Ready, set, stretch!

I see great potential for better golf by players who actually go through proper stretching methods before ever hitting shots at the range.  It's important to start with some cardio to get the blood flowing into the muscles (ride a stationary bike, walk or jog on a treadmill or outside, do jumping jacks or just step from side to side while swinging your arms).  

Stretching a cold muscle is like taking a rubber band out of the freezer and expecting it to perform at full potential immediately. I foresee injuries! Proceed to dynamically stretching various main body parts (neck, shoulders, forearms, back, legs). Those who stand still and hold stretches (static) may not perform as well as a movement-oriented stretch (dynamic). 

Together with the Oakridge Fitness Center, we've just partnered up to create a complimentary Golf Fitness speech on Thursday, November 10 from 4:15-5:00pm for the first 100 people who sign up at Oakridge. The bonus surprise will be two local mini-tour professionals who will be our guests speakers to discuss what they see on tour and how they prepare as well. Don't miss out on meeting some fine players! 

Participants will also be able to learn why and how to warm-up properly, plus try some of the stretches led by myself and fitness staff (Brigitte and Jennifer).  Hope to see you at the Stretch Speech!

Upcoming Fall Events

It's been a lot of fun creating new and exciting venues for our Landings membership. For juniors and families, please save these exciting upcoming dates:

• Haunted Halloween Putting (10/29)
• Family Glow Golf (11/5)
• 1st Annual Landings Sports Fest (11/6).

More details will be listed on the Landings Club website. We know fall can be very busy for families between sports, school and weekend activities, but we encourage all members to get out into the fresh air and play sports. Some help tips to remember for a healthy and fun time: 

• Drink eight ounces of water every 30 minutes during an activity
• Start each day with a healthy breakfast for energy that will last throughout the day

We look forward to seeing you out at the events... enjoy the start of fall!

How Is Your Putt?

We often think our putting isn't as good if we don't make many putts. I found a very interesting link that will shed some light on what the Tour players are probably going to be achieving on the putting greens. Remember, also, that the pros we see on television are the best of the best that week and are probably draining more than the rest of the field. We see the best but forget there are other players that week struggling and missing putts also. I look forward to your thoughts on the following link: http://www.pgatour.com/r/strokes-gained-putting-baseline/index.html!

Golf Digest Demonstration Video

Check out the new video by Golf Digest that demonstrates one of my putting exercises!

Want to Learn Golf?

We've been working on some neat new programs for all members interested in learning to play golf, whether golf, tennis or social. If this sounds like you, visit our website to see more information about PGA Get Golf Ready (5 classes for $99!) and learn the game with modified 'It's OK Hints' out on the course.

Other ideas to have fun learning golf include various formats like scrambles, alternate shots or Par Strokes Scoring - we use some of these with our Farm Team program. And for juniors, SNAG Golf, U.S. Kids Golf and PGA Sports Academy are really neat to get started. You can see the SNAG equipment, much of what we have, at www.snaggolf.com. There have been some fun ways for new golfers to learn the game that other industry leaders are doing as well.

I just saw an article in which Jack Nicklaus is going to host some 12-hole tournaments and it will include 8" holes (usually just over 4" wide) and a faster pace of play so everyone can have a nice time afterwards - teams will be penalized an extra stroke for every 5 minutes above the 2.5 hour time frame. However you get started in the game, make sure you have FUN and learn all about the skills, as well as the how to's of the game at the range and out on the course!

How Do You Learn?

It's always a great quest to explore how a person will best learn an idea that can help with a golf skill or game management key. People either learn through visual, auditory or kinesthetic means and while using all 3 systems, are usually very good at one.

Visual people like colors, video, pictures, demonstrations, visual aids... Auditory people learn by listening to words, instruction, tempo and rhythm and counting / word drills... kinesthetic people learn by touch and feel, hands-on drills, movement drills.

For those who are visual learners, using video in lessons to provide feedback can be important. Many golfers can benefit from seeing where body or club parts actually are (most can't believe where the body/club parts actually are, as they feel different). Remember, what we feel in the golf swing usually isn't' real. Golf professionals should use video to point out the key that is desired, not just point out all the mistakes. That can be discouraging and form a negative impression.

Visit with the golf staff today about seeing how the swing or motion looks and then have the golf professional video a few moves in slow motion or in a certain position to show you the before and after. The staff has the ability to use at least 3 different angles (face on, down the line and from behind), as well as a close up of grip. If taping by yourself with a camera or cell phone app, make sure that the camera on the down the line view is between the target line and hands on the middle of the shaft about hand-height and from the face-on view, near hand height. If not, the views and planed can be distorted and off.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a video worth to you?

Golf Wrap-Up

What great golf this summer!

Scott Stallings's win at The Greenbrier, Yani Tseng at the Women's British Open, the upcoming PGA Championship almost right in our backyard in Atlanta... So much amazing golf! With a wave of new faces on the tours, it's been interesting to see who is coming up and who can hold their positions on the leaderboard.

We're seeing a new young side of golf talent on Tour starting to shine - enjoy watching the next few weeks of golf and take time to encourage a youngster to get caught up on the action too. All efforts to continue the game and grow the tradition is applauded!