Golf Course Management - Tips

Golf Course Management - The Toughest Outlook in Golf. 

Lets dissect the words Golf Course Management.

Golf Course - A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, a fairway, the rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick ("pin") and hole ("cup"), all designed for the game of golf.

Management - Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of coordinating the efforts of people to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively.

With the two definitions above you have to take a look at Managing your round at the golf course.  You have to establish goals of your round with objectives to accomplish what you are seeking your outcome to become.

Below are tips on how to better course manage and get your score lower.

Goal/Objectives -

• Final Score
• Plan of attack
• Hole by hole objective
• Execution

1. Determine the Final Score Goal
2. Plan of attack
• Evaluate the Course
• course layout
• yardage
• rough
• elevation differences
• Wind direction and speed
3. Hole by Hole objective
• Plan each shot per hole (work from pin back)
• Is green sloped, flat, undulating
• determine spot you need to hit green with approach shot allowing position needed for optimal chance at 1 putting.
• Determine yardage you desire to hit to spot determined on green
• Distance from Tee area to determined yardage of approach shot (this will determine club you will want to hit from Tee area
4. Execution
• Be Accurate
• Avoid the common mistake of trying to hit the ball as far as you can every time off of the tee on par fours and fives at the expense of accuracy.  The benefit of having a shorter approach shot to a green is more often than not lost one the ball rolls out of bounds or into a hazard because you have tried to hit the ball as far as physically possible  Novices will typically struggle to hit their driver with any degree of accuracy ad until the club is mastered the lower-numbered woods should be used off the tee to keep the ball in the fairway and give the player a realistic shot at hitting the green.
• Have Targets
• Try to have a tangible target for every shot you take on the golf course.  Rather than hitting the ball towards the green and hoping it lands somewhere that gives you a decent chance at an approach, you need to plan for the hole.  Once you have become acquainted with the course and have a good concept of where it is advantageous to be on each of its holes, pick out targets n the background to aim for.  Know where the hazards are, especially the "blind" ones that cannot be seen from the fairway, and have targets chosen that can keep you clear of them  One of the key aspects of golf course management is hitting shots that make your next shot less difficult.  Rather than try to hit at a flagstick on a green, it is sometimes advisable to hit to a spot that gives you an uphill putt at the hold or keeps the ball away from a bunker.  Having a target in mind during a shot can help you to achieve these goals.
• Play Intelligently
• Playing smart and controlling your emotions are a large part of good golf course management.  By not abandoning a game plan and focusing on each shot, you can become a consistent player.  Many golfers make the error of thinking about upcoming shots and lose their concentration on the shot about to be played, causing a poor result  The mistake then gets compounded when he tries to recover with a shot that is well beyond his ability  It is important to realize your limitations, understand which clubs you have a good feel for and which you need to work on, and then use this knowledge on the course.  Realize that you cannot duplicate the shots that you have seen professionals make on television and don't let your ego dictate your next move on the course.

By using the above information you should be able to better understand not only your game and limitations but be able to manage the course to allow you to score better than you ever have.

Until next time,  by learning your limitations, staying within yourself, and checking your ego at the door you will have a lot of fun on the course....

 

Effects of Golf Wedge Shots in the Wind

The Effects of Wedge shots hitting in the wind.

Tour players know that the toughest scoring in golf is during windy conditions.  As the wind picks up, the elite golfers assess, evaluate, and play the effect the wind has on every shot, including short-game and putts.

Most Amateurs wait until the wind is blowing hard toward danger before they start to adjust.  Even then they fail to consider how it affects wedge shots.  You hit the shot tracking toward the pin, only to end up short in the sand.  This not only happens in real windy conditions, but also in mild 5-7 mph winds.

Even though wind is a challenge, most golfers try to hit through it instead of using the wind to their advantage.  To have the wind assist you instead of hinder you, you must have some knowledge of the wind.  The most important is to keep your shots lower and with less spin on the ball. 

Here are a few tips on how to strategize on windy days hitting short-game shots into the green.

1.  Playing Downwind. Play the ball in the back of your stance, close your club face, and hit it crisply.  This will allow you to penetrate the wind with ample backspin.  Will give you a lower trajectory, allowing you to minimize the wind affect, while stopping the ball prior to any trouble behind the green.





2.  Playing into the wind.  Try hitting this shot with pitching wedge, or a 8, 9 iron with an easy swing.  This should produce a lower ball flight with minimal backspin, both of which should minimize the wind effect.  The result should be landing short of the green, releasing and then rolling on the putting surface toward the hole.  This is a much more predictable shot than hitting a high shot with a lot of spin.



3.  Playing in Cross Wind.  The important thing to remember is the ball will turn with the wind the whole way, including after it hits the ground.  It's the last bounce and roll that surprises the golfer.  Sending what are well played shots further from the hole.

I have played a lot of golf in the wind.  Actually practice on the range during windy days to work and watch how the wind affects my ball flight.  I pride myself with the ability to adjust to the wind.

You will, too, if you take the advise above to heart, and accept that the wind affects all shots, not just the long ones.

Until next time, keep your head down and your swing smooth....

5 TIPS WHEN GETTING READY FOR A TOURNAMENT

It is getting closer for the next tournament qualifier so here are 5 tips to know when getting ready for a big tournament:

1. Make sure your clubs meet the USGA and R&A Groove Specifications.  The following is a data base  to verify if your clubs made prior to January 1, 2010 comply with the 2012-2015 Rules of Golf and are permissible for play under the Groove Condition of competition, which is in effect for all USGA Open Championships.  Additionally, information regarding the conformance status of clubs not listed, which includes new models of clubs manufactured on or after Jan 1, 2010, please contact the USGA Research and Test Center at (908) 234-2300.
2. Make sure your golf balls are all the same type and conform to the 2012-2015 Rules of Golf Rule 5 The Ball and Appendix III.  Conforming Ball List
3. Check out and adhere to the foot ware policy for the local course conditions.  Recently Lee Janzen was Disqualified at a US OPEN QUALIFIER for wearing metal spikes. 
4. Your golf attire meets the dress code of the tournament you are playing.  Most USGA tournaments or Professional Tournaments will not allow you to wear jeans, cut offs, shorts.  Mock Turtlenecks sometimes are allowed, but time to time depending on the course you are playing they may not be allowed.  If not in the proper attire yourself or your caddie you may be disqualified.
5. Check your bag thoroughly making sure you have enough equipment such as gloves, towels, tees, balls, rain gear, umbrella etc. to be with you for any condition that may arise.  For if you don't have it in your bag you cannot go get it.   Also make sure you only have 14 clubs in your bag.  Rules of  Golf Rule 4.

If you follow these 5 tips you should be ready to enter any tournament as long as your game preparation is set to play at that level.

Until next time, come prepared to play.

Tournament Preparation at Wyndham Fairfield Glade, Crossville, Tennessee - Golf practice

Well today I didn't get a chance to play the course, but I did have a chance to work on my warm up, swing tempo, technique, and chipping.

The course was busy today so I worked on my short game instead of spending 6 hours on the course.  They had 170 people today as well as tomorrow playing on each course.  This is Memorial Weekend at a major golf Resort, Wyndham Fairfield Glade, Crossville, Tennessee.

So today I started with a warm up on the range.  I warmed up for about an hour starting with a 52 degree wedge hitting half shots working my way up to full shots.  The remainder of the time I worked on my swing tempo and technique.  I hit my 7 iron only. 

Following is what I worked on:

• Take away, down swing, and follow through
• Worked on aiming alignment
• using two clubs parallel to target
• make sure feet are positioned in line with target
• make sure club head positioned in line with target
• make sure divot is aligned with target
• Worked on Draw
• Worked on Fade

With the above my goal was to make sure I had consistent swing with proper takeaway, downswing, follow through toward different targets.  Allowing the ball to carry the distance of the stationary target.  The carry distance for 7 iron is 170-175 yards.

Outcome of workout was excellent.  All techniques felt good and were consistent.

• Proper set up
• Balanced start 
• Proper swing plane
• Weight shift
• balanced finish
• Consistent Ball Flight

Since I was comfortable with how the above worked out I proceeded to the chipping area.

The chipping area has a two tiered elevated green along with sand traps, fairway, intermediate rough and secondary rough.

I worked with my 60 degree, 52 degree and 56 degree wedges in the variety of areas.

• Hinge and Hold
• Flop shot
• Sand shot
• putting with 60 degree wedge on fringe with ball next to rough

Goal on each one of these shots is to put the ball within 3 feet of the target hole.


By working extensively on the different areas of rough, fairway, elevations, sand traps allows you to be more consistent in getting up and down from variety of areas.  The practice also builds your confidence.

My overall practice today went excellent.  My finger had very little sensitive feelings attributed to striking the ball on the range and in heavy rough.

In my opinion I accomplished all my goals today.

Tomorrow I will be working more on the putting aspect of the game and  more range time with 7 iron and chipping.

As you see in order for me to keep at a playing level I need to practice a variety of different shots so when I am on the course this all becomes second nature.

For the weekend golfer you don't have to practice as extensive as I do, but if you put half the effort into your practice as you do your game you will become a better golfer.

Until then, I will leave you with a story I heard from Gary Player.  As he was working on his sand shots, a golfer was on-looking and saw Mr. Player place three sand shots in a row in the hole.  The observer stated, wow, that was sure lucky.  Mr. Players response to the spectator was, yes, the more I practice the luckier I get.

Thanks for viewing my blog and I hope you keep checking in.....

Golf Dreams - Getting Ready for Tournament - Tennessee Golf and Fiber Art

I took yesterday off from blogging to travel to Tennessee for a vacation with my wife at Wyndham Fairfield Glade Resort, Crossville, TN. 


This is the Golf Mecca of Tennessee, so they state.  I agree that this is a marvelous place to play golf and enjoy some quiet times along with many other activities.  They have 2 marinas, 2 beaches, 11 lakes and 4 golf courses.  We have  been coming here for about 2 1/2 years.

We will spend some time at the craft fair with my wife and our friends at Dunn Spunn a Fiber Art Studio and Store just off  I-40 on Peavine Road before you get to the Resort. 

Today, we spent time at the Craft Fair and with our friends.  It is so wonderful watching my wife enjoy herself in her element.  Crafting is one of my wife's and mine past times.  It is something we enjoy doing together and in a good relationship you need to enjoy doing things together.

There was many enjoyable crafts made of wood, glass ware, jewelry and such, but our most interested area is fiber art.

Our friend Katelyn, her friend Emily and Katelyn's Mom Kelley have a booth at the Memorial Weekend Craft Fair at Wyndham Fairfield Glade Resort.  They have a lot of marvelous items for sale and Katelyn demonstrated spinning. 

Katelyn is a wonderful talented fiber artists who taught my wife 2 years ago how to knit, and my wife loves spending time with Katelyn and her mom when ever we come to the resort.  Katelyn is not only a well known fiber artist but she is a talented instructor in fiber art creations, spinning, and knitting.  Please check their store out at facebook.com/DunnAgainShabbyShic

So if any one is interested in fiber art and golf this Resort is a wonderful place stay. 

I will spend the next 3 days working on my game and talk about my play and practice.

Until tomorrow, enjoy what you are doing at all times and the times you have will be great.......

Following the Dream - Getting Ready for Tournament - Daily Practice

It is another day for practice to get my self in shape for the next tournament. 

Today my main practice was on putting.

Below is the routine I followed:

• Started with 3 foot drill
• Place 8 balls 3 feet from hole
• putt until miss
• keep putting until make 50 in row

• Then worked on 5, 10, 15 drill
• place tee markers 5, 10, and 15 feet from hole in straight line
• place another tee marker 2 feet from opposite line of the 5,10, 15
• place three balls at 5 foot tee marker
• stroke each ball either in the hole or stopping before the 2 foot tee marker behind the hole
• If you hit any putts short of the hole or past the tee marker start over.
• continue to 10 and 15 foot marker
• again, if you miss any you must start back at the 5 foot marker and begin again
• continue until you have completed 3 balls at each marker

The first drill I worked on helps with confidence and consistency.  You will be amazed how much your confidence will build by making 50 putts in a row.

The second 5,10,15 drill will help build your distance and speed control.

By continually practicing these drills you will be able to not only impress your playing partners on the weekend, but take their money.

Until next time, keep your tempo smooth and your eye on the ball.......

Rainy Days continued... Five Things You Can Do Indoors

Well it is another Rainy Day, I guess it really hasn't stopped.  Been raining now for about three days.  Fortunately, it has only been raining and not storming.

You just got your game the way you want it, or, close enough that you are feeling good about your swing and scoring.  You get a long delay for unknown reasons or it is just raining for several days that you cannot get on the course.

Here are five things you can do inside:

1. Keep stretching so you can stay flexible.
2. Practice putting on carpet or indoor putting pad.
3. If you have a room or garage that is safe to swing a 7 iron, you can practice your swing and work on your technique.
4. Chipping Drill Indoors
5. Work on Your Swing Balance.

Over the next few days we will go over all five of these tips.

So until you can get back on the course keep these in mind to once you do you won't miss a beat....

Tips on Golf Etiquette Hints

To Finish up on the segment on Golf Etiquette Making the Game More Enjoyable for Others I leave you with the following hints:

• Quiet Please!  Never talk during another player's swing.
• Do not yell out following a shot.  Even if boisterous behavior doesn't bother your playing partners, there are other people on the course who may be within earshot.

• Be aware of your shadow on the putting green.  Don't stand in a place that causes your shadow to be cast across another player or that player's putting line. Or seen in during their swing.

• Never walk through a playing partner's putting line  Your footprints might alter the path of a partner's putt.  Step over the putting line, or walk around (behind) the partner's ball.  Also, avoid stepping on the other side of the hole on the putting line because the putter may hit the ball long and this will also effect his next shot.

Well there are a lot more golf hints on etiquette put I think we captured the most common.

If anyone has any particular parts of their game they want talked about or want tips on what to do, I will be happy to give suggestions and tips.

Next blog, I will talk about what I did in my youth to help me understand the game and provide a challenge right in my own yard.

Until then, Always be courteous to the golfers around you and hope they provide the same......

Golf Tournament Goes Bad

Well I am back from my golf venture in Georgia.

Sorry I haven't written in a while but I am back.

It didn't go as I wanted.  I was attempting to qualify for a Champions Tour Event.

I was doing fairly well and then with 4 holes left I hit a nine iron which stopped when it hit the ground and ended up causing a hairline fracture in my right hand ring finger.  The pain was excruciating and as my wife stated, "You looked like you were going to fall to the ground you were in so much pain."

So I had to withdraw and not finish the tournament.  This was to be the first event for the year and now it might be the last.  We will see how long it will take to heal.  I have to wear a splint on my finger for at least a month.  Then depending on the healing I don't know when I will be able to swing again.

I had to withdraw from the US OPEN Qualifier May 7th, but am keeping myself signed up for the Senior US Open Qualifier in Nashville on June 20th for the time being.  I will know more by end of May if I will have an idea if my finger will be able to take it by that time.

Well, time to go.  I will continue my blog on Golf Etiquette on my next Posting.

Keep your tempo smooth and your swing easy.......

Golf Etiquette Continued, Maintaining Good Pace

Good morning everyone,  Another beautiful day for the golf course.  I am going to give some tips on
Maintaining Good Pace on Golf Course to help you enjoy the day.

Maintain a Good Pace

• Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn.  You probably don't like waiting on other groups - don't make the other groups wait on you
• The player who is away hits first in a group.  However, in friendly matches (as opposed to tournament play) this rule an be ignored in favor of "ready play" - players hit as they are ready.  All players should agree to "ready play" before it is put into effect.
• Do not spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularly if there is a group behind you ready to play.  If you insist on taking the full five minutes allotted in the rulebook to look for lost balls, golf etiquette says wave up the group behind to all them to play through.
• Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you.  If space opens in front of you allow faster group to play though.
• When two players I a cart hit to opposite sides of a hole, drive to first ball and drop off that player with his club then drive to the second ball.  After both players hit,, meet up farther down the hole.
• When walking from your cart to your ball,, take a couple clubs with you.  Taking only one club then having to return to the cart to retrieve a different club is a huge time-waster.
• Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting.

Well it is time to go,  I am getting ready to depart for a golf venture in Georgia.

Take care and until next time, Hit them straight and not often.........

Golf Etiquette, Make Golf More Enjoyable Cont'd

Time to continue with the Etiquette Tips to help make golf more enjoyable.

Today we are going to talk about Keeping Golf Safe:

• Do not swing your club until you know that others in your group are at a safe distance.  Likewise, keep your distance when others are swinging.  Be aware to steer clear of trouble.

• When practicing your swing never swing in the direction of another player.  There may be pebbles or twigs or other matter in the grass that could fly up and injure a playing partner.

• Do not hit the ball until you are certain that the group ahead of you is out of range.

• If your ball appears headed toward another player or another group give them a warning by yelling out, "FORE!" (an internationally recognized alert)

• Observe the safety suggestions posted in golf carts and drive carefully.  Golf etiquette requires your cart off the grass as much as possible.
• Never throw clubs in anger.  In addition to being rude and childish, it could also be dangerous.

Tomorrow we will talk about Kindness to the Course. 

Until then, Be Safe and have fun......

Warming up at The Range, 9 tips

Well it is another day at the Range.

Most people when they go to the golf range they just buy the bucket of range balls and then start hitting with their driver usually.  Everyone seems to like the long ball.  They like seeing it go beyond the border of the range.  Well, they would like to think so anyway. 

If you want to improve your game go to the range and practice with a purpose.

1.  What am I going to work on today.
2.  Plan a time frame of approximately 15 minute intervals working on different areas
3.  Before you start stretch.
4.  Warm up with the wedge group taking half swings loosening your muscles.
5.  Start working on what you planned and stick with it.
6.  If you start getting frustrated change what you are working on, take a break and come back to it later.
7.  Once you have completed your planned work out, cool down
8.  Hit the last few balls from the bucket with half swings of the wedge aiming at same distance target.
9.  Stretch again before leaving range.

When practicing at the range and not on the course you will become more consistent with your shot making and will be able to reduce your score.

I was listening to Gary Player during an interview and he told a story; He was practicing hitting sand shots at the practice green and three shots in a row went into the hole on the green.  A fellow golfer saw this and commented, wow, that was sure lucky.  Gary responded, yep, the more I practice the luckier I get.

Remember, enjoy the game and have fun.

Until next time take your frustrations out on the range and not the course.

Bye for now.....

Continuing the Golf Dream Journey

I am back to continue my blog. 

After I departed yesterday I went and practiced for about three hours.   I spent most of my time on the short range working on my shots 100 yards in. Today, I spent two more hours on the short game, working on mostly pitches and chips.   I believe that working on the short game and putting is the most important part of practice.  Don't get me wrong, I think hitting balls at the range with your other irons, driver and woods is important also.  When you work on swing techniques and figuring out your distances for each club, not just whacking at a bucket of balls for no reason.  But most of your scoring in the game is done from 150 yards in.  That is where I believe you need the Most accuracy.

As I go along, I will explain my philosophy and want I think is important in the game strategy and practice strategy.

No a little more on how I got to where I am in my golf life.   I eventually played a year in high school on the golf team, played in the Military, and then back as a civilian took about 12 years off only playing about once or twice a year because of economic times and too busy working.   I passed on the dream thinking I will never achieve it because of what I heard over the years as a young adult and  that you have to have a lot of money or you are not talented enough.  I think the toughest part as I look back was believing the people that stated I am not good enough and that you are a fool for trying or going for that dream.  It is unachievable.  Well instead of believing in myself and what I believed God wanted me to do, I didn't excel and eventually lost the drive to play.  Hence the 12 years of not playing much at all except when my Dad was in visiting we would play.  The one thing I never lost is playing the game with my Dad.  It is something we shared together and we both enjoyed a lot.

  On my next entries I will share with you how I got back in the game, what my drive was and inspiration.  I will also, provide a few tips on practice strategy.

Until next time, keep swinging and remember fairways and greens.......

My Golf Dream

Hello.  I have just been led to start blogging about my dream from childhood of becoming a professional golfer, player, and teacher of the game I have found out that dreams do come true if you have patience, work hard and never give up.  I was told for many years in my childhood that I couldn't do this or that, that I wasn't good enough or smart enough by many different people. I listened to those people and began to believe it for many years,  instead of listening to myself and what God was leading me to do.  People are not always right!

I was five years old when I started learning the game of golf.  You see my dad was playing it quit a bit and bringing home trophies and I thought that was cool.  He watched the game on TV on the weekends after he returned from the golf course or if the weather was not cooperative.  We watched because he controlled the TV even when he was snoring (clearing his throat).  As children we didn't want to watch golf really and while he was clearing his throat we tried to change the channel.  Only to hear, hey I was watching that, turn it back.  We informed dad, your eyes were closed and you were snoring and he would reply, "I wasn't snoring, I was clearing my throat and my eyes were resting not closed."  My dad was a very talented golfer who loved the game and still does.  You see he is 83 years old and still loves and plays the game.  He is still tough to beat.  He told me at end of last year he shot his age which at the time was 82.  Wow, I hope I can do that at his age. 

I started playing with my Mom's clubs, I don't think she played much after I started using them.  I don't think she ever found her clubs again, because I had them all the time.  I started caddying during the summer months in between baseball and football.  I remember caddying for my dad at the local golf club pushing his cart.  Every now and then when the course wasn't busy we were allowed to play a hole or two.  I think I was 8 years old I had my first par on a par 4 golf hole.  My dad was a very patient and talented player in his own right.  When we were young kids we saw his trophies as play things and didn't understand their importance until later.  When I was older in High School I played a lot with my dad and found out that while he was in the military in the 50's he had played with Chi Chi Rodriquez and Gary Player down in Texas.  I also found out that I caddied at the same course my Dad did when he was a child.  That was another wow in my life.  Doing something that both my Dad and I enjoy has given me great memories throughout all my life. 

I have always loved he game.  Watching my Dad play, playing rounds with my Dad, watching Jack Nicklaus on TV.  Caddying in the Hawaiian Open in 1996 in the Pro-Am was delightful and awesome.  Watching Corey Pavin win, following Jack Nicklaus and listening to Andy Bean and Fuzzy Zoeller on the Practice tee with an amateur between them cutting on the amateurs on how they think they don't need to have a practice round for the amateurs and only for the pros because the amateurs always play well and then choke during the actual pro-am.  The amateur was listening to this and then asked the two pro's, " Why do you pick on us amateurs like that?",  Only to hear Fuzzy spout back "because your pay for this abuse".  They all laughed.  Even though I was 26 at the time and in the Military, wow, what a great opportunity that was seeing for the first time in person some of the greats in golf and played on a great course.  Of course now it is called the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Well it is time to get some practice in and spend some time with my fabulous wife.  I will write on how I started getting back to my dream on my next entries.   Take Care.

I will leave with two statements:  One I don't agree with because I enjoy good walks and that is Mark Twain who stated:  "Golf is a good walk ruined".  apparently Mark Twain never understood or played Golf.

The other is:  Walter Hagen stated, "Three bad shots and one good shot is still a 4".

Until next time....