Old, Busted Cars Still Priced as Brand New!

Jay Leno may be notorious for his collection of land heap. But long before his reign as top automobile collection, there was a man by the name of Roger Baillon who would have kicked the living daylight out of Leno’s collection.

Apparently, the French transport business tycoon had collected more than a hundred units of vintage and rare cars during his astounding prime in the 50s and 60s. Ranging from Jaguar Type S 3.4L, Facel Vega to a Hispano Suiza H6B Cabriolet Million-Guillet, these automobiles were the ultimate chariots during the 30s until the 50s, as some of which were used and/or owned by celebrities, important personalities and royalties.

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If only the luxury cars were still in top shape, these cars were ditched and left for dead in a private farm owned by the Baillon family, unrealized. Quite ironic to see none of these priceless automobiles have (or any evidence of “had”) car covers on them.

Where did all these cars come from?

It was told in some reports that Roger Baillon was an avid car collector back in the day. And quite obviously, he was, as the cars are not just your average “expensive” wagons. Some of these have a historical piece imprints, just like the said, Talbot-Lago T26 Cabriolet – a car previously owned by Farouk, King of Egypt – and the Ferrari 250 – as used by Shirley McLaine and Jane Fonda in the movie, Les Felins.

Furthermore, rarities are also included on the list such as the Ferrari 250 GT California SWB – which is according to Ferrari historians, only 37 units were manufactured. As for the endangered Maserati A6G 200 Berlinetta, it was reported that only 3 of these particular model were built during the time, making it one of the rarest cars in the world.

Luck turned its back on Baillon in the 70s when his company suffered major business fallout, and was forced to sell 50 of his 120 priced cars just to get by with the unfortunate event. 60 of which nearly went to oblivion until the recent discovery of these trove of vintage cars by the Baillon grandchildren.

Does it still have any worth?

Upon the recent re-discovery of these precious rides by Baillon’s grandchildren, it has been reported that the cars still have a hefty price tag despite the saddening condition. The cars are set to be auctioned in Paris on February, 2015, and will be facilitated by French auction house, Art Curial. As for the price? The collection could go up to a staggering price of £12,000,000 ($18,000,000) or even more.

This redefines the old saying, “One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.”

Ice Golf: Putting Never Looked this Cool

Yes, you heard it right! There’s such a thing as ice golf. And since most of the winter-affected areas are forced to take a sabbatical from swinging and place a golf cart cover on their grass heap until the ice melts, why not try this rather unusual way of playing the good ol’ gentleman’s game instead of booking a flight down south for a needed tee off?

As far as the middle ages, ice golf – presumably along with hockey – has always been a favorite past time of the Dutch, as evidenced in the paintings of Auet van der Neer and Hendrick Avercamp. Since then, the rather unusual game of golf became very popular among Scottish as well as the game started to develop. In fact, even the renowned English writer Rudyard Kipling was a known snow golf fanatic, pushing the further advancement of the sport with the help of fellow writer and Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

What’s the Difference?

Think of it as regular golf… Only in ice and with an edge! Winter Golf is usually played obviously on the snow and frozen lakes. More so, the course is relatively shorter than the usual golf we play in the fairways. Using colored ball instead of the traditional whites, this particular element keeps the players in the know as to where their balls land in the vast horizons of winter white.

Fashion and gear-wise, collared shirts and flowy trousers are replaced with a more resilient thermal wear and snow boots. And of course, winter golf is way more intense and exhilarating than regular golf, considering the terrain the condition most players endure during the game – making it more challenging and engaging.

Things to Consider when Playing Winter Golf

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When deciding to play winter golf, first thing you need to have is a reliable set of wardrobe that can endure harsh condition. The cold weather is basically the number 1 challenge every player needs to take into attention, so you must ensure to wear proper attire and ditch the traditional tee shirts and sun visors for a while.

When it comes to gameplay, remember that snow golf basically has shorter courses, larger holes and softer playing surface. Hence, you must assess your gameplay, strokes and handicap, as the game experience is way too different from playing in the greens. Furthermore, the entire game is a bit faster and more “on-the-go”, that’s why it is highly recommended to stay hydrated during the game.

Overall, snow golfing isn’t as different as some, if not most golfers think. You can have the experience that plays at par with that of regular golf game. As of now, the popularity of this game is slowly making its way in the mainstream sports, and in fact has its own tournament.

To tell you straightforward, it’s worth the try!

No PGA and Ryder Cup for Tiger Woods This Year

Seems like we’re not going to see a lot of Tiger Woods for the rest of the year. According to last week’s golf news, the 38-year old golfer has been pestered with a nasty back spasm all season. This caused him a huge blunder in the recent PGA Championship at Valhalla, swinging a series of humiliating mess at six-over 148, and with just 5 strokes behind making the cut.

And then, as of today, August 13, the golf extraordinaire announces his withdrawal for the consideration to be the one of the potential picks for this year’s Ryder Cup due to doctor’s orders and trainer’s recommendation.

Here’s Tiger Woods’ official statement:

"While I greatly appreciate Tom thinks about me for a possible captain's Pick, I must take myself out of consideration… I have been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They've advised me not to play or practice now.

I'm extremely disappointed that I won't be ready for the competition. The U.S. team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I'll be cheering for the U.S. team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.”

Bring out the Tiger’s trusty golf cart cover for his equipment, as he won’t be using the cart in a long while. Thinking about it, perhaps it is safe to say that he’s doing the right thing by not taking the Ryder Cup shot, considering his performance for the entire year, with no major championships to his name. But despite that, I think letting him sit on sidelines for a while would be a plus factor, as there would be plenty of time for him to reflect and get his rhythm back to be able for him to compete in full-shape.

As for Tiger, himself, he is still optimistic in coming back as early as targeted from the injury, particularly in December for the World Challenge Tournament.

Wishing for his “loud roar” hopefully late this year!

Improving Your Putting Skills

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In the game of golf, aside from getting the best equipment like a golf cart cover, clubs, and shoes, it is said that putting is one of the most crucial skills a golfer should have. After all, putting is the shot that directly affects a golfer’s score when in a game. At the same time, putting is supposed to be a saving grace for golfers as it is the only shot that can be possibly executed without flaws. Yet, putting is definitely more than just targeting your ball into a hole in a straight line.

Just like any other skill in a sport like pitching in baseball and 3-point shooting in basketball, all the points for a perfect putt should be present, or else you might get frustrated. A great deal of patience, practice, and repetition are needed to prefect putting. While it is true that most golfers do not really warm to the idea of practice, it is a known fact that in order to increase one’s proficiency in putting, practice is needed. Practice plus the proper technique (actually, constant practice on proper technique) is an essential to polishing your putting.

For putting, you should be able to practice both your long and short putts. There are specific drills you can master to increase your putting skills.  For long putts, a good exercise would be to place a number tees in a semicircle on the back of a hole, within a radius of up to 2 feet. Then, putt five balls, making sure that every putt stays within the semicircle. Increase your putts’ distance as you improve. If you are not able to let you putts stay in the semicircle, repeat the exercise until you make it.

To practice your short putts, you can do what is commonly known as a round-the-clock exercise. You will need 12 balls for this, which you form into a circle around the hole. Arrange the balls so that it will resemble the face of a clock with the hole in the center. Now, putt all twelve balls, one after the other. Missing one ball should make you start from the beginning. As you notice improvement in your practice, you can choose to increase the distance between the balls. This will widen the clock’s face and lengthen the distance between the balls and hole. Also, why not give your golf cart a rest and cover it with a golf cart cover? Walk around to improve your cardio endurance.

Another essential skill that a golfer must have with regard to his or her putting skills is mastering the speed of the course or what is known in the golf jargon as your putt’s “break.” A lot of the putt’s break, aside from wind conditions and the force you put in the putt, relies in the contours of the green. In this respect, you should know how your ball reacts to a contour that is going up, going down, across a slope. That way, you will know how much force you are going to apply to each putt. You should also try out the course’s practice green so that you’ll know the speed of the greens, meaning the speed of the ball when rolling in the greens or grass.

The Right Time for Golf Accessory Shopping

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It is very important for golf players having the best equipment to play the game well. Aside from the luxury accessories like a golf cart cover and the best golf shoes, golf clubs are the primary things a golfer needs to play. Thus, golfers should know the particulars of shopping for golf clubs. For practical golfers, a particular useful knowledge is when would be the best time to buy golf clubs. After all, buying gold clubs at the right time can save you hundreds of dollars, which means you can have more money to spend on other things and up your golf game!

Golf clubs are available the entire year, but there are some periods throughout the year when buying them does not cause much of a dent in the golfer's budget. After all, there is no denying that golf is not the cheapest sport to play, with all the equipment needed like golf shoes and golf cart covers, and especially the golf clubs. So, unless a golfer is rolling in money, it would be best to know when it is a great time to take advantage of bargains for buying this equipment. Yes, there are actually times of the year when golf clubs do not cost as much. Here are some suggestions on seasons to look out for when spotting golf club price bargains:

Spring Months

It is one of the accepted facts about golf that the sport is most popular during the summer, when the courses are at their most conducive to play. The season before summer is spring, and avid golfers cannot seem to wait for it to be over for them to hit the greens and play. Manufacturers and sellers of golf clubs take the spring season as an opportunity for them to entice their market to prepare for the year's golf season. Moreover, new models of golf accessories during this season, making past season's merchandise "obsolete," and therefore, cheaper. Moreover, Father's Day, a celebration for most golfers is during spring, and those who want to give their golfer dads the perfect gift would surely consider buying affordable clubs.

Yes, that means that you have a few months (make it weeks) in spring to take advantage of discounts before the demand for golf clubs and accessories like a golf cart cover will spike. This will make their prices sky high. Take advantage of the time window to get the best golf accessories without making you poor.

Golf Club Shopping Without Breaking the Bank

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The game of golf is not exactly an affordable one. Playing golf requires skill, an affinity to waking up early (unless someone prefers to bake under the sun and play golf at noontime), golf carts (unless someone prefers to walk from one hole to another), and yes, lots of money to purchase the necessary equipment, including a golf cart cover and golf clubs.

Golf clubs have quite the hefty price tags, which can be pretty discouraging for people who are actively seeking more affordable sport options. Moreover, for a lot of people, getting golf clubs may actually help them in improving their golfing skills. In the first place, you cannot play golf without clubs! It is simply necessary equipment to play the sport. Playing golf without clubs is much like having a golf cart, but not having a golf cart cover. But here are some pieces of advice on what can be done lower the cost of playing golf.

Consider to Buy Used Golf Clubs

Budget golfers, if there are any, can have the option of buying used clubs. Aside from the shiny gleam of new golf clubs, there is not much of a difference between new clubs and used clubs that have been maintained properly. Moreover, used clubs can be bought at a fraction of the price of brand new golf clubs. Also, used clubs are not really so rare in terms of availability as most people think they are. Local pro shops actually sell used clubs, although not all pro shops have a used section. Major shops with a wide variety of clubs are expected to have used clubs. Pawn shops are also a good avenue to buy used golf equipment, especially clubs.

Of course, if brick and mortar shopping fails, online stores almost always have a solution at hand. Expect online auction sites to offer a lot of choices for shoppers of used golf clubs. The great thing about shopping for golf clubs online is that there is definitely a larger variety of clubs you can select from. With sellers from all over the world presenting all their clubs for you to buy, you have a wider selection, not to mention the more competitive process.

The Right Caddy Can Up Your Golf Game

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It is one of the open secrets in golf that has a great golf caddy can be a huge help for a serious player. For one, a caddy can make the entire golfing experience more enjoyable, as the player will be more focused on playing instead of lugging around his or her equipment by himself or herself. Caddies also provide company to golfers who prefer to play rounds without fellow chatty or noisy golfers. Of course, you can let your caddy, take care of taking off the golf cart cover and drive you around the golf course. Moreover, caddies, especially the more experienced ones, can provide very significant insights that would allow the player to improve on their game, from executing the perfect swing, how to make the most out of putting exercises, to maintaining concentration and focus.

Here are some of the ways a golfer can get for himself or herself the perfect (or at least the closest to it) golf caddy:

Qualification 1:  A golfer should look for a caddy who asks him or her, is there any special ritual for he or she before starting on the tee. Some golfers have very particular demands and very specific practices, and a caddy should be sensitive to these quirks. Moreover, the caddy should actually encourage the golfer to sufficiently prepare before the start of play.

Qualification 2: The caddy should know how to take care of the golfer's equipment. Sloppiness is one quality a caddy should never possess. He should dress smartly and know how to maintain the cleanliness of the clubs after use. The caddy has to know where to keep the golf cart cover properly when not in use. Putting a club back into the golf bag immediately after being used will obviously make it dirty. Of course, it can lead to the equipment having a deteriorated condition.

Qualification 3: Of course, the caddy should have proficient knowledge of the sport by being very familiar with the entire sport of golf. Whether it is about performing a great golf swing using the right club, the caddy should have more than sufficient know-how of all of them.

It is one of the undeniable facts about golf that a golf caddy can spell an improvement of a golfer's game. Thus, it is important to choose wisely, or a caddy might end up becoming more of a problem than a help.

Caring for Wooden Furniture to Maintain Its Appearance

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If you have a golf cart cover for your golf cart, then you would know how important protecting furniture and appliance is making them last longer and serve you better. Wooden furniture can be quite tricky to maintain, but the effect of these pieces is classical and elegant. Old houses and mansions, usually have the most exquisite wooden pieces that have stood the test of time. Modern pieces may not be as tough as those old pieces, so you may need to exert extra effort. Just make sure you follow these tips:

* The characteristics of wood

Wood is the best material for furniture. It is stylish and timeless. Any wood furniture could be used to design a home, depending on the style of course. Wood can last for hundreds of years as long as they are properly maintained. Caring for wood may seem difficult, but they can prove to be a valuable commodity since they can be left as an heirloom.

* The ideal environment for wooden furniture

Wooden furniture should be kept away from the sun. Exposing it to sunlight would make the wood dry that could destroy it. Cracks often appear on the surface. Wood often shrinks when it is also near anything hot like the heating system as well. When the weather is too hot, you need to use a humidifier to provide much needed moisture for the wooden furniture.

* How to store wood furniture

Store wooden furniture in a dry, cool place. Cover them using specially made furniture covers so that all parts of the furniture would be safely hidden from dust. This can also help in shielding the said furniture from the harsh sun rays. As a good golf cart cover would protect a golf cart from the elements, so would furniture covers that are specially made for wooden furniture.

* Everyday maintenance tips

Try to clean your wood furniture with a small amount of water mixed with some detergent. Use an old toothbrush and brush the surface of the furniture lightly with the mixture. Remember to use only a small about so as not to soak the furniture that would destroy it. Wipe with a dry cloth and then use wax to make it shine.

* Is there a need for special products?

Using a special product would be nice, but you can use things that can be found at home in order to clean your wooden furniture. Just dash to the kitchen and you would find anything that you need. You can use baking powder with a small amount of toothpaste to remove stains caused by mugs and glasses. Cooking oil mixed with ash is another alternative to remove the said stains.

You need to take care of your furnitures just like your golf cart cover, to maintain its appearance and to be last longer.

The Perfect Swing: Is It Possible?

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In golf, one should realize that a golf swing is the key to mastering the sport. Of course, there are other factors that ultimately affect your golf game like the wind, the speed of the green, and your mental state while playing. But having a good golf swing is, to rephrase a popular adage, more than half of the battle won, as this will make you overcome most of the factors stated above. Also, as a golf swing is a skill, there is no such thing as a “perfect” swing. Even Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus cannot really describe their swing as perfect, but they sure do a great job with their swings. Their skills are their own version or approximation of perfection, and you too, can work on perfecting your golf swing. Then, you can proudly say that you’ve made good on your investments like a golf cart and a golf cart cover.

Alright, there may be a “textbook perfect” swing, but you will find out that even the greatest players have their own personal quirks that make their swing perfect on their own right, as it works of them. There are tried and tested practices that should lead you to making your swing work and closer to what is conventionally accepted as “perfect.”

• Just like in mastering any other skill, you need to know what your personal strengths are when accomplishing the skills. Do you have a good sense of angles? Are your long shots impeccable? Know that not every great golf player have the same strengths. Golf players also have different preferences. Some may prefer to go around in their golf cart while others opt to walk for concentration and fitness purposes and use golf cart covers in their vehicles. Once you know what your strengths are, you can work on maintaining them to elevate any of your weaknesses.

• Practice is a key to perfecting any skills, as with a golf swing. Not practicing will only let you rely on the skills you currently have, and unless you are Tiger Woods, would you really like to just rest on them. Aside from practicing on different types of greens, try practicing on different types of weather. This will let you discover more on which of your swings work on what type of wind strength or what type of humidity.

• Your back swing is a crucial part of your swing as a whole. A common mistake for beginners is using their hands to create the force for their back swing. This should not be the case. Force for a back swing should come from the arms. Cleaning your back swing movement will lead to a more polished swing altogether.

• For your down swing, speed and precision are key. Pulling your left arms when it is coming from the top will make your down swing faster and snappier. For the sweep, practice in body part alignment is important. A good sweep should end with your right foot up and your right knee facing the target. The position of your hands should be high over your left ear.

Easy to Find Golf Cart Cover Solutions

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When one mentions cleaning a golf cart cover, ordinary house makers will probably think of heavy duty shampooing equipment and chemical solutions with names that conjure high school chemistry classes.  Well, this may be correct, but there are actually a good number of solutions that will not really drill a hole in the wallet, not to mention that they won't need for everyone to channel their inner Einstein.  Cleaning something like a golf cart cover may never be a breeze, but it can be manageable, even if you have to do it all by your lonesome. Yes, you may think that maintaining a clean cover would require you to hire a professional. But guess what, you can do it yourself. You just have to be patient and focused, Cleaning a golf cart entails being up to speed with the things that have actually ruined the golf cart so that a suitable cleaning solution can be applied.

Cardinal Rule In Cleaning Golf Cart Cover

One cardinal rule that should always be remembered with cleaning a golf cart is to never wipe or rub a stain.  Just like in every other surface, anyone’s first instinct reaction is to take away dirt by rubbing it off. Although this is an understandable panic jerk reaction, condition yourself to never do that ever again. This is a big no-no in golf cart covers.  Rubbing dirt off in a cover will only scatter it.  If there is a stain in the cover, any solid particles must be picked out first, then spray shaving cream and let it set for 15 minutes. Yes, the thing men use to make removing those stubbles; you can use it to remove stains. This is particularly perfect for bird droppings that would usually be the biggest problem for golf cart covers. Scoop it up and rinse the spot with a solution made of water and vinegar.  If not, brake cleaner can also be used because it contains the same chemicals with solutions used by professional dry cleaners in stain removal.   That should be easy – after all, you’re cleaning something that uses brake fluid.

For alcohol stains, try using club soda.  Yes, somehow alcohol, particularly champagne, has a way of getting into a golf cart cover. Blot it with a white paper towel onto the stain and use water to rinse it.  For stains cause by red dye, try using a 30% peroxide solution.  Go easy on the peroxide though, as it may cause some colors to fade.  Spot test it first on the cover.

Getting your golf cart cover clean all the time can be a challenge because it is always used outdoors. At least, you would know how to deal with anything dirty on your cover without spending too much.