Golf Links & Tips

The Preserve at Oak Meadows

Vincent Mohawk - Assistant Golf Professional

900 N. Wood Dale Rd.

Addison, IL 60101

630-595-0071

DuPageGolf.com

Golf Tip: Back to Basics

The golf grip is one of the most important aspects of the game. It’s the only point of contact between you and the club, and it can have a significant impact on the quality of your shots.

The most common grip is the overlapping grip. To use this grip, place your left hand on the club first (for right-handed golfers), with your thumb pointing down the shaft. Then, place your right hand over your left thumb so it fits into the groove of your palm. Both palms should be facing each other, and your right pinky finger should overlap your left index finger.

Similar to the overlapping grip, is the interlocking grip. The difference being the left index finger and right pinkie finger interlock. This is my grip of choice and most notably is used by Tiger Woods.

Finally, the ten-finger grip.Typically used by beginners, it involves placing ten fingers directly on the club, similar to gripping a baseball bat.

Remember, gripping too tightly can negatively affect your swing. Practice your grip regularly and don’t be afraid to experiment to find the one that works best for you. For more tips follow me on Instagram: @vincemohawkgolf

Pottawatomie

Golf Course

Ron Skubisz, Manager & PGA Golf Pro 845 N. Second Avenue in Pottawatomie Park. 630-584-8356 www.pottawatomiegc.com

Golf Tip: Have fun. Having fun is most important when introducing your children to the game of golf, says Ron Skubisz, Golf Course Manager & PGA Golf Pro at St. Charles Park District. Take a tip from the master of family entertainment – DisneyTM, which continually stresses the need to view the world through the eyes of a child. By playing from the same tees and using clubs that will travel the same distance as your child’s stroke, you will get to spend quality time during the round and create a realistic goal for your child of hitting shots further than you. I highly recommend practicing on a putting green or short game practice area that provide a great opportunity to teach proper posture, grip and alignment. One of my favorite activities is to form teams among family members and create competitions. The ultimate benefit is improvement in putting and short game which account for nearly 70% of the shots taken in a normal round of golf. Remember the goal is to have fun, be creative, and let your child create games that are fun through their eyes while instructive in the fundamentals through your eyes.

White Pines Golf Club

Bill Roper, Head PGA Professional

500 W. Jefferson, Bensenville 630-766-0304 www.WhitePinesGolf.com

Golf Tip: Chipping and Pitching

A key aspect to improve your short game is mastering a delicate touch for chipping and pitching. To enhance skills in this area, focus on visualization and control.

Before executing the shot, visualize the trajectory and landing spot desired. Picture the ball rolling smoothly toward the target. Maintain a light grip on the club to enhance feel and control over the shot.

When chipping, position the ball slightly back in your stance, lean your weight slightly forward, and use a short backswing with minimal wrist hinge. Focus on making crisp contact with the ball, allowing it to roll toward the target.

For pitching, position the ball slightly forward in your stance, maintain a relaxed grip, and engage a slightly longer backswing to generate loft. Maintain a smooth tempo and accelerate through impact, allowing the ball to land softly and stop quickly.

With consistent effort and application of visualization and control techniques, you can significantly enhance your short game.

Raging Waves Waterpark

Slide into summer at Illinois’ Largest Waterpark! Located in Yorkville, IL, Raging Waves is the perfect spot for the whole family to cool off and have fun! The park sprawls over 58 acres with 32 waterslides, a ¼ mile long lazy river, 350,000-gallon wave pool, sand area, leisure pool, 43 private cabanas, a total of 11 dining options, and more. To purchase tickets, visit: tickets.ragingwaves.com and choose from a variety of options!

Centennial Beach NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT

Jump into summer as you swim in Centen nial Beach’s historic stone quarry. It’s not a swimming pool, it’s not a lake, but rather it’s a swimming experience like no other! Wade into the zero-depth entry and swim to depths of 15 feet. For generations, Centennial Beach has been the local “swimming hole” for many Naperville residents and their guests. It’s a great place to meet friends, gather with fam ily, or simply relax and enjoy! 500 W. Jackson Avenue, Naperville. www.centennialbeach.org

[See our ad on the Inside Front Cover.]

Otter Cove ST. CHARLES PARK DISTRICT

Themed around a river otter and his friends, Otter Cove offers water fun for everyone! Featuring a zero-depth entry activity pool, a shallow pool for toddlers, a splash park with water wheels, dumping buckets and spray cannons, a sand/water play area, and rides that twist, turn, and twirl through water that shoots, sprays, and spins. Exciting activities are sure to appeal to every water enthusiast, from the most energetic cannon baller to the most laid-back floater. www.ottercove.org

Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad

BENSENVILLE PARK DISTRICT

Dive into summer at the Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad! Season passes are on sale now at the Bensenville Park District, 1000 W. Wood Street, Bensenville. Swim lessons for children of all ages and skill levels are also available through the park district. The water fun begins Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, and continues through Sunday, August 13. Open noon-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and noon-5 p.m. on holidays. www.BvilleParks.org/WaterPark.

Santa Springs

Cool off at Santa Springs on one of our 3-story, 300 footlong water slides. Splash around Lighthouse Harbor, a 2-story interactive water play structure, featuring slides and tipping buckets within a zero-depth entry to a 10,000 square-foot, 8 inch-deep wading pool. While the kids play, parents can sit back and relax in surrounding lounge chairs or cabanas available for rental. Santa Springs is located inside Santa’s Village Amusement & Water Park in East Dundee. For more information on ticket deals, Birthday Parties, and more, visit: SantasVillageDundee.com. [See our ad on Page 5.]

Family Aquatic Center

WHEELING PARK DISTRICT

Beat the heat this summer at the Family Aquatic Center. Located at 105 Community Boulevard, Wheeling, IL, this aquatic center has a variety of fun activities for people of all ages, including water slides, a zero-depth main pool with lap lanes, diving boards, water basketball, an aquatic activity pad, a toddler slide with a play area, and a sand area with volleyball courts. The facility also contains a concession stand with a picnic area, and sun loungers surrounding the pool.

For a complete listing of membership passes, special events, and activities at the Family Aquatic Center, visit www.wheelingparkdistrict.com/family-aquatic-center

Birthday parties can be fun to plan for toddlers, but most parents are fresh out of ideas by the tween and teen years.

Here are a few ideas that might just bring a smile to your teen-ager’s face:

- Great music can be the perfect party theme. Crank up some tunes in the backyard, set out snacks and let the merriment ensue. Chances are, dancing will break out spontaneously with a lot of fun and laughter mixed in.

- Looking for a truly unexpected way to start off a day full of birthday festivities? Picture a small group “kidnapping” the guest of honor in the wee hours of the morning, and then taking the teen out for a celebratory breakfast. It’s important to let parents in on the plan early.

- Most kids have had their share of traditional slumber parties by the time they’ve hit their teens. How about an overnight campout in the backyard? Fire up the grill, play some music and let the kids just hang out.

- Have a local band take over the family garage for the evening. Once you warn the neighbors, you’ll just need some great party food and a few black lights to set the mood. If a band isn’t in the budget, ask one of the teens to volunteer as DJ for the night or have everyone share some tunes from their smartphones.

- If the birthday girl is a fashionista who loves makeup and fashion, why not combine the two. Have a makeover party that ends with a clothing or jewelry swap. All of the girls will leave with a bag of fashionable goodies and a brand new style.

- Have a few friends dress up in their favorite formal attire, and then get swept away to dinner in a limousine. It will make for a memorable evening. So, be sure to stop at a few fun spots for pictures.

- Lots of entertainment businesses cater to birthday parties for this age group. Take a group, big or small, to black light bowling, laser tag or trampoline centers for a fun evening. Many offer a private party room where kids can hang out and enjoy that all-important birthday cake.

Always be open to ideas. Some kids might want something silly, like a shaving cream fight. Others might want to play a game of touch football or hang out at the local coffee shop. So, planning the perfect birthday party might be as simple as asking them for ideas. After all, most teen-agers just want to have fun.

Source eLivingToday.com

Elk Grove Park District

Create your most memorable party at the Elk Grove Park District. . We provide the space, so you can add your special touches. Event spaces include tables, chairs and a party host. We offer unique spaces including Pirate Ships, Carousels, Indoor and Outdoor Pools, Casual Party Rooms, Elegant Halls, an Outdoor Patio and Gazebo. All venues have ample free parking. We are conveniently located minutes from I-90 and I-290. Visit www.elkgroveparks.org to view our venue spaces available for 10-200 guests. Call one of our Party Consultants to start planning today at 847-437-9494.

Rock ‘n’ Kids

Summertime Fun! Rock ‘n’ Kids provides music, movement and imagination classes for 1-5 years at park districts in Chicagoland! Tot Rock and Kid Rock are interactive and educational, with each class including songs and rhymes, basic dance steps and movements, fine and gross motor skills, rhythm instruments and movement props, imaginative play, socialization and fun! We are also available for mobile music and dance parties! We have been singing, dancing, and playing for over 28 years! Get more information at www.rockitkids.com.

Sonny Acres Farm

Sonny Acres Farm offers endless possibilities to make your next event unforgettable, boasting 22 acres of space, making it the perfect option for just about any occasion. From breathtaking weddings set amidst one of our scenic backdrops to large scale corporate events, family reunions, kids birthday parties and more, the customization options are flexible and pair perfectly with any occasion. Treat your guests to our seasonal offerings including access to amusement rides, petting zoo, hayrides and much more. Visit www.sonnyacres.com [See our ad on the Back Cover.]

Astro Fun World

Astro Fun World is the most amazing time you’ll have in the galaxy! Offers indoor glow in the dark fun filled entertainment for all ages from kids to adults. Featuring Go Karts, VR Rides, Ropes Course, Zip Line, Kids Play Zone, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Climbing Walls, Mini Golf, Laser Maze and Arcade Games. Planning your next party? You can rent out of this World private party rooms! All the info is at www.AstroFunWorld.com. (See our ad on page 17.)

By Cheryl Maguire

Schedule a Check-Up or Well Visit

If your child has not already had their yearly check-up it is important to schedule one so that they can remain healthy throughout the school year. During this visit you and your child can also discuss any mental health concerns.

Dr. Damon Korb, a developmental behavioral pediatrician in Los Gatos, CA, and author of Raising an Organized Child, says “Think of going back to school, the same way that you would have any year but with perhaps more importance. We do not want to miss a potential problem to avoid another. Children should get all of their normal well childcare visits and immunizations.”

Immunizations and Flu Shots

Dr. Korb recommends referring to the immunization schedule recommended by the CDC to make sure your child is up to date.

Sumana Reddy M.D. at Acacia Family Medical Group in Salinas, CA says that everyone should make sure that they get a yearly flu shot. Flu shots are normally available starting in September.

“Last year 500 children died of the flu. It’s very important to get your flu shot,” says Dr. Sumana.

Dr. Korb agrees by saying, “This year, the flu shot is even more important. We want to reduce the common cold, because when noses start running, we all touch our face.”

Dr. Sumana explains that most doctors are concerned about people being infected with the combination of covid and the flu virus that will be circulating this fall. “The more families that get the flu vaccine the better it will be for everyone,” she says.

Unlike most vaccines, you need to get the flu shot yearly for it to be effective since the strain of flu often changes.

If you don’t have insurance vaccines will be provided for free by doctors due to the federally funded program Vaccines For Children. The program provides vaccines to children who might not be vaccinated because of an inability to pay. The vaccines are available at private physicians’ offices and public health clinics registered as VFC providers.

And if you do have insurance there should not be a co-pay for receiving the vaccine.

“The Affordable Care Act requires private insurance companies to pay in full for vaccines recommended by the CDC,” says Dr. Sumana.

Dr. Sumana explains that there might be some insurance companies that are exempt and that you should check with your insurance company about coverage before getting your vaccine.

Eye Health

Children may be unaware of the fact their vision is not normal. This may lead to feeling frustrated about being unable to see the words in a book or in the classroom causing a child to act out.

The CDC recommends that children’s eyes should be checked regularly by an eye doctor or pediatrician. Amblyopia, or lazy eye is the most common cause of vision loss in children which can be treated if caught early between the ages of 3 to 5 years old.

The American Optometric Association estimates 80% of a child’s learning happens through observation. In the classroom, most of the teaching is done by displaying the information.

Oral Health

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child visit a dentist for an initial check-up by the time they turn one. According to the CDC tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic diseases for kids from age 6 to 19. Research studies found that children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who have good oral health.

Fluoride can prevent about one-third of cavities in baby teeth. If your town water does not contain fluoride, you can ask your pediatrician or dentist to prescribe fluoride which is typically taken in pill form once a day.