 Winter Edition 2015 - Vol 7 Issue 1 Vancouver Island, British Columbia
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Please "CLICK" on the YouTube logo above to visit my YouTube Channel and video lessons.
There are 5 topics:
~Sand Play
~Simple Alignment
~The Fairway Trap Shot
~Putting Basics
~Sticky Lies...Chipping
Check out these easy to follow golf videos. Give it a try...a path to better golf!
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How to Subscribe....
Do you have a friend or fellow golf partner who might like to read the Peninsula Golf Journal?
We welcome any e-mail addresses of those you
think might enjoy receiving the monthly letter. The Journal now exceeds 800+ readers... now published quarterly during the year.
Thanks!
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THE EDITORS' TEE TIME
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Frankly it's hard to stay away from the "Tiger" topic. Tiger's presence in the game (is in my mind) still a "huge deal", and should not be understated. So where is Tiger at???? I would suggest not standing still, that's for sure. Certainly his "dismal performance" in Phoenix was a huge shock and disappointment to all.... especially his short game? Can he climb the mountain again? My thoughts ...
a. Is Tiger "healthy"... can his repaired back and knee problems stand the heat? Injuries are an athlete's worst enemy! Can his body still do the job? Is he healthy?
b. A "new swing coach"... I would of preferred my favourite guy, Butch Harmon... The question is, can his new swing coach Chris Como deliver the goods? I personally think Tiger is getting too technical... too much "micro" analysis!
c. There is no doubt, Tiger's "strength" not only lies in his physical abilities, but most importantly in his head... does he still want it? Is his "intense thirst" for winning still there?
d. Steady as she goes with the private life... we hope? His relationship with Lindsey Vonn seems strong, and I believe can only help his outlook and confidence. She just recently won her 64th World Cup Super-G event in St. Moritz. Click the PLAY button below for a "Tiger fest" of great shots from the past. The Canadian Open shot is still the best!
Yes indeed... "I do believe" Tiger will win another major!
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WITH THE NEW GOLF SEASON BEGINNING...
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Are you ready... Seven key items you should consider perhaps doing...
1. Are you physically ready?... a good start would be to do some walking and exercising to prepare your body.... fitness! Develop a basic exercise program.. it will help big time!
2. Is your golf equipment in good usable condition? ie. grips, clubs etc... the game is tough enough! If in doubt... ask your CPGA Professional.
3. Shoes are a big deal... check those soft spikes for best traction?... especially important with the current wet ground conditions. Always beware, soft spikes ware down quickly!
4. Do some research and save some bucks?... check out the various golf club web-sites for best deals and promotions. ie. We have some sweet new "deals" at Highland Pacific for the 2015 season. Worth a look!
5. Try and find some regular time in your schedule for some early practice? The Highland Pacific driving range never disappoints...rain or shine! Heaters too!
6. Encourage and spoil yourself... get something new for the bag and your game!
7. How about a CPGA golf lesson? Shorten that learning curve! Lessons can be fun and rewarding for your game! Check out our Highland Pacific Academy page for lesson information and opportunities.
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I am hoping you might consider becoming a member of the B.C. Golf Museum. As most of you know I have been very keenly involved with the Museum the past 18 years and truly enjoy my affiliation. Not to overwork the subject, but the Museum proudly represents the History of Golf in our province. Should you have the opportunity to visit the Museum, (located at University Golf Club in Vancouver) I know you will be greatly impressed with the presentation. The $25. membership fee includes a full tax receipt... thanks for your consideration! Memberships make it all possible."Click the logo" to connect!
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CROMBIE GOLF SERIES WARE...
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Manufactured by Royal Doulton of Stoke-on-Trent, England, Crombie (Golf Series) Ware are a wonderful visual golf collectible. Charles Crombie specialized in cartoons and publication illustrations. Dating from 1909-1930 the illustrated plates and other shapes have great eye appeal. I have illustrated above some samples of my ongoing collection; there are eight different golf depictions in the series, adorned with one of five different humorous sayings... they are:
* Give losers leave to speak & winners to laugh
* He that complains is never pitied
* All fools are not knaves, but all knaves are fools
* He hath good judgment who relieth not wholly on his own
* Every dog has his day and every man his hour
One of the most interesting and intriguing aspects of these fragile ceramic collectibles is their survivability, given many of the items shown are over 100 years old.
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MY PILGRIMAGE TO ST. ANDREWS...
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It is my intention to travel to St. Andrew's this year for the 2015 British Open. Being so passionate about the history of the game, I thought a trip to St. Andrews this year would be a very cool and fulfilling thing to do. Stay tuned... I will be including some video footage from my trip in the "summer edition" of the Peninsula Journal.
There are 9 courses in the British Open rotation of tournament sites. They are: St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Turnberry, Royal St., Georges, Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Royal Birkdale. It should be noted Royal Portrush will be returning to the Open rotation 2019. Having said that, it may be some time before the event returns to St. Andrews and thereby my opportunity.
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I just recently completed reading the book, "The Golf Guru". It's a fun, entertaining collection of questions and answers to some of the quirky, perplexing happenings of the game. Easy to read, the book is both engaging and fun... A great gift to any golf enthusiast. Hey... You might get lucky and find one at the Times Colonist Book Sale?
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THE 2015 MAJORS... Sites & Dates
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The Masters
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, Georgia
7435 yards, Par 72
April 9-12
Defending Champion... Bubba Watson
The U. S. Open
Chambers Bay Golf Course
University Place, Washington
7585 yards, Par 72
June 18-21
Defending Champion... Martin Kaymer
Open Championship
The Old Course at St. Andrews
St. Andrews, Scotland
7305 yards, Par 72
July 16-19
Defending Champion... Rory McIlroy
PGA Championship
Whistling Straits Course
Kohler, Wisconsin
7514 yards, Par 72
August 13-16
Defending Champion... Rory McIlroy
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THE OKANAGAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB AT NARAMATA
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In my "golf things" I recently found this most interesting prospectus outlying the development of a Golf Club & community in Naramata, B.C. The piece was published in the 1920's. Naramata is located on the east side of Lake Okanagan, 15 km's north of Penticton, and was founded in 1907 by J.M. Robinson. In the offering memorandum is a letter from Dave Black, the Head Professional at Shaughnessy Heights in Vancouver, dated October 11th, 1922. Black was engaged by developer J.M. Robinson to design a 9 hole golf course to compliment the proposed real estate development, golf course and hotel. Robinson was the key individual involved in the early development of Naramata and the local fruit/agriculture industry in the area. Further to that, the Kettle Valley Railway built their line through Naramata in 1914, bringing greater commerce and prosperity to the area. (The course was never constructed.)
Today... "Agriculture and tourism form the economic base of the village of Naramata. The agricultural sector once consisting of orchards is rapidly being supplanted by vineyards and wineries that are collectively referred to as the "Naramata Bench". The current population of greater Naramata is approximately 2000 people". (Wikipedia)
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FROM THE LESSON TEE...
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The virtues of a "steady head" in the golf swing...
When I start a lesson with a new student, one component I really watch for is the movement of the head in the backswing. I always take a video with my iPad at the start so as to provide the visual example to my student. I make no bones about it, I really like a relatively steady head in the golf swing. Of course, it generally moves a little, but I like as little movement as possible and here is why...
1. A steady head makes it immeasurably easier to get the club head back to the ball.
2. A head & body that moves excessively, is a golf swing that moves excessively. It only makes sense, the club goes where you go! My issue is primarily on the backswing... I do expect the head to drop "just slightly" on the down swing as the legs lead on the way down, but only marginally... perhaps an inch or so. The Bubba swing below confirms this as we can note a very slight drop on the down swing.
3. A critical question in the analysis... "is the head moving or being moved? (ie. the sequence above shows the body moving too... is the head just following the body lead?
4. A steady head promotes a player to be more circular with his swing motion... I like that!
5. Below is the swing sequence of Bubba Watson... check his head position... use the mountains in the background for reference.
As back-up, I have offered the recent article in Golf Digest by Arnold Palmer with star Kate Upton. It reads:
"Steady as she goes" ... by Arnold Palmer
I'm a big believer in keeping the head still. It applies to every shot with every club. I explained to Kate that the swing is basically a circle, with the head in the center. If you move the center, everything else moves with it, which throws all the parts out of kilter. It's OK to swivel your head to look at the target before you swing, and after the ball is gone you can look up to see where it went. But from address to impact, your head shouldn't move.
I promised Kate that if she got in the habit of keeping her head steady, she'd hit the ball solid - a big challenge for beginners. Keeping the head in place also is a secret to creating power, because you'll make a better pivot and won't have any wasted motion.
Above I have provided a motion series of pictures of Palmer's golf swing.
Check out frame # 1 at address, and Frame # 6 at impact. Steady.. thanks Arnie!
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THE MAJORS GAME...
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Want to enter a fun "golf draft" game... a good friend of mine, and a fellow golf professional has created an entertaining golf draft involving the PGA major golf events of the year. It's easy to participate, there is no cost to play and the challenge is great... check it out at the majorsgolf.com. Some cool prizes too!
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GOLF INSTRUCTION with SCOTT
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Golf Instruction is available on all facets of the game.
2015 is your year to shine...
Check out our "covered range" and "toasty heaters" too!
For my subscribers...til Feb. 28th
**SPECIAL**
Buy 3 lessons & receive a complimentary lesson
$179 + GST
All lessons include video and an e-mail summary.
Not to forget...PLAYING LESSONS are available too. Highland Pacific is a fantastic venue for Playing Lessons. I look forward to hearing from you! Cheers!
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For more information please contact Scott at:
Email: scottkeenlyside@hotmail.com
Website: www.highlandpacificgolf.com
Highland Nine... Hole #5
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A little more Crombie... Good golfing to all!
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