Tee Time on the Gulf Coast - Fall Issue 2016 by Joey Johnson

Tee Time Summer 2016

On the Gulf Coast

In This Issue: What You Should Know About Adjustable Clubs The Ultimate Bloody Mary Most-Read Golf Books Product Reviews Big Savings at Local Courses!! Local Events Calendar Practice Tips Course Map

Mississippi • Alabama • Florida

Play Your Favorite Local Courses

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At Out Of This World Prices!!! Visit Our Website & Save 50% or More!

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GLENLAKES Golf Club

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Tee Time On the Gulf Coast

Contents 6 • Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons Revisited 8 • Let’s Talk Putting! 11 • Review: PiviX Spikes by CHAMP 12 • Review: Snell My Tour Ball 14 • The Golfing Gourmet 16 • Course Map 22 • Review: CHAMP C8 Grips 24 • What Should I Know About Grips? 27 • Product Review: The Putting Stroke Teacher 30 • Professional Calendar 31 • Local Events Calendar

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Randy Burgan, CEO/Radio Host (251) 583-6188 rgburgan@yahoo.com Joey Johnson, Publisher (251) 379-0825 joeyjohnson@gulftel.com

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What You Should Know About Adjustable Clubs by Bobby Hall, PGA & Bill Howard

Today’s drivers are more specialized than ever. Retail shops have superlight sticks for golfers with moderate swing speeds, offset clubs for players who need help squaring the face, low-spin bombers for guys who generate serious spin, and many more. But in this age of specialization, the No. 1 question you face is: “Should I play an adjustable driver?”. There are several ways to increase distance off the tee. Players can use a club that allows them to swing faster, opt for one that reduces excessive spin or go with a driver that helps hit the ball straighter to prevent yards being lost to a slice or hook. With a few twists of a wrench, Average Joes are now able to adjust face angle, loft and lie angle without having to schedule an appointment with their local club fitter or having to buy a new club altogether. However, you should work with a trained PGA professional to get fitted whenever possible. Golfers can alter the club dynamics to suit their desired ball flight or to pick up a few additional yards of carry. Understanding the pros and cons of adjustable and nonadjustable drivers will help with your next purchase decision. “There are many advantages to adjustability/interchangeability,” says Chris McGinley, Titleist’s Vice President of Golf Club Marketing. “You can adjust loft, lie and weight, and try different shafts at a fitting, which produces a more precise fit. If so desired, the settings can be adjusted later to improve the fit or ball flight. Adjustable Club Settings So what do you do with all these adjustments and settings? Let’s look into the settings a little deeper. The manner/angle in which a driver head is positioned in a clubhead determines the specifications/measurement of loft, lie and face angle. It is important for the golfer to find the right adjustments that will result in the best shot results FOR THEIR SWING. Loft – The stated loft on the club (ie 9, 10, 10 ½, 12 etc) Lie – Upright, Standard, Flat Face Angle – Open, Square, Closed Different manufactures may have different names/symbols for their settings. Typically they will have a setting that corresponds to neutral (N)/standard (S) setting, a draw (D) setting, a plus (+) or minus (-) setting. Must manufacturers do not have a slice setting as 70 percent of the golfers already slice/fade the ball. I will use Callaway Opti-Fit settings in these examples as it is one of the most popular 6 • Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

manufacturers. Neutral Lie = N allows you to work the ball in both directions, Draw Upright Lie = D allows you to minimize a slice or to enhance a draw, Stated Loft = S this is the stated loft of the club ie (the loft stamped on the clubhead..10 ½ degree driver), -1 --subtracts 1 degree from Stated Loft, +1 or +2-Increases Stated loft by +1 or +2 degrees. To adjust a Callaway club, loosen the screw with the provided tool, set the loft of the driver first, then set the lie, align your settings with the white line and the stated loft that is stamped on the club head. Tighten the screw until you hear a click. So how do these shaft adjustments actually work? It’s all done by inserting the shaft at different angles into the head of the club. Loft Settings To get the effective loft altered on an adjustable driver you have to hold the face square to the ball. If you have your loft set to a -1 degree you are not actually changing your 10 ½ degree driver loft. A -1 degree loft setting opens your club face relative to the target by 1 degree. It is up to you to square the face to the ball so it effectively reduces or closes the club face. A +1 degree loft setting closes your club face relative to the target by 1 degree. Again, it is up to you to square the face to the ball so it effectively increases or opens the club face. Remember you can not change the stated loft that is built into your club. Lie Settings A Draw (D) setting increases the lie of the club by 1 degree which makes it more upright and encourages a draw. Upright clubs tend to start the ball left of your target. A Neutral (N) setting is the original standard lie of the club. A Slice (S) setting decreases the lie of the club which makes it more flat and encourages a fade. Flat clubs tend to start the ball right of the target. Face Angle TrackMan research has proven that face angle is responsible for 80-to-85 percent of the starting direction of a shot. So is face angle more important than loft or lie…you better believe it is. If your club face is closed at impact relative to your target line the ball will start left. If your club face is open at impact relative to your target line the ball will start right. Occasionally, the club face will be square at impact relative to the target line and the ball will go straight. Should I Play an Adjustable Club? If you need a specific face angle for accuracy improvement, an adjustable driver is not necessarily the answer. All adjustable drivers require the golfer to hold the face square to the target line to achieve the loft change from the adjustable sleeve. This will negate the (continued on page 22

Striving To Improve by Rea Schuessler, PGA Professional

I have always been fascinated by what separates the achievers at every level of this game or any sport or chosen profession. Let’s face it in any area whether it is sports or any other occupation some happen to have a knack for it or simply learn faster than others. I see this every day helping golfers of all ages and skill levels trying to get better. As I see it my #1 priority is to give every student an honest assessment and roadmap. Part of my coaching philosophy is to help everyone better understand how important a strong mental approach is. Golf has many components to work on and improve other than swing tips. I would like to share in this article traits that Dr. Deborah Graham has researched. Dr. Graham is a licensed counseling psychologist specializing in golf performance. Her clients have included over 380 players on the PGA, LPGA and Champions tours throughout her career. Below are eight character traits that multiple tour winners have in common. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Able to narrowly focus when needed. Able to abstract think and adopt to changing situations. Emotional stability. A tendency toward dominance. Tough - minded. More self - assured. Able to be self- sufficient on the course. Able to regulate tension levels.

Obviously these 8 traits did not develop overnight, but hopefully this will give you a small insight into one part of striving to improve! In my opinion one key to improving in anything is to be open minded and seek better ways. You must ask “why” you are not getting to that next level in your game. Why am I missing shots or why do I not perform better under pressure? If you are able to hit decent shots on the range or casual round with your friends but not in competition try developing a tougher mindset and you might surprise yourself!

Enjoy The Challenge! Rea Schuessler is the Lead Instructor of the Gulf Shores Golf Academy. He has been named “One of the Top Teachers in Alabama” by Golf Digest. Rea can be contacted at (251) 978-1625 or rea@honoursgolf.com. 8 • Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

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The Golfing Gourmet T h e U l t i m a t e B l o ody Mary

by Danny Spybey, Excutive Chef & General Manager Stewart Lodges at Steelwood Football, Football, Football!!! Oh yes, this a golf Magazine. Hello once again all my Golfing Foodies. Well, there is one thing I know about all my golfing buddies. That is they love them some football. My recipe this issue is a little off the food reservation and a little more on the “Let’s get Game Day Started right” truck. Now I have to be honest, I do not imbibe in alcoholic beverages, but that does not stop me from making extremely delicious mixers. My favorite mixer of all time is the classic “Bloody Mary Mix”. But being a Foodie I tend to take things the extra distance and this recipe (and Garnishes) will give you new and bold ideas. So let’s shake out those Saturday morning cobwebs and get the Pitcher ready and jump in with both feet to WOW your football guests with this classic cocktail. For your Mix - 32oz pitcher 14 oz. Tomato Puree 10 oz. Cold Water 4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice 3 -Big Dashes Worcestershire Sauce 4 - Tablespoons of FRESHLY grated Horseradish 6 - Dashes of Tabasco 6 - Pinches of Celery Salt 6- Grinds of Fresh Black Pepper Add all Ingredients in Large Pitcher and mix well! Fill Large Glass half way with crushed Ice, Mary Mix and 2 ounces of your favorite Vodka (optional) – Garnish with black Sea Salt Garnish with the following: Crispy Bacon (Cooked) Celery Stick Spicy Pickled Green Beans, Mini Dill Pickles, Lemon Wedge Cooked Crab Leg Boiled Shrimp Sweet Peppers, Cherry Tomato Beef Stick

Review: Vice Pro/Pro Plus Golf Balls by: Joey Johnson

Vice Golf makes premium golf balls and uses a direct to consumer distribution method. Orders are placed on the company’s website (www.vicegolf.com) and the balls are shipped directly to the consumer’s door. The direct to customer method allows Vice Golf to sell their premium golf balls for less than their better known competitor brands. But, how good are the balls? Numerous independent testing results show that the Vice Pro and Pro Plus balls play just as good as there better-known (and higher-priced competition). In fact, the results were so impressive that I just had to give the balls a try myself. I’ll share my thoughts a little later, but first here’s a little more information about the company. Vice Golf was founded in 2012 in Germany and started selling golf balls there before expanded into other parts of Europe. Sales and customer feedback were strong enough that the company entered the US market in 2015. The marketing efforts are mostly online, although they have run print ads in national publications. The marketing cam-

12 • Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

paigns focus not just on golfers who are looking for less expensive golf balls, but on golfers who are looking for something a little different. There is a lot that is different about Vice Golf, from the name itself, to the script logo, to the packaging. The “Embrace Your Vice” tagline says this is not your grandfather’s golf ball. Ultimately, though, what golfers care about the most is performance. So, how does the Vice Golf line of balls stack up against the competition? Vice offers two premium models, the Vice Pro and Pro Plus. The Pro is a 3 piece ball with a cast urethane cover and 318 dimples. The Vice Pro is designed to challenge the Titleist Pro V1. The player profile is described by the com(continued on page 20)

• Daily Tee Times • 18- Hole Championship Course • Full Service Grill / Snack Bar • Driving Range / Practice Facility • PGA Staff on site • Full Service Pro-Shop • Club Fitting – Grips – Club Repair

Quail Creek Golf Course Highway 181 Fairhope, Alabama

2q 5u a1i l c-r e9e 9k g0c @-a0o l2. c4o m0

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• Local Golf News & Events • Professional Golf Tours • Great Guests Each Week • Instructional Tips • Two Hours of Great Golf Talk! Listen Live Every Sunday From 11 AM Unitl 1 PM on FM Talk 106.5

www.teetimeonthegulfcoast.com Tee Time on the Gulf Coast • 15

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Mississippi Courses Holes

15 Timberton 16 Shadow Ridge 17 Canebrake

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9 Dogwood Hills 10 Fallen Oak 11 Gulf Hills 12 The Preserve 13 Shell Landing (228) 497-LOVE www.shelllanding.com 14 Hickory Hills (228) 497-2372 www.hickoryhillcc.com

1 Diamondhead 2 The Bridges 3 The Oaks 4 Pass Christian Isles 5 Windance 6 Grand Bear 7 Great Southern 8 Sunkist Country Club (228) 388-3961 www.sunkistcc.com

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Club Rental

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Alabama Courses Holes

1 Magnolia Grove 2 Azalea City 3 Spring Hill College (251) 380-4655 www.springhillgolfcourse.com

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4 Holly Hills (251) 580-2553 www.cityofbayminette.com 5 TimberCreek (251) 621-9900 www.golftimbercreek.com 6 Lake Forest (251) 626-9324 www.lakeforestpoa.org

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7 Rock Creek 8 Quail Creek (251) 990-0240 www.cofairhope.com 9 Grand Hotel 10 Kiva Dunes (888) 833-2482 www.kivadunes.com 11 Peninsula 12 Gulf Shores Golf Club 13 Magnolia Springs Par 3 14 Orange Beach Par 3 15 Glenlakes (251) 955-1220 www.glenlakesgolf.com 16 Soldiers Creek 17 Brewton Country Club

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Florida Courses 1 Lost Key 2 Perdido Bay 3 Osceola 4 AC Read 5 Marcus Pointe 6 Scenic Hills 7 Stonebrook 8 Tanglewood 9 Tiger Point 10 Hidden Creek 11 Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club 12 Foxwood 13 Blackstone 14 Eglin 15 Bluewater Bay 16 Indian Bayou 17 Kelly Plantation 18 Regatta Bay 19 Emerald Bay 20 Seascape 21 Sandestin 22 Santa Rosa 23 Camp Creek

Randy Burgan

Holes

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Danny Spybey

Tee Time on the Gulf Coast Radio Show Sundays 11am-1pm on FM Talk 106.5 www.teetimeonthegulfcoast.com

Must Read Golf Books Instructional Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf (Ben Hogan - 1957) A timeless classic with nearly one million copies in print, Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons outlines the building blocks of winning golf from one of the all-time masters of the sport—fully illustrated with drawings and diagrams to improve your game instantly. Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime in Golf (Harvey Penick with Bud Shrake - 1992) The best-selling golf instruction book of all time. The beloved Penick’s Little Red Book has become required reading for all players - from beginners to professionals. Golf My Way (Jack Nicklaus with Ken Bowden - 1974, Updated in 2005) An A-to-Z roadmap of how golf’s greatest champion plays the game. More than 2 million copies sold worldwide. Mental Game Golf is Not a Game of Perfect (Dr. Bob Rotella, 1995) Dr. Rotella creates an attitude and a mindset about all aspects of the game, from mental preparation to competition. Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game (Dr. Joseph Parent, 2002) Learn to clear your mind and focus on the shot at hand. Zen Golf helps eliminate the mental distractions that routinely cause poor shots and loss of concentration, allowing golfers to feel in “the zone” that professionals have learned to master. Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game (Dr. Gio Valiante with Mike Stachura, 2005) A detailed plan for conquering the fear that sabotages swings and ruins psyches, from the pioneering psychologist whose techniques have benefited Davis Love III, Justin Leonard, and numerous other world-class golfers.

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pany as “advanced players with moderate to high clubhead speeds and with demand for great feel and distance control during the short game”. The Pro Plus is a 4 piece ball with a cast urethane cover and 336 dimples. The company compares the Pro Plus to the Titleist Pro V1x. The player profile for the Pro Plus is “golfers with moderate to high clubhead speeds who want great feel and distance control around the greens as well as exceptional distance off the tee”. Both balls definitely live up to the performance claims. Compared to the Pro V1/Pro V1x the Vice Pro and Pro Plus more than hold their own at about half the price. Off the driver, both balls perform very well and very similarly to their more expensive competition. Of the two, the Pro flies slightly higher than the Pro Plus. We noticed very little difference in carry distance, but the Pro Plus does roll out just a little more. Spin on iron and wedge shots is exceptional. Once again, the Pro flies slightly higher and lands with a steep decent making it stop on the green just slightly quicker than the Pro Plus. Feel on chips and putts is very nice. Overall, the feel of the Pro seems very similar to the Pro V1, while the Pro Plus feel falls somewhere between the Pro V1x and the Bridgestone 330. The Pro is available in white, Neon (yellow), Flamingo (hot pink) and Shooter (revolver logo). The Pro Plus is available in white only. Both the Pro and Pro Plus have extra-long “Keep in Line” (KIL) putting aid lines to assist with putting 20 • Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

alignment. If you’re going to give the Vice Golf balls a try (and we recommend that you do), choosing which ball to try really comes down to personal preference. I found the Pro Plus to be just a bit more “lively” off the driver and long to medium irons. Both the Vice Pro and Pro Plus are available for just $34.95 per dozen. Buy three dozen and the price drops to $29.95, while a purchase of five dozen or more will lower the price to just $24.95 per dozen. Shipping is a flat $6.95 within the United States. Personalization is also available with no minimums. You can add your name, logo, picture, or custom message to your Vice balls starting at just $13.90 per dozen with no setup fees. Vice also offers gloves, hats, headcovers, umbrellas, and towels. If you’re interested in playing a premium golf ball for a less-than-premium price, definitely give Vice Golf’s Pro or Pro Plus a try. Delivery is normally made within 5 days of your order. For more information about Vice Golf, visit their website: www.vicegolf.com.

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needed face angle change that you may have made. So, if you need a specific loft and a specific face angle (other than standard) you should order a custom club made to your specifications. Many golfers slice the golf ball, and a slightly closed clubface can help counteract the spin that produces slices. So game improvement clubs are often manufactured with a 1-degree or 2-degree closed face angle. Of course you can close or open your clubface at address to achieve the desired face angle. Today’s larger driver heads, due to their size and center of gravity location, will tend to be more difficult to return to impact in a square position. The face angle of these larger drivers is typically designed to be at least 1 degree closed. In effect, the closed face angles help larger headed drivers reach impact in a square position. It is important to realize this relationship between volume and face angle when choosing a driver head. Often a driver head that on first observation seems to look “closed”, will perform very well when it is hit. Ball flight should be the determining factor when it comes to face angle, not how the club looks at address. Center of Gravity (CG or CoG) is the point at which all of the weight of an object appears to be concentrated. An object can be balanced on a small flat point placed directly beneath its center of gravity. That may sound complicated, but it really comes down to balance. Ever balanced anything on the tip of your finger like a ball point pen? The physical point at which an object is perfectly balanced...where it doesn’t tip over one way or another and crash to the floor, that’s its center of gravity. As you might expect given its label, the center of gravity is always located very near the center of the clubhead. The CG of every driver is located within a box that’s 14mm front to back and 12mm top to bottom. To put that into perspective, we’re talking about a box just a little bigger than your average Micro SD Card. It’s that small. Small CG movements within our little box can have a significant impact on performance. Some of these performance factors are: Dynamic Loft is the actual loft delivered to the ball at impact. At equivalent measured lofts, a driver with a back CG will produce more dynamic loft, and therefore launch higher than a driver with a forward CG placement. More loft produces more spin. Closure Rate or Dynamic Closure Rate is the rate at which the clubhead closes during the downswing. The more forward the CG the slower the closure rate. Clubs with slower closure rates are generally described as being more workable. Back CG designs with faster closure rates are more forgiving, and can help to mitigate a slice. MOI (moment of inertia) is often defined as the clubhead’s resistance to twisting. While technically accurate, that leads some to believe MOI plays a greater role in accuracy than it actually does. In perhaps simpler terms, MOI is a protector of ballspeed. The higher the clubhead MOI the more ballspeed is preserved on balls struck somewhere other than on the sweet spot. 22 • Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

Affects of Moving the Weights in your Drvier: CG Forward Dynamic Loft: decreases Spin: decreases Closure Rate: decreases MOI: decreases CG Up Dynamic Loft: decreases Spin: increases CG Back Dynamic Loft: increases Spin: increases Closure Rate: increases MOI: increases CG Down Dynamic Loft: Increases Spin: Decreases Perimeter Weighting Some manufacturers include a weight in the sole that can influence the center of gravity. A track holds the sliding weight, and it allows you to precisely place the weight in any position around the perimeter of the club to influence your shot shape. Weight on the perimeter of the club adds stability and you can easily slide the weight to a position that gives you more dispersion control (high or low ball flight along with left or right ball flight). When you reduce dispersion, you can control your ball flight better (think fewer hooks and slices), and hit your drives on the right line so they go father. And with the sliding weight, you have virtually unlimited draw and fade bias options and more additional draw bias than ever before, all without sacrificing forgiveness. Place the weight more toward (or at) the heel end of the track to promote more of a draw, or to help reduce a slice. Place the weight more toward (or at) the toe end of the track to promote more of a fade, or to help reduce a hook. While we can’t put hard numbers to feel the way we can performance, we can make some generalizations about how center of gravity affects feel. On a comparative basis: · Drivers with forward CG locations often feel heavier than those with rear CG placements · A forward CG location will cause the shaft to feel stiffer. · Because of the effect on closure rate, forward CG drivers may be harder to square, and some golfers will find it difficult to control the club during swing Hopefully, this will help your understanding of adjustable clubs. Tee Time on the Gulf Coast • 23

Product Review: Mission Belt Co. by Joey Johnson

The Mission Belt Company offers a wide variety of leather belts and buckles. The leather straps come in 35mm and 40mm widths and a wide variety of colors. Nylon options are also available. The leather straps are of a very high quality and there are a vast selection of metals and finishes from which to choose. The most unique feature of Mission Belts is the patented ratchet system which provides the “perfect fit” at all times. The ratcheting system allows the wearer to adjust every 1/4” unlike traditional belts that have holes every 1”. If you gain or lose a few pounds, the Mission Belt still fits....and there are no ugly stretched out holes to announce your fluctuations. The unique ratcheting system also allows you to mix and match your straps and buckles. There is a seemingly endless combination of choices, from traditional to more daring. There are also NCAA, NBA, and NHL team options available. I tested the chocolate brown strap with the steel buckle. This is a very traditional option. As advertised, the belt strap is very high quality and the ratcheting system is easy to use and really does provide a perfect fit. My Mission Belt immediately became my favorite belt the first time I wore it. You can purchase a strap/buckle combination or buy straps and/or buckles individually. The name of the company is derived from its philanthropic efforts. Here is an explanation from the company’s website: When you buy a Mission Belt you become a part of a great philanthropic effort - or as we like to call it, THE MISSION. Here at MISSION BELT, we don’t just want you to look good - we want you to feel good too. That’s why a dollar from every belt goes to fight hunger and poverty worldwide through micro-lending. Micro-loans range from $25-$500 dollars per loan. Small loans make HUGE differences. There are millions of industrious, motivated people striving for a better life, and sometimes the only thing holding them back is a little capital to get started. It’s a hand up, not a hand out. Mission Belt Company was featured on ABC’s popular Shark Tank in 2013. Both the product and the company story were big hits! I’m certainly a fan of the Mission Belt Company and will be adding more belts and buckles to my wardrobe very soon. For more information, or to order your Mission Belt, visit www.missionbelt.com.

24 • Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

TimberCreek Welcomes New Superintendent Toby Thornton by Joey Johnson

TimberCreek Golf Club has recently welcomed new Head Superintendent Toby Thornton to the team. Thornton has a wealth of knowledge in agronomy and more than a decade of hands-on experience at upscale golf facilities. He joined the TimberCreek staff on March 1st after previously holding the same position at Shell Landing Golf Club in Gautier, MS. Originally from Carthage, MS, Thornton attended Mississippi State University majoring in Agronomy with a concentration on Golf & Sports Turf Management. While at MSU, he began to develop more interest in playing golf after mostly focusing on football, baseball and track in high school. Thornton’s very impressive resume and reputation in the industry got the attention of Owner/General Manager/ PGA Professional Rob Bradley right away. Thornton has held head superintendent positions at several upscale public facilities as well as leadership positions in turfgrass organizations. He is the current President of the Louisiana-Mississippi Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Past President of the Mississippi Turf Grass Association. He was very instrumental in creating and organizing the Deep South Turf Expo. The second annual event will be held this October in Biloxi and will bring together superintendents from throughout the southeast. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in educational seminars, view new turfgrass products, and network with peers. In just a short time at TimberCreek, Thornton has made quite an impression on Bradley. “It’s the best the property has looked in the six years that I’ve owned it,” he said. With the addition of Thornton, Bradley has never felt better about his leadership team which also consists of PGA Director of Golf Andy Ray. “The three of us work very well together and are assets to each other”, Bradley said. He added that the addition of Thornton, “Has been like a breath of fresh air.” Thornton is just as pleased. “Rob has given me all the tools needed to get the course where it needs to be,” he said. “Andy does a great job of setting the tee sheet so that we can be efficient and have minimized down time. He’s been great to work with.” New state of the art greens mowers are in the process of being acquired. They are equipped with grooming brushes that stand the grass up and allow it to be cutting shorter and cleaner without “scalping” the greens. “We want our golfers to play the best round they’ve ever played. They’ll remember that round and want be excited about coming back to play TimberCreek,” Thornton added. Bradley is particularly impressed with his new superintendents’ attention to detail. “He’s widened and reshaped several fairways and par 3 tee boxes which has helped both aesthetically and from a playability standpoint,” Bradley said. “Toby has the ability to recognize what the intent of the design was on a hole and work with that to make each hole play the way it’s supposed to.” Suffice it to say, good things are happening at TimberCreek. It’s been one of the premier courses to play in the Gulf Coast area since opening in 1993. That’s never been truer than right now. For more information about TimberCreek Golf Club, visit www.golftimbercreek.com. Call (251) 621-990 to schedule a tee time.

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Product Review: LoudMouth

You’re almost certainly familiar with the LoudMouth company by now. If nothing else, you’ve seen them John Daly sporting the “LOUD” apparel on the Champions Tour. Sure, they work for Daly, but how about for the “Average Joe”. Recently, this Average Joe gave a pair of LoudMouth short a try. First of all, nothing LoudMouth produces is for the faint of heart. The company is mostly known for their pants and shorts - and they are all “LOUD”. LoudMouth sent a pair of the Woodworth Collection Shagadelic shorts (pictured below left) for me to test. The Woodworth Collection is LoudMouth’s line of performance golf wear. The company describes the line as “high-quality fabric and innovative sportswear technologies to bring you a collection of apparel that features a modern fit that is comfortable and breathable for the stylish (bodacious) golfer”. Features include an adjustable waistband offering 1-2” of stretching as well as an anti-slip gripper in the waistband to help keep your shirt tucked in. Additional features includes a very nice lining and a premium quality zipper. The shorts aren’t just eye-popping, they’re also very well made. If you’re ready to step out of the “khaki zone” and liven up your golfing wardrobe a bit, I would definitely recommend a pair of short or pants from LoudMouth. Visit their website - loudmouthgolf.com - to view the entire product line and place your order!

Tee Time on the Gulf Coast • 27

Product Review: LostGolfBalls.com by Joey Johnson

LostGolfBalls.com offers quality used and recycled golf balls to golfers who are looking to save a little money. The company recovers, processes, and sells over 50,000,000 golf balls each year to golfers worldwide! LostGolfBalls.com uses a strict grading systems on all of their balls. The company offers both Factory Refinished and Recycled balls. So, what’s the difference? Factory Refinished balls are reconditioned using a process desinged to improve the appearance and performance of the ball. By law, all refinished balls are stamped as “Refinished” or “Refurbished”. Recycled balls are simply cleaned, processed, and shipped to the customer. LostGolfBalls.com offers three categories of recycled balls....AAAAA, AAAA, and AAA. AAAAA (1st Quality) - The appearance and feel of this golf ball is similar to a new golf ball. This golf ball will show no or very little wear. Player pen markings and logos of all shapes and sizes can be present. AAAA (2nd Quality) - The condition of this golf ball will be similar to a ball that has been played for a few holes. Slight cosmetic blemishes, discoloration and loss of luster are possible, but will not affect the integrity and performance of the ball. Player pen markings and logos of all shapes and sizes can be present. AAA (3rd Quality) - These used golf balls will be free of cuts, but may have slight scuffs, blemishes, minor discoloration and smudged print. Higher-grade x-outs and practice models may be included. Player pen markings and logos of all shapes and sizes can be present. LostGolfBalls.com sent us a dozen AAAAA Pro V1x golf balls to test. Upon inspection, the balls looked just like new. More impressively, they played that way! I noticed no difference in the performance of the balls. The AAAAA 2016 Titleist Pro V1X that we tested sell for $19.99 per dozen. The Factory Refinished Titleist Pro V1x also sells for $19.99 per dozen. AAAA and AAA sell for just $12.99 and $11.99, respectively. Most AAAAA rated balls sell for half-price or less of the normal price. The Callaway Super Soft, for example, sells for just $9.99 per dozen. If you’re interested in saving a little money and still playing a high quality golf ball, I’d recommend giving LostGolfBalls.com a try! Visit their website, www.lostgolfballs.com, for mor information.

28 • Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

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Historical The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever (Mark Frost, 2009) Four decades after Eddie Lowery found fame as Francis Ouimet’s 10-year-old caddie, Eddie Lowery is now a wealthy car dealer and supporter of amateur golf. Lowery bets millionaire George Coleman that two of his employees (Ken Venturi and Harvey Ward can’t be beaten in a best-ball match. Lowery challenges Coleman to have any two golfers of his choice show up at Cypress Point the next morning at 10:00 AM. Coleman accepts and shows up the next morning with none other than Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. The rest, as they say, is history. A most read! The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf (Mark Frost, 2004) The amazing story of the 1913 US Open and the men who participated in the epic battle at Brookline. The contest transformed the game of golf in the United States. Golf’s version of the real-life “Rocky”. Caddy For Life: The Bruce Edwards Story (John Feinstein, 2004) A dramatic and thoughtful book about Bruce Edwards, longtime caddy of Tom Watson. Edwards was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2003. In the book, Feinstein and Edwards take a look into the world of golf and its many personalities. Fiction Golf in the Kingdom (Michael Murphy, 1972) This class explores the mystical side of golf as a young man en route to India stops to be legendary “Burningbush Golf Club”. He is paired with mysterious teacher Shivas Irons. The round and the happenings afterward transform his life. Missing Links (Rick Reilly, 1996) Four golf-obsessed buddies who have a regular game at Ponkaquoque Municipal Golf Course and Deli (AKA Ponky - AKA America’s worst course) make a bet for $1,000 each. The first one to score a round at the adjacent and very exclusive Mayflower Country Club takes the pot. Dead Solid Perfect (Dan Jenkins, 1971) The legendary golf novel follows Kenny Lee Puckett on his wild ride on the PGA Tour. Tee Time on the Gulf Coast • 29

Professional Tour Schedule PGA Tour

www.pgatour.com

SEP 22 - 25 SEP 30 - OCT 2 OCT 13 - 16 OCT 20 - 23 OCT 27 - 30 OCT 27 - 30 NOV 3 - 6 NOV 10 - 13 NOV 17 - 20 NOV 24 - 27

TOUR Champoinship, East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA Ryder Cup, Hazeltine National GC, Chaska, MN Safeway Open, Silverado CC (North), Napa, CA CIMB Classic, TPC Kuala Lumpur G&CC, Kuala Lumpur, MAS Sanderson Farms Championship, CC of Jackson, Jackson, MS WGC-HSBC Champions, Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, CHN Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV OHL Classic at Mayakoba, El Camaleon GC, Playa del Carmen, Mex The RSM Classic, Sea Island Resort (Seaside), Sea Island, GA World Cup of Golf, Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne, AUS

Champions Tour SEP 16 - 18 SEP 23 - 25 OCT 7 - 9 OCT 14 - 16 OCT 28 - 30 NOV 4 - 6 NOV 11 - 13

www.pgatour.com/champions Nature Valley First Tee Open, Pebble Beach Golf Links, CA Pacific Links Championship, Bear Mountain Resort, Victoria, BC Toshiba Classic, Newport Beach CC, Newport Beach, CA SAS Championship, Prestonwood CC, Cary, NC PowerShares QQQ Championship, Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, CA Dominion Charity Classic, The Country Club of Virginia, Richmond, VA Charles Schwab Cup, Desert Mountain Club, Scottsdale, AZ

LPGA Tour SEP 15-18 SEP 29 - Oct 2 OCT 6-9 OCT 13-16 OCT 20-23 OCT 27-30 NOV 4-6 NOV 10-13 NOV 17-20

www.lpga.com The Evian Championship, Evian-les-Bains, France Reignwood LPGA Classic, Nankou, Beijing, China Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship, Taipei, Taiwan LPGA KEB HANA BANK CHAMPIONSHIP, Incheon, South Korea Blue Bay LPGA, Hainan Island, China Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia TOTO JAPAN CLASSIC, Ibaraki, Japan Lorena Ochoa Invitational, Mexico City, Mexico CME Group Tour Championship, Naples, FL

30 â&#x20AC;¢ Tee Time on the Gulf Coast

Local Events Calendar Sep 12 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, Lakewood GC - Dogwood, Point Clear, AL Sep 19 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, Pensacola CC, Pensacola, FL Oct 10 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, RTJ @ Magnolia Grove - Falls, Mobile, AL Oct 17 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, Perdido Bay GC, Pensacola, FL Oct 31 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, Gulf Shores GC, Gulf Shores, AL Nov 7 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, Bay Point Resort - Nicklaus, Panama City Bch, FL Nov 11 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, Kiva Dunes GC, Gulf Shores, AL Nov 18 - PGA Dixie Section Pro-Member, Cotton Creek GC, Gulf Shores, AL The MGA “Bullpen” every Wednesday at 4:00 (9 holes) and every Saturday at 8:00 Quail Creek Golf Course, Fairhope, AL (Wednesday Time is 3:00 starting 11/16) T.A.G. - Thursdays Afternoon at GlenLakes - 4:30 every Thursday. $5.00 for prizes, $10.00 for cart fee. Sign up by noon on the day of the event.

Want to include an upcoming event on our calendar? Send us the details: teetimeonthegulfcoast@gmail.com

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