E.A.G.L.E Junior Golf - Early Age Golf Learning Experience
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Summer 2010 News Archive

August 2010

Coach's Corner - Play like the Pros
By Craig Forgash, PGA
If you watch a lot of golf on TV, you will notice how infrequently the pros hit the driver.  There is a lot of glory in hitting the “big dog”, but it can lead to some big numbers if you hit the ball in the wrong spot.  The pros know this, and as a result, they play smarter than most of us.  One way to get comfortable with occasionally leaving the driver in the bag is to use a fairway wood on holes that are playing downwind.  If driver does not provide any significant advantage, try teeing off with a 3- or 4-wood on par 4’s when the wind is helping your shot.  You will find that the additional loft will create more backspin, and therefore, more lift.  In some instances, that additional lift will help the ball carry farther than it would with a driver.  One thing that will definitely happen as a result of the increased loft is the ball will fly straighter.  And I have found through experience that long and straight works on almost every golf course in the world!

 
Patriot Golf DayCelebrate Patriot Golf Day
Spend Labor Day weekend on the course, to celebrate Patriot Golf Day.  September 3-6, public and private golf courses nationwide will be collecting donations for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to families of those who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty.

For participating facilities in Georgia, visit Play Golf America at
http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?action=patriot&state=GA .

 

 

PGA Championship Fun Facts
August 12-15 the 92nd PGA Championship is being held at Whistling Straits (Straits Course) in Wisconsin.  Below are a few fun facts to share with your friends and family as you watch the tournament.

  • The Straits Course was designed by Pete Dye to replicate the ancient seaside courses of the UK.
  • The PGA Championship is the only major where Tiger Woods has never missed the cut.
  • At the 2009 PGA Championship, Y.E. Yang became the first Asian-born player to win a major.
  • The 2011 PGA Championship will be held at the Atlanta Athletic Club in John's Creek, GA.
  • Jack Nicklaus & Walter Hagen tie for the most PGA Championship wins with 5.  4 of those 5 wins for Walter Hagen were back to back from 1924-1927.
  • Throughout PGA Championship stroke play history only 11 first round leaders have gone on to win the tournament.

July 2010
Coach's Corner - Tips from Overseas
By Craig Forgash, PGA

I love watching the British Open every year, because it provides me with an opportunity to watch the best players in the world hit shots that they really only use for one week out of the year.  The links courses of Scotland, Ireland and England routinely demand that the ball be played along the ground rather than in the air.  Most people would be surprised at how many shots that we play on our courses here in America could be made much easier by playing them along the ground instead of through the air, especially when the grass is relatively short.  Next time you are out on the course or practicing your shots around the green, experiment with a different club for the same shot.  If you think the shot calls for a sand wedge lofted high in the air, grab a seven iron and try to get the ball closer.  As long as the shot doesn’t require hitting over a bunker or water hazard, you might find that a shorter swing with the seven iron is not only an easier swing, but provides better results.  This is a particularly good idea if there is a shot that you always seem to struggle with.  Take a tip from our friends across the pond, and try rolling it instead of flying it.

 

British Open Fun Facts

Thursday, July 15 the 150th British Open begins at the Old Course, St. Andrews in Scotland.  Below are a few fun facts to share with your friends and family as you watch this legendary tournament. 

  • The British Open is the oldest of golf's four major tournaments beginning on October 17, 1860.
  • No one has ever won the British Open more than twice at St. Andrews. 
  • Tom Watson has won the British Open on every course in Scotland except for St. Andrews. 
  • Harry Vardon has the most British Open wins with 6. 
  • Gary Players holds the record for most British Open appearances with 46.
  • There have been 6 amateur victories at the British Open all prior to 1930.
  • The British Open is the only major tournament held outside of the United States & is held at different courses in Scotland or Ireland each year. 

 

July is Family Golf Month

Throughout the month of July, golf courses are offering affordable rates for families to hit the course together.  Golf is a unique sport that allows kids of all ages to play together.  What other sport can you think of where grandma can play with her 7 year old grandson?  Instead of planning a trip to the lake this month, plan a stay-cation at your local golf course.  Spend time together as a family on a beautiful course, exercising in the fresh air.  Nationwide over 1000 golf courses are offering low cost or free events to celebrate Family Golf Month, visit http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?action=family to search for events near you.   

June 2010
Notable Golfer - Jordan Spieth

Never heard of Jordan Spieth?  Don't worry, no one else had before the HP Byron Nelson Championship - but he quickly made headlines.  A 16 year old high school junior, Spieth is the 6th youngest player to make the cut at a PGA Tour event.  He brought new life and a much younger crowd than usual to the Texas tournament.  Already a high school champion and US Junior Amateur title-holder, what's next for this young golfer?  College of course!  Spieth has already accepted a scholarship to become a Texas Longhorn.  Be on the look out for big things to come... 

 

 

Miss Spieth's rounds?  You can see him again at the PGA event in Memphis, TN June 10 - 13.

 

 

 

Coach's Corner - Practice Putting with a Purpose
By Craig Forgash, PGA
 
When practicing your putting, you should focus on improving in one area at a time rather than just aimlessly whacking balls at random holes.  Break the skill down into three areas: alignment or direction, distance control, and scoring.  When working on alignment or direction, find a 3-5 foot putt that goes perfectly straight.  Practice hitting ball after ball right over the center of the cup – if you use the lines on the ball to assist you, then use them for this exercise.  Much of the confidence that you get from making putts from short range comes from knowing that you are going to hit the ball where you expect to.  For distance control, you should also pick a relatively straight putt from various distances of 10, 20 and 30 feet.  Roll three balls to each hole and try to get the ball to stop at exactly the right distance.  You can also use tees for this exercise, because a putt that goes in that is hit too hard can defeat the purpose of the drill.  Finally, when working on scoring, the goal is to get the ball into the hole from various distances in the fewest strokes possible…just like golf!  So, play a round of holes on the practice green and putt each hole the same exact way you would on the golf course - use a ball marker, line up your putts and tap in your gimmies.  Then total your score and try to beat that “target score” on successive rounds.  You are certain to drop some strokes off your score by focusing your efforts in the most important area of the game!

Spring Graduations

Our spring graduations have come to an end.  This is a bitter sweet time for your instructors, we are very proud of our junior golfers but always shocked at how quickly the time flies.  Congratulations to our graduates - you've done a wonderful job & we hope to see you back very soon in our summer programs.  Now get out there and play some golf!

 

 

 

 

Garrison Mill Graduation Ceremony 2010 

 

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