Economic and Social Consequences of Global Warming
December 11, 2011 | 
Author Global warming is causing not only health hazards, but it has many adverse economic and social consequences also. Native people living in high-altitude regions are already facing the ill effects of global warming. The future climate changes will have diverse effects on human lives. Africa may be the most exposed continent. Similarly, developing countries are more in danger than developed countries, because the developed countries have sufficient means to fight any disaster. Some regions like Arctic nations and small islands will be adversely affected if the temperature raises 1-2 degree Celsius, while above 2-3 degree Celsius warming would affect the most of the world.
The net economic influences of global warming are extremely vague. Climate change can bring a change in gross world product; it may be plus or minus a few percent. But, even small changes in gross world product can bring about comparatively large changes in national economies. The most directly affected industry is the insurance industry. A 2004 report by the Association of British Insurers noted that changing weather increases risks for households and property by 2-4% per year and the claims for storm and flood compensations in the UK had increased twofold over the period 1998-2003, weighing against the past five years. As a result, the insurance premiums have become so high that in some areas it will be nearly impossible for some to afford flood and storm insurance.
Global warming has many adverse effects on transportation, agriculture, and food also. As a result, the overall development is slowed down. Great temperature variations damage our roads, airport runways, railway lines and pipelines, oil pipelines, sewers, water mains, etc. Therefore, extra money and efforts are required to maintain and renew the whole system. Areas of permafrost have been affected badly resulting in crumpled roads, caved in foundations, and badly damaged runways. Climate change has diverse impact on agriculture, as some areas, such as mid-and high-latitude areas, are benefitted from modest temperature increase, while others like low-latitude areas are adversely affected. Likewise, some crops are badly affected, while others are not.
The overall effects of global warming are very dangerous for people and countries without sufficient means to lessen those impacts. This may deter economic and social development, making it more difficult to meet the Millennium Development Goals. A report by the Working Group on Climate Change and Development in Oct. 2004, and the July 2005 report ‘Africa- Up in Smoke’ declared increased hunger and diseases caused by less rainfall and extreme weather conditions, especially in Africa. Thus, global warming has severe economic and social impacts on our lives.
Posted in 
Tags: 
What Affects Our Sleep and How Can White Noise Help?
Why Do We Sleep Badly? And How Can We Fix it?
Common environmental factors effect our sleep. Some we can control others we can’t. First lets look at the ones we have the most control over. There is sleep surface, noise, and temperature. The others that we may have some control over are but most likely not are, climate, altitude, age, and gender.
What Actually Wakes Us Up
Sounds or situations that are out of the ordinary wake us up. The more abrupt and intrusive the more likely they are to wake us. Our brains have been conditioned to pick up on sounds or situations that may be a threat. This can be a siren in the background or a sudden change in temperature.
People also become used to certain sounds and situations and are less likely to be disturbed. The most common example is that of a person that lives in the city and is immune to the constant sound of cars, sirens, horns, and the thousands of other noises that can keep people awake.
Sleep Affected By Environmental Factors
People are very sensitive to their environments and where they have grown up and what they are used to has much to do with what will make it difficult to sleep. As little as a 2 degree shift up or down in a persons ideal temperature can cause them to have sleeping problems.
Altitude is also a very large factor in sleep. The higher up you go the more difficult it is to sleep. You may not notice altitude during the day but the first couple of nights at altitude can be miserable. This should be taken into account when traveling. It usually takes at least 2 nights to start adjusting and within 2 weeks most people are able to acclimatize.
Falling Asleep With White Noise
We have control over many factors that can disrupt our sleep but we often still struggle to get a good nights sleep. One of the most common distractions is noise and it also happens to be one of the most difficult distractions to eliminate. Because of our genetic make up we are programed to hear things while we are asleep and remain semi alert.
White noise can remedy this situation and allow you to remove many background distractions from your sleep environment. A white noise machine can be one of the best investments you make and significantly improve your quality of life.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions on Betta Fish Explained
Betta Fish, arguably the most popular type of fish found in the home today across all the world. This astonishing fish displays a vibrant personality whilst posing the most magnificent colour and fin structure helping to create a truly jaw dropping aquarium that you can show off to your guests!
Originating from the paddy fields of Vietnam, Betta are an astounding fish and I will be answering in this article the 10 most popular questions I get asked on a regular basis about Betta Fish. So lets get started…
1. How Do You Stop Betta Fish From fighting?
This is probably one of the most popular questions I get asked!
In my experience I’ve found a few ways that work…
One way is simply to get a bigger tank. With the bigger tank you can include a couple of new plants, bear in mind you don’t want to over do it with the plants otherwise you will ruin your fish display (not very appealing to your guests!). By making the tank bigger and introducing a few more plants it creates extra hiding places for your Betta when the aggressive one is on the war path!
A second way is to simply separate the aggressive fish from the rest. This can be done by putting a divider into your tank, or by taking the aggressive fish out and putting it into a new tank. I would personally recommend putting a divider into your tank, size permitting of course, as your Betta will know the other Betta Fish are there. It also helps when it comes to the breeding process because introductions would have already been made.
Thirdly, you must NEVER, I repeat NEVER put a male Betta in with another male Betta Fish, period! Otherwise, they will fight to the death (this is why they are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish!). So by not keeping males together this will reduce fighting astronomically.
Female Betta’s have been known to be aggressive and fight between each other, particularly if you have 2 together. However, this is just an “I’m the leader” thing going on between them and usually wears off , but a technique I’ve used and seen have great success to stop this happening is to add a 3rd female into the tank. By doing this any tension between the previous two is removed – try it, you’ll be surprised how effective it is!
2. Can You Keep Male and Female Betta Fish Together?
Yes you can. However, I would recommend keeping a close eye on the male Betta just in case he becomes too aggressive and the female needs to be removed. As I mentioned above having plants in the tank can help the female hide if the male becomes aggressive.
3. How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Male and Female Betta Fish
I always remember the saying “It’s easy when you know how…” when I get asked this question because when I first started breeding Betta Fish it took me ages to recognise the difference between a male and a female…
You will tend to find that female Betta’s have fat bellies where as males tend to have a more streamlined structure. Also, you will find that males have a longer body and fins whereas the females are shorter in body size and fin length.
Also, male Betta Fish tend to have more colour and longer pointed anal fins compared to their female counterparts (sorry ladies!). You will also find female anal fins are more level to their body. The anal fin is the rigid looking fin coming from the bottom of the Betta Fish.
However, one giveaway of a female is her white spot on the underside of her belly. This white spot is called the ovipositor and is used during the breeding process.
4. What are the Best Caring Tips for Betta fish?
Lots of people have written books on the subject of caring for Betta Fish but I’m going to give you my best tips that I’ve picked up along the way…
- Test your water’s acidity level regularly. A PH level of 7 works best in my experience.
- Always try and keep the water temperature at around 75-80 Fahrenheit. I would recommend testing this regularly using a floating thermometer because big drops in water temperature can cause stress on your fish. Floating thermometers in my experience give the best accuracy reading because they are kept in the tank water.
- Always keep a lid/cover over the top of your tank with air holes in it because Betta Fish can jump and you might not be there to catch them!
- Any filtration system should be kept at a low level and you must take care not to put the air intake in such a position that it could cause your Betta to get hurt. Having your filter system at a high setting has been known to cause stress to your Betta.
- Try and clean your tank regularly, ideally twice a week. Remove bits of food caught under the stones, castles or leaves of your tank.
- As a rule of thumb I recommend 3 quarters of a gallon per Betta fish in your tank. Also, try and get a spacious tank to allow your Betta plenty of room to show off their personality, you’ll be surprised some are very exciting to watch!
I’ve always found if you love your Betta like you love your own then you won’t go far wrong, and with implementing the above you will be well on your way to having truly astonishing Betta Fish.
5. What Should I Feed My Betta Fish?
Surprisingly, Betta Fish are known to be fussy eaters (and you thought us humans were bad!). So it is best to feed them on a variety of foods, such as:
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Frozen Bloodworms
- Blackworms (Tubifex) worms
- Combination Betta Pellets from Pet Shops
- Powder Fish Food if feeding Fry
- Vegetables (such as green beans, not a whole one but in tiny portions)
I tend to find a regular feeding pattern of 2-3 times a day works best for Betta. Try as well to make portions eaten in one sitting otherwise any leftover food could lead to additional bacteria in the tank potentially causing disease for your Betta Fish.
6. What are Betta Fish also Known as?
Not a lot of people know this but Betta Fish are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish. The name originates because of the males aggressiveness and their “Fight to the Death” attitude if two males are put in the same tank together.
Betta fish are often referred to as Betta Splendens but this is a type of breed of Betta, which leads us nicely onto the next question…
7. What are the Different Types of Betta Fish Available?
There are many types of Betta Fish available, the most popular types I’ve listed below:
- Betta Splendens (the most common type)
- Betta Bellica
- Betta Coccina
- Betta Picta
Some of the most popular Tail Types of Betta are:
- Veil Tail (this generally the most common tail type that you find at the pet stores)
- Delta Fish (normally any fish under the 180 degree tail span is considered a Delta)
- Super Delta Fish (normally any Betta with a tail span of 120-180 degrees)
- Fan Tail (the Betta’s tail displays a smoothly rounded edge)
- Half Moon (as it’s name suggest it’s tail is the shape of a half moon – a 180 degrees span, this is the fish most breeders strive to achieve and display a truly fabulous colour!)
- Pin (Spade) Tail (the Betta’s tail is pointed at the end)
Depending on what you are looking for this should hopefully give you enough information to choose a Betta fish at the pet store! 
8. Can I Put Bamboo in With My Betta Fish?
Bamboo or Lucky Bamboo as it is also known, the type that is sold from pet stores, can be put into your tank with your Betta Fish. The bamboo can make your tank look more attractive and appealing to your guests, which is always a bonus!
However, what I recommend is that the bamboo is washed thoroughly before entry into the tank to help ensure there are no chemicals on it that could hurt your Betta. Also, it is a good idea to check the bamboo regularly just to see if it is rotting because it could release bacteria into your tank’s water that could potentially harm your Betta fish. Changing your tank’s water often will reduce the threat of bacteria happening.
9. What Ammonia Level Should My Tank Be At?
Ideally, you want an ammonia level between 0-0.5. By changing your water regularly (about 30-50% twice a week, if you have high ammonia) this will help reduce the ammonia in your tank.
It is a good idea to monitor ammonia levels on a regular basis, because a high level is not healthy for your Betta Fish.
10. Would a Father Betta Harm His Children?
Unfortunately, a male (Father) Betta would harm his children (Fry). Although, the Father is very protective of the Fry during the spawning process it is common for them to attack the Fry as they become bigger and able to look after themselves.
I recommend removing the Father from the tank once the Fry are able to swim freely, usually 7-10 days after birth because he can become very aggressive towards them and potentially cause them harm.
That’s the answers to the 10 most asked questions I get on a regular basis. I hope you found this information useful and are able to put it to good effect.
The Difference Between Men’s Hiking Boots and Women’s Hiking Boots
My wife and I love to go hiking. In fact, we spent our honeymoon in Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon. But before we ever set foot on a trail, we went out and purchased the most important piece of equipment necessary for weeks of non-stop, hiking; hiking boots.
Even though we would be hiking the same trails, under the same conditions, the basic differences between male and female feet meant we wouldn’t be getting the same boots. So what are the differences in our feet that make the construction of mens hiking boots and womens hiking boots so different.
Most obviously, women’s feet are shorter and narrower than men’s feet. This in itself is expected, since (in general) women are shorter and lighter than men. However, part of this is due to the fact that there is less cartilage between the bones of a woman’s foot and her joints and ligaments are softer and more flexible. Also, a woman’s heel is proportionally narrower than a man’s. Boot manufacturers now compensate for this by either molding a tighter heel box, or adding additional stiff padding to hold the heel snugly in place to reduce sliding.
The effect of the increased flexibility of a woman’s foot resulted in two design improvements in the women’s boot. First, the more flexible woman’s foot requires more support to withstand the continuous stress of hiking. This is generally accomplished by the addition of stiffer mid sole support, such as an insert. The insert is usually molded into the sole in order to retain the traction required for all types of terrain, yet remain flexible enough for a comfortable stride. The second, and possibly more important difference in the mid sole is the enhanced arch support in the woman’s boot.
In general, a woman has a higher arch than a man, which needs additional support. However, due to the monthly changes in a woman’s hormone levels, specifically estrogen, the arch of her foot actually decreases, since estrogen is a soft tissue relaxant. This relaxation of an already flexible foot causes the shape of a woman’s foot to cycle between a relatively high arch and a flat foot. This fluctuation in the arch makes it critical for the mid sole of a woman’s boot to have an enhanced (stiffer) arch support.
One manufacturer (Lowa) has taken the difference in foot structure a step further, since it also creates a difference in posture. A man’s stance and stride is not as upright as a woman’s so Lowa has designed a 2 degree offset into the ankle shaft of their mens hiking boots in order to provide a more balanced stance. Since women have a naturally more upright stance, this offset does not exist in the ankle design of their womens hiking boots.
Understanding the differences between mens hiking boots and womens hiking boots should make it much easier for you to select a proper fitting boot. Just because a womans foot is naturally smaller, do not assume that purchasing a smaller sized mans boot is the way to go. The best option is to try on hiking boots that are specifically designated as women’s hiking boots. This immediately tells you that the manufacturer understands the differences between a man’s foot and a woman’s foot, and has designed their boots to address those differences.
Roofing Slope – Ten Factors to Consider
You probably know that roofing slope is the amount of incline in a roof surface. It is usually expressed as a ratio of “rise over run”. For example, a 5:12 slope rises 5 vertical inches for every 12 horizontal inches. It is easily determined with a level and measuring tape.
What you may not know is that roofing slope is the most important (yet frequently ignored) factor in making a roof safe, functional and affordable. Here are ten factors to consider…
1. Safety. Neither you, nor the workers you hire should have to risk life and limb to work on your roof. The steeper the roof, the more hazardous it is.
2. Degree of Difficulty. Your roof should be relatively simple to work on. I’m not saying it should be easy, but it shouldn’t require scaffolding, mechanical lifts or mountain-climbing equipment.
3. Drainage. Your roof should not pond water as dead-flat roofs do. Ponding causes leaks and premature roof failure. Building codes, warranties and good roofing practice all require positive drainage. Tapered systems can correct slope deficiency, but they are labor-intensive and pricey.
4. Do-it-Yourself Friendly. If you desire (or finances dictate) that you do the roofing work yourself, your roof should accommodate you. Roofing slope that is too low or too steep are both troublesome for the handyman.
5. Curb-appeal. Roofs that are too steep tend to make a home look top-heavy. (Except for A-frames, which look great!) Roofs that are too low tend to make a home look boxy or bottom-heavy. Many manufactured homes have this problem.
6. Quantity of Material Required. The steeper the roof, the more framing, sheathing and roofing needed. For example a roof with a 12:12 slope uses 30% more material than a 5:12 slope.
7. Quantity of Labor Required. The steeper the roof, the more labor required. Not only is there more material to be installed, but it is much slower working on a steep roofing slope. A 12:12 can take twice as long per square to shingle as a 5:12. A near-vertical mansard can take four times as long.
8. Compatibility. Roofing systems are designed to function properly within a certain range of slope. Violating these requirements invites roof failure, and can void your warranty.
9. Special Requirements. Some systems require special considerations for marginal applications. Asphalt shingles for example, may require a two-ply underlayment on roofs less than 4:12.
10. Contractor Interest. The best roofers (which are the only kind you want) often have all the work they can handle. They can afford to pass on dangerous jobs. They don’t want to risk injuries on steep roofs if they don’t have to. If they bid a steep roof at all, you can expect high prices, because they probably don’t really want the job.
Big Brother 6 – Sam Heuston
Despite being the best looking girl in Big Brother 6, sexy Sam Heuston was voted out third, lasting a total of 22 days and despite describing herself as “the horniest girl you’ve ever met”, bisexual-by-numbers Sam was quite dull in the house and couldn’t even tempt eventual winner Anthony Hutton into some action.
Housemate Sam was a marketing student from Cheam, Surrey and 23-years-old when she entered the Big Brother house. She missed her final exam to participate on the TV show but gained a 2:2 degree anyway.
Sam dreamt of being famous and saw Big Brother as a stepping stone to bigger things. She had a boob job but never told her family and once stripped naked on a podium on holiday in Tenerife in exchange for tickets to an event. Her idol is Christina Aguilera and although she loves both men and women, she relieves herself of boredom by thinking and talking about men.
Before going into Big Brother, Sam believed the housemates would be annoyed at her prettiness. An issue that Sam raised in her continuous slanging match with “Lesleh”.
She may have been pretty but also described herself as “original, funny and fun”. However, there wasn’t much evidence of that during her brief stint in the house.
By the second week of the show, Zoo magazine announced they would offer Sam a job as a sex columnist when she left the house – a role previously occupied by tabloid regular Jodie Marsh.
She lasted just another week when she was put up for eviction alongside Derek and Roberto, receiving 59% of the public and duly being evicted from the Big Brother house.
Sam had escaped being evicted at the second eviction on Friday 10 June (Day 15) when up against all her fellow housemates Anthony, Craig, Derek, Kemal, Lesley, Maxwell, Makosi, Roberto, Saskia, Science and Vanessa. If Big Brother had decided use the normal nomination procedure to choose possible evictees, Sam would have been up against Derek.
This is Sam’s nomination history during her stint in the house:
1st (Day 5) – Sam was nominated by Derek, Kemal, Lesley and Vanessa.
2nd (Day 11) – Sam was nominated by Craig, Derek, Lesley, Makosi, Roberto and Vanessa.
3rd (Day 18) – Sam was nominated by Anthony, Maxwell and Vanessa and was evicted by the public vote.
Since being evicted, Sam has beaten her obligatory battle against depression, had a short fling with Blue lothario Duncan James and dyed her hair blonde.
She has been an almost permanent fixture in the lads mags, been offered TV presenter roles and a sex columnist. She also appeared on an episode of the Italian version of Big Brother as an audience member.
With Big Brother 7 now well underway, Sam will have to come up with a new angle is she is to remain in the spotlight. A second appearance in reality TV, say Celebrity Love Island perhaps?
Global Warming: The Steps Being Taken
The biggest danger which mankind can imagine is knocking right on our doorsteps now. Global Warming is causing great anxiety to mankind mainly due to the fact that reason that the blanket of greenhouse gases comprising predominantly of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is getting thicker with each passing day. The assimilation of the greenhouse gases that too at such an alarming rate is the reason threatening all forms of life on this planet.
Due to rise in the global warming the earth’s temperature is rising substantially causing habitats and natural behaviour to change around us. The advent of Industrial Revolution might have been very useful to for the mankind but the price which we all had to pay for this rapid industrialization and growth was with the beauty of our natural resources. The trend started by the Britain to setup factories by burning coal and other valuable natural resources soon engulfed the entire world. It was only in the year 1896 that a Swedish scientist by the name of Svante Arrhenius first observed that the increasing quantity of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere by the coal fired industries is all set to cause global warming, that too in a very near future.
According to statistics doubling the carbon dioxide content, results in 2 degree centigrade rise in the earth’s temperature. When the ill effects of this problem became quite visible a Panel was setup in the year 1988 by the UN General Assembly named as the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) whose main intention and motive was to make the world leaders aware of global warming’s impact on our environment. IPCC held meetings and discussions with the representatives of different governments all over the world. The panel has even reported, “The balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on global climate.” This speaks everything in itself.
The USA and China are the biggest countries responsible for the adding up of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. United States of America is still dependent on fossils fuels for deriving most of its energy sources (around 85%).It has been estimated that China can even match up with the current world emission level in a matter of 20 years. Speaking of China and India never falls behind; it is a country in the Top 5 responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases.
The Indian government has already taken various steps to ensure that carbon dioxide emissions are kept in control and it is kept as minimal as possible. However the main hurdle lies in the mindset of the people of this planet. They still haven’t realised the importance of keeping global warming in control. Efforts have only been putting bits and pieces and we all need to work collectively in order to fight against this thing. The 21st century has witnessed quite some extraordinary inventions of mankind, and one of them is the process of Iron Seeding which is a significantly cheap strategy to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Only by undertaking such kind of measures can the future be made as beautiful as “any sunny day in the park.”
Volcano in Peru has Put Out More Pollution this Year than the USA Does in 10 Years; Lance Rants
Dear Global Warming Alarmists,
Well you have been telling us how the pollution caused by mankind is tipping the scales on global warming. You have pointed to the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere as the culprit. Yet it seems that you deny the volcanic activity all around. For instance the Peruvian Volcano at Ubinas has been erupting now for three weeks and has put out more pollution this year than the United States of America does in 10-years; including all automobiles, industry and energy sectors combined.
So may I ask a question; If Global Warming; by definition means that it is caused by man is happening, then what about all these volcanoes going on right now. Climate Change by definition is simply saying that the climate is changing, which is a rather silly statement in that the climate is always changing in its normal ebb and flow.
The pollution is so bad in Peru from this volcano that the The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency. Llamas are dying and people are evacuating over 500 miles away. For the Global Warming Alarmists to suggest that the 1-2 degree average increase in Planet wide temperatures over the last 50-years is caused by mankind or that human activity is such a huge part of it, is absurd.
Additionally if the Global Warming Alarmists believe this why are they attacking the US instead of China for the pollution output? Silly politics of the environment; the environmentalists are always screwing things up; like these gasoline prices and lack of refining capacity, caused from not building more refineries, due to the blocking of new projects by the environmentalists?
Hybrid Golf Clubs
Why do you need them?
Hybrids have only really caught on in the past few seasons but in fact they’ve been around in one form or another for many years.
Way back in the early 20th Century the aluminum faced Mills NK Niblick, which was used to help players escape from bunkers and bad lies, could rightly be described as a hybrid. Cobra launched The Baffler in the mid 70′s which played a big part in the company’s success. Some of the early hybrids were hard to hit and initially golfers didn’t take well to them. But with some modifications all that has changed.
If when you first took up the game you found your long irons more difficult to hit, then you may have more than advancing years to blame! Compared to twenty or thirty years ago each of the long irons in your set is likely to have 2 to 4 degrees less loft, making them that much more difficult to hit consistently. Compared to long irons, the latest hybrids are a doddle to hit. So if you’ve dismissed hybrids in the past it’s time to take another look.
What is a hybrid?
Hybrids combine the best elements of long irons and fairway woods into one club whose goal is to be easier to hit. They should provide the distance of a fairway wood or long iron, with a higher trajectory. This means the ball gets airborne, flies high and lands soft. Shafts are shorter and club-faces stiffer – more akin to irons – for distance, control and accuracy. Compact heads and features such as rounded soles or rails on the bottom help you deal with a variety of different lies.
When to use them
If you can’t carry the ball for around 240 yards, you should seriously consider replacing your 2- and 3- iron with a hybrid and if you struggle to hit 220 yards consistently you should probably also think twice about your 4-iron. In fact if you feel any apprehension about hitting a long iron, you should consider trying a hybrid.
And it’s not just club golfers who appreciate their benefits. Champions Tour player Sammy Rachels once famously quipped. ‘The 2- and 3-iron are like my mother-in-law. I’d like to hit them, but I just can’t’. The Open in 2004 saw PGA rookie Todd Hamilton, who emerged as victor, using his trusty Sonartec hybrid. Hamilton stunned his play-off opponent Ernie Els, with an impressive short game featuring long chips with this club. At the final play-off hole his pitch from 30 yards off the green to within 3 feet of the flag, proved to be the tournament-winning shot. And he used the same club throughout the tournament off the tee on tight driving holes. From tee to green the hybrid was his winning club.
Like Todd Hamilton, you could find hybrid clubs useful in all kinds of situations around the course. Their low centre of gravity makes them easier to hit out of the rough, on tight lies and even out of sand. Here is a list of 5 different instances when you could find a hybrid club invaluable.
1. Off the Tee
Hybrids are great on long par 3s or short par 4s when you need to carry a bunker or water hazard. They have a higher launch angle and consequently come down again on a much steeper angle than a long iron, making it easier to clear the obstacle and stop the ball on the green.
2. From the Fairway
Their distance control and accuracy makes them good for building confidence on long approach shots to the greens on par 5′s and long par 4′s. You could find yourself reaching more par 5′s in two or three, creating more welcome eagle or birdie shots.
3. From the Rough
Long irons have a tendency to get caught up in the rough causing them to twist, resulting in mishits. In contrast, hybrids have a bigger size and mass, helping you to drive through the rough and keep the face square.
4. On Long Bunker Shots
On long bunker shots it is important to hit the ball first, to get it airborne quickly and out of the trap. A hybrid can come in useful here. By moving the ball back in your stance you can promote a steeper angle of attack. The bigger clubhead and larger sole of a hybrid club makes it easier to swing through the sand without catching it heavy.
5. Around the Green
A hybrid club can help you get the ball rolling on the ground quickly on bump and run shots around the green. Its shorter shaft helps you to hit the ball almost like a putt without having to choke down on the shaft. As Todd Hamilton said following his Open Victory “It’s a very versatile club. It’s about a 14-degree loft, so it’s basically a 1-iron and great to chip-and-run
shots with”.
With all these potential uses, you can see just why the hybrid club has earned its reputation as the most versatile club in the bag.
How to choose
The good news is that they don’t cost the earth. Most don’t use exotic materials, which mean that prices are affordable for most golfers.
Woods or Irons?
There are two types of hybrids – woods and irons. The woods look a bit like under-fed fairway woods, with a smaller clubhead, lower profile and shorter shaft. In contrast the irons look like traditional irons on steroids. They’re thicker and larger, enabling the centre of gravity to be pushed back and lower, making it easy to get the ball in the air.
Both types take the place of long irons. The general idea is that you get rid of the most difficult to hit clubs in the bag – replacing them with clubs that are among the easiest to hit.
Which of the two types you plump for, will be very much a matter of personal choice.
If you are buying a new set of irons, particularly if you are less experienced, it may be worth considering opting for a “hybrid set”. Many of the leading manufacturers now offer club sets in which the long irons (typically 3- and 4-irons) are replaced with hybrid clubs designed to hit the ball the same distances.
Three final pieces of advice
* It’s important to choose a hybrid with similar loft and shaft length as your existing long irons
* When you are choosing a hybrid, opt for a club that looks good to you. This is very important to build up your confidence.
* You must be willing to change. These clubs are different, so you have to be ok with mixing and matching your set.
What the Heck is an "Upside Down" Degree?
Students who gained the Associate degree at a local community college took one of two paths:
- Transfer Path to a 4-year College. At the Community College, students took General Education courses and a few lower division major classes and would transfer into the local state college as a Junior.
- Career Path to a Job. These Associate degrees would help gain a job after graduation. Some of these majors that led to employment were-electronics, computer repair, automotive mechanic, administrative assistant. The college counselors stressed that these associate degrees were not easily transferable.
Two changes have happened to allow students with a Career Track Associate (Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Applied Technology, or non-transferable AA or AS degrees) to move on and gain a Bachelor’s degree without losing all their credits.
1) Private universities (especially For-Profit schools) allow students to transfer more of the AAS and other non-transferable degrees without losing most of their credits. Even though these private schools are more expensive, the students see that it will take a much shorter time to gain the Bachelor’s degree.
2) Some State Legislatures began researching the need for Community College to offer Bachelor degrees. This was rejected by the State Colleges who feared a huge loss of students.
So the local state colleges began making compromises. One compromise was adding the Bachelor of Applied Science or Bachelor of Applied Technology. Students with the AAS or another non-transferable Associate degree now had a way to transfer the Associate degree “as a whole” and would come into the state college as a Junior. The term “Upside Down Degree” was used to show that the Major was at the community college or lower division level and the General Education would be taught at the State College or upper division level.
Recently, more compromises have been proposed. A few states are offering the 90-30 Program. The first 90 credits (usually the first 3 years) are taught at the community college, with only one year at the more expensive state university. All these changes have reduced costs of attending state colleges.