special features - 2016 dream golf destinations

Okanagan • Shuswap • Kootenays

Destinations2016DreamGolf

CAPITAL news

Y2… Dream Golf Destinations 2016

Mabel Lake RV & Golf Resort3445 Mabel Lake Road, Enderby, BC

MabelLake.com

• Les Furber designed 9 Hole Golf Course • Par 36 Regulation Size • Pro Shop • Restaurant• Licensed Clubhouse & Patio • Everyone Welcome

2016 STAY & PLAY Packages

May 1st to June 30th, 2016, September 5th to October 7th, 2016 ~ Excluding All Long Weekends ~ Two Night Minimum Full Hook Up RV Site and two 9-hole golf passes or marina

slip starting from $60 per day (+tax) Cabins/Houses/RV Rental and two 9-hole golf passes or

marina slip starting from $100 per day (+tax) More Stay & Play accommodation options

available at MabelLake.comReservations: 250-838-6234

Full Hook Up RV Site and two 9-hole golf passes or marina

GOLF ALL DAY FOR $35 $50 ALL DAY WITH SHARED POWER CART

Must bring in this ad to receive special Valid Opening Day until June 30th and

August 29th until October 7th

*Not Valid on May 21th & 22th

*Not Valid on September 3rd & 4th Tee Times 250-838-0881

When the world’s economy took a tumble in 2008-09,

every industry was hit hard.For golf courses around

the Okanagan, it was the beginning of a downturn that saw them have to face some tough decisions.

Like many industries, the golf business got leaner. Golf courses adjusted by operat-ing with fewer staff and with less revenue while still trying to provide a unique Okana-gan golf experience for the players.

Today, a lot of that hard

work is paying off as the number of golfers has start-ed to turn around, thanks in large part to the low Cana-dian dollar that is keeping home-grown golfers in the country as well as programs to attract young golfers to the sport.

“2014 was our first good year since the economy took a dive and by that I mean it was a positive year, it wasn’t great,” said Dan Matheson, the general manager and executive golf professional at the Okanagan Golf Club’s

Golf numbers on the rise in the Okanagan; across Canada

By Kevin Parnell

…Continued on page 4

…Y3Dream Golf Destinations 2016


Come and enjoy the best kept secret in the Similkameen Valley

[email protected]

PRINCETON GOLF CLUB & RV RESORT

• Exceptional Golf, Exceptional Value

• Serviced 33 site RV park

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Quail and Bear courses. “But last year was really

positive. Things started go-ing in the right direction. We started to see more travellers and strong growth in mem-bership to the point where it was the most positive year since 2008.”

Matheson, who has spent more than 20 years in the Okanagan golf industry, says the low Canadian dollar is meaning B.C. residents and Canadians from other parts of the country are looking to travel within Canada as opposed to going south to golfing hot spots like Phoenix where weather allows for golfing year round.

“We are seeing less Alber-tans due to the downturn there but more Canadians,” said Matheson. “We think the main reason for that is the dollar. Advance bookings are stronger than the last five years.

“Now Canadians are turning to their home country and enjoying the Okanagan or Vancouver Island or the Kootenays. When the dollar was equal a lot of golfers were going south.

“The Okanagan has always been a great desti-nation and a beautiful spot for golfers. The only issue was there is a lot of beautiful courses south of the border as well.”

Combined with more travellers and tourists taking advantage of the more than 20 golf courses across the Central Okanagan, most clubs weathered the storm of the lean times of the past five years and contin-ued to offer great golf.

Member-ship rates have stayed fairly steady and more courses are offering discount memberships or combining together to give Okanagan residents unique or combined memberships.

Combined with that is the strong partnership between Kelowna golf courses and Tourism Kelowna that began in 2011 to market the area as a golf destination.

Since that partnership be-gan there has been continu-ous growth.

“Collectively all parties contribute funds which are then used to advertise Kelowna as a top Canadian golf destination,” said Nancy Cameron, president and CEO of Tourism Kelowna.

“Continuous growth in golf has occurred since the pro-gram’s inception in 2011 and golf has become an impor-tant driver of overnight visitor stays April to October.”

More than 4,000 rounds of golf are booked annually

through the golfkelowna.com website, a 300 per cent increase from 2011 and page views on the web site have also gone up 130 per cent since 2011.

Tourists aren’t the only growth area: Youth golf has also taken off and appears to be stronger than ever.

“Youngsters are getting back into golf and I’m sure the economy has a little bit to do with that with parents investing in their kids sports,” said Matheson. “The PGA Tour has a whole brand new crop of popular stars and it’s attracting new groups of youngsters.”

Matheson says five to six years ago, youth golf was on the down-swing as well but now most golf clubs are seeing more kids getting interested in the sport. Gal-

lagher’s Canyon has 150 junior members, the most it has ever had and courses such as Two Eagles in West Kelowna continue to cultivate young golfers with acad-emies that include instruction and playing privileges.

And the school district is also getting into the swing of things with school pro-grams offered at many high schools, including George Elliot in Lake Country, which partners with the Okanagan Golf Club.

Matheson says school and youth programs are helping to build the game at a grassroots level.

“Golf is a wonderful sport where you learn to deal with adversity and challenges and you learn life lessons,” he said.

Local golf industry thriving… from page 2

With more youth wanting to play golf, the future looks bright for continued growth in the industry at a grassroots level, as well as for tourism.


Blackmountaingolf.ca Tee Times - 250.765.6890

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Coldstream golf coursePar 36•2715-yard•9-hole course•200-yard driving range

15 Duremeadow Road, Lumby, BC(250) 547-6048

1 hour from the Kelowna airport, between Vernon & lumby

disc golfcoming soon!

green Fees: 9 holes:

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9 Holes$11

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Family & corporate tournaments welcome.

Try these quick tips, and see your distance off the tee increaseTee off tips

By Les Miller• At address,

keep 60 to 70 per-cent of your weight on the right foot. Take a slightly wider stance (a little wider than your shoulders), with toes pointed slightly outward.

• Tee the ball high, and move it forward up by your front toe so you can catch it on the upswing. Use a stronger grip than normal - hands turned back toward your back shoulder and light grip pres-sure.

• Make a wide arc, and strive for maximum extension. (Stretch your arms outward during the swing.) Maximize coil, and get your left shoulder behind the ball on backswing.

• To maximize coil, don’t lift your

left foot on the back-swing. (Very important, the

lower body has to stay solid during the backswing.)

• Be sure to complete the backswing and the follow through, making a completely full swing. It’s OK to bend your left arm to make a complete backswing.

• Start your downswing by pulling the hands down toward the ball and letting your right knee slide toward the target. Keep your right heel on the ground longer on the downswing, and follow through to help keep your body back. (Watch Ernie Els and Tiger Woods during their

practice swings.)

• Try and stay loose during the swing, keeping your head and upper body behind the ball upon impact. Rotate the shaft through impact.

• Generate maximum club-head speed by rotat-ing the shaft through impact. (Let the hands turn over and release.)

• Throughout the swing, try and keep a light grip pres-sure. (Vijay Singh actually lets go of the grip with his right hand during the impact zone.)

• Remember: Swing the club fast, not hard!

Les Miller is a long-time golf writer and golf profes-sional.


Take a lesson! You’ve probably been to

the driving range with your friends who are golfers, and that’s how you decided you wanted to get into the sport..correct? That’s a great introduction to the game, however if you want to start learning the basic mechan-ics of the golf swing, you’ll want to take a lesson from a certified teaching professional

(PGA or WGTF). Most decent golf courses and driving ranges will have a teaching professional and they usually have good package deals for beginner golfers, and will often have group lessons for discounted rates. Consider setting up an individual les-son, where the professional will go over the basics such as grip, stance, posture, and swing mechanics. Don’t fall

into the temptation to allow your friends to teach you. While their intentions are good, they will do your golf swing more harm than good. Golf professionals know how to teach a golf swing, that’s why they are professionals. Get some lessons and learn properly.Buy a used set of golf clubs

This does not have to be a full set, just a few clubs will do (3 wood, 5, 7, 9 iron, pitching wedge/sand wedge and a putter. Used clubs caution: If the grips don’t fit your hand, or the shafts are too firm or the wrong length, you’ll have an unpleasant experience. Blisters, and the arm equiva-lent of shin splints, can occur. Just like shoes, you need clubs that “fit.”Take some time to learn the rules of golf and the etiquette

This is just as important as being able to hit the ball 300

yards (274.3 m). The game of golf is about honesty, honor and respect, not just hitting a ball around a grassy park. You can get a copy of the offi-cial rules at the USGA website. Keep it in your bag and study it so you know the rules for any particular situation you may find yourself in on the course. As for etiquette, these are just common sense issues more than anything. Don’t walk in other peoples putting lines because it can disturb the grass and make putts go offline. Don’t talk when others are hitting. Don’t stand directly behind or in front of a player who’s swinging a club. Al-ways dress appropriately and according to golf course rules. These are just some of the basics but as you play more you’ll learn the in’s & out’s of golf etiquette, and don’t be afraid to ask a seasoned golf-er about a rule or an etiquette issue. They’re usually happy to

learn how to golf properly

Follow these steps and

So you want to play

golf


TO THE COURSE YOU DESERVE. BOOK NOW | 1-877-243-7417 | THERISEGOLF.CA

Y8… …Y9Dream Golf Destinations 2016 Dream Golf Destinations 2016

DREAM g lf courseF i n D Y o u R

oLiVER-oSoYooSFAIRVIEW MOUNTAIN: 250-498-3521 18 (Par 72 - 7025 yds)13105, 34th Ave., Oliver 18 $72.50

NK’MIP CANYON DESERT: 250-498-2880 18 (Par 72 - 6818 yds)6891 Tucelnuit Dr., Oliver 9 $35 / 18 $60

OSOYOOS G&CC: 250-495-7003 36 (Par 72 & Par 71 - 12,851 yds)12300 Golf Course Drive, Osoyoos 9 $32/18 $61 w/cart

SONORA DUNES: 250-495-GOLF 9 (Par 35 - 2508 yds)307417, 71st St., OliverShoulder Rate (Oct 1 - Apr 30) 9 $25 / 18 $42Peak Season 9 $33 / 18 $50

SALMon ARM-SiCAMouS-REVELSToKEEAGLE RIVER G&CC: 1-800-897-2281 9 (Par 33 - 2465 yds)1450 Husky Frontage Rd., Sicamous 9 $26 / 18 $40

HYDE MOUNTAIN: 250-836-4653 18 (Par 72 - 6701 yds)9851 Old Spallumcheen Road 9 $42.50 / 18 $85

*All fees include cart

REVELSTOKE GC: 250-837-4276 18 (Par 72 - 6537 yds)171 Columbia Park, Revelstoke 9 $36 / 18 $59

SALMON ARM GOLF CLUB: 250-832-47273641 Highway 97BChampionship Layout 18 (Par 72 - 6739 yds) / 18 $79Heritage Course 9 (Par 30 - 1883 yds) / 9 $21

SONSEEKERS RIDGE: 250-833-0258 9 (Par 35 - 2714 yds)247 Black Road, Salmon Arm 9 $10 (Cart Rental $20) *Prices subject to change 18 $15 (Cart Rental $35)

SHUSWAP LAKE EST: 1-800-661-3955 18 (Par 71 - 6467 yds)2404 Centennial Dr., Blind Bay, BC 9 $36 / 18 $76

KAMLooPSKAMLOOPS G&CC: 250-376-3231 18 (Par 72 - 6687 yds)16-2960 Tranquille Road 9 $25 - $37.50 18 $45 - $70

PINERIDGE: 250-573-4333 18 (Par 55 - 2645 yds)4725 East Trans Canada Hwy., Kamloops 9 $27 / 18 $35

SUN PEAKS: 250-578-5431 18 (Par 72 - 6400 yds)1280 Alpine Rd., Sun Peaks 18 $65-80 (with cart)

SUN RIVERS: 1-877-828-9989 18 (Par 72 - 7023 yds)1000 Clubhouse Drive 9 $25-$45 / 18 $25-$65

THE DUNES: 250-579-3300 18 (Par 72 - 6973 yds) 652 Dunes Drive 18 $65

TOBIANO: 1-877-373-2218 18 (Par 72 - 7367 yds)38 Holloway Dr., Tobiano 18 $89-$129

KooTEnAYSREDSTONE RESORT: 250-362-9141 18 (Par 72 - 6836 yds)953 Redstone Rd, Rossland 9 $26.25-$35/18 $45.75-$61

CRESTON GOLF CLUB: 1-888-928-2582 18 (Par 72 - 6508 yds)1800 Mallory Road, Creston 18 $59

FERNIE GOLF & CC: 1-250-423-7773 18 (Par 70 - 6556 yds)201 Fairway Drive, Fernie 9 $35-$39 / 18 $57-$66

KOKANEE SPRINGS: 1-800-979-7999 18 (Par 71 - 6604 yds)16082 Woolgar Rd., Crawford Bay 18 $52-$82

CHRISTINA LAKE GC: 250-447-9313 18 (Par 72 - 6785 yds)230 - 2nd Avenue, Christina Lake 9 $28-$35 / 18 $44-$59

GRANITE POINTE GC: 250-352-5913 18 (Par 72 - 6209 yds)1123 W. Richards Street, Nelson 9 $36 / 18 $54

BIRCHBANK GC: 250-693-2255 18 (Par 72 - 6788 yds)5500 Highway 22A, Trail 9 $29-$39 / 18 $29-$63

BALFOUR GC: 250-229-5655 18 (Par 72 - 6510 yds)602 Queens Bay Road, Balfour 9 $21-$35 / 18 $42-$63

CASTLEGAR GC: 1-800-666-6324 18 (Par 72 - 6712 yds)1602 Aaron Road, Castlegar 9 $27-$37 / 18 $47-$67

GOLDEN GOLF CLUB: 250-344-2700 18 (Par 72 - 6825 yds)576 Golf Course Dr., Golden 18 $46.90-$90.25

9 (9 holes), 18 (18 holes)Some courses offer special rates for Okangan residents. Call the course for info.

Some green fee rates include taxes and power carts while others do not.

A L L i n C L u S i V E L i S T i n g o F g o L F C o u R S E S T h R o u g h o u T T h E o K A n A g A n | S h u S wA P | K o o T E n AY S

KELOWNA-WESTBANKASPEN GROVE: 778-480-0062 10303 Bottom Wood Lake Rd, 9 (Par 27/men, 30/women - 1597 yds) Lake Country, BC 9 $17.50 / 18 $29.75

GALLAGHER’S CANYON: 250-861-4240 18 (Par 72 - 6792 yds)4320 Gallagher’s Drive West 18 $79 (off season) 18 $99 (peak season)

PINNACLE: 250-861-4240 9 (Par 32 - 1984 yds)4320 Gallagher’s Drive West 9 $25 / 18 $35

THE HARVEST: 250-862-3103 18 (Par 72 - 7109 yds)2725 K.L.O. Road 9+dine $60 / 18 $125

KELOWNA SPRINGS: 250-765-4653 18 (Par 71 - 6176 yds)10303 Bottom Wood Lake Road 9 $40/18 $68 am/$45 pm

LAKE OKANAGAN RESORT: 250-769-3511 9 (Par 27 - 1098 yds)2751 Westside Road 9 $17.50

ORCHARD GREENS: 250-763-2447 9 (Par 32 - 2083 yds)2777 K.L.O. Road 9 $24 / 18 $34

MICHAELBROOK: 250-763-7888 18 (Par 63 - 3799 yds)1085 Lexington Drive 9 $26 / 18 $38

THE OKANAGAN GOLF CLUB: 250-765-59551-800-I-GOLF-BC • 1-800-446-53223200 Via Centrale, Kelowna‘The Bear’ 18 (Par 72 - 6900 yds) $79 - $119 (w/cart)‘The Quail’ 18 (Par 72 - 6765 yds) $79 - $119 (w/cart) *Prices subject to change

SHADOW RIDGE: 250-765-7777 18 (Par 71 - 6213 yds)3770 Bulman Road Road 9 $30 / 18 $58 & $45

SHANNON LAKE: 250-768-4653 18 (Par 71 - 5976 yds)2649 Shannon Lake Road 9 $32 / 18 $49-$63

SUNSET RANCH: 250-765-7700 18 (Par 72 - 6207 yds)40001 Anderson Road 9 $35 / 18 $56/$69

TWO EAGLES: 250-768-0080 18 (Par 65 - 4800 yds)3509 Carrington Road, Westbank 9 $30 / 18 $52

MISSION CREEK GC: 250-860-3210 18 (Par 61 - 3873 yds)1959 K.L.O. Road, Kelowna 9 $21 / 18 $36

THE CLUB AT TOWER RANCH: 250-491-8211 18 (Par 72 - 7212 yds)1855 Tower Ranch Blvd, Kelowna 9 $60 / 18 $123

BLACK MOUNTAIN: 250-765-6890 18 (Par 71 - 6400 yds)575 Black Mountain Drive, Kelowna 18 $69-$92.99

VERnon-ARMSTRong-CoLDSTREAMCOLDSTREAM: 250-547-6048 9 (Par 36 - 2715 yds)15 Duremeadow Rd., Lumby 9 $16 (free RV parking)

BIRCHDALE PAR 3: 250-838-7740 9 (Par 27 - 1500 yds)7023 Highway 97A, Grindrod 9 $12.39 (Sr); $13.34 (Adult); $8.58 (Jr) 18 $20.00 (Sr); $20.95 (Adult); $16.19 (Jr)

HILLVIEW: 250-549-4653 18 (Par 56 - 3375 yds)1101 14th Avenue, Vernon 9 $18 / $18 $30

LUMBY GOLF COURSE: 250-547-9890 9 (Par 33 - 2413 yds)Highway 6 East, Lumby 9 $5 / Membership $100

PREDATOR RIDGE: 250-542-3436 Predator Course 18 (Par 71 - 7090 yds) $79 - $145Ridge Course 18 (Par 72 - 7123 yds) $95 - $165 301 Village Centre Place

ROYAL YORK: 250-546-9700 9 (Par 35 - 3200 yds)2440 York Ave., Armstrong 9 $25 / 18 $45

SPALLUMCHEEN G&CC: 250-545-5824 18 (Par 71 - 6423 yds)9401 Highway 97 North 9 $18-20 / 18 $60-65

VERNON G&CC: 250-542-9126 18 (Par 72 - 6597 yds)800 Kalamalka Lake Rd. www.vernongolf.com 9 $35 / 18 $65

MABEL LAKE G&CC: 250-838-0881 9 (Par 36 - 3103 yds)3445 Mabel Lake Road, Enderby 9 $30 / 18 $54

THE RISE GOLF COURSE: 1-877-243-7417 18 (Par 72 - 6843 yds)8600 Rising View Way, Vernon 18 $99 (with cart)

PEnTiCTon-KALEDEn-SuMMERLAnDPENTICTON G&CC: 250-492-5626 18 (Par 70 - 6101 yds)600 Comox Road 9 $32 / 18 $61 / T $48

PINE HILLS G&CC: 250-492-5731 9 (Par 28 - 1200 yds)3610 Pine Hills Drive 9 $17.50 / 18 $27.50

ST. ANDREWS BY THE LAKE: 250-497-5648 9 (Par 32 - 2070 yds)Kaleden 9 $26 / 18 $38

SAGE MESA: 250-492-8814 9 (Par 35 - 2230 yds)3415 Pine Hills Drive 9 $19 / 18 $29

SKAHA MEADOWS: 250-492-7274 9 (Par 35 - 2435 yds)Old Airport Road 9 $30 / 18 $42

SUMAC RIDGE G&CC: 250-494-3122 9 (Par 28 - 1400 yds)17333 Highway 97 Summerland 9 $18 / 18 $30

SUMMERLAND G&CC: 250-494-9554 18 (Par 72 - 6135 yds)4050 Mountain Ave, Summerland 9 $35 / 18 $65

TWIN LAKES: 250-497-5359 18 (Par 74 - 6433 yds)Highway 3A (Spring Rates Available) 18 $64

Y10…Dream Golf Destinations 2016

1085 Lexington Drive (Next to H20 Centre)250-763-7888 • www.michaelbrookgolfclub.com

Monday9 Holes $30 • Happy HourIncludes $10 restaurant voucher(must be used that day)

Ladies’ NightFood & drink specials

Tuesday

Mens’ NightFood & drink specials

Thursday

Wing & Rib NightFood & drink specials

Wednesday

8oz. prime rib dinner & Happy Hour 3-6!

Friday & Saturday

9 Holes $30 • Happy Hour Where

GO!LocalsTHE

Annual Membership:

Adult - $1430

Junior - SOLD OUT

Green Fees:Adult Senior Junior

65 & Over 18 & Under

18 Holes $38 $36 $20

9 Holes $26 $24 $16

Ask about our tournamentsBrunch • Happy HourAdult $13.95Kids under 10 $9.95

Sunday

Why Golf Anywhere Else? TL Players Card - $259.00

*2 Free Rounds* $42.00 includes cart - 7 Days a week

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Pro Shop 250.497.5359 RV 250.497.5319

Step 1Practice your grip. When

swinging the golf club, keep your hands in one place. They should not move. The most conventional grip is the single overlap. To do this grip, the pinkie of your right hand should overlap your left hand’s index finger (if you are righthanded).

Step 2Work on your posture so

that you are in the most effec-tive position to strike the ball. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing out about five de-grees. Lock your legs and then unlock them and bend slightly. This is all the bending you need at the knees. You should bend from the hip as well. Remember to keep your back straight so that all the bending occurs in the lower body. This not only helps you hit the ball straight, but also helps you avoid back injury.

When learning to swing a golf club so that your shots go long and straight, there are several things that you must do correctly.

Because different areas of your body need to do different things, learning how to swing a club properly takes practice. In fact, the movements need to become second nature in order to be effective.


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Step 3Let your arms and hands

hang straight below your shoulders. This allows you to stay even with the ball and aligned with the rest of your body.

Step 4Begin your backswing by

moving your club upward and backward. As you do this, shift your weight so that it now rests on your back foot. Simul-taneously tilt your shoulders in a position that the front shoul-der points downward and the right shoulder is pointing upward. Slightly lift the instep of your left foot as the weight is being shifted to the right foot. Let the club go back until your hands reach the area around your shoulder.

Step 5Shift your weight back onto

your left foot and move your hips laterally forward. As your golf club comes around, you

should have almost all of your weight on your left foot.

Step 6As you strike the ball,

imagine you are actually striking two balls–the real one and an imaginary ball two inches in front of the real ball. This will help keep your swing straight and avoid slicing the ball. Your right toe should now be not supporting any weight. It is now merely providing you balance. Continue the follow through until your hands reach the front side of your shoulders.

tip You can move your head

when swinging, but only slightly. Try not to move it more than a couple of inches on your backswing.

Warning Working on your swing on

the course will be frustrating. Work on your swing at the driving range, instead.

help a beginner learn.Look around for a golf pro (teacher) in your area

Most golf courses have a pro or can refer you to one. Book three or four lessons from the pro, ask for a pack-age rate.Learn the basics

…such as how to grip the club, how to stand over (address) the golf ball, how to swing the golf club, how to putt, etc. The pro should show you all these basics. You can also watch online videos and read one of the many golf guides online.go to a driving range

…a few times before you head out onto the course. Your aim is to be more confi-dent in your club and shot se-lection, knowing the distances and average trajectory of the clubs you use is essential. Also, using the driving range

before a round will give you an idea of how the weather is affecting your shot. Is it windy? Is the humidity making the ball heavy and affecting distance? Practicing at the range lets you find these things out with-out costing strokes.try going to a 9 hole golf course first

If you don’t have a lot of time to play, or cannot hit the ball far enough yet, then you could try the driving range or a pitch and putt course a few more times.

As you progress, it is vital to work on your short game (put-ting and pitching). It is useless being able to hit the ball long, and not have a clue what to do when you get to the green. In an average round, you will use your driver 12-15 times, and your putter about 30 times, depending on your ability. The short game is the key to a lower handicap.

Learn how to golf properly… from page 7


Because the greenside bunker shot is one of the most

intimidating shots for most recreational players. On the

other side of the coin, better players actually prefer to be in a greenside bunker than chipping from rough around the green. Why? Because they do not fear the bunker shot and they use the sand to their advantage.

All good bunker players do the following:

• They open their stance and open the clubface as they address the ball. This allows them to cut across the ball (swing from outside in) upon impact. This helps slide the club head under the ball which pops the ball out of the sand.

• They concentrate on striking the bottom of the

club head approximately two inches behind the ball (they hit the sand behind the ball, not the ball). This allows the sand to lift the ball out and up out of the bunker.

• They release the hands through the impact zone and follow through. To be a good bunker player you need “speed” during the swing to propel the ball out of the bun-ker. Most times a poor bunker shot is the result of slowing your swing down as you hit the sand. This results in the sand stopping the club head which leads to a chunk, leav-ing the ball in the bunker.

A practice drill for improved bunker play:

Remember, a sand wedge was designed to slide under the ball, you don’t need to try and lift the ball out, the club head will do it for you. A drill that will help is to draw a line in the sand approximately two inches behind the ball and practice taking a sand divot under the ball. Be sure to release your hands through the impact zone and follow through, don’t hit the sand and stop, swing the club head through at a good speed.

Do these things and you will never fear a bunker shot again.

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Rise above greenside bunkers

When most golfers see their ball flying toward a greenside bunker they begin to panic. Why?


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Warm Up:– Try to arrive soon enough to give yourself

time to warm up properly. – Work your way though the bag, beginning

with the short irons, moving onto the mid-and long irons and then the woods.

– It’s often a good idea to finish warming up by hitting a few soft wedge shots before head-ing for the practice green and hitting a few putts.

– Don’t hit hundreds of balls and leave your game on the practice tee.

First tee:– Check the scorecard to learn any local rules. – Local rules apply only to the specific course

you are playing. – If your playing companions suggest a match,

it’s a good idea to make sure everyone is comfortable with the stakes.

– Make sure to place an identifying mark on your ball and inform the other players the

type and number ball you are playing.

avoid sloW play:When your group is not keeping up with the

pace of play of the group in front of you:– Walk at a reasonable speed between shots. – Begin planning your next shot as you ap-

proach the ball by studying the strength and direction of the wind.

– When you reach your ball, check the lie, se-lect your club, visualize your swing and shot, and then play your shot.

– From the time you select your club until you actually hit your shot, you should take no more than 30 to 45 seconds.

– If you aren’t ready to play when it is your turn, encourage one of your fellow players to play.

maintaining the coUrse:– Replace your divots.

Turf tends to explode on impact, making it difficult, if not impossible, to replace the divot. In this case, you have two options:

it’s a game of etiquetteWhat people can expect during a round of golf, from beginning to end:



– You can use the toe of your shoe to kick in the turf around the edges of the divot.

– Many courses often put containers of a soil/seed mixture on their carts and tees. If this is the case, sim-ply fill in the divot with the mixture.

– Bring a rake into the bunker with you -- remembering that you should always enter the bunker from the low side at a point nearest to the ball.

– Whenever possible, avoid walking on the steep face of a bunker.

– After hitting your shot, rake the area you played from, as well as all your footprints and any others within reach.

– Rakes should be left either in or nearby the bunker.

– Important to repair any pitch marks or indentations caused by the ball hitting the green.

– Using a tee, knife, key or repair tool, repair the mark by working the edges towards the center, without lifting the center of the mark. Don’t tear the grass. Finish by smoothing the area with a club or your foot. Try to get the area smooth enough to putt over.

– Just remember that while the Rules of Golf allow you to repair pitch marks on your putting line, you cannot repair spike marks on your putting line until after you have putted.

On the green, remember:– Don’t step on your fellow

players putting lines -- the imaginary line that connects the ball to the hole.

– If your ball is on a player’s line, volunteer to mark the ball. If your ball is not furthest

from the cup:– Mark your ball, either with

a plastic marker or a small, thin, dark coin such as an old penny.

– After you have marked your ball, place your putter down at a 90-degree angle with the heel touching your marker.

– Move the marker from the heel to the toe of your putter. Reverse the procedure to return the ball to its original position.

– Do not stand where you might distract a fellow player and don’t move.

– Don’t make any noise when your fellow player is prepar-ing to putt.

– If you don’t have a caddie and are asked to tend the flagstick, make sure you aren’t standing on anyone’s line.

– Hold the flagstick at arm’s length so the flag doesn’t flutter in the breeze, and make sure your shadow doesn’t fall across the hole or line. Loosen the bottom of the flagstick so it doesn’t stick when you try and re-move it by pulling it straight up after the other player has putted. The flagstick should be removed right after the player has hit the ball.

– If you lay down the flagstick, lay it off the green to prevent doing any damage to the green.

– Generally, the player clos-est to the hole will tend the flagstick.

– After everyone has putted out, immediately walk to the next tee.

miscellaneOus:– If you hit a tee shot into the

woods and suspect that it might be either lost or out-of-bounds, the Rules of Golf allow you to play a second or provisional ball.

You then have five minutes from the time you reach the spot where you suspect the ball landed to find the ball. If it is not found within that five-minute period, you must declare it lost and play your provisional ball with a one-stroke penalty

If, however, you play the provisional ball and subse-quently find your original ball in-bounds, you must pick up your provisional and continue to play the original ball, in-bounds. – Out of bounds balls are as-

sessed the penalty of “stroke and distance.” For safety’s sake, never

hit when there’s a chance you might be able to reach the group ahead of you, and

anytime you hit a shot that you think even has remote chance of hitting any other players, yell “fore” immediately, and make a point of apologizing to any players your ball lands near. – Displays of frustration are

one thing, but outbursts of temper are quite another. Yelling, screaming, throw-

ing clubs or otherwise making a fool of yourself are unac-ceptable and, in some cases, dangerous to yourself and others.

Finally, at the end of the round, shake hands with your fellow players, congratulate the winners, console the los-ers, and thank them for their company.

etiquette on the course… from page 14

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