A Guide to the Welsh Town of Cwmbran

Cwmbran is a town situated in South East Wales covering an overall area of just over 3000 acres of the Wales Eastern Valley. It lies directly between the towns of Ponypool in the North and Newport in the South. Cwmbran was designated a New Town under the New Towns Act 1946 and it is the first and only New Town of any size to have been designated in Wales. Cwmbran’s original population was 12,000, most who lived in and around Pontnewydd and Cwmbran. It was, in fact, the first New Town to be planned from the start for a specific target population, an original maximum of 35,000. Over the course of time the population of Cwmbran has grown to just under 50000.

Cwmbran is probably best known now for its international sports stadium where international athletics events were held in the 1970s and 1980s. The stadium is also the home of the town's football team, Cwmbran Town. Cwmbran Stadium also boasts one of the best indoor bowling rinks in Wales.

Economically, Cwmbran is very successful as it attracts inward investment due to its location close to the M4 Motorway. In fact, Cwmbran has flourished over a period when the other urban areas of Torfaen were declining alongside their traditional coal and iron industries. If a measure of a town's success is the size of its shopping centre then Cwmbran is clearly doing well. Advertised as the largest under-cover shopping centre in Wales Cwmbran's Shopping Centre consists entirely of its town centre. This is like the model used in Milton Keynes, and works very successfully.

9 Great Golf Courses in Hawaii

The United States is blessed with many beautiful public courses, and Hawaii, despite being a relative small state, is blessed with more than its fair share. In this article, we will review some of beautiful public golf courses in Hawaii, and what they offer.

1. and 2. Lanai offers two high-quality golf courses. Perhaps the better known is "The Challenge at Manele", which was designed by Jack Nicklaus, and is a course set among lava outcrops and overlooks, from the top of steep cliffs, the Pacific Ocean. The second of Lanai's courses is very different: "The Experience at Koele" winds its way through the island's tropical uplands.

3. and 4. Kapalua, which is on the northwest coast of Maui, offers two superb golf courses, "The Bay Course" and "The Plantation Course". The Plantation Course is home to the PGA TOUR Mercedes-Benz Championship in January of each year, and features many spectacular and beautiful landscapes.

5. The Kiele Course at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club is one of 14 golf courses (spread through British Columbia and Hawaii) owned by the GolfBC Group. The course was created by Jack Nicklaus, and features stunning cliffs, 40-acres of fresh water lagoons, and even a wedding chapel just off from the 17th tee.

6. Ko'olau Golf Course, on eastern Oahu, is known for having one of, if not the toughest, golf course in country. The course is spectacularly set beneath the Ko'olau Ridge mountain range.

7. Poipu Bay Golf Course is known as a unique and exciting course, that is home to many native species including seals, sea turtles, geese and even humpback whales.

8. and 9. Princeville overlooks Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The area is home to a hotel, a spa and two very different golf courses ("Prince Golf Course" and "Makai Golf Course") that were designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Perhaps the most noteable, Prince Golf Course, features a challenging rolling terrain landscape, and has deservingly been named by Golf Digest as the best course in the state.

How "The Simple Golf Swing" Will Lower Your Score

Most golfers swing at the ball, but never really think about what they did wrong, or more importantly, what they did right.

Thinking about the possible corrections usually will not work because there's always a little wrist cock, or a certain turning angle that could have influenced the good or bad result.

What a system does for your game is it allows you to proactively analyze each shot after you hit it and realize the result, good or bad.

For example, you hit the ball and it slices. Now most golfers are going to hit the ball again and slice it again. Maybe they hit a good ball every once in while, but they'll never know what made them hit the good shot.

With this system you'll get 5 simple steps to go through for every swing you put on the ball. Now you'll start to see trends developing, and you can always tie those trends back to one of the 5 steps you are most likely forgetting about which is causing the negative trend.

So for example, you hit a slice. Now because you have this system in place, you automatically know what you have to concentrate on for the next shot. You know that you did one of 2 things. You let your body get ahead of your hands, or you failed to start the downswing with your arms. If you top the ball, you automatically know that you failed to keep your leading shoulder down on the ball.

So the point is that having simple but effective controls in place will really help your game. You'll be really surprised how much you'll learn about your own game, and how easy it is to develop and maintain good habits once you understand how to recognize them.

Scuba Diving on Grand Cayman

Resting atop a submarine mountain of coral, the island of Grand Cayman offers some truly distinctive scuba diving opportunities. Off the shore, the coral walls that descend sharply into the Caribbean create some incredibly unique and challenging dives. Elsewhere around the island, there are plenty of dives perfect for all ages and skill levels. Regardless of where you dive in Grand Cayman, however, you are sure to encounter an unparalleled variety of underwater life. It also helps that the warm waters off the coast often boast visibility exceeding 100 feet – a fact sure to impress snorkelers, as well as scuba divers. With over 250 unique dive sites in all, Grand Cayman stands as one of the most diverse dive destinations in the Caribbean.

Many of the most popular dive sites on Grand Cayman are located off the western shore in an area known as the West Wall. Many of this area's dive sites are located just a short boat ride from the resorts lining Seven Mile Beach. At sites such as Armchair Reef, Wildlife Reef and Aquarium Reef, you will be able to spot numerous species of underwater creatures. Many of these reef dives are suitable for novice divers and snorkelers as well.

As Grand Cayman is known for its wall diving, you will definitely want to explore the deeper water of the western shore. At the first steep drop-off of 60 feet, you will find such sites as the Eagle's Nest and the Orange Canyon – named for its population of colorful elephant ear sponges. Another fun challenge is Bonnie's Arch, a unique site boasting a coral archway wide enough to swim through. All in all, there are more than 50 distinct dive sites located in the West Wall area of the island.

Though the North Wall is on the windward side of the island and features incredibly steep coral walls, one of the world's most famous shallow dive sites rests along the sandy beach. A good part of this popularity is owed to the fact that Stingray City is a perfect site for divers and snorkelers of all ages and skill levels. Once you are in the warm, clear water you will be able swim with families of gentle Southern Stingrays. With wingspans approaching four feet, many visitors find a great thrill in Stingray City while feeding and photographing these majestic animals.

Along the North Wall, you can also spot a large population of tarpons at Tarpon Alley. These large, strange fish are surprising friendly and will swim close to you if you move slowly. Along the coral wall, experienced divers can visit Eagle Ray Pass and the No Name Drop-Off for a glimpse of sea turtles, exotic fish and dense coral reefs.

While many dive tours only visit the South Wall when weather is poor off the western shore, there are plenty of pleasant dives for all skill levels in the shallow southern waters. At sites such as Japanese Gardens and Oriental Gardens, divers are promised an up-close view of colorful coral and sea creatures in calm water perfect for photography. Slightly further from shore, these "gardens" sink into an intricate maze of tunnels, arches and underwater canyons.

Adventurous divers will want to visit the eastern shore of Grand Cayman. Though there are only a few dive operators offering tours of this area, you are unlikely to find more pristine coral reefs anywhere. Within the first slope of reef, you will find a series of tunnels, underwater caves and arches. Sites in this area such as Grouper Grotto and Babylon are always teeming with fish, sponges and sea turtles.

Lastly, what would a Caribbean scuba diving trip be without a few wreck dives? The Balboa, a 375-foot cargo ship that sunk during a storm in 1932, sits at a modest depth of 30 feet in Georgetown Harbor. Today, the vessel is home to an assortment of the Caribbean's most photogenic residents. The most popular wreck dive in Grand Cayman is the Oro Verde, a coral-covered freighter resting in 60 feet of water off the shore from Seven Mile Beach. Additionally, Grand Cayman recently sank five vessels in various locations for both the enjoyment of divers and the ongoing research of environmental scientists.

There are over 40 experienced dive operators serving visitors to Grand Cayman, so finding a knowledgeable guide is a breeze. Even if you have never experienced scuba diving, you can become certified in Grand Cayman and then test your skills at some of the Caribbean's best dive sites.

Come to Grand Cayman and you will see why the island is celebrated by divers and snorkelers across the globe.

The Setup Routine

The setup routine is the most important factor in determining your score. This is also the easiest part of golf swing to change. If you set up to the ball in the manner describe, your golf swing will greatly improve.

If you have an unpredictable slice or hook, hit behind the ball, or even top the ball, the problem may originate in your current setup. If you experience one or more of these problems, the problem is due to:

1. Your setup putting you in a position to allow for these frustrating results, or
2. You have adjusted your set-up or swing to compensate for the problem, which has done nothing but facilitate a complicated golf swing.

In the beginning, it will take an open mind and some work to get used to this new set up. For some of you, it will be close to the set-up you are currently using. For the rest of you, it will require that you change your set-up completely.

The Mechanic of the Setup

Position yourself so that your feet are shoulder width apart. For the longer clubs, you may need a wider stance to support yourself, and for the shorter clubs you may want a narrower stance.

A stance that is too wide will make it difficult to turn. A stance that's too narrow will result in loss of balance.

Feel free to get comfortable, as long as your feet are approximately shoulder-width apart. The toe of your left foot should be point straight out, not point to the left at all. This will prevent you from completing a full shoulder turn.

The ball should be half way between your left and right foot. You should play the ball in the middle of your stance for every shot. You shouldn't position the ball more than its' width forward or backward in either direction.

Position the ball in the middle of your stance should be best for every shot to begin with. Once you master that step, you could experiment by moving the ball off-center by as much as one ball width toward your trailing foot for the shortest irons and as much as one ball width toward your leading foot for long irons.

For now, place the ball in the middle of your stance.

You can click on the link below to see picture of how you setup this routine.

Clone Golf Clubs - Are They Worth it?

Brisbane - Top Things To Do And See Just An Hour From The CBD

Queensland is a big place. To put that in perspective, it's four times the size of Japan, nearly six times the size of the UK and more than twice the size of Texas. It actually takes up 25% of the land mass of Australia.

Every year, millions of local and international visitors flock here to soak up its stunning attractions. Adjectives don't do it justice. Few places offer as much...from a brilliant climate and magical scenery, to tropical islands and rain forest greenery. Queensland has everything, including the grandest attraction of all -The Great Barrier Reef. But what about Brisbane? It's well worth a closer look.

Let's hear it for Brisbane.

"Beautiful one day. Perfect the next." Ask any Aussie and they'll know this justifiably famous tourism slogan. It put Queensland on the map as Australia's most popular holiday destination. Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland. Once considered a sleepy backwater for retirees, over the past few years it has undergone a sort of extreme makeover. From fuddy duddy to fabulous. A vibrant metropolis, filled with culture and charm, where 300 sunny days a year and a year-round temperate climate are a way of life. It's no wonder that Queenslanders are so laid back. They're on a permanent vacation!

Looking back.

Brisbane lies on The Brisbane River in Moreton Bay. For trivia buffs, it was named after Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane, a soldier, astronomer, and colonial administrator from the 18th Century. While not on a sea coast as such, the river is a drawcard for boating and good times. To get a good look at the city, jump on a high speed catamaran and take in the views of the downtown, Story Bridge, Botanic Gardens and surrounding suburbs.

Where to stay.

If you're organizing accommodation, Brisbane can offer you every type to match your budget, from superb 5 star names to smaller boutique hotels, with plenty in the mid-price range. Check out online web sites. You can make great savings by booking online - giving you more to spend on sight seeing.

A fresh approach to good times.

Brisbane offers visitors a truly relaxed vacation experience. (Must be the weather.) There's no end to outdoor activities as you would expect, such as sailing, swimming, surfing, hot air ballooning and 4WD excursions.

If you prefer less strenuous activities, head for some retail therapy in the air conditioned malls and shopping centres dotted around the city. Whether you're looking for a street market bargain or having a splurge on designer labels, you can find it here. You'll also discover a hotbed of creative free thinking with local artists and designers showcasing their individual style and fashion.

Island pleasure grounds, an hour from the city.

Can't make it to the Whitsunday Islands or The Barrier Reef? Never mind. Get a taste of the tropics less than an hour from town. Lucky Brisbane has not one but two secret escapes, Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island, popularly know as Straddie to the locals. Naturally beautiful, with miles of white sandy beaches and crystal water. Explore and enjoy. Kick back and chill out. Top up your tan, snorkel, scuba dive or rev up some thrills on a quad bike. At Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort, you can even hand feed bottle noise dolphins.

A whale of a time.

You don't have to sail the high sees to see the ocean's greatest creatures. On the eastern side of Moreton Island, you can now experience whale watching from the comfort of a high speed catamaran. Through floor-to-ceiling windows you get uninterrupted views, so you won't miss any of the action. Whale watching season is June to November and you are guaranteed to spot humpback whales as they migrate. What a memory to take home.

Crikey. The good things keep coming.

With so much going on in and around Brisbane, you definitely won't run out of things to see or do, you may simply just run out of time! Here are some more top spots and theme parks, recommended for your travel plans, all within 30 minutes to an hour of town.

Australia Zoo at Beerwah: the zoo that celebrates Steve Irwin's legacy. You don't have to be a wildlife warrior to enjoy this fabulous experience, with over1,000 native and exotic animals.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: the world's first and largest Koala sanctuary on outskirts of Brisbane's city centre, with 130 koalas.

Underwater World: Queensland's largest oceanarium and aquarium, filled with sharks, stingrays, seals, star fish - over 25,000 sea creatures. If you're game, you can dive with sharks and swim with seals.

Dreamworld Theme Park: so many worlds in one. Native and exotic animals, thrilling rides, TV show attractions and more.

Whitewater World: a brand new theme park. If you love getting wet, this is the placed to be for every last drop of fun. Jaw-dropping water slides and thrilling rides, the pipeline plunge and a playground for under 5's.

Wet 'n' Wild Water World: If you're looking to get wet, then you can't go past this exciting water park, located only 45 minutes from Brisbane.

Last but never least, The Gold Coast: 50 miles south east of Brisbane. It's bright and brash, colourful and lively, a full on beach holiday experience. Think Florida with that unique Aussie touch. Famed for its consistent weather and days filled with sunshine, you'll find plenty of beach and natural attractions, with a glittering night life.

Brisbane. The big city with something for everyone under the sun.