will still put you out of the game. A couple of roots are not enough cover and paintballs can still hit you through grass!
* Identify Your Target First *
If you have been on a paintball field a couple of times, you will most likely have:
a) Shot at and probably hit a member of your own team.
b) Been hit by a stray or deliberately aimed ‘friendly’ paintball.
Everyone does it, but mostly when they first start playing. Most people react to the first scenario by pretending it wasn’t them and the second situation with righteous indignation.
It happens.
You can reduce the incidents of friendly fire in a paintball game (at least the ones that you cause!), by making sure you have properly identified your target. It’s difficult with paintball masks that steam up and an adrenaline high, but it’s one of the essential skills that you need as a regular paintballer. Nobody wants a player on their team who has a reputation for removing their own team mates.
And remember, just because a player is running towards you shouldn’t just assume that they are on the other team. If you are playing a ‘Capture the Flag’ game, that might be your team mate trying to get back to your end of the field with the enemy flag.
* Play With Your Team! *
In casual, walk-on paintball games you will always find at least one self styled lone gun, determined to win the war on his own. Don’t be that player!
Paintball is a team sport and you can’t win without supporting your side. If you want to move forward through the opposition, you can place a few paintballs near their cover to keep their heads down while your team mates move forward. They can then do the same for you. This is the paintball equivalent of passing the ball.
Try getting all the way to an enemy flag on your own, if you must. Unless the other side has been almost eliminated, the closer you get to their flag, the closer you are to their defence squad. That means paintballs coming your way soon, Rambo!
* Try To Stay Mobile *
If you pick a barricade or any other type of cover that is difficult to leave, once the opposition figures out you location, you will become a paintball magnet. Try to select cover that has more than one line of retreat. Don’t always shoot from the same spot; keep changing the location and angle you are firing from. Keep the opposition guessing where the next paintball is coming from.
If a paintball comes past you in a near miss get moving, another one will be along soon and you want to be somewhere else.
And whatever you do, don’t try to climb a tree! I’ve seen people do it. You’re not going to get down in a hurry, there usually isn’t enough foliage to hide you and once you fire your paintball gun, everyone knows where you are. From then on it’s a duck shoot until you are down from the tree and that usually isn’t before you get at least 20 nice paintball sized bruises.
* Don’t Cheat *
Wiping the evidence of a hit away is as low as you go in paintball. If you do it, you will eventually get caught. Analyse what happened and take the experience to the next game instead. Don’t give anyone reason to doubt you.
Remember - it’s just a game!

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What is a Cash Game?
A Cash Game, also known as a Ring Game, is a non-tournament poker game where players buy-in and cash out as they please. The value of the chip is the same as cash. For example, if I sit down with $10 at a cash game. I have $10 in chips.
You can sit down at a Cash Game with as much money as you want - within the limits. At a $0.10/0.25 blinds game the minimum amount is $10 and the maximum amount is $50.00. Other players can sit down with a different amount of chips. You can re-buy chips in between hands up to the maximum.
How many players are in a Cash Game?
At Absolute Poker, all the cash games are 6 or 9 player tables. Other casinos have different amounts - usually up to 10 players. As long as there are 2 active players, there is no set amount of people needed to keep the game going. As mentioned above, you can sit down and get up as you please at any time.
What is a Sit N Go?
A Sit N Go or SNG, is an online poker tournament. The name “Sit N Go” comes from the fact that these games are fast with a clear beginning and end. A Sit N Go has a pre-determined number of players. Once the spots are filled, the game starts. Everyone in a Sit N Go must buy-in for the same amount of money and starts with the same number of chips. The blinds gradually go up in “levels” or “stages” until one player is left standing. The payouts are determined before the game and are displayed when you buy-in.
How many players are in a Sit N Go?
A Single Table Tournament or STT is usually 9 or 10 players. In a game like this, the top 3 finishers would place “in the money”. However, Sit N Go’s can have as many as 50 players (which would be 5 tables of 10) or as few as 2 (heads up). A Sit N Go with more than 10 players is played on more than one table and is known as a Multi-Table Tournaments or MTT.
Generally, the more players in the SNG, the more places are paid and the higher the prize money. Of course, with more players the tournaments are longer and there are more players to beat out.
I will use Absolute Poker as an example. Let’s say you want to play a $10 1 Sit N Go. You buy-in for $10 and pay a $1 entry fee to the casino. The entry fee is usually anywhere from 5-20% of the buy-in at most casinos. In this case it’s 10%.
Each of the 9 players would start with the same number of chips - let’s say 2000. The blinds would start low, usually 10/25. As the game progresses, the blinds will keep increasing to force action.
The buy-ins on a game like this would total $90. That money would get split between the top three finishers. First place would be $45, second place would get $27, and third place would get $18.
How long does a Sit N Go last?
A 9-player Sit N Go will usually last between 30-60 minutes. Some casinos have “turbo” Sit N Go’s where the blinds go up faster. Turbo games finish more quickly. A 2-player Sit N Go, which is really just a “heads-up” match, will often last a few minutes before ending.
No limit Texas Hold’em Sit N Go’s are generally faster than limit Sit N Go’s because of the ability to move “all-in” gets things moving.
How do Sit N Go’s and Cash Games Differ?
The easiest way to understand the distinction is to understand that Sit N Go’s are simply tournaments where players get eliminated. Once you are out, you’re out. In a Cash Game, you can re-buy as much as you want, sit down with as much as you want, and leave whenever you want.
Here are some of the key differences:
- You can buy-in or leave anytime during a Cash Game, whereas you must enter the beginning of a Sit N Go to play.
- Sit N Go’s have a clear start (when everyone is ready) and end (when only one player is left). Ring games are ongoing.
- The blinds go up during Sit N Go’s, so in the later stages you’re forced to loosen your starting hand selection and take risks. In Ring Games, the blinds stay the same.
- There are a set amount of winners and losers in a Sit N Go. For example, in a 9 player SNG, 3 players will win and 6 will lose. In Cash Games, there is no set amount of winners or losers. You’ve won if you cash out with more than you bought in with.
Which do I prefer?
Actually, I really love playing both, but I play Cash Games more often because of the freedom of being able to leave whenever I want to. Also, it’s usually a quicker way to clear a bonus. But, from time to time I do play SNG’s and MTT’s when I know I’m able to sit down for longer periods of time.

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Do you want to know how to get the best fitting golf equipment? Golf club comparisons are the answer. You will have to try some different types of equipment to find your perfect match.
It’s these golf club comparisons that are essential to getting you fitted with the proper gear. Look below to get some great tips for comparing and testing different golf clubs.
1. Look around at your local golf store, driving range or golf course and find a few sets or clubs that are within your budget and price range. Don’t be afraid to compare prices.
2. Make sure you like the exterior look of the golf clubs. Check the color, design, and overall aesthetics of the club. It’s very important for your comfort level.
3. At the store or pro shop compare the way some different clubs look and feel in the address position. Set the clubs on the ground and get set up like you are going to hit a shot. Look down the shaft and make sure the club is sitting in a good position that you are comfortable with. You are also looking to see if the shaft is ahead of the ball(also known as offset), if the club sits flat on the ground, is it fat, thin, big, small etc. You must check for all these features with every club.
4. Find an area where you can swing the clubs freely (driving net or outside). You are going to check the weight of the clubs. Swing the different clubs to see if the club is heavy or light. Also try to feel if the weight is in the head or shaft of the club. This will have an affect on your swing speed.
5. Now you are going to hit some shots outside. You want to check the way the ball flies off the club face. Is it high and floating, low and penetrating, hooking left, or slicing right? Find a ball flight you like because every club is different. Also what feeling do you get from each club? Is it nice or does it hurt your hand?
After doing these golf club comparisons and trying all these different tips and helpful ideas you should be able to narrow it down to the club or set of clubs you like the best.
If you still can’t make up your mind, try playing with the clubs for a round of golf to help you make that final decision. Good luck and enjoy doing your golf club comparisons!

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Today, blackjack seems to be one of the most popular card games. This is because playing blackjack is so easy to learn and play. Unlike poker, blackjack does not have any combinations to remember.
In blackjack, the object of the game is to get the sum of the two cards close to 21. When a person gets cards that are over 21, he or she loses the game.
Normally, a player receives two cards. After the players see their cards, they have to decide whether they would hit or stand. When a person says “stand,” this means the player thinks he or she is closer to 21 already. When a player says “hit,” this means that he or she still needs additional cards just to get close to 21.
Players can draw as many cards as they want until they feel they are close to 21 already. A player who is nearer to 21 wins.
However, there are people who have devised some tips and strategies to get an edge over the other players. There are times that these tips really can help some people win.
Here’s a list of some tips that players may choose to use them so as to win the game.
1. If a player gets 17 or higher, it is always better to stand, and if the player has any number from 13 to 16 and the dealer’s card is 6 or lower, it would be better to stand. But if the dealer has 7 or more, it would be better for a player to hit.
The theory here is that, if the dealer is showing a card of six or lower, the dealer may take a card, assuming that the dealer’s card facing down is a ten. The players, then, assume that the dealer is banking on a bust hand, so the other players have the tendency to maintain a lower card number.
The rule of thumb: players should always assume that the dealer’s down cards is 10.
2. If a player has aces or 8’s, it would be better to split them regardless of the dealer’s showing card.
3. A player should remember not to split 10’s. Chances are, they might end up getting busted.
4. If the dealer is showing 4, 5, or 6, it would be better for a player to stand on hard 12, or hit hard if the dealer is showing 2, 3, 7, or higher.
5. In order to win, players should always remember not to split fours, face cards, and fives.
Indeed, gambling is a game of chance, but with keen observation, winning is possible.

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Every golfer wants to know the best golf driver tip. I hate to disappoint you but there are many great golf driver tips that could be the key to unlocking monster drives for you. Every month the golf magazines have dozens of tips in them, but none of them get to the root of the problem.
If I were to get the opportunity to write a golf driver tip for a magazine, I’d say something against the norm. Something teaching instructors wouldn’t want to hear. Do you want to know what it is? It’s not some quick fix, because they never work long-term. The “only” thing that works long-term is working on you.
Your body has a current level of physical ability. I don’t care how many balls you hit at the range; how many lessons you take; and what driver you’re swinging. Hitting the ball further takes an increase in clubhead speed. Period. So hitting more balls or taking more lessons won’t improve this.
The only thing that can improve clubhead speed is strengthening your core rotational strength and flexibility. Your core is the engine to your swing. A weak or inflexible core will not give you the results you are looking for.
The golf swing a turn back and a turn through. Isn’t that about as simple as you can make it? If that’s true, why wouldn’t you improve your body’s ability to rotate quicker and more powerfully? This is the ticket to longer drives!
There are many simple, yet effective core rotational exercises you can do in your home, or even office to greatly improve your clubhead speed and driving distance.
Do you want an easy one you can do right in your chair?
Cross your arms in front of your chest. Sit up tall and erect. With a fixed head position, rotate to the right and left slowly. See how far you can go. Do this without stopping. As you feel a loosening of the core, start to rotate faster and faster. Do this 20 or 30 times when you think about it and I guarantee you’ll feel it.
Since time is such a valuable commodity, you’ve got to get creative. I’ve put together a complete section of my manual that covers simples stretches and exercises you can do right in your chair in your office. You can’t get more convenient than that.
I hope I didn’t disappoint you with this golf driver tip.

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Don’t let Mother Nature throw your paintball addiction out in the cold! You can still play paintball, and in comfort, in the winter weather. Of course, you could just play indoors, but why let skiers and riders be the only ones who have fun in the white stuff. This article will tell you what to wear to keep your game going strong- no matter how cold it might be on the field.
The first thing, and probably most obvious, is to dress in layers. As a paintball player, you may already dress in layers to cut down on bruising. However, in the winter, you can take it one step further and add some thermal underwear. Cover that with a turtleneck and a sweater and then perhaps a jacket. If during play you begin to get hot, you can easily remove a layer. But, not being warm enough will be very uncomfortable.
Next, you want to make sure that your hands are protected. Frostbite can set in rather quickly in extreme cold temps, and its first victim is usually fingers and toes. The trick here is that your fingers have to fit through the trigger hole. That said you must choose your glove carefully. There are plenty of fleece gloves that are thinner and keep hands very warm. Check around at ski shops, ATV apparel shops and even paintball supply stores to find a selection of gloves that allow both movement and plenty of warmth.
Going along with frostbite attacking your fingers and toes first, heat escapes from your head first. That said it is crucial to wear a hat. If it is really cold, perhaps a “robbers” knit hat the also covers the face, or perhaps a face shield worn by skiers. Finding a hat the covers your head and ears will be crucial to your comfort and your health.
You’ll want to be protected from head to toe. We just talked about the importance of wearing a hat. The proper shoes are important to not only keep your toes warm, but also to provide the best footing. You will want to have a better tread on the bottom of your shoes since snow can make the ground slippery. (You know, like snow tires!) Also, waterproof shoes will keep dampness from getting in and prevent freezing phalanges. Doubling up on warm socks is a good idea as long as you can still move comfortably. Brining along a dry pair of socks would be a smart idea as well.
You will still need protective eye gear. In addition to your goggles, you may want to wear sunglasses. The sun can be damaging in the winter. It may not be warming you up, but its rays can still be harmful to the eyes. There are anti-glare goggles available as well.
Aside from clothing, you can also keep your body warm by brining a thermos full of hot chocolate or coffee. After playing a game, it could be the cherry on top to keep you warm.
In addition, you will want to be kind to your equipment. Sometimes, plastic can crack in extreme cold temps, so try to keep the equipment dry and protect it as much as possible.
So, with these tips, you can take your paintball game out of the indoors and into a real winter wonderland.

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Las Vegas shows appeal to people as a display of wonderful images and a thrilling experience. Some of these images are comedic acts, roulette, acrobat, magic, and colorful lights. These are all in Las Vegas. There are many types of shows to be seen and some of them have been performing for years.
One of the most frequently visited places are the stages where Las Vegas shows are held. One of the longest running shows is the “Danny Gans” show. He was awarded “Entertainer of the Year” and “Show of the Year”. His award-winning show is the hottest ticket around. He is also known as the best singer-impressionist-comedian-actor in today’s entertainment industry. Few people know it, but he never dreamed of becoming an entertainer when he was young. When he was in college he played for the Dodgers baseball team but his career ended when was injured. His family and friends encouraged him to go into show business. As a result, Gans moved his focus from the world of baseball to the entertainment business. He has a wonderful singing voice and he has the ability to make people laugh.
The adult shows are also very popular. One must be 21 years of age or older to be admitted into these shows. Greg Thompson’s Erocktica Live! is one of the best selling shows in Las Vegas. Together with choreographer, Mistinguett, they produce sexy late-night productions for Playboy, and HBO. They also produce the current “Skintight” at Harrah’s Las Vegas. The show is a combination of MTV videos, Classic rock music, and the Pussycat dolls. The show also features singers and dancers like Gabriella Versace and musicians such as Ray-J Jones and the sexy and enticing Mistinguett dancers. The US/UK all-star classic rock band play classic rock n’ roll music from popular bands like Aerosmith, Kiss, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, U2, Velvet Revolver, Journey, Foreigner and many more.
Another ticket selling show is The Blue Man Group. This is a creative and artistic organization which is dedicated in forming thrilling and innovative work using a wide range of mediums. They are the award-winning theatrical productions which critics describe as astounding, magnificent, hilarious but musically influential. They feature three blue characters who capture the eyes of audiences by combining theatre, art, science and percussive performance into an entertainment venue that is unique and original.
KA is a martial arts and acrobatic show. It features magnificent pyrotechnics, multimedia and puppetry combined. It is hosted by MGM Grand, and Las Vegas is the only place where this show is performed and held. It has the theatrical energy that the audiences would like to have and experience. It is a story of twins on a death-defying journey to carry out their entwined destiny. They demonstrate the various martial arts known to the world and mix it with their incredible acrobatic skills. These are only some of the many Las Vegas shows that have been selling and running for years now. So what are you waiting for? Come and enjoy the fun!

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Any golfer looking to improve needs to get a golf ball shag bag. It doesn’t matter if you have a driving range at your home course or not you still need to practice your approach shots and short game around the greens. This little innovative piece of equipment makes things a lot easier to pick up and store the golf balls you use during practice.
These great little bags are skinny and cylindrical in shape. They stand about two feet tall and have a small little tube (usually metal) that runs the full way down the center of the bag. It’s just a little wider than a golf ball and has three or four flexible little metal teeth at the bottom or one end so the balls don’t fall out. The top part of the tube is covered with the actual bag part of this tool that holds the golf balls in it. There is a small zipper that runs down the side of the bag so you can empty the balls out when you’re ready to use them.
What about the balls you ask? Well, just use the old balls in your bag or the ones you’ve found around the course. Golfers will often refer to a found ball that is in bad shape as a “shag ball” and will use it in their shag bag. You can also go to any store and get some refurbished golf balls really cheap to put in the bag if you don’t have enough old ones kicking around.
What you do with the golf ball shag bag is pick up your golf balls after you’re finished practicing or hitting them. The top part of the bag will have a handle that you hold on to as you walk around picking up your balls. You simply go over to one of your balls, position the bottom of the tube on top of the ball, and simply push down slightly until you hear the ball click and go into the tube. Go over to the next ball and do the same thing until they’re all picked up. It’s as easy as that, no effort or bending over to gather them up. The balls will start piling on top of each other and climbing up the tube. As they reach the top of the tube they’ll flow over the top and down into the bag.
Golf ball shag bags are very simple to transport as they aren’t very heavy. They hold about 50 golf balls on average depending on what size bag you get. They fit easily into the trunk of your car, or the bottom of your locker (if you’re lucky enough to have one) at your golf club. So golfers will even keep them with their clubs if they have club storage at their respective clubs. Since a lot of golf clubs (specially the older ones) don’t have a driving range these little practice bags come in real handy for practicing short irons or your short game. They’re also great if you just want to warm up by hitting a few balls before a round without having to go to an offsite range.
Simply put these golf ball shag bags are great to have around. They will make your practice sessions easier and quick so you don’t waste any time. After all, every one has so little time to practice it’s important to use your time wisely. If you don’t have one of these bags yet, go out and get one and watch your game improve with practice.

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In 1973 Major League Baseball instituted three rules designed to lessen the power of pitchers and create more offense. One theory at work was that the game needed to be energized and that more hitting would create additional runs and excitement.
Both the National and American Leagues lowered the pitcher’s mound and made the strike zone smaller. The American League, as is well known, also created a new offensive position - the designated hitter (DH). The DH specialized in one thing and one thing only - hitting. Usually third in the batting order, the DH was more often than not a power hitter who also swatted the ball for average. Sometimes he was an older, less mobile player trying to extend his career or he could be a younger guy ill-equipped to be a position player.
Purists have decried the DH; baseball equal rights activists have bemoaned the lack of parity between the leagues; and strategists have claimed that managing in the American League is simply a lot easier than in the National. Some even focus on how A.L. pitchers are at a disadvantage when playing in an N.L. venue, due to the fact that normally they don’t hit and must when in Senior Circuit parks.
One area that has been discussed sparingly is the effect the DH has on American League pitchers. Unlike their N.L. counterparts, hurlers in the American League face a tougher challenge due to the fact that the lineups they face include a professional, full-time hitter and not a sometime-hitter, also known as a pitcher.
Statistical evidence certainly reveals that N.L. pitchers have better ERA’s and A.L. batters higher averages. At first glance the evidence seems negligible. National League pitchers notched a 4.23 ERA, while A.L. mound dwellers were 0.13 higher with a 4.36 ERA. American League pitchers gave up an average of 76 more runs per season per team last year. Those on N.L. mounds had a minimally higher average of strikeouts per game and held teams to 0.21 few hits per contest.
Do these stats in any way make the case for American League pitchers having a tougher time of it? Not taken as a whole, but when one looks at how individual A.L. and N.L. teams fallout in terms of batting average (BA) and ERA, the case becomes clearer.
There are thirty major league teams, with 14 in the A.L. and 16 in the N.L. Of the top fifteen hitting teams, 10 are in the American League, while the bottom15 include 11 National League clubs, with the last nine out of 10 being from the Senior Circuit. As far as pitching is concerned, the tables are reversed, with 11 of the top 15 teams in K’s and 10 of the top 15 in ERA coming from the National League.
Perhaps the most important stat to consider comes under the category of batting average. Traditionally pitchers are ninth in the batting order. A.L. clubs, in which pitchers do not hit, occupy 13 of the top 15 positions for BA by players hitting ninth. The rest of the batting order, even third place, which is usually the DH, is just about evenly split with neither league holding much of an advantage.
But do the DH and the lack of pitchers coming up to bat really put A.L. hurlers in a weaker position than their N.L. counterparts? Consider this situation - there are two out and the eighth batter comes up with the ninth hitter on deck. No one is on base. In the A.L., if that eighth batter gets on base you have to make a very tough out - the ninth batter. That means you can’t pitch around that number eight batter to get to the ninth. For an N.L. pitcher, it’s not as dangerous to put that eighth man on base because the ninth batter - a pitcher - is usually not very dangerous at the plate.
In many situations in the National League, pitchers only face a seven-man line-up due to the fact that the last batter often neutralizes the eighth man up, along with himself. There’s no such relief in the American League for pitchers.
So, along with everything else the DH does, he also makes the ninth batter much more potent and dangerous and often forces A.L. pitchers to make quality pitches to those in the lower third of the order. This is something National Leaguers can work around.
The result is higher ERA’s, more hits, and more runs scored per team in the A.L. Strangely enough the DH unto himself is no more dangerous than the third batter in the N.L.; the true power of the DH comes from the fact that he has created more opportunity for those players who bat last.

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