{Safe} Fun in the Sun

The summer sun and heat are fast-approaching and I'm trying a new experiment.

Usually I wear Banana Boat SPF 100 but don't always have time to reapply. I still get a tan and I just don't like constantly putting all those chemicals on me. I have been trying various long-sleeve sun protection tops and am finding more and more on the market, happily enough. I'm also wearing longer pants more consistently (capris instead of shorts or skorts). I've ordered some arm sleeves but haven't found a set yet that stays up well enough. My next step is to move into wearing bucket hats (but I'll need to cut out a ponytail hole!) that protect the neck, ears, top of the head (where sun can still get to the scalp) and face.

If you want to cover up instead of applying sunscreen to your extremities all the time, Plantation Golf Shop has an excellent new line called Sans Soleil (I have several tops coming in). I also have some PING Ranger tops I wear over my sleeveless (Marshwood Golf Shop carries PING) and then found some great Callaway long-sleeve tops with the thumb holes so I can cover the back of my hand (Deer Creek carries Callaway).

There are also some great websites with sun protection clothing (pants, tops, hats, neck, etc) that are worth noting -- http://www.sunprecautions.com/ and http://www.coolibar.com/. There are probably others out there but these are two I like to start with.

Stay safe in the sun... the damage doesn't show up until later! 

Putting, Putting, Putting

People often spend much more money on a driver fitting (a club that is used 14-18 times per round) or an iron fitting but not many golfers fit their putters, a club used nearly 50% of the time! Just a reminder to have your putter fitted for you based on your height, arms length, putting style, etc.  At The Landings Club, the professional staff at Oakridge can easily help with that fitting -- just call 598-3570!

Also, remember that it takes quite a lot of practice to gain excellent accuracy and distance control skills. While some golfers are blessed with a great touch, even the golf professionals must train their putting skills. The golfers we see on television each week are playing at the top of the leader board that week, so they are making many putts. The ones who are lipping out, missing putts and just not scoring will not be shown on television. Dare I say that many amateurs could relate to seeing their putting stats that week? 

Here is a great way from the PGA Tour website to keep your putting expectations in check -- Strokes Gained Putting Baseline.  Professionals are two-putting 49% of the time from 7 feet 10 inches. Out of four 7'10" putts that day, they will miss two on average. Does that sound familiar?

Learn and train your putting skills. You won't make everything but if you can keep your putting statistics between 30-34 putts for most amateurs that will make for a lower score and a much more enjoyable dinner!

Guess My Favorite Golfer and Win a Prize!

This past weekend I saw some great legends of golf at The Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf Tournament at Savannah Harbor.  I had the opportunity to watch some play Sunday morning and learned quite a lot, as well as watching my favorite golfer... what a swing! 

(The first person to guess who reads this blog and correctly guesses my favorite golfer will have a prize waiting at my office... email me your guess at nicole.weller@landingsclub.com). 

I observed that 90% of a Tour player's shot is chatting with the caddy about the upcoming shot, creating a plan, discussing clubs, discussing options and then the last 10% is just getting ready, aimed, set and GO! 

I observed that while watching a group tee off on #8 (Par 3), 3 out of 4 players can still pull a shot to the left side of the green when the flag was on the right.  Even the pros are off line... golf can be HARD!

I observed that the professionals' golf grips were more of a placement of the hands on the club rather than a grip on the club tight forearms.  All of them swung and moved the club with soft arms.  Their hands were secure (not tight) on the club but their arms were relaxed so they could create some club head SPEED!

I enjoyed chatting with fellow Wake Forest player, Gary Hallberg.  Such a great swing.  I learned that after a round of golf, he definitely needs to stretch out in a post-round routine and visits the Tour fitness trailer where they stretch the players after they finish their work.  Golf can be hard on your body.

I enjoyed the healthiest lunch at a golf event I ever had... hummus, pita chips and fresh veggies. Delicious!

If you haven't seen the event, I recommend going next year and checking it out. You can be so close to some of the best golfers in the world!

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?