DIY

The results are in: golf is becoming more popular for remote viewers to tune into. Recently, the US’s Golf Channel and NBA PGA Tour viewership ratings showed a 24% increase in viewers from 2020. Despite being considered one of the world’s slower pro sports, spectators are marking their calendars for major events like the Open and Masters tournaments.

Historically, diehard golf fans have bought tickets and lined up to view tournaments live. Not only are they surrounded by fellow golf enthusiasts, but they also get to stand close to their heroes. In some cases, they might even exchange a few words.

Another common way for fans to show their support is to wager on the outcome of a tournament. Popular oddsmakers offer golf betting odds on popular tournaments like the PGA’s Majors, as well as other competitions like the Northern Trust. Here, it’s not just about catching the action, but forecasting which pros, like Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas, will come out ahead.

But there’s one aspect of golf fandom that some struggle with: playing. With its specialized equipment (which is often pricey) and its complex technical movements, golf is a deceptively difficult sport to jump into. Casual fans often lack the resources to play themselves, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

Let’s take a quick look at how you can try out DIY golfing at home.

Equipment & At-Home Setup

The internet has made the search for affordable clubs simple. Though pros use a range of fourteen clubs for specialty shots, beginners can keep it simple with four different clubs: a driver for long shots, a putter for short shots, a wood club for long-range shots, and an iron for versatile shots.

Want to keep it super-basic? You’ll only need a putter and driver. Those with budgetary considerations can purchase used clubs online or new clubs at discount stores. New beginner sets run as low as £100.

Finding equipment is the first step. Next, beginners can set up an at-home net to start practicing their drives. Though many think that learning to golf requires membership to a driving range, all they need is a reliable net and a bit of space at home.

Find suitable piping to create a frame (PVC works great). Next, construct a frame that fits your spatial needs. Those building outside can dig holes to anchor the frame, while those working on a synthetic surface can use weights. Remember, you’ll be driving balls into the net, so it will need a bit of reinforcement to stay grounded.

From there, use Nylon tie cords (or a similar product) to secure tight netting around the frame. Netting solutions are vast, though most DIY at-home guides recommend using a cheap baffle net. Those short on time can purchase a golf net directly for the web that will fit their needs. On the other hand, those who are tech-savvy can jump ahead to create a state-of-the-art, at-home golf simulation.

Learning the Ropes

With a killer setup in place and equipment ready to go, all that’s left to do is learn how to swing a club. Once again, this is a deceptively tricky skill. Luckily for newcomers, YouTube tutorials have taken the headache out of learning. Some handy videos are available today from accounts like Mark Crossfield at AskGolfGuru, the team at Buzza Golf, and Peter Finch Golf Tutorials.

The channels listed above are great for learning how to drive. Driving is a long hit, which requires the most disciplined form. Amongst pros, styles vary, so be ready to take some notes. Those struggling to learn how to drive and put their golf net to use can always search Groupon and similar sites for discount lessons at local driving ranges.

However, well-rounded golfers need to do more than drive. They also need to perform well with close quarters putting if they plan on getting the ball into the hole. For this type of practice, a golf net isn’t necessary. Tips abound on creating (and purchasing) putting sets that are great for homes of all sizes. Keep in mind that a trip to the local put-put course is also an exciting way to practice short-range shots… with a few zany obstacles thrown in.

 

Have you spent more time in the kitchen than usual in the past year? From banana breads to elaborate date night dinners, many of us have tried to recreate the joy of our favourite cafes and restaurants while they’ve been temporarily closed.

But while your cooking skills might’ve improved, you may also have noticed a few areas and items in need of an upgrade. A recent survey found that three in five homeowners had been inspired to renovate during the pandemic.

So what projects could you take on this summer in preparation for the return of dinner parties and other social events? Get ideas for a kitchen refresh below.

Up your organisation

Is your space dominated by clutter? A messy kitchen can be frustrating at best and hazardous at worst. A survey by personal injury experts National Accident Helpline found the kitchen to be the most dangerous room in the home, so it could be time to get things in order.

Organisation doesn’t have to be boring though. Decanting everyday items such as coffee, nuts and pasta into clear containers is a great way to reduce packaging and make things easy to find. You could do the same with spices and create a pantry with clear, attractive labels.

Can you go vertical too? Open shelving and hooks will make items more accessible while displaying your decorations. Investing in modern pull-out drawers and cupboards meanwhile could make the most of dead space in corners.

Refresh or redecorate

If you’re tired of your kitchen’s appearance (or your kitchen’s appearance is tired), there are lots of effective ways to redecorate without completely starting afresh.

Repainting your kitchen cabinets is one of the most impactful. If your current colour scheme is neutral for example, could you create contrast with dark lower cupboards and lighter upper cabinets?

Or there’s your kitchen worktops. If replacing them with high-end materials like quartz or granite is a little too expensive, you could try a marble-effect wrap instead.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with tiling too. Your backsplash area is the most obvious area to target – but there’s no reason why you can’t introduce tiling in larger sections. Get creative with their layout or introduce eye-catching patterned designs.

Upgrade fittings and appliances

From taps to handles, you’ve got plenty of options for smaller upgrades too. You could even create your own drawer pulls to make your kitchen truly unique.

Or for a more modern take on DIY, could 2021 be the year you truly embrace technology? You could invest in multiple smart appliances and link them up to make prepping, cooking and hosting as optimised as possible!

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it deserves your love and attention. Take on one or several of these projects and create a space to be proud of.

 

 

It’s not uncommon for many homeowners to feel the itch to remodel or renovate their properties. After all, a house is no more than a place for human habitation until it’s been properly personalised and made into our own. But with the involving work and rising costs of materials and services that these projects often entail, it makes sense to tackle the task responsibly and use a downloadable budget template so you don’t overspend. To this end, here are a few tips on home improvement that you should know.

Choose projects that will increase the value of your home

While home renovations and remodelling projects are primarily done to improve the comfort and liveability of a home, changes made to the property can also affect its worth. As such, it makes sense to choose to prioritise projects that will increase your home’s value such as the addition of modern amenities like freestanding baths for your bathroom areas or upgrading to more energy-efficient lighting systems. In doing so, not only will you make the house much more comfortable to live in but also achieve a better return on your investment.

Know when to do-it-yourself

Even with a stock of tools and equipment, not all projects can be done on our own. And while it may seem like an additional expense, it’s good standard practice to know when to leave specific tasks to professionals. In this way, you will be mitigating costly mistakes, which should save you both time and money. More importantly, you’ll also be able to avoid safety hazards and prevent dangerous accidents from occurring.

Study and research

Whether it’s to hone your DIY skills or to find inexpensive alternatives to the materials and services that your project needs, it’s never a bad thing to study and do research. After all, the more you know, the less likely you’ll encounter problems mid-project and the better your chances of getting good deals. Best of all, there are plenty of resources online, making it relatively easy to do.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Home improvement projects can often require a substantial commitment of financial resources. And depending on the scale of the renovation, it’s always better to try to stick to one project at a time. Doing so will not only keep you focused on the task at hand and maintain a consistently high level of productivity, but you will also be able to avoid delays and mitigate the risks of potentially blowing the allotted budget and breaking the bank in the process too.

Despite how increasingly popular they have become in recent years; home improvement projects are huge undertakings that can be as time-consuming as they are costly. But by staying disciplined and tackling each project responsibly, not only will you increase your chances of making sure that they are completed promptly, but you are much more likely to get the desired results without having to spend a small fortune to do so as well.

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