‘pro tips’

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!

There’s no doubt that heat effects your golf game. It not only changes the course conditions, it takes its toll on your physical stamina and mental conditioning.

Heat Plays a Major Role at PGA Championship
Earlier this month, conditioning played a major factor in the 89th PGA Championship, held at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with temperatures reaching near 100°F.

2007 Masters Champion Zach Johnson gave some sage advice before heading out for his round at the PGA Championship: “I’m not going to wear myself out before the tournament starts…I’m trying to drink as much water as possible…It’s going to be not only a test of golf, but also a physical test and a mental test.”

Most golfers know how the heat effects the greens and fairways. When the course is dry and the temperature’s hot the ball tends to bounce longer, and roll further.

Your Equipment & the Heat!
There are some tips that the experts give in regards to dealing with high temperatures on the course:

· Change your gloves periodically when they get too wet - it will help you maintain a firm grip on your club.
· Carry extra towels and towel dry your grips, or you might even consider using sandpaper to give them a quick rub for extra abrasion.

Practical Tips for Staying Cool
When temperatures rise it is also extremely important to stay hydrated. Golfers can easily lose a couple of pounds in an hour, so drink lots of fluids. Wear light colour clothing, use sun screen & wear a hat and sunglasses. A cold cloth for draping around the back of your neck is also a good idea. And try to get out on the course as early as possible, before the sun reaches its peak!

Mental Toughness to Stay Focused
When the temperatures rise, the game often becomes less about mechanics and more about overall physical conditioning, visualization and mental focus. Stamina and conditioning play as much of a role in a good round as does a long drive or a great putting game during intense heat. Take advantage of this great summer weather, but prepare yourself both physically and mentally for golf in extreme heat.

Kevin Purcell,
CPGA Professional

Golfing in the Heat

• According to Golf Journal (2002) when a golf ball is hit by a mechanical golfer it travels 15 yards further in 100°F temperatures than it does at 70°F temperatures.
• Extreme heat will not damage graphite shafts but excessive heat build up (ie in the trunk of a car) can possibly affect the bond of the shaft to the club head.
• There is no “official” rule in golf associated with extreme heat, however it is agreed that extreme heat might necessitate a Local Rule. This rule would apply to the effects of the heat on the golf course (ie burned out areas on the fairway), and would not apply to the golfer!

It all sounds so simple! A golf club, a golf ball, your swing and your mental attitude. Oh, if it were only that easy! While all elements are important, I would argue the most overlooked element is the ball itself. Technology has improved golf balls tremendously over the years, yet experts believe that up to 50% of golfers are playing with the wrong type of golf ball.

When considering the right ball for your game, you really need to ask yourself two key questions:

What is your level of play - beginner, intermediate or advanced?
What type of skills do you bring to the game - are you a long hitter, short hitter, do you slice your ball or do you need help with spin?
Your choice of ball should ultimately depend on how you answer these questions, and based on your ability, you should consider the following when choosing your ball:

Beginning Golfers
About 25% of recreational golfers fall into this category; your score is usually 100 or more for 18 holes.

• A relatively inexpensive ball (since you are likely to lose many of them at the outset).
• Use a low spinning, two piece golf ball.
• Consider a ball with good launch for greater height.
• A ball with a hard cover (to last longer).

Intermediate Golfers
Once your score is anywhere between the mid 80s and mid 90s, and your game is more consistent.

• Consider a two piece low compression ball. This type of ball helps with distance for slow or moderator swingers, tends to have low spin to assist with accuracy, and soft covers to help you “feel” the ball.
• As your game improves you can consider a two piece performance ball with a larger inner core for increased distance.

Advanced Golfers
As an accomplished golfer you are scoring in the mid 70s to 80s and consistently hit the ball with authority.

• A multi-layered composition ball helps enhance performance in a number of areas. These balls are generally designed for golfers with fast swing speeds. Soft covers help you “feel” the ball, a firm mantle increases energy transfer to the core, helping improve your distance, and the urethane cover provides more spin for short shots.

We have a full range of golf balls in our award winning Pro Shop. Talk to our staff to help you choose the right ball for your game!

Kevin Purcell,
CPGA Professional

What to know more - read up on the Anatomy of a Golf Ball.

Golf Balls - Did you know…?

• In the 15th & 16th century, golf balls were made of wood, iron or lead.
• The first standardized golf ball was made in Scotland in 1618 and was called a “feathery”.
• It was called a feathery because it was made from 3 pieces of stitched cow hide, stufffed with boiled goose feathers.
• In 1848 the “guttie” was invented by Scottish clergyman Robert Peterson, and was made from a rubber gum which was tapped from a tree indigenous to Malaya.
• The dimples on a golf ball came about when golfers discovered that a smooth guttie did not travel as far as one that was marked or dimpled.
• The average golf ball has 336 dimples, but can range between 300-500.
• According to the USGA Rules of Golf the weight of a golf ball should not be less than 1.62 ounces (45.93 g).

There are truly few things more enjoyable than breezing through a 4 hour, 18-hole round of golf. However, that enjoyment can quickly turn to frustration when the game drags on into 5 and 6 hours.

Play golf at a steady pace!
Golf is a sport that is meant to be played at a steady pace. As experienced golfers we need to take on some of the responsibility for education and awareness about our game. The increase in popularity of our sport is a great thing, but can create some growing pains. New golfers need to be seasoned in the etiquette of the game, and educated in how to maintain a steady pace on the course. This doesn’t mean you to have to rush, rather just play ready golf. New golfers are usually very receptive to wellmeaning advice, and here’s our chance to help them improve their game and understand how following the rules will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

Suggest new golfers begin playing on shorter courses
Encourage beginning golfers to start the game on shorter executive courses. Taking a beginning player to a course beyond their capabilities will only frustrate them and the players around them. If you are playing a regulation course, be sure to choose the correct set of tees for your abilities.

Follow the shots of everyone in your group to avoid looking for balls later
Help players in your group by watching their game. This makes errant shots easier to find and helps speed up the game.

Use your golf cart efficiently
If you are riding in a cart, drop off your playing partner at his or her ball, and then play your own shot. Always practice ready golf!

Begin planning your putt before you get to the green
On the putting green, have the line and speed in mind before it is your turn to putt and then fine tune your shot when you reach your ball.

These are just a few of the many things that can help speed up the pace of play. The bottom line is, use a little common sense when on the course. You can play in a reasonable amount of time and still have time for social interaction or to conduct the “business” you need to accomplish. So enjoy your round and always consider others around you. Let’s make the 2007 season fun and enjoyable for everyone!

Kevin Purcell,
CPGA Professional

FAST PLAY REWARD!
For the month of July
Play your round in less than 4 1/2 hours and receive a complimentary $10 restaurant voucher. Come out early, beat the heat, and still make it into the office at a reasonable hour!

Caledon Country Club just finished hosting a qualifier for the Ontario Mid Amateur Championship. It was interesting to hear some of the comments in the shop prior to tee off regarding how easy the course looked. At 6140 yds. from the back tees people often are fooled into believing Caledon will be a walk in the park. I am obviously a little biased, but I can say I have played many golf courses in North America and I am always amazed at how challenging Caledon is! We had some of the best players in Ontario here this week and two over par was the low score! That’s right 6140 yds., par 71. Over the last 46 years many good players have tried to bring Caledon to it’s knees. The course record stands at 65 or 6 under par! There are many tougher courses with much lower course records. So why not come out and try Caledon for yourself? I think you will be pleasantly surprised, but remember, don’t take it lightly!