GOLF MASTER TIPS

Holy Cross College’s New Golf Room

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0700

Holy Cross College’s New Golf Room - New golf performance facility with a dedication ceremony to commemorate its completion unveiled at Holy Cross College. The new, privately funded facility will be the indoor practice home for Saints men’s and women’s golf teams.

A gathering of administration, faculty, students, donors, and special guests were among those on hand to take part in the dedication of Holy Cross College’s new Golf Room, which includes a state-of-the-art golf simulator.

The ceremony featured remarks by President Brother John R. Paige, C.S.C., Holy Cross Director of Athletics Aimee Niespodziany, Holy Cross Head Golf Coach T.J. Mannen, and Saints golfers, Lauryn Luckey and Joey Medora.

Holy Cross College’s New Golf Room

Br. Paige recognized various people who made the training facility possible, including administrators, members of the athletic department, student athletes, special guests, and most of all, the donors.
Following the welcome, Brother John R. Paige, C.S.C. provided a dedication blessing.

Holy Cross College’s student-athletes represent excellence on and off the course and The Golf Room will give them the tools to better compete on a national stage, as well as the tools to help overcome the unpredictability of Northern Indiana’s weather.

“We, as a department, are so excited about the recent addition of this outstanding golf simulator,” notes Athletic Director Niespodziany. “From a competitive standpoint, competing in the Midwest presents a disadvantage due to the weather. With the golf simulator now in place, we are able to overcome that barrier and practice all year round.”

Niespodziany goes on to say, “And, from a recruiting and player standpoint, the equipment is appealing because it allows for practice on campus. Athletes should feel the benefits of this significant investment, and know that the college pursues growth, progress, and excellence for our Saints’ varsity athletics.”

The facility includes a state-of-the-art GC2 golf simulator from Foresight Sports, which represents the most accurate technology available for capturing and reproducing true golf ball flight. Its high-resolution cameras capture up to 10,000 frames per second, while its stereoscopic lens arrangement emulates “human eye” spatial recognition.
State-of-the-art image processing and internal accelerometer allow the launch monitor to truly measure player performance. The industry’s most accurate launch monitor gives the golfer reliable swing and ball flight data, which are essential to game improvement.

These tools provide Holy Cross golfers with instruments needed to become top-notch players and to remain competitive. Saints golfers will be able to improve every aspect of their game—from putting, to driving, to everything in-between.

The Golf Room, which is located inside the Pfeil Recreation Center, gives student-athletes the opportunity to practice year-round in an environment that mimics actual playing surfaces.

“The generosity of our donors and the hard work of so many individuals have made it possible for the college to now have facilities and equipment that match the quality and dedication of our students and coaches,” says Holy Cross College President, Brother John Paige.

Construction began for the new golf training center in May and was completed in late August. (Golf Master Tips article source and author: HCC-ND.EDU)

Meet Teens Who Drive Golf Carts To School

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:11:00 -0700

Drive Golf Carts To School - It can take some courage to exit the parking lot of McIntosh High School in Peachtree City just after the bell rings. Even after three years on her golf cart, senior Amelia Traylor isn’t always up for it.

“I hang out with my friends in the drama room for the traffic to clear because it’s terrifying.”

What’s terrifying? Picture several hundred golf carts, with teenagers in the driver’s seats, all headed in the direction of a single exit.

“It’s kind of just a major flurry of activity. Everyone is scrambling to get out as fast as they can. It’s constantly start and stop, start and stop,” Traylor says. “It’s really insane.”

Drive Golf Carts To School

Only in Peachtree City. The planned community’s winding trail network makes it possible to get just about anywhere by golf cart. And since the city allows teenagers to drive golf carts unaccompanied at age 15, the motorized vehicles have become a primary mode of transit for high schoolers. In fact, at McIntosh High, there are now more parking spaces for golf carts than cars.

Sophomore Jack Bruschetti has been taking his canvas-colored golf cart to McIntosh High since February. It’s an EZ-GO brand, which he likes because of the speed.

“My golf cart goes 25 mph,” he says. “For not street-legal golf carts, that’s fast.”

Bruschetti showed how to drive it.

“I mean, it’s just like a car. You put the key in, and you know it’s going in reverse when the really annoying buzzer comes on.”

When he is asked if golf cart passengers should wear seatbelts, he says, “Nah, I mean if the driver’s good.” Though, the students admit that during rush hour, not all the drivers here are good.

“One day, I was hit like twice in a row by the same golf cart,” Bruschetti says. Asked how he responded, he says, “I don’t know, I just kind of glare at them.”

The students say the golf carts are pretty sturdy, similar to bumper cars. Also, no one’s really going fast enough to cause serious harm.

McIntosh senior John Hamlin offers one way of thinking about it.

“If you get into an accident with a car, it’s a lot more insurance, danger and stuff like that. Whereas if you get into a golf-cart accident, it’s not nearly as dangerous and there’s less damage.” Hamlin says. “This is kind of like an in-between where you can learn to drive a little bit and work your way up to your license.”

As for Hamlin, he actually is old enough to drive a car now, but with the family’s burnt orange golf cart at his disposal, he’s not really in a hurry.

“It’s just an easy way to get around without having to take the bus and be able to be independent that way,” he says.

Sophomore Cassie Barnett, sitting with a group of girls hanging out on their golf carts, is on a bright green golf cart that she says is brand new.

“I got it as a birthday present, which is pretty awesome. It’s like a $5,000 golf cart,” Barnett says.

Apparently, her parents said she could take it to school as long as she didn’t mess it up. She is asked if she feels proud behind the wheel of a new golf cart.

“Um, yes. I don’t know if it’s bad to say that,” Barnett says. “But like, I’ll be walking to my golf cart, I’ll ask my friends, "Let’s play find Cassie’s golf cart." And they can easily pick it out because it’s shiny and bright green, and nobody else’s here is bright green.”

Not everyone is as enthusiastic about their golf cart’s appearance. Traylor, the senior who was terrified of the after-school traffic, admits she’s put her family’s blue golf cart to pretty good use over the last three years.

“It loses screws all the time. The mirror falls off,” Traylor says. “The little thing that controls whether it goes in forward or reverse, the cord broke.”

It’s more about what the golf cart gives her: Independence and also the experience of being in the driver’s seat.

“Driving the cart with the cover down, you get this blast of wind in your face, like blowing your hair back, and you have music and when you’re going up and down the hills, it kind of feels like a roller coaster,” she says. “It’s like one of my favorite feelings.”

But, Traylor says, the experience of driving golf carts and the freedom that comes with it has its limits -- namely, the Peachtree City limits. That is about as far as the golf cart trails go. (Golf Master Tips article source and author: STEPHANNIE STOKES)

US Golf Tournament 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:20:00 -0700

Seventh annual Golf Tournament for The Arc of Atlantic County

Hosted by the I. Rice & Company Sept.17 at Linwood Country Club. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Proceeds benefit The Arc, which provides services for people with developmental disabilities in our community. Cost is $175 and includes awards luncheon. Register online at arcatlantic.org or call The Arc at 609-485-0800ext 141.

Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey Golf Tournament

1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, 550 Country Club Drive, Galloway. Price is $125; $25 for dinner only. Registration begins 11:30 a.m. Call 609-703-9912 or email wlewis1799 @aol.com.

Carmeline Del Vecchio Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament

Friday, Sept. 25 at the Renault Winery Resort and Golf Club in Egg Harbor City. The event raises money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Cost is $125 for golf and dinner. See www.TheCDMF.org for more information.

Annual Stockton University Golf Classic 1 p.m. shotgun start Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, 401 S. New York Road, Galloway. Registration 11 a.m. Seewww.stockton.edu/golf

20th annual Energentic Golf and Sporting Clay Invitational

Friday, Oct. 2. The daylong sporting competition will bring together more than 100 participants for a trip to the Red Wing Sporting Clays Range followed by a round of golf at Blue Heron Pines Golf Club. Sponsorship opportunities and participation packages are available now by calling Ilise James at (609) 568-1178 or visiting the online registration page at UnitedForImpact.org/Atlantic.

Atlantic Cape Community College Scramble “Fore” Scholarships Golf Tournament

12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9at Cape May National Golf Club. Proceeds benefit student scholarships and foundation operations. Chris Ford of Margate, a former Holy Spirit High School basketball player and head coach of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, will be the featured guest. Cost is $150 per person or $500 per foursome and includes a gift, lunch and awards dinner. Skills contests include closest to the pin and longest drive. Sponsorship range from $125 to $5,000. For information contact Alicia McMackin at 609-343-4986 or amcmacki@atlantic.edu.

Atlantic County Bar Association Golf Tournament

Friday, Oct. 16 at Linwood Country Club on Shore Road in Linwood. Breakfast and registration begin at 8 a.m.; shotgun start at 9. Fee is $145 and includes cart, continental breakfast, drinks on the course, lunch and open bar. Contact ACBA executive director Tamara Lamb at 609-345-3444 or tamara.lamb@atcobar.org.

Second annual Cliff Rosegren Golf Tournament

8 a.m. shotgun start Saturday, Oct. 17 at Mays Landing Golf Club, 1855 Cates Road, Mays Landing. Registration at 7 a.m. Cost is $100 per golfer and includes greens fee, cart, breakfast, lunch and awards and prizes. The tournament benefits Brian and Joey Mascio's Educational Trust Fund. Send registration to Golf Tournament, 5220 Pleasant Mills Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 or call 609-625-0256.

4-Person Scramble noon shotgun

start Sunday, Oct. 18 at McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links, Egg Harbor Township. Registration at 11 a.m. Cost is $125 for individual player, $500 for foursome and includes green fees and cart, beer, dinner, raffles and awards. Dinner only is $25. For information see www.mcculloughsgolf.com or call Any Transue at 609-432-4873 or Jeff Maul at 609-377-6717. (Golf MAster tips article source: Shore News Today)

Mooresville Golf Course Renovated to Open in 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:09:00 -0700

The opening of Mooresville Golf Course will be delayed until 2016 to allow for more growth on the greens and fairways, Town Manager Erskine Smith announced Tuesday. A final opening date has not been set, he said.

In May 2014, local voters approved $10 million of bonds for recreation projects. In August 2014, the Mooresville Board of Commissioners approved the redesign of the front nine holes of the golf course, which opened in 1949 and were originally designed by famed golf course designer Donald Ross.

Mooresville Golf Course

The back nine holes, designed by Porter Gibson and opened in 1977, were renovated with new greens, tees, bunkers, cart paths and reseeded fairways.

The cost of the overall project is $5 million.

“We are very pleased with the renovation of the golf course,” Dick Poore, Mooresville’s director of Cultural & Recreation Services, said in a news release Tuesday. “Our contractors have managed to stay on schedule even through a drought-plagued summer.”

The course was originally scheduled to open by year’s end, and workers are down to “punch-list,” or final items. But after talking with the course architect, contractors, the golf pro and course superintendent, “we recommended delaying the course opening to allow the turf to stabilize,” Poore said.

The grass used on the new course needs eight weeks to fully cover in optimum conditions (hot days/warm nights), he said.

“Given the lower temperatures we are already experiencing, it is unlikely we will reach full coverage/maturity unless we have an unusually warm September and October,” course superintendent Todd Lederer said in the release.

The renovation design by Kris Spence is intended to mimic a Scottish “Links” style course, Lederer said.

Town staff will monitor the growth of the greens and fairways and set an opening date consistent with the maturity of the grass, he said. (Golf Master Tips article source and author: JOE MARUSAK)

Las Vegas Police Investigatis Terrorisme Near Rhodes Ranch Golf Club

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 11:49:00 -0700

Las Vegas police are investigating a shooting that left one person wounded and one arrested in the southwest valley Monday morning.

Police and medical crews were called at 7:38 a.m. to the 100 block of Crooked Putter Drive, near Rhodes Ranch Golf Club, Metro said.

It wasn't immediately clear what happened, but the wounded person was taken to University Medical Center in "unknown condition," Metro said. (Golf Master Tips article soure: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/1-wounded-1-arrested-shooting-near-rhodes-ranch-golf-club)

Chad Campbell, Head Golf Professional at the Country Club of Salisbury

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 2 Sep 2015 04:12:00 -0700

As the Crowder/Dorsett Labor Day 4-Ball Tournament works its way through qualifying this weekend, Chad Campbell, head golf professional at the Country Club of Salisbury, is starting to really feel at home.

Campbell, who spent 20 years at Pinehurst Resort in various roles, came to Salisbury in February from a nine-month stint as director of golf at Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico.

Head Golf Professional at the Country Club of Salisbury

Campbell and his family enjoyed their brief time in Puerto Rico but found that living on an island was very different from the sand hills of North Carolina. “Our refrigerator went out and it took six weeks to get it repaired,” remembers Campbell with a chuckle. And you don’t even want to hear about the cost of living there.

At Dorado, Campbell oversaw the golf operation team for four courses, and hosted the 2014 Big Break NFL in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Golf Association Island Championships, and the PGA Latin American Tour event.

At Salisbury’s country club, Campbell is experiencing a busy but somewhat “normal” pace, which he welcomes whole-heartedly.

“I am very happy to be in Salisbury,” said Campbell. “It is very different from some of my past experiences, but it’s also very refreshing, because I get to be a golf pro again. I’m not managing 200 people, so I get to have those one-on-one relationships. I get to meet people face-to-face and get to know the great members here.”

Campbell began at Pinehurst in 1997 as head pro of the No. 6 course there. During his last nearly four years there, Campbell was director of golf over Pinehurst’s eight courses. So he’s going back to his roots.

“Here, I now have the time to teach quite a bit and I’ve even gotten to play a little golf too, which didn’t happen so much in the past,” explained Campbell. “It’s been good. The people here have been fantastic in welcoming me into the country club family.”

At Pinehurst, as director of golf operations, Campbell managed a $15 million budget and developed and led the member tournament program, executing over 50 member events annually.

Campbell attended Tarleton State University in Texas, graduating in 1989. He was a four-year letterman in golf and qualified for the NAIA National Championships as a senior. Campbell was also a member of the TIAA All-Academic Golf team and received the John Tarleton Presidential Service Award.

The first three years of his career after school were spent at several golf clubs in Texas. He came to North Carolina in 1994, starting at Pinehurst as a teaching professional and assistant golf professional.

In 1998, for a short time, Campbell was club manager at Pinewild Country Club, before taking the position with Pinehurst No. 6.

Campbell has been a member of the PGA of America since September 1995.

Again, as the Labor Day tournament, the “grand daddy” of Rowan County’s golf events, is played next weekend, Campbell is looking forward to the future in Salisbury.

“This is really a unique place, a multi-generational club, with a long standing and rich history,” said Campbell. “Many of these people, their grandparents were members here. They’re walking down the halls and showing me pictures on the wall of their great-grandfathers — so it’s a neat place to be a part of.”

Campbell believes that his experiences at Pinehurst, including two U.S. Opens (1999 and 2005), can only help in his new position.

“From being in Pinehurst for 20 years, I know what history means to a club, and how to grow that and how to take advantage of that,” he said. “The hard part is embracing those traditions and carrying them forward, and making them relevant in the club environment of today.”

Labor Day qualifying

After two 69s during Friday’s first day of qualifying, Saturday saw several teams go much lower in the Men’s Open Division.

The teams of Cole Buckwell and Kevin Lentz, and college teammates Jeb Bennett and Tyler Mulkey (Catawba) fired 7-under par 64s.

Perennial contenders Ryan Honeycutt and Keith Dorsett combined for a 65 yesterday, followed by two 68s — turned in by the teams of Josh Brincefield-Eric Mulkey and Chris Williams-Michael Swaringen.

Frederick Corriher and Christopher McCoy (1994 champions) carded a 69 on Friday, as did David Miller and Clay Kilgore. On Saturday, those two teams were joined at 69 by Drue Davis-Derek Lipe, Stephen Carroll-Walker Cress, and Nick Lyerly-Michael Dorsett.

Cress is a James Madison University golf commit, while Carroll is a Concord High School standout who has played in a lot of local tournaments this summer.

Lyerly, a rising junior at East Rowan High School, has had a huge spring and summer, winning the state 3A championship, the Horace Billings Rowan Amateur and the Rowan Junior Amateur Open.

Five teams are sitting at 70, including 2012 Labor Day champs Ken Clarke and Chris Owen. (Golf Maser Tips article source: Salisbury Post)

John Daly, Collapses at Deerfield Golf Club

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 1 Sep 2015 04:06:00 -0700

John Daly collapsed near the end of a round of golf Saturday and was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Daly, 49, was playing in a small event at Deerfield Golf Club in the northern suburbs of Jackson, Miss.

Daly's friend, Billy Allen, who was with the golfer at the hospital, said the two-time major champion's vital sighns were good, but doctors were checking on possible injuries to his ribs and fingers. Temperatures were near 90 degrees in the Jackson area.

"He was struggling pretty badly right before he collapsed," Deerfield club pro Leigh Brannan said. "But we're all hoping it's nothing serious and that he was just a little dehydrated. He was even telling (Allen) he still wants to play (Sunday)" (Golf master tips article source: NY Daily News)

Gary Manoogian of Westbrook Won the Maine Senior Amateur Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 04:01:00 -0700

Gary Manoogian of Westbrook won the Maine Senior Amateur Championship last week at the Brunswick Golf Club. Manoogian, 58, shot rounds of 73 and 69 to win by a stroke over three golfers – Ron Dery of Biddeford-Saco Country Club, Tom Bean of Augusta and Gary Laliberte of Bath. There were 82 players in the tournament.

This was Manoogian’s first so-called individual “major” on the Maine State Golf Association circuit. He has contended in a few Maine Amateur championships with his best finish a tie for second at the Portland Country Club in 2006. Manoogian has also won a couple of state Two-Man Championships with a partner. Manoogian had a bogey-free final round at Brunswick on Thursday.

Gary Manoogian Won the Maine Senior Amateur Championship

“I kept the ball in play, and got up and down for par when I missed a couple of greens. I had three birdies,” he said.

Manoogian had an idea how he stood on the back nine.

“I had heard Ron Dery got to 3 under for the tournament,” said Manoogian.

Dery, playing in the last group, dropped a couple of shots coming in, including a bogey on 17. Dery had to birdie 18 to force a tie, as did Laliberte. Bean, in the third-to-last group, had an uphill eagle putt of 15 feet on 18 that would have put him in a tie. He tapped in for birdie.

“I had to make that eagle putt,” said Bean while watching the final two groups finish.

Manoogian’s win highlighted an already strong summer on the links. He has been a leading player on the MSGA’s Senior Tour and in weekly amateur tournaments. By most golf standards, Manoogian took the game up relatively late.

“I didn’t start playing until I was 25,” he said. “I stopped going to the beach and went to the golf course.”

Once he started playing, he was hooked.

“I played every day and dropped my handicap from an 18 to a 6 in a year. It was tough dropping it any lower for a few years, but now my handicap is close to 1.

Being a bartender when he started to play, Manoogian had his days free to play golf.

Manoogian was an all-state basketball player at Westbrook High in 1975.

“Gary is a completely self-taught golfer,” said Randy Hodsdon, director of rules and competition for the MSGA.

“To my knowledge he has never taken a lesson. I played a lot of golf with Gary when I was the pro at the Falmouth Country Club. He is a very good putter. He was a good athlete. His ability as a golfer is all natural instinct. He is a much better ball striker than he was 15 to 18 years ago. I’ve seen a few natural golfers and he might be the best I’ve seen.”

Manoogian is a longtime member of the Falmouth Country Club, where the quality of golfers at the course has helped to keep his game sharp.

“We have a strong group of senior golfers,” said Manoogian, who has won five club championships at Falmouth.

Manoogian is the owner of the Casa Novello Restaurant on Main Street in Westbrook. He said he plays three to four times a week.

Tee to Green: The Maine Golf Hall of Fame will induct six members on Sept. 10 at the Poland Spring Resort. Jane Diplock, Brian Enman, Meredith Hudson Koerner and Romeo Laberge will be inducted with the late George Ellis and Phil Gerber. In addition, two special awards will be presented. Austin Legge of Cape Elizabeth will receive the Junior Golfer of the Year Award from the Maine Golf Hall of Fame and Scott Hoisington will receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Maine Golf Superintendents’ Association. The dinner is at 6 p.m. with inductions at 7. A scramble golf tournament begins at 1 p.m. For tickets to the induction and to play in the golf tournament, call Hall executive director Gary Rees at 341-2911.

Ron Brown Jr. of Cumberland scored his fifth career hole-in-one while playing in last week’s Maine Senior Amateur Championship at Brunswick. Brown, a two-time Maine Amateur champion, aced the 95-yard fifth hole at Brunswick, using a pitching wedge. He was playing with Andy Bowden of Falmouth and Dan Falcone of Riverside. (Golf Master Tips Article source: http://www.pressherald.com/2015/08/30/golf-manoogian-displays-his-self-taught-game-at-senior-amateur/)

County Golf Championship; Laudenman Leads the Tournament

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 03:57:00 -0700

County Golf Championship; Laudenman Leads the Tournament - Orwigsburg’s Ryan Laudeman has one county amateur golf title on his resume. His round Saturday put him in excellent position to grab another.

Laudeman fired a 4-under 68 to take a three-shot lead in the Championship Flight after the first day of the 54th annual Schuylkill County Amateur Golf Medal-Play Championship at Hidden Valley Golf Course.

County Golf Championship; Laudenman Leads the Tournament

Laudeman, who just finished his senior season at Elizabethtown College, won the 2012 county match-play championship by beating Jim Rattigan with a 1-up, 21-hole victory. Laudeman has never won a stroke-play title and finished tied for sixth last year, six strokes behind Sean Misstishin.

There were some low scores posted on Day 1 of the championships, with four of the golfers chasing Laudeman posting rounds of par or better.

Bailey Sophy, Pottsville, who is a senior at Blue Mountain; Misstishin, Ashland, a three-time stroke-play champ; and Steve Rice, Orwigsburg, are all three strokes back after each had rounds of 1-under 71. Greg Merrick, Pottsville, is four shots off the pace after a 72, while Bob Hillibush, Mahanoy City, and James Bromwell, Schuylkill Haven, are five back after 73s. Bromwell won this year’s county match-play championship in July.

Those are all good scores, but nobody could keep up with Laudeman, who shot a 3-under 33 on the opening nine and 1-under 35 on the back. His round Saturday included two eagles and two birdies, 12 pars and two bogeys.

Laudeman’s eagles came on par 5s. His first was at the 464-yard fifth. The second came on the second-longest hole on the course, the 527-yard 13th. His birdies were at No. 2, a 436-yard par 4, while his second came on the 207-yard, par-3 11th.

After his eagle at 13, Laudeman was 6 under for his round. He was 2-over through his final five holes, bogeying No. 14, a par 4, and No. 16, a par 5.

Laudeman will tee off for today’s final round with Rice, Misstishin and Sophy at 12:10 p.m.

Flight leaders after Saturday’s first round are Frank Brennan, Ashland, in A Flight with a 79, Nick Brayford (84), Frackville, in B Flight and Nate Yost (90), Schuylkill Haven, in C Flight.

Today’s tee times begin at 10 a.m. with the C Flight, followed by the B Flight at 10:30 a.m., the A Flight at 11:10 a.m. and the Championship Flight at 11:40 a.m.

54th Schuylkill County Amateur Golf Medal-Play Championships At Hidden Valley Golf Course, Friedensburg
Yardage: 6,259; Par: 72
Saturday’s 1st-round scores
Championship Flight
Ryan Laudeman 68
Bailey Sophy 71
Sean Misstishin 71
Steve Rice 71
Greg Merrick 72
Bob Hillibush 73
James Bromwell 73
Jim Gross 75
Anthony Mehling 75
Joe Drasdis III 77
Dan Woznisky Sr. 77
Luke Morgan 78
Chris Hartman 78
Nick Michels 78
Mark Knock 78
A Flight
Frank Brennan 79
Ray Miske III 80
Joe Welsh 80
Mike DeColli 81
Joe Drasdis Sr. 81
John Bashago 82
Luke Reiter 82
Eric Schneck 82
Mike Steffe 82
Kyle Foster 82
Austin Boyer 83
Gary Hess 83
B Flight
Nick Brayford 84
Hunter Mickatavage 84
Bill Kaczmarczyk 84
Mike Misstishin 85
Matt Reed 85
Mike Muncy 85
Al Gricoski 85
J.D. Powis 86
Clair Rummel 86
Keith Knock 87
Mike O’Pake 87
Dave Leymeister 89
Jeff Bromwell 89
C Flight
Nate Yost 90
Mike Leymeister 90
Steve Reiter 91
Winn Allen 92
Ray Misstishen 92
Jared Sabitsky 94
Ed Tarantelli 95
James Lord 96
Brad Woznisky 97
Vernon Kleckner 98
Jeff Albo 98
Fred Krute 107
Today’s tee times

C Flight
10 a.m. — Fred Krute, Schuylkill Haven; Jeff Albo, Pottsville; Vernon Kleckner, Pottsville; Brad Woznisky, Pottsville; 10:10 — James Lord, Saint Clair; Ed Tarantelli, Ashland; Jared Sabitsky, Minersville; Ray Misstishen, Auburn; 10:20 — Winn Allen, Orwigsburg; Steve Reiter, Pine Grove; Mike Leymeister, Pottsville; Nate Yost, Schuylkill Haven

B Flight
10:30 — Jeff Bromwell, Schuylkill Haven; Dave Leymeister, Pottsville; Mike O’Pake, Pottsville; 10:40 — Keith Knock, Pitman; Clair Rummel, Saint Clair; J.D. Powis, Frackville; 10:50 — Al Gricoski, Frackville; Mike Muncy, Pottsville; Matt Reed, Kaska; 11:00 — Mike Misstishin, Ashland; Bill Kaczmarczyk, Barnesville; Hunter Mickatavage, Ashland; Nick Brayford, Frackville

A Flight
11:10 — Gary Hess, Pottsville; Austin Boyer, Auburn; Kyle Foster, Orwigsburg; Mike Steffe, Auburn; 11:20 — Eric Schneck, Pine Grove; Luke Reiter, Pine Grove; John Bashago, Tuscarora; Joe Drasdis Sr., Pottsville; 11:30 — Mike DeColli, Pottsville; Joe Welsh, Pottsville; Ray Miske III, Schuylkill Haven; Frank Brennan, Ashland

Championship Flight
11:40 — Mark Knock, Auburn; Nick Michels, Pottsville; Chris Hartman, Pine Grove; 11:50 — Luke Morgan, Pine Grove; Dan Woznisky Sr., Pottsville; Joe Drasdis III, Pottsville; Anthony Mehling, Pottsville; Noon — Jim Gross, Pottsville; James Bromwell, Schuylkill Haven; Bob Hillibush, Mahanoy City; Greg Merrick, Pottsville; 12:10 — Steve Rice, Orwigsburg; Sean Misstishin, Ashland; Bailey Sophy, Pottsville; Ryan Laudeman, Orwigsburg

Golf master tips article soure: http://republicanherald.com/sports/local-golf-laudenman-leads-after-day-1-of-county-golf-championship-1.1934581

Golf Master Tips; Correcting a Slice, Addressing the Ball, Grip, and Tempo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 22:16:00 -0700

Correcting a Slice, Addressing the Ball, Grip, and Tempo - Correcting a sliceTroubled by that recurring slice in your game? Correcting a slice just takes a little strategy. Here are some time-tested tips to help you find the right golf swing to eliminate that sneaky culprit causing your problem.

Addressing the Ball
While there are many issues that can cause you to slice your ball, some are much more common than others. One of the biggest issues happens when you address the ball.

You should have a square stance at address. Your feet, hips and shoulders should be in line with the target. Your left foot should be directly under your left shoulder. If your left foot is too far forward, the club face will most likely be open at impact and your ball will fly right.

Your shoulders and hips must be square as well. If they’re not, the ball will not fly straight and true.

Grip
The next step is to check your grip. A lot of new players grasp the club too tightly. I find myself doing the same thing at times. Gripping too tightly can cause the club head to open as it strikes the ball. Again, this will make the ball fly to the right. Conversely, if the grip is too loose, the head will wobble at impact and that, too, can lead to slicing or hooking. It’s a matter

Along with firmness, your grip on the club should be neutral. This means that when you look down at your grip you should be able to see two or three of your left-hand knuckles. If you can’t see any knuckles at all, you probably have an improper grip. When your hands come back into the hitting zone, they’ll rotate to a neutral position, causing the face to open.

Try rotating your hands—not the club, just your hands—until you see a couple of knuckles. Use this new grip to hit several balls. When correcting a slice, remember that minor grip adjustments can go a long way. Keep working at it until you find the grip position that is just right for you. Then remember it!

Tempo
Swing tempo is another crucial element. Do you have a tendency to try to use your arms as a power source to get some extra yards? A lot of golfers do, but it almost never works. As you reach the top of your backswing, if you allow your hands to take over and lead your downswing, you’ll find that they come down with everything else following, and the club face will almost undoubtedly open.

Your swing should be smooth and relaxed from beginning to end. Try not to jerk the club once you get to the top of your backswing. If you let your hips start the downswing, everything else will follow.

One last useful tip to correct your slice is to check your divot. If you see that it’s pointing too far to the right, this may be your problem. Again, check your posture at address and make sure your feet, hips, and shoulders are in line with the target.

Correcting a slice just takes some time to find the one or two things you may be doing wrong. As you work through the possible causes, you’ll eventually find your solution. Then your enjoyment of this great game will soar to new heights. (Golf Master Tips Article source: Best Golf Tips)

The Simple Golf Swing Tips, Learn Pro Play Pro!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 22:12:00 -0700

The Simple Golf Swing - David Nevogt and his team have a theory called “the simple golf swing,” and they put this theory to work in a guide to improving golf swing. It’s a unique approach that they believe is much easier to master than the “conventional” swing.

It was developed by a group of golf instructors who combined have helped more than 80,000 golfers over the past 30 years. 13,000 golfers having used the Simple Swing program.

The Simple Golf Swing Tips,

The guide is very easy to get your hands on — you simply need to download it and you will have immediate access to it. For the lefties out there, there is also a left handed version available.

What’s Covered?
Perhaps the question should be “what’s not covered?” A step by step guide on the full swing, the short game, a mental guide and personal coaching are all included in this system.

They teach you how to correctly use your spine as an axis to promote consistency. They call this the “revolutionary setup” and it allows you to swing around your spine, giving you the correct swing plane that leads to consistency and power.

They also teach you a secret to increasing your distance by way of a hand action that can increase your swing speed, and the one-piece takeaway method that will also result in a more controlled swing and increased distance.

Particularly Good Parts
The Simple Golf Swing system comes with a range of unexpected goodies — including their stat tracker system. This software makes it easy for you to track your progress.

It also includes breakdown sessions and practice drills. The best thing about all of this is the detail included — there’s nothing left uncovered.

As you may have guessed from its name, “The Simple Golf Swing” is simple to learn — and this means that anyone can use it, and learn fast.

David Nevogt and his team of golf instructors know what they’re talking about. Check out their system. (Golf Master Tips article source: Best Golf Tips)

Power Golf Program by Mike Pedersen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 22:08:00 -0700

Mike Pedersen is a golf fitness trainer that knows exactly what you need to be at your physically best for golf. Following his “Power Golf Program” will ensure you are not lagging in these areas.

Over the last 9 years, Mike Pedersen has refined his golf fitness program using a painstaking method of trial and error research. His knowledge of golf fitness is now so in-depth that he is confident that even learning simply one of his golf exercises can impact on your overall performance.

Power Golf Program by Mike Pedersen

His Power Golf Training Program is an eBook that is full of little known improvement tips, techniques and methods that extend beyond the expected fitness information – and into areas such as psychological factors, aging, motivation and enjoyment.

His book addresses golfing fitness in ways you may not have even considered yet:

From learning the secret to training your muscles correctly, to training your body for ‘killer’ swing demands, to making your body surprisingly limber and your balance rock solid.

The really great thing about the fitness tips he covers is that you can practice most of them at ease in your own home – and surprise your friends the next time you’re on the golf course.

The tips he gives are simple, effective, and definitely not boring! With every exercise he thoroughly explains its purpose, and makes it easy to understand what you are solving. There are even simple ‘sweat-free’ exercises you can do in your office while on a 10 minute break!

Mike Pedersen has been a golf fitness trainer for nearly 20 years now, and he has helped all kinds of players. It doesn’t matter if you’re 70 with a bad back or shoulder, Mike can show you through.

We think Mike Pedersen’s Power Golf Training Program is essential – there is nothing more important than taking good care of your body, and if it means improving your golfing ability too – then you can’t lose! This is a100% guaranteed program for increasing driving power, and knocking strokes off your scores. (Golf Master Tips article and author source: Best Golf Tips)

Golf Master Tips How to Driving a Golf Ball

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 22:04:00 -0700

Golf Master Tips How to Driving a Golf Ball - Hitting off the tee intimidates a lot of golfers. Here are some great tips on driving a golf ball: how to improve your ball control and get more distance.

Hitting longer drives is the goal of nearly every golfer. Of course, all the distance in the world won’t help you if you can’t strike it accurately.

How to Driving a Golf Ball

The single most important key to hitting both a long and accurate shot is a proper set up. When you address the ball, you need to remember to get into a correct athletic stance. Your knees should be flexed and your feet approximately shoulder width apart.

Hitting the Ball Farther

We’re not talking about how hard you swing. No, the key here is figuring out how to properly coil and uncoil your body. This is very difficult if your knees are not flexed.

This is crucial. Flex your knees. Standing too tall will cause you to lose distance and force in your swing.

Make certain the Ball is played forward. This is an important item. When you are standing the right way, the ball should be located closer to your front foot. Your club will be more likely to get the ball into the air if you keep it ahead in your stance.

Perfect Back Swing

Another tip: your back swing doesn’t start in your hands. It starts in your hips. You must turn your hips properly if you’re going to accomplish your optimal potential distance. As your hips turn, your hands, arms and upper body will follow.

Your hip turn is just as important when you reach the tip of your back swing. Let your down swing begin with your hips, followed by your hands. Once you have the correct rotation of your hips mastered, you will observe a significant improvement in your distance.

When it comes to tips for accuracy, one of the most important is making sure your hands follow the club head at impact. Make sure to keep the club face square as it hits the ball; Otherwise, the ball will curve.

If you regularly hook or slice your ball, check your grip. The club face won’t be square when it hits the ball if your grip is too weak or too strong. For the best result, your grip should just be neutral; Your club will be less likely to be open or closed when you strike the ball.

One more tip: make sure to keep your stance square during your set up and swing. There may be times when you need to open or close your stance by moving your forward foot up or back, but a square stance (both feet in line with the target) is generally best. This is likewise true of your shoulders and hips. You’ll see your accuracy get better by keeping your body square to the target.

You can as well try out one of the newer drivers. The new 460 cc clubs weigh more than traditional drivers, and have a larger head. Don’t neglect to practice if you try a new driver. These clubs do need you to learn new skills, and you can only gain these by spending some hours on the range. (Golf Master Tips article source and author: Best Golf Tips)

State's Golf Economy Back on Course

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 22:00:00 -0700

Despite its long winter season and a devastating economic collapse during the Great Recession, Michigan is a top state for golfers.

In 2000, 565 million rounds of golf were played across the nation, with Michigan accounting for a significant portion, one study found, as tourists flocked to its 951 public and private courses. The tally of the public courses alone was 799 that year.

State's Golf Economy

But by the mid-2000s, as the auto industry slid into a steep decline, the state’s golf industry fell in tandem, said Kevin Frisch, CEO of Gaylord-based Fusion Media Strategies, a golf and travel marketing firm. By 2006, more than 110 courses shuttered, according to a separate study.

Over the past several years, however, the industry has slowly reclaimed lost ground. Frisch said that can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the rebound of the local economy. A recent change locally was the purchase last week of the Maple Lane Golf Club in Sterling Heights by Auburn Hills-based residential developer Moceri Cos.

In the graphic below, average rounds played per course is up, year-over-year, and three new courses are under construction.

While a deep-dive study on the industry’s economic impact hasn’t been conducted since 2006, industry observers say the mainstay findings hold true: Golf supports about 57,000 jobs in the state and contributes $4.2 billion to the economy. (Golf Master Tips article source and author: Ryan Felton)

John Daly Throw a Golf Club into Lake Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 21:55:00 -0700

John Daly throw a golf club into Lake Michigan - jOhn Daly did what most golfers have wanted to do when knocking three consecutive tee shots into the water: throw his club in after the balls.

John Daly Throw a Golf Club into Lake Michigan

Daly, the bombastic pro golfer (yes, he's still on the PGA Tour), struggled off the No. 7 tee at Whistling Straits on Friday during the second round of the PGA Championship. The 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 British Open winner was on par to make the cut for the weekend when everything went watery.

Daly hit three consecutive tee shots into Lake Michigan before finding land with his fourth. He took a 10 on the par-three, 221-yard hole and then took out his frustration.

He hurled his club off the cliff into Lake Michigan, where a boy in a boat reportedly retrieved it.

"I know it wasn't the right thing to do, but it was more of a reflex than anything,” Daly said. “I'm hitting draws with my irons all week. I get up there knowing the right side is not a problem and it doesn't come back.

“What do you do? If it were 14 holes, I'd be a great player.” (Golf Master TIps article source and aouthor: Los Angeles Times)

Brooke Henderson Could Be the Next Big Thing on the LPGA Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 21:54:00 -0700

I've seen the future of women's golf, and she comes in a tiny package from north of the border, Brooke Henderson could be the next big thing on the LPGA Tour.

"She's going to be No. 1 in the world," said Mike Stoll, father of Beaverton amateur Gigi Stoll, Henderson's playing partner for the first two rounds of the Cambia Portland Classic. "She's an animal. She has the most aggressive swing I've ever seen for a female golfer."

The Future of Women's Golf

Hardly what you'd expect from a 5-4 native of Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada -- population 9,000 --who might tip the scales at 120. But Henderson knocks the stuffings out of a golf ball, and still a month shy of her 18th birthday, she might just become the biggest thing out of Canada since Justin Bieber.

Henderson shot a 5-under par 67 Friday to go with a first-round 66 for a 36-hole total of 11-under 133, good enough to take a one-stroke lead into Saturday's third round of the $1.3 million event.

To think that four days ago, Henderson didn't even know if she was going to be in in the field.

Then she shot 68 to grab one of two spots in a Monday qualifier. Now she's in position to become the first qualifier to win an LPGA Tour tournament since Laurel Kean in 2000.

What's more, Henderson could join Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson as the only players to win an LPGA Tour event before they turn 18.

"That'd be really cool, but I'm still a long way from that," Henderson said. "I have to go low and shoot some good numbers for that to happen."

Henderson has been doing that with regularity since she turned pro last December. In nine LPGA Tour events this year, she has amassed $466,264 in earnings. That would rank 20th on the money list if she were a member of the LPGA Tour -- despite playing fewer events than anyone ranked among the top 50.

But she's not a member. Henderson's request to the LPGA for a waiver of the 18-year-old rule for membership was denied -- though that had not been true in the cases of Ko and Thompson before her.

"At first I was (upset), but it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me," Henderson said. "It made me bear down and focus and become a lot more dedicated and desire what I wanted."

Henderson did not come out of nowhere, though some might argue Smiths Falls is close. She was a force on the Canadian amateur circuit who became, at 14, the youngest ever to win a Canadian Women's Tour event in 2012. She played in her first U.S. Women's Open the next year.

In 2014, Henderson made the cut in all four of her LPGA Tour events -- including a 10th-place finish at the U.S. Open -- won the individual title at the Women's World Amateur Team Championship, was runner-up at the U.S. Women's Amateur and climbed to No. 1 in the world amateur rankings before turning pro.

Now Henderson -- who had verbally committed to Florida before opting for the pro route -- has signed with IMG and already has an endorsement deal with Ping, among others.

A strong family unit has helped Brooke go platinum in her young career. Her sister, Brittany, 24 is also a pro who participated in the Portland Classic this week (she shot 74-75--149 and failed to make the cut). Their father, Dave, was an elementary school teacher for 31 years before retiring. Their mother, Darlene, worked with the mentally disabled before retiring in December. Dave, who remains the coach for both daughters, is caddying for Brooke this week.

"It's been great being able to travel with my dad and my sister this week, and having him on my bag the last two days," Brooke said. "I have a great support system around me. That's going to really help moving forward."

Brooke is focusing totally on golf these days, but that wasn't always the case. She played goalie on a girls' hockey team in Smiths Falls through age 14.

"I had a lot of fun with it," she said. "I love hockey. Got to meet a lot of great girls on my team. It was really important for my golf game. It gave me a lot of strength, not only mentally but physically."

Non-LPGA members can participate in six age-limit sponsor exemptions per year. Henderson will use her sixth at next week's Canadian Pacific Open at Vancouver, but she has gotten into five other LPGA events -- three through qualifiers, two through special exemptions at the U.S. Women's Open and British Women's Open.

Henderson has made the most of her opportunities. She finished third in the Swinging Skirts Classic at San Francisco in April, missing a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have put her in a three-way playoff with Ko and Paula Creamer. Henderson later tied for fifth in both the Women's PGA Championship and the U.S. Women's Open.

"I've played pretty well," she said."Two top fives in majors, third in San Francisco, and quite a few other solid rounds. I feel really good out here."

Henderson has been almost unerring the first two rounds of the tournament, with only a single bogey and 14 birdies through 36 holes. She bombs her drives, puts her approach shots within range and makes her mid-range putts as often as not.

"We have similar distance, but the accuracy she has on her irons is the biggest thing she has going for her," said Gigi Stoll, the two-time state prep champion who heads to the University of Arizona next week to begin her college career. "And making the putts. I've only seen her twice, but she's been so consistent. If she keeps that up, she'll be one of the top players on the LPGA Tour."

Funny, because all Henderson wants for now is to be one of the players on the tour.

She can accomplish that by a) winning the Portland Classic or b) finishing among the top 40 on the year-end money list.

"Hopefully this week I can secure my card and be full-time on the tour for next year," Henderson said.

Henderson led midway through the Swinging Skirts Classic only to falter on the final day.

"I learned a lot that weekend, about myself and how I face pressure," she said. "I enjoyed being in the final group. I'm excited to be in position to be in the final group here. Hopefully I can get good, solid rounds Saturday and Sunday."

Henderson is already commanding plenty of attention on the LPGA Tour, and she'll need to be able to deal with it.

"When I was playing high amateur golf, I was used to big galleries and a lot of media and television, but it's a little bit different on the LPGA Tour," she said. "It's something I've gotten more comfortable with this year. If I can just stay patient and play my own game and not focus on outside factors, good things will happen."

As long as she keeps socking the ball with that big swing, she'll have a chance. Where'd she learn to do that?

"I take after my dad, actually," she said with a laugh. "I haven't touched it since I was a little girl. I was born with it, and I love it." (Golf Master Tips article source and author: Kerry Eggers)

Black Light Mini Golf - Canton Indoor Golf Center

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 21:45:00 -0700

Black Light Mini Golf - oNce a grocery store, the Canton Indoor Golf Center, which opened in 2011, is home to Glow Cove Black Light Mini Golf offering an indoor, air-conditioned getaway for patrons of all ages — from groups of school-age children celebrating a birthday to dating teenagers to seniors spending the afternoon with their grandchildren — in the heat, cold, rain or snow, all year.

The 18-hole course on the Avon-Canton line is reminiscent of a traditional mini-golf course with the brightly colored balls, shiny-green turf grass and impossibly frustrating obstacles. Anyone who has played mini golf can remember at least one instance where the par-3 put-put turned into a 7-pointer. But the obstacles inside Glow Cove are limited compared to most outdoor courses. No roaring brook or waterfalls for the balls to cross, no sand pits and no trees or bushes obstructing view.

Canton Indoor Golf Center

The course consists basically of four different types of obstacles: plastic sea creatures or seashells in the way, tunnels, split levels and curves in the green. This made for noticeable repetition while winding through the second half of the course. Many of the holes were direct repeats, just different decorations as the course began with pirates and dinosaurs and became under the sea.

The Glow Cove, however, adds an obstacle — and an attraction — that outdoor venues can't quite offer: darkness. The only lights inside the venue are black lights, and when one row of those stops working, things can get tricky. The black lights are certainly entertaining as your shoelaces and white-striped T-shirt begin to glow and your body all but disappears, but mini golf proves to be even more difficult when you can't quite see the green and the hole is obscured.

Each green is outlined in glow-in-the-dark paint and many of the obstacles, including the plastic dinosaurs and sharks, also glow. But with only half the black lights on, the faint paint on the holes can be difficult to see, and with some of the decorations, like a large, decapitated sea turtle in the back of the course, ripped or broken, further obstructs your sight. There were times throughout my game where "a shot in the dark" is really the best description of my strategy.

The final hole of the course, with a steep incline leading up to the last chance to prove your prowess, is quite the challenge for the end of a relatively easy-to-stay-on-par course. Both my partner and I took more than six tries to get the ball up and over the ledge without falling off the side and off the course completely.

If hunger strikes, alongside the Glow Cove mini golf is Year Roundz Sports Bar and Grill. The restaurant is separated from the golf course by a glass wall, but it is easy to walk from one to the other, although alcohol is not allowed outside of Year Roundz.

Glow Cove's busiest season is winter, when outdoor sporting options require a full parka, hat and gloves, but if you are looking for a simple, amusing activity with a friend or two, mini golf in Canton's Glow Cove can be just that on a rainy or too-hot summer afternoon.

CANTON INDOOR GOLD is at 220 Albany Turnpike, Canton. One round on the 18-hole course is $7.95 for 12 to 65 and $5.95 for children and seniors. The center is closed on Mondays, but open Tuesday (2 to 9 p.m.), Wednesday and Thursday (2 to-10 p.m.), Friday (2 p.m. to 12a.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 12a.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Information: cantonindoorgolf.com or by calling 860-693-4404.(Golf Master Tips article source and author: Hartford Courant)

Creative Golfing Experience; Goofy Golf, Marbel Golf, Airplane Golf, and Jailhouse Golf

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 21:40:00 -0700

Creative Golfing Experience; Goofy Golf, Marbel Golf, Airplane Golf, and Jailhouse Golf - The clubs, balls, vast verdant courses, garish outfits: Golf in America has arguably become rather ho-hum and predictable as the 2015 PGA Championship tournament tees off this week at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wis.

But over the years, various people in attempts to expand the American golfing experience have fiddled and tinkered with the game as we know it.

Best Creative American Golfing Experience

Disc golf, foot golf and other innovations have received a lot of attention in recent years. Here are few more variations from the past:

Goofy Golf

Perhaps the goofiest variation on golf in America is, well, goofy golf. Surely created as an appreciation of — and surrender to — the game's mercurial and merciless qualities, goofy miniature golf courses can be found just about everywhere in the U.S. Papier-mache dinosaurs, windmills, loop-de-loops. Goofy golf courses make it OK for golfers and nongolfers to goof off and guffaw.

Miniature golf in America, USA Today points out, has a legitimate and storied history — harking back to the first putting course in 1867 at St. Andrews Links in Scotland and a diminutive course at Pinehurst, N.C., in 1916 — culminating in the 1954 founding of the Putt-Putt corporation. Putt-Putt skill-based golf courses are designed to help improve putting.

Many goofy miniature golf courses, on the other hand, are designed for children of all ages. The American game of "goofy golf" perhaps had its origins in the 1920s. In Waxahatchie, Texas, the local Daily Light reported on Nov. 2, 1924, Texas golfers played a round of "goofy golf" — on a regular-length course — which encouraged boisterous behavior. The unruly rules included playing one hole entirely with a driver, another with a putter and one with just one hand. Over the decades, people played goofy golf on regular and miniature courses.

The popularity of goofy golf may have been helped in 1930 when evangelist Billy Sunday referred to the game as "freakish," the Indianapolis News reported on Aug. 30. By 1931, absurdly designed goofy golf miniature courses were opening here and there. During the 1930s, there was an indoors version featuring shrubs and bucolic mural walls at the YMCA in Warren, Pa.

But the courses really spread like crabgrass midcentury. The Peter Pan mini-golf course with its outsized statue of Pan and a T. Rex has been helping keep Austin, Texas, weird since it opened in 1948. Ken Phillips of Bloomington, Ill., began manufacturing prefab "Goofy Golf "courses, the Pantagraph reported on July 23, 1959. The goofy golf course and miniature train that took passengers through Tarzan Land in Panama City, Fla., made national news in the early 1960s, the News-Herald reported on Apr. 21, 1963.

Today you can find goofy golf courses with volcanoes, mythic creatures, pirates and sharks and that's just in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Marbles Golf

Marbles Golf played as you might imagine, with small spheres and small holes in a small area dates at least into the 19th century.

Writing in the 1884 book Games and Songs of American Children, William Wells Newell observed a popular game among mibsters marbles shooters that seemed to be the "reduction of a game with the ball, similar to 'golf.' "

Vintage photographs of Oklahomans in 1940 show men aiming marbles toward holes in the ground.

"Marbles Golf is best played on a woodland trail through a forest — at a park or campground," Michael C. Cohill of the American Toy Marble Museum in Akron, Ohio, tells NPR. "The path is already well-defined, hard-packed dirt ... has a few nice twists and turns, a few natural traps and barriers to play around."

And, Cohill adds, "it's always 10 degrees cooler in the woods."

Airplane Golf

By the 1910s, certain American golfers such as Chick Evans and Francis Ouimet were becoming bona fide celebrities. In 1916, Evans became the first amateur victor in both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur tournaments. His rival, Francis Ouimet, won the U.S. Open in 1913 and the U.S. Amateur tournament in 1914.

The young Americans were considered two of the best players on earth. So in 1919, some enterprising promoter suggested putting them in the sky.

In a wild scheme, newspapers reported, organizers conspired to pit Evans and Ouimet against each other in a multistate match playing one hole at 18 different courses using two planes as airborne "golf carts." The New Castle Herald in Pennsylvania reported on April 5: "It is expected that this novel match will take, barring 'tail spins' or 'nose dives', at least two weeks to play, as the course, the longest in the world, is some 3,000 miles in length."

Perhaps that plan was the inspiration for another event that occurred four years later.

When Olympia Fields Country Club, near Chicago, christened its fourth 18-hole course in the summer of 1923, it dubbed itself the Largest Golf Club in the World. To commemorate the event in Roaring '20s-style the club staged a round of "airplane golf."

Two balls were dropped onto each hole on the green or the fairway and golfers on the ground marked the spot, then played a replacement ball into the cup. According to the Indianapolis News of June 26: "Many members of the club condemned the game as a distortion of golf that would ruin the courses and wreck the finesse of the players who participated."

Jailhouse Golf

Some golf courses can be like prisons with moats and traps and lots of rough areas. Others are built at prisons. In 1931 inmates created a miniature golf course at the prison in Auburn, N.Y., the Mirror of Altoona, Pa., reported on July 1. Other miniature courses were reported over the years in Texas and New Mexico. One miniature layout kept secret from the warden was discovered at the Massachusetts State Prison in 1955. Two officials were suspended for lowering clubs from a wall to prisoners, the Record-Herald of Washington Court House, Ohio, reported on April 19.

The inmates at the Colorado State Penitentiary created an innovative nine-hole course in a pasture in the late 1960s. On the Fourth of July they held a tournament called the Medium Security Open. The course was actually a small piece of land, surrounded by a fence. "Each par four hole is plotted on a different angle over the same small tract," the Uniontown, Pa., Morning Herald reported in 1974. The warden said the course provided prisoners with an escape from daily drudgery, just like any golfing facility, "except that there's no bar at the end of the course." Actually, there were a lot of bars.

And around 2000, the Louisiana State Penitentiary Employee Recreation Committee pooled resources to develop the nine-hole, public Prison View Golf Course in Angola. The first tee, according to promo material, offers "a spectacular view of Louisiana's only maximum security prison." (Golf Master Tips article source and author: Linton Weeks)

100-Hole Golf Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 00:30:00 -0700

100-Hole Golf Marathon - Three local PGA course head professionals, including Marc Bayram of Timberlin and Tim Gavronski of Shuttle Meadow Country Club, recently took part in the marathon event to raise funds for the Connecticut Golf Foundation, which supports several youth golf organizations.

100-Hole Golf Marathon

“It’s all for the future of the game, and it’s a pleasure to do something like this with the support of the people at our facilities,” Bayram said.

The 100-hole marathon, which the trio of Bayram, Gavronski and Kyle Hedstrom of Stanley Golf Course in New Britain began at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, has been completed every year by the group since 2011.

Gavronski had been taking part in the event for 11 years prior.

“I started it at Black Hall in Old Lyme with a professional friend of mine. He finally got tired of it, but I said I would keep doing it, so I invited Kyle and Marc because we used to work together. And it’s been great,” Gavronski said.

With the three in tow, Gavronski, along with Bayram and Hedstrom – both of whom worked as assistant professionals under Gavronski at Shuttle Meadow – have been raising some $10,000 each year for the CGF, a program that was founded by the PGA Connecticut Section.

“Over $100,000 is raised every year (for CGF),” Gavronski said. “It supports several activities, but mainly junior golf, and we’re all into junior golf. So it seemed like a good idea to continue to help the foundation and other various programs.”

Primary beneficiaries of the Connecticut Golf Foundation include Special Olympics, the First Tee program (a youth program that promotes strong life values) and the Junior Golf Tour of Connecticut, an event that has been heavily populated by young athletes from all three courses in recent years.

The success has been quite obvious in Berlin, as the high school girls golf team has taken home state titles in four of the last five years.

“We have one of the better junior tours in the country, and it’s founded pretty much on generated dollars donated to the CGF organization, and it’s really something that we’re all behind because we’re big supporters of junior golf, and our juniors benefit from it here and I know they do elsewhere,” Gavronski said. (Golf Master Tips article source and author: Nate Brown)

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton Played Golf on Martha’s Vineyard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0700

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton played 18 holes on Martha’s Vineyard over the weekend while Obama is on vacation on the island with his family. According to NewsMax, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton enjoyed the gorgeous weather out on the course before attending an 80th birthday celebration for Vernon Jordan, a Washington “power broker.” Jordan was also on the golf course during the day, playing a round with the Presidents past and present.

“Obama is vacationing with his family on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard and has spent much of the past week on the golf course. Jordan, who is turning 80, and former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk rounded out the golf foursome,” reports NewsMax.

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton Played Golf

Golf is a favorite pastime for both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. And the two really seemed to enjoy their time together over the weekend as evidenced by several photos floating around social media this morning.

According to CNN, the guys played their foursome at Farm Neck in Oak Bluffs, where Obama has spent many of his days. However, the days wasn’t all about shooting under par. The group attended Jordan’s birthday celebration with their families, and Bill’s wife, Hillary, even flew in for the party.

“More than 200 guests gathered celebrate the life of Jordan at the Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, where contemporary music and laughter could be heard ringing through the wooded area until late in the night. Obama and former President Bill Clinton each offered toasts between courses of salad, surf and turf and birthday cake.”

Hillary held a fundraiser on the island the next morning, and then headed to Nantucket for another fundraiser on Sunday afternoon. The Presidential hopeful has already left Massachusetts, and is busy campaigning once more.

Golf for Barack Obama and Bill Clinton is “fun,” but the fact that the two played a round together does suggest that Obama will be putting his full support behind Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election (surprised?).

Some feel that Hillary Clinton is going to need all the support that she can get, especially after the whole email scandal. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Clinton sought a book about “deleting emails that can land you in jail.” And while she tries to ignore the chatter, those against her — like Donald Trump — have kept that information in focus while out on the campaign trail. (Golf Master Tips article source: inquisitr)

Wolrd Golf Rankings 2015 After PGA Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 08:14:00 -0700

Golf Rankings 2015 After PGA Championship - The fourth and final major championship of the year concluded on Sunday, and a new class of young golfers has officially taken over as the best in the sport. After the 2015 PGA Championship, golf's top three players are all 27 years old or younger.

Top 10 World Golf Rankings 2015

Jason Day won the tournament on Sunday, catapulting him to No.3 in the world golf rankings. Jordan Spieth wasn’t able to win his third major of the year, but his play helped him take control of the No.1 ranking from Rory McIlroy. McIlroy now sits at No.2 in the world.

Day, 27, is the oldest of the group, and he finally won his first ever major. After a few close calls in recent years, including a second-place finish at the Open Championship last month, Day had one of the best performances in the sport’s history. He set a record by becoming the first player to ever win a major at 20-under par, topping the 19-under par that Tiger Woods posted at the 2000 British Open.

Spieth, 22, would have been good enough to win the PGA Championship on almost any other day with a total score of 17-under par. But he became the world’s top player as he set a record of his own. With wins at the Masters and U.S. Open, as well as a fourth-place finish at St. Andrews, Spieth ended 2015 at a combined 54-under par in the year’s four majors. Woods set the previous record when he went 53-under par in 2000.

McIlroy, 26, finished in 17th place at the PGA Championship. He didn’t win a major in 2015, but before an injury forced him to miss the British Open, he finished fourth and ninth at the year’s first two majors, respectively. McIlroy won the final two majors of 2014.

Wins for McIlroy at last year’s British Open and PGA Championship made him the clear No.1 player in the world at the end of 2014, but the top of the rankings weren’t dominated by young stars like they are in 2015. Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia rounded out the top three, both at 34 years old.

Below is a look at the top 10 of the world golf rankings, following the 2015 PGA Championship.

Jordan Spieth
Rory McIlroy
Jason Day
Bubba Watson
Justin Rose
Jim Furyk
Dustin Johnson
Rickie Fowler
Henrik Stenson
Sergio Garcia

Jordan Spieth (Source)

At 45 years old, Jim Furyk is the oldest player that ranks in the top 10. Ten years ago, all but three golfers that ended the year ranked in the top 10 were at least 35 years old. Five of the current top-10 golfers in the world are 31 years old or younger. (Golf Master Tips news source: IBTimes)

Golf Master Tips; How to Hit Your Fairway Woods

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 08:06:00 -0700

How to Hit Your Fairway Woods - One way to really help your golf game is to learn how to hit your fairway woods. They’re certainly not the most commonly used club in your arsenal, but in certain situations, your fairway woods can be lifesavers – if you’ve taken the time to learn to use them. That means you need to learn the mechanics of the swing, and then practice.

How to Hit Your Fairway Woods

Following are some excellent tips to help you as you learn to hit your fairway woods:

These clubs are different than your irons. You’ll achieve comparable distance, but the way in which you approach your swing is quite different. Playing your long irons your quite often take a large divot. When you hit your fairway woods, you do not want a divot.
Line up your feet with your target keeping them approximately shoulder width apart. Adjust your stance if you need to play a draw or fade. The ball should be played forward, more or less in line with left foot. If you’re a left handed golfer, it would align with your right foot. Make sure your arms remains extended, and you keep your spine straight. You’ll also want to allow some flex in your knees.
If you find yourself in the rough, you can legally tap the head of the club behind your ball as long as you don’t make contact with it. That will tamp down the grass between your club head and ball.
Your forward arm should be kept as straight as possible throughout your swing. If you turn your hips during your back swing and then through your down swing you’ll generate plenty of power for your shot. Keep your head down.
Don’t “scoop” the ball. Just get a clean swing and hit, and the club loft will take care of getting the ball into the air. You don’t have to clobber the ball either. A lot of golfers learning to hit your fairway woods will use as much force as possible to hit their ball. That can be a mistake.
Instead, concentrate on getting a smooth and controlled swing, and keeping it on the correct swing path. Do this, and you’ll get the ball up into the air and heading toward the target.
Think about your club use. Once you’ve learned to hit your fairway woods it can be tempting to use them in the wrong situations.
If you find yourself a good distance from the green, and you’ve got trees in the way, the fairway wood is probably not the right club. Your irons can get you back in play, rather than trying to bash the ball through the trees and onto the green. Knowing when to hit your fairway woods is as important as knowing how to use them.

Practice, practice, practice. That’s the only real way to learn these clubs. Go to a driving range and use them. Observe the distance you get with each one, and work on cleanly hitting the ball.

Foto source: Golf Master

The bottom line is this: Fairway woods can be useful tools in the certain situations, and when you learn how to hit your fairway woods properly, you will see an improvement in your overall game.(Golf Master Tips article source: Best Golf Tips and Tricks)

How to Hit the Golf Ball Straight Off the Tee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 07:59:00 -0700

How to Hit the Golf Ball Straight Off the Tee - There’s a rule of thumb that says, “the longer a club is, the more difficult it is to master.” That’s why the driver is one of the most difficult clubs to use properly.

Every golfer wants to hit the golf ball straight off the tee, and it’s not impossible to learn. Here are some tips to help you learn to drive a golf ball straight.

Hit the Golf Ball Straight Off the Tee

Your goal when driving the ball is to get it into the air without a lot of backspin, with a low trajectory and enough power that it will continue to roll once it lands. If you’re able to accomplish each of these, you will see a great improvement in your game.

Leverage is an extremely important part of your drive, and as you practice you’ll realize that it’s important throughout your entire swing. For proper leverage, you must have your head behind the ball all the way from your set up to impact.

You also need to know that power and distance doesn’t come from your arm strength, but more from club head speed. Have you noticed that, more often than not, when you try to hit the ball as hard as possible you end up with a poorly hit ball? That’s because your speed and power must come from your legs and hips, not your arms.

With a driver, you want to keep your swinging plane shallow (or low). With other clubs, you’ll swing in more of a high arch, but not with your driver.

Another important rule when trying to hit the golf ball straight is to let your hands lead your club head at impact. You’ll hear this referred to as “letting your wrists break.”

As you swing, make sure to follow through. Don’t abruptly stop once you make impact with the ball. This is a common mistake of some golfers.

Don’t grip the driver too tightly. A moderate grip is all you need and will keep your swing smooth. Think about “whipping” the ball as you swing, rather than just chopping at it, as many golfers do.

If you find that you tend to slice the ball a lot, try slowing down your down swing, then accelerating through the ball. You may be coming down too hard and too quickly, and that causes you to lose the proper swing path. Check your grip also. A proper grip is important too. Check that you can see two or three of your knuckles when you look down at your grip. If not, you’re setting yourself up to slice the ball.

If you’re hooking the ball, check your grip too. If you see more than two or three knuckles, you’re going to get a sever hook because your grip will change at impact.

Finally, as you’re learning to hit the golf ball straight, make sure you are not pushing or pulling the ball. You can tell by checking out your divot. If it points to the left or right, you’ve found you’re culprit – your body isn’t aligned properly. This is a tip that applies to teeing off and also to hitting off the fairway.

Try to implement these tips as you play and see if you notice an improvement in your game. And remember, what’s the very best tip for how to hit your golf ball straight? Practice, practice, practice. (Golf Master Tips Article source: Best Golf Tips)

Golf Master Tips; Hitting a Draw Shot Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 4 Aug 2015 21:58:00 -0700

Hitting a Draw Shot Tips - First off, what is a “draw shot.” Quite simply, its when your ball flies from right to left – like a hook shot but it’s a planned and controlled shot. It may sound difficult, but hitting a draw shot is actually easier than you think. And it can be an important technique, because being able to control your ball’s flight path will help you lower your score and master the course.

A lot of the pros spend hours and hours working on this shot because it can dramatically increase the distance of their drives. When hit correctly, a draw shot will fly lower and roll farther on the fairway. Use these tips to practice your draw shot, and as you master it, you’ll see a noticeable improvement in your game.

Golf Master Tips; Hitting a Draw Shot Tips

You should us a mid-iron for hitting a draw shot. Most players like the 6-iron for this. When hitting a draw shot several things must happen during your swing.

First, you need a strong grip on your club. This is done by slightly rotating your hands to the right. Don’t turn the club shaft, only your hands.

Second, make sure to close your stance a bit during your set up (or address). This will give your body room to fully turn and execute the inside to outside swing path properly.

Remember to let your hands do the work here. When your club head strikes the golf ball, your right hand will naturally roll back to the correct neutral spot and the club face will close a bit. Again, a strong grip here will be very helpful.

Keep your head down until you’re all the way finished with your follow through. That’s the proper form when hitting a draw shot. If done correctly, the ball will start on a path heading toward the right and then when it reaches its apex it’ll veer back left. It should stop its curve around the center point.

Important: if the ball curves immediately left, you’re shot is more of a hook. You’ll need to keep practicing to get the right touch.

Check your divot. It should be straight in line or a little to the left of the target line. It shouldn’t be to the right.

The key is to practice until you develop a feel for the shot. If you find that you still can’t quite get it, check your grips. If they are larger and softer, it will make it more difficult to get the desired control and action.

You’ll hit a lot of hooks at first. This is natural. Don’t be discouraged. The technique described here – rotating your hands to the right – takes a lot of practice. The best advice is to make incremental adjustments. Hit a few balls, then make additional small adjustments until you get it down.

Once you feel fairly confident using your mid-irons for this shot, try the same technique with your driver. It’s best to learn it with your easier clubs first. Starting with the driver would be extremely frustrating.

Do not give up. Once you’ve developed a feel for the mechanics of the shot, it will make your game much better. (Golf master tips article source: Best Golf TIps)

Mike Bender's Benderstik Golf Training Aid Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 4 Aug 2015 21:53:00 -0700

Mike Bender's Benderstik Golf Training Aid Review - It's an age-old argument: Which is more effective? The carrot or the stick. Top 100 teacher Mike Bender would argue the stick, and more specifically, his own, the Benderstik.

The Benderstik, which is basically a foam ball at the end of a flexible stick, provides negative feedback. In other words, if you swing incorrectly, the foam ball is bumped. It's harmless, but intrusive, says Bender, who teaches several tour pros and is based in Lake Mary, Fla.

"Many training devices, including those with straps, provide positive feedback," Bender said. "But you learn three to four times faster from negative feedback."

The bottom half of the Benderstik is rigid and comes with a screw-in spike for use on grass. (A separate stand is also available.) The upper half, which screws into the base segment, is flexible, allowing for the various positions Bender describes in a DVD that accompanies the product. Golfers may also anchor the device in their golf bag.

Among the swing faults that can be unlearned with the Benderstik are swaying, sliding, overswinging, flipping the ball and losing one's posture. It is best used in conjunction with alignment sticks, or a pair of clubs.

The idea behind the Benderstik Golf Training Aid

Bender, who runs the Mike Bender Golf Academy outside Orlando, Fla., has long been an inveterate tinkerer. As a child, Bender dismantled and reassembled all sorts of stuff -- radios, bicycles, TVs -- just about anything else he got his hands on. So coming up with something like the Benderstik was right up his alley.

There are three main styles in which people learn new things: auditory, visual and tactile. Tactile learners respond best to a "kinesthetic" sensation, or actually performing a task or motion, a big part of the Benderstik concept.

"At the start of my career in the early 1980s I had what I thought was a good swing, until I saw what I was doing on video," Bender said. "My takeaway and backswing were way too vertical, and I had a high finish like Jack Nicklaus, because he was the best in the game. I, of course, wasn't Nicklaus and needed to start with a backswing more like that of Doug Sanders. But after a week of practice with what I thought was a new swing, I'd come back to the video and see that it didn't really change. Feel, as Greg Norman once said, is not necessarily real."

In other words, both the auditory instruction and visual reinforcement of the video were failing Bender. But the Benderstik can be positioned to influence at least eight major elements of the golf swing -- from takeaway to a hip turn and follow through. Unless that part of the swing is executed properly, the yellow ball will interfere with the arms, head or hips. A swing that doesn't contact the ball begins to build the muscle memory, Bender said.

Anybody who watches TV golf regularly is inundated with commercials and infomercials about training aids and videos that promise to turn high-handicappers in low-handicap golfers.

Truth is most of them are ineffective. We all know players who have a whole library of training aids and videos that have done them very little good -- especially over the long run.

But this might be different. Its simplicity is its beauty. No straps, no complicated theories, just a good tool to ingrain solid fundamentals.

In fact, just as valuable as the Benderstik is Bender's instructional DVD, where he not only shows you how to use the Benderstik, but also imparts his solid golf instruction.

The other part of this is that most players -- especially experienced players -- have certain tendencies or common faults that they always seem to fall back on when their games start going south. Therefore, the first thing you should do, if you know what it is, is identify your faults and the drills Bender describes to correct them. In other words, don't go out trying to use every drill in the video. That would lead to confusion.

And for most players, this would probably work best after getting some instruction for a qualified teacher. Golf, like medicine, can be difficult to self-diagnose. As Bender and Norman said, feel very often isn't real. It's important to have another set of eyes seeing what you can't. With that said, Bender also believes that his device would be helpful to golf instructors and their students.

The Benderstik and an instructional video featuring Mike Bender retails for $99.95. See wwww.benderstik.com for more information. (GOlf Master tips article source: Golf Instruction)

Abou author:

Mike Bailey is a senior staff writer based in the Houston area. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 20 years in the golf industry. Before accepting his current position in 2008, he was on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @Accidentlgolfer.