St. Andrews, Scotland |
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April 2011 - Vol 1, Issue 1 |
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RULES OF THE GAME | |
Did you know the Rules of the Game can help you as much as perhaps hurt your score. I remember playing in the qualifying for the US Open at Sahalee in Seattle and getting a drop from a road allowance. I went from having no shot, to an open shot to the green. What looked like maybe a big number I turned into a birdie! If you can get a Rule Book; it will certainly make you understand the game better. In addition when you are setting out on a new course, check out the local rules, they too might help you! All local rules are usually set out on the back of the score card, plus a layout of the course. |
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GREETINGS! |  After a short sabbatical away from the game, I thought it might be neat to create a monthly newsletter so as to stay in touch with you all. It's interesting to note (at my leaving) of Island View I had taught 350+ different folks...that's a lot of golfers and a lot of swings! Therefore, it is my intention by the first week of each month, you will receive my newsletter; I hope you find it enjoyable to read, fun to look at, and informative regarding the game of golf. A good deal of the letter will concentrate on how to lower your scores, not only through swing improvements but also game strategy. In addition, as most of you know I am very keen on collecting golf memorabilia. Each month there will be a special section pertaining to the history of the game. I hope you enjoy it. Scott |
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH | |
Golf is an awkward set of bodily contortions designed to produce a graceful result.
Tommy Armour |
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SPRING SWING REVIEW | |
As you are all aware, I provided each of you with a written email report regarding those fundamentals I feel must be applied to achieve superior golf shots. As a review here they are:
- The Grip:
When looking down at your grip you should see one/two knuckles of your top hand. Seeing those knuckles is very important in the generation of power. Tiger can see 2 1/2 knuckles of his left hand. The lower hand must be very much on top of the club; at first this positioning may seem very foreign, but it will (in time) allow you to hit better and more consistent shots.
- The Stance:
I like the feet to be about the width of your shoulders at address. Perhaps a little wider with the woods. This width is key to establishing the correct balance needed. You are creating a force therefore you must be in a balanced position to achieve it.
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The Club:
I like the club to be about the span of your hand from your body at address. A wide span or a regular span will do nicely. In my opinion too many folks are too far from the ball. A great way to check your distance from the ball is to swing your lower hand off and on the club. If your distance is correct your lower hand should return where it belongs without adjustment.
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The Head Position:
I think the easiest manner in which to think of the head position is just look at the ball. Do not lift your head or push it down...simply look at the ball. I do not like contrived positions for any of your body parts. Your address position should feel comfortable. I believe the head should remain relatively steady; this in turn will help you generate more power, and allow you to have better contact as the club returns to the ball. -
Alignment:
If one is to believe golf is about distance and direction, then aiming the club is critical to lowering your scores. There is an easy way to establish direction...YOU MUST AIM THE CLUBHEAD FIRST, THEN SET THE FEET. This plan will work wonders for your directional fundamental. The feet should always generally align themselves with the club head.
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Pre-shot routine:
So, putting it all together your pre shot routine should be..
- Set the club at the target
- Set the feet into position and establish your balance
- Build your grip and your positioning from the ball
- Swing thought time, whatever that may be
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HOW TO WORK THE RANGE |
A friend of mine in California told me the story of watching Ben Hogan's range routine. I think it is worthy of review. Hogan started with the wedge and simply worked through the bag in a methodical fashion. In those days the caddie shagged the balls as the player hit them. The story goes (with all the clubs) the caddie did not need to step more than one or two paces in either direction to pick up any of the balls. Hogan was a marksman extraordinaire. The last club of course was the driver; it too was hit perfectly straight.
In my time at Island View I say so many folks bringing all their equipment down to the range and only working with the driver. (Perhaps that is why it is called a Driving Range???) Remember, it's a 14 club game, and you should try to exercise each of the clubs during the practice session, or at least a few of them. Just a note re Ben Hogan; perhaps one of the greatest books ever wrtitten on golf was, " Ben Hogan's Five Lessons." I believe a great read! In the book, there is a fabulous chapter on the fundamentals of the GRIP. Hogan said, "the grip is the heartbeat of the golf swing." |
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IT'S A GRAND GAME! | |
As most of you are aware Victoria Golf Club has been around for a long time. Established in 1893, the Victoria Golf Links boasts a magical history of the game here on Vancouver Island. The first meeting of the potential club, on November 7, 1893, was held at the Temple Building on Fort St. The building still stands today at the corner of Langley and Fort.
A great many marquee events and championships have been played at Victoria, including the 1912 PNWGA Championship. The trophy shown here was awarded to the winner of the Putting Contest. The cup measures 6 inches in height, is made of sterling silver and interestingly was manufactured in San Francisco by the very famous American silversmiths, The Shreve Company. What adds to the intrigue of the trophy  is the year 1912, the same year the RMS Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic. The cup is beautifully simple in design, and the emblem logo of the Victoria Golf Links I believe is simply regal.
The Winner of the same 1912 PNWGA event in the Men's division was
R.N. Hincks, a resident of Victoria. The solid gold medal shown was the winner's award. In the early days of the game medals were a standard prize given. I think these are really neat 99 year old collectibles!
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UPCOMING EVENTS! | |
 
This year will mark the return of the Canadian Open in Vancouver. If you will recall the event was last held at Shaughnessy in 2005, the winner being Mark Calcavecchia (shooting 275, -5 over 4 rounds of competition). If you can, plan to go over for a day, a must see! Down memory lane, Shaughnessy also hosted the event in 1966 (which I attended), where the final two squaring off were Don Massengale and Chi Chi Rodriguez. Massengale finished the champ (shooting 280, -4 over 4 rounds in the pouring rain. As you will note the change of par from 71 to 70. |
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THE SEASON IS ABOUT TO BEGIN | |
Well folks, the golf season is just about to begin. Are you ready? Perhaps I can help by giving you a few ideas that can only help with the start-up. They are:
1. Do some stretching...just about any kind works. Loosen up those winterized muscles. Maybe just go out the back and swing the club..nice and easy. Go for a few walks, take on a hill or two. Give your body some prep for goodness sake!
2. Check out the tools. Are your clubs in good operational condition? Give them a scrub. Polish them up! How are the grips? Believe me this is a tough game and poorly conditioned equipment just makes it tougher.
3. Get the juices going...Go over to your favorite golf shop and check out the new stuff. Maybe pick up a neat new golf item. How about a new driver, a new putter, perhaps some new balls or a glove? How about those new fashions?
4. How about a warm-up lesson! As a major prep for the beginning of the season, perhaps a warm-up lesson might help big time. See your CPGA Professional and get checked out. Get a game plan...give your game some direction!
5. Check out your shoes? How are the cleats? Are your shoes still waterproof..wet feet is brutal! They say golf starts from the ground up. Traction is a key element in swing balance!
6. See what is "happenin" out there! Get on the web and visit all the local course web-sites. Check out rates and tee time availability, and any new changes at the local clubs.
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THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL? |
The question always comes up. Who is the best golfer ever? The usual answers are Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Might I add Bobby Jones to that list? Between 1922 and 1930, he won:
4 US Opens
5 US Amateurs
3 British Opens
1 British Amateur
After all that (and more), he retired in 1930 at the age of 28. |
Wishing good golf to all! |
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