‘pro tips’

A pitch shot is one of those in-between shots: longer than a chip, but usually shorter than a full swing. A pitch shot is often used to play over a bunker towards the green. Because the pitch shot is an “in-between” shot, it’s often a shot that gets overlooked when it comes to practice!

70% of all shots are played within 70 yards of the green
According to golf great Gary Player, 70% of all shots are played within 70 yards of the green, and for this reason alone it is important to practice and develop a consistent pitch shot.

Control your shot and your swing
Control and accuracy are essential in making a good pitch shot. A standard pitch shot requires that you correctly address the ball and then control your swing. Your body rotation should control the length of your backswing and in the downswing you need to consciously make your body and arms control your swing, accelerating the club head down into the ball and through to impact, making sure that your through swing is the same distance as your back swing!

Not all pitch shots are created equal
One of the most common problems golfers have in regards to their pitch shot is judging and controlling the distance. Depending on the distance your ball has to travel, golfers must adjust their backswing in order to regulate the amount of force they exert on the ball in their downswing. Ultimately the length of your backswing directly relates to the distance the ball flies!

Develop a 4-gear system
It’s a good idea to develop a practice system for hitting your pitch shots. Consider using the analogy of a four-gear system, with first gear being the gear you use for hitting a short shot and fourth-gear being virtually a full swing. Obviously the length of your backswing relates directly to the “gear” you are in - shorter back swing (about a ¼ swing) for first gear, and almost full swing for fourth gear. Second gear would be roughly a 1/2 back swing and third gear would be about a ¾ swing.

When approaching your ball, immediately assess the distance your ball has to travel to make your shot. Decide what “gear” you want to be in, and adjust your back swing accordingly, making sure your follow through is as long as your backswing.

Practice makes perfect
Take your wedge and practice your 4-gear system on a regular basis. Using the same club, hit your ball in first, second, third and fourth gears and make a note of the average distance your ball travels in the air. Practice this over and over again until the process becomes second nature.

If you are having trouble getting a feel for your pitch shot, be sure to talk to one of our CPGA professionals for some help and guidance.

Also, consider a visit to the Pro Shop and check out our selection of wedges. Most professional golfers carry up to three wedges in their bag, usually ranging from 52° to 60°, so that they have the option of playing a wide range of shots at critical angles. Test out our wedges and find one (or two) that work for you. You’d be surprised what a difference a good pitch shot can make in your game.

Yours in golf,
Kevin Purcell
CPGA Professional

It’s often been said that putting is a game within the game of golf, and there seems to be no general consensus as to the best technique for putting.

Choose the technique that’s best for you.
There are a number of proven methods for putting, but it always makes sense to pay attention to the fundamentals and then adapt from these principles to suit your game.

The essence of putting
In it’s most simple terms, there are three key elements to sinking your putt: making contact with the ball with the centre of your putter face; ensuring that when you contact the ball you are online with the target; and accelerating the clubhead through impact!

The orthodox approach to putting
A basic approach to putting involves placing your hands in a neutral position with the palms facing one another, bending from the waist with your arms and hands hanging down naturally, using a basic pendulum action stroke, controlled by the shoulders (imagine a triangle formed by your arms and shoulders when you address the ball), and maintaining a triangular relationship throughout your stroke, from backswing to follow through!

Controlling your grip
One of the major problems when putting is allowing your wrist to break down through impact — often called the “yips”. Sometimes a new grip style is the best solution to this problem. A new grip style can take the problem off your actual stroke and help cure the yips. Consider a grip where you drop your left hand below the right, which locks your wrist into position and prevents any unwanted wrist action. Or consider the Langer grip which was developed by golfer Bernhard Langer to help keep your wrists locked and involves clasping the fingers of your right hand around your left forearm, effectively taking the right hand out of the stroke action.

Stabilize your lower body
Great golfers have one thing in common when they putt — they have an extremely stable lower body and swing the putter from above the waist! Do your utmost to keep your lower body stable through your putt!

Other traps to avoid when putting:

• Don’t look up too soon!
• A continuous swing action is essential — always ensure that your through-swing is exactly the same length as your back swing.
• Don’t overthink your putt — stick to the fundamentals of your swing and let it work for you!

Practice your short putt!
While practicing your long putt is fun, the vast majority of your putts during a game will be from within 15 feet of the hole, so when you’re on the practice green, practice, practice and more practice those short putts! Remember that while putting is open to personal interpretation, it’s always best to start with the fundamentals!

Last month we talked about the importance of developing a proper golf grip, and mentioned that this, along with set-up and posture were the fundamental elements in your golf game. This month I want to talk about shot set-up and all that entails. It seems obvious that you can’t expect to hit a target if you are aiming in the wrong direction, and the same can be said about your golf shot. If you don’t set-up your shot properly you have little hope of hitting it in the direction you want.

There are a number of key elements that you need to address in regards to shot set-up. Alignment, balance, posture and ball position are all closely related in ensuring that you make the most effective shot you can.

Alignment
Your body, which includes your feet, knees, hips, arms, shoulders and eyes, should be in parallel alignment to your target line. Many professionals often suggest you imagine a railway track, with the outer rail a straight line between your club face and the target, and the inner rail where you would line up your feet.

Foot Position
Your feet should be approximately shoulder width apart, with your front foot angled slightly toward the target and your back foot relatively square. This is the ideal position for your feet when using your middle irons. For short irons your feet should have a slightly narrower stance and for long irons and woods your stance should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart.

Ball Position
Positioning your golf ball correctly relative to your stance is fundamental to a great shot. The positioning of your ball varies depending on the club you are using. When using your driver or long irons your ball should be slightly forward in your stance, opposite the inside of your lead heel. For short irons it makes more sense to position the ball further back in your stance, midway between your feet.

Balance
Make sure that your weight is balanced on the balls of your feet not on your heels and toes. For short irons your weight should be balanced slightly more towards your target foot, for middle irons it should be balanced equally between both feet, and for your longer clubs slightly more towards your back foot.

Posture
Good posture helps ensure a good approach to your swing. Start by standing upright with your club resting by your side. Bend forward from your hips (not your waist), since your spine acts as the axis of rotation for your swing. Then reach for your club without altering your angles as you address the club, and use your favourite grip (overlapping, interlocking or baseball grip).

As always, don’t hesitate to talk to any of our CPGA professionals for some advice.

Ultimately it’s the fundamentals of the game of golf that are the difference between a good round and a bad round! While the fundamentals may seem less glamourous than the latest driver or putter on the market, the importance of grip, setup and posture should not be under-estimated. In fact, I would argue that most challenges to a golfer’s game can be traced back to problems with their golf fundamentals.

Get a (good) grip!
Your golf grip is your only physical point of contact with your golf club, and it clearly has a direct relationship on how your ball takes flight! The primary function of your golf grip is to help you correctly align the club face with the ball, so that you can hit the ball correctly.

Three basic golf grips
While everyone has their own minor variations, there are really just three basic golf grips:

1. Overlapping Grip
Often referred to as the Vardon grip, named after golf great Harry Vardon, this is probably the most widely used grip. Because it uses fewer fingers to control club movement, it tends to be more effective for use by those with stronger hands.
2.Interlocking Grip
This grip keeps your hands connected during your swing, and tends to be favoured by golfers with small hands or relatively short fingers.
3.Baseball Grip
Ideal for junior golfers and golfers whose hands aren’t as strong, this grip gives you a firmer hold on your club since all 10 fingers are used for support. This grip allows you to more easily release your wrist during the swing, helping to provide a little more force when you hit the ball.

Avoid pressure!
Once you decide on the type of grip that best suits your game, the other main factor that you need to consider is the strength/pressure of your grip on the club.

Your grip pressure influences the positioning of your hands on your club. Too much or too little pressure causes your hands to turn too far one way or the other on the club. Ultimately you want your grip pressure to be neutral — not too strong or too weak. A weak grip means you are holding the club too loosely, and results in loss of club control during the swing. Gripping the club too tightly reduces the movement in your wrist, hand and forearm, and results in less distance in your drive.

Take some time to study and focus on your golf grip! We offer private, semi-private or group lessons — a single or series of lessons can have a dramatic effect on your enjoyment of the game and your score! As legendary golfer Ben Hogan said so eloquently, “A player with a bad grip doesn’t want a good swing!”

Yours in golf,
Kevin Purcell
CPGA Professional

Practice makes perfect, and nowhere is this saying more applicable than in the game of golf.

Don’t under estimate the value of practice. Your local practice facility is as essential to your golf game as your favourite club!

Pre-Game Practice Routine
A pre-game practice routine is essential to establishing your tempo, building your confidence and achieving consistent on-course results. Start your warm-up with some stretching and then move onto stroke practice.

Tiger Woods Preaches Benefits of a Warm-Up Routine
At a demonstration conducted by Tiger Woods before the 35th Ryder Cup, Woods preached the benefits of his warm-up routine, which he says he borrowed from Jack Nicklaus. He begins his warm up by hitting three sand wedges, then moves to the 8-iron, the 4-iron, the 2-iron, the 3-wood, the driver, and then reverses the entire process. According to Woods, “it’s really simple…I hit the same shot with a different club…when I hit my first three sand wedges I don’t care where they go…I just try to feel the club and the ball on the face….from there on out, I hit every shot to a target.”

Loosen up before your round
Try to allow yourself some time before your round to take advantage of your course practice facilities. Loosen up with some easier shots and then work your way up the bag.

Driving Range Practice
When hitting at the driving range, work on your technique, tempo and consistency. It’s better to focus on hitting a few “good” shots with each club, rather than a multitude of bad ones.

At the Putting Green
If time permits, move to the putting green. Start by chipping and putting around the fringe (collar) of the green. Try to take about 10 chip shots before taking out your putter. When putting, start slowly, and get a feel for the speed of the green. It’s a good idea to start putting from a fairly close distance to the pin, taking about 3 or 4 shots, and then slowly work your way back away from the pin in increments.

Buy A Bucket and Practice
If you use the Tiger Woods method on the driving range, hitting 3 balls every time you use a different club, you can get away with a small bucket of balls (40 balls) at the range. Practice — like the pros! Bottom line — give yourself time to practice your game. Enjoy an outing at the practice range, and always allow yourself some time before your round for a proper pre-game practice routine. It definitely pays off in the long run — and if it’s good enough for the touring professionals, we should probably consider it too!

Yours in golf,
Kevin Purcell
CPGA Professional

Practice Facilities at Caledon Country Club

Have you tried our driving range?

Hit a bucket of balls before your round, or if you don’t have time for a round, just make time to practice at the range and putting green. Practice will pay off in taking strokes off your game in 2008!

Our practice green/chipping area is located next to the clubhouse and first tee. The green is large and a very good representation of what you will encounter on the course. We also offer ample area to practice your chip/pitch shots before teeing off. Our driving range is a short walk from the Pro Shop. We offer several hitting stations with mats, a large grass area to hit from, a smaller grass tee deck and a practice bunker. The range is about 230 yard long, but netting at the far end allows you to hit with any club in your bag to warm up! Hit a bucket of balls before your next round, or grab a bucket and give every club a work out before you hit the course — the perfect tune up for for the 2008 golf season!

Large Bucket of Balls (80 balls) $9.00
Small Bucket of Balls (40 balls) $6.00

Golfers know that the winter months can be tough when the links are covered in snow and you are counting the days to get back on the course! However, these “off” months are a good opportunity to put into motion a golf exercise or conditioning program that will help prepare your body for the upcoming golf season.

A well-balanced training program will benefit you not just on the course but in your everyday life, as well. Consider the following areas of training in preparation for the golf season:
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Golf tournaments are a great excuse to get an extra few rounds in over the course of the golf season - in fact, they are a perfect way to combine business & pleasure.

Tournament play - a different game!
From a golfer’s point-of-view, playing in a golf tournament is completely different than playing with your regular golf buddies at your favourite course. Depending on type of tournament you are entering, your game strategy may be completely different.

Charity & Social Tournaments
If the tournament is a fundraiser or charity event, or an event for your company’s employees, you may find yourself playing with golfers with little or no experience on the course. In this type of tournament the event is usually all about fun and camaraderie - enjoy it for what it is. There are usually prizes at these type of tournaments, and while it is great to win one of the top places, remember that the primary goal of the event is not just about winning - so play your game accordingly.

Playing in Competition
On the other hand, you may find yourself playing in some more challenging tournaments, where your score definitely matters and where you want to come out on the leader board.

This type of tournament requires a different type of mindset. After all, you will be playing with three different players than you regularly play with - and they are definitely trying to beat you. In fact, there may be up to 154 other players in the tournament who also want to end up on top!

Winning a golf tournament is usually a combination of skill and luck. Not only does your game play affect your score, but sometimes the very combination of golfers you are playing with can impact how well you play.

Stay Focused on Your Game
Ultimately, you need to stick to your game basics. Plan a strategy for your round and stick to your game plan. Stay focused on your game, and be less concerned what others are doing.

Do your Homework
There’s nothing like preparation and practice. Do your homework before you head to the course. What are the yardages to the front, centre and back of the green? Plot yardage not just from the tee, but from other every possible location you think may play a factor in your game. Consider fully charting the course you will be playing on. Study slopes and plot out what clubs you will use on each hole.

Check out the Course Beforehand
Get to the tournament course early on the day of the tournament. Take this opportunity to breath in the atmosphere and surroundings, but don’t be overwhelmed by them. Rather pay attention to weather and wind conditions and consider how they will impact your game, and make any adjustments to your game strategy. Not matter what the format, golf tournaments are another opportunity to hit the links. Play your game according to the type of tournament your are entering, and remember to have fun!

Kevin Purcell,
CPGA Professional

PS Check out our Tournament Planning Check List and 2008 Early Booking Promo.

Great golfing in the fall!
Last month we talked about dealing with extreme heat on the course. As fall approaches, we still need to consider weather conditions, but now we must contend with cooler temperatures. With some common sense and some practical tips, we can continue to golf until the snow flies.
Dress for the Weather
Dressing properly is the key to dealing with the cooler temperatures. Wear loose fitting layers that will keep you warm without restricting your mobility, and don’t forget a toque to keep your head warm (it’s where most of your body heat escapes).
Keep Your Hands Warm Too!
Since maintaining a good grip is so important to a good stroke, it’s really important to prevent your hands from stiffening. Be sure to wear mitts or gloves, on both hands. Your regular leather golf glove will provide very little protection against the cold. Consider a set of knit winter gloves or try Adidas Endurance gloves that provide great insulation and flexibility. Some people even put hand warmers in their gloves (but remember it’s against the rules of golf to use any artificial means to keep your ball warm).
And Don’t Forget Your Feet!
It’s tough enough getting cold, but you certainly don’t want to be cold and wet when you’re on the course. Make sure your socks are made of materials that wick moisture away from your feet and be sure that your golf shoes are waterproof!
Stretch to Keep Warm!
Muscles stiffen more quickly in cold weather, making you more prone to injury. Make sure you have plenty of time to warm up before your round, and you might want to consider stretching between holes, as well.
Walking the Course Keeps You Warm
One of the easiest ways to keep your muscles warm is to walk the course. It will help keep your muscles loose and body warm. (If you do ride a cart, you may want to use a blanket to cover up between holes).
The Course Becomes Firm and Hard in the Cold!
As the temperatures cool, the course becomes firmer and harder. This obviously effects how the balls reacts upon impact. Consider bouncing your ball in front of the green on your approach rather than aiming directly for the green. Your ball should bounce and roll directly on the green.
Cold Air Creates Resistance
Because the air is colder and heavier, golfers tend to swing harder and often more recklessly. Try choosing a longer club and utilizing a shorter, more compact swing to compensate.
The Best Ball for the Cold
A golf ball will not travel as far in the cold as it will in warmer conditions. Cold weather tends to harden the ball and players can counteract this effect by choosing a lower compression ball. You may also want to hold your ball in your hand or in your pocket between holes to keep it warm.

There’s still lots of time for great golf, so be prepared and enjoy the rest of the season.

Kevin Purcell,
CPGA Professional

Did You Know?

• According to Harvey Penick, in his “Little Red Book” when playing in windy conditions be sure to pay extra attention to your balance, even when putting and when driving, tee your ball lower when hitting against the wind, and a little higher when the wind is at your back.
• When playing in the fall, consider using old balls, since there’s a good chance you will lose some balls among the leaves.
• Cold air is heavier than warm air, causing more resistance for the flight of your ball.
• Remember anything in the bunker (which is a hazard) is considered part of the bunker - therefore you are not allowed to move or touch anything in the bunker, including leaves!
• How cold does it need to be for a golf ball to shatter upon impact? Between minus 22F and minus 40F - so we’ve still got lots of time left to play!
• When temperatures cool, do NOT leave your balls in the garage or car overnight!