January 2012- Vol 2 Issue 4 Vancouver Island, British Columbia |
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In an effort to expand the circulation of the Peninsula Golf Journal, we welcome any e-mail addresses of those you think might enjoy receiving the monthly letter.
Thanks!
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 Click on the logo to visit the BCGA website and learn how to establish a registered handicap. It will help make you a better player!
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EDITORS TEE-TIME | |
My "Crystal" golf ball for 2012.
1. I believe the 2012 Ryder Cup will be won by the European team. I really like the current talent coming out of Europe. The likes of Donald, McIlroy, Kaymer, Westwood, MacDowell, Garcia, Quiros and others look great to me. Very exciting stuff!!! In addition, since Jose Maria Olazabal, the captain of the European squad is one of my all time favourite players, it all works well for me.
(Venue... Medinah Country Club, Chicago, Illinois)
2. OK, OK, I believe Tiger will win again on the PGA Tour during the 2012 season. If the truth be known I believe Tiger is supremely PO'd with himself; the perfect recipe for hard work and self redemption!
In fact looking at his 2011 strong finish, I predict he will win his 15th MAJOR Championship this coming year. So take that! How about a way-out there prediction...Butch Harmon will become his coach again, and return Tiger to his former greatness, including#1 in the World Rankings!
3. I believe the debate over the usage of belly putters and other non orthodox putters will intensify. Limits will be contemplated and perhaps imposed by the PGA Tour.
4. More Asian players will participate on the PGA Tour, as we have seen on the LPGA. I believe an up and coming super star from the Far East will emerge and distinguish himself this coming year....perhaps starting at the Masters!
5. Golf course owners will continue to look for new ways to grow rounds played. Consumers will benefit with more imaginative marketing initiatives. More emphasize will be focused on 9 hole rounds. Time consumption is becoming a bigger issue every year in golf. Sadly, there may be some contraction as to the supply side of Canadian golf facilities.
6. There will be a growth in private clubs offering weekday public play in the afternoons all across Canada and United States to combat rising costs. More imaginative marketing will be done to entice golfers to buy club memberships.
7. President Obama will win the fall U.S. Presidential election. Obama's golf handicap is approximately 16. Please note: my recommendation, never play for money against an approximate handicap. |
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This year marked the first time ever a professional golfer lead both the European and US PGA tours in money winnings. Luke Donald of England earned 6.68 million on the US PGA tour, and 7.12 million on the European.
You can be certain his new senior sponsor, the Royal Bank, would of been quite pleased with those handsome deposits! Forget that! How about his wife? |
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JACK SAYS...
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On short irons...the 8, 9 and particularly the wedge...I let my weight favour my front leg at address and throughout the backswing. This establishes a steeper down and through swing, which I desire with short irons.
***Further to Jack's comments, I cannot overstate how important it is for golfers to favour the front leg on all partial short shots. Put your weight forward and keep it there from start to finish! Understandably, you will move around a bit, but stay forward throughout. Keeping the weight forward will simplify the shots greatly and totally enhance your shot making.
The 50 yard pitch shot illustrations below I think tell the story nicely.
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VIDEO LESSON: PUTTING BASICS | |
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Peninsula Golf Journal: Putting Basics |
Click the image above for my latest video lesson, 'Putting Basics'
This video lesson is part of a series of upcoming videos
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DATES AND SITES FOR THE 2012 MAJORS | 
April 2-8
Masters Tournament
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, Georgia
Defending Champion...Charl Schwartzel (Age 27)
June 11-17
U.S. Open
Olympic Club (Lake Course)
San Francisco, Calif.
Defending Champion...Rory McIlroy (Age 22)
July 16-22
The Open Championship
Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club
Lancashire, U.K
Defending Champion...Darren Clarke (Age 43)
Aug. 6-12
PGA Championship
Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean Course)
Kiawah Island, S.C.
Defending Champion...Keegan Bradley (Age 25)
****It is interesting to note the ages of the players. |
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LANNY WADKINS...A WALK IN THE PARK | |
 
In 1977 I was an assistant professional at Point Grey Golf Club in Vancouver. That year the US PGA Championship was held at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The winner was Lanny Wadkins, who won the event in a playoff against Gene Littler.
The Monday following the event Lanny came to Point Grey to do an exhibition for the Daiwa Golf Company. In fact he still had the winning cheque in his pocket. He was a wonderful fellow, very polished, very gentlemanly and fun to talk to; that day he shot 66, six under par around a reasonably tough Point Grey layout. It all seemed just a walk in the park!
A winner of 21 tour events including one major; he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009. Before Daiwa he was sponsored by the Spalding Golf Company. In my mind, a most impressive professional and gentleman indeed! |
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WHAT IS MOVING WHAT?
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A few years ago, I was giving a lesson to a gentleman, who during the first part of the session kept referring to his head as the culprit for his erratic shot making. I agreed somewhat, but with the proviso he understood that it is not always the head which is the guilty party. Yes, the head can move out of position due to perhaps an anxiousness to watch the ball, but in some cases I suggested he might consider rather than his head moving independently, it may in fact being moved.
(ie. Straightening of the knees or spine angle).
In the pictures here you can see clearly what I am suggesting. So if you are topping the ball, or hitting it thin, check out your vertical movement through the hit zone. Remember, the club goes where you go; if you move out of position so does the club. To alleviate this problem I ask students to consider the golf swing is a lot about turning, rather than lifting. Try to sustain your leg flex through the hit zone and attempt to keep a steady spine angle throughout the swing. Turning builds torque, and torque creates power, which in turn generates club head speed. I believe the illustrations clearly define the need to stay in the operative, athletic posture. (Please check out my head position in relation to the landscape.)
Further to my comments regarding topping the ball, I see a lot of students trying to help or lift the ball in the air. This is a common fault especially with the short game. Might I suggest you trust the science in the clubs...the club loft will do all the work you need in getting the ball airborne. The great danger is if you try to assist the ball into the air, you will probably lift your body in sympathy to do so.
Be you own instructor! Have some fun and video your own swing with a digital camera. Get a reference point in the background and check out what's happin!
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FEATURED CLUB...POSTCARD PICS OF THE MONTH
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The KENORA GOLF CLUB was founded in 1923. These early 1920-30's postcards depict both the clubhouse and surrounds in the early days, plus a golf match (which must have been of some club significance). I really like the inclusion of the dated cars in the yard.
It is interesting to note the clubhouse structure remains the same today. I wonder whether the gentlemen waiting at the exterior of the clubhouse are looking for a day caddy job.
The Kenora region is well known for its abundance of rocks, trees and lakes; all very characteristic of the landscape of the vast Canadian Shield. This 1927 fairway photo illustrates nicely all of the rock outcroppings in the playing area.
With regard to the golf, though it is hard to determine the nature of the match; it is particularly interesting to check out the ladies attire and fashion in the gallery. Every lady is wearing an (art deco) cloche hat, plus notice all their dresses/skirts are of the same (below the knee) length and nearly all the same colour.
My best guess is the kneeling man and woman are perhaps the club champions (in the formal group photo) having played a match with caddies at their side...Just speculation, but the man in the blazer I suspect may be the rules official, or possibly the Club Professional. Certainly it would appear the Ladies Club played a large contributing role.
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I think the golf hole descriptions/drawings on this 1965 scorecard/postcard from Parry Sound, Ontario clearly define the joys and perils of the game quite smartly. I particularly like the 8th hole, "Bogie Badlands". Please notice too the heading ..."you & enemy" at the top, and look at those "Par" ratings. Lastly, the "Out of bounds" local rule and clarification at the bottom certainly suggests a more liberal, open minded approach to this most challenging game. All good fun, complimentary "footmashie" and all!
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How about a journey down memory lane? Drop by and visit the B.C. Golf House this coming year. Lots of distinct antique clubs, rare golf artifacts and cool collectibles showing the colorful history of the early days of B.C.golf. I promise you will be pleasantly surprised as to the professionalism and first class presentation of the Museum's exhibits. Take it from me; it's a real treat and pleasure to explore.
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