Golf and More Than The Normal Spotlight On Nutrition

A brand new decade and a fresh golf season………could there be a better time to revamp and prepare your body for better golf? As much as we hate to admit it, getting older does change things despite your best efforts to ignore it. We have to adapt and change what we can control.

Years ago we didn’t think about food and how it affects our performance on the course. We could eat anything and be OK. Not anymore. Foods are heavily processed with too much sugar, salt, additives and preservatives and are wreaking havoc with our bodies…..and the kids are not immune. Any educators out there can testify to problems dealing with students following a sugar-laden breakfast or a carbed-out lunch. They are either bouncing off the walls or falling asleep; the same goes for us.

Top players take advantage of better nutritional information which probably does not include a hot dog, chips, and a pop at the turn. Don’t rely on past knowledge because everything is evolving as the latest education comes to light. For example,

adopting a Mediterranean diet of whole grains, nuts, olive oils, fruits, vegetables and yes, even red wine and dark chocolate will provide a host of research-backed benefits. The Med diet cuts metabolic syndrome (low HDL, high triglycerides and insulin), lowers your risk of breast cancer, maintains brain health and of special interest to golfers, reduces inflammation, which is the primary source of those aches and pains you attempt to swing around.

Ever have days when you feel jumpy on the golf course and you can’t calm down? Check your diet – you may be on sugar-overload. Consumption of sugar adds to many health woes, not to mention the waistline. Most people falsely assume a ‘not me’ attitude because their spoon doesn’t stray into the sugar bowl. But did you know there is sugar in almost everything?? Even in unlikely sources such as pickles, mustard, mayonnaise, yogurt, crackers, bread, soup bases; virtually anything that is processed or canned will have sugar, often listed under the ‘natural flavoring’ or ‘other spices’ umbrella. That infamous hot dog at the turn contains sugar in the meat, bun, mustard, ketchup, relish – and maybe even the onions, if they aren’t fresh-cut. Add a pop or energy bar to that meal….and watch out!

Let’s talk a skosh more about sugar: Too much sugar is not good for your body. It has only been in recent history – the last 200 years or so – that overconsumption of sugar has even been possible; but once it became plentiful, taste buds began to crave it. Except for WWII when it was rationed, sugar has inched its way into our food and around our waistlines.

Sugar adds calories, has no nutritional value, and goads your body into an insulin and inflammatory response which can surface as diabetes, asthma, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and other ills, not to mention the damage it can do to skin. Yes, skin! Many studies recommend we get no more than 10 teaspoons of sugar a day but a normal person of average size consumes over 30 teaspoons per day. How so, you may ask? Drink 1 can of Coke (10 tsp.) and 1 Gatorade (9tsp.) and you’re about two-thirds of the way there already without eating any solid food! Read your labels……look at the grams of sugar and divide by 4 to approximate the number of teaspoons.

Be especially vigilant of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Despite the brand new ads on television dispelling fears of the chemical – and yes, it is a chemical though it starts out as corn – this ingredient is probably the most troublesome and evil sugar. Attractive to food processors because it is cheap, available, and extends shelf life, it is NOT beautiful for your well-being. Some scientists say that the body processes HFCS differently than regular sugar or corn syrup by decreasing our metabolism and fooling with metabolic hormones. So in essence, just when Mother Nature is slowing down our metabolism normally as middle age approaches, we get unnecessary and unwanted help as HFCS brings this process to a crawl. That’s why when you try to diet and exercise more you end up stagnating or even putting on excess weight. The science behind it dictates that HFCS causes you to continue eating past the point when you would normally stop because that ‘turn-off’ switch has been disabled; you never get the message to quit eating. You’ve been tricked into thinking you want more food, and your body tells itself to store more fat. If that isn’t a double-bogey/double-whammy, what is?

So, what about artificial sweeteners? Many thought these were the answer, but consider this: they are almost totally chemical, have no nutritional value, are linked to migraines, and manipulate what your taste buds think is sweet. You are tempted to eat more since there are no sugar calories in the product. For a real eye-opener, check out a search engine and read how aspartame (NutraSweet) was approved by the FDA in 1981. The day I read that, about 3 years ago, is the day I stopped knowingly eating anything ‘diet’. I carefully chose the word ‘knowingly’ because these sweeteners are in many products you may not realize: yogurts, sugar-free ice creams, ‘lite’ drinks, gum, sugar-free candies, etc. Again, read the label.

If all of these things are so bad, what CAN you eat to add a little sugar to your life? Truvia (a leaf from the Stevia plant) is fairly new on the market but I find it has a bit of a bitter aftertaste. There’s another new sweetener available which has a very low Glycemic Index, meaning it is slowly absorbed into the body preventing blood sugar spikes. Blue Agave (yep, the tequila plant) syrup is about 25% sweeter than sugar, has 20 calories per teaspoon compared to sugar’s 16 calories – but you need less. Taste-wise, it’s a cross between maple syrup and molasses. FYI, it is perfect for making margaritas. Scrap the commercial margarita mix (HFCS, artificial flavors and more chemicals) and squeeze fresh lemons adding Blue Agave to the juice to taste……..mix with some fresh lime juice, Cuervo, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier……….Deee-lish! Who says healthy eating can’t be tasty….and fun?

Ask your favorite golf course to stock healthier alternatives in the clubhouse and at the halfway house. Fruits, string cheese, hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter and crackers, homemade soup, veggies and hummus (don’t laugh, I’ve seen it done), Med-style sandwich wraps and packages of nuts. In this tight economy, most courses are competing for your business and often will accommodate the requests of good customers. When they do, support the effort and you’ll win two battles: better food choices and getting your ‘voice of women’s golf’ heard. Armed with energizing food, you’ll be stacking up the pars and birdies in no time!

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  If you have any quick nutritional tips you would like to share or just general comments, I invite you to leave them below.  I am getting ready to taste test the margarita recipe above…yummmm!

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Last night the Big Break Sandals Resort Finale aired on Golf Channel. Our spotlight player last year here on Ladies on the Tee and our hometown favorite, Carling Coffing, was kind enough  to invite me to her grandparents house to witness the outcome with a houseful of family and friends.

Trying to get information out of Carling prior to the Finale was impossible.  This young women can keep a secret…aided, of course, by a Confidentiality Agreement required of every contestant.  Week after week, I sat glued to the TV on Monday evenings at 9pm ET watching the drama unfold.  The emotional toll was immense…on me!!  Nevermind those 11 golfers fighting it out over 10 episodes (a 2-week period fro the golfers).  I was a wreck!!

Soap operas have nothing on this format.  The editing was quite interesting.  What was more interesting was

watching Carling watch the edited version the same time we did.  She had no inkling as to what the finished ‘product’ would be that aired.  Queue it up for rivalries, snide comments and taking sides.  This is reality TV at its finest…if there is such a thing???

The ups and downs were as frequent as the twists and turns on the largest roller coaster know to man.  Time and again Carling rolled in clutch putts to ‘seal the deal’ and it certainly paid off in the Finale where, again she faced a 25-foot putt to take a 1-up lead over fellow finalist, Lili Alvarez on the 17th hole.  She played the 18th hole solidly to take home the title of Big Break Sandals Resort WINNER.

But that’s not all she earned.  Not by a long shot.  Personally I think they should rename Big Break to “Super Huge, Over the Top, Mind-Blowing Break”.  Here’s the list of CC’s earnings:

• $10,000 shopping spree at Dick’s Sporting Goods
• Endorsement Deal with Adams Golf that includes $10,000 cash
• $5,000 from Skycaddie for LPGA QSchool Entry Fees
• Exemption to the 2010 Lorena Ochoa Invitational
• Exemption to the 2010 LET Dubai Masters
• 7-night stay at Sandals Resorts and Spa with one guest ( I am thinking she’ll be inviting me….NOT!!)
• Exempt status on the 2011 Futures Tour
• Entry Fees paid for the 2011 Futures Season

Whew!  That’s a whole new tax bracket, Ms. Coffing   Good for you!

Our readers have followed your progression through your updates here on Ladies on the Tee and revel in your accomplishments on the Duramed Tour and now this crowning achievement.  The door is wide open and the world is certainly your oyster, CC.  Enjoy it!!

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  Please leave your comments below.

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Mental Toughness is the ability to maintain a steady state.

For the ultimate ‘mental toughness‘ you need to have a mental conditioning coach develop a drill that works for you specifically to condition you for your state management on the golf course. The ideal session necessary to develop results conditioning is 90 minutes. Mental conditioning, mental toughness, peak performance, physical performance, resilience to negative effects on the golf course is a life time investment in yourself as a person and as a golfer.

We all experience states we don’t like – denying they exist, don’t make them go away.
How do you change your state when you’re on the golf course? It requires keen awareness on your part. It’s not what happens to you – it is what you do with what happens to you that counts. States are also contagious, so watch out. How is your state affecting others, and how is their state affecting you? All great questions to have for a round-routine – solid answers to dial into your nervous system.

Your ability to focus on the golf course can be your heaven or hell when you competing. The prime rule in this reality is we must become in our lives what we choose to experience in the world. Have no doubt, reality changes in the present as a direct result of our focus.  The more we focus, the greater the change.

There is always a subtle yet powerful difference between working toward a result and thinking and feeling from it. In our minds we are always “on our way” to a accomplishment.
We also tend to experience what we identify with in our beliefs.  The quality of our beliefs and expectations has a direct and powerful effect on what happens to us on the golf course. My research has shown the more intense the “watching” – focus, the greater the watchers influence is on how the ball behaves. Your ability to focus, stay focused and stay in state is the mind-set of a champion. State management is a must for competitive, consistent and fun for a golfer while out playing on the course.
–
By Ida Centoni  – www.PerformanceMomentum.com

Our thanks to Ida Centoni, Mental Conditioning Coach for her invaluable insights to help each of us become better golfers…and people!  Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee, the Voice of Women’s Golf at www.sherrytabb.com.  We invite you to leave your comments below.

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Men, Women Golfers Need a Course in Gender Bias

Last summer, a women’s tournament was played at a popular metro Detroit west side course.  As the foursomes began to arrive at the 10^th tee, they found it stacked four groups deep with men who had been allowed to cut in at the turn. When the women complained to the starter, he said, “You women play too fast. You were supposed to make the turn in 2 and ½ hours, not 2! If you slowed down, you’d play better!”

True story.

Women play too fast. Women play too slow. Men don’t hit it as long as they think they do. Men hate to play golf with women. Women are better putters and chippers. They’re rules ghouls. Men swing too hard. Women swing like powder puf fs. Women shouldn’t play in men’s events. Men shouldn’t play in women’s events. Men cheat.

The battle of the sexes is alive and kicking on the links.

What male golfer has not set out for the first tee, seen a group of women in front of him and let out a labored sigh? With visions of a dreadfully slow round ahead, some are tempted to ask to play through even before the first tee shot flies. But is that fair?

Not according to statistics, which provide no evidence that either gender can claim to be the kings or queens of speed on the links; however, according to course rangers, women are much more likely to cooperate when asked to speed up play, because they know they’ll be blamed for slow play.

Men have misconceptions about women’s golf games and overestimate how far women can hit the ball. Actually, the average woman drives the ball 130-150 yards and can carry a fairway shot about 80 yards. Yet, with the advent of Forward Tees (formerly the Ladies Tee) devised by architects who, by the way, still don’t have it quite right, there is some unwritten axiom that rounds played from these tees are not truly considered a ‘serious’ golf course by men. Why men have a problem with this is a great mystery. And why they think that a woman who can hit the ball a bit should move back to the 6600-yard course or longer is an even greater puzzle.

Let’s pose these questions to the fellows:

• Would you enjoy playing a course that required one, two, or three 3-woods to reach almost every green?

• If you were playing scramble or partner golf with John Daly would you insist he back up to the tees behind you?

• In a scramble, would you insist your woman teammate play on your standard tees instead of the Forward Tees?

Correct (and sane) answers:

• No, but most women have to play that way;

• Absolutely not – you’d play the same tees. No wimps here.

• No way. Do I look crazy?

In order to survive unscathed when playing with the opposite sex, here are five things a man should never say to a woman:

1) You really didn’t win the long drive contest since you hit from the Ladies Tee.

2) It doesn’t matter how far you are from the green. You’ll just hit 3-wood anyway.

3) I’ll drive the cart. I want to make it back to the 19^th hole alive!

4) Wow! You can break 100? You must be a good short game player.

5) Why don’t you play it from the back tees and play a real golf course?

And here are six things a woman should never say to a man unless she’s got game and has chutzpah to match:

1) Let’s play for something – even up. No strokes.

2) I’ll play from whatever tees you boys are playing from.

3) You really shouldn’t play individual stroke play. A scramble suits you much better.

4) Here you go – why don’t you use some of my pink Flying Lady golf balls since you’ve lost all of yours?

5) You swing like a girl.

6) Can we play through?

By Janina Parrott Jacobs, Golf Media Specialist and so much more…

Janina raises some great questions and responses for us at Ladies on the Tee , The Voice of Women’s Golf at www.sherrytabb.com.  Sound off here with your own answers. Thanks for stopping by and spending time with us.

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Author, James Ross, takes us back to Prairie Winds Golf Course in East St. Louis for his latest novel, Opur’s Blade. For those of you who have read Ross’ earlier releases, Lifetime Loser, Finish Line and Tuey’s Course, you will feel like you are reconnecting with friends in the clubhouse.

J Dub Schroeder, the golf pro at Prairie Winds is back and at the center of things as he discovers a raw golf talent in a young boy named Owen Purler, Jr.  This young boy arrives at J Dub’s golf course with his mother, who is seeking to show her son another side of life.  Owen’s father is a long hauler and is absent from his son’s life most of the time.  He is also not keen on having Owen getting involved in a game they obviously can’t afford.

Turns out though that Owen is quite the golf prodigy and J Dub becomes a somewhat surrogate father helping Opur (as he is nicknamed by the regulars at the golf course) not only refine his golf skills but also to navigate through life and the trauma that he faces early on.  Opur falls in love with the game and with the characters that are part of his new family at the course and needs both of them to deal with his tragedies.

The moment I started reading this book I didn’t want to put it down.  At the beginning there is more focus on life, passion, sex and dealing with real family issues.  Once Opur goes off on his own and finds himself qualifying for the BIGGEST tournament in golf, the story gets heavily into golf and what is happening on the course at the tournament.

Maybe there is too much detail about the hole-by-hole play but Ross does continue to weave valuable lessons throughout the back and forth conversations with Opur and J Dub who is serving as his caddy at the event.  All in all you know there is a major struggle going on inside the ropes and inside Opur’s head.  The ending was not what I expected at all and I am not sure I liked the ending.  What I do know is I want a sequel to this novel sooner rather than later to help me pick up the pieces and get some closure.

Recommendation: Good read even for the non-golfer.

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  Please read the book and let us know what YOU think!!

Disclaimer:  A copy of this book was provided free by the Author for me to read and review.  This review is totally my opinion and is not influenced by the ‘gift’ of the book.

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Golfers Can Alleviate Exertional Muscle Cramps by Proper Hydration Techniques

By Susan Hill, Certified Golf Fitness Trainer

Competitive golfers are well aware of the perils of dehydration and its potential effect on performance. It can create significant risk to your game and your health. What research has shown is your body not only loses hydration but also its salt content through excessive sweating. With more than half the country locked in a heat wave it is very easy to begin excessively sweating during your round of golf.

Golfer’s in general usually know that you need to stay well hydrated during play but what you may not realize is that water alone is not the solution. You also need to make sure that you have the proper amount of salt replacement. One easy way to think about this is what ever is sweated out, must be put back in. If you do not keep yourself properly hydrated out on the course you will begin to feel small muscle twinges.

Small muscle twinges are the first sign that your body has a deficiency. If this begins to happen to you during your golf round you need to take a break, cool down and start to get fluids and salt back into your system. If you do not address the problem

and ignore the small twinges you can begin to get debilitating cramps in as little as 20 minutes.

These types of cramps are not localized to one muscle group; they can affect an entire area like your hamstrings in both legs. These types of cramps are referred to as exertional heat cramps. The underlining cause of these types of cramps is excessive sweating that causes you to lose fluid and electrolytes, which include sodium and chloride.

Once you have begun to cramp there are a few things that you can do that will help you to get your body balanced quickly and properly. First get out of the heat, most golf courses have plenty of shade so that golfers can rest during their rounds. Second begin replenishing your body with fluids, water will help but to really restore yourself you need to make sure that you also have enough salt.

One very effective mixture to drink that will stop your cramping immediately is taking a 20 oz Gatorade or similar sport drink and adding ½ teaspoon of salt to it. Shake it up and drink the mixture over a 10 minute period. For added benefit drink an additional 8 ounces of water. Rest for a little while and then you should be good to continue your round. This high of concentrate should only be used after cramping has already begun.

The best way to prevent this from happening to begin with is to make sure that you are properly hydrated before you begin your golf round. Drinking a sports drink prior to golfing will help and carrying a mixture of 32 ounces of sports drink with ¼ teaspoon of salt to drink during your golf round will help prevent exertional heat cramps in the first place.

Once you begin preventative measures you should pay attention to your salt intake as you do not want to have too much iodine in your system. It is all about being able to balance your input and output of fluid and electrolytes.

Information and recommendations were found in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation.

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  To learn more about golf fitness from Susan Hill please visit her at www.fitnessforgolf.com.

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Bright Times for US Womens Golf

That’s two in a  row for anyone who is counting ( like….the entire US golf population that follows women’s golf!!).   CPR has breathed new life into women’s golf in the US.  In this case CPR means, Cristie – Paula – Resuscitation!!

After this weekend’s US Women’s Open win by Paula Creamer, the US women’s golf platform is looking bright and hopeful.  Cristie Kerr just won the 2nd major of the season, the LPGA Championship by a mere 12 strokes and captured the #1 ranking in women’s golf a couple of weeks ago.  When was the last time Americans have won back-to-back majors on the LPGA Tour?  Heck for that matter, when

was the last time a US player was ranked number 1???

In addition to these seasoned veterans (OK, I know Paula is only 23 but she is now considered a vet) the youth movement looks good.  Alexis (Lexi) Thompson, a 15-year old who recently turned professional, not only made the cut but finished in the top 10.

There were more American players at the top of the leaderboard than we have seen in quite a while even though some fell back on the last day.  At one point 6 of the top 10 positions at the Open were held by US talent.  Brittany Lang made a charge to the top of the leaderboard only to falter on the back nine.  She still finished tied for 5th.  Christina Kim made her way to a tie for 8th after losing last week’s Jamie Farr LPGA event in a 4 –way playoff.

Others in the hunt were Stacy Lewis, Natalie Gulbis and Wendy Ward tied for 14th placed.  Overall 10 of the top 20 spots were won by our home-grown women.  Crisite Kerr, albeit disappointed with her performances, finished at #17.  Kristy McPherson and Angela Stanford came in T19.

The golf world has been pinning their hopes on Michelle Wie to revitalize golf here in this country but based on the recent turn of events and the fact that Wie did not make the cut, I think there are many players that can individually or collectively propel women’s golf back to where it needs to be.

Golf is truly and international sport and I am happy about that but at the same time, like many others, I want to see more events played here on US soil and that will only happen if we have players from the US battling it out at the top throughout the rest of this season and beyond.

Personally, I think we are moving in the right direction.  Well done, ladies!!

Thanks again for visiting with us at Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  You are invited to leave your comments below.

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“You’re invited!!!!!  Please join us for the (fill in the blank) Gala Classic Golf Outing to be played at (fill in the blank) to benefit (fill in the blank).  Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsorships are available for $10,000, $5,000, and $2000, and foursomes are only $1000.  Hurry so you don’t miss out!”

How many of these do you receive in a golf season?  And how do you decipher which ones are the best?

With cash in hand, you could play in some outing somewhere at public or private clubs every day of the week.   It might be fun but it could also get expensive and disappointing if you don’t know what you’re about to receive.

Many of the higher end outings charge more than $1000 per foursome – try $5000 for chumming with the highest profile professional sports stars – but does that mean you will have a great time?   Not necessarily.  Some of these darlings are not that much fun to play with.  Check out the ‘Boys Behaving Badly’ chapter in former Charlie’s Angel and celebrity golfer Cheryl Ladd’s book, “Token Chick”.  We have all had similar nightmares.

Exactly how DO you read between the lines of a charity outing invitation so that you can make the most out of your ‘donation’?

First, check out the number of years the event has survived:  the 20^th Annual anything should have all of the kinks out and will operate pretty smoothly.  Events that have been around for over 5 years are usually run by a committee infused with new blood every year and innovative ideas will abound.  But don’t shy away from ‘Golf Classics’ that are First Annuals or in their 2^nd or 3^rd years – the committees always try harder to make the outings memorable.  There may be some glitches but often the folks running the tournament will bend over backwards to make sure you are happy and will return the following year.

Second, see who benefits from the outing.  Some jaded folks will wisecrack about a ‘disease of the week’ but it is no laughing matter for those who truly wish to eradicate cancer, heart disease, cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis or who have soft spots in their hearts for children with learning disabilities, autism, or those who are deprived in other ways.  I have served on all of these types of committees and can assure you that we who volunteer do so knowing there are no perks to speak of, and that most of the money collected does indeed go to the charity.  You can always ask for the expense reports from previous years.   And FYI, the committee members pay too.

Third, look at the location.  Better outings are held at private or upscale public courses.  Perhaps there is a private club you have always wanted to play but don’t know how to get invited?  For example, in September, the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) conducts its annual golf outing at Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield, MI to fund programs that will enrich the lives of over 30,000 kids in metro Detroit.   Plum Hollow has a storied past and is a legendary, well conditioned, classic club.  Pro-Ams at major tournaments in Michigan are always first class.  The Buick Open, Ford Senior Players, Futures Tour, and the Detroit Newspapers PGA events were all at quality venues.  Of course you’ll pay more but you may find it worth the price to experience great courses in this manner.  And, if you look at what you’ll pay anyway at a regular public course for a no frills outing, you’d be hard pressed to find an entry fee under $65 or $75, for which you receive…not very much.   But that’s OK too if camaraderie with your friends and compadres is all you seek.

Fourth, search out the bennies.  One clue is easily seen in the invitation itself:  is it a flyer or is it printed on stationery or hard stock?  Is everything spelled correctly?  Fly by night outings or those that promote some obscure cause (like the host’s pocketbook) will not allocate too much moolah for glitzy invitations, prizes, or awards.  When multiple sponsors are listed on the invite, you can bet their wares will be there in the form of prizes or goodie bag gifts.  If an RSVP card asks for your shirt, jacket, or shoe size, or all of the aforementioned, it is a good sign you are in for some treats.  If you see a liquor sponsor, be prepared for on course or après-round spirits, gratis……..my fave is the Margarita stand…or is it the Hummers?

Fifth, does the invitation list the course games, prizes, and awards? If so, then you can assume the prizes will be top notch.  Do they mention separate prizes for men’s and women’s longest drive and closest to the pin?  Yes?  Well now, you have a committee that is on the ball and trying to be equitable.   Are there exciting extras like a ‘Putt for Cash’ or a ‘Million Dollar Hole in One Shootout’?  One charity event I played in had a putting contest: for every 8 foot putt holed out you received a ticket for a drawing at the awards dinner.  The prize?  A very visible and very large AFLACK Duck.   And to think he barely fit in the back seat of my car……..

Sixth, do the words ‘cash bar’ appear anywhere on the invitation?  If not, you can assume the cocktails are included with the price of admission.  However keep this in mind:  open bars demand a premium chunk of change from the Expense side of the ledger and less money will go to the charity.

Seventh, is the outing a breakfast/lunch deal or a lunch/cocktails/dinner ordeal?  Or is it something like the 50,000 watt mega-radio station WJR’s March of Dimes celebrity event at Indianwood Golf and Country Club in MI that offers breakfast, lunch on the course (more than once), cocktails, dinner, and dessert, with great prizes, gifts, and goodie bags?  Obviously, the early day will cost less than the later day affair, but who really wants to get up at 4am to beat the traffic for a 7:30 shotgun start?  You do? OK, you dew sweepers……count me out.  Did that more times than I care to count….in college.

Eighth, consider the purpose of your presence or participation at an outing.  Are you a sponsor, a donor, or are you hosting some business clients?  Do you hope to gain some business, new clients, or new friends from the experience?  If you are, you may want to check out an outing once before you invite folks the next time.  I once was at an event where the food ran out, the prizes had to be picked up at a later date, and expired gift certificates were given out.  This is not the kind of outing you want clients to remember you by.

Ninth, if you are invited as a guest to a golf outing, do not pay one whit of attention to numbers first through eighth.  Just go, have a good time, behave yourself, buy raffle tickets and auction items, and tip the bartenders and wait staff generously.   Don’t forget to thank your host profusely.

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  Special thanks to Janina Parrott-Jacobs for her article.  Find more of Janina’s work at http://janinajacobs.com.Your comments are always welcome.

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While women have long been a part of the game of golf, their wardrobes have traditionally been rather drab and boring. Since the 70’s and even throughout most of the 80’s, outfits made for women golfers consisted of excessively baggy pants and long-sleeved shirts that seemed to serve no other purpose than to make sure all parts of the woman’s body remained covered up at all times. This is in great contrast to male golfers, who seemed to have access to all of the latest fashion trends and wardrobe innovations at their leisure.

Times have changed drastically since the 70’s and 80’s, however, and women golfers now have the luxury of being able to enjoy a variety of clothing options;

some of which is every bit as functional as it is good-looking, appealing and sexy. Indeed it seems that women’s golf clothing has changed for the better, and it appears obvious to all that the industry is going to stay this way.

But these changes didn’t happen overnight by any means. In fact, some of the largest names in the world of sports, including Nike and Adidas, have all played important roles in setting new trends and developing new golf outfits made specifically for women. These companies are working directly with sports professionals and top designers in order to produce golf clothing for the modern woman of golf.

But the sports industry’s top names can’t take all the credit for advancing fashion in the world of women’s golf. In fact, some of the sport’s top female players, such as Grace Park, Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie can all take credit for the current state of women’s fashion in the game of golf. This accomplishment makes these players not only leaders in the game itself, but innovators and even pioneers of the game.

Another influence in today is the growing amount of televised golf, particularly women’s golf. As more and more tournaments are being shown on television, more fans are now exposed to the world of women’s golf than ever before; and many find it quite exciting, competitive and entertaining.

The final influence on golf clothing for the modern woman golfer is the Internet. Because it is so easy for fans of Annika Sorenstam or Grace Park to find the exact clothing online that they wear during their games, clothing designers and companies have capitalized by offering endorsement deals to the top players in women’s golf today. Such endorsement deals usually come in the form of large monetary awards and free clothing for the player – the only thing that is required on their part is to wear the clothing, play to the best of their abilities and speak highly of the brand.

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  Please leave your fashionable comments below…

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By Caroline Larsson, Duramed FUTURES Tour Player

I want to share something that is very important for golf, but also for everything else in our lives. Two words – have fun! I have played golf since I was four years old, played professional golf for the past four years, and played in more than a hundred pro-ams. What I have noticed, whether it’s someone who can’t break 100, fellow pro golfers, or in my own golf game, is that the more fun you have on the golf course, the better you play.

This is especially true in the pro-ams, where I always go in with the attitude that we’re not going to care about how we play, but we’re going to have a lot of fun! This doesn’t only relax the amateurs I’m playing with, but it also sends out positive thoughts and encouragement and they don’t feel as much pressure that they have to hit a good shot. As it has turned out, my pro-am teams usually end up with a good score in the end!

Golf is a sport that is easy to be frustrated at. No matter your skill level, you always want to play better, hit the ball farther, or win more tournaments. (Believe me, I know!) I’m not saying that you should give up on those dreams. All I’m saying is that you shouldn’t kick yourself in the butt if you don’t make it right away. Improvement takes time, and in the meantime it’s more enjoyable for everybody if you just relax and enjoy the ride!

After now having a few years of experience with professional golf on the Duramed Future’s Tour, I’ve realized that I have sometimes wanted to win too much.

When this happens and I know I can win, I’ve had the tendency to focus more on not messing up than to just hit one shot at a time and enjoy the moment. This year I’m going to take a different approach.

By being more relaxed on the golf course and just focus on having fun, I’m already playing a lot better. I was struggling in the beginning of the year with a new swing coach and new clubs, and I can honestly say that I did not enjoy practicing golf as much as I have been. I realized that I was focusing too much on my swing and that I practiced more than I played. Recently, I’ve gone out and played with friends more, and focused more on where I want the ball to go instead of every inch of my golf swing. I haven’t only had a blast playing golf again, but I’ve also played a lot better!

One tournament I played was in Daytona Beach, FL. My parents came over from Sweden that week and it was great to see them! I asked my dad to caddy, both because I wanted to spend time with him while they were here, but also because that reminded me not to be too hard on myself and that I play golf because it’s fun.

I think it was my mom who unknowingly reminded me of this one day on the golf course. My parents and I were out playing and my mom got mad because she wasn’t playing well. I reminded her that we were out there to have fun, that it was great to have them in Florida, and that it was a beautiful day out! Of course my mom could only smile and agree with me.

Last week, I told myself the same thing that I told my mom. After all, it’s just a game and it’s a game that we all love. I truly had fun on the golf course last week. Like I had told myself, I didn’t get upset on the course and instead just enjoyed the fact that my parents were here visiting me and that I do what I absolutely love doing. I ended up shooting 72-72-69 and had a good week. Having the golf course as your office isn’t too bad after all…

As a reminder to be less hard on myself on the course and to have more fun, I now have a new head cover on my putter. It’s a monkey butt! I love it, because there is no way you can look at that head cover without a smile on your face. During the last pro-am I played, I went under the nickname “monkey butt”…do I have to mention that we had a great time and none of us cared that the round took 6 hours – because we had fun!

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