Kudos to former Landings Golf Professional-turned-PGA Tour Professional Kris Blanks for his play this past week at the RBC Canadian Open.
Kris tied for 1st and lost in a playoff but had some great shots during the week. I'm sure he had a few shots that didn't turn out as expected either which leads me to my point that during play, golfers hit all kinds of shots that can still be great for scoring. Great golf doesn't have to have perfect shots.
In my former position, my famous line amongst my students and Girls Golf program was "It's the right shot, it just happened again at the wrong time". Even the best laid plans of mice and men (and golfers!) can go astray. Play golf and get the ball into the hole... it doesn't have to be perfect (hence the title of famed author/sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella's book Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect).
See if you can disassociate the quality of the shot from the result of the shot and notice what happens to your score when you are just trying to get it into the hole without any judgment on how it made it there... looking forward to your results. Have a nice time on the links!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Youth Camp Wrap-Up
What a week of junior campers... it was awesome! We had 4 juniors age 3, 18 juniors age 4-6 and 30+ juniors age 7-17. Thank you to all parents and grandparents and the golfing membership for your support of the program!
The key aspect was having fun with the kids... getting them involved, working on developing skill but not demanding perfection. In the hot weather, working towards perfection can be tough! With the younger juniors we even hit marshmellows instead of balls, used SNAG golf balls that stuck to targets and even used rhymes to help them remember some [putting and swing concepts. Most young golfers tend to be cross-handed when swinging of putting and we intermittently and gently reminded them to just switch hands every few shots or so.
We find that reminding them every shot gets frustrating and believe or not, even though it's unconventional, the juniors find a way to make it work, have a good time and they foster an interest in the game. have fun working with your children and grandchildren and they'll amaze you with some unconventional moves that get the ball towards and even in the hole. They'll have time as they get older to work on more detail that they can handle with their attention, for the average youngster... let the FUN begin!
For tips on working with a junior golfer or proper clubs to make the experience more fun, chat with a Landings Golf Professional, use Stick to Sports: Let's Play Golf as a guideline and visit the staff at Oakridge for club fitting ideas. We are here to help!
The key aspect was having fun with the kids... getting them involved, working on developing skill but not demanding perfection. In the hot weather, working towards perfection can be tough! With the younger juniors we even hit marshmellows instead of balls, used SNAG golf balls that stuck to targets and even used rhymes to help them remember some [putting and swing concepts. Most young golfers tend to be cross-handed when swinging of putting and we intermittently and gently reminded them to just switch hands every few shots or so.
We find that reminding them every shot gets frustrating and believe or not, even though it's unconventional, the juniors find a way to make it work, have a good time and they foster an interest in the game. have fun working with your children and grandchildren and they'll amaze you with some unconventional moves that get the ball towards and even in the hole. They'll have time as they get older to work on more detail that they can handle with their attention, for the average youngster... let the FUN begin!
For tips on working with a junior golfer or proper clubs to make the experience more fun, chat with a Landings Golf Professional, use Stick to Sports: Let's Play Golf as a guideline and visit the staff at Oakridge for club fitting ideas. We are here to help!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Swing Technique
Twitter, Facebook, Skype, LinkedIn, Video Streaming, Mozilla, Ipod, IPad, IPhone... what a lot of digital product we have to flood our minds! Sometimes I think as golfers we can do the same with our swing technique.
Just keep it simple and basic. Go back to those basics of grip, stance, aim, posture and a swing motion that moves away from the target and returns the swing back towards the target with great balance. How we each do this is what makes it unique. Check with a pro to make sure your grip is being held in the fingers (not the palm!) and that you are aiming your club head to the target (not your body). Those are two biggies I see often.
Stop by and say 'Hi' if you need a quick 5-minute walk-by!
Just keep it simple and basic. Go back to those basics of grip, stance, aim, posture and a swing motion that moves away from the target and returns the swing back towards the target with great balance. How we each do this is what makes it unique. Check with a pro to make sure your grip is being held in the fingers (not the palm!) and that you are aiming your club head to the target (not your body). Those are two biggies I see often.
Stop by and say 'Hi' if you need a quick 5-minute walk-by!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Great Golf Reads
It's always fun to learn new ideas that make golf so much more fun. If you'd like to read about some new golf ideas for YOUR game, visit the Landings Golf Shops for some great reads.
Deer Creek has several wonderful books: Every Shot Must Have a Purpose (Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott), The Game Before the Game (Nilsson & Marriott) and Drive to the Top (Dr. Rick Jensen) and Easier Said than Done (Dr. Rick Jensen... great book on transferring talents from the range to the course!).
Plantation is carrying Drive to the Top (Jensen) and The Art of the Short Game (Stan Utley). You'll also find some really fun items for juniors, including books at Deer Creek by Susan Greene (Consider It Golf, Count on Golf and The ABC's of Golf) and at all shops, an innovative new June 23rd release called Stick to Sports: Let's Play Golf (golf sticker book for ages 4-8+).
Don't forget to help juniors stock their golf equipment with clubs (Oakridge), gloves/hats/shirts/shoes and some especially fun character head covers at Deer Creek. All neat golf items that make golf a great experience!
Deer Creek has several wonderful books: Every Shot Must Have a Purpose (Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott), The Game Before the Game (Nilsson & Marriott) and Drive to the Top (Dr. Rick Jensen) and Easier Said than Done (Dr. Rick Jensen... great book on transferring talents from the range to the course!).
Plantation is carrying Drive to the Top (Jensen) and The Art of the Short Game (Stan Utley). You'll also find some really fun items for juniors, including books at Deer Creek by Susan Greene (Consider It Golf, Count on Golf and The ABC's of Golf) and at all shops, an innovative new June 23rd release called Stick to Sports: Let's Play Golf (golf sticker book for ages 4-8+).
Don't forget to help juniors stock their golf equipment with clubs (Oakridge), gloves/hats/shirts/shoes and some especially fun character head covers at Deer Creek. All neat golf items that make golf a great experience!
How to Read Southern Greens Class is a Success
Wow, what a great turn out for our first 'How to Read Southern Greens: Putt and Chip on Grain' class this past Friday. 10 members attended the 1.5 hour class with John Phillips and myself and it was a really fun time for both instructors and students. We even had some putting and chipping challenges that made for some exciting moments.
If you're from the North and have trouble with reading southern greens for slope and speed, please consider this class... it's a perfect session to help you become a better putter! Also, if you have children or grandchildren who are interested in learning golf or developing their games, summer is the perfect time to enroll them in some camps or lessons with our staff.
We have so many fun opportunities for them, plus they can also benefit from the fun games and notes in the new junior golf sticker activity book, Stick to Sports: Let's Play Golf (ages 4-8+), available in all golf shops starting June 23rd. Keep it in the fairway and best wishes for 1 putt greens!
If you're from the North and have trouble with reading southern greens for slope and speed, please consider this class... it's a perfect session to help you become a better putter! Also, if you have children or grandchildren who are interested in learning golf or developing their games, summer is the perfect time to enroll them in some camps or lessons with our staff.
We have so many fun opportunities for them, plus they can also benefit from the fun games and notes in the new junior golf sticker activity book, Stick to Sports: Let's Play Golf (ages 4-8+), available in all golf shops starting June 23rd. Keep it in the fairway and best wishes for 1 putt greens!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Warming Up is Important
I've been hearing about some recent golf injuries from golfers excited to get out and start hitting without warming up. Be careful to warm up your body (your golfing machine, so to speak) before you play or hit balls.
Start with a few minutes of cardio (pending on doctor approval) to get the heart rate up and blood moving into the muscles so you can actually stretch them. Stretching and holding a cold muscle is like taking a rubber band out of the freezer and expecting it to stretch to full capacity on the first pull... a great way to snap the band!
Warm up the muscles, do some dynamic (movement) stretching instead of static (holding) stretching and then make some swings without a golf ball. Let that swing just move with some rhythm back and forth. You can start small and increase each swing in length. Feel free to join a Golf Stretch & Flex class at the Fitness Center and they can show you how to warm up appropriately and stay stretched during the round.
I would rather see someone warm-up their golf machine / body instead of hitting poor shots or risk injury before a round. Stay stretched for great golf!
Feel free to email any questions you'd like to nicole.weller@landingsclub.com.
Start with a few minutes of cardio (pending on doctor approval) to get the heart rate up and blood moving into the muscles so you can actually stretch them. Stretching and holding a cold muscle is like taking a rubber band out of the freezer and expecting it to stretch to full capacity on the first pull... a great way to snap the band!
Warm up the muscles, do some dynamic (movement) stretching instead of static (holding) stretching and then make some swings without a golf ball. Let that swing just move with some rhythm back and forth. You can start small and increase each swing in length. Feel free to join a Golf Stretch & Flex class at the Fitness Center and they can show you how to warm up appropriately and stay stretched during the round.
I would rather see someone warm-up their golf machine / body instead of hitting poor shots or risk injury before a round. Stay stretched for great golf!
Feel free to email any questions you'd like to nicole.weller@landingsclub.com.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Benefits of Sunscreen
It's summer and time for some fun in the sun but make sure you are using sunscreen!
I've had many people ask me what type of sunscreen I use since I'm outdoors all day. I use Banana Boat Sport 100. I know after a certain number, like 50, it doesn't make that much difference but I like the thickness of this particular tube of sunscreen. The 30 and 50 are very watery. I've tried others (Coppertone, Neutrogena, etc.) but I am really enjoying this one. I've heard good things about Bull Frog too.
The most important thing is to make sure it has both UVA and UVB blockage. Check with your dermatologist and try to wear sun protective clothing when possible. I wear capris as long as possible and try to get sleeveless shirts that have more of a cap sleeve to cover the top of the shoulder. Nice wide brims, Oakley Half Jacket sunglasses, high collars on the shirt - those are some things that also help.
Check at our golf shops for clothing that has SPF built in. Other companies like Coolibar and Sun Precaution have great long sleeve and other items as well. Be safe in the sun!
I've had many people ask me what type of sunscreen I use since I'm outdoors all day. I use Banana Boat Sport 100. I know after a certain number, like 50, it doesn't make that much difference but I like the thickness of this particular tube of sunscreen. The 30 and 50 are very watery. I've tried others (Coppertone, Neutrogena, etc.) but I am really enjoying this one. I've heard good things about Bull Frog too.
The most important thing is to make sure it has both UVA and UVB blockage. Check with your dermatologist and try to wear sun protective clothing when possible. I wear capris as long as possible and try to get sleeveless shirts that have more of a cap sleeve to cover the top of the shoulder. Nice wide brims, Oakley Half Jacket sunglasses, high collars on the shirt - those are some things that also help.
Check at our golf shops for clothing that has SPF built in. Other companies like Coolibar and Sun Precaution have great long sleeve and other items as well. Be safe in the sun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)