Doldrums Without Tiger

photo credit: mandj98   Since Tiger Woods has been absent on the PGA Tour, tournament attendance and television ratings have dropped substantially.  There has never been a time when one man meant so much to the sport.  Everyone agrees that he is the world’s best golfer but should the game itself be in jeopardy without his presence?

The game was much different in the 1960s when Palmer, Nicklaus and Player were the rage.  The PGA Tour was permeated with colorful characters like Tommy Bolt, Lee Trevino, Tony Lema, Julias Boros and the list goes on.  Where has all the charisma gone, where are the jokesters, the story-tellers, the fan please-rs?

Until PGA Tour Players wise up and stop being so boring, the only thing fans will continue to get excited about is Tiger’s machismo fist-pumps!

Are Golf Courses Endangering Your Health?

photo credit: Greencolander   There are over 12,000 golf courses in the U.S, each averaging about a half ton of chemical pesticides and fertilizers per year.  How harmful are these chemicals and is there proper government oversight?  The NAAMP (National Association Against the Misuse of Pesticides) feels that the regulatory process does not protect the public.   

The USGA maintains a staff of about 15 people to develop new methods of tending golf courses, they are also seeking alternatives to pesticides and herbicides such as using beneficial organisms to control pests.  Environmentalists still want strickter regulations.

The question is whether keeping a golf course green, through the use of chemicals, is worth the potential human health risks?  This is a question that every golfer should be concerned with.

Know Your Distance

photo credit: Rob Gallop   One of the quickest ways to improve your game is to know how far you can hit each iron.  Irons are aimed at a specific target, whereas, metal woods are aimed at a “general area” by most players.  With that in mind, it makes great sense to know your distances.

Whenever you begin practice, always start with a Wedge to seek good tempo and timing.  A prerequisite to learning how far you hit each club is having a consitent swing, a specific sameness.  Make sure that the yardage for each target is accurate and hit 10 balls to each.  Jot down your distances so you can refer to them during actual play.  You will be pleasantly surprised at the improvement in your game.

The Boulders Resort & Spa

photo credit: danperry.com   Located on 1,300 acres of pristine Sonoran desert, The Boulders is ranked by Conde’Nast Traveler as one of America’s “Top 15 Golf Resorts.”  The Boulders also won GOLF MAGAZINE’S 2008 Platinum Medal award and was rated one of the “Top 100 Courses in the U.S.”

The resort is located in Carefree, Az., just 12 miles from the Scottsdale Airpark and only 33 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.  Shuttle service to both airports is offered daily.

The Boulders Resort and Spa offers several vacation packages which include golf, spa service and meals.  Rates begin at $149.00 per night.  Vacationing at The Boulders Resort offers a “once in a lifetime” experience for every guest.  For reservations call 866 397-6520 or visit www.TheBoulders.com.

Sunday Bag

photo credit: eMaringolo   There are three basic types of golf bags: (1) Cart Bags-full size.  (2) Stand Bags-usually carried.  (3) Sunday Bags-small and lightweight.  Most of the bags in use are cart bags because most players like the extra space provided for accessories.  Stand bags are also widely used especially by players that enjoy walking.  Sunday bags are relatively uncommon in general use.

Hauling a full set of clubs in a cart bag (along with two suitcases) through a busy airport can be a real challenge.  The easy solution is with a Sunday bag which are conveniently and easily transported.  Most players find that they really don’t need all of the extra’s that they ordinarilly carry in a cart bag such as extra golf shoes.  Sunday bags are reasonably priced and easy to store.

Unrepaired Ball Marks

photo credit: drklops   There is nothing more frustrating than having your putt knocked off line by an unrepaired ball mark.  Every once in a while one will “get by” and there goes an extra stroke.  The four foot area that encircles the cup is the most abused area on the entire course.

If it takes only seconds to repair a ball mark then why are so many left unrepaired?  It could be ignorance but in most cases its laziness.  Every player should have a repair tool in their pocket and know how to use it correctly. 

Using the repair tool properly is done by inserting it vertically, on the perimeter of the divot, and pushing forward towards the middle, doing so, will close the hole from the edges inward.  In this manner the divot will be unoticable and completely level.

USGA. Aeration Rule

Aeration, a way preserving turf conditions, can be a nightmare.  Golf courses in the southwest do their aeration in the late summer and early fall creating anything but good playing conditions.  Many players are unaware that the rules allow replacement the golf ball when in an aeration hole whether on the fairway or green.  Simply remove the ball from the hole and place it on level ground with no penalty.

Many golfers feel that when a course is being aerated (under repair), the green fees should be lowered substantually.  The question is whether it is fair for players to pay full price for conditions that are anything but favorable.  Course management may not accomodate players but the USGA rules certainly do.

Finding The Range

photo credit: ClatieK   Don’t back off of your pitch shots.  Remember, most of the trouble is between you and the hole, so its much better to hit the ball a little too far, than not enough. 

The hardest shot is when the swing is less than three-quarter length.  Judging how hard to hit pitch shots can be quite difficult.  What follows is a simple, helpful exercise:

On the practice range range hit pitch shots to various distances.  Start with 30 yard pitches, then 25 yards and decrease your shots in 5 yard increments down to 5 yards.  Before you hit to a new yardage, assume the address position and without a club in your hand, toss several golf balls to the next target area.  Practice this exercise regularly and watch your scores improve.

Take The Spin Out

photo credit: hr.icio   With the pitch shot, all of the basic movements of the full swing are employed even though the average pitch shot is between 5 and 40 yards.

There is one feature of the pitch that is different from a normal swing, you do not try to hit the ball cleanly.  You must hit underneath the ball and depending on the height you want, you must hit different points in the flat spot.  

There are three different pitch shots-high, medium and low.  To hit a high pitch, hit the ball towards the far end of the flat spot, for medium height the middle of the flat spot and for a low pitch, hit the ball at the start of the flat spot.  This method simplfies the shot and decreases spin.

Swinging In The Rain

photo credit: dsmoljanovic   When playing in foul weather conditions its important to maintain one basic principle, stay balanced.  Keeping your balance is especially important on slick, wet turf. 

If you are swinging on slippery ground , the tendency is to become tentative and stiffen up; your footing becomes your biggest concern.  A rigid body is much more likely to lose its balance than one that is relaxed.  Just simply play easier, take 10 percent off your swing and don’t hurry! 

Since rain makes the air heavier use one more club, especially on approach shots.  Try to hit the ball a little cleaner to prevent a “squirter,”  which is a shot that is out of control.  Play smarter, not harder, in the rain.

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