Travel tips to protect your sticks
Taking time to prepare your bag and clubs for air travel can prevent damaged equipment
: Protecting your golf gear is of utmost importance.—Photo courtesy Lisa Vlooswyk
Now that the 2010 golf season is officially drawing to a close, players are starting to plan their winter getaways to warm stay and play destinations. A primary concern for many travellers intending to fly is ensuring their clubs arrive unscathed. Here are some handy packing tips.
First of all you have to prepare your irons properly. There is a great deal of shaking and rattling that goes on during the flight and baggage handling.
Irons will constantly bang or rub together causing wear and tear. Wrap a large towel around your iron heads. Weave it in and out around each of the heads. After all heads are covered use duct tape and wrap it tight around the outside of the towel to keep the clubs together and to prevent movement.
The next step is to put the fairway woods and driver in, tucked behind the irons. They have head covers of their own to prevent rattling damage but they are very susceptible to breakage, especially if dropped head first by baggage handlers on the tarmac.
The trick to stop snapped shafts and dented heads is using a good old Canadian hockey stick. Put the butt end of the stick down into the bottom of the golf bag. It will stick up over the woods. Mark the spot with a pen where the stick is at least one inch above your tallest wood. Then cut the blade of the stick off at that spot. Take the stick out and put the freshly cut portion at the bottom of the bag and the butt end up.
If you do not have access to a hockey stick an old broom stick will also do.
If your clubs happen to land head first the stick will take the brunt of the impact and will save your driver and woods from damage.
The next tip, equally as important as the long stick, is using a cardboard concrete form tube (such as Sono Tube available at Home Depot or Revy for under $20), which protects your club heads and shafts from side impact damage. Most bags will require a 10 or 12 inch tube, and are available in various lengths.
Cut the tube to fit the length from the top of your golf bag to the top of the hockey stick. Place it over the top of the clubs. If you have extra clubs, need more room or just want to make a really snug fit around your sticks, you can make a vertical cut down the tube, squeeze the ends tightly and duct tape it together with three separate horizontal strips of tape.
Then place your clubs in the travel bag. If you have extra space in the bag, fill the voids with your rain suit, jackets and shoes. The less room your bag has to move around the better.
The above tips are essential when using a soft shell travel bag. If you don’t already have a travel bag, I highly recommend purchasing one.
There are two options, soft shell bags and hard shell cases. There are many good soft shell bags with decent padding to protect your bag and clubs.
Many brands and styles are available out there with good bags ranging from $120 - $250. If money is no object splurge on a Club Glove bag, the number one travel bag used by PGA Tour players. They range in price from $250 to $400.
The hard shell bags are excellent as well, as the hard exterior prevents puncture holes, ripping and general wear and tear. With hard shell bags you really only have to wrap your irons and make sure there is not a lot of movement of your golf bag once you close the case. Again this can be achieved by adding extras such as rain gear, shoes and other apparel.
Once your travel bag is ready, put a plastic snap tie through the latch or zipper tabs (don’t use a lock, often cut off during security checks). The ties don’t make your bag theft proof to baggage handlers but it makes it a tougher target.
As an additional heads up, many airlines now have a 50 pound limit. If your bag is over this there typically is an additional charge.
Many players put a lot of money and time into purchasing the perfect equipment. Make sure to protect your investment on your next flight and the only thing you will have to worry about is your short game.
Lisa is the six-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for women, is ranked 2nd in the World and is a golf entertainer and motivational speaker. Lisa can be reached through her website at www.lisalongball.com
Golfers getting together
The International Couples Festival was a delight for those who love to play some golf, meet new friends and see the sights.
: Lisa shows off her skill on the 15th tee at the Crowbush Cove Golf Course in PEI.—Photo courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyk
The second annual International Couples Festival was held from July 8 to 12, 2010, in Prince Edward Island—and was an overwhelming success. The only event of its kind in North America, participants hailed from seven provinces and 14 U.S. states with couples ranging in age from their 30s to 60-plus.
I must say, I have been to a great deal of golf events, but this was something special. I too am a person that loves to play golf with my spouse and at times have felt we are a rare breed. Though there is a place for Saturday morning snips with the boys and Wednesday ladies day/night with the girls, there also needs to be a place to play as a couple, with other couples. And that place is PEI.
The event is based on a non-competitive format. Chief operating officer of Golf PEI warmed up the crowd on opening night, reiterating that the event was for fun and to have fun…it was a “festival.” The crowd giggled and chuckled and many couples commented on past experiences where they played in a stroke play format with their spouse and by the 18th hole were ready to sign the divorce papers.
Instead, the goal of this event was to play your own ball, shoot your own score, experience the courses for what they have to offer and simply play the game.
A warm reception
Nike was the title sponsor for the event. Participants were thrilled to receive a pair of his and hers Nike golf shoes in their welcome bag and I had the good fortune of being part of the event as a Nike athlete and Canadian Long Drive Champion. I came from land locked Alberta to the Maritimes to have fun with the guests and hit some big drives. Though the ball doesn’t travel as far at sea level the breathtaking scenery and world class courses made up for it.
The event was kicked off with a lively opening reception. It started with a cocktail party in which couples mixed and mingled and shared hot appetizers with a seafood flair and cold beverages to counter the 30-degree heat wave. Even the Floridians thought it was hot and teased that they left the sunshine state for cooler temperatures and hadn’t seen them yet.
A comedian kept guests entertained with his Anne of Green Gables wig and lost tourist look. Photos could be taken with “Anne” and matching hair pieces as well. I jumped into the photo with a couple from Alberta and we got right into the spirit.
Talented musicians and young singers delighted the crowd and showed off the diverse culture and talent on the island. I shared some fun and humorous golf stories with the guests, including a tale from my experience playing at Pebble Beach and having an issue with the starter, and being told to hit from the “ladies tees.”
Again, all the couples could commiserate, women especially, with that look you get from a twosome of gentleman when you are paired up on the first tee along with your husband and you can spot the eye rolling a mile way and that look that shouts, ”Man, just my luck, I got paired with a chick!”
Off to a great start
The next morning it was off to the 15th tee at the Links at Crowbush Cove. I preformed a demo off the stunning 15th tee. A beautiful downhill par 4 with ocean sprawling behind. It would easily rank it as one of the top links holes in Canada. I had a tailwind which was a dream for any long bomber.
After the demo we were off to play 18 holes in a shotgun start. One of the female guests started her round by taking her first swing in the event on the 8th hole and jarring it for her 8th…that’s correct, your read that right, her 8th hole in one!
As I travelled around the course people were laughing and enjoying the game and the company. New friendships were forged and everyone was in good spirits.
In the afternoons and evenings, couples were encouraged to explore the island and the culinary delights. Many people took in lobster suppers, oyster bars, famous restaurants, wonderful cafés and hidden gems spanning the island. Activities included trips to the beach, lighthouse tours, a Taylor Swift concert, shopping and hikes.
The participants played three rounds and on the final day capped off the event with a closing banquet and traditional island kitchen party. This was the perfect wrap-up to the event. Couples had the chance to reconnect with all the people they met that week and celebrate the spirit of golf and meeting new friends over wine, lobster, muscles, potatoes and good ol’ island hospitality.
The International Couples Festival is growing each year and promises not to disappoint. The package includes four nights of luxury accommodation, a welcome bag, opening reception, three rounds of golf, a closing banquet and complimentary shuttle service. The price for the event is $949 per person plus tax. If you are looking to book for next year, mark July 7 to 10, 2011, in your calendar and go to www.golfpei.ca/couples to register.
Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is the reigning six-time Canadian long Drive Champion for Women, a Golf Entertainer and Motivational Speaker. She can be reached through her website.
St. Andrews attracts golf lovers and tourists
This charming location is rich with history and golfing opportunities
: St. Andrews Cathedral and St. Rule’s Tower are must-see tourist attractions.—Photo courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyk
The 139th British Open Championship was recently held from July 12 to 18, 2010, in St. Andrews, Scotland—the birthplace of golf. For golfers who have never been there, the images of the pot bunkers, double greens and the history of the course beckon you to make the pilgrimage.
St. Andrews is a quaint town located on the east coast of Scotland in the Kingdom of Fife. It is bordered by the North Sea and surrounded by open countryside. Once known as the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, it is now known as the home of golf. Thousands of tourists travel each year to St. Andrews to walk the hallowed fairways that every great golfer who has played the game has competed on.
Golf has been played in St. Andrews for 600 years. There are a wide variety of courses in the area to delight golfers of all ages and abilities. St. Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organization, runs and manages seven popular courses—the most famous and revered being the Old Course.
The Old Course is not the most difficult course you have ever played, but it will be the most thrilling. As you stand on the first tee, even the hands of the steeliest veteran will shake a little and images of great champions teeing off from that very spot will distract you from the task at hand. As you meander your way through the links you will surely encounter one of the 112 bunkers located on course. The most famous is the Hell Bunker on the 14th hole or the Road Hole Bunker that has been the demise of a few British Open contenders. The massive double greens are also a signature part of the course and players can face putts of nearly 100 yards.
Favourites among golfers
The Old Course has become the favourite of some of golf’s greatest players. Jack Nicklaus said of the course that has seen him hoist two Claret Jugs, “I fell in love with it the first time I played it. There’s just no other golf course that is even remotely close.”
In addition to the Old Course there are five other fantastic links-style courses. Two championship courses are the New Course built in 1895 and the Jubilee Course, built in 1897. Both courses offer challenging layouts and true links golf. The remaining courses include the Eden, for golfers looking for a more leisurely round, the Strathtyrum suitable for high handicappers and the Balgove, a 9-hole track perfect for beginners and children.
The newest addition to the St. Andrews family is the Castle Course. Opened in late June of 2008 this cliff top course offers spectacular views of the town along with vistas of St. Andrews Bay and the North Sea. The fescue will force you to hit accurate shots and the dramatic greens will test your flat stick. After the round you can treat yourself to a beverage on the deck of the new clubhouse.
There is also a state-of-the-art practice facility and instruction centre located near town for players looking to find their game. Visitors can forge a relationship at the home of golf with one of the pros and continue to send video footage of their swing for in-depth analysis even after they have returned home.
In addition to St. Andrews Links Trust courses, the Duke’s Course is located close by and it also boasts a first class golf academy and an 18-hole championship track that is heralded as one of the British Isle’s best heathland golf courses. It offers challenging golf that ranges from tree-lined fairways to wide open countryside, with expansive bunkers and many well-guarded greens.
Take a tour
In addition to the local golf make time in your schedule to hit some of the famous Open venues located within day trip range including Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Muirfield and Turnberry.
Although there are many bed and breakfasts that dot the Scottish countryside, when you make this trip of a lifetime splurge and stay at the Old Course Hotel. The property offers 144 guest rooms, including 35 suites. Purchased by the Kohler Company in October of 2004, an extensive renovation of the hotel has recently been completed. Rooms are lavishly designed—many featuring private balconies, large bathrooms and chromotherapy baths.
The Kohler Waters Spa offers a relaxing and rejuvenating time after you hit the links. The hydrotherapy pool, plunge pool, Japanese steam room, light therapy sauna and dozens of treatment options will cure any swing fault.
The dining on property is second to none and the Road Hole Grill offers spectacular views of the coastline and the 17th and 18th holes of the Old Course through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Menu items offer a diverse selection of Scottish—and where possible, organic—ingredients including Shetland Organic Salmon, East Neuk Lobster and Suckling pig from Ross-Shire.
Treat yourself to the eight-course menu with wine and champagne pairings for an unforgettable world-class dining experience. Cap the night off by moving down to the Road Hole Bar, famous for the selection of 200 whiskeys in a cozy and sophisticated setting that offers panoramic views of the Old Course. It is a golfer’s paradise.
To make the experience complete, walk out the back door of the hotel and stroll down the fairway after the last group passes through, and sit on the Swilcan Bridge. Take in the history and ambiance of the most famous course in the world and know that as a golfer you have truly come home.
Top attractions
The closest major airport to St Andrews is at Edinburgh approximately 45 minutes by train or car.
University of St Andrews: Attended by Prince William, this is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the UK
St. Andrews Castle: This stunning seaside castle was built in approximately 1400. It served as a home for Bishops, as a fortress and even as a prison. It fell into ruin in the 1600s (open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April to September—otherwise closed at 4:30 p.m.)
St. Andrews Cathedral and St Rule’s Tower: This ruined cathedral was at one time the most important cathedral in Scotland. It has an extensive graveside that is home to the late Tom Morris Junior. The ruins can be explored free of charge and there is a nominal fee for climbing the tower. Spectacular views await those that do (open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April to September—otherwise closed at 4:30 p.m.)
West Sands (beach): One of three beaches in the area. Several scenes from Chariots of Fire were filmed here.
British Golf Museum: An informative and interactive exploration of the history of golf (open from Easter to October, Monday to Saturday from 9:30a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., otherwise daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Pubs
Top five pubs
The Dunvegan: This is a 9-iron from the Old Course and the favourite of caddies and players after the round. It is chalk full of photos of PGA tour stars and sports and entertainment celebrities when they stopped by for a pint.
Ma Bells Bistro Bar: Overlooks the sea and the Old Course and was Prince William’s favourite haunt.
The Road Hole Bar: Offers phenomenal views of the Old Course and the largest selection of Scotch from every distillery in Scotland.
Lizard Lounge: The closest you will get to a bar/club in St. Andrews.
West Port: A high-end wine bar with trendy atmosphere.
A dream at Pebble Beach
Lisa Longball surprised her husband with a life’s dream—they golfed Pebble Beach and met Arnold Palmer
A dream come true: Arnold Palmer poses with Lisa and Anton Vlooswyk at Pebble Beach—Courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyck
The 110th US Open was held on June 14 - 20, 2010, at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the sixth time. It is heralded as one of the most spectacular US Open venues. A bucket list course.
I knew I had to play it, some way, somehow. I started squirreling away for the trip and I ended up surprising my husband Anton for a milestone birthday. Pebble Beach Golf Links was a gift like no other.
We were greeted at the front gate by a valet who took our clubs and parked our car. After passing a beautiful garden we came around a corner and saw the first tee. We were awestruck—there was the first tee at Pebble Beach where the legends of golf had gone before us.
As we enthusiastically went to check in, we were informed that Arnold Palmer would be playing in front of us. At that moment a large crowd was beginning to form behind us. We turned around and there he was.
He was very approachable. After introducing ourselves he shook our hands and graciously posed for a picture with us. It truly was an honour.
After kindly signing autographs for admiring fans, Palmer stood on the tee and split the fairway with his drive to a thunderous applause.
After recovering from our celebrity sighting we warmed up and hit the first tee. We were assigned a wonderful caddy named Chris. He had been a veteran at Pebble for the last 13 years and has caddied for the likes of Clint Eastwood, Joe Pesci, Jane Seymour and Don Johnson.
After a slight disagreement with the starter when he told me I should hit from the “ladies tees” (you can imagine how well that went over) we teed off with a wonderful father and son twosome from Toronto.
Luxurious surroundings
The first two holes of the course boasted beautifully manicured fairways, lush rough and homes starting at $20 million US. Celebrities ranging from Gene Hackman, Bing Crosby and Charles Schwab own or have owned homes on the course. This is definitely not a course where you want to duck hook a shot into a backyard.
As we rounded the corner on number three to hit our approach shot we got the first breathtaking views of the ocean. The salty air, ocean breeze, surf crashing and sun beating down on you were enough to distract even the most focused golfer.
Once we got over the views it was back to business. That little white ball does not fly as far at sea level as it does in our fair and elevated city of Calgary. Club selection was a challenge but we were comforted by the fact that the ocean played as a lateral hazard.
The immaculate condition of the course, the unforgiving and small greens, the club catching rough, massive sand traps with looming edges and the strong ocean breeze make this seemingly tame 7,040-yard course a force to be reckoned with on tour.
We too felt as if we were pros as our caddy coached us through the course. He read greens, selected and cleaned our clubs, carried our bags, washed our balls, informed us of unforgiving traps and passed on the local gossip.
Memory of a lifetime
Every shot was a challenge but a joy at the same time. We were saddened as we rounded the last corner to number 17 and 18.
As we approached 18 we decided that we had to play that last hole from the tips. The ocean coast guarded the entire left side toward a narrow fairway.
After we holed out we shook hands on the green and we stood for a moment trying to freeze-frame that moment into a lifelong memory. We knew that many more future greats of the game would stand in that very place.
If you are interested in playing Pebble it will cost you a pretty penny. Green fees are $495 US plus a caddy (which is not mandatory but highly recommended). To book a tee time prior to 24 hours in advance golfers must stay two nights at one of the three Pebble Beach accommodations. The “dirt cheap” room is $595 and can go up to $2,750. Reservations are recommended for one year in advance. For more information go to www.pebblebeach.com.
Although the trip is a small fortune it is well worth it! Jack Nicklaus was once quoted “If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I’ve loved this course from the first time I saw it. It’s possibly the best in the world.”
Keep track of your stats
Being straight with yourself will improve your game
Keep tabs: Your scorecard can be a powerful tool for improving your game—Photo courtesy of Lisa Vlooswyk
Most golfers record their score on each hole, tally it up after the round and reminisce about the good, the bad and the ugly at the 19th hole with their playing partners. Your scorecard can actually be used as a key tool in better understanding your game and reducing strokes. There are four main statistics you should keep track of on your card. # Score # Putts # Greens in Regulation # Fairways Score: Keeping track of your score is important if you are serious about establishing a handicap and improving your game. Make sure to include all of your penalty strokes, even whiffs (when you intend to hit your ball and you miss). When you record your score you can use symbols for quick reference. The pros typically put a circle around their birdies, a diamond around their eagles and a square around their bogies. If you are a single digit handicap this might be a good system for you. However, if you are a regular golfer, birdies and even pars are pretty exciting. Therefore you could circle your pars, diamond your birdies and square your double bogies. It is also a good idea to keep track of your equitable score. This is the maximum number of strokes over par you can take per hole for handicap purposes. If you are a zero or plus handicap the maximum score you can record is 1 over par, 1-18 handicap: 2 over par, 19-32: 3 over par, 33+: 4 over par. Putts: Focusing on your total number of putts will help you realize just how those missed three-footers add up. Assuming you two-putt every green, you should have 36 putts. Even that is too many. Top touring pros average 27-28 putts per round. By honing in on your short game skills you should be able to chip it close and one putt or get up and down from the sand more frequently. Greens in Regulation: This is an easy statistic to keep. Did you reach the green in regulation (GIR)? On a par 3 GIR is being on in 1, a par 4 GIR is being on in 2 and a par 5 GIR is being on in 3. You can also consider being on a GIR if you are on in fewer than the required strokes (eg: hitting on a par 5 in 2). Fairways: This is a statistic that you keep just for par 4’s and 5’s. To count being on the fairway you must land on the short grass, not in the rough. This is a good area of your game to focus on. The more you are on the fairway off the tee with a good lie, instead behind a tree, in a bunker or in the bush, the better your scoring opportunities will be. Keep track of your stats and you will be pleasantly surprised how much more you focus on your game during your round. Make sure to celebrate your success when your stats improve! Lisa is the six-time Canadian Long Drive Champion, a golf entertainer and motivational speaker. Lisa can be reached through her website at "www.lisalongball.com(http://www.lisalongball.com)":http://www.lisalongball.com
A preview of the Masters
This legendary event brings joy to all who participate
The place to be: Golfers gather excitedly to witness this coveted tournament.—Lisa Vlooswyk
As the first major of the year, the Masters not only marks the true beginning of the golf season, but is arguably the most revered and sought after title. This year’s event will be held April 5 to11, 2010, in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament will be highlighted by Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf since November, 2009, after personal scandal rocked the number one player’s world. It may be the highest rated Masters telecast in history. The Masters itself is bigger than Tiger Woods, it is a tournament steeped deeply in tradition. There is a mystique about the tournament that surpasses all others. Every golfer wants to go and every player wants to win it. I have attended Masters week, Monday to Sunday, sun up to sun down—and I learned many interesting facts and tidbits firsthand. h3. Exclusive entrance The Masters truly is one of the toughest tickets in sports to get. The applications for series badges were closed in 1972 and a waiting list was started that was then closed in 1978. It was reopened briefly in 2000 and has been shut down since. Unless you are a member, player, guest of either, on the list for series badges, have media accreditation, have LPGA, PGA or GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) credentials, or are willing to sell your first born, you aren’t getting in. Many of the patrons I met had parents, grandparents or friends that have had series badges for over 40 years. The badge holders don’t usually go every year or on all four days and often give their passes to loved ones. If you aren’t one of these beloved people, your options for tickets are to go through a lottery process for practice rounds by mailing your letter of interest to Augusta National prior to July 15, or to pay between $200 and $2,000 per day per ticket through e-bay, scalpers or event planners. The actual face value of ticket prices for Monday and Tuesday practice round tickets are a measly $36, Wednesday tickets are $41 and Thursday through Sunday badges are an incredibly low $200 for all four days. If you are interested in tickets for this year, go through an accredited event planner. Be prepared to pay top dollar for this experience. Quint Events still has tickets available along with access to lodging, hosting and transportation (866-834-8663). h3. A few regulations Once you get through the gates, the trick is staying in. The rules there are very strict. Running and cell phones are not allowed and cameras are not permitted on tournament days. If caught, the patron is immediately taken by security to the gate to be removed and has his/her badge confiscated. Fifteen people were escorted out of the tournament the day I inquired. Any other behaviour considered inappropriate, such as booing or removing/damaging property, would also warrant the loss of credentials. If you lose your credentials you are black listed for life and will never get a badge or ticket again. Every badge has a number on it that corresponds to the owner of the badge. Thus, the owner—regardless if he/she is the one who broke the rules—loses the credentials for good, even if he is a member. If you can follow the simple rules and etiquette at Augusta, it is a glorious experience. Food and beverages are served at depression era pricing, with sandwiches for $1.50 and beer for $2. Spectator guides are provided free of charge, and picnic facilities, water fountains and grandstand seating are available. Those who are smokers are in carcinogenic heaven. Smoking is permitted on the course, including cigars. Entrepreneurs capitalized on this and were quietly selling Cohibas out of their private humidors. h3. More perks Other fringe benefits of being a patron include the option to bring or purchase a chair and place it anywhere on the course. You pop your business card in a slot and once you leave your chair it will remain untouched for the remainder of the day. Although, be prepared for the crowds. Trying to find a front row seat to place your chairs first thing in the morning is a challenge. Grown men can often be found pushing, shoving and exchanging choice words to ensure their prime spot. The chair placing was so competitive, corporate attendees were paying the litter collectors $20 per chair to hide their seat under the grandstand and set it up the next day before the gates opened. The security guard on Hole 16, also a former FBI agent, discovered the “crime ring” after uncovering 32 chairs stashed under the grandstand on the 15th hole. The litter collectors were apparently being prosecuted but had made quite a tidy sum in the process. It is a haven for creative entrepreneurs. John Daly has been known to park his trailer on the front lawn of Hooters all week. His merchandise sells like hot cakes and he has sold out of his trademark boxers early in the week that say “Grip it” on the front and “Rip it” on the back. Professional e-bayers see the Masters as a treasure trove. Hoping to sell Masters Flags with the winner’s autograph, scalpers have bags and pockets filled with over 50 flags and get each one signed by a different player in hopes to hit the jack-pot. Autographs are only allowed near the driving range so scalpers were even paying off children to squirm their way to the front row and play the “innocent kid” card to players. It worked. Many players are well aware of the autograph sellers and have strict policies. Tom Watson wouldn’t sign flags, Jim Furyk wouldn’t sign balls and 1987 Masters Champion Larry Mize insisted on personalizing his autograph and adding a biblical reference. h3. Tricks of the trade Practice rounds are also a great way to see trick shots. Monday through Wednesday any player coming through the 16th tee will receive a loud chant, “skip, skip, skip.” Players then skip the ball across the water on the par 3 hole much to the joy and amusement of the patrons. If after the cut there are an uneven number of players in the field, a “non-competing marker,” Augusta National’s reigning Club Champion, will be called up to play so that no Tour player plays alone. Augusta National truly is considered hallowed ground by most golfers. One of the patrons was spotted pouring a jar full of dust in the rough on Amen Corner. He was overheard saying, “Now you’re in heaven, Dad.” Overall the Masters experience is magical! Amen Corner is every bit as breathtaking as you imagine it to be. The azaleas in full bloom are like perfectly perched brilliant pink butterflies. The greens are a delightful combination of rolling hills and skating rinks and the fairways look like lush pristine emerald green carpets without a hair out of place. You would be hard pressed to find anything that remotely resembles a weed on the entire course. It is a must-see. Make it one of your 10 Things in Life to Do, before you are sprinkled there, you won’t be disappointed!
PGA show’s top picks
Lisa Longball finds the best in Canadian golfwear and products
Fantastic golfwear: Golfers like to stay fashionable too.—Photo courtesy Quagmire Golf
The PGA Show in Orlando is the biggest show in golf held each January to kick-start the official beginning of the golf season. Last year I was a rookie attendee and was caught like a deer in the headlights with over a million square feet of every golf goodie, gadget and garment available. This year I came armed with comfy but stylish shoes and a planned route. Here are some of the top Canadian finds that impressed me: h3. Keeping dry and warm One of the leaders in outerwear technology, Sunice has proven its merit. In addition to offering high quality base and mid-layers, this Canadian company is most well known for their four categories of Sunice shells from their Storm and Hurricane lines that keep players dry and warm in any condition and on the course longer. Their top line offers a lifetime waterproof guarantee and specialized technology in their products. Some features include: Flex vent, an anti-odour and moisture-wicking Xstatic fabric. These garments are thermodynamic, anti-static and have in-pocket ball and club cleaners. Sunice boasts one of the most extensive lines for women’s outerwear with the Evelyn jacket being a top seller for 2010 ("www.sunice.com(http://www.sunice.com)":http://www.sunice.com). h3. Hip and youthful Quagmire Golf is a hip, youthful and unique clothing line designed to be worn casually for both men and women with a skateboard and surf-style flair. Two young Canucks started this company, which has been in the golf apparel market for the last four years and has experienced tremendous growth and success. The unconventional necklines, board short look, creative use of striping, skewed chest pockets, large Q logo and staple plaid bottoms are some of the signature looks of Quagmire. The 2010 lineup continues with those traditions along with adding front gathering polos for women, golf dresses, skorts—both pleated and safari-style—along with casual leisure and outerwear including blazers and hoodies. The men’s line sports contrasting coloured collars, flat-front pants, retro-style activewear, plaid button-down short-sleeve shirts and Castro and trucker-style hats "(http://www.quagmiregolf.com((www.quagmiregolf.com)":http://(http://www.quagmiregolf.com). h3. Performance artwear Catwalk debuted in 2006 and the vision for the line was to create clothing that celebrated the female form but was as comfortable as it was practical. This Canadian company brands themselves as “performance artwear.” The fitted aspect to the clothing has been very popular amongst many women who were tired of the men’s-style baggy polos and the XXL tees LPGA player Becky Iverson used to wear. The clothing looks stylish, comfortable and attractive and has a yoga flair to it. Although it definitely fits the woman who is sporting a hard body, owner and creator Lauren Demerling said confident plus size-women wear her tops too. The creative use of striping is flattering to the figure as is the open neckline. ("www.catwalkartwear.com(http://www.catwalkartwear.com)":http://www.catwalkartwear.com) h3. Great glasses Sundog Eyewear has been a staple in the eye wear industry for more than 25 years and is well known for quality product and great value. A strong focus of the company is ensuring there is a variety of product to meet individual customer’s needs. A multitude of lenses are offered including polycarbonate, polarized, melanin-infused and transition lenses. Lens shapes are designed to fit different faces: large, small, shallow and deep, and a variety of frame materials are used to best compliment the wide range of head shapes. Top golfers have endorsed this product, including LPGA sensation Paula Creamer and Canada’s own Mike Weir. Both have their own lines, which are widely popular both on and off the course ("www.sundogeyewear.com(http://www.sundogeyewear.com)":http://www.sundogeyewear.com). h3. Stay and play Fox Harb’r Golf Resort is a high-end Canadian golf resort located in Nova Scotia. Created by Tim Hortons founder Ron Joyce, it was a gem at the PGA Show and a must-play. Tiger Woods held a televised celebrity event there this past season that highlighted the breathtaking views and championship golf. Stay and Play packages are offered with on-site luxury accommodation, dining, a spa and a sporting lodge for hunting, fishing and shooting, along with access to a multitude of fitness and lifestyle pursuits such as tennis and kayaking. The season runs from May 15 to October 31 and the hunting season goes from October 1 to March 31. This is a bucket list course and a great golf experience ("www.foxharbr.com(http://www.foxharbr.com)":http://www.foxharbr.com).
Generating club head speed
Use your whole body to increase the speed of your club head
Keep it strong: Proper exercises can help prepare you for the course.—Photo courtesy Lisa Vlooswyk
To hit long, straight shots it is imperative to be properly warmed up beforehand. Whether you are just practicing or going out to play 18 holes, take five to ten minutes to warm up your muscles. Warm muscles lead to increased flexibility and mobility, which in turn leads to increased distance and accuracy. The biggest misconception in golf is that distance comes from swinging your arms faster. In fact, according to PGA Tour player Stephen Ames, power is generated from the ground up. Your legs are key in generating club head speed, thus it is important to warm them up. * Stand up straight with your shoulders back holding a club parallel to the ground, at chest height and close to your body. * Bend your knees into a squat position keeping your chest up, try to get your quadriceps parallel to the ground and simultaneously push the club away from your body. This movement will actively stretch your calves, and quadriceps along with warming up your shoulders. * The shoulders and surrounding muscles are also the keys to getting into the proper positions to make a power move and a good turn. Take a club behind your back and grip the club with your right hand on top, palm facing toward your body and your left hand on the bottom—palm facing away. Pull up towards the sky with your top (right) hand only. This will stretch your deltoid (front of the shoulder) and your triceps. * Finally, put your right arm straight out in front of you and pull it with the back of your left hand towards your chest. Ensure that your right hand thumb is facing down. Hold for two to five seconds, then using your shoulder muscles, swing your right arm away from your body rotating your thumb up towards the sky. Focus on keeping the arm straight and standing up tall. Repeat this motion 10 - 15 times, then switch arms. Flexibility is extremely important to achieve a full range of motion maximizing your distance. Practice these stretches the next time you are on the range and hopefully you will add key yards to your game. Hit it hard!
Summer dreaming
Lisa Longball leads you on a mid-winter sunny golf fantasy
Enjoying the sun: Get rid of the winter blues and take a golf holiday—Photo courtesy Lisa Longball
When you are a golfer and you are stuck dead in the middle of a Canadian winter, your mind wanders to sunnier locations. You haven’t hit balls in what seems an eternity and there may actually be dust accumulating on your sticks. You asked Santa for Pro V1s and a subscription to Golf Digest. It is obvious you are in desperate need of a golf fix and the re-runs of Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf on the Golf Channel aren’t doing it for you. The only cure…a golf holiday. One of the top destinations picked by western Canadians is Palm Springs. There are direct daily flights from most major cities and it is a golf mecca. Palm Springs, California, lies on the western edge of the Coachella Valley, within the Colorado Desert. It has more than 350 days of sunshine and less than 5.2 inches of rain, winter temperatures average in the 20’s with nights that do not lead to frost delays. The dry desert heat of summer pushes daytime temperatures into the unfathomable mid 30’s which is often a great time to find golf bargains. It’s a dry heat and if you tee off first thing you beat the mid-day sun. There are more than 100 lodging properties in Palm Springs, ranging from boutique hotels, historic bed and breakfasts, private villas and full-service hotels, to vacation home and condo rentals. Famous for being the past destination of the stars, many celebrities had holiday homes there—including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and former Mayor Sonny Bono. It was also the honey moon destination of Elvis and Pricilla Presley. A PGA Tour stop, the Bob Hope Classic continues to bring celebrities to town and will be played in late January, 2010, if you want to plan your golf holiday in conjunction with watching tour golf. But what Palm Springs is truly known for, is its fabulous golf courses and resorts. There are more than 125 courses in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert areas in an array of price ranges. A favourite amongst players is the picturesque Indian Wells Golf Resort. It holds the distinction of being the only 36-hole public golf facility on Golfweek’s Top 20 "Best Courses You Can Play" in California. The 7,050-yard Celebrity Course was home to the LG Skins Game for many years. There are spectacular mountain views, contoured fairways and greens, elevation changes, scenic water features and breathtaking flora and fauna. You will be pulling out your camera on every hole. The Players course is equally popular but doesn’t have the glitz of the celebrity course. It is merely straight-up unabashed good golf. It has wide inviting fairways but the deep undulations make you think your way around the course offering many risk reward opportunities. It is a course for the discerning golfer and stretches out to 7,376 yards. The club house and putting green are not to be missed. A fun 18-hole mini putt course it set up to test your skills and warm up your flat stick before the round. After your game, stop by and have a seat on the patio and enjoy the mountain and golf course views that will beckon you back for more. The Indian Wells golf resort also offers four stunning properties including Hyatt Grand Champions Resort Villas & Spa, Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Miramonte Resort & Spa and Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa. All properties focusing on customer service, delectable food and a relaxing atmosphere. Another famed course and resort that is a must-see is the La Quinta Resort and Club. It boasts five championship-length courses—all unique and spectacular in their own right. The Mountain Course is well known for its creative design and playability. It was ranked as one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play. Also a very enjoyable and well designed track is Pete Dye’s Dunes Course. If you really want to challenge your game, take a drive to sister property PGA West and tee it up at the two courses bearing the namesake of two legendary players and course designers; the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and the Greg Norman Course. Both offer dramatic and spectacular backdrops and darn right challenging golf. End your trip at the famed Stadium course at PGA West. Also a Pete Dye design, it has held high profile events such as the Bob Hope Classic, the Skins Game and the PGA Tour final qualifying school. It was named by Golf Traveler magazine as the second most challenging course in America. You will want to take in the stunning views and use the first 16 holes to prepare for the famous 17th hole also nicknamed Alcatraz as it is a par 3 green surrounded by water. Hit the green or take a penalty. An outstanding hole and must play course. The La Quinta resort also offers luxurious accommodation. It boasts 800 guest rooms and suites in Spanish style casitas with either garden or mountain views. A plethora of pools and whirlpools are on site along with a state of the art spa and savoury restaurants. Palm Springs has a laid back atmosphere perfect for the vacation golfer or even for the snowbird. It’s never too early to think about retirement…especially when you are scraping off your windows with your credit card on a brisk minus 20 degree morning. Go Long! Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is the reigning six-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women and can be reached through her website at "www.lisalongball.com(http://www.lisalongball.com)":http://www.lisalongball.com
The world of Lisa Longball
A rare glimpse into the real life of a Canadian athlete
A sweet moment: Prior to competition, Vlooswyk shared some fun with Luke—Photo courtesy Lisa Longball
The 2009 Women’s World Long Drive Championship was held October 2 and 3 in Palm Springs, California. This is the pinnacle event for the sport of Women’s Long Drive. Typically the event has been organized and run by Long Drivers of America (LDA) and the championship finals for women have been held since 2000 in Mesquite, Nevada. The LDA removed the Women’s Division from their roster after the 2008 finals citing lower enrolment and a lack of economic feasibility. The Open Men’s, Seniors’ and Super Seniors’ Division World Championships continue to be hosted by the LDA and will take place in Mesquite from October 26 - 30, 2009. The women’s event is now run by the International Women’s Long Drive Alliance headed by Pamela and John Joseph. The inaugural event was a huge success and was a World Class experience. I recently returned from the competition and would like to share my journey with you. To give a little background, my nickname is Lisa Longball (because no one could spell or pronounce my last name—Vlooswyk). I am a born and raised Albertan and I won my first Canadian National Long Drive Championship title in 2001 and have retained it every year since. I won the 2004 LDA Tour Championships and my top finish at the World Championships was third place in 2005. The following year, I was the first pregnant athlete at World Championships and teed up six and a half months pregnant and still squeaked in a top ten finish, a place I have become familiar with the last two years. Athlete and mother My son is now 2, and I am the only competitor that has a young child, which presents unique and interesting challenges. In addition to the pressure of picking cute outfits that will look good on TV (reader note: white on the bottom is not tremendously slimming on television, I found that out the hard way once) and packing my clubs with sawed off hockey sticks and concrete form sonotubes (ok, yes, can you tell I married an engineer?) to ensure the sticks will arrive safely with unsnapped over length shafts was the least of my worries. We arrived at Calgary International Airport at 6:00 am on Friday October 2. In addition to luggage and my clubs we had two backpacks filled with children’s toys, books, snacks, and games. I snuck a few Golf Digests and Golf magazines in there but who was I kidding…no time to read on the plane with a little one. It took over an hour to get through customs and security. There are only so many times one can sing Dora the Explorer songs and make a bag tag look interesting to an active toddler. Apparently Diego yogurt is a potential bomb hazard and was confiscated, but a small yogurt drink under 100 ml, once placed in a plastic Ziploc bag…was now no longer a threat to National Security. Once through to the gates my husband Anton and I were able to tempt our son Luke with nutritionally sound egg sandwiches from Harvey’s and what appeared to be hash browns. Luke has flown many times for my competitions and or events but this was the first time he had his own seat. Like any good parent we purchased a DVD player for the flight to try to entertain our little man on the journey to Denver then onto Palm Springs. The trick worked magnificently until the flight attendant asks for all electronic devices to be turned off during decent. You can imagine the hullabaloo that ensured. That’s when Dora the Explorer sugary snacks come in very handy as a bribing technique. Hitting the greens Once in Palm Springs it was off to find a driving range. This proved to be a difficult task as most of the courses in the Palm Springs were overseeding and ranges were closed. While I was practicing, Luke hit balls for the first time with non plastic shafts. It was pretty exciting. Even though he has a bit of a hockey player move—a true Canadian—and his shafts were too long, he seemed to have a good swing. We hope to use the pictures at his wedding one day. That evening it was the Players’ Welcome Reception held at the Spotlight 29 Casino just out of Palm Springs. We were treated to martinis, and scrumptious appetizers and we each were taken aside for individually recorded interviews with a cameraman. We went over the rules of the event which included one on the tee at a time. Each competitor receives six balls, has three minutes to hit the balls which must land in and stay within the grid that was 380 yards long and 40 yards wide. The longest ball of each set would be officially measured. We then all received forms to fill out so that the announcer would have some fun and interesting tid bits to share about each of us as we came to the tee. Upon leaving we all received a gift bag with a beautiful collapsible putter (drive for show, putt for dough…heard it before) and many other fun goodies. Prepping for competition It was off for a good night’s sleep before competition day. The sleep was slightly interrupted as Luke got up at his standard 6:45 in the morning but with the time zone change it was actually 5:45 am desert time. My husband kindly got up and took Luke for a drive so I could get a bit more sleep before the big night. They checked out Home Depot and with a lack of the standard Saturday morning stop at Tim Horton’s, went to Starbucks instead. Once they got back it was off to another driving range to have a short practice session and prepare for the evening. The focus of my practice was to get into a rhythm of hitting sets of six balls in three minutes and a pre-shot routine. I practiced hitting solid shots and pretending to have the pressure to have to make it happen on the last ball, if need be. At 5:00 it was off to the grid. A large electronic sign welcomed the competitors and had each of our names scrolling waiting for numbers to be posted beside. We warmed up and chatted on the range complimenting each other when we knew a ball was well struck. We stayed hydrated as it was over 30 degrees Celsius and the cooler night air would be a blessing. After each girl was introduced to the crowds in the grandstands it was off to the first round. The field was smaller than in previous years but was stacked. There were no easy rounds this time as in the past. All the girls except one had international experience in long drive competition and had all won an event at one point. Former World Champion and Los Angeles Fire Fighter, Sheila Keller, European Champion Sandra Carlborg and former Swedish National champion Helena Rhodin were all among the competitors that were looking to bring home the title. Taking on the challenge We went through a series of six rounds with a double elimination format. The winds continued to increase in intensity through the competition and unfortunately were in our face. After three rounds the field continued to get whittled down until the final round which would be a fresh start final with the top three seeds from the round. We competed in reverse order and certified instructor and physical trainer on the PGA Tour Leanne Quinn from the United States was up first. She hit a great ball—256 yards into a 50-70 km/hr head wind. I was next to go. I looked over at my husband and son and couldn’t believe how good my little guy was being—as he to be there for over three hours in the stands—and how supportive my husband was. I felt very lucky at that moment, like I had already won. I had a great set hitting four of my six balls in. I smashed a ball 276 yards which felt like 330. I knew it was a great number in those conditions but I was nervous with one competitor left. Current European Tour player Carlborg who lead the competition came up and hit her first three balls OB. She killed her fourth ball and the crowd went nuts thinking it may be the winning drive. It was called back one foot short of mine. The excitement built. I couldn’t believe I was two balls away from potentially being the World Champion. She hit her fifth ball and it started to drift right. It landed in at 281 yards and she won the event. She was a gracious champion and it was well deserved. We stood up for the cheque presentation and Carlborg received a Happy Gilmore-sized cheque. We teased that she should take it into the bank like that. All of the girls were fantastic and extremely supportive of each other; the way the sport should be. We celebrated as a group afterwards and I am already excited about training for 2010 to try to move up one spot and bring the World title back to Canada.
The importance of having a putting process
Lisa Longball shows how to increase your short-game success
: Lisa Longball shows how to increase your short-game success—
Every golfer should have a putting process. It is much like a pre-shot routine. It is a set series of movements that you do every time without fail when you approach the putting green. Having a putting process has allowed me to make more putts—from four-footers to 40-footers, has cut down my three-putts tremendously and has given me confidence that has extended to the rest of my game. The process should start with taking your glove off to feel better connected with the putter. As you walk up to your ball, survey the green and the break, noting undulations and the high side of the hole. Place your marker down behind the ball and clean off the dirt and debris. Place the ball back down, lining up a mark on the ball (pre-drawn with a Sharpie pen) to your target line. Your target line is directed either to the apex of the break (if you are going to die it into the hole), or to the heart of the left or right edge (if you are going to firmly stroke it to the cup). At this point each person’s routine may vary. I take three or four steps back and double check that my line is right. I then remove my marker and stand beside my ball, making four practice strokes consecutively, with no stopping. This allows me to get a feel of how far I should take my putter back, and the distance to the hole. I keep my eyes on the hole the entire time I do this. I then glide my putter along the green up behind the ball, and match my alignment line on my putter to the mark on the ball. I have already picked my line so I trust it. I take one last look at the hole, visualize my ball dropping, then bring my eyes back to the ball and make my stroke—ensuring to accelerate through the putt; I stare at the spot my ball once stood for at least two to three seconds before looking up at the cup. I judge a successful putt based on how I rolled it versus whether it went in. If I hit it where I was aiming, and it rolled end-over-end smoothly, then that was a success. In addition to the general routine, here are a few tips you can incorporate into your putting process to help you play like a pro. * Put your glove in your back pocket with the fingers hanging out loosely. If you don’t have a back pocket tuck the bottom of your glove under your belt. * Bring a damp towel to the green so you can wash your ball off before you putt (pre-wet your towel prior to the round). * Draw a straight line on your ball or use a plastic tool to assist you. Also—always mark your ball with a distinctive pattern so that you can identify it. * When you compliment a playing partner’s putt, say “good roll.” * Most players use a significant item to mark with. Some players like to have a circular metal marker of a special event such as attending a Major or perhaps one with their home course logo or a logo from another special course. Either way, the marker should have some significance to you. Avoid using plastic markers or the button on your glove. * After the ball leaves your putter face, hold your finish, looking at the hole until it drops in the cup or misses. No body English. Hopefully these tips will help you shave key strokes off your game and help you to play like a tour player—or at least score like one!
Improving power and strength
Golf performance coach for Stephen Ames helps golfers find their maximum kinetic link
The triangle: This exercise improves core lower body stability, shoulder and chest flexibility, and hip flexibility. —photo courtesy of Rob Connelly
A great fitness program for golf must address rotational core stability and speed, lower body stability, flexibility and kinetic sequencing (the ability to transfer power from the ground to the hands). The exercises below will help you create a more consistent swing and power. h3. The triangle: To do the movement, use a light dumbbell. Stand with hips square, shoulder width apart. Turn your feet 45 degrees to your right. Holding the dumbbell in your left hand, extend your left arm over your head and lock the elbow. Shift body weight onto your left hip. Rest the back of your right hand along the inside of your right thigh. Slowly slide your right hand toward your ankle. The left knee stays locked; the right knee is slightly bent. Keep two-thirds of your weight on your left hip. Go down as far as you comfortably can. Pause at the bottom, brace your abs and pull yourself back up using your left oblique muscles. Perform six reps and switch sides. h3. Good morning: 
Start by standing upright and holding a light dumbbell in both hands. Your knees are slightly bent, feet are hip width apart. Keeping your chest open, slowly fold through your hips by pushing your tailbone back. Keep your back neutral (avoid bending through the lower spine). At the bottom of the movement, squeeze the back of your legs and butt muscles to bring you back to the starting position. h3. Hip shoulder turn: 
Start by standing in your golf posture. Push your feet into the ground and brace your abdominal muscles. Keeping your hips square (don’t let them turn), rotate into your backswing using your core muscles (not your shoulders!). Return to address, again using your core muscles. h3. Impact bag drill: 
Use an impact bag (pillows or cushions in a garbage bag will work). Stand with the impact bag four inches inside your left foot (or your right foot if you are a left-handed golfer). Rotate into half of your normal backswing, starting the turn with your abs, not your hands. Release the club into the bag by keeping the lower body still and starting the downswing with the ab muscles. Allow the club to release into the bag—do not swing through the bag. Imagine you are snapping the club head into the bag like you would a towel. Do three sets of 10 of each exercise. Rotate into your backswing, using your abs. Only go into one-quarter of your backswing: your hands are just above your waistline/belt. Keeping your lower body still, snap the club into the bag, using 40 per cent speed. Focus on your core being solid and the acceleration/deceleration of shoulders and arms, allowing the club to release into the impact bag. Increase speed to 60 per cent with second set. Perform two sets of 10.
The home of golf
Join Lisa Longball as she plays St. Andrews in Scotland
Interesting architec: The clubhouse on the Castle Course seems to be part of the low, rolling topography.—Photo courtesy St. Andrews Links Trust
St. Andrews, Scotland, is a golf mecca known primarily for the Old Course, “the home of golf,” where the game was first played 600 years ago. Since inception five other courses have been in operation on site including the New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathyrum and Balgove courses. Opened officially on June 28, 2008, and now in its first full season, the Castle Course is an exciting and welcome addition to the St Andrews Links family. The seventh course is the first 18-hole championship-length track to be opened at St Andrews Links in over a century. Located a short drive southeast of the town of St. Andrews, the Castle Course spans 220 acres and is perched atop the dramatic coastal shoreline above Kinkell Braes. There is more than one mile of waterfront and the contrast of vast fescue-lined fairways and jagged coastal shoreline combined with cliff-top views makes this one of the most desirable and must-play courses on any golfer’s to-do list. The panoramic vistas of the town of St. Andrews, St. Andrews Bay, the Grampian Mountains and the North Sea are stunning and add a great deal to the overall experience and enjoyment of the course. The name of the course, the Castle Course, pays homage to the 16th-century Kinkell Castle that formerly stood on the grounds in close proximity to the current location of the impressive 9th and 18th double green. The official opening ceremony for the course was held on July 2, 2008, and was presided over by 150 leading figures from the world of golf and by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew. Course architect David McLay Kidd was also on hand and gave Prince Andrew a personalized tour. Kidd, a leading Scottish course architect and designer of the famed Bandon Dunes in Oregon, recently commented that the Castle Course “is probably my best work.” Considering the accolades Bandon Dunes has received, this is extremely high praise and a credit to the layout. The course is a par 71 and stretches out from 5,460 yards from the forward tees to an intimidating 6,759 yards from the tips. Each hole offers five different teeing locations and it is imperative that players tee it up from the appropriate length to match their ability level. Although the course does not crack the 7,000-yard mark it can be as punishing and daunting as a PGA Tour major on final round Sunday from the wrong set of tees. Many of the fairways are undulating and are lined with tall thick fescue that is virtually guaranteed to lead to a stroke and distance penalty for errant shots. Any balls that are actually findable will require a mighty whack to even slightly advance them to the fairway. Although the fairways appear quite tight and restrictive from the tee, it is in fact Kidd’s design element of visual intimidation playing a hand. Many fairways have generous landing areas although it would behoove players to follow the Architect’s Advice section in the Player’s Guide Book handed out upon check-in. Find out the ideal target location on tee shots and approach shots to save valuable strokes. If you are looking to go low, treat yourself and hire a caddie familiar with the local knowledge of advantageous spots for kicks, bounces and rolls. The caddie will come in very handy on the massive, undulating and, at times, roller-coaster-like greens. Finding the line and trusting it is key to avoiding three jacks. Picking a line to die the ball into the hole is a tough task and the more committed you are to your line and the more aggressive you are with the putt the more success you may have. In addition, pray for uphill putts. It is difficult to pick one signature hole. It would be a close call between the views of St. Andrews town and harbour from the 6th hole and the challenge and vistas of the finishing 18th. The incredible 17th hole may just edge them out. One of the best par 3’s in golf, it truly is a cliff-hanger. It is certain disaster if you are short and/or right. The rocky gulf between the tee and green and the stunning jagged coastal cliffs bordering the North Sea are truly breathtaking and are sure to test your shot-making skills. The Castle Course is open annually April 1 to November 1. When you make the pilgrimage to the home of golf be sure to add" this(http://www.standrews.org.uk)":http://www.standrews.org.uk track to your itinerary.
Get fit to hit
Improve your distance, consistency and accuracy with golf performance training
The Right Moves: Dr. Ryan Emmons (L) instructs Nate Lemay, who is a GOLFFIT student, on how to use medicine ball Russian twists to focus on core strength for the golf swing. —Photo courtesy Dr. Ryan Emmons
Take one look at Tiger Woods’ physique and it is apparent that he is the quintessential athlete. Gary Player and Greg Norman started the fitness revolution in golf and Mr. Woods has made it a must have in your arsenal in the new millennium to stay at the top of your game. However the old school notion of fitness, which loosely involved going for a jog, doing crunches and push-ups for the ultimate beach body, won’t do much for your golf game. Every sport involves key muscles and movements that are sport specific. Doing bicep curls will definitely not help you shave strokes off your game; thus the evolution of the golf performance trainer. Dr. Ryan Emmons is one such specialized trainer operating in the city of Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Emmons became fascinated by the sport of golf while training to become a certified chiropractor. He saw the need for strength and conditioning in golf after witnessing many patients warming up and training improperly. “When it comes to muscle activation and level of excursion, golf is comparable to sports such as hockey, baseball and martial arts. If people in those sports condition their bodies why don’t golfers?” commented Emmons. Emmons believed so strongly in this notion that he moved from Toronto, Ontario, with his wife Angela to help spearhead and develop a program entitled GOLFFITT, aimed at educating golfers on the need and benefits of golf specific conditioning and to coach personal trainers to become golf performance trainers. The premise behind the program is that golfers often believe they have swing faults when in fact they have body faults, which in turn leads to limitations and weaknesses in the swing. A golfer who has trouble adding distance to their game may attribute it to technical issues when in fact their body may be limited by its physical mobility inhibiting a good shoulder turn which, in turn, leads to lack of power and distance. The common body faults in golfers range from lack of active flexibility (range of motion), improper body awareness, inadequate muscle activation and lack of coordination and control. These issues typically present themselves in three distinct areas of the body: hips, shoulders and spine/torso. These are the three areas of the body that require rotation in the golf swing and are most commonly the tightest and most restrictive, inhibiting the ability to achieve proper swing positions. Dr. Emmons addresses these concerns for golfers on an individual basis. The first step of the program is a formal assessment. The assessment involves a series of tests to determine muscle activation, strength, posture, balance, flexibility, stability and power. All of these areas are related—thus, if one is lacking it will affect your swing. The key muscles in the golf swing that are focused on are the gluttes, lats, obliques, pecs and hamstrings. The next phase of the program involves the golfer being given formal training recommendations. The recommendations will include exercises that will be golf and swing specific and some that aim at strengthening key golf muscles. Stretches will also be recommended to improve flexibility and range of motion. A trainer will be assigned to ensure proper technique and to offer support. In addition, treatments will also be recommended that will aid in loosening up the muscles to create balance in the body and eliminate compensation of overused muscles. These treatments range from active muscle release (deep tissue massage) to address muscle tension, acupuncture for nerves and internal imbalances and/or chiropractic treatments for restricted joints. This comprehensive program is offered to golfers of all ages and abilities and the prime purpose is to prevent injury and improve golf performance. However, Dr. Emmons warns this program is designed for golfers serious about improving their game. “The bottom line is, it is about consistency and effort you put into the program,” he said. “What you get out is what you put in.” Ideally, golfers will have one to two treatments per week and will perform the individualized exercise regime four to five times per week, either at home or with the trainer at a gym. Improvements in distance, consistency and accuracy in your game should be evident after a few short weeks but will require maintenance. If you are interested in finding out more about this program contact "Dr. Emmons(Dr. Emmons email)":mailto:drryanemmons@gmail.com by e-mail. Golf is a sport. Get active.