Easter Junior Golf Camp Photos

On April 6 and 7, I hosted another set of fun junior golf camps! From teeny tiny tots all the way to juniors we had a great couple days of instruction. Check out these photos from the camp.

I'm Back!

Thank you to all members and staff for their well wishes during my medical leave. Back to light teaching this week and glad to be back! After having surgery and being on hold for golf swings for 4-6 weeks, it's a good reminder to let the body heal appropriately after such trauma. The most dangerous time is coming back is at the first signs of feeling better -- I would advise staying the course just a little longer in order to not risk re-injury. It takes time for stamina and strength to regain itself and the swing will certainly not be where you left off... it will take time to rebuild. 

I remember my senior year at Wake Forest University when I had sat out a tournament due to tendonitis in my left elbow and forearm. I thought it was rested enough to start practicing and ended up sitting out an extra two tournaments because I came back too early.

Take your time, stick to the small swings, use tees to alleviate ground impact and soon you'll be back in the swing of things!

After-School Golf Update

Junior golf is off to a good start in 2012! 

Our after-school Wednesday program has nearly 25 juniors and our after-school Thursday program has 16.  Juniors are having fun developing their skills and fitness with lots of fun games like swing and smash a water balloon (teaches speed, contact precision and how to stay cool on a hot day!). 

Spaces are open for the popular upcoming Easter Camp for ages 3-12. Click here for more information and sign up today by calling Nicole Weller at 695-5211!

 

The Art of Practice

Believe it or not, there is an art to great practice! 

Learning a skill is very different than being able to use it in a playing situation, especially under pressure. The Supervised Practice Sessions with Paul Kruger and myself and my Practice with a Purpose Sessions are designed to provide transfer practice games that allow a student to practice in situations that create more pressure and are more like actual playing conditions (various clubs, targets, challenges, etc). 

Research shows that golfers who repetitively practice a basic skill in pristine conditions do better in practice but worse in actual play than players who practice randomly and in transfer. Those players do worse in practice but better on the course). Clearly, transfer practice is the way to go, plus it's FUN!!! 

Set up a practice group with your friends today and contact me to arrange a time that works for you and your group! Check out the photos below from past practice sessions. Doesn't it look fun?

Teach 'N' Towel

Working with the Teach 'N' Towel is a staple part of new golfer lessons for me.

The colors, easy-to-use footprints for stance width, ball placement, alignment, pre-shot routine make it a great teaching tool. And, best of all, the student has a towel to use as needed! 

We sell them at the Deer Creek Golf Shop, where they come with a user guide. Here are some photos of a student learning how to step into a shot, place her feet and learn the image so she can later transition to doing that on her own. 

Practice with feedback!

Oakridge Health Fair Recap

I had such a fun time at the Oakridge Fitness and Wellness Center's Health and Wellness Fair on March 10.

Myself, Mike McNutt and Ty Weller were there encouraging members of all ages to try their hand at putting. SNAG Putting, or Puttle, were both in full swing (pun intended!).

It was a great way to get active and be a part of the fitness movement.

After School Junior Golf

Despite the extra support from our practice area sand gnats, the Wednesday After School Junior Golf Program was in full swing, working on chipping, full swing and golf fitness. 

Games like SNAG chipping, SNAG launching, SNAG Snapper, Hula Hoop Match, Chipping Tunnel, Tic Tac Chip and the Tower of Power are some of my favorites for this program. Students are also learning to honor the game (whichever sport they play) by respecting ROOTS (rules, opponents, officials, teammates and self).  

Building life skills through golf!