Category Archives: Golf

Golf Advice For Beginners And Pros Alike

If you’re seeking a new way to get some exercise, consider taking up golf. It allows you to exercise, get some fresh air, and spend time with friends. Furthermore, with golf you are working out more than just your body, because your brain also plays a huge part in how well you perform. Use this simple advice to become skilled at golf and make it an enjoyable activity.

Your body can really help you out in the sport of golf. It is important not to rely on just the arms, but instead to utilize both the upper and lower body together as a solid unit. Your entire body needs to be involved in moving your club. You are then more likely to hit the ball farther without swinging your arms as forcefully.

One of the first things you want to get down when learning golf is the proper grip for all of your clubs. Beginners often grip the club too hard, thinking that they will hit the ball further that way. Instead, the club should be held loosely in the fingers. Hold the club like you would hold a bird.

Wriggle your toes around a bit when you are in your golf stance. If you can move your feet freely, then you are most likely leaning too far away from the golf ball. Lean forward to the point where your feet have a little give, but not too much.

A great tip for putting is when you address the ball, your left hand needs to be in front of the ball. Attempt to maintain the position for the duration of your swing. This will minimize the chance the ball will skip off the face of your club at impact, and makes it easier to maintain control of your stroke.

If you can, play with better golfers and learn from their techniques. There is more than one way to benefit from the expertise of a fellow golfer. You do not need to find a pro to get help from a better player. All that’s required is watching a good player as they play. Learn from their presence, such as how they handle themselves, the directions of their visual focus, the art of their swing, and how they carry this from hole to hole.

The muscles through your entire body should come into play for the most powerful stroke possible, and your legs and trunk are most crucial. While you swing keep your upper body loose, and try to generate your swing’s power from your mid-section and legs.

Don’t hold your club too tightly or too loosely. Holding your club too tightly will veer your shots to the right of where you want them to land. Inversely, holding your club loosely will cause the ball to go left. You can make adjustments to your grip according to the direction of each shot.

As stated above, golf is a great sport to get both physical and mental exercise while hanging out with friends outdoors. So, if you are looking forward to taking up an engaging new sport, look no further. These easy tips will help you start playing golf and be on your way to a happier, healthier you.

Expert Tips Guaranteed To Improve Your Golfing

Take a look at your local golf course. It’s easy to see that manicured lawns and friendly environments lure golfers effectively. So if you think you want to step up your golf game, then you’ve come to the right place. Use the following tips to help your game out.

You don’t need a golf cart on the course when you can walk instead. This gives you a bit of exercise where you can enjoy the sun and fresh air, improving your fitness while you have a bit of fun! By walking, you’ll also keep your body limber and your muscles warmed up.

Using your whole body will help you to improve your golf game. You have to use your body as a source of power, not just your arms. The force of your whole body should be used to swing the club. You are then more likely to hit the ball farther without swinging your arms as forcefully.

Don’t take golf too seriously. If you can learn to laugh at your mistakes, you’ll relax and play better instead of continuing to make them.

Try to stretch and get plenty of water before you start playing. Your strength, balance, and many other physical factors contribute to your success at golf.

If you’re going to be a golfer, take the time to learn how to properly fill out a scorecard. You should know how to keep score because you can judge how good you and friends did. Each time you hit the ball is counted as one stroke. Your total score for a hole is the number of strokes you take to put the ball in the hole. So, you want to basically get the fewest amount of strokes as you possibly can.

Hold your golf clubs with neutral grips. Holding your club too tightly will veer your shots to the right of where you want them to land. And if you hold it too loosely, the club will send the ball left. Use what directions your shots go to find the appropriate middle ground in your grip.

Hold the golf club correctly each time you swing. Make sure the handle is resting against your palms while your thumbs point downward. Your hands should be touching each other. Choke up on your club when you want the ball to go farther.

Don’t get frazzled by trying to position yourself into an unnatural stance. Practice standing without holding your club. Stand at the same distance from the ball you would stand if you were holding the club. Stand up while flexing your knees, bend them slightly at your waist and have your arms drop right on your front. Hold your hands together as you maintain this stance. This natural position is perfect for your shot, but if it feels uncomfortable then repeat the process until it feels right. The more unnatural it feels, the more likely it is you’re doing it wrong.

For best results, stand about a meter behind the ball when addressing it and fix your gaze on where you want the ball to fly. At this time, you also need to factor in the wind and other conditions. These moments that are spent thinking about your shot can help with your direction and alignment. When you think about all of these factors and position yourself well, you can make a more efficient shot.

Yeah, a golf course is the perfect place to relax and to enjoy the wonder of life. Remember that Hunter S.

Anyone Can Play Good Golf With These Great Tips

Globally, a lot of people look to golf for relaxation, fun, or to compete against your buddies. Whatever aspect of golf appeals most to you, improving your performance on the course with a few well-chosen tips will only increase your enjoyment of the sport.

By experimenting, you can find the best way to stand while playing. It is so crucial for you to have a stance that works well with your individual build and style, but also accomplishes a good swing while allowing for precision. When you find the proper stance for you, your game will improve.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to walk, instead of renting a golf cart. You’ll get an excellent workout as you complete the course, and golfing can truly become an effective part of your physical fitness routine. It also helps you keep your large muscle groups warm and ready for your next shot.

Don’t take your golf game too seriously! Certain errors can occur and laughing at these errors will relax you, so you can refocus on the game.

Sweet Spot

Each golf club is made with a “sweet spot,” which is the exact location on the club that provides you the most accuracy and distance if you strike the ball at that point. Practice with these clubs to make sure you know where your sweet spot is and how to hit it each time.

Make sure that you maintain 100% of your focus on your next shot. Don’t be distracted by your last bad shot or a water hazard on the next hole. Anxiety about earlier poor plays can really have an effect on your game, so do your best to push them from your mind completely, rather than dwelling on them.

When addressing each putt, it is important to have your hands slightly ahead of the line between your head and the ball. When you are swinging the club do your best to hold this position. This technique will give you a smooth stroke instead of striking the ball too hard.

If you know some good golfers, play with them on a regular basis and observe their swings closely. You can benefit in many ways from strong players. You don’t have to be in the presence of a pro. Anyone who is better than you can help. Simply observing their play style will allow you to gain new ideas and skill.

Therefore, you should stretch prior to every round and make sure to drink sufficient amounts of water. Giving proper attention to your body will help you make improvements in your golf game.

Knowing how to keep track of your score is a crucial element of playing golf. Your score is what is usually used to judge your ability as a player. Each hit on the ball is called a stroke and each stroke is recorded. Once you have completed a hole, you add up how many strokes it took you, and you then have the total score for that particular hole. In golf, you want to get the fewest strokes possible.

Many people find that using the same exact ball position is appropriate no matter what shot is taken. Doing so makes your stance mentally ingrained for physical consistency. If you need to hit the ball higher, move your back foot forward a bit to give the ball more loft while keeping it in the same position. This ensures that you will be using the proper club for any situation that you may encounter.

This article will make you overall a better golfer. Utilizing it will get you better scores and a win against your top rival. Put these tips to use and your game will definitely improve.

Beneficial Tips To Improve Your Golf Match

If you’re looking for a fun and relaxing sport to take up, how about golf? Not only is golf an excellent way to socialize with friends or family, it’s a wonderful way to get fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. Golf also requires you to develop good coordination and other mental skills, besides using your body. Apply these helpful hints to your golfing game, and you are sure to find a new love for the game.

Don’t take yourself, or the game of golf, too seriously. If you can accept your mistakes with a sense of humor, you will be able to learn from them and move on with your game.

Make sure that you maintain 100% of your focus on your next shot. Make sure you do not let a bad shot get the best of you. Dwelling on past mistakes will only beget more of them, so let them go and move on.

Play with more experienced or skilled players and pay careful attention to what they do every time they take a shot. Even though you will feel the sting of losing, the game will be a learning experience for you. It does not have to be a professional for you to be able to pick up helpful pointers. Focus on how they play, it can give you some new ideas. Also, just being around them may help you to have a better game.

Keeping track of the score is important in the game of golf. This is important because your score is often used to judge how good of a player you are. Count each time you hit the ball, call it a stroke, and add the times it takes to get it in the hole! The fewer stokes you use, the better your score in the game.

Use a neutral grip on your golf club. Holding the club too tight can cause your ball to veer to the right. If you’re holding the club too loosely, it tends to veer to the left. Use what directions your shots go to find the appropriate middle ground in your grip.

Line up both feet correctly before every shot. This is one of the best things you can do to improve your golf swing. Your feet need to be perpendicular and lined up straight to the way you need the ball to go. An easy way to check this is to put your club against your toes, so the end of the club is pointing in the direction the ball will travel.

In order to improve your golf skills, make sure you are standing in a proper position. Your stance is often what determines the distance of your shot. If you’re leaning too far forward, or not far enough, then you won’t be able to get the ball to go a long distance.

Mental preparation is as important as physical preparation in a golf game. Leave all the stress in your life elsewhere for just a while and concentrate on the game at hand.

Before you invest any money in a new set of commercially packaged golf clubs, you might want to consider getting a custom-made set instead. Since all golfers are built differently, different clubs work better for different people. By ensuring that you have a set that fits your body, you have a much better chance to develop a solid swing.

Maintaining the same position for all your shots is a good strategy. This will aid you in keeping your stance consistent. Shift your trailing foot forward while maintaining your ball position when you want to increase your loft. When you can keep this form intact, you can select the club that is right for the shot, and know that you will hit it correctly.

As stated above, golf is a great sport to get both physical and mental exercise while hanging out with friends outdoors. So, if you are looking forward to taking up an engaging new sport, look no further. These easy tips will help you start playing golf and be on your way to a happier, healthier you.

Get The Ball In The Hole With These Great Golf Tips

Even if you don’t understand technical jargon, this article will help. Golf is a sport of many opportunities, no matter what your skill level is. Read this article before you get ready to tee off, as it will give you some tips which could change your game significantly.

Make sure you go ahead and ask for a professional opinion when you are thinking about what kind of clubs you want to purchase. They will have intimate knowledge of all the clubs available, being able to select for you, exactly what you need for the best shot possible.

Your body itself can serve as a golf trainer. Your whole body is the force behind your shot. Using your entire body to swing your club can really improve your game on the golf course. By using your whole body, you have a better chance to get more distance and better accuracy.

Entire Body

You can improve your swing by using your entire body. Beginning golfers often assume that the swing is all in the arms, but if you use only the strength in your arms, then your drives will literally come up short. You will be more effective if you use your entire body.

Don’t take golf too seriously. Try to remember that it’s just a game. You are sure to make mistakes. If you can laugh and take them in stride, it will help you relax and get on with your game.

Sweet Spot

You need to find your golf club’s “sweet spot.” This is a point on the club’s blade that propels the ball to where you want it to go every time it makes contact. Practice your shots repeatedly to find the sweet spot on each club, remembering to make contact at the absolute bottom of your swing.

When you are gripping the putter and standing over the ball, your left hand should be in front of the ball. Attempt to maintain the position for the duration of your swing. If you do not incorporate this technique, you run the risk of having the ball bounce off of the club, greatly reducing your chances for an accurate putt.

If you are faced with a very long putt, you should devote most of your concentration to the speed with which you hit the ball. Don’t aim directly for the hole. Instead, carefully read your putt, then aim directly at a target between you and the hole. You will be more likely to get a second short putt if you control the length of your first one.

Therefore, you should stretch prior to playing, and always drink lots of water. Taking mindful care of your physique contributes to your success on the golf course.

If you want a powerful golf swing, use all your bodies muscles, in particular the leg and trunk muscles. Your body should swing along with the club and you should use your legs as a source of power.

Golf Club

Use a neutral grip on your golf club. Your shots will drift to the right if you grip the golf club tightly. Inversely, holding your club loosely will cause the ball to go left. Analyze what direction your shots are traveling in, and then make alterations to your grip accordingly.

Always keep your feet positioned in a straight line. You can truly improve your game and swing by doing this simple thing. Your feet should form a right angle with the intended direction of the shot. The ball should go in the direction that your club is facing when you put your golf club straight up against the toes.

Now that you have taken the initiative to learn something new about the sport of golf, you can impress your golfing buddies (or that gorgeous pro shop attendant) with the information you’ve just picked up. Look for new ways to apply these skills to your current game, to make the game even more challenging and engaging.

Use These Tips To Help Your Game

Golf is a great sport that people of any age and from anywhere it the world can relate to. It is hard to beat a gorgeous summer day spent on the links. It takes some hard work and effort to perfect your golf game, but it’s worth it! Keep reading for a few tips and tricks that will give your game a little boost the next time you are on the course.

This allows you to determine which stance is best suited to your individual style. Standing properly is vital dependent upon your size, gender, and height. Once you find the right stance, you will immediately notice the benefit in your swing.

Try walking, instead of renting yourself a golf cart. This will give you more exercise on the course and that is a great way to be in better shape. It can be very beneficial to your health. By walking, you’ll also keep your body limber and your muscles warmed up.

Your body can really help you out in the sport of golf. Your entire body is needed to truly power your shots. You need to move every part of your body as part of swinging the club. By putting your whole body into your swing, not only you will take some of the stress off of your arms, your shot will be propelled further.

The first step to mastering the game of golf is the correct grip of the club. A mistake made by many is gripping the club too tightly, thinking it will add weight to the club. Instead of going for raw grip strength, go for a firm, but soft, grip. Grip the club like you would grip a small bird.

When putting, always ensure that your left hand is in front of the ball. Hold this position as the putter strikes the ball and you complete your stroke. You will then be able to hold the position of your golf club and stop the ball from going off the front of the club.

Stretch before playing and stay hydrated. Staying in shape can really improve your golf game.

It is important to know the proper way to keep score when playing golf. You should know this because your reputation as a player is based on your score. Each hit on the ball is called a stroke and each stroke is recorded. Once you have completed a hole, you add up how many strokes it took you, and you then have the total score for that particular hole. In golf, you want to get the fewest strokes possible.

Have a neutral grip for your club. If you hold the club too tightly, your golf shots are going to probably go off towards the right. If you hold the club loosely, your shots will drift to the left. Correct your grip according to the trajectory of your shots.

Snacks are important during the game, but it’s recommended to bring something with a high protein value, such as nuts. The game of golf is exhausting, both mentally and physically. Protein will fuel your body and mind, making you less susceptible to mental drain and muscle fatigue; this allows you to keep up your endurance all the way to the eighteenth hole.

Mental preparation is as, if not more important, than physical preparation when playing a round of golf. Dismiss your other mental problems so you can keep your mind on your game.

Closely examine the head of any used club you consider buying. If a club is worn out, you can tell by looking at the head. You’ll see shiny spots where the metal is worn down. An overused club head is less able to control the ball.

Don’t swing until you’ve positioned your hands properly on your golf club. Your thumbs should be pointing downwards, with the handle of the club resting against your palms. Your two hands should touch each other. Slide your hands up on the handle before swinging to increase the distance you hit the ball.

Golf is popular, relaxing and fun, as well as a healthy form of activity. Mastering golf doesn’t come easy to most people, and it will require plenty of work to become good at it. By using the golf tips in this article, your golf game will drastically improve.

Improve Your Golf Game With These Proven Tips

There are many ins and outs to the game of golf; some aspects you will pick up quickly while others will take time and practice, but as long as you are willing to put in the work you are sure to improve your game. Try these different tips the next time you are out for a round of golf. Find a few that suit you well and before long your game will be elevated!

It is a great idea to consult with a golf pro prior to investing in new clubs or other equipment. A golf professional will know the most about the different clubs available, and can offer up advice on which clubs best fit your swing type.

Your body can really help you out in the sport of golf. You have to use your body as a source of power, not just your arms. Use your whole body to execute every stage of your golf swing. By putting your whole body into your swing, not only you will take some of the stress off of your arms, your shot will be propelled further.

An easy exercise, a “toe-wiggling” exercise, can show golf stance faults. When preparing to swing the club, the golfer should be able to wiggle his or her toes; if this cannot be done, the golfer may be leaning in too far towards the ball. Ideally, your stance should allow for just enough backward lean to allow for movement in the feet.

Make sure that you maintain 100% of your focus on your next shot. Don’t carry with you the mental weight of your last shot, regardless of its success or failure; nor should you get distracted by the water hazard you are approaching. If you are still mad at yourself for a mistake you made on the last hole, your swing off the next tee will not go well. Always concentrate on the next shot, and let the past ones stay in the past.

If you’re faced with a long putt, you need to focus your concentration to speed when hitting the ball. Do not concentrate solely on your aim; you should aim for a target that is between the ball and the hole. Framing the shot in this way maximizes the chance of your next putt being short.

To really get a powerful swing going, you need to utilize the muscles in your whole body, especially the legs and trunk. You should draw great power through your legs as you whip your body while you swing through.

A neutral grip will improve your game considerably. Gripping the club too tightly will send your shots careening to the right. However, if you don’t hold the club tightly enough, you’ll hit the ball too far left. This can be used to your advantage, not when done by accident, but by remaining aware of the strength of your grip, its effects on the ball, and how to manipulate this before the stroke.

Be sure you are using appropriate posture to maximize the impact of your golf swing. The position that you are in usually dictates how far the golf ball will travel. If you are too bent or not bent enough, it will affect the follow-through of your swing and inhibit the distance of your drive.

Being mentally prepared is just as important as being physically prepared when it comes to a game of golf. Dismiss your other mental problems so you can keep your mind on your game.

There are no silver bullets in golf advice, but with luck, some of the insights in this article will up your game when applied. By learning some new tactics you can use while playing golf, you can transform your game and become an all around better player. Apply the tips you have learned above to strengthen your game and to knock some strokes off of your card.

Improve Your Golf Game By Following These Great Tips

People of all ages and ethnicities love the sport of golf. There is also many tips and tricks that can be utilized by golfers, of any age or gender. Keep reading for some great tips you can use to improve your game regardless of your level.

Proper Stance

Doing this will aid you in learning what stance is a good fit for you. The key is proper stance, but it isn’t the same for everyone. Your game will improve greatly once you find the proper stance.

Try walking, instead of renting yourself a golf cart. Walking the course will also help you become more familiar with the grounds and help you with your shots. The constant movement of walking while golfing will keep your muscles warm.

When you are golfing, your body plays an important role. Using just your arms will not give you the same amount of power for your swing as using your whole body. Your body should be fully involved in moving the club. This will send the ball further on long shorts, help you to control putts and get that ball into the hole in less tries!

Put your whole body behind your golf swing. There is a common misconception that all of your power comes from your arms, yet it is actually all about position and form. Moving the whole body with the club motion is much more effective.

If you wiggle your toes a little before you swing this can tell you about your posture. You may be leaning in the wrong direction if you can easily move your feet, so don’t distance yourself so much from the ball. Lean enough to allow your feet to move slightly. Leaning too far results in your feet moving too much.

Regarding the game of golf, try not to obsess over it. If you can accept your mistakes with a sense of humor, you will be able to learn from them and move on with your game.

Sweet Spot

There is a particular spot on a club that, when it hits the ball with a well-aimed swing, produces the most accurate shot. Golfers call this the “sweet spot”. Regular and consistent practice with each club in your bag will show you their individual sweet spots over time. Once you know them, always remember to contact your ball with the sweet spot at the farthest reach of your swing.

Stand so that your left hand is in front of the ball when preparing to putt. Maintain your stance while swinging your club. Using this stance helps you keep the club steady while swinging and prevents the ball from popping up when you hit it.

Aim Directly

If you have to putt a ball across a large green, pay special attention to the speed of your putt. Don’t aim directly for the hole. Instead, carefully read your putt, then aim directly at a target between you and the hole. You will set up a short putt for yourself and not run the risk of hitting the ball too far or not far enough.

If possible, watch and golf with stronger players to observe their technique. You can benefit from the experience of your fellow golfers in more ways than one. You can gain advantage from time with superior players without spending time with actual professionals. Focus on how they play, it can give you some new ideas. Also, just being around them may help you to have a better game.

Therefore, you should stretch prior to every round and make sure to drink sufficient amounts of water. Taking mindful care of your physique contributes to your success on the golf course.

You may feel like some of the golf advice available does not apply to you since there is a lot of it. But, the advice that is offered here is applicable to all manner of people. Next time you play, try a couple of these new techniques out. You should see some real improvements in your golf game no matter what kind of golfer you are.

Want To Improve Your Golf Game? Read On

You need to be able to focus to succeed at many life goals. One such activity is the game known as golf. The slightest muscle twitch or wandering thought can completely throw your game off. It’s difficult to master, adding to the allure of the game. Read this article to find out more about the best ways to improve your game.

The first step to mastering the game of golf is the correct grip of the club. Most commonly, people try to grip the club hard in hopes of hitting the ball further. Try to use a soft, but firm grip on your club to maximize your swinging potential. Grip the club like you would grip a small bird.

Don’t take golf too seriously – remember that it’s a game. If you can learn to laugh at your mistakes, you’ll relax and play better instead of continuing to make them.

Sweet Spot

Golf clubs have a point known as the “sweet spot.” If the ball is hit at this point, it will fly true. Work with each of your clubs to find this “sweet spot.” Once you do, contact the ball with the club’s sweet spot right at the end of your downswing.

If possible, when trying to improve your golf game, play with golfers who are experienced so you can pick up on their techniques. There is more than one way to benefit from the expertise of a fellow golfer. You don’t necessarily have to play them in order to reap these benefits. If you take careful note of their style, you may find inspiration and motivation for your own game.

A neutral grip is best. If your grip is too tight, you will likely steer your shots to the right. And if you hold it too loosely, the club will send the ball left. In order to fix this, adjust the grip according to the direction of the shot.

Carry a snack which is high in protein on the course with you. Golf can make a person both mentally and physically tired. The nutrients of your snack will sharpen your mind and ward off fatigue, keeping you focused for all 18 holes.

Try to line the end of your foot up with the golf ball when you drive. In every other shot, the ball should be right between your feet. If you are hitting while on a slope, you will want to avoid centering the ball.

You cannot swing if you are not holding your club correctly. Your thumbs will be pointing downwards, and the handle will fit right in your palms. Your hands should touch. To hit the golf ball further, try to choke up the club.

Don’t get used to trying to assume unnatural stances. You can practice hitting the ball, and doing your swing, without a golf club. Bend your knees and waist a little bit and relax your arms so that they fall. Hold your hands together as you maintain this stance. This natural position is perfect for your shot, but if it feels uncomfortable then repeat the process until it feels right. The more unnatural it feels, the more likely it is you’re doing it wrong.

Try out tips like the ones you’ve just read above to help keep your game going as smoothly as possible. Employ what you’ve just learned here and you can continue to get better at golf, no matter how long you’ve been playing the game.

Golfing Tips That Can Really Help You

Golf is a really fun and great recreational sport to play. Go ahead and look through this article, so you can take in any tips that apply to you and your golf game.

There is no magic formula, so you will need to find out for yourself what works well for you. There’s no stance that works for everybody. People of different heights, sexes or sizes feel more comfortable in slightly different positions. Your game will improve greatly once you find the proper stance.

Consider walking the golf course, rather than using a cart. Doing so gives you magnitudes more exercise over the course of your game, and makes golf both fun, relaxation and exercise. Walking is also a good way to warm up before and during play.

Correctly grip the club when you first learn to play golf is vital. One common mistake is thinking that gripping the club harder will cause the ball to be hit further. Instead, the club should be held loosely in the fingers. Grip the club like you would grip a small bird.

You can improve your swing by using your entire body. Beginning golfers rely too much on their arms for swinging power, which causes them not to hit all that far. The ideal approach is to craft a swing that utilizes all your muscles in one fluid motion.

A common technique among professional golfers, though it sounds very whimsical, is the toe-wiggling exercise. If it’s hard to wiggle the toes at the beginning of the swing, the golfer is leaning in to the ball too far. To get the proper posture for play, lean back until you feel a little play in your feet.

To ensure your posture is correct, wiggle your toes. If you can do this without difficulty, you are probably leaning too far back from the ball. Lean forward, toward the ball. You should still be able to move your feet slightly.

Sweet Spot

The sweet spot on a club is where the ball meets with it, and is then launched with perfect accuracy. Get familiar with each club’s sweet spot. When you practice, experiment with each of your clubs to find this spot. Hit the ball with the sweet spot as you swing your club down.

If you need to make a long putt, focus mostly on the speed that you hit the ball with. Try to aim for a middle target instead of going straight for the hole. By aiming for a target in between, you’ll put yourself in a good position to make a short putt to the hole. This is less risky than trying to make one putt into the hole from a far distance.

For a drive swing, align the ball with your front foot. But for other swings, the ball should be at a median point between your right and left foot. The only exception to this generalization is when your ball is on an incline.

The information you’ve read above should enable you to make the changes you need to optimize your golfing strategy. Yet, keep in mind that true success comes from someone who constantly tries to learn and apply new things to their strategies and accepts that there is always something for them to learn in order to beat new opponents.