LOGO FINAL
March 2012 - Vol 2 Issue 6                                                                                                                         Vancouver Island, British Columbia
IN THIS ISSUE
The Back Foot
Shell's Wonderful World of Golf
Featured Club...Post Card Pics
The Future of the Game?
Golf Instruction with Scott
BC Golf House
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EDITORS TEE-TIME

 

When writing my newsletter it's near impossible not to talk about TIGER.  It would seem his antics over the past few years have given him even greater spectator appeal no matter what you think of him.  As a heavy critic of TIGER during his dark days, I have to admit I'm cheering for him now, and believe strongly he will have a great year and return to #1 in the World Rankings.  One has to admit it's true Americana; his fall from grace and his return to greatness.  One couldn't imagine such a juicy story line coming from a game which prides itself on conservative, gentlemanly  principles.  What would Old Tom Morris think? 

 

The entire story got even better when Tiger took that thrashing from Phil at Pebble Beach a few weeks ago.  Can you imagine how much Tiger must of burned after that beating?  Nevertheless,  don't count Tiger out.  How good was his 62 in the last round of the Honda Classic?  The score is simply fabulous...I would compare that accomplishment to swimming across Lake Okanagen wearing a pair of army boots.  The average golfer cannot imagine how tough the course is...having said that Tiger has some great stuff waiting for us this year.  Take note, Tiger is back and ready to kick some proverbial.       

 

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

 

Ben Hogan Life 


'I never played a round when I didn't learn something new about the game.'

'I have found the game to be, in all factualness, a universal language wherever I traveled at home or abroad.'

'The most important shot in golf is the next one.'

 

Ben Hogan

JACK SAYS...

bear 

 

 

 
 
 

A very long putt is one of golf's toughest shots. To help you in this area I suggest you stand a little taller at address than you normally do; by doing so you raise your eye level, which gives you a better view of the distance to be covered. And, as a bonus, standing taller might help you swing the putter more freely and fully.

 

Scott says:

***From my perspective I might add for those folks who putt cross handed, I might recommend on very long putts try using a standard grip position. I think your success in judging distance will be more precise.  


 

Click on the bear to visit Jack's website

 

THE BACK FOOT...

 

When I give a lesson one of the first things I check out is the players back foot.  On a good number of occasions I can't help notice the players' back foot/ ankle is collapsing on the backswing.  This is very much prompted by the player swaying off the ball; meaning there is too much lateral (sideways) shifting and too little turning.   Another clue is a players golf shoes; in many cases you will see the shoe is tilted, turned or even worn to the outside of the shoe.  If your weight moves to the outside of the foot (on the backswing), you will have placed your lower body in a weak structural position.  At this point the usual outcome is to hit the ball with a dominant upper body....this generally creates a slicing ball flight, or hard left for the right hander.  It is important to remember the down swing is initiated with the lower body!     

 

So how do we fix the foot thing?  An interesting way to break one of this habit is to pinch in the back knee at address.  This will discourage the player from the urge to slide sideways, and encourage the player more to turn.   In Tiger's book "How I Play Golf", he says, "Finally, I like to angle my (right) knee inward just a bit at address.  That encourages me to turn rather than slide on the back swing, and makes it easier to shift my weight to the left on the downswing". 

(Page 160)  

 

 Tigers Golf Swing 

 

An alternate way to experience the new move/ feeling is to put a small wedge under the outside of the back foot.  This will angle your shoe inwards just a touch, thereby promoting you to turn rather than move laterally on the back swing.  When taking the club away you will immediately want to turn the body.  The science is easy, turning creates torque and torque generates power. 

 

Another interesting comment I liked is by teaching guru, David Leadbetter...he says "when you reach the top (of your swing), your weight should be fully transferred to your back heel".

Anyhow, give it a go!  One last thought....on the backswing the back leg must stay partially flexed; do not allow it to straighten entirely or you will probably over rotate with the lower body. 

 

SHELL'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOLF

 

If some of you will recall every Sunday, golf enthusiasts were treated to Shell's Wonderful World of Golf; a match play event starring the great PGA players of the day. The TV series ran from 1961-1970 & 1994-2003. The early episodes featured PGA greats Gene Sarazen and Jimmy Demaret as the commentators. What made the TV matches particularly interesting is they were played in various parts of the world. Canada was a popular choice hosting seven matches. One of the greatest matches of the series was held at Capilano Golf Club in 1964 (in Vancouver) between B.C.'s great PGA star Stan Leonard and Manitoba's George Knudson.   What made the match particularly significant was Knudson shot 65 to Leonard's 66.....simply fantastic golf! 

 

Another marvelous match was held in 1968 between George Knudson & Al Geiberger  (aka Mr. 59) at Victoria Golf Club; some of this match is available on YouTube....Click the video below to watch the match unfold....I say, just how smooth is George's swing?

 

Youtube - Shells Wonderful World

   

 

FEATURED CLUB... POST CARD PICS OF THE MONTH

 

Of all the golf facilities I have played in my career I think Capilano Golf Club would have to be my favourite. Situated in West Vancouver, the layout is simply spectacular with breathtaking views of the City of Vancouver below.   Opened officially in 1938, Capilano was designed by the world famous golf architect Stanley Thompson. With the building of the First Narrows Bridge, "The Lions Gate" in 1936, this gave access to the North Shore and the creation of the Club. The course is simply splendid with a wonderful variety and mix of interesting and challenging holes. From the 1st tee one looks directly at the downtown skyscrapers of the city...WOW! On the opposite side of the clubhouse the views are that of the coastal mountains...totally stunning!  

 

www.capilanogolf.com

 

Capilano 1st green

 

Capilano 15th green

 

Capilano 4 and 12 holes


Capilano 18th green

 

Capilano 8th hole

 

Capilano from 18th green 

Where is the game headed?  

 

To follow the February Edition of the Editor's tee-time 

 

As promised I thought I might share a few thoughts regarding the health of the game and my outlook for the future. Certainly it's no secret the game has contracted. Fewer rounds are being played at a great many facilities. In recent newspaper articles in both Winnipeg and Victoria, municipal golf rounds are being pegged down near 50% over the last 10 years. That's a huge change! In my opinion the public courses are the best barometer simply by the virtue they are open to the public. Rounds are down, whereas population counts in Metro areas are up. So, where is the game going and what is happening?

  1. I am asked all the time why are rounds down? To start with from a big picture perspective I believe golf in the 80's and 90's was not being driven by the demand for the sport but by real estate. If you will notice almost all clubs developed in the past 20 years have real estate components attached. It would seem the golf component was a means to the end. In fact it could be argued the only way a golf course can be a viable investment is with developmental land attached. Building golf courses is a very expensive venture. From a golfers perspective it's wonderful to have all these choices and I think it would be fair to say these courses are both beautiful and excellent golf experiences. I read recently in United States, there are only two courses under construction. Countless numbers have been bulldozed. Regardless, I think it is fair to ask, are there simply too many courses? 
     
  2. In my opinion to combat the rising costs of running a golf facility some of the private clubs will have to open their doors to the public certain times of the week. Having been a Golf Course Manager myself I know all too well how expensive it is to run a facility. With costs rising and revenues shrinking...does it not seem only logical and predicable?
      
  3. I saw a headline on CNN today...our "mobile addiction"...it would seem with so many new forms of communication, folks of all ages are totally engaged with their personal cell devices and computers. What is particularly worrying is the consumption of time young people are committing to this arena. Text messaging, tweeting, Facebook, Games etc. etc. etc., it's simply overwhelming. I ask you, how can golf compete?  
     
  4. With an oversupply of courses, and an under supply of golfers, that means price becomes a paramount part of the equation; but with rising costs and lesser demand, how can there be much downward movement in price?.....Especially for those clubs not subsidizing their golf operations with real estate sales. I think the expression is a "rock and a hard place?"  
     
  5. Food operations at golf clubs are a continual debated topic of controversy. In my experience this entire area could be summed up as a "lost leader". There are huge misunderstandings about how the F & B works. So many uninformed good folks think it's all about management...not always so...being frank, there is just no money in it. This of course has been exacerbated by the new provincial liquor laws. If you look carefully at a club's financials you will notice it's the liquor that has historically helped to keep the food afloat. Margins, margins, margins...I can only conclude, to limit losses, one has to think F & B at golf clubs must narrow their levels of service and operations? It is tough to do with golf facilities open for so many hours and seven days a week in season. 
     
  6. There are some folks who say the very structure of the game needs to be changed? That is a dead stop for me. Believe me, there is nothing wrong with the game. I must add, I do think more 9 hole play could be promoted. My contention it's all about supply and demand? Given time, the hard reality of economics will correct the imbalances.   
     
  7. On a more constructive and complimentary note, National and Provincial/ District Golf Associations around the world are working tirelessly in finding answers. Such initiatives as golf in schools, junior development at the club and community level, plus a host of other promotional programs will hopefully take root and help the game. This game has been around for 500 years and more...it will survive!  
     
  8. Tax relief and the deduction of golf rounds and membership costs. In my opinion, a long shot at best!
     
  9. For clubs to economize, many clubs would be smart to shorten their length.  A lot of golf clubs get caught up in needing to be over 7,000 yards.  Every yard of length costs money to maintain.  From a playing perspective I would guess less than 1% of play is off the back tees.  Is the expense worth the investment?      

GOLF INSTRUCTION with SCOTT

 

HIghland Pacific Golf
 

Lessons will be available Tuesday through Friday 1:00-5:00pm on the hour, plus Saturday's 9:00am to 3:00pm. Instruction on all aspects of the game are offered, including playing lessons. (Alternate times can be arranged).

 

Please feel free to contact me at:

Cell: 250.858.4887
Email: [email protected]
Call: Highland Pacific Golf Shop @
250.478.4653

 

Cheers,

Scott

ENGINEERING PUZZLE

 

I wonder if this bridge from Lookout Point Golf Club (est. 1922) on the Niagara Peninsula, in Fonthill, Ontario would pass the current WCB regulations.   No doubt, I am sure it encouraged a "watchful eye" when crossing.  

 
Bridge

DISCOUNT GOLF BOOKS...A NO BRAINER

 

If you want to save some money on golf this year, there are a number of great discount books available at most golf shops or on-line.  Whether it be the Tee-Off Book, the Golfer's Red Book or the B.C. Lung Book, (plus others), they are all full of great savings re local and provincial golf.  Another quick tip, check out the web-site!

 

Times Colonist Book Worm   Victoria Times Colonist
 

Talking about golf books....the best deal in town! Check out the Times Colonist Book Sale held this May 12 & 13th from 9-5 at the Victoria Curling Club on Quadra Street.   It's a wonderful book extravaganza with proceeds from the sale going to 'Raise a Reader.'  Guaranteed fun....my family goes every year.... a real treat!

 

B.C.'s Golf History....Worth the visit

 

 

BC Golf House 
Click the image to visit the Golf House website
Good Golfing to all!