The Back Nine of Wilmington, NC

O F WILMING TO N

ETIQUETTE FOR ROOKIES ♦ 2017 PGA TOUR LOCAL BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

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4699 North Federal Highway, Suite 203, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 01

table of contents

04

natural landscapes

06

tips for female golfers

08

2017 PGA tour schedule

10

golf instructions 101

12

2017 LPGA tour schedule

14

wells FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP

16

IMPROVE YOUR SHORT GAME

18

golf INSTRUCTION ONLINE

32 34 36 38

HOW MEMORIES AFFECT YOUR GOLF GAME

26

CLOSE YOUR EYES TO MAKE MORE PUTTS

28

THE MOST POPULAR GOLF BRANDS

30

CALCULATING YOUR HANDICAP

GADGETS IN GOLF be a golf mentor are you swinging your club too hard?

40

singapore is a golfer’s delight

42

golf is for more than just fun

golf in 44 play your living room the right 46 buyinggrips golf to enjoy 48 how golf more

20 ETIQUETTE FOR ROOKIES 50 BECAUSE WE DON’T 22 ALWAYS HIT 52

PERFECT SHOTS 24

HOW FAR IS “AVERAGE”?

the perfect backswing the right golf training

54 T.A. Woods Company 56 driving off the deck 58 crossword puzzle

59 golf score cards & 60 local business service directory

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 02

B ABS M C D ANCE

S O C I A L D A N CE C LUB

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Babs McCullen-Welker

Dan Chop

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Dance Instructor

Dance Instructor

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Swing • Salsa • Foxtrot • Cha Cha • Waltz • Shag • Hustle • Tango • Fitness • Lindy Hop • Night Club 2 Step • Rhumba • Line Dancing • Wedding Dance Preparation • Ballroom • Country • Latin • Top 40

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natural landscapes

A

s an only child my parents wanted me to have the advantage of growing up in an environment mindful of nature. My dad was a New York State Trooper but a true farmer at heart. He passed on to me his love for animals and his appreciation for nature and all its flora and fauna. I grew up on an Apple Farm in Upstate New York. It’s there that I really developed a passion for plants, both edible and ornamental.

After graduating from UNCW with a degree in Biology I went back to School at Cape Fear Community College and obtained a degree in Landscape Gardening. After working for a local landscape architect for a few years he encouraged me to go into business for myself. Natural Landscapes was born, focusing on landscape design and installation. Several years later, after working side by side with my husband, he and a few colleagues urged me to offer my container garden services to our customers.

Over the years our unique perspective on container arranging has caused a buzz both at the annual Azalea Festival and with local businesses and residences. But, we decided to go one step further. Not only will we put together an extraordinary planter for you, we will maintain it on a weekly basis.

This will be Port City Pot & Planter’s first year offering not only planting, but watering, fertilizing, and maintenance of pots and planters. We take care of everything! We are very excited and would love to take the guess work out of container gardening for you.

Please let us know if we can be of assistance with any of your container gardening or landscape needs. Happy Planting!

No Fail - Full Sun - All season Container Recipe You will need: • A container of your choosing, preferably 16” or better • A good loamy potting soil like Miracle Grow or Sta Green Plants: 1. Papyrus ‘King Tutt’ 2. Mandevilla ‘Sun Parasol’ in either pink or red 3. Coleus ‘Inky Fingers’ or ‘Inky Pinky’ Fill container with potting soil, be sure container has good drainage. Arrange Papyrus in center of pot and arrange Mandevilla and Coleus alternately around the Papyrus.

Back fill with soil around plants. Water thoroughly and place in full sun. Be sure to water every other day to every day as the summer heat becomes more intense.

Jodi-Lynn Marshburn • Natural Landscapes • Port City Pot & Planter NC Licensed Landscape Contractor #3144 • 910-538-6231 The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 04

PORT CITY POT & PLANTER Container Gardens Planter Maintenance Planter Rentals Landscape Design and Consultation 3D Imaging and Virtual Design

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tips f o r f e m a l e g o l f e r s

I

t’s no secret that quality golf gear can be a bit on the pricey side. But if you’re really committed to learning how to play your best game, then properly fitting golf wholesale equipment is essential.

Do you have to spend a fortune on all of the latest, most high tech, brand name clubs and gear? Of course not. But taking the time to see the club fitter at your local course or golf shop and getting the measurements for clubs that fit you best will go a long way towards improving your game from day one. Make the initial investment, and every other golf tip you follow will work out better for it.

Unless you’re giving yourself enough room to follow through, your swing won’t be nearly as effective. The secret to a proper stance lies in the width of your feet. You should be setting yourself up wide, with most of your weight on the right side of your body.

Tilt your shoulders to the right, as well. As a point of reference, your head should be aligned slightly to the right of the top of the zipper on your pants. Once you’re in position, make sure you’re holding your driver far enough from your body to allow for a powerful swing.

One of the biggest mistakes made by amateur women golfers is to attempt to scoop the ball into the air with the head of the club. In reality, this will cause your swing to slow down after impact. The definition of proper tempo is a buildup of speed.

Harnessing that acceleration and learning to control your speed and power is the best way to drive your swing through the impact on the ball, bringing you to a full finish.

Like anything else, perfecting your golf game takes effort, commitment, and most of all time. The bottom line is this: if you don’t get out and play, you’ll never get any better. Putting in at least two rounds a month (even if it’s just 9 holes) will go a long way towards getting you where you want to be.

Consider joining a women’s league!

Being around other enthusiastic beginners might be just the impetus you need to get out and put in the time on your game. Keep in mind that you’re still learning, so don’t stress your score too much to begin with. Instead, focus on developing your game and style, and experiment with different shots and clubs.

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 06

Swing into Spring Store Hours: Wed- Sat 11am-8pm, Sunday 1-6pm Monday and Tuesday: Shedule an appointment for a private fitting

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2017 PGA

TOUR SCHEDULE JAN 2-8 ♦ Hyundai Tournament of Champions ♦ Plantation Course ♦ Kapalua, Maui, HI JAN 9-15 ♦ SONY OPEN IN HAWAII ♦ Waialae Country club ♦ honolulu, HI JAN 16-22 ♦ CareerBuilder challenge ♦ PGA West Stadium Course ♦ La Quinta, CA JAN 23-29 ♦ Farmer’s insurance ♦ torrey pines golf course ♦ san diego, ca Jan 30-Feb 5 ♦ Waste Management Phoenix Open ♦ TPC Scottsdale ♦ scottsdale, AZ feb 6-12 ♦ at&t pebble beach pro-am ♦ pebble beach golf links ♦ pebble beach. ca Feb 13-19 ♦ genesis open ♦ riviera country club ♦ Pacific palisades, CA Feb 20-26 ♦ The Honda Classic ♦ pga national (champion) ♦ palm beach gardens, fl Feb 27-mar 5 ♦ world golf championships ♦ TBA ♦MEXICO CITY, MX Mar 6-12 ♦ valspar championship ♦ innisbrook resort ♦ palm harbor, fl Mar 13-19 ♦ ARNNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL ♦ BAY HILL CLUB & LODGE ♦ ORLANDO, fl MAR 20-26 ♦ World Golf Championships ♦ Austin Country Club ♦ AUSTIN, TX Mar 27- APR 2 ♦ Shell Houston Open ♦ Golf Cluib of Houston ♦ HUMBLE, TX Mar 13-19 ♦ Arnold palmer invitational ♦ bay hill golf club & lodge ♦ orlando, fl mar 20-26 ♦ wolrd golf championships ♦ austin country club ♦ austin, TX mar 20-26 ♦ puerto rico open ♦ coco beach golf club ♦ rio grande, PR Mar 27- apr 2 ♦ shell houston open ♦ golf club of houston ♦humble, TX Apr 3-9 ♦ masters tournament ♦ augusta national golf club ♦ augusta, GA Apr 10-16 ♦ RBC Heritage ♦ harbour town golf links ♦ hilton head island, SC apr 17-23 ♦ Valero Texas Open ♦ TPC San antonio ♦ san antonio, tx apr 24-30 ♦ zurich classic of new orleans ♦ tpc louisiana ♦ new orleans, la may 1-7 ♦ wells fargo championship ♦ eagle point golf club ♦ wilmington, nc may 8-14 ♦ the players championship ♦ TPC sawgrass ♦ ponte vedra beach, fl may 15-21 ♦ at&t bryon nelson ♦ four seasons resort & club dallas ♦ irving, tx may 22-28 ♦ Dean & deluca invitational ♦ colonial country club ♦ fort worth, tx may 29-jun 4 ♦ the memorial tournament ♦ muirfield village golf club ♦ dublin, oh jun 5-11 ♦ fedex st. jude classic ♦ TPC Southwind ♦ dublin, oh jun 12-18 ♦ US Open ♦ erin hills ♦ hartford, wi jun 19-25 ♦ travelers championship ♦ tpc river highlands ♦ cromwell, cti jun 26-jul 2 ♦ quicken loans national ♦ tpc potomac ♦ potomac, mdi jul 3-9 ♦ the greenbrier classic ♦ the greenbrier ♦ white sulphur springs, wvi jul 10-16 ♦ john deere classic ♦ tpc deere run ♦ silvis, il jul 17-23 ♦ the open championship ♦ royal birkdale ♦ southport, lancashire, ENG jul 17-23 ♦ barbasol championship ♦ robert trent jones trail ♦ auburn/opelika, al jul 24-30 ♦ rbc canadian open ♦ glen abbey golf club ♦ oakville, ontario, can jul 31-aug 6 ♦ world golf championships ♦ firestone country club ♦ akron, oh jul 31-aug 6 ♦ barracuda championship ♦ montrÊux golf & country Club ♦ reno, nv aug 7-13 ♦ pga championship ♦ quail hollow club ♦ charlotte, nc aug 14-20 ♦ wyndham championship ♦ sedgefield country club ♦ greensboro, nc aug 21-27 ♦ the northern trust ♦ glen oaks club ♦ old westbury, ny aug 28-sep 4 ♦ deutsche bank championship ♦ tpc boston ♦ norton, ma sep 11-17 ♦ bmw championship ♦ conway farms golf club ♦ lake forest, il sep 18-24 ♦ tour championship ♦ east lake golf club ♦ atlanta, ga sep 25-oct 1 ♦ presidents cup ♦ liberty national golf club ♦ jersey city, nj

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 08

The Century 21 Brand received the “Highest Overall Satisfaction for First-Time Home Sellers, First-Time Home Buyers, Repeat Home Sellers and Repeat Home Buyers (Tied in 2016) Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms, Three Years in a row” by J.D. Power Terry is committed to serving her clients and making the home buying and selling process as easy as possible. She is dependable, efficient; focusing on service, not sales. She is dedicated to maintaining continual communication throughout your buying and selling experience. She’s had her Broker's License and Paralegal Degree for 39 years.

Terry Milam, realtor® P: 910.256.0021 • M: 910.540.9994 1612 Military Cutoff Rd, #200 Wilmington, NC 28403 tmilam.c21@gmail.com

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Golf Instructions 101

olf is not just about hitting a ball G with the end of a stick. It is much more than that. Though professionals

have always made golf seem like a relatively easy sport, it is in reality one of the hardest sports to play. It is all about hitting the ball correctly with the proper golf club. It is about controlling the swings to control the flight of the ball. Golf is more than what meets the eye. It is for this reason that golf instruction is quite needed for beginners and with this being said, here are a few tips that make up the basic golf instruction: 1. Add more loft at impact to make the ball fly farther To understand this golf instruction, it is important to know what loft is.

Loft is actually the degree of the clubface at the set up. When the drives hit off the upper half of the face, the result would be a higher dynamic loft. Hitting the upper half also makes the shot spin less.

Following these principles, when a player hits the center or the upper half of the clubface, this would result in a higher degree in initial launch and with less spins. This would then make the ball fly further and higher. It will also land with a stronger forward roll.

To be able to hit higher, it is suggested that the player tilt his shoulder during setup. The left shoulder should be lower than the right shoulder. This stance will make the player hit the ball on an increasing angle of attack.

This particular golf instruction would be perfectly executed when repeatedly practiced several times 2. Focus is the best play Golf is not a lazy and distracted man’s sport. This golf instruction number two focuses on the being and concentration of the player. To make sure that all hits would give the desired effect, the person should have his full attention to his drive. Focus does not necessarily mean that a person should make tactics or create game plays.

It only means that the player should be engaged in the game, relax when doing the swings, and think of the present. It would help when a golf player would imagine what his swings should result into and not what would happen after every strike.

3. Balance is a personal practice for golf instruction Though there is a standard stance that instructors teach beginners, there is also a certain stance that gives the player the most comfort and best balance. A player should therefore try a number of stances during initial set up and see which of these stance resulted in the best drives. A recommended routine is to try swinging with the legs together first, then swing with only the right foot on the ground. The next few swings would then be done with the left foot on the ground. Finally, when the person has fixed his balance, he should try swinging with his eyes close. This short routine helps a person with his balance.

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♌ advertising to move your business forward ♌ 10

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2017 LPGA

TOUR SCHEDULE Jan 25-31 ♦ Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic ♦ Paradise Island, Bahamas Feb 13-19 ♦ ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open ♦ Adelaide, S. Australia Feb 20-26 ♦ Honda LPGA Thailand ♦ Chonburi, Thailand feb 27-Mar 5 ♦ HSBC Women’s Champions ♦ Singapore mar 13-19 ♦ Bank of Hope Founder’s Cup ♦ Phoenix, AZ Mar 20-26 ♦ Kia Classic ♦ Carlsbad, Ca Mar 27-Apr 2 ♦ ANA Inspiration ♦ Rancho Mirage, Ca Apr 10-15 ♦ LPGA Lotte championship BY HERSHEY ♦ KAPOLEI, Hi Apr 24-30 ♦ VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA TEXAS SHOOTOUT ♦ IRVING, TX may 1-7 ♦ LORENA OCHOA MATCH PLAY ♦ MEXICO DISTRIO FEDERAL, MEXICO May 15-21 ♦ Kingsmill Championship by JTBC ♦ WILLIAMSBURG, VA May 22-28 ♦ LPGA Volvik Championship ♦ ANN ARBOR, MI May 29-Jun 4 ♦ ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer ♦ galloway, NJ Jun 5-11 ♦ MANULIFE LPGA CLASSIC ♦ ONTARIO, CANADA Jun 12-18 ♦ Meijer Classic FOR SILMPLY GIVE ♦ GRAND RAPIDS, MI Jun 19-25 ♦ Walmart NW Arkansas PRESENTED BY P&G ♦ Rogers, Ar Jun 26-Jul 2 ♦ KPMG Women’s pga championship ♦ olympia fields, IL Jul 3-9 ♦ THORNBERRY CREEK LPGA CLAssic ♦ oneida, wi Jul 10-16 ♦ US WOMEN’S OPEN CONDUCTED By the usga ♦ bedminster, nj Jul 17-23 ♦ MARATHON CLASSIC BY OWENS CORning ♦ sylvania, oh JUL 24-30 ♦ aberdeen asset management scottish open ♦ n. ayrshire, scotland Jul 31-aug 6 ♦ Ricoh women’s british open ♦ fife, scotland AUG 14-20 ♦ solheim cup ♦ west des moines, ia Aug 21-27 ♦ CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN ♦ ontario, canada AUG 28-Sep 3 ♦ CAMBIA PORTLAND Classic ♦ PORTLAND, OR SEP 4-10 ♦ INDY WOMEN IN TECH BY GUGGENHEIM ♦ INDIANAPOLIS, IN SEP 11-17 ♦ The Evian Championship ♦ evian les bains, france SEP 25-Oct 1 ♦ Mckayson new zealand women’s open ♦ auckland, new zealand Oct 2-8 ♦ alisports reignwood ♦ beijing, china Oct 9-15 ♦ lpga keb hana bank championship ♦ incheon, korea Oct 16-22 ♦ swinging skirts Taiwan Championship ♦ Taipei, Taiwan OCT 23-29 ♦ sime darby LPGa malaysia ♦ kuala lumpur, malaysia OCT 30-NOV 5 ♦ toto japan classic ♦ IKIBARI, JAPAN NOV 6-11 ♦ blue bay lpga ♦HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA Nov 13-19 ♦ CME Group Tour Championship ♦ Naples, Fl. The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 12

9 1 0-352-0008 aaron@mncmetaldesign.com www.mncmetaldesign.com MNC Metal Design’s custom design and fabrication can be found nationwide in homes and commercial settings. Each design is built to your specification providing a distinctive, unique appearance.

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the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 13

wells fargo championship

“A

s a resident of Wilmington, I’m grateful for all we have to offer in the New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties,” says Fran Downey. “Beautiful beaches, top notch medical facilities, amazing art, music, theater, dining, and craft breweries—and especially our vibrant historic downtown.”

Downey, who works as a realtor in the greater Wilmington area, volunteers for Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI), to help the area grow economically and culturally. During the upcoming Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament, WDI will offer events to engage both locals and visitors. The tournament, in partnership with the PGA Tour and Charlotte nonprofit Champions for Education, will be held at the Eagle Point Golf Club from May 1-7.

Since 1977, WDI has supported business, culture and community engagement in the downtown area. Started as the Downtown Area Revitalization Effort, the organization brought together the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and the private sector to breathe new life into Wilmington. Their work has increased the number of businesses and jobs downtown, as well as creating new events and attractions to foster community participation. They are behind the Downtown Sundown Concert Series, which brings bands to Riverfront Park every Friday from May to September, and the Riverfront Farmers’ Market, which offers a curbside market of local produce, crafts and art.

Ed Wolverton, the president and CEO of WDI, has worked in the downtown development field for more than 25 years and joined WDI three years ago.

“Wilmington has a very strong mix of shops, attractions, architecture, restaurants, and office space,” Wolverton says. “It was a great city to come and be a part redevelopment efforts.”

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 14

During the week of the Wells Fargo Championship, WDI will host five events to showcase downtown shops and attractions to visitors. Two events will run all week long. At the City of Wilmington Transportation Hub, located on Harnett Street between 3rd and Front streets, shuttles will take spectators to the golf tournament.

While people wait, WDI will have a putting green set up, where people can play, relax, and work on their short game.

Also running weeklong is a scavenger hunt, which will incorporate local businesses. WDI partnered with Kids Making It—a nonprofit that works with at-risk youth to teach them woodworking and entrepreneurship—to make displays shaped like golf flags. The displays will be set up in restaurants, breweries, stores, and other businesses around Wilmington. Participants may download a map of all participating merchants, and they must find the code word on each display. If they turn in their findings, they will qualify for drawings held on Saturday, May 6.

On Thursday, May 4, at 8 p.m., WDI will screen Adam Sandler’s golf comedy film “Happy Gilmore.” The film follows a failed hockey player as he competes in a golf tournament to save his grandmother’s home. The screening is free and will take place at Riverfront Park in front of the federal courthouse. Audience members are invited to dress up in golf attire or costumes inspired by the movie to partake in the costume contest. Prizes will be given to winners from various downtown merchants.

To wrap up the week, on Friday and Saturday WDI will put on two free community concerts along the downtown riverfront. NC-based pop/rock group the Bibis Ellison Band takes the stage on Friday, and The Attractions Band performs Sixties-inspired beach music on Saturday.

To learn more about Wilmington Downtown, Inc. and their upcoming events, visit wilmingtondowntown.com. For more information on Wilmington and surrounding areas reach out to Fran at frandowney.com.

For more information, please view our ad on page 13 of the magazine. the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 15

improve your short game

article I will be discussing how your short game all the Iwayntothisimprove from your iron shot to putting on the green. These tips will ensure you play to the best of your ability out there on the course.

Iron Shots The first step in producing a successful iron shot is knowing what club to choose. Each iron club is used pertaining to the distance the golfer is from the hole. Depending on each player, you must match your personal distance with each club with your distance from the hole. For example, I personally hit my 7 Iron around from 150-170 yards, so if I am within that range on the course, that is my club of choice.

The next step in a successful iron shot is to line up your stance. The higher the number on the club, the more you want to place the ball even with the back half of your stance in order to provide loft to the shot. And vice versa for lower numbers; place the ball closer to the front of your stance. Since each club will provide you with a matched distance, you want to make sure you take a full swing no matter what club you have. Many beginner golfers make the mistake of shorting their swing if they are closer to the pin. However, if you have chosen the right club, there will be no need to do that.

Chipping If you are not an exceptional golfer, chances are you have not yet reached the green on your second shot. Chances are that your second shot ended up in the rough near the putting green. If this is the case, chipping is probably your best option for your third shot. There are multiple clubs with wchich golfers choose to chip their balls.The most common

type of club is a pitching wedge or 52 Degree Wedge. The 52 Degree Wedge provides a bit more loft to your shot, but both clubs are very similar. Depending of your distance from the green, a chip shot should be swung light and with proper follow-through. Many golfers use punch chip shots, which are sometimes effective, but are inconsistent at times.

You truly want to swing through the ball and finish through to give your chip shot maximum loft. Chipping is a very delicate type of golf shot because it is all dependent on the golfers touch. You don’t want to swing too hard or to light, in the end your speed of the club is up to the golfers own perspective.

Another type of chip shot commonly used in golf is the runner. The runner is a chip shot (usually used with the 8 Iron) where you have to bounce the ball far across the green. This club ensures that you won’t loft the ball that high, allowing the ball to run across the green toward the hole.

This shot is for more experienced golfers, but can be very useful in certain situations out on the course.

Putting Probably the most frustrating part of the game of golf, putting can turn your game around for better or worse.

The first part of ensuring a good putter shot is to read your ball’s lie. This means read the greens angles and elevation to predict the path of the shot you are about to take. This is seen a lot when you watch pro golfers. They usually stand behind their ball to get a key for the shot. The next part of a great putter shot is the swing itself. Many beginner golfers bring their putter head back to far in their shot, causing them to lose the path that they lined up. The correct shot is to bring the head back slightly, then push your club through the ball in the path you want it to travel.

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 16

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STRONG FROM THE FOUNDATION UP the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 17

golf instrUction ONLINE

one are the days when golf clubs used to be sticks and pebbles G were used as golf balls! The first ever

sale of a set of golf clubs is credited to James IV. Formalwear while playing golf also became a trend in the early 1900s, with Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones leading the pack.

In regards with their golfing equipment, the wooden clubs were made of hickory wood and were handmade.

Iron clubs were heavier then but evolved into steel shafts and later shifted to graphite. Golf balls started out with rubber which flew quite a distance before the dimpled ball was introduced by William Taylor.

In this time of digital technology, modifications on golfing equipment could easily be improved. Now clubs could be tested first and players could check out a review on a certain set of clubs before deciding if they would get one.

Descriptions of the clubs, how they react and how they rate compared to other clubs could assist a player in making the right choices.

Golf training aids are also great tools to use for the busy handicapper. Usually the devices that help improve one’s swing are very portable and easy to carry since they are also meant to be used outside the golf course. This gives a golfer more time to practice even when he is at the comfort of his own home.

Video analysis gadgets are very much in the market nowadays too. The latest software for swing analysis that can be used on tablets and portable devices

that can measure the speed of the ball is readily available.

Books and DVDs on the game of golf are also part of golf training aids which could help both beginners and low handicappers alike. Swing fixes, experiences of professional golfers, golf games for both junior and adult golfers make up this catalogue of books about golf.

A lot of professional golfers endorse golf training aids and golfing equipment, sometimes even wearing the company’s logo while playing a tournament. Some of them have even made a golf instruction video on their field of expertise in the game.

Johnny Miller, winner of two major tournaments and 25 PGA Tour events, together with Top 100 teachers Brady Riggs, Brian Mogg, Rick Grayson, Mitchell Spearman and Kellie Stenzell are just a few of the professionals who have done golf instruction online.

Using the hips for power, eliminating a slice, how to make a sandy birdie, different types of shots and how to address the ball correctly are just a few examples of the tips you can learn.

Updates and the latest golf news could also be found easily, especially if someone is looking for a golf instruction online. Even junior golfers could simply find the most suitable golfing equipment, golf training aids and golf instruction online.

Learning a thing or two from these mediums is not a bad thing if it means shaving off a few strokes on the scorecard.

Even though golf has evolved over the years, its main concept of hitting a ball with a long stick remained the same.

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 18

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etiquette for rookies

ou have to be polite to play golf?

Y Well... sort of. After all, golf is a gentlemen’s game. Of course, you are not expected to follow every single unwritten rule of the game, but here a few you should pinpoint on…

Number One If you hit an errant shot (and trust me, you will) please yell “FORE” to warn nearby players. The last thing you need is a potential lawsuit on your hands because you didn’t open your mouth.

Number Two If you are playing ahead of a clearly more experienced and skilled group, please let them play through. You will save them a lot of frustration and yourself a lot of embarrassment if you happen to have a rough day.

The rangers on the golf course also appreciate if you keep up with the “pace of play” as they call it and this is easily accomplished by letting the big hitters be on their way.

Number Three This is an important one to follow and the rest of your friends will appreciate if you abide by it.

NEVER, under any circumstance, walk through the line of your buddy’s putt on the green. They’re worried enough about accounting for the break, speed, and slope of the green. The last thing they need is to figure out how to hit over your big fat shoe mark in the middle of their line. These are just a few simple tips

to follow when on the course but their importance is unmatched.

Earlier this month, I wrote an article explaining how out of the loop some new golfers are with the etiquette of the game and just how detrimental that is. No one can really fault you for having a poor day at the course if you are truly giving forth your best effort and just not getting results.

However, if you are being arrogant or violating the unwritten rules of golf over and over, you may get a well-justified earful after the round has concluded.

And rightfully so.

Another huge and crucial mistake most amateurs make is neglecting the mental aspects of the game. I’m not arguing against the fact that technique and fundamentals go a long way, rather pointing out that your performance can be heavily influenced by your attitude. If you are someone who has a quick temper, you need to address that immediately and leave the pouting at home. Getting down on yourself NEVER helps in the sport of golf. You will begin to cloud your head with negative thoughts to the point where you can hardly make contact with the ball anymore. Keeping a positive attitude before, during, and after the round is half the battle and you will notice results immediately. Golf is a game that takes quite some time to finally “master” so a good attitude will only speed up this process. As with any sport, one mistake can often snowball into many more if complemented by a negative attitude.

Keep that in mind next time you pick up (or want to throw) a golf club.

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because we don’t always hit perfect shots

J

ust when you think you have hit a great tee shot way up in the air, clear of the water and bunker ahead, you can’t imagine what could possibly go wrong! And then all of a sudden (thud) it lands in the rough. Sometimes this lie may not be bad at all; the grass is at times the perfect cut and acts as a tee for your next shot. Of course we can never get that lucky in this sport so it’s now time to learn how cope with this obstacle.

First, assess just how deep the grass is. Try to judge how much grass you are going to catch on the downswing at impact.

If you think your swing speed will be drastically reduced then you may need to club up. For example, if you are 150 out in the deep rough, a 6 Iron may play better than a 7.

Once you have the right club, it’s time to move onto the setup.

The setup. If you are using a 5 Iron Wedge, place the ball in the middle of your stance to ensure you make downward contact on the ball. This type of contact will allow you to get the ball nice and high in the air, which is vital to lifting the ball out of the rough.

However if you do have a 3 Iron or wood in hand, place the ball about an inch more forward in your stance. These clubs are designed to “launch” the ball by making contact on the upswing.

Utilize these keys next time you find yourself off the fairway and there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy better approach shots. Of course repetition will make the difference in the end so do not expect to master this skill right away! Happy golfing!

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how memories affect y o u r g o l f ga me

en Hogan often said that when he played his best golf, he would B address the ball and as if the shot had

already happened. Jack Nicklaus was absolutely convinced that he had never missed a putt from inside three feet on the back nine of a major championship. Tiger Woods in his own book said, “The secret to the mental game is the ability to instantly recall past success and then let go of failure.”

And the common thread running through these comments from three of the game’s all-time greatest champions? The power of memory to cement thoughts and feelings associated with ultimate performance.

My guess is that if you think back to the last round of discount burner 2 Irons you played, you will very quickly relate to the power your mind has over your performance. When you stand over a putt and you just know that you are going to make it, or (and rather more frequently) when you look at a certain shot and all you can see is the out of bounds running down the right side of the fairway... and guess where you hit it?

Welcome then, to the wonderful world of your MEMORY and the way it influences your performance. We underestimate the power and the effect our memories have on our golf at our peril. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the way that you utilize

your memory will be one of the critical keys to your future as a golfer. In my own experience, with some of the players I have worked with over the last few years it has become very clear to me that the way golfers use their memory is very different. The greats like Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have worked it out. Recently, the field of neuroscience has begun to question how memory works and one of the most exciting developments has been the suggestion that we can actually take an active role in programming the way our memory functions in terms of our golfing experiences.

Just how important a discovery could that be? What the scientists are telling us is that if we re-visit a certain memory of a past event, while we obviously cannot change the past event what we can do is change our interpretation of it. So if you lost a golf tournament, you will always have lost the tournament, but what you can change is your interpretation of the meaning of that defeat. And that is significant.

If the meaning of that defeat is stored as the worst thing that has ever happened, then chances are that your unconscious mind will go to work and protect you from that experience ever happening again. So, the selfsabotage kicks in and finds ways of getting you to AVOID that situation.

Poor performance is a great way of avoiding winning!

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close your eyes to make more putts

ears ago, I played in the Y Heather Farr Charity for the Blind tournament in Sun City, Ariz. I played with an English gentleman who had been blind since birth.

It was quite fascinating to watch him play, especially when he was preparing to hit a shot. His wife would walk him to the ball and help him set his club to the ball. He would then slide his hand down the shaft of the TaylorMade R1 Driver to feel the distance from the ball. It was an amazing thing to watch, and really opened my eyes to all the tools we golfers have to improve our feel. There are many senses we often take for granted.

While the Englishman did this routine for all his shots, he did something a little different with his putting that I think is something we all can learn from. I noticed that instead of walking him directly to the golf ball, the Englishman’s wife would take him to the hole and let him walk backward toward the direction of his ball for about five or six steps, then proceed to set up to the ball. After about four holes, I asked him why he would walk backward from the hole and what this did for his putting.

He explained to me that it allowed him to feel the way the green was

sloped close to the hole and he could only feel it when he walked backward as it would move his body as he walked. It was amazing how close he came to the hole with his putts. He shot a 92 with TaylorMade RocketBladez Irons that had much to do with his ability to putt!

I have not only used this method to “see” which way the ball will break to the hole for my own game, but have passed it along to many of my students. The reason why the golfer only needs to walk back about five or six steps from the hole is that the ball is slowing down at this point and will be most affected by the slope of the green then.

The next time out on the putting green, try this little exercise.

Stand facing the hole, then walk backward, allowing your body to follow the slope of the green.

If you feel yourself going downhill to the right, you’ll know that you’ll be putting uphill from left to right because you’re putting in the opposite direction that you’re walking. If you have a tough time seeing or feeling any slope, you can try closing your eyes. You’ll begin to notice the subtle breaks and make more putts every time.

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the most popular golf brands

W

hether you are a beginner taking your first fledgling trips around the local 9 or an expert golfer ready to trade up, choosing the right clubs to conquer the greens and make your game better is vital to your enjoyment. A good golf store carries enough brands of clubs to truly boggle the mind. But you can always go with what you know, and pick clubs from the big three.

TaylorMade A 1979 upstart, TaylorMade has made a name for itself in the golf world. Gary Adams, founder and owner, introduced the first metal woods back in 1978. TaylorMade currently markets its newest woods with something it calls Flight Control Technology. FCT allows golfers better shot-shaping ability through the multidimensional adjustments that can be made to their R9 Metal Woods. The TaylorMade R11 iron brand’s leadership position is reinforced through the play of the golf professionals that rely on their equipment, including 2010 PGA Champion Martin Kaymer, 2010 LPGA U.S. Open Champion Paula Creamer along with other notables like Dustin Johnson and Ryan Palmer.

Callaway The Callaway brand was started as the brainchild of wine maker,

Ely Callaway. Unless you’re a wine aficionado, you may have never heard of Callaway Vineyards, but it was from the profits made on the land that Callaway was able to raise the funds to buy Hickory Stick. From there, the brand took off and today Callaway is one of the most recognized names in golf.

The company continues to branch out, snapping up other legendary golf brand names like Ben Hogan Golf while diversifying their line of product offerings including apparel, top flight golf balls and the popular Odyssey brand putters. Big names to play Callaway clubs include Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. Ping Ping is one of the most recognized brands in golf today. And, ping g25 clubs it’s not just for positive reasons.

The name Ping stems from the sound that the original putter made when struck. Ping clubs are known for producing a large sweet spot, but they’ve also been maligned for their introduction of the Ping Eye 2, which they made from 1985 to 1989.

The Eye 2 had a square grooved club face, a groove format that has been ruled illegal on the PGA tour. No one makes square grooved clubs anymore and today, the Ping brand is a PGA favorite with long hitters like Bubba Watson and Hunter Mahan.

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calculating your handicap

golf handicap is used to A determine your potential ability on a course. It is mainly

used to even the abilities between golfers of different abilities. A player’s handicap has a tendency to adjust to their home course.

By using handicaps, you will be able to accurately compare your score against that of a player of a different caliber, based on your expected performances.

First, in order to get a proper understanding of a golfer’s underlying ability, golfers would typically ask each other not only what the other’s handicap is, but the club of which they were a member. You need to have played a minimum of five rounds but no more than 20. The course rating and course slope are also required and both can be found on your score card. The more scores you use, the more accurate your handicap score will be. Once a player’s handicap record contains 20 scores, the next score they return will result in the oldest of the existing 20 scores being removed (to be replaced by the new score).

Second, subtract the course rating from your score. The course rating is in decimal form and indicates the difficulty level of the course. Multiply the average by 0.93. (The 0.93 factor is the Multiplier. The Multiplier is a mathematical balancing factor, the purpose of which is to help to achieve national results patterns for net competitions

that are as equitable as possible.

Its necessity is the result of the different standard deviations of net scores exhibited by players on different handicap levels.)

For example, say two golfers averaged 72 strokes each over 18 holes but Golfer Y played on a more difficult course than Golfer Z. Instead of using averaged scores to determine the handicap index, individual skill level is factored into the equation. It’s clear that Golfer Y is more skilled than Golfer Z and on an average course Golfer Y would require fewer strokes.

Then, multiply the lowest differential by .96 to get your handicap. If more than 10 rounds are entered, use the average of the lowest 3-5 differentials.

If 20 rounds are entered, use the average of the 10 lowest differentials.

To calculate the average, add together all the differentials and divided by that number (e.g. if 10 differentials are used, add them up and divided by 10).

Three 18-hole scores will be required before a GA Handicap is calculated and allocated. Clubs may allow players to use 9-hole rounds for this purpose but they are under no obligation to do so. For this purpose, two 9-hole rounds equals one 18-hole round.

Clubs should enter scores immediately into GOLF Link upon receipt (i.e. don’t wait for all three). For the purpose of returning one of the initial three rounds, players are allocated a Temporary Daily Handicap of 45 for women and 36 for men.

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h ow f a r i s “a vera g e” ?

A

lot of golfers get bogged down in the numbers game, analysing their every shot, loft, number of spikes in their shoes, buttons on their trousers etc etc. It all makes us feel better when we hit another errant shot. But a lot of poeple would like to know just what average is, so let’s crunch some of the numbers.

What is the average handicap?

According to this extract from the Daily Mail , the average for men and women is 15.2. However the average score is well over 100. Why such a disparity? Well, the majority of scores posted are by keen golfers; i.e. those who play often enough to get their handicap lower. Plus you’re less likely to post that 115 in the rain...

Are people honest about their handicap?

Golf digest states almost 90% of handicaps are truthful. What about the other 10%? These fall into the following categories: • Sandbaggers: these post artificially high scores so they have more of an advantage in net competitions. They may post very few scorecards, or even simply cheat to make their scores worse. They make up around 2% of golfers.

• Vanity handicappers: the opposite of sandbaggers, these golfers post only their very best scores, or embellish them to appear better. It is estimated these make up around 10% of golfers.

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Scratch that, what are the driving distances A study from growingthegame.org demonstrated that the average drive for a 90-95 scoring male golfer is just 192 yards. For women scoring 95-100, the figure is 145 yards.

These figures taken from average golfer represent a lower handicap player: • • • • • •

Average driver distance, men: 200-260 yards.

Average driver distance, women: 150-200 yards.

Average 6 iron, men: 130-160 yards.

Average 6-iron, women: 70-130 yards.

Average pitching wedge, men: 80-120 yards.

Average pitching wedge, women: 50-80 yards.

Golfers overestimate their drivers by anything up to 20-30+ yards.

However lower handicap players tend to be more accurate in their assessment.

How long should a round of golf take?

A round of golf is commonly quoted as lasting around 4-5 hours. However this increases or decreases depending on your handicap. A study showed that 60% of use take 4-5 hours, however 40% of 0-9 handicappers get a round done in under 4 hours. 10% of 30+ handicappers take 5-6 hours to finish a round.

Looking for their lost balls presumably.

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g a d g e ts i n g o l f

D

o you ever feel like you know just enough about golf gadgets to be dangerous? Let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from golf gadgets experts.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of golf gadgets is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about golf gadgets.

There are tons of golf gadgets out there, mainly because of the incredible increase in popularity of the sport. The more people who are ready to play the game, the more they’re all looking for ways to improve their game. The result is that an industry that was doing fairly well before has boomed. There are entire companies built around a single golf gadget, and the results range from incredible golf aids to the ridiculous contraptions. Take a look at some of your options.

If you’re having trouble finding time to hit the driving range and your backyard is too limited for driving practice, you have some options. You can play virtual golf, but this lacks the satisfying feel of the club striking the ball. You might find that a limited flight ball is the answer you’ve been looking for. These are just what the name implies. You have a ball that you place on the tee, then hit just like any other ball. But the ball won’t travel outside a particular area. Or you can work with a regular ball and a net. The catch here is that you have to hit the net - every time.

Of course, putting pads and practice aids for your putting game have been around for ages. Give yourself the advantage of practice time in your office or living room. Choose from kits that are as simple as a pad with a cup, or those that offer features such as ball return.

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If you’re into technology, you might find good use for a digital scorekeeper. Not only do you have an immediate way of tracking your score on the course, you have a digital record that you can save. Instantly recall scores from past games to help improve your current game.

Every dedicated golfer has probably been at the receiving end of some silly golf gifts. Think covers for your golf clubs - from handmade crochet covers to cutesy cartoon characters and everything in between. There are probably few ideas for golf club covers that haven’t been tried on the market and these seem to be universal golf gifts. Covers do serve a purpose and many golfers are even secure enough to walk the course with tigers and mouse heads proudly protruding from the golf bag.

Are you having trouble lining up the exact spot you should be aiming for on the golf ball? You can find a stencil to help. Simply use the stencil to mark the ball, place it on the tee as directed, and you’ve got a clear target.

How about a metronome? No, you’re not going to be taking your guitar onto the golf course, but a golf metronome can help you work on the rhythm of your swing.

There’s no doubt that the golfers have tons of gadgets to choose from. Many offer real help to the golfer, while others are simply ways to collect money for a useless product. Some of these gadgets and gizmos will be completely wasted on one golfer but will be just what another needs to improve their golf game.

Is there really any information about golf gadgets that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

Author Bio Author J. Brian Keith is a proud contributing author for Golf Balls, Exercise Equipment and enjoys writing about many different topics. Please visit my other web sites for Golf Articles and Free Photo Sharing. the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 35

be a golf me nt o r

T

hose of us who have been playing golf for any length of time understand that it is more than just a game. There’s no denying that golf instills certain physical attributes and that it’s good exercise but there’s more to it than that, and most golfers that I know would wholeheartedly agree. That extra component that

golf offers its players is a set of life skills that serve us daily — whether we know it or not.

This holds true for new golfers as well as they begin to learn the game and appreciate its overall value not just on the course but in life in general.

But golf isn’t like basketball or soccer or baseball when it comes to our younger

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players. Kids who want to play but don’t have the resources to buy the needed equipment or mentors to teach them the game are pretty much left out. The truth is golf can be horribly expensive, even at the junior level.

So what can the average Joe do about this? That depends on how much you want to do. If you live a metro area, chances are there are mentoring programs already in place.

A call or visit to one might lead you into taking personal active action by becoming a mentor. If you don’t have the time or feel as if you don’t have the skills to teach others, perhaps you can do other things to help the program.

If you live a rural area or an area that simply doesn’t have a golf mentor program at all, well, consider creating your own mentoring program. You don’t have to be a pro to teach a youngster the fundementals of the game. Schedule a chat with your course manager and discuss the idea with him or her and see if you can’t work something out.

If you’re not the mentoring type, consider donating to a program. Many golfers (at least the ones I know) have old clubs and bags sitting in their garages that they will never use again. Why let them gather dust and spider webs? Give them to a program of your choice and let someone else enjoy them. Even if you only have a few old clubs (meaning less than a full set, or even an old putter or driver)... donate it to them.

Frankly, I think it’s something of a shame that kids who can’t afford clubs or have no one to teach them this game are left out. It doesn’t have to be that way, and you could be the one to change that in your community. the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 37

are you swinging your club too hard?

T

he possibility of swinging excessively hard is enough to make even the best golfer stop in their tracks. Most golf enthusiastic are aware that swinging too hard is one of the 3 Golf Commandments never to break.

So whenever you may hit an awful drive - the first thing out of the mouth of anyone nearby is: ‘You looked like you were trying to execute that ball!’ And your answer is no doubt: ‘Better believe it, I tried to hit that one a mile.’

Yet, have you ever thought seriously that the fear of swinging too hard could

really prompt more lost golf balls than actually doing it?

What does that mean?

As most golfers are so stressed over swinging excessively hard and hitting an awful golf shot - the best players on the planet are swinging near 30 mph (48 kph) faster than you.

Yet, no one is letting them know that they’re swinging excessively hard - and by the looks of things - they’re hitting some really average golf shots that are interpreting into some really great scores.

Would you concur?

From the research that I’ve seen, the normal male is swinging his driver at 85 mph (137 kph) and the normal

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female is swinging her driver at 75 mph (121 kph). Yet, Ernie Els, who’s regularly begrudged for how smooth he can swing - swings his Driver at 118 mph (190 kph). While Tiger swings his driver upwards of 125 mph (201 kph).

Yet, the apprehension of you swinging excessively hard, despite the fact that you’re swinging around 40 mph slower than the pros - is no doubt making you hit more awful shots than when you do really swing excessively hard. Significance - as a result of this issue, you’re undoubtedly decelerating with your Driver, which could prompt such unpleasant impacts, for example, cutting and loss of separation. Have you ever accomplished both of those?

Whenever you’re remaining by the first tee holding up for your tee time - watch the gathering that is teeing off. I expect you’ll see most Golfers decelerating their golf swing to the point that they really have the vast majority of their weight on their back foot at contact with the golf ball. Have you ever wound up with your weight on your back foot?

Implying that in light of the fact that you’re making a decent attempt not to swing excessively hard, that you are utilizing your body to ease off your swing by inclining over on your back foot. Again, have you ever gotten yourself on your back foot after a Drive? Deceleration!

Trust me; on and around the greens aren’t the main spots you’re decelerating. You’re additionally in all likelihood doing likewise with your Driver. However, deceleration is frequently not reprimanded for the awful tee shot - its regularly mis-diagnosed by the ‘swing specialists’ that you may be playing with as “getting your head, swinging excessively hard, swinging outrageous, twisting your left elbow, not turning your shoulders, etc.”

Yes, having the capacity to swing smooth can help you to hit a superior golf shot. However, attempting to swing moderate will really make you hit an awful golf shot. the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 39

singapore is a golfer’s delight

S

ingapore has long been known for beautiful beaches, clean roads and a low crime rate. This has caused the country to enjoy a solid tourism industry complete with solid growth. One of the reasons the country has witnessed that growth is because of the relatively new emergence of Singapore as a golfing destination.

The past few years has seen the popularity of golf in Asia explode. There are courses which rival anything one could find in Scotland or the United States along with the high-profile golfers that play them. Tournament money and sponsorship in the sport has increased which has caused a new generation of Asians to become interested in golf.

Thus Singapore, flush with money, has devoted much time to building some of the world’s best golf courses. Their courses are lush, difficult and come with some of the best service anyone could ask for. The country plays host to 14 golf associations and more than 30 golf courses for amateurs and professionals to play. The location is perfect for businessmen and businesswomen who would like to knock a few balls around before or after the daily meeting. It is located right in the heart of downtown Singapore which gives it a premier location and unlimited accessibility.

This unlimited accessibility has been a problem for many in Singapore’s golfing world. The number of people who enjoy golf has grown exponentially, yet so has the city’s population. This has caused a number of courses be considered for redevelopment in order to accommodate the surrounding population.

This can cause the city’s courses to change quickly and become more exclusive to access. Golf courses are enjoying space alongside some of the country’s top real estate and many officials are stumped trying to keep up with modifying courses and enabling population expansion. Yet, people still demand more golf destinations.

The heightened interest has caused a number of courses to create interesting and highly difficult holes on which to play.

Yet, Singapore’s stunning vistas, lush wildlife and some of the world’s top courses means that more and more people will visit the country just to play on the same green as some of the sport’s top legends.

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golf is for more than just fun

olf has been a part of our lives G since its invention, and almost everyone loves the game. People

love golf not only because it is a ball sport which can train their bodies, but also because it is a way of life.

Golf means a lot to all of us more than just a sport.

There are tons of so-called “golf widows” across the globe who swear by the old saying that their spouses “live and breathe golf.”

As it happens, golf may help them live and breathe a lot longer. It has been shown that there are many health benefits from playing the game, including a longer and healthier life.

It is also determined that the life expectancy of both men and women golfers, of every age group, and across all socioeconomic categories, was increased by an average of approximately five years over that of the general population. Although the scope of the study didn’t include determining the reasons for the increased life span, scientists believe the most likely cause is the brisk, four or five hour walk around the course on a regular basis.

Though this study cannot prove playing more golf is a matter of life and death, it has quantified the benefits of walking, as well as the psychological benefits of leisure activity.

Actually, even regular walking can

improve general physical health. It also has been determined that regular walking improves virtually every system in the human body, from to bones and muscles. Golf is surely more technological and skillful than common walking.

The study also showed that lowhandicappers had lower death rates, which corresponds to an increase in life span, than high-handicappers, most likely because they play more golf.

Leaving the cart at the house has its benefits. People play golf into old age, and there are also positive social and psychological aspects to the game that can be of help. Although the average increased life span was five years, they found that the longest lifespan increases came among golfers with blue collar economic backgrounds as opposed to those with desk jobs just another reason to get out of that cubicle and hit the links.

As we all know, golf is a ball sport in which competing players use many types of wholesale golf clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course using the fewest number of strokes. Golf is defined, in the rules of golf, as playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.

However, golf is now no longer a game for just fun. You can see many families go out for golf each weekend; they play golf not just for fun, but also a way of life to get all their family members together.

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play golf in your living room

G

olf is not an easy sport. It requires a lot of practice and not everyone can play it from the start. In fact, it is one of the lesser-played sports across the globe for several reasons. Playing golf requires a huge course, which is not easily found since land can be very expensive where many golf players live. Therefore a lot of golf enthusiasts end up playing golf only once or twice a year.

However, this problem is now being solved by the latest technology in motion mechanics, simulation and high definition graphics. These are the key components of what is called a Golf Simulator. This is an elaborate setup that can be put inside one’s living room so that anyone can start playing golf in the comfort of their own home. The concept of indoor golf is gaining popularity, especially with the young affluent people of the United States and Europe. The researchers at the companies that develop these kits are working very

hard to improve the simulation to levels so the experience matches the real sport.

The increase in golf’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that the sport and playing area is becoming more accessible to the common man. This is primarily due to the Golf Simulators that allow people to play golf in their living rooms without the price that comes attached to playing at golf courses. The concept of indoor golf is gaining so much popularity that many individuals and corporations have started installing the product in homes and offices, allowing more and more people to be drawn to the appeal of the sport.

One of the key advantages of this product is that it is very easy to install and use. The player does not have to drive to the golf course, buy expensive golf clubs or pay a golf course fee. The best part is that there is no dependence on weather while playing golf in your living room. No matter what the weather condition outside, you can always enjoy your favorite sport from the comfort of your home.

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 44

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buying the right golf grips

I

n this article you’ll learn about different Golf Grip Tips. It starts with ensuring that the hands are placed on the golf club correctly and comfortably. There has been much written in the past regarding the correct golf grip, though the issue isn’t actually so black and white.

The reasons for this are varied, meaning that the proper golf grip is dependent on the individual player.

There are many variations that can be successful and all will fall into one of three categories: Vardon/ Overlap, Interlocking, and Baseball (or 10 finger grip).

The baseball grip is better for smaller hands. Examples include ladies, children and those suffering from arthritis. The interlocking grip is more suited to players with long, thin fingers and finally the overlap is best for those with thicker or shorter fingers.

However, even with these parameters, a player with smaller hands may prefer the Vardon grip, simply because it is more comfortable.

So to find your most comfortable grip, take your posture position and allow your arms to hang naturally underneath your shoulders. If you look how your hands hang, you will have a very good indication as to how you should place your target hand on the club. You will have one of three positions: Inwards towards your thighs, Outwards towards the golf ball, and Facing each other.

When you have considered the natural position of your target hand, place it in a similar position on the club.

The final part of this golf grip tip (which we have to attribute to our human design) is the lifeline of the non-target hand which was put there to sit perfectly on top of the target hand thumb in a golf grip. It is also a fantastic indication as to whether your hands are set correctly on the club.

If your target hand is not positioned naturally on the grip, the position you have to achieve with the lifeline is extremely uncomfortable.

Another quick tip -- if you have to change your golf grip, sit at home with the club in your hands in the new position. Then do not move, keep the hands in this position for at least ten minutes and then repeat the exercise, until your new grip becomes automatic.

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how to enjoy golf more

W

e all love the game of golf, but some times it is just as they say, a good walk spoiled.

Here are a few ways to enjoy golf more.

Don’t play the blue tees Unless you are at least a 10 handicap or lower, why bother making the golf course even harder than it has to be. If you are shooting in the 90’s or triple digits, it makes no sense making a conscious decision to making the course more difficult. Play the white tees and take the extra level of anxiety out of the equation.

Improve your lie When you are having a recreational round of golf, there is no way you should be playing the strict rules of golf.

The average round of golf would be at least 6 hours at courses all over the world. Golfers would be returning to the tees all day after hitting there first ball out bounds, or searching for every lost ball for 5 minutes. So if we are bending the rules to save time, why not bend them to improve your lie,

something you can actually benefit from. Play winter rules all the time.

Play different games Instead playing the same match with your buddies, compete in other categories other than score.

Some examples would be: • Most fairways hit • Least amount of 3 putts • Most 1 putts If it is your honor, take it You just birdie the hardest (or easiest) hole on the golf course, it’s your tee, you earned it, take it.

Challenge yourself to get another one, you will be surprised how often you can have two birdies in a row if you are actually trying to get two birdies in a row.

Lower your expectations If you are a average golfer you play golf twice per week if you’re lucky, on top of that, you don’t practice as much as you should.. You can’t honestly think that your game is not exactly what it should be. Just enjoy the game itself, don’t be so hard on yourself when you’re not playing well. Even the pros have bad days.

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The perfect backswing

A

s we all know there are three basic aspects to the golf swing: backswing, downswing and followthrough.

When summed up in this way, it’s difficult to understand how the golf swing can be so hard to master. The truth is that most people will never “master” their golf swing, but by focusing on these three elements individually and making just a few very simple changes, they can improve on their current swing dramatically.

In this article I am going to focus on the backswing.

The first thing to be aware of here is that to perform a smooth backswing you need to eliminate any tension in your hands and forearms. The best way to do this is to perform a waggle before executing a shot. If you watch the professionals, they nearly all have a distinct waggle before starting their backswing and this is something that you should be looking to implement too. A typical waggle before starting the backswing would be to simply set and un-set the wrists a few times. This is very common and is part of my routine before I hit each golf shot.

When starting the backswing, the main thing to remember is that everything should move away from the ball together. You want to keep the club moving low as you swing back, extending the left arm but slightly flexing the right. By the time your club reaches waist height it should be parallel with your feet. The rest of the backswing is all about having your body positioned correctly to create maximum power. To do this you should keep your feet planted on the ground while keeping a slight flex in your right knee.

It is also important that your shoulders do not rotate more than 90 degrees, and this is actually one of the most commonly made mistakes by amateurs. The reason for this is that when thinking about generating power from their backswing, amateurs often believe that taking their backswing further back will create more resistance, ultimately resulting in a more powerful golf shot. This is not the case and rotating your shoulders past the 90-degree position will give you major problems with your downswing.

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 50

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the right golf training

golf training is not a Ttheaking big issue until and unless players get the right kind of trainers and these days the internet has come up with many options where the players can learn the various smart tricks and skills on the game.

Every skill in the world needs to be polished, and the game of golf is no exception when it comes to practicing the game.

Although there are several kinds golf training kits available in the market and online (where you can select according to your choices), it is very important that you know that these kits are not so useful when it comes to practicing. You can make sure that these kits are more commercial rather than being useful and you need to make sure that you are having the right kind of kit with you. The best guides will suggest you to look at the features of the golf training kits, where they also suggest you to practice with the chipping golf club as it is one of the essential parts of the game.

There are many people who think that golf training is really costly and they do not want to go through such an expensive route, but on the contrary these

kinds of training are very easy and cost-effective too.

There are many golfers who believe that a professional or an experienced golfer can train well, and they use the best putter for side saddle putting when it comes to making the best shot according to the need of the game. There are many other places from which the golfer can learn skills and the tricks of the game and be a professional by his or her own effort. The initiative must be taken with grace and confidence. These days the golfers are following various kinds of books, online sites and online tutorials when it comes to polishing their gaming skills and removing all the blunders from their games. They must learn the techniques and skills carefully to make sure that they do not repeat errors again and practice with more effort, for the players can be more confident if they see the uploaded videos in the training sites. They can also learn the right striking ways as well as seeing their mistakes, which they make ignorantly during the game and fail to impress their trainers.

There are many notable things which the players should learn, most of all the swings and strokes for the game.

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T . A . W OODS COMPAN Y

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driving off the deck

T

hree tips to help your drive: Shoulders on Line, Feet Shut, Shoulders square to the target. People don’t really speak about this shot very much, but if it comes up at all you’ve probably been told, “If you’re going to hit the driver off the deck you’ve got to hit a big swing. It’s the only way to get the ball up.”

Contrary to popular belief, that isn’t entirely correct. If you have enough club head quickness there’s no need to just hit a big cut. Of course, if you want to hit a big cut you still have that option.

You can still strike it well, and high, and far, but you will lose control of the ball and lose length as a result.

For this shot, you’re trying to hit the ball dead straight. Maybe a slight cut if you want to, but

you can actually work the ball both ways when striking the driver off the deck. Take your regular driver arrangement, with your feet a little bit shut.

Line up your shoulders and club face square to the target line.

Keeping your feet slightly shut helps shallow out your path on the way back and through.

That’s important, because if you have a very steep path you’re just going to heave that club head right down in the earth.

You need to sweep the ball, but you still have to hit down on it with the driver when you’re hitting it off the deck.

There are a couple little tricks to make this shot functional.

First, keep the club face dead square to your feet line.

Rather than focusing on getting

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 56

it square to the shoulder plane or the target line, you want the club head a little bit inside.

Why would you want that? Squaring the club face to the feet line helps you come through the ball shallower. If you take the club back very steep, you’re going to have to redirect it on the way back down.

As you go back, you’re actually getting more revolution in your left forearm from off the ball, to get the club coming back behind your hands. You want that spin in your hands because it helps shallow out the path on the way back. As you keep going to the top you’re still rotating the left forearm, getting the arm plane a little shallower than usual.

As you get closer to the top, even though you’ve rotated your left forearm pretty aggressively taking the club back, the club face is still square to your forearm.

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crossword puzzle 1

3

2

4

5

6 8

7

9

10 11 13

12 14

15 16

17

ACROSS

3. The intended path of the ball, usually referred to in the context of putting 4. The position of the feet at address 8.A complete miss (also known as an “air ball”) 9. The direction which the blades of grass grow, which is of primary importance on the greens 10. A score of two over par on a hole 11. The rotational movement or spin of the ball produced by contact with the clubface 14. Another term for a practice area (also known as a golf range, practice range or learning center) 15. The score an accomplished player is expected to make on a hole, either a three, four or five 17. A score of one under par on a hole

ACROSS 3.

4.

8.

9.

10.

11.

14.

DOW N

1 . The custom of hitting a second ball — without penalty — on a hole 2 . A person hired to carry clubs and provide other assistance 5 . The act of aligning the clubface to the target 6 . A swing flaw in which the lead elbow bends at an angle pointed away from the body, usually resulting in a blocked or pushed shot 7 . To successfully hit a shot from a poor location 1 2 . The placing and positioning of the hands on the club 1 3 . The proper distribution of weight both at address and throughout the swing 1 6 . A derogatory term describing poor play that results from nervousness

ANSWER KEY: 3. LINE, 4. STANCE, 8. WHIFF, 9. GRAIN, 10. DOUBLEBOGEY, 11. BACKSPIN, 14. DRIVINGRANGE, 15. PAR, 17. BIRDIE, 1. MULLIGAN, 2. CADDIE, 5. AIMING, 6. CHICKENWING, 7. RECOVER, 12. GRIP, 13. BALANCE, 16. CHOKE

The Back Nine of WILMINGTON ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 58

golf score cards LENGTH PAR

+/-

BACK

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TOTAL

PLAYERS

HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

FRONT

DATE

+/-

1 2 3 4 5 6

LENGTH PAR

+/-

BACK

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TOTAL

PLAYERS

HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

FRONT

DATE

+/-

1 2 3 4 5 6

LENGTH PAR

+/-

BACK

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TOTAL

PLAYERS

HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

FRONT

DATE

+/-

1 2 3 4 5 6

For the simplest way to keep score, just count the number of strokes you’ve taken on the hole just completed, and write that number down in the box corresponding to that hole on the scorecard. At the end of each nine holes, tally up the strokes for your front nine and back nine totals, respectively, then add up those two numbers for your 18-hole score. the back nine of WILMINGTON ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 59

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Art Gallery

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Commercial & Residential Locksmith

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Cus tom Cable Ra i li ng

MNC Metal Design..............................................................................13, 51

Cus tom Homes

Stone Built Construction, Inc..............................................................17, 41

Dan c e Instructio n

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Recovery Bootcamp.....................................................Front Inside Cover

Eco-Frie ndly Desig n er Homes

Stone Built Construction, Inc..............................................................17, 41

Elec tric al Con tractor

Security Plus Electrical, Inc.......................................................................25 T.A. Woods Company........................................................................27, 55

Equ estrian Center

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Crescent Moon...................................................................................07, 47

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MNC Metal Design..............................................................................13, 51 Mr Fence It...........................................................................................23, 45

Fine Art

The Gallery of Fine Art..............................................................................25

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Charlotte Grill Company..........................................................................21

Firep lace Insta lla ti on

Jacksonville Chimney Sweeps.................................................................27 the back nine of WILMINGTON ♌ backninepublishing.com ♌ 61

local business & service directory

Firep laces

Charlotte Grill Company..........................................................................21

Grills

Charlotte Grill Company..........................................................................21

Home Care Servi ce

Visiting Angels......................................................................................11, 49

Home He althCa re Service

Right at Home...........................................................................................29

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Loc ksmith

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local business & service directory

Lux ury Homes

Fran Downey - Keller Williams..................................................................13 Jan Windsor - RE/MAX Essential.........................................................29, 57 Marian Wright & Nancy Mihle - Coldwell Banker......Back Outside Cover Pam Kersting - Intracoastal Realty Corporation..............................19, 51 Terry Milam - Century 21...........................................................................09

Mechanic a l cONTRACTOR

T.A. Woods Company........................................................................27, 55

Orname ntal Iro n

MNC Metal Design..............................................................................13, 51

Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

Charlotte Grill Company..........................................................................21

Painting Services

Prism Custom Painting..............................................................................19

Party Rentals

M&M Bouncin Party Rentals...............................................................33, 57

Uph o ls te ry

Island Custom Upholstery.........................................................................31

Plumbing

T.A. Woods Company........................................................................27, 55

Pressure Wa shin g

Hydro-Tech Pressure Cleaning & Maintenance....................................29 Prism Custom Painting..............................................................................19

Real Es tate

Fran Downey - Keller Williams..................................................................13 Jan Windsor - RE/MAX Essential.........................................................29, 57 Marian Wright & Nancy Mihle - Coldwell Banker......Back Outside Cover Pam Kersting - Intracoastal Realty Corporation..............................19, 51 Terry Milam - Century 21...........................................................................09 the back nine of WILMINGTON ♌ backninepublishing.com ♌ 63

local business & service directory Remod e ling

Stone Built Construction, Inc..............................................................17, 41

Residential Electric

Security Plus Electrical, Inc.......................................................................25

Roofing

Anchor Seal Roofing.................................................................................09

Secu rity Systems

Security Plus Electrical, Inc.......................................................................25

Social Dan cin g

Babs McDance Social Dance Club and Ballroom......................... 03, 43

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CKS Equestrian Center.......................................................................31, 53

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Sub stanc e Abuse Trea tment

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EWILMINGTONHOMES . COM

Marianwright@seacoastrealty.com

910-200-4149 TEXT "MARIAN" to 910-218-8338 to view any home in Wilmington

Nancy Mihle Realtor/Broker

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage 110 Dungannon Blvd , Suite 100 - Wilmington NC 28403 NancyMihle@SeaCoastRealty.com

(910)-231-3255