“The sport shirt with the straight collar: That’s very important. It takes the sloppiness out of things. I’m an advocate of the unwrinkled straight collar shirt, creased pants, shined shoes. All of those things are, I think, key to dressing with an emphasis on neatness. Golf is about precision.”

–Arnold Palmer-

The last word of this quote by Arnold Palmer resonated with me. PRECISION. Indeed, golf is a   game of precision. If you are precise with how you dress, one might assume you also play with precision.

I was recently competing at Canadian National Championships and REMAX World Long Drive Championships and soon will be off and running to Dominican Republic for the International Long Drive Team Championships (the Ryder Cup of Long Drive) and all of this got me thinking about golf and fashion. Whether I am going to practice or to a competition, I dress with respect for the game. What does this mean you ask?

In the most universal terms, there is a dress code for golf and this is to uphold the professionalism, etiquette and history of the game.

Is the message here that if you dress well you will practice or play well? No, but it’s definitely a good start! By nature we often react to how we feel. If you feel good, in general you will do good, be good, and do good things for others. And the opposite is true, if you feel bad you most often find yourself not making good decisions, and get in a rut and not the get the course record you hoped for that day.

So is it fair to say, when we look good we tend to feel good, both inside and out about ourselves, and when we look good we also tend to feel good about ourselves both inside and out. I believe this directly correlates to how we play on the course. Dress good, feel good, practice good, play even better!

I always dress with respect for the game and dress the same whether it’s a day of practice, a competition or a fun charity event. My dress code never waivers. And that is what the greatest players in the history of golf and of our present day and time have taught us. Whether the etiquette and dress code of golf was handed down to you from your ancestors that loved and played the game, or was illustrated to you by the greats of the game, one thing that has remained the same is the dress code, which honors the history of the game.

In modern day golf, there are fabulous fashions in golf and there are numerous brands creating new styles, colors, and materials to keep us comfortable. We have much since surpassed the styles of Bobby Jones and Babe Didrikson Zaharias, however the staples of dress code remain the same at Country Clubs and Golf Courses world wide. This is all to honor, preserve the history, and show respect for the game.

I think of the heroes of our game, before and during my time. I don’t ever recall an image of Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy while they were in a tournament where they weren’t dressed well and respecting the game they all love. The same holds true for the outstanding women in golf. Styles have drastically changed from the days of Eva Gardner, Babe Didrikson Zaharias to the Nancy Lopez’s, Annika Sorenstams’ and Paula Creamers’ of our time, but I have never seen a photo of any of these women while playing golf that is anything but classy and displays respect for the game. Golf fashion dates back to as long as both men and women have played the game.

Does this mean you must go out and buy all the latest styles, color and fashions and that if you don’t have the latest and greatest you are disrespecting the game? Certainly not, and going back to Arnold Palmers’ quote at the opening of the article, simple etiquette, taking care to dress, pressed pants and shirts, clean golf shoes, shows respect for the game. You can be well dressed and respect the tradition of the game without feeling the need to buy all the latest and greatest golf attire. Simple things like taking care and give attention to how you dress, shows as much respect for the game as the player that dresses well and has all the newest styles and colors. I dress almost routinely the same way in skorts, golf shirts with collars, a nice belt and hat and always make sure my golf shoes are wiped down and clean. The fact that my favorite pair of golf shoes for competition are indeed 7 years old, doesn’t mean I disrespect the game, but I make sure those same shoes are wiped, polished and ready for the next time without fail. A good friend of mine, who was taught the game by his father, also learned his golf dress code from him. No matter how hot the temperatures are he always is in neatly pressed pants, a hat, a golf shirt with collar and a belt and clean golf shoes.

For both men and women companies are constantly creating new items to improve upon our style and comfort when playing the game, but regardless of the main golf brand you buy they all offer precision made clothing to help us look good, feel good and play good.

Typically when we follow the dress code and etiquette of golf, we are probably also someone that will stay true to ourselves and others, on and off the course and have respect not only for the history, but also for the game of golf.

Michelle Sheptak is a Long Drive Professional, Surfer and an Emergency Nurse.

She competed at Canadian Nationals, REMAX World Long Drive Championships and is on her way to Dominican Republic to compete with Team Canada in the International Long Drive Team Championships.

You can follow Michelle on her website or on any of her social media accounts below.

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Having spent the majority of this year going through a massive swing change I can relate to this diagram as well as any golfer out

there. Paralysis by analysis is a term ever so common in the golf world. But how do we work through this? There are many methods of teaching and ways to clear your mind but we all face the challenge of committing to it when we go to strike the golf ball. Here are a couple things to consider for the next time you play.

1. HAVE A SIMPLE PRESHOT ROUTINE

You are on the first tee and all the suggestions and drills of your last practice come flying into your brain. On the range you should practice your preshot routine so it feels natural and comfortable and you can trust it. There is a lot that happens when setting up to the ball but that is what you practice. When you play a round, have ONE swing thought that helps you get into that set up quickly and confidently. It may help you to hum your favourite song to relax you, or repeat a word or two that helps you with your tempo, but don’t overcrowd your head with trying to think of all the things you have ever done in that one moment. Once set up, relax and just make the shot. People speak a lot about breaking muscle memory, practice  hard so when you play your muscles will take over.

Photo credit: golfinstructortipsfree.com

But one thing that is important to understand is you have to clear your head to let your muscles be able to work. Your muscles react to the thoughts you have, tension and frustration directly affects your muscles which result in poor shots. Clear your mind, think of one good swing thought and trust all those hours of practice. Try it, it’s so refreshing to walk to the next shot with a smile on your face!

2. DON’T LET THE BALL DICTATE YOUR ATTITUDE

Does the ball know you are a lady or a man striking the ball? Does it know you are a professional golfer or amateur? No. My point here is the ball doesn’t choose how to react because of who is hitting it, yet the majority of us let the ball decide how we will react. If we make a good shot our attitude is pleasant, but when we make a poor shot we get in a slump which carries over to the next shot and the next. Learn to react on what you can control. You can’t control the wind or the way the ball lands and rolls, but you can control your pre-shot routine, clearing your head, and staying in the present. When I see a player get frustrated or angry, I know they are most likely thinking of why they missed the shot, or the last time they missed that same shot and are no longer playing in the present. If you commit to the present and don’t get the outcome you wanted with your shot, you can’t get angry. You set out to do what you planned. Let it go. I am not proposing it doesn’t matter if you hit a poor shot, but I am proposing to have a great state of mind when you play golf. Making mistakes in golf is part of the game, it is how we manage our errors through out a round that will reduce our scores.

3. RELAX AND CHOOSE TO PLAY WELL

We don’t make the choice to go out and play our worst round of golf ever. Making a conscious effort before playing and clearly stating “ I will play well today” , “I will keep one swing thought”, “ I will keep a great state of mind”, “ I love my putter” etc etc will cross over to your round of golf. Making the choice to enjoy the course, and play in a relaxed setting will keep you tension free and allow you to make deliberate and accurate shots. Repeat your “I will” before playing or repeat “I love putting” before that long 20ft putt for birdie. You will have a better outcome and lower your scores.

Play well and have fun everyone!

Michelle

Michelle Sheptak is a contributing writer for Golf Belles Central and is a Long Drive Competitor, Surfer and ER Nurse. She will be sharing her knowledge on golf, surf and fitness here on www.golfbellescentral.com

Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and watch for her in her competitions this year!
http://longdrivergirl.wix.com/michelle-sheptak

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Being from Canada and with summer on it’s way, I really miss the availability of Wild Blueberries at this time of year here in California.

I was genuinely pleased to come across a high quality, healthy product called INDIBLUE JUICE, and decided to share this fabulous tasting drink with you. Indiblue Juice is a mixture of pure Wild Blueberries, Organic Coconut Water and a splash of Grape Concord. Kids go wild over it!! There are plenty of recipes and ways to use Indiblue Juice to add variety if you prefer, but it is very refreshing as is straight from the bottle.

There are many, many super fruits on the market. Blueberries, acai, pomegranate, and goji- berries to name a few. All of them have their benefits but wild blueberries are the ultimate antioxidant super fruit, with immune strengthening vitamins and minerals. Wild blueberries unlike the other super fruits have adaptogenic properties, helping you to feel balanced and strong. Two things we all want to feel in our golf swing. Wild blueberries are resilient and have an incomparable ability to adapt to extreme conditions. This allows them to maintain their antioxidant properties more so than the other super fruits.

Wild blueberries contain powerful antioxidants and polyphenols that: help reduce inflammation, protect the body from damage by free radicals, benefit cognitive and neurological health and support the cardiovascular system.

Parents love Indiblue Juice because it’s pure and natural, but they love it even more because their kids love something so healthy!

It makes for amazing frozen treats, either as a popsicle or just freeze a bottle and take it with you for a thirst quenching slush as you head to the beach or the golf course!

There are many great tasting recipes so you can have a variety of ways to drink it. Here are a couple of my favorite recipes that are a perfect treat!

INDIBLUE SMOOTHIE

Ingredients: 2-3 bananas, 1 cup Indiblue Wild Blueberry Juice, 1 cup Wild Blueberries, ice Blend all ingredients until smooth in a blender.

Enjoy!

INDIBLUE WILD BLUEBERRY COCONUT ICECREAM

Ingredients: 3 cups coconut milk, 2 cups frozen wild blueberries, ¾ cup Indiblue Wild Blueberry Juice, 3-4 tbsps raw honey.

Place all ingredients in blender, blend until smooth. Then pour mixture into icecream maker and follow manufacture’s instructions.

Top with fresh wild blueberries or nuts and enjoy!

I have yet to make it to my local market when they get a small shipment of Wild Blueberries, they are gone the moment they reach the shelf. They are definitely easier to find back home in Canada in Alberta and British Columbia. So to satisfy my love for Wild Blueberries my cupboards are stocked with cases of Indiblue Wild Blueberry Juice.

For more information and amazing recipes, visit my friends at www.indiblue.com!

Michelle Sheptak is a contributing writer for Golf Belles Central and is a Long Drive Competitor, Surfer and ER Nurse. She will be sharing her knowledge on golf, surf and fitness here on www.golfbellescentral.com

Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and watch for her in her competitions this year!
http://longdrivergirl.wix.com/michelle-sheptak

Facebook: www.facebook.com/michelle.sheptak
Instagram: michellesheptak
Twitter: @msheptak
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/user27211999
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Most of us probably have almost everything from A-Z in our golf bags so just make a little room for an Aspirin!

Warm weather and longer days are here. Many of us have waited all winter to be able to start playing late rounds into the summer night, but this also brings to mind the topic of Aspirin.

Often we spend too long outside in the heat of the day, and who wants to stop in the middle of 18 holes to take a shade break? Playing golf all day until sunset is fantastic right? But what happens when you start to feel chilly or nauseated, and spike a fever…because you didn’t drink enough water on the course and are experiencing heat stroke. The first thing you want to do is bring your fever down, but you can’t keep water down from the nausea to swallow a pill.

Confused? Read on!

How often do you walk a course for the exercise? Or choose to take a cart because it’s so enjoyable? With so many golf courses becoming family friendly maybe you want to take a cart just to take your whole family on the course with you. All of us that play golf inevitably walk or ride, but what happens when you got that slow golf cart that the battery is dying, the cart only goes so fast and you need something for pain or fever relief immediately? You feel nauseated from the pain or fever and can’t get fluids down to swallow a pill. Even if you could, it takes about 30 min for most oral medications to work. We live in a day and age where we want things to work for us fast!

So how does Aspirin play a role in this? Why aspirin? Why not Motrin or Tylenol? Aspirin dates back to the 1800’s, we trust it, it works and it is now available as Oral Thin Film Strips (OTF’s ). We are all familiar with the famous Listerine strips for fresh breath, same concept. When you are nauseated from a fever and can’t swallow a pill like Motrin or Tylenol to control it you can now just take a strip of Aspirin. It starts to work quickly, it is cherry flavored, and it can be taken when you can’t swallow a pill.

Another major important reason to stash an Aspirin or two in your golf bag, in your car, in your purse is for that moment when your golf buddy or yourself even experiences that “indescribable chest pain” or suddenly experience a headache and have slurred speech. Unfortunately, these two cascades of symptoms are more commonly happening in areas of sporting events and the golf course is no different.

Heart attacks and strokes play no favorites, they don’t wait for you to putt out and make that birdie. In 17 years of being an Emergency Room nurse, I have received more and more frequent radio calls with this scenario. You have already rounded the turn, you are in the middle of the golf course. You are either walking or in a cart too slow to get you the immediate help you need. Even if you call 911 or the Pro Shop from your cell phone, you are now racing the clock. This first hour when you need emergent medical care is called the “Golden Hour” and in the event of a Heart Attack or Stroke, “Time is Muscle or Brain Tissue”. If you have a Solves aspirin strip in your golf bag, you will already have done the most important thing to help yourself or your friend. As long as there is no contraindication to taking Aspirin, this would be done the moment EMS arrives or you arrive in the ER.

The greater benefit is you were able to take it as a dissolving strip, that works even faster than the chewable Aspirin we have become accustomed to taking in these moments. Another benefit is that one of the first questions you will be asked in the ER in the event you are having a Heart Attack or a Stroke is when did you last eat or drink….if you had to drink a glass or two of water to help get down the chewable or oral pill of Aspirin you may be delaying some testing.

Two of the most important questions asked to aim for a better outcome in the event of a Heart Attack or Stroke is when was the first Aspirin given and how fast did you get help? You can be in control of both by simply having a Solves Aspirin strip with you at all times. Packaging is childproof so you don’t need to worry about your child opening the strip. They are cherry flavored and they don’t have a horrible aftertaste. They dissolve in your mouth, starting to work faster than an oral aspirin pill. Aspirin strips also minimize Gastrointestinal discomfort by dissolving before even entering the usual digestive path a pill would go through. The strips hold the proper dosage of a normal dose of baby aspirin of 81mg.

It works great for people that have swallowing difficulties or simply can’t swallow pills and it works great to control fever or when you are too nauseated to swallow pills. Check it out at www.solvesstrips.com

Michelle Sheptak is a contributing writer for Golf Belles Central and is a Long Drive Competitor, Surfer and ER Nurse. She will be sharing her knowledge on golf, surf and fitness here on www.golfbellescentral.com

Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and watch for her in her competitions this year!
http://longdrivergirl.wix.com/michelle-sheptak

Facebook: www.facebook.com/michelle.sheptak
Instagram: michellesheptak
Twitter: @msheptak
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/user27211999
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/michellesheptak

Follow the Golf Belles and all of Michelle’s articles at:

Outdated stereotypes in the golf world are dwindling rapidly. Picture the fat businessman with an equally fat cigar dangling from his lips, cursing wildly after every swing and downing expensive bourbon from a sturdy silver flask. Sure, this caricature still endures in the cultural pantheon, but no longer is this big galoot thought of as your typical golfer. “The typical golfer” no longer exists. New trends are penetrating the old traditions once practiced on every course and driving range; and we’re all much better off because of it. Let’s take a look at a few examples…

Yoga

If the ancient Eastern practice of yoga wasn’t widespread enough already, its popularity has now skyrocketed as the newest go-to golf conditioning exercise. The health benefits of yoga are undisputed, but what does it do for golfers? As it turns out, a number of things – all advantageous to a golf game.

Mental discipline is frequently cited at the top of this list. Remaining calm and focused is paramount in almost any sport, but it’s especially vital on a golf course. The rhythmic breathing and mind-body connection honed by yogic practices keep you at the top of your mental game. The flexibility developed through yoga increases range of motion and reduces risk of injury. By practicing just a few key poses, expect to gain greater balance and improve core strength.

Juice/Smoothies

From Scottsdale to San Diego, golf courses are getting down with a fresh blast of healthy offerings, cutting ribbons on new juice and smoothie bars instead of, y’know, regular bars. Eating (or drinking, if we’re being literal) green while on the green is all the rage, and for good reason.

A diet chockfull of raw fruits, vegetables, protein and fiber are essential along the pathway to increased energy and optimal mental focus. The vitamins, minerals and antioxidants juice and raw smoothies provide keep you sharp, focused and out of the sick bay. Not only do these ‘green juices’ cause a surge in stamina, throwing a gaggle of healthy ingredients in a suitable blender for smoothies and hitting a button is practically the easiest preparation method on the planet. And just like that, the cup-holder in a golf cart became more useful…

Kid-Friendly Courses

Bringing the whole family along for your afternoon of leisurely hitting the links wasn’t always so easy. Not too long ago, children were strictly forbidden from pretty much every golf course on the planet. By now, most clubs and resorts have gone all-inclusive.

Offering reduced green fees, child-sized equipment, kid-savvy instructors and shorter tees means your junior golfer will be able to play alongside you. Conversely, if your kiddos don’t share your love of golf, onsite babysitting services and alternate activities, like swimming pools, or other athletic pursuits, are extremely popular alternatives. My local stomping grounds, Thousand Hills Golf Resort, is among the ranks of kid-friendly courses. Basically, any place that doesn’t offer entire-family services right now is missing the boat, big time.

The times, yes, they are a’changing…

Whether you are playing in The Masters Tournament or are playing in your local Club Championship everyone should have a pre-round routine. It’s strategic and it will help with your game.

When you are standing on the first tee you may find you have a better result and set yourself up for a better round, if you visualized that first drive while warming up on the range. Or you may sink that first putt with more confidence because you spent a few minutes getting the feel of the greens for the day. When I am warming up for a game or a competition, I try to do the same things I would do on a normal day and practice the way I want to play. I simulate my warm up at practice the way I would warm up before an event. I also experiment with it a little.

If I am running late for practice or for a game, instead of rushing to get to the course, I reset my thinking that my warm-up will now be the same but for shorter amount of time, because no one is changing the tee time for you when you are running a little behind time. And even if my round or practice was not my best, I always show some ? love ? to my driver at the end of every practice.

It is the club that starts off my next round, so superstition or routine, I do it every single time.

I like to do some cardio and get things moving before I practice, so I also try to do the same on game day. I try to keep my routine the same and when you are travelling and staying in hotels and need to make things feel as normal as they do at home, practicing the same routine is important. If you listen to music when you warm-up at practice, then listening to music and even those same songs can help put you back in a relaxed mind set, help you visualize that last great practice. I always have my iPod on right up until the moment I am called to the tee. I was recently at the KIA Classic and it made me smile to see Paula Creamer pull her iPod out of the back of her shirt less than a minute before she walked onto the first tee. Finding a routine and sticking with it calms the nerves and prepares you for a good round of golf.

Are you like Miguel Jimenez as seen at the Masters this week?

Do you like to avoid the crowds like Nick Watney? He avoids the crowds at the driving range and heads to the practice green first. When everyone clears the range then he practices there. This has worked for him since he began this routine in University. Are you relaxed and more at ease like Rory McIlroy? He likes to go to the gym and get on the treadmill for a light warm up and stretch, then eats and gets to the course one hour before tee time.

Or, do you have your pre-game routine down to a science like Zach Johnson? Who allows exactly 50 minutes to warm-up before his tee time.

It’s not just the men on tour who have a nice little routine, in fact most athletes have some sort of routine they like to stick to. Whether it’s eating the same breakfast, eating the same time before you play, or sleeping in if you play in the afternoon, if that’s what you do at home that’s what you should try to do when on the road or before your important event or round of golf.

Some players on the LPGA have some great routines as well. Stacy Lewis spends the first 15 minutes putting then hits balls for the next 20 minutes before a round. If she has an afternoon tee time she will put some time in the gym for a warm up before playing.  Anna Nordqvist likes to do the same thing in the same order. She warms up with the same clubs, in the same order and starts on the putting green, moving to the range to hit then to the chipping area.
(www.golfdigest.com)

What I have found helpful through the years is to keep my pre-game routine relaxed, keep it short and let the hours of practice kick in. This isn’t the time to work on the mechanics of your swing. Trust that the hours you put on the range before hand will come together.

Take a deep breath, relax and have fun!

Michelle Sheptak is a contributing writer for Golf Belles Central and is a Long Drive Competitor, Surfer and ER Nurse. She will be sharing her knowledge on golf, surf and fitness here on www.golfbellescentral.com

Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and watch for her in her competitions this year!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michelle.sheptak
Instagram: michellesheptak
Twitter: @msheptak

Follow the Golf Belles and all of Michelle’s articles at: