Exciting Golf Clinic for Big Brothers Big Sisters

I hope you all will come out and support a special golf clinic for the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters! Here is the press release to give you more information. I hope to see everyone there!

SAVANNAH, Ga., November 1, 2011 – Continuing its outreach and support for local community organizations, The Landings Club has created a special afternoon of golf instruction just for participants in the Savannah-based Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Coastal Empire, to be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at Deer Creek Golf Course. 

The clinic is scheduled from 1-3:30 p.m. at Deer Creek’s state-of-the-art practice area, which was developed as part of the 2009 renovation of the Tom Fazio-designed golf course and this year celebrated its 20^th anniversary.  A variety of instructional stations are to be set up at the facility, each featuring a member of The Landings Club's PGA Professional Teaching Staff, focusing on individual parts of the golf swing. 

The Big Brothers Big Sisters clinic represents one of many events coordinated by the members and staff of The Landings Club.  The generous Club members consistently raise funds and provide resources for organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Hoskins Center at Memorial Health University Hospital and America’s Second Harvest food program. 

“We are looking forward to passing along some of our passion for the game of golf to our friends at Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Steven Freund, executive director of The Landings Club.  “Golf has a way of making a positive influence on the lives of children, which goes together with the objectives of Big Brothers Big Sisters.” 

For more than a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters has worked to improve the general health, lives and future of thousands of children. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor and volunteer supported mentoring program for youth, providing needed support to children in communities across the nation through professionally supported one-to-one relationships.  Its mission includes promoting self-esteem in youngsters, expanding their awareness of life’s opportunities and providing guidance and support through long-term, one-to-one mentoring with caring adults. 

For more details about the Big Brothers Big Sisters event at The Landings Club, contact Nicole Weller, head golf teaching professional, at 912.695.5211.

Transfer-Oriented Drill

I just had a great experience with a new drill I thought I'd share with golfers... it's a very 'transfer-oriented' drill, which means it helps you practice by doing it in a more realistic play setting, not just hitting balls. 

1. Take a club and hit 3 shots in a row to your target (I would highly suggest at least a 15 yard wide fairway between two flags or objects).
2. Take the same club and hit 3 GOOD shots in a row to your target.  Good is up to you.  What is good enough to play... mediocre?  Make them as good as you'd be happy with on the course.
3. Take 3 different clubs and hit 3 GOOD shots in a row to 3 different targets. 
4. Take 3 different clubs and hit 3 GOOD shots in a row to 3 different targets for various natural lies (not placed nicely on a tuft of grass... unrealistic!). 

Don't cheat yourself on the rules!  They're designed to make sure you achieve what you want to achieve.  If you give yourself leniency at the range, will that be acceptable on the course?  It's a fun drill that will keep you focused and transferring your skills from just hitting balls to actually playing and expecting good shots at the range!

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!