Spring Edition 2015 - Vol 7 Issue 2 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....
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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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This coming May 7th to 10th will mark the playing of the 42th Players' Championship. A spectacular golf event held at the Tournament Players Club, the Stadium Course at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Some interesting facts:
1. The first winner was Jack Nicklaus in 1974.
2. Multiple winners... Nicklaus (3), Couples, Elkington, Davis Love, & Hal Sutton (2)
3. Only Canadian to win... Stephen Ames in 2006
4. Defending Champion... Martin Kaymer... Score -13
5. Referred to as the 5th Major... the top 50 players in the World Ranking are invited.
6. The course is 7215 yards long, Par 72, Rated @ 76.8
7. Tournament Record... Greg Norman... Score -24 in 1994
8. Oldest player to win... Fred Funk @ 48 years
9. Total Purse $10 Million... Winners cheque... $1.8 Million
My guess for 2015 winner... Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland)
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FROM THE LESSON TEE...
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My Method of Teaching Golf...
As many of you know I spend a lot of time getting my students set up correctly over the ball. In my mind it's a really big deal! I was reading just recently a book by Jack Nicklaus called "Golf & Life" and he is quoted as saying:
" If you set up correctly there's a good chance you'll hit a reasonable shot, even if you make an ordinary swing. If you set up incorrectly , you'll hit a lousy shot, even if you make the perfect swing. Those are the truest words I have ever spoken. Remember them!"
Thank you Jack! Having said that, I strongly suggest my students create a template for the set up procedure so as to consistently find the correct repeatable position at address. It's simple but very effective... Step 1... Aim the club very carefully, Step 2... Set the feet and ball position with precision, Step 3... Secure the hands with particular care, Step 4... Swing thoughts... A great PLAN, all good stuff!!!!! Please check out my YouTube video below on Alignment... it will make you a BETTER GOLFER!
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My Rules of Alignment & Setup
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In simple terms, I think it's all about creating A PLAN; if executed on a consistent basis your chances of "success" are increased dramatically. Success = Lower Scores!
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THE CURRENT PGA MONEY LIST...
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| RANK THIS WEEK | PLAYER NAME | EVENTS | MONEY | | 1 | Jordan Spieth | 12 | $ 5,173,819 | | 2 | Jimmy Walker | 12 | $ 3,558,734 | | 3 | Dustin Johnson | 9 | $ 3,099,710 | | 4 | J.B. Holmes | 13 | $ 3,092,520 | | 5 | Bubba Watson | 7 | $ 2,806,774 | | 6 | Patrick Reed | 13 | $ 2,430,379 | | 7 | Jason Day | 9 | $ 2,400,512 | | 8 | Rory McIlroy | 5 | $ 2,364,533 | | 9 | Justin Rose | 9 | $ 2,337,824 | | 10 | Charley Hoffman | 16 | $ 2,326,738 |
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RANK THIS WEEK
| PLAYER NAME | EVENTS | MONEY | | 1 | Lydia Ko | 9 | $ 915,051 | | 2 | Inbee Park | 9 | $ 810,261 | | 3 | Sei Young Kim | 10 | $ 747,252 | | 4 | Stacy Lewis | 9 | $ 739,970 | | 5 | Amy Yang | 10 | $ 545,196 | | 6 | Brittany Lincicome | 9 | $ 531,488 | | 7 | Hyo Joo Kim | 8 | $ 477,561 | | 8 | Cristie Kerr | 10 | $ 473,772 | | 9 | Morgan Pressel | 10 | $ 436,562 | | 10 | Mirim Lee | 10 | $ 405,043 |
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RANK THIS WEEK
| PLAYER NAME | EVENTS | POINTS | | 1 | Jordan Spieth | 12 | 2,118 | | 2 | Jimmy Walker | 12 | 1,693 | | 3 | J.B. Holmes | 13 | 1,302 | | 4 | Patrick Reed | 13 | 1,219 | | 5 | Dustin Johnson | 9 | 1,178 | | 6 | Bubba Watson | 7 | 1,163 | | 7 | Charley Hoffman | 16 | 1,083 | | 8 | Jason Day | 9 | 1,076 | | 9 | Hideki Matsuyama | 13 | 1,007 | | 10 | Ryan Moore | 12 | 965 |
As of May 4, 2015
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MY LATEST ACQUISITION
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W. Anderson trophy...
I know I speak for all collectors, it is most rewarding when a story can be attached to a particular collectible. The trophy illustrated below is just such a case. Recently I was contacted by an antique dealer up island. He mentioned he had a golf trophy dated 1895 from Perth, Scotland I might be interested in... in my golf collecting world 1895 is a long time ago... some 120 years! Anyhow the trophy is that of a "cruet set"... intended for a table presentation of Salt, Pepper and Mustard. The trophy is silver plate, with
the containers depicting a "gutty style ball" in design with tri "long nose" clubs as support.
Further to the story... the engraving on the trophy reads... Perth Artisan Golf Club... presented by T. Chalmers, Esq. 1895... Won by W. Anderson. In researching the history, I contacted "Antique Golf Clubs of Scotland". They were "very welcoming" to assist with my search.... Their findings were:
"The cruet trophy you have was given by Thomas Chalmers, the Artisan Club Treasurer, and seems to have been a foresome competition played over four knockout rounds which William Anderson won in 1895 with D. Stephenson".
What a beauty!
The Gutta-Percha Ball...
As I had mentioned above, the trophy illustrates the Gutta-Percha Design golf ball. The Gutta-Percha ball was used from 1848-1890's. The ball is made from the (rubber like) sap of the Sapodilla tree indigenous to the Malaysian archipelago. What made the material particularly appealing was when heated it could be spherically shaped. In the 1880's various skin designs were developed to enhance the ball's aerodynamics and cosmetics.
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GOLF CANADA
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- The RCGA was founded in 1895
- The RCGA changed it's name in 2010 to Golf Canada
- Their constitution was signed by 10 clubs on Sept. 27,1895.. Victoria Golf Club being the only BC course. Victoria GC was founded in 1893.
- Golf Canada has Approx. 300,000+ members
Discover what it is all about... "Click" the logo's!
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"Click" the logo to visit the "BC Golf" website and learn how to establish a registered handicap for the 2015 season. Believe me, establishing a handicap costs little and the benefits are large. Give it a go... I promise you getting an official handicap will enhance your golf experience and make the game more fun!
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"Click" on the "Golf Canada" logo and find out more about the sport of golf, and the cool opportunities for you and your family to enjoy this great game. From my way of thinking, getting your children involved with golf may be one of the best decisions a parent can make. |
Golf... the game of a lifetime!
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MY PILGRIMAGE TO ST. ANDREWS
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Old Tom Morris
As I had mentioned in my last letter, I will be going to St. Andrews for the British Open this coming July. In addition to watching the Open, I am hoping to explore the surrounding area, plus spend time researching the "roots" of the game. Of particular interest to me is the character of Old Tom Morris, perhaps the highest profile golfer of all time.
So who and what was this man all about:
- Known as Old Tom Morris (1821-1908) ...
- Old Tom won the Open Championship 4 times... 1861, 1862, 1864, 1867
- Like so many others, Tom started his golf life as a caddy, and worked as an apprentice under Allan Robertson, commonly referred to as the first golf professional
- Under Robertson, Tom Morris was tutored in club making, ball making, course maintenance & course design
- With Robertson, he spent time designing and crafting other courses such as Carnoustie, Murfield, Prestwick, plus many others
- Morris became the Head Professional & Greenskeeper for St. Andrews in 1865
- His historic Golf Shop is located on the 18th hole at St. Andrews.
The photo above from my collection depicts a famous group of golfers & caddies dating back to the 1850's. They are from the left, James Wilson (Clubmaker), Willie Dunn, Bob Andrew ("The Rook"), Willie Park, TOM MORRIS, ALLAN ROBERTSON (bending), D. Anderson, & Bob Kirk.
A few items of curious interest regarding the photo...
1. All the players & caddies are wearing three piece suits
2. The caddies are carrying the clubs in bundles; golf bags were invented in the 1890's
3. All the players are wearing hats... many the same style
4. Notice the predominant "side burns" on each of the lads
5. Check out those "long nose" wooden shafted clubs
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I must admit it may seem a tad silly, an old...ish guy like myself collecting a ceramic golf collection with the handle "Bunnykins" attached to it. Yes indeed... and I have to admit I love the stuff. It goes to show you... there are simply no boundaries or limitations to the collecting front!
 The image above is of my current collection. So what is the appeal... of course there is the obvious attraction, that being the very cool and captivating golf image, but perhaps more importantly is the story of Bunnykins. The Bunnykins story dates back to the 1930's, manufactured in England by Royal Doulton of Stoke-on-Trent. The nursery theme designs were the creation of Sister Barbara Vernon Bailey, a Catholic nun. Her connection to Royal Doulton was her father, Cuthbert Bailey, was the General Manager of Doulton in the 1930's. Below I have included a close-up image of the design. Of particular interest and oddity is the gentleman on the left side"smoking a cigarette"... certainly not what you would expect to see in a nursery style theme, but perhaps apropos of the time!  Just recently I have been instructing a "fine" English gentleman who's father was a chemist for Doulton, responsible for developing glazes (in the first half of the 20th Century) for Doulton ceramics. A very interesting connection indeed! For those subscribers just coming on board, check out my other ceramic collections in the past two issues of the Journal.
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The Correct Golf Grip...The Lower Thumb!!!!
It may seem a quite incidental and trivial, but the positioning of the lower thumb is a "key element" in having a great grip. The positioning of the lower thumb is "universal" in all great players and here is why...
a. If the "lower thumb" is placed on top of the grip, as seen in Picture 1 above, it generally applies too much (downward) pressure on the club at the top of the golf swing. This generally creates a "casting effect"... much like we would have with casting a fishing rod. (I have seen many grips where students have drilled holes in the rubber with their lower thumb exposing the steel shaft from the pressure applied). The 2nd Picture above is that of me holding a fishing rod; the thumb is generally placed on top so as to allow it to apply additional pressure and energy on the forward casting motion. Please note... If you cast a golf club, you will most often prematurely activate the wrists to uncock early and thereby compromise your power. An additional common outcome is "HITTING THE BALL FAT"... why... when you cast the club at the beginning of the downswing, the casting force and effect can lower (just slightly) your right shoulder position, which in turn will lower your swing circle and make you hit the ground early.
b. Picture 3 above is that of a seriously incorrect grip (but a common one); from this positioning the golfer will hit the ball in all directions and in all shapes. In this form the lower thumb and right hand are so strong they will both completely dominate the swing motion resulting in total chaos. Warning... stand clear when someone holds a club in this manner. Yiks!
c. The above grip photo is that of golfing great Bobby Jones. Simply perfect! Please notice the lower thumb position. When you move your thumb over you will quickly understand how much it has been participating in your golf swing. As the great Bobby Jones said, "the left hand is the Master Hand for the right handed golfer". This historic picture tells the whole story!
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GOLF INSTRUCTION with SCOTT
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Golf Instruction is available on all facets of the game.
This may be your Year!
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
Spectacular Highland Nine Vista
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PREVIOUS EDITIONS
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Please click on any month to read previous editions...
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
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Good golfing to all!
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