Indonesia paradise divers..

Pantee Peunateng, Pulau Weh, Sumatra: This high adrenaline dive sites is highly exposed making it an intense experience even when conditions are calmer than most. A fringing reef with dramatic craggy wall sections it has typically strong currents that attract many species of pelagic fish. Black and whitetips are often seen whilst larger fish, attracted by the nutrients brought in by ocean currents include whale sharks, mola mola and mantas. Not for the faint hearted Pantee Peunateng is surely a wild experience



Lekaun One, Bunaken Island, North Sulawesi: The infamous Lekaun dive sites have always been on many a travelers list whilst diving in Indonesia. The reef flat that surrounds the island plunges to hundreds of meters creating a dramatic wall covered in hard and soft corals desperately competing for space. Hunting reefs sharks and trevally can often been seen working their way up the reef, whilst giant green turtles rest in the ledges of the wall.



The Passage, Raja Ampat: One of the more popular dive sites of Raja Ampat and only 5-10 meters deep it forms a river like sea fjord where many passages snake off to meet underwater grottoes. A truly mystical experience this is one of many in the region like it. The tree canopies overhead close above it whilst the sun rays bring out the dramatic colors of the reef.



Hairball, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi: For macro life there are few places on earth that can compare with the Lembeh Strait. The black sand slope at Hairball plays host to a huge abundance of marine life. On a typical dive here you can expect to find many types of octopus, snake eels, frog fish, star gazers and nudibranchs (sea slugs) where in other parts of the world these sightings would be few and far between.



Langkoi Rock, Komodo: A submerged pinnacle found not far from Langkoi Island to the Southwest of Komodo which makes an exhilarating dive. The walls that surround the pinnacle drop away steeply to great depths. Exposed to strong currents and surge, it attracts many types of shark including grey reefs, white tips, hammerheads and bronze whalers. Many believe it is a breeding ground for many grey reef sharks. Langkoi Rock is a truly heart pounding diving experience. For more information on diving in Indonesia visit diving in Indonesia.

Raja ampat is beautiful for Diving....

aja Ampat or ‘Four Kings’ as it translates refers to the four islands Misool, Batanta, Salawati and Waigeo. They are located to the northwest tip of Indonesia’s west Papua, also known as the ‘Birds Head’. In recent years scientists have began to believe that this region of South East Asia may hold the world’s richest marine biodiversity. This in turn has led to a significant amount of interest from the diving community, even in spite of its remote proximity.

Until now diving in Indonesia has been held in very high regard by the international dive community, Raja Ampat is just another frontier destination so far relatively undiscovered on offer to the diver willing step off the path.

The reef ecosystems in this area are fed by powerful currents that bring an abundance of coral larvae from the Pacific and Indian Ocean and it is estimated that approximately 75% of known coral species are found within this region. Above the surface one can expect dramatic limestone cliffs, blue lagoons, and underwater caves whilst underwater a myriad of reef fish and colourful corals bring this incredible part of the world to life.

Raja Ampat is well known for both its pelagics and macro life. Manta Rays are common sightings at many of the dive sites as they come to feed on the plankton rich waters. Shark numbers have been steadily increasing over the years as a result of the positive actions taken by community groups in the area including dive resorts and liveaboards that operate in the area, another example of how diving in Indonesia can have positive effects if it’s managed correctly.

Many divers come here for the macro life, rare ‘critters’ that are lurking on almost every patch of reef. Pygmy Seahorses are icons for diving in Indonesia. Other rare macro life can also be seen such as many types of Frog Fish which are relatively common compared to other parts of the world, Ghost Pipefish, Star Gazers and more always make for interesting finds.

The rich diversity of the area and the fact that this particular part of the word is thus far well preserved against coral bleaching, where others have not seen, requires a certain amount of responsibility from both the operators and the people who visit. Thankfully actions are already being taken to preserve this rich and vibrant marine habitat. For more information on diving Raja Ampat, diving in Indonesia and the dive operators who visit the region visit Diving Asia.
Ben Stokes

Scuba diving refers to swimming underwater while using breathing equipment

At the summertime when everything around you seems to be melting down, there’s nothing more appropriate than bathing. But wouldn’t you like to try something different this year? How about scuba diving?

Scuba diving refers to swimming underwater while using breathing equipment which is self-contained. Other swimming underwater activities such as free-diving or snorkeling use breath-holding techniques. Scuba diving implies having a compressed air source, which means that the scuba diver can remain submerged for a longer period of time and he/she is not hindered to a remote air source. Scuba diving is swimming underwater with fins which are attached to the diver’s feet. However, there are other options for scuba divers to move around, such as the diver propulsion vehicle or sleds pulled by a boat. The latter are surface tethered devices.

The term ‘SCUBA’ is the acronym for “self contained underwater breathing apparatus”. However, the term now refers to ‘scuba apparatus’ or ‘scuba equipment’. The term goes back to World War II when it arose to refer to the oxygen rebreathers used by US combat frogman in underwater warfare.

It’s worth mentioning that there are persons who confuse scuba diving for an extreme sport, and this false impression will be changed as soon as get to actually practice scuba diving. The divers wears a diving suit at all times, in addition to his/her breathing apparatus. This diver suit helps avoid skin cuts that could be caused corals, marine animals or underwater objects. They also prevent the loss of body heat. Scuba diving doesn’t require a substantial physical effort on the part of the diver. Therefore, we could say that anyone who can walk a few miles can successfully complete a scuba diving session. Although it’s underwater, scuba diving does not require swimming abilities, but some certified scuba divers may be asked to have swimming skills, just to check the extent to which candidates can adapt to water.

There are many reasons why number of people engrossed in this sport is constantly increasing. Here are some of the reasons why people go scuba diving. First of all, those interested in marine life can be close to it. The variety of underwater wildlife, coral reefs and the numerous species of colorful fish leave the scuba diver with a wonderful experience. Secondly, there’s something different and unusual about each dive because of the numerous diving variations and the variety of marine life. Then, studies, researches and investigations are truly feasible with scuba diving. Marine biology, for instance, has experienced great improvement with the help of scuba diving. Not to mention that scuba diving is a relaxing activity, as it shows a soothing environment. This outdoor activity is also very educational, as the scuba diver combines fun with learning about marine life during a dive.

The terms scuba diving refer to various diving activities, such as recreational diving, technical diving, public safety diving, commercial diving, military diving and scientific diving. Technical diving includes cave and cavern diving, wreck diving, deep diving and ice diving. However, these are not the only categories that scuba diving is limited to, because it is still evolving.

Diving: the Most Thrilling Underwater Experienc

Spring boards are usually used for diving. Competitive diving is divided into two one is spring board and the other one is platform. Usually it has 1 m and 3 m spring boards and a platform. The board is usually fixed by a hinge at one end and the other end hangs to the swimming pool. Divers can stand on the other end and jump into the water which has a spring. In the competitive diving divers are required to perform a number of dives like somersaults and twists in many directions are said by the judges. The judgment will be made by focusing on all aspects of diving. In 2000 synchronized diving was introduced in Sydney Olympic Games. Here there will be two divers who will do the diving simultaneously. There are three major factors for scoring. The judges look the approach, the flight and the entry.

There is Professional diving where the divers get money for their work. Commercial diving is a professional diving which is very popular. There are various branches of commercial diving like offshore diving, inland and onshore diving, hazmat diving, nuclear diving, scientific diving, media diving, military and media diving, and police diving. Offshore diving which is a branch of commercial diving where the divers works in oil and gas industry. While inland or onshore diving is the one were divers work for under water survey or engineering works. Hazmat diving is one of the most dangerous diving branch. Here the divers dive into raw sewage or dangerous chemicals like paper pulp, liquid cement or oil sludge. Sewer Divers may be affected by many diseases. Nuclear diving is the one which is involves exposure to radiations. Scientific diving is the one where scientists use latest techniques to know more about underwater. In Media diving divers usually takes photographs of underwater. Military diving is used for military purposes and Police diving used by the police to recover evidence. These divers unlike competitive divers need some training. There are some rules which all professional divers need to follow.

Every diver must use SCUBA equipment. The equipments are very essential for all divers. Diving equipments are used to make diving efficient and safer. There are many other types of equipment like Scuba life support, alterative life support, thermal, sting and abrasion protection, in water stabilization and movement, etc. Diving is considered as dangerous and due to this the facilities for diving are very less.

Scuba Diving - is it Safe???????

Scuba Diving can be a dangerous sport if you do not take a 'be safe always' approach when entering the water. It has a lot to do with your personality at the end of the day. It will be as safe as you want it to be, even in times of extreme weather or water conditions. it is important to be always stay alert. Just like crossing the road, if you don't take precautions and follow the simple rules that you have learnt as a child, accidents can happen anytime anywhere!

Get certified by a professionally recognised centre

Many new divers do not check that the centre they are learning from, particularly when they visit more remote places in Asia, that their dive instruction is received from a professionally organised and run centre. There is often a presumption that all dive centres have gone through proper checks, controls and certification. Unfortunately, there are many who profess to be qualified to instruct, but to save costs, have not received authentication from professional bodies such as PADI or SDI which have strict rules and requirements for all dive operators. Don't miss this first check when you step in. Always ask to see proof of their certification.

Be medically certified to dive
See your doctor before you sign up for dive instruction. No one else should care as much about your safety as you! And no one else will be as sorry as you if there are accidents or problems when you dive. Get physically checked and if necessary, obtain a letter from your doctor authorising you to learn to dive.

Be aware of the conditions and your own diving competency level
Sometimes, it is best to follow your instinct. If you feel the currents are too strong, or you are not feeling well, stop your dive by informing your buddy straightaway and ascend together. Do not try to attempt a dive if you are uncomfortable. We have seen many experienced divers abandon dives due to strong currents, and that has saved them and their dive group a lot of trouble.
Never dive in terrain or environments you are not certified for

In order to dive caves, do night dives or penetrate wrecks, you should have received proper training and certification before you attempt them. There are techniques that you must learn in order to be safe for such specialty dives. Choose from the wide range of the Specialty Courses that krabidivers.com conducts regularly which is of interest to you, and you will find that you will be much more confident whenever you dive the next wreck or cave.

Be prepared to say "No" to a dive
If you find yourself uncomfortable or unsure, even after you have started to descend or are in the middle of a dive, it is OK to cancel that dive and come back another day when the conditions are more favourable. It does not mean that you are not a good diver - infact very often, it is the smart diver who knows himself best - and knows when to say "No thanks, I will sit out this one."

Never dive alone
Regardless of experience levels, you should never dive alone. If you lose your buddy during a dive, look around for no more than one to two minutes. If you still cannot find your buddy, you should end your dive and make your way up to the surface. Not only will it be safer for you, it will also give comfort to your buddy that you are watching out for him too.

Prepare for a dive well
The night before a dive trip, you should always rest well, and hydrate yourself by drinking lot of water. And, you should not have a heavy night's drinking as alcohol causes dehydration. Dehydration contributes to many diving-related illnesses.

Always check your dive gear before each dive (especially for rental gear!)
Before you go on each dive, always check all your dive gear again. Make sure that your regulator and hoses are working well without leaks, your BCD inflates well and your tank has the right level of air. Do not assume that just because you have returned from one dive safe and sound, using the same set of dive gear will not cause any problems on the next dive. Many shops have rental gear which may not have been serviced well or for a long time. You should check all gear, rental or your own, well before every single dive.

Choose a buddy who dives like you
While choosing a buddy who dives like you may not be an option many of the times, it is always good to get to know your buddy before you start diving together. Ask simple questions such as how many times he has dived, where he has dived, when his last dive was, and how good he is at air usage. This will help you to also anticipate problems your buddy may have during the dive. The most enjoyable dives are sometimes when you have a good buddy, who shares with you the sights he comes across and paces well with you throughout the dive.

Drink plenty of water
Diving can be a very dehydrating sport. Make sure that before every dive, you have plenty of water. I always make it a point to drink a cup of water just before I jump into the water. This has always helped me to stay well hydrated throughout the dive for the next 45 to 60 minutes.

Pay attention during your pre-dive briefing
Dive briefings are important to help you understand what to expect when in the water. Your dive guide will explain about the terrain, what you should expect to see as well as how to best navigate yourself around the dive site for a most enjoyable dive. It will also help you to anticipate changes in the terrain so that there are no surprises.

Be aware of sympthoms of hypothermia, heat exhaustion and dehydration
Watch out for all the sympthoms as you are your best judge of whether your dive will cause any problems. It is always best to be safe and not sorry, so look out for tingling sensations, nausea, giddiness, numbness and any other sensations that makes you uncomfortable. Inform your dive buddy and/or your dive guide about it, and stop the dive and start your ascend to the surface.

Respect marine life
All marine life needs to be respected, not just the big stuff. Be very aware of your surroundings and the fish and coral life around you. Do not touch anything as far as possible, especially if you are unsure if it will be poisonous. Remember, the ocean belongs to the marine life and we're the visitors!

Diving is as safe as any other sport.
As divers, we have a responsibility to the environment, to other divers and most of all, to ourselves to ensure safety and preservation. Safe diving is practiced if you choose the right partner to dive with, so make sure you find out about the dive centre, instructors and guides, and feel very comfortable that they practise the prescribed safety standards diligently and conscientiously.

Diving Destinations on a Shoestring

For such a wonderful dive site you would expect premium prices, but Sipadan is surprisingly accessible for those on a shoestring budget. Get yourself to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and follow the tips below for a unforgettable dive holiday without breaking the bank.

Book your international flight to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and then get yourself to Semporna via Tawau.

How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau

Book a flight from KL to Tawau with Air Asia for around RM200 plus taxes.

Air Asia leaves from the Kuala Lumpur LCCT which stands for Low Cost Carrier Terminal. Its about 10km from the main international terminals. Follow the signs from arrivals to the car park and you will find the bus station and a transfer bus for RM1.50. It takes around 15 mins but leave some time to spare.

Air Asia are very strict about excess baggage and its expensive but they are very friendly to scuba divers. Pack your gear separately and identify it when you check in and you will pay maximum of RM30.

How to get from Singapore to Tawau

Book a flight from Johor Bahru to Tawau with Air Asia for around RM200 plus taxes.

Johor Bahru is the Malaysian town across the causeway from Singapore. After you land, take the train into town and then a bus from Queen Street bus station to Malaysia! Total cost less than S$5. You will need to get a taxi to Johor Bahru airport (also called Senai airport) because the buses are difficult to find but this should only cost you RM20 or so.

How to get from Tawau to Semporna

All day boats to Sipadan and transfers to Mabul resorts start in Semporna, a fishing town 100km from Tawau. The diving day and resort transfers start early so it is better to go direct to Semporna when you arrive.

Leaving Tawau airport you have two options. The bus ticket counter will sell you a ticket to Tawau (RM10) and direct you to the bus behind the police station. Tawau town is 30km from the airport south. Semporna is 70km north. If you go to Tawau first you will have to retrace 30km on your second bus before getting closer to your destination.

So before you buy your ticket to Tawau, go and look behind the police station. You will likely find a mini bus going direct to Semporna and they charge only RM20. Save yourself two hours and RM20 and go direct!

If you are tired, late or fancy splashing out, a taxi costs around RM100 and will fit up to 3 tired divers and their gear!

You could save yourself all that hassle by booking diving ahead. Most dive resorts will come and collect you if you book ahead.

So, when you get to Semporna what are your options to dive on Sipadan? Surprisingly you can do day trips from Semporna or stay on an island resort for much the same price so you choose for other reasons.

If you want to enjoy the relative freedom of staying the mainland so you can go shopping and choose your restaurant in the evening then your cost is longer boat times to the days diving. If you want to get away and take advantage of unlimited diving and short boat trips then you must book several consecutive diving days and stay all-in on an island resort.

Staying in Semporna and having day trips

Scuba Junkies are probably the largest day tripper from Semporna (website offline at publication date). For smaller boat groups you might try Blue Sea Divers who opened this summer and are a couple of doors down the road.

Staying on the island resorts

Many of the resorts on Mabul and Kapalai are expensive but there are budget options. The cheapest is definitely Uncle Chang’s Sipadan Mabul Dive Lodge. It’s very basic, mattresses on the floor and shared bathing but you go to the islands for the diving and the resort for rum party evenings not to catch up on your sleep.

For a little more money you could try something totally different and take a room on the converted oil rig called SeaVentures. This offers you the opportunity for unlimited diving under the rig with your buddy which makes it all great value. You also have more chance of getting some sleep on the rig!

Staying in Semporna

Whether its one night before a resort transfer or several days and day trip diving, your best option in Semporna is Scuba Junkies backpackers lodge. They have beds for as little as RM20 per night and that includes breakfast.

You might be tempted to go a little upmarket to City Inn or Dragon Inn hotels where you will an ensuite room but watch out, these do not include breakfast nor offer any refreshment services at all.

Sipadan is not the only diving destination in Sabah. Why not spend a few days in the state capital and discover the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just half an hour from the town jetty.

Kota Kinabalu is a very easy town to spend a few days in. There are many backpackers but for sure the classiest is Velvet which opened early 2007. The rooms are immaculate and they offer free use of the washing machine! You can go white water rafting, submerge yourself in sulphur baths or for the more adventurous you can climb the mountain.

T.A.R. marine park has a range of diving including several artificial reefs close to the islands which are very successful in attracting a range of fish. You can see some spectacular marine life even when the visibility is low when compared to Sipadan. While several dive centers operate in Kota Kinabalu, we found the customer service of Sabah Divers to be second to none and at a very good price.

Dissertations for Undergraduate Master and Doctoral Degrees

In the ladder aiming for first class, a good dissertation is necessary. It cannot be written in some days if the aimed at goal is to get a good grade; this plus the fact that it stretches anywhere from ten to a hundred thousand words. The amount of research that goes into writing a dissertation is a lot and the number of hours dedicated to libraries and online databases are often innumerable. Such importance means that last minute rushing through a dissertation is most likely suicide. When you randomly deliver a quick written piece so that you can finish the process quickly and without struggle, you may get a rude shock when you are asked to redo it for a second time.

With that being said, it’s easy to understand why the dissertations are given that much importance. When it can make or break your degree, you don’t exactly go easy on it and you ensure that it is the best work that you can put forward. Usually, students have all the knowledge from the four or more years of study to be able to create an argument in a said subject from scratch, build on it meticulously incorporating every necessary idea so that the flow is achieved. In the end a new concept in the subject is brought out and that is what awards the degree.

The problem may not be time alone when it comes to compiling a good dissertation. With the science and more so mathematics students, the presenting of ideas is usually the hard part. When a student has been doing mathematics for over five years, it kind of suppresses the language knowledge a bit to make room for all the mathematical data. In such cases, most math students have a disadvantage when it comes to perfecting their English and that creates a challenge for them. No matter how good you are, bubbling with all the concepts ideas, arguments, factoids, it all breaks down to how well you can pass the ideas to the others in a well written way.

The good news is that you can get help by having your dissertation written online exactly the way you want it. This is usually done by some hired professionals who have both the language and the knowledge to do your dissertation with you approving every step being made. You as the client placing the order has the freedom to receive pieces of your dissertation as it is written so that you can make adjustments where you think some are needed. It’s a great way to get a good score when you are not really sure what you are supposed to do.

Custom Research Papers I makes or breaks a term in school

Every student needs to give a quality report at the end of their term and it really doesn´t matter what the level is since the importance is just the same. The good news is that there are a company that can help you in this by giving you the best in terms of your requirements and gives a hundred percent guarantee that you cannot find any where else.

Having custom researched papers is the missing link between you and you´re a grade at the end of your academic session. From high school sophomores to post graduates, there is help for all of them. Having your paper written for you does more than just give you a custom paper, it gives you quality guaranteed by the professional writers, highly educated to meeting all the assignments that they are given.

If you have an incomplete term paper, the best thing you can do is to order for one. This means that you can buy a well written, well-researched paper that will most likely guarantee you the grade that you are looking for. The good news that follows that is your paper can be delivered in the amount of time that you chose thus giving you the freedom to make use of the service even at the most urgent of times.

There are academic writing agencies that hire unqualified writers to do the assignments ordered. But the truth is when it comes to a dissertation or a thesis proposal, you don´t simply want good, you want the best. That is why you need an academic professional in the field of research that you want so you can get the best. Experience is one key factor in academic writing and you should always seek for it.

Buying of custom written papers gives you the freedom to engage in other activities as your essay, research paper or dissertation. It gives you the chance to move ahead while entrusting the important literal matters to people who are professionally trained at it. When you are buying custom research papers, you should ensure that your paper is just the way you want it. That means that no hesitation should be exhibited in reaching the people that did it for you and having them change any details that you would like to see. Of course you could always get to do the dissertations yourself but when you want to be ahead of others then having one custom written in the most researched and professional way is the best way to go.

Top 10 Reasons for Keeping a Dive Log

1. you have a countersigned record of dives for later training
Whether you are interested in technical diving or going pro some time in the future, you will need a dive log showing you have enough experience to move to the next level. Some resorts even insist on seeing dive logs before they will take you to some more advanced dive sites. In these days of increasing litigation it is good for them and for you to know that your fellow divers are experienced enough for the dive.
2. you can track how much you breathe and see it improve
We all want to spend as much time underwater as we can. Usually are limits are set by how fast we breathe our air. It is really nice to see how much we relax over time and our breathing slows to give us more time underwater.
3. its a journal of your diving adventures you can show and tell
You come back from your vacation buzzing with great stories of your dives. Pull out your dive log with your photos and you can answer all the ‘how deep/how long/how warm’ questions. When you get your buddy to sign your log book you can put names to faces on your group photos as well!
4. the quickest way to check the weights you need for different kit
If you dive throughout the year in different waters you will be snugged up on some and minimal on others. Why waste any time on your first day of your vacation testing for weight when you can look it up directly from last year?
5. its where you collect your shop chops
Some of them are funky, some plain. Shop chops (or stamps) are only available from the dive resort after a dive. How many do you have?
6. a great excuse to get that cute diving guide to share his/her email
No diver is going to refuse to sign your dive log and while you are standing there its easy to suggest you stay in contact. Need we say more?
7. your manta ray sighting is recorded for all time
You might want to frame it and put it on the wall (or record it on an online dive log for all to see) but you definitely want to record it for posterity!
8. helps you learn fish identification
Your dive log is the perfect place to keep notes and sketches of fish you could not identify underwater. It already contains information about the dive site and depth you were at, both of which help narrow down potential species. You never know when you will bump into a marine biologist and you can whip out your dive log and impress them with your drawing!

9. easy comparison of dive sites year on year
Do you have a favourite vacation destination? If you go back to the same dive sites often, just a few notes in your dive log will help you track changes in fish life and environmental changes.
10. its got all the stats of your favourite sport
How many? how deep? what countries? how often? Its all there with a dive log. With a paper log you have to add things up yourself but there are many software dive logs and online dive logs that will do it automatically for you. It’s not everyone’s bag, but well all love to compare and discuss so let some somewhere do it for you and you always have the information at hand.

How to Become Good at the Piano on Your Own Time

I think everyone should have that opportunity, and that's why I decided to review Rocket Piano. It's by some guys I know personally and really trust: the guys at Rock Star Recipes: real musicians who enjoy teaching you how to play instruments in a highly effective and highly affordable way. Really. They're great, genuine people, and so I trust what Ruth Searle, the woman behind Rocket Piano, has put out.

Rocket Piano allows you to learn how to play with step-by-step piano lessons supported by video and audio files. The course is organized into 3 high quality books taking you on a journey from beginner to advanced in your gospel piano playing.

These video lessons are actually pretty amazing; they have been professionally recorded and edited and are more stylish and useful than anything you will find on Youtube or other piano courses (see for yourself). There is no substitute for seeing and hearing how something is supposed to be played. You'll discover the most effective ways to practice so that you master new material quickly, without developing bad habits.

So, in essence, with this course you get to learn how to play the piano smoothly and flawlessly, while cutting your learning time in half! No need to wait for tutors or classes--sounds good to me.

Even more, you WILL NOT waste hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on expensive piano lessons. You will learn all of the tips and tricks. You even get sounds files (AND video) so you can play along. And, unlike a piano teacher, you can repeat each song or riff over and over again until you get it correct and professional sounding. No feeling pressured or "not good enough"; you just play til you feel comfortable.

Some of the bonuses you get:

Learn with an advanced piano learning technique, developed by a university psychologist (originally for guitarists, and adapted successfully for pianists), for training your fingers to automatically remember all the chord shapes, in 1/3 the time! And, you'll learn all about how your brain processes information, and how to maximise your piano practice time... (nine out of ten people are absolutely floored by this secret!)

Learn how to play with exceptional speed and timing by using our cutting edge Metronome. Find out how to decide whether you should learn to play piano on an actual piano, or whether you should use an electric keyboard.

If you like games and having fun online, you can also play "JaydeMusica," a fun game included which is designed to help you learn how to read music, with Rocket Piano for your enjoyment.

Things connected with golf club specification

When set correctly in preparation to strike the golf ball, the leading edge of all irons sits off the ground; the extent to which it does depends on the club, with the leading edge of the more lofted clubs sitting more off the ground than those with less loft.

The amount by which the leading edge is off the ground is the sole angle of the golf club, commonly known as "bounce", so the sand wedge, for example, will have more bounce than, say, a six iron. As a comparison, the former may have 12 degrees of bounce against 5 degrees with the latter.

Wedges - particularly sand wedges - tend to be a law unto themselves and are, therefore, outside the scope of this article which focuses on the rest of the irons.

There may be a number of reasons for failing to get the ball airborne - de-lofting the club at impact for example - but one of the main causes is hitting the ball "thin".

Everyone has at some point in their golfing life thinned a shot so badly that it skids along the ground, sending an unpleasant wave of stinging vibration up the shaft and into the hands; but does anyone ever really consider what a thin shot is? It may seem obvious but I shall say it anyway, and that is that a thinned shot occurs when the golfer strikes the ball with the leading edge of the club.

Interestingly enough, many golfers that are prone to thinning their shots will instinctively de-loft the club to avoid the "leading-edge strike", only to find that they still fail to get the desired ball-flight for reasons that are self-evident.

The "stinging" shot described above is, of course, an obvious example of hitting the ball thin, but what about the times when the vibration is not there, the golfer has not de-lofted the club but the flight of the ball is still lower than expected? This is still likely to be a consequence of "not getting all of the ball" which is what a marginally thinned shot is.

The ultimate aim is to strike the ball with the "sweet-spot" of the club because by doing so the golfer will achieve the optimum ball-flight, direction and distance assuming all other things - such as swing path, for example - are equal. The location of the sweet-spot may vary slightly from one set of irons to another but as a general rule is situated marginally towards the heel of the club and a little below halfway up the face; the sweet spot is never on the leading edge!

Taking all of the above into account, it may help to form a picture in our minds of the position of the leading edge of the club relative to the ball at the precise moment of impact of a slightly thinned shot. Having done so, mentally "freeze" the club in that position (with the leading edge just touching the bottom of the ball) and then, whilst it is there, bend the leading edge downwards so that it and the ball are no longer in contact. Having now moved the leading edge "out of the way", re-start the golf club to complete the strike and you should "see" that it is now the club-face that hits the ball.

It follows, therefore, that for someone who is prone to thinning the ball and as a consequence fails to get it airborne, moving the leading edge "out of the way" by bending it downwards could help them to get the club face on the ball, thereby taking advantage of the available loft.

As with many things connected with golf club specification, however, the inter-relationship which exists between all aspects of the club means that moving the leading edge "out of the way" will impact on something else and in this case it is the loft. Bending the leading edge downwards - thereby reducing the distance between it and the ground (the sole angle or bounce) - will reduce the loft. Looking at it another way, reducing the loft of the club could help the "perpetual thinner" by getting the leading edge "out of the way" at the moment of impact. In any event, the effect on the loft is not great, given that a one degree reduction in bounce roughly equates to the same reduction in loft. Putting this into context, a seven iron, say, has a loft of around thirty-five degrees with about six degrees of bounce. Reducing the bounce by one degree (and I would not recommend much more - two degrees at a push, perhaps) will result in a new loft angle of thirty-four degrees.

In the right circumstances the trade-off is more than worth it because the better quality of strike can be such that the golfer's game can improve beyond recognition without the need to change the golf swing.