While contemplating writing about the toughest par holes on our Sullivan County golf courses I witnessed one of the most bizarre golf shots I have ever seen and it took place during a recent golf match in my Monday night men's golf league at the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club.
My new league partner, grandson Rodney "Taylor" Jester, known more for his great baseball skills, is also getting a golf reputation for hitting long drives off the tee.
The amazing shot he hit off the first tee has had golf club members talking about it. Just last Monday while golfing against league members Ken Mooney and Tom Trask they remarked that they were on the eighth tee the night that Rodney hit this tee shot.
The eighth tee is almost completely hidden from the first tee and Mooney and Trask said that Jester's ball came rolling past them out onto the eighth fairway.
But the amazing shot which after it stopped rolling most likely resulted in a 280 yard drive had to find its way between two houses, several bushes and a large tree to get where it ended up.
The eyes on that ball had to be working just perfectly because there was not much room for error as it came to rest on the eighth fairway and certainly was not out of bounds. Jester played his next shot with a wedge which found the middle of the first green.
Club members noted they have never heard of a shot like that taking place at Twin Village and in all my years of golf I have never seen a shot like this.
Starting next week we will outline the most difficult pars on Sullivan County and area golf courses and provide hole by hole guidelines on how to play our local golf courses.
Ed's Outlook
We have talked in numerous columns about golf courses promoting special events to bring golfers back to the game.
We found it sad that in a conversation with Twin Village Golf Club greens chairman Dan Baldo he noted that the Roscoe based course will no longer hold the popular Memorial Golf Tournament which for years benefited needy families, organizations and a golf scholarship for a Roscoe Central School graduate. Baldo also noted that the 18-holes of golf special for two with a cart is no longer available as the course will no longer have an attendant in the clubhouse. Special green and cart fees are posted and golfers are required to leave the golf and cart fees in a mailbox located on the porch of the clubhouse.
A redesigned golf course has forced the closing of the Monster Golf Course at the former Concord resort for the 2016 golf season.
Golf Course architect Rees Jones is redesigning the Monster course and the new facility should be available with the opening of the new casino in 2017.
Both the Tarry Brae and Lochmor golf courses have announced special 18-holes of golf rates from Memorial Day Weekend to the end of June. Rates which includes a golf cart are $40 on weekends, $45 with lunch, $34 on weekdays and $39 with lunch. Senior day rates are Tuesday and Thursday's for $29 and $34 with lunch.
Golf Tip
By Robert Menges
In the ever-changing golf game, most players are under the influence that if they hit the ball longer they will play better.
Even though technology has increased how far the ball will travel, the scores are about the same. There is no doubt that if you hit the ball longer you should have less club to the green and be able to get the ball closer to the hole and make more putts.
I believe this to be true, but you better be able to hit the shots on the green close to the pin.
To do this it's important to carry three wedges in your golf bag. Most golfers have a pitching wedge with 47-49 degrees of loft.
You have a choice to make for the other two wedges. A gap wedge comes with about 50-53 degrees of loft and a lob wedge is about 60-64 degrees of loft. I would choose between these two clubs depending on how far you hit the ball.
A lob wedge will save you shots around the green and a gap wedge will help with the in between yardages in the fairway.
You should always carry a sand wedge that has 54-57 degrees of loft.
The next time you play a round of golf, count how many shots you take from 100 yards to the hole. I think you will find that this will total 60 percent of your score.
When you are trying to improve your score, it is important to lower the number of shots you take close to the green. I think having three wedges in your bag will help you accomplish a lower score.
Robert Menges is the golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, Ed can be reached at 845-292-0323 or by email at menges@hughes.net
Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel Jr.
Confidence in your putting ability is a huge key.
Here is a good four-step process.
1. Motivation to improve.
2. Practicing the correct elements of putting including 4 putting drills.
3. Quality, diligent practice putting sessions will bring good results.
4. Good results will give the golfer the confidence to continue the practice and building of putting skills over time.
Joe Bermel Jr. is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD 'How To Putt Well" and his Putting Tip Of the Month Calendar are available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com
Twenty-one year-old Liberty golfer Rodney "Taylor" Jester stands where his golf ball landed on the eighth fairway of the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club during a Monday night golf league match. He points to where his ball found it's way from the first tee some 280 yards away between two houses and a large tree.
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