St. Andrews, Scotland |
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Peninsula Golf Journal September 2011 - Vol 1 Issue 6 |
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Click on the image above to visit the BCGA website and learn how to establish a registered handicap. It will help make you a better player! |
| JACK SAYS... | |
It may be stating the obvious, but I can't overstress the physical fitness as a condition for good golf. In my experience the better shape you're in, especially the legs, the better you'll play.
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| PREVIOUS EDITIONS | |
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A CHANGING GAME... | |
It may come as some surprise to many but the sport of golf has been declining for the last decade. It's an interesting phenomenon, because it would seem so many folks love to play the game or even just be around it. Nevertheless rounds are down, and in some cases quite significantly. Having said this, folks at the RCGA and USGA are all trying hard to find solutions to stem the shrinking of the game. Here is what I see and it's not a simple equation. So where does it all start...in my opinion with the kids. From what I can see most kids are completely smitten by the computer. Whether it is at home or on a hand held device kids are simply buried in technology 24/7. It's hard to find a kid not text messaging someone...I know some kids are doing it hours a day. Where does golf fit into this picture?
Secondly, it would seem a lot of golfers today are consumed with how long it takes to play a round of golf. This was never a huge concern. Was it not always a 4.5-5 hour game. I remember as a kid my brother & Dad going to the course on a summer morning and not returning before dark. In my early years it was a whole day thing. As a junior if you couldn't play you practiced, when you got tired of practicing you looked for golf balls. Nevertheless, when the gun went we played until we couldn't see the ball for the darkness. So maybe golf's problem lies in time consumption. Is there a change in social accountability...has time become more precious or are we trying (or struggling) to manage it better?
The growth of other sports may be part of the answer. I can tell you in Victoria we have about as many bike shops as grocery stores. It would seem all ages are riding bikes; it's not Holland yet, but bike riding has exploded. Other sports like kayaking, hiking, jogging, the gym...didn't see much of that when I was a kid!
Certainly the costing of the game does not help. It goes without saying, prices in golf are subject to the same pressures as all businesses. Has the game become too expensive? So I think it would be fair to say the economy must have something to do with it. Rising costs with declining participation, a nasty equation! Being part of the game I can tell you the margins in the business of golf have narrowed...it is a fact, golf courses are earning less. Mix an economic recession into that recipe, combined with some poor weather and look out!
Lastly, it would seem unfair to leave out the government participation. Certainly the HST didn't help. Green fees and practice balls became subject to the weight of the tax. Prices went up with the operator/owner not earning an extra nickel. The new liquor laws were a huge set back too. Right or wrong, golf courses seem no longer a place to sit back and have a few (too many). I remember the old snake pits at some of the clubs....all that drinking, smoking and having a wild time; the operative word is extinct!
Well, to conclude, it would seem the outlook for the game may seem a little grim. Nevertheless,the game will evolve, it's just the nature of business, any business. In time will golf look the same or be the same, who knows? Maybe we need to make the game easier, now we are talking! In closing think about this.....how about making the hole a foot wide....would that not make all those 3 footers just automatic....heh! Gimmies could be up to 6 feet! Think of the speed of play issue. Where do I sign up for that??????
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH | |
They say golf is like life, but don't believe them.
Golf is more complicated than that.
~Gardner Dickinson |
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THE CROMBIE MUG |
 A few years ago I was holidaying with my family in Carmel, California. As you all know, Carmel is the home of the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. I was very fortunate as a young lad, my aunt and uncle lived in Carmel and my brother and I would go down for a few weeks every year, and of course play a little golf. Anyhow, adjoining the lodge they have a shop called "Golf Links to the Past", which contains a great many historical golf collectibles. In a display glass cabinet I noticed a Royal Doulton, Charles Crombie mug as shown in the photo attached. The mug is dated to the early 1900's. Charles Crombie was an English cartoonist in the early part of the 20th century. From the mug's positioning I could see the undercarriage of the mug and noticed it had the familiar Royal Doulton crest, plus another marking. 
After a bit of a silent chuckle I spoke to the owner and said I know where that mug came from; he became immediately interested. The markings were that of Montague Bridgman, a fine china shop on Government St. in Victoria, B.C. In fact, to further clarify my assertion, I said I had a letter of providence (which my mother had written for and received reply) regarding the mug and would fax him a copy. When I returned I did just that, and he e-mailed me back thanking me and promising me a round at Pebble Beach for my efforts. Further to the story I have also included a postcard from Montague Bridgman, the very shop from where the mug came.  
www.golfspast.com |
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SHORT GAME MAGIC | |
When I was a young kid learning to play the game I spent a lot of time on my short game. My playing buddies and I had to because most days we couldn't get on a course before 3:00PM in the afternoon. The life of a junior! Rather than play for dollars we played for nickels, dimes and maybe quarters. If we were particularly sharp it might add up to a pop! Believe me, if you spend enough time on your short game, with the stakes being so lofty, the disciplines become very clear. They are:
1. Most good short game players practice their short games A LOT! Most golfers don't practice their short games at all, but expect a lot. Like most things in life, what you get out corresponds usually in some fashion as to what you put in!
2. Putting is about touch, pace and alignment. THINK PENDULUM. Putting is more about moving arms/ shoulders rather than wrists. The body has little to do in the putting stroke. Go to YouTube and check out Brad Faxon's or Dave Stockton's stroke...putters extraordinaire!
3. Chipping too is about touch, pace and alignment. Try to STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP as to how far the ball travels in the air, and how far on the ground; this factor will help to determine club selection. Another interesting manner in which to approach the theory of chipping is to imagine you are tossing a ball from ground level to the target. The same factors of how far in the air, how far on the ground would still apply. Think about chipping the ball in the hole, not getting it close! The set-up should always be with an open stance, with both body weight and hands forward.
4. Sand play is about technique combined with COURAGE. That is all!
5. My recommendation is you check out the short game practice facility at the Ridge Course, Cordova Bay; an excellent high end presentation with first class short game practice greens and targets. The pitch and putt course is a delight too! For you beginner ladies looking for a great golf outing, the Ladies Night at The Ridge is a must!
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THOSE MANUFACTURERS...WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN UP TO? |  In 1960, the typical 9-iron had a loft of
about 47-degrees. In 1999, a typical 9-iron was
lofted 41-degrees! In 1960 the 5-iron's loft was
31-degrees. Today, it's around 27-degrees.
For more information re the evolution of loft,
google "loft & distance tables". |
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THE 3 WEDGE PLAN | |
The line-up of wedges and degrees I would recommend are:
Pitching Wedge...45-49 degrees
Sand Iron...54-56 degrees
Lob wedge...60 degrees
I realize there are gap wedges, but handled correctly I think the variety listed above will fulfill all your wedge needs. Certainly it can be said some golfers may have greater confidence in hitting the gap wedges (fully) than a partial pitching wedge, and if that works don't stop. Nevertheless, in my opinion I think rather than having a gap wedge, I would try to create and develop more power versatility in your pitching wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. This would allow you to perhaps put another hybrid in your bag (to eliminate the longer irons) which I think in the long run would be a club you would use more regularly and would be more helpful to your game and scoring. (14 club limit)
Simple methods to powering down those wedges....
- Length of swing...,quarter swing, half swing, three quarters
- Shorten your grip, but never grip the metal
- Open your stance/ hips (open to the target line) and allow the arms to dominate
- On partial wedge shots place 55- 60% of your body weight on the leading foot and leave it there throughout the swing. No doubt your legs and body will move about a bit, but try to keep the weight forward. Your chunked/fat shots will be a thing of the past.
- Try to make your swing as efficient as you can. Keep it tight and neat for best results.
- See your PGA professional and get a lesson...he can help you with this shot and in turn lower your scores.
- For desired trajectory... more arms to hit it lower, more wrist action to hit it higher.
- I like the length of the follow through to be at least as long as the backswing or even a little longer.
- An excellent learning exercise is to chip in the backyard to a number of designated spots at various distance intervals. A great way to learn power control.
As to club brand and model, it's tough to get a wedge better than a Cleveland. I believe Cleveland really set the standard for wedges, especially the sand and lob wedges. Nevertheless, there are lots of great wedges out there, and don't get caught up thinking they all have to match. Liking a particular club is a big deal to me!
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BANFF SPRINGS...CASTLE OF THE ROCKIES | |
The last time I visited Banff was for the 2006 Telus Skins Game. The course and the entire presentation were simply splendid. The players, Nicklaus, Norman, Garcia, Ames, and Daly put on a great and memorable show. Beautiful golf holes combined with stunning backdrops of the Rockies made for an unforgettable day. Some interesting facts about Banff are:
- The 1st of two hotels was built in 1888. William Van Horne of the Canadian Pacific Railway ordered the hotel to be built. The original hotel was destroyed by fire.
- The hotel is referred to as the "Castle of the Rockies".
- In 1928 construction began on the golf course by the world renowned golf architect, Stanley Thompson. It was completed in 1934 at a cost of one million dollars. Regarding design, the course is particularly famous for the sand trap layout and presentation.
- A few other famous Thompson courses are Jasper, Highland Links in Nova Scotia, Capilano, Edmonton Country Club, Royal Mayfair and St. Georges in Toronto. Though Banff and Jasper are considered magnificent layouts, many critics consider Highland Links in Nova Scotia as the crown jewel of Thompson's courses. ( www.highlandslinks.com ) Highland is consistently rated as one of Canada's greatest courses by Score Golf.
- Banff Springs Golf Club is 6938 yards long, par 71. It must be said it plays considerably shorter with the altitude of Banff at 4800 feet.
- The course sports one of the most famous par 3's in the world...Hole # 4 "The Devil's Cauldron".
- The majority shareholder in the Fairmont chain is Saudi Arabian Prince al-Waleed bin Talal.
- The Fairmont name first originated in San Francisco.
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Wishing good golf to all! |
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