Saturday, August 31, 2013

Golfing Highlights Column 8-30-13

Hot Temperatures Equal Night Golf

  Many local golfers have had the opportunity  at one time or another to play night golf tournaments using the "Glow In The Dark" lighted golf balls but recently I took the night golf approach to another level by viewing the Panama City Beach Florida Holiday Golf Club nine-hole Par 3 lighted golf course. 
  The 90 degree plus daytime temperatures during early July do not encourage golf during daylight hours so why not see what a fully lighted golf course has to offer. 
  The Director of Golf at the Holiday Golf Club facilities is Jim Carlisle who has worked at the club for over 16 years. Jim was very helpful in providing me with information about the par 3 course. 
  Jim, a Class A PGA Professional,  certainly makes you feel comfortable and his knowledge of golf is easily visible. 
  Carlisle is very proud of both the Par 3 lighted course (which is Bay County's only lighted 9-hole par 3 course) and the 18-hole championship course which he says is great for every level of golfer. 
  The par 3 nine-hole course plays to a par 27 and will certainly help golfers master their short game and  most nine-hole courses can be played in about 60 minutes.
  This cute 1,003 yard course provides an 85-yard hole 1, a 58-yard hole 2, a 145-yard hole 3, a 138-yard hole 4, a 108-yard hole 5, a 100-yard hole 6, a 132 yard hole 7, a 102 yard hole 8 and a 135-yard hole 9. 
  A course that will test your short irons and putting. 
  The closest par 3 lighted course in New York State that we are aware of is in Greene County and offers holes ranging from 60 to 162 yards.

                                           Ed's Outlook 

  Discussing the game of golf with a local professional the other day and he brought up an interesting topic.
  One of his regular golfers (who wishes to remain anonymous) while playing in a league decided to cut the corner on a dogleg left and tried to play a draw shot but the ball struck a tree.
  Usually it is a 50/50 on if the ball will bounce into the fairway or stay on the ground under the tree.
  In this case is was neither.....it appeared the ball stuck in the tree.
  OK golfers......do you know the game?
  Here are this golfers obtions.
  1. Play the ball as it lies. Climb the tree, take a club, identify that it his ball and take a swing at it.
  2. Declare a lost ball. If the golfer can't shake the ball lose to identify it as his ball he must declare a lost ball. Penalty is stroke and distance.
  3. If the golfer can verify the ball in the tree is his ball he could declare the ball unplayable and take a one stroke penalty.
  4. Verifying that the ball is his the golfer can declare the ball unplayable, take a one stroke penalty and play his next ball as nearly as possible to the spot from which the original ball was last played. 
  5. Identifying that the ball is his he could declare the ball unplayable, take a one stroke penalty, drop the ball behind the point directly under where the ball was in the tree....keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.....with no limit on how far behind that point  the ball may be dropped. 
  What the correct golf procedure here? Amateur golfers only can respond.

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, by email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook. 

                                             The Golf Tip
                                          By Robert Menges
 
  The mental game is important. Make a commitment to improve, and do not make excuses.
  Before you make an attempt to improve your game, be sure you are ready to commit to the time and work required........otherwise, you may set yourself up for failure or give in to convenient excuses.
  For example, make sure that you have the necessary time and resources available.....that other duties and distractions are taken care of and that you aren't depending on anyone else (a teaching pro, mental coach, playing companion) who can't be counted on to follow though with their part in your plan for improvement.
  The commitment and the planning must be such that if you don't succeed, you have no one to blame but yourself. 
  Indeed, it would be better to wait until you are absolutely ready than to make a half-hearted commitment to the challenge before you.
  Robert Menges is the head Golf Professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club on Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net 

                                           The Putting Tip
                                          By Joe Bermel

  Speed Of The Putt
  When putting you "feel the speed" with your eyes, your mind and your hands.
  It is imperative that you look at the distance between the ball and the hole at least 6 times.
  A signal is sent to your mind, your mind send a signal to the muscles in the fingers of your right hand as to the acceleration for the distance you want the ball to travel.
  It's three words to get the speed right......look, look, look at the distance.
  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. He has two special edition DVD's titled "How To Putt Well" and they are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his Web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

                         

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