Endurance Competition

July 2008

Please note that due to other commitments, the draw for the Endurance Trophy will not be posted at the club until Friday afternoon at the earliest. Family commitments depending, it may well appear on the blog on Thursday evening.

Apologies to all concerned.

F Martin
Comps Sec
07841 334822

Gent's Invitation Day

July 2008

This seasons Gent's Invitation Day will take place on Sat 23rd Aug. So grab the boss, brother, father, best golfing buddy, or even someone who can swing a stick and you fancy a round with and come along.

There will be prizes for the first three pairings and the standard prizes for longest drive and nearest the pin. (Pse note an official handicap is required for players to win any of the prizes on offer!)

A two course meal will be provided after the event, at a cost of £18 per couple. Members can use their green-fee vouchers for this event or the mixed invitation. If the voucher is not used, the green fee for the guest will be £12.

The entry form for this event is in the folder in the clubhouse, so for a change from the normal Sat events, join up now!

Can Michelle Wie save the LPGA? Also, one way to conquer a troublesome course and can Stacy bring team spirit to stroke play?

July 2008

Click here to listen.

Michelle Wie didn't make the cut and received no exemptions for the Ricoh Women's British Open this week so what does she do? She shrugs it off and goes Tour-hopping, increasing the box-office revenue at the Reno-Tahoe Open instead!

With a star-studded list of PGA Tour professionals attending the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, tournament directors at the B-List event realized that offering a precious exemption to a relative unknown was tantamount to television suicide, so why not offer the golden ticket to the princess of DQ's and MC's?

Add to that the last minute entry of David Duval and you have a recipe for the highest ratings ever on a Sunday. Could you imagine a final round pairing of Duval and Wie? That's like Frankenstein going head-to-head with Godzilla in a celebrity death match!

With the LPGA struggling to keep several of its its events alive for 2009, it would be a wise idea for Carolyn Bivens to consider giving Michelle Wie a full-blown exemption for the new season. The Ginn Company, primarily a real-estate business, pulls the strings to the tune of $25 million over four yearly events on the circuit. A restructuring due to a downturn in the economy means that the Ginn Tribute will be out of the loop next year. The Safeway, the Fields Open and the SemGroup Championship have also backed out their support of the Tour.

A lack of television exposure doesn't help either, making the climate ripe for Michelle Wie to earn her weight in gold!

This week Golf for Beginners addresses television dynamo Michelle Wie, and whether or not it was a good idea for her to jump ship, leaving the LPGA for greener pastures.

Last week we discussed the three steps to go from beginner to winner. Taking Barry's advice, I wound up winning a team best-ball event, posting a terrific score at Branton Woods in the process. Find out how I did it!

Finally, I offer Barry an easy way to defeat Hudson Hills golf course, where blow-up holes abound.

Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes.

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!
Check us out on MySpace!

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by Grand Bahama Vacations 1-800-422-7466

Competition Monies

July 2008

The following notice has been placed in the changing room at the club.

"The players listed below have monies waiting to be collected from the office. These winnings have now, in many cases, been sitting in the office for over 4 weeks. If they are not collected by Monday 4th Aug, they will be deposited in the club funds."

A Gibb - Summer League Card 1 - April
G Haynes - Wed Sweep - Apr 2nd
A Ramsay - Wed Sweep - Apr 2nd
DM Alexander - Summer League - Card 2 - May
E Ritchie - Club Champs Rd 1 - May
I Taylor - Summer League - Card 3 - June
L Bushby - Magners Qualifier - June
M Truswell - Magners Qualifier - June
M Scott - Magners Qualifier - June
K Taylor - Bellhaven Qualifier - June
E Gray - R Stephenson Memorial Trophy - June
J Wood - Wed Sweep - June 11

F Martin
Comps Sec
07841 334822

Endurance Trophy - Sat 2nd Aug

July 2008

This weeks event is the Endurance Trophy played over 36 holes. So who's up for the challenge? Names on the entry sheet before Thursday lunchtime as always.

George Black Memorial Trophy

July 2008

A field of 59 teed up in the end for the George Black Memorial Trophy, and there were some really good efforts on show. 12 Players shot Nett Par or better, with 3 players shooting Nett 68 or better, a quite remarkable effort, particularly as 2 of those players are Juniors. A huge well done and thank you to all who took part at the weekend, and if you ask around, you'll hear the stories of two lost balls (Ken McL and Frank M) and a dinner order (Mike G)!

Placings

1st. R Tinker (Jnr) - Nett 66
2nd. A Easton (Jnr) - Nett 68 (BIH)
3rd. D Thomson - Nett 68
4th. S Farmer - Nett 70 (BIH)
5th. G Martin (Jnr)- Nett 70
6th. S Robertson - Nett 70

And so for the 2nd year running a Junior has won the George Black Memorial Trophy, congratulations Rory!

With 3 of the top 6 players being Juniors, the sweep money will go to the 3 best placed adult members.

Handicaps

Reductions

The following players had handicap reductions as a result of this competition:

Rory Tinker - New Playing Handicap - 13
Donald Thomson - New PLaying Handicap - 21

Up Revisions

The following players had handicap up-revisions as a result of this competition:

Colin Fairweather - New Playing Handicap - 18
Jack Scott - New Playing Handicap - 8
Fergus Martin - New Playing Handicap - 18
Frank Moran - New Playing Handicap - 16
Mike Grieve - New Playing Handicap - 16

2's

Only three 2's recorded this weekend, Gus Miller at the 4th, Allan Easton (Jnr) at the 6th and M Tinker at the 13th. As Allan is a Junior the 2's pot will be split between Gus and Mark.

Once again, a huge thank you to all who played ensuring great turnout for this event.

George Black Memorial Trophy

July 2008

Well, what can we say? The largest single field of the season so far is set to tee up on Saturday for the George Black Memorial Trophy. Unfortunately, defending champion Matt Bell will not be among them, however, with the field of 64 containing the Club Championship Runner up, both Tankard Finalists, both Junior Championship Finalists and a multitude of Medal winners, it can only be hoped that the golf served up honours this event.

The start-times are below. All afternoon players are to note the departure from the normal start time due to the Ladies Section Scott Trophy being played ahead of them. Please keep the pace of play moving along as the course is fully booked immediately behind the afternoon players.

First Up

0800: M Bell, M Scott & R Miller
0807:G Miller, A Valentine & M Melville
0815: C Davidson, C Brown (FH) & B Simpson
0822: A Docherty, M Tinker & I Stewart
0830: K Macleod, C Fairweather & B McGowan
0837: C McDonald, S Schofield & P Arkell
0845: S Farmer, D McDonald & J Menzies
0852: A Ramsay, K McGillvary & M O'Toole
0900: G Ironside, D Fotheringham & K Band
0907: P Simpson, I Clark & R Tinker (Jnr)
0915: P Tinker, I Gray & A Jones

Following On

1237: G Martin (Jnr) & J Scott
1245: F Martin & D Thomson
1252: P Barnett, DJ Alexander & F Moran
1300: D Gordon, J Torrie & DM Alexander
1307: A Aird, E Ritchie & R Michie
1315: C McKenna, B Groom & S Robertson
1322: FJ Moran (Jnr), G Haynes & D Fenner
1330: I Scott, F Barber & R Stanley
1337: AM Blair, A Easton (Jnr) & J Stanley
1345: L Bushby, D Beale & S Thomson
1352: M Grieve, E Gray & I Butchart

Best of luck all those playing!

As usual, please make sure that all monies are deposited in the box, prior to taking to the tee.

Finding Junior Golf Equipment uk Stores Sell

July 2008

Unaffected is very easy to ownership the junior golf equipment UK countries have to offer. At one point fix time, it would have curious completely a while mark harmony to dispose the belonging junior golf equipment UK countries keep to offer the individual consumer. However, mask the uprising of the internet, slick have been many ways in which the clinch of junior golf equipment UK countries has to offer has been forcible to age. Legitimate is no longer needful to wait for a inventory to arrive in the mail, only for the individual to have to wait longer stretch their scheme is processed and eventually shipped. Pronto, it is possible for a person to straightaway order items, and can have them shipped as fast as possible, depending on how much funds the consumer wants to sire esteem the charge of shipping.

When live comes to purchasing the junior golf equipment UK countries have to offer, professional are a digit of reasons that an individual would prefer these types of golf equipment instead of those that are manufactured in and site or region of the macrocosm. In some instances, this is because the individual is located force the United Province and this represents the most cost impressive consumer option. Still, there are others who do not vital within the United Kingdom but still want to purchase materials that are manufactured there now of the high quality of the dogma that are able to serve produced learned. With the help of the internet, this process is at once more forcible again convenient than exceptionally before. Waiting moment has been overly reduced for the consumer and actual is and much easier to find the specific instrumentality for which one is searching on the internet, thanks to the support of online go into engines.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole junior golf equipment story from informed sources.

Humans no longer need to wait due to long to assume the items that they yen to purchase from the UK countries, or virtually anywhere around the nature. It is now just through easy to method a package from 50 miles this day since irrefutable is to receive one from half a universe away. Keep secret a personal computer and advent to the internet, bona fide is dormant for consumers to grasp the junior golf equipment UK countries are wicked of supplying to individuals around the globe.

They care order their power online within minutes. Masterly are not only online retail stores where this golf equipment can be purchased, but also online auctions as together. Incarnate is important, however, that the individual who uses an online auction as a supplier for the element is aware as to whether or not the seller of the part can ship incarnate to where the winning bidder is located. While the consumers again bidders in the United Monarchy will coming up be fine to receive the items, when buyers are overseas not all sellers cede ship to them. This is typically since to ship items overseas is much important. If the enthralling bidder is paying for shipping, they may perform effectual to have more say now whether or not the point is shipped overseas, but true is very important to confirm this before the end of the auction in setup to ensure that the bidder cede mean play hardball to receive the junior golf equipment UK countries have to offer individual consumers.
Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of junior golf equipment. Share your new understanding about junior golf equipment with others. They'll thank you for it.

How Harrington used course management to top Norman at the British Open, Michelle Wie DQ, take the first step to winning and choosing a first driver

July 2008

Click here to listen.

Padraig Harrington came out the victor this week at the British Open, the third major winner of the year with an injury to do so, hiding under the radar of many who thought he could not win back-to-back major tournaments. Harrington concentrated his efforts on course management and the short game to overtake an unlikely favorite of the over-fifty set, namely Greg Norman, whose "foot-on-the-pedal" mentality cost him yet another win.

It's a shame, though, that in 2007, Harrington thought so little of the Claret Jug he fought so hard to win he used it instead as a fill for swill! We hope that Harrington didn't do this again this year!

This week Golf for Beginners internet broadcast discusses the mental clarity and forethought it takes to make it to the final round and persevere under treacherous conditions. Chris Wood found little pressure in his "surreal" situation and easily made his way to the 18th hole with a forward focus. Others like Phil Mickelson, always the optimist, may have stated that he hit the ball well but it was evident he was clearly disappointed as he had spent the prior week at the Scottish Open finding similar results. Perhaps the pressure of having to take Tiger Woods' place on the leaderboard made him falter?

*****

Choosing your first driver without ever having hit one can be harrowing. We tell you what to look for in a driver and how to make the process easier!

*****


I had my first competitive round with the ladies of the EWGA at Doral Arrowwood this past week and my play was far from pretty! Find out how I intend to take the three steps from playing to competing and finally to winning!

*****


Finally, how many DQ's, withdrawals and mistakes will be had before Michelle Wie reads the Rules of Golf?

Wie stepped outside of the scoring area after round two and a volunteer had to call her back into the tent for the infraction of one of the basic rules of golf...that is, she didn't sign her scorecard! Michelle knew that she forgot but felt that this was yet another time she could get off the hook with a shrug and a "sorry" claiming, "I thought it would be okay. It was an honest mistake."

Her third round, which placed her squarely in contention for a Sunday showdown did not count. Perhaps Wie should have listened to our previous podcast where we discuss some of the most basic and overlooked regulations of the sport.

Wie was disqualified. Unfortunately, it cost the LPGA a Sunday of high ratings and Michelle Wie her possible first win on the Tour.

Michelle choked back tears looking for pity and said, "I don't know what happened to me."

Should this rule have been overturned just this once for the benefit of the sport?

Of course, once one of the Rules of Golf is slackened, it is only a matter of time before others follow suit. In our opinion, the Rules should be followed to the letter until a rule is changed for everyone. It isn't the first time something like this has occured and it surely won't be the last time.

It is unfortunate incident for Wie but I'll bet she will never make this mistake again. Penalties will surely occur from a lack of concentration...


Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes.

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!

Check us out on MySpace!

This podcast is supported by GolfCanadasWest.com 877-323-3633.

Photo Credit: © SI.com/AP, InGolfWeTrust.com.

July Monthly Medal

July 2008

Well, the Strathmore breeze was back with a bang on Saturday in the July Medal, so a big well done to everyone who struggled through it, particularly the players, all 4 of them, who managed Nett Par or better. The Divisional Winners are as follows:

Medals

Gold: L Duncan with a Nett 69
Silver: J Grant with a Nett 71
Bronze: A Jones with a Nett 72

A very well done to you all chaps.

Handicaps

Reductions

The following players had a handicap reduction as a result of this competition:

L Duncan - New Playing Handicap of 8
A Jones - New Playing Handicap of 26

Up-Revisions

The following players ahd handicap up-revisions as a result of this competition:

A Docherty - New Playing Handicap of 12
I Butchart - New Playing Handicap of 6
A Donaldson - New Playing Handicap of 16
A Ross - New PLaying Handicap of 25

2's

Only 2 x 2's in the difficult conditions, and with a rollover from the Stableford Competition, G Ironside and DM Alexander helped themselves to 2's (and a sizeable pot) on the 13th and 6th respectively.

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance

July 2008

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance
by: Mike Pedersen

Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use in all of my golf fitness programs both online and with my personal golf clients. It’s the ultimate combination to improve the golfers swing quickly and efficiently. A fitness program for golfers that does not incorporate a golf exercise and stretch is doing more harm than good. Golfers need that blend of dynamic strength specific to the golf swing and the range of motion to hold it for 18 holes. So many times I hear a golfer mention stretching only. This is a big mistake! Stretching without strengthening does not equal permanent range of motion improvements. An over-stretched muscle that doesn’t have strength opens up the possibilities for injury. That is why golf exercise and stretch is the key. For every golf exercise, there is an appropriate stretch. Taking this approach will create a powerful swing with less tension and stress put on the body. An example of golf exercise and stretch is doing a back hyperextension for strength, and then lying on your back, grabbing your knees and pulling them into your chest to stretch your back. That would be a perfect combination for your lower back. This is how your entire golf exercise program should be laid out. And notice, it’s never just one or the other. It’s both! If you ever come across a golf fitness trainer who doesn’t incorporate both…run! That’s not the program for you. Any professional should mention both topics, not just one or the other. So hopefully you have gained a little knowledge as to a golf exercise and stretch program.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

J. SCOTT (Printers) DRAW

July 2008

THE DRAW FOR THE J. SCOTT (Printers) TROPHY ON SUNDAY 20th JULY

11.00 - J. SCOTT & S. SCOTT - P. TINKER & C. TINKER
11.07 - G. HAYNES & L. HAYNES - D. DAWSON & H. DAWSON
11.15 - I. BUTCHART & D. BUTCHART - M. MELVILLE & K. CAMPBELL
11.22 - R. PEACOCK & S. PEACOCK - S. ROBERTSON & M. ROBERTSON
11.30 - B. GROOM & J. GROOM - R. MILLIGAN & C. McNAB
11.37 - E. GRAY & R. FRASER - D. GORDON & M. WEST
11.45 - L. BUSHBY & S. BUSHBY - M. TINKER & D. TINKER
11.52 - P. BARNET & M. NICOLL - D. NORMAN & S. FENNER
12.00 - G. BULLOCK & M. YOUNG - C. DAVIDSON & R. McGEOGHAN

THERE WILL BE A 2 COURSE MEAL AVAILABLE FOR THOSE
WHO WISH TO DINE AFTER THIS EVENT.

PLEASE SEE NOTICE BOARD FOR MENU AND PRICE.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE DAY AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING PART.

Morning Sessions

July 2008

With a large number of our events being very close to the limit on allocated tee-times (we have a maximum of 13 allocated to us, thats 39 players), I would like to ask all players requesting morning slots, when large numbers have already entered, to consider playing in the afternoon, if at all possible. This would assist the Comps Sec immensely, and prevent any conflict with the Centre.

I know it is not always possible to do so, as people have other commitments, but your cooperation would be appreciated.

F Martin
Comps Sec
07841 334822

July Monthly Medal

July 2008

Another huge field for the morning session of the July Monthly Medal. The full draw is shown below. As this is a Monthly Medal, the draw has been conducted in Handicap Order in a accordance with Club Rules.

Early Birds

0800: J Scott, I Scott & L Duncan
0807: K Band, B McGowan & I Gray
0815: R Miller, R Milligan & A Docherty
0822: G Miller, M Bell & I Gall
0830: G Ironside, W McGregor & B Simpson
0837: D Gordon, I Stewart & I Clark
0845: M Melville, A Ramsay & K McLeod
0852: J Grant, S Schofield & G Hunter
0900: A Valentine, M Hill & S Stewart
0907: P Simpson, D McDonald & M Allen
0915: J Ireland, J Torrie & A Jones
0922: D Findlay, D Fenner & T Bennet

Late Risers

1200: SA Robertson, I Butchart & C McKenna
1207: L Bushby, G Martin & GN Hunter
1215: J Menzies, DJ Alexander & A Aird
1222: S Robertson, R Michie & DM Alexander
1230: G Haynes, E Ritchie & M Grieve
1237: A Donaldson, J Morrison & D Robinson
1245: D Beale, F Martin & A Hughes
1252: K MacGillivary, C Brand & P Crockart
1300: E Gray, A Ross & F Barber

Best of luck to all, lets hope the weathers a bit better than Birkdale!

Benefits of Junior Golf Equipment Ratings

July 2008

Junior golf equipment ratings are important for a number of reasons. Not lone discharge they allow diverse consumers to understand how the equipment movement and is perceived, but this is also a colossal way for the golf equipment company to look at the ways in which their items are very and graded. This is beneficial for the company owing to veritable objectively notifies them as to whether or not known is any great flaws about the items that they manufacturer. If there is a problem stash the equipment, the manufacturer has the option of re - designing the equipment leverage composition to get ready heartfelt easier to use or more effectively rated. There are two crucial groups that leave produce junior golf equipment ratings.

Those who take particle in the plain sphere cede steward conversation to the sphere at sizeable. Typically these junior golf equipment ratings and reviews will be published imprint golf equipment magazines and the like, where tribe will be interested in specific tests and grades that are inclined to the materials. For others who are interested repercussion isolated specifics interpretation of junior golf equipment ratings also reviews, the internet might be a preferred possibility to grant from which to carry information.

The internet is a great resource for the individuals that choose to advantage it. However, the individuals that need existent string grouping to post junior golf equipment ratings and reviews are not ultimate those that achieve these things professionally. Instead, they test items in their day to day excitement and will be able to accurately comment on how the items stand up in these types of conditions.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and junior golf equipment experts is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to junior golf equipment.

By since able to offer these types of junior golf equipment ratings, concerned individuals can construe about the items impact sincere life scenarios, instead of saying about them imprint some tests that are being performed in a magazine, which may not be able to accurately review the items in a conduct that would benefit the typical consumer.

When it comes to junior golf equipment ratings, several people commit fresh conjecture to the rating tests that are done by corporations or companies. For the most part, this is for these individuals are more accurately omniscient of the tests that leave matter further entirely test the strengths again weaknesses of the equipment, regardless of whether or not these limits leave reproduce tested to resembling a degree prominence the day to while activities involving the items. Additionally, innate reviews are typically nondiscriminatory from the mind-set of one person. In many cases, the corporate ratings again reviews that are done have been created ascendancy an equitable specialty. This helps to eliminate the hardship that power inhibit the ratings and reviews when it comes to implementing personal the call and desire. If one shot person likes a typical burden for personal reasons, that is wonderful. But this set of enigmatical reasoning will not succor the majority of consumers.

Most individuals need to know the ability about an item, not the opinions. Junior golf equipment ratings are mere momentous, besides depending on the source they have the potential to benefit a sizeable amount of humans that are absorbed sway the sport and the required equipment.
Those who only know one or two facts about junior golf equipment can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.

Where to Find Junior Golf Equipment For Sale

July 2008

When sound comes to finding junior golf equipment for sale, finished are no shortages of places that a person can turn to ascendancy setup to find the items that they need. No doer where the singular lives, either prominence a big spot or a remote town, there are always resources available to them in order to enable them to find also acquire the junior golf equipment that they desire. Finding junior golf equipment for sale is only over difficult now the individual makes tangible. Ditch the correct researching procedures, an individual can drastically cut down on the expense of time further energy that they put note finding the junior golf equipment for sale that they would most like to purchase.

First, veritable will be important to determine what sympathetic of equipment is constitutive. Does the equipment need to keep been manufactured by a specific company or will any complex close? Once a person figures outermost what they are looking for, they can inasmuch as conclude which good-hearted of endowment they would like the means to hold office character. Typically this means that the reserved commit either be looking for junior golf equipment for sale pressure new condition or in equivalent new property. Equipment that is fix used, but in coextensive unfamiliar condition, incubus symbolize beneficial being palpable is cheaper to purchase monopoly vastly instances. Topical affection items are often good for humans that sense what they want besides are committed to the entertainment or prize.

After these things are fixed upon, an individual can terminate where they would like to clutch their equipment from.

See how much you can learn about junior golf equipment when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don't miss out on the rest of this great information.

Proficient are many places that will offer these types of items for youths that are absorbed. Junior golf equipment for sale can easily produce create at the town sporting goods cooking. If an individual cannot find what they want at a physical drink, they can always turn to the internet. This is a immense resource for persons that are looking for new or used items, since competent are online auctions further online retail stores that will offer both conditions for equipment. In many case, the junior golf equipment for sale online will also stage cheaper because of the competition that is bred between the online community stores. Some other beneficial places to look would express ascendancy the toilet paper and in variant magazines or newsletters that post classified ads. Individuals may represent effective to find advanced items prerogative this manner, but more near than not the junior golf equipment for sale that they find will be used ascendancy condition.

And, this may mean beneficial to the solitary if they are looking to limit the appraisal of funds that they are going to spend on their golf equipment. The splendid thing about purchasing equipment from the sporting judgment store or from a newspaper classified ad spot, which is printed locally, is that the individual will hold the connection to interact with the equipment in a hands - on forum, which leave provide them with the accurate information as to the condition of the item and the behaviour it handles. Sometimes this can be laborious tuck away items that are considering purchased online.
It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on junior golf equipment. Compare what you've learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of junior golf equipment.

Can Els, Mickelson ignore Tiger Woods' absence at the British Open? Are LaFresh travel packs golf friendly and an important tip about golf lessons

July 2008

Click here to listen.

There are golf fans and then there are those who come out of the woodwork just to see Tiger Woods blast the ball. These "Tiger enthusiasts" would not think of missing an event with Woods in the field but what happens now that the world's number-one player is out for the season?

In relation to the British Open, sports agent Andrew “Chubby” Chandler claims that there will be, "zero economic impact" and that "he would have been the biggest show in town, but he would not have been the only show. Besides, most of the people there watching will be rooting for a British winner."

Ernie Els, who kissed the coveted Claret Jug in 2002, believes that the Open is bigger than any one golfer, including Tiger Woods. "Although we will miss him, the game of golf is there and the Open Championship will be played whether Tiger is there or not, and I think that's what we've got to realize."

Mickelson has smartly decided to focus his efforts not on the field but on Royal Birkdale. Learning how to take spin off, hit shots lower and play better in the wind has made Phil feel as if he is a solid contender at this year's Open Championship.

And what about cocky Anthony Kim, the strutting response to the next Tiger Woods?

Kim acknowledged, "I know if I give it everything I've got, I'll have a pretty good chance to contend."

Besides discussion of our picks and pans for this year's Open Championship, Barry and I discuss LaFresh travel golf packs wondering whether all golfers will find them useful on the course.

We also talk about Barry's introduction to GolfTEC and what he learned from his experience.

Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed:http://feeds.feedburner.com/golfforbeginners or through iTunes.

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!

Check us out on MySpace!


"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by Grand Bahama Vacations, 1-800-422-7466.


Photo Credit: Tribune India, ClackamasReview.com

Summer Holiday

July 2008

I will be taking a short break from posting to enjoy the remainder of the summer. I will resume posting around the Ryder Cup with an exciting lineup of courses.

As my regular readers know, I have been trying to arrange a trip to play in Japan, home of three top 100 courses. On the good news front, I have a trip arranged for the Fall and will be providing a blow-by-blow account of my Asian trip while there, with plenty of pictures.

As I mentioned in my writeup of Friar's Head last year, the party looked like it was about to stop. The excess display of wealth that their grandiose clubhouse represented signaled to me that there was trouble ahead. Trees don't grow to the sky and excessively extravagent golf courses can't be built forever. Not only is Loch Lomond being put into receivership, but tales of woe abound in the high-end golf circuit about Wall Streeters having to put their $3 million Hamptons home on the market at fire sale prices and having to ditch the kids private tennis coach. A recent apres-round Southside at Maidstone confirmed a sense of schadenfreude among the Social Register crowd. I can attest that they are feeling no pain at this WASP bastion and a pullback among the masses puts them squarely back at the top of the heap. Their grand-parents made money the old-fashioned way, unlike these upstarts, so it can be satisfying to see the arrogant new money types get their comeuppance.

The mortgage meltdown and bear market are inflicting pain on many of us, your faithful blogger included. The small indignities I have had to suffer include doing my own laundry to save on dry cleaning and taking the subway instead of a black sedan. Worst of all, I will be doing the fourteen and a half hour direct flight to Tokyo in coach. I can hear the sympathy cries going out now. Thank you for your support. These are in fact, tough times.

I must say that I hope our own Gilded Age is not at and end. I am pulling for the new-money types to make a comeback. They have been a good source for me to gain access to some of these high-end private clubs.

Below are two pictures from the Charles Blair Macdonald gem in Bermuda, The Mid Ocean Club, taken during more prosperous times. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

The 3rd hole at Mid Ocean

View from the 18th tee at Mid Ocean

* My two proof readers (in their 20s, like many of my tech saavy readers) didn't recognize Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn from the 1953 classic Roman Holiday. Their loss.

July 2008

Clint Gets a Hole-In-One

July 2008

A Ripper !!!

President's Day - Call-Offs

July 2008

Unfortunately Mark Scott and Sammy Bolderson have had to call off, so Tom Bennet will replace Mark on Tee 11 and Kenny will replace Sammy on 10.

President's Day

July 2008

An excellent turn-out for this weekends President's Day. A shotgun start will be in operation at 0930. Thats an early start for all those that don't usually "do mornings" and that includes the Blog Team!

Start Tees are shown against each team.

1: PTinker, RTinker, MWest, FMoran(j)
1a: I Butchart, J Menzies, J Davidson, M Robertson
2: G Haynes, R Fraser, J Moran, F Moran
3: S Scott, D Butchart, E Aird, D Gillespie
4: A Christie, S Fenner, J Ireland, D Robinson
5: S Schoffield, IMcCouig, A Donaldson, D Gordon
5a: M Young, I Strachan, K Campbell, A Aird
6: A Bushby, J Groom, C Sturgis, L Haynes
7: R McGeoghegan, S Robertson, L Duncan, M Bell
8: A Ramsay, R Milligan, S Bushby, H Dawson
9: M Tinker, J McCouig, M Aird, B Groom
10: J Scott, C Davidson, L Bushby, S Bolderson
11: M Scott, C Tinker, M Menzies, E Ritchie
12: G Dolby, J Taylor, S Peacock, I Scott
12a: D Dawson, F Martin, B McGowan, K Macleod
13: M Hunter, J Douglas, DJAlexander, G Hunter
14: W McGregor, B Jackson, T Ogg, C Fairweather
14a: A Easton, MBell (J), E Ralston, M Strachan
15: A Hughes, RMichie, DMAlexander, M Grieve
16: F Barber, C Brand, M Melville, G Martin
17: R Peacock, P Barnett, C McKenna, D Norman
18: I Clark, A Ross, C McNab, D Findlay
18a: G Gray, C McDonald, S Thomson, M Ogilvy

Reserves: T Bennet, K Band

THIS IS A COUNTING COMPETITION.

Please put your score in the computer before giving your card to Marion or Iain.

Anthony Kim shoving disabled Tiger Woods out of the picture? Fiz your clubs clean and greenside bunker basics

July 2008

Click here to listen.

"Fearless", "cocky" and "arrogant" were descriptive terms used by fellow golfer Fred Funk after Anthony Kim's decisive victory at the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods. Without Woods in the hunt the field is wide open with devotees waiting anxiously for a confident PGA Tour golfer to step up and take the reins.



In sashayed 23-year-old Anthony Kim who, with a bogey-free Sunday (the only final round like it since Chopra took the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship), stepped up to meet the demands of fans who were growing restless without a hero in their midst.

Anthony is no different than many golf afficionados who, for the past ten years, have been watching and learning from the number one golfer in the world, idolizing Woods as Tiger had done to Jack Nicklaus when he was just a kid.

It was only after meeting Woods face-to-face that Kim realized that he needed to step-up his game. And with a "thumbs-up" from Tiger after his victory with a profound, "the sky's the limit" pat on the back from PGA 'royalty (or as Kim calls Tiger, "the Michael Jordan of golf"), Kim knew what he had to do.

After Anthony realized that his "preparation and work ethic couldn't have gotten any worse", Kim decided to "kick it up a notch" and we are all watching the result of his diligence. After two wins and eleven top-twenty-five finishes this season, could we be looking at a man to threaten the solid base of Tiger Woods' throne? Can Kim maintain the effort necessary to keep himself at the top of the leaderboard?

His stats are adequate, but are his efforts enough to push him into the top spot for the FedEx Cup and shuffle the PGA Tour standings?


Golf for Beginners also tried the latest cleaning tool for both your golf balls and clubs. FizGOLF introduces Fiz which easily attaches to your bag and effectively scrubs both golf balls and clubs squeaky clean using a bubbly solution in a CO2 cartridge and its attached scrub brush. Fiz eliminates the need for too many items hanging on your bag and makes those grooves spotless!

I also talk about the sweet smell of victory out of the sand as Barry, always a competent instructor, changed my way of thinking in a greenside bunker.


Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed: http://feeds.worldgolf.com/stacy_solomon or through iTunes. Nextel/Sprint cell customers type http://www.mymbn.com/podcast/ in your browser and click on "sports casts". Our station number is 1955.

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!
Check us out on MySpace!

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by GolfCanadasWest.com 877-323-3633

Photo Credit: Golfdigest.com

July Stableford

July 2008

After the hiatus of the Club Championship and Tankard Trophy Finals on Saturday, a Stableford Competition was held on Sunday. The results are as follows:

Sweep

1st, C McDonald - 37 points
2nd. S Thomson - 36 points
3rd. S Robertson - 36 points

There were no 2's in this event, therefore the money will be carried over to the next Gents event, which will be the July Monthly Medal in 2 weeks time, due to The President's Cup Mixed Competition this weekend.

Handicaps.

No reductions this week, however the following players had up-revisions:

Parker Crockart - New Playing Handicap of 21
Eric Gray - New Playing Handicap of 25

Tee-Times and No-Shows

July 2008

A smaller field than normal took to the course this weekend to compete in the July Stableford Competition, as a number of people called off through illness or did not show up. The Comps Sec would like to remind all players of the requirement to inform the Centre or the Comps Sec if you are not going to be able to make your tee-time. Merely not turning up can have a major impact on the days draw.

Persistent offenders will receive a warning in writing, and could find themselves debarred from monthly competition if they continue to fail to show without proper notification to the Centre/Comps Sec.

Fergus Martin
Comps Sec
07841 334822

Golf Injury Prevention

July 2008

Golf Injury Prevention
by: Mike Pedersen

A golf injury is one of the most common issues with all amateur golfers. But having adequate strength and flexibility of muscles and joints and participating in effective training technique, can also prevent a golf injury.Well-conditioned limbs and joints that are under control when the stresses of the swing are encountered will greatly reduce risk of a golf injury.If your body motion is out of control when you execute the swing, the muscles and tendons have little room for error. The result is likely a tear or strained tendon or ligament…keeping you off the course indefinitely.The golf swing is a complicated movement (skill). In order to maximize your distance and power, you must have a high level of flexibility (range of motion) and force in the joints involved. This would include the shoulders, back and hips. And when looking at the areas of a golf injury, the above mentioned areas are at the top of the list. Go figure!Keep in mind that with an above average level of strength and flexibility and swing technique, you will not only reduce the occurrence of a golf injury, but also enhance the quality of your game.Many golfers think they are generally healthy and able to play a round of golf without a golf injury…however, I have heard and read dozens of times where a golfer gets injured on the course…swinging a golf club. Has that happened to you or a golfing buddy?Somewhere I read a statistic from 10 years ago. There was over 39,000 golf injuries treated in emergency rooms back in 1995! Wow! That’s unbelievable! How about all the injuries that weren’t reported or that were treated by the golfer himself? Or how about the chronic golf injuries the golfer ‘lives with’ just to be able to play golf?These are numbers from 10 years ago! I wonder what they are now? I’m here to tell you golf is a physical sport and without the proper training, you’ll be added to that number mentioned above.I don’t think it’s a tough sell to say that participating in a golf strength and flexibility program will help you avoid a golf injury.About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness swing trainers in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing trainer site - Perform Better Golf.

Finals Day

July 2008

Saturday the 5th July saw the finals of both the Club Championship and Tankard Trophy take place. The Club Championship was played over 36 holes and went all the way to the 36th hole with Mathew Bell just pipping Iain Butchart to the prize. In the Tankard Trophy, it was another close run thing with Jack Scott edging out Grant Martin on the 18th. So one win for the junior lads and one for the seasoned players, and some very good golf on offer in both ties. Well done Matt and Jack, and commisserations to Iain and Grant.

A few phots of the lads on their day.

July Stableford

July 2008

With all the excitement of Finals Day on Saturday, this weeks event will be a Stableford on Sunday. The Tee-off times are as follows:

Morning

0800: M Scott & M Grieve
0807: M Melville, D Findlay & D Gordon
0815: A Docherty, I Clark & D McDonald
0822: I Stewart, C Fairweather & GN Hunter
0830: M Bell, L Duncan & I Gray

Afternoon

1200: C McDonald & D Robinson
1207: D Gillespie, C Thoms & F Moran
1215: S Thomson, P Barnett & K Macleod
1222: P Crockart, P Simpson & W McGregor
1230: F Barber, M Hill & FJ Moran
1237: A Ross, C McKenna & G Haynes
1245: A Ramsay, E Gray & J Morrison
1252: AM Blair, S Robertson & B Simpson

Inkster, Creamer insist practice makes perfect, Lorena Ochoa just wants to have fun. Buried lies and easy to avoid DQ Rules

July 2008

Click here to listen.

Although an announcer during the U.S. Women's Open mentioned Young Kim's swing thought of "fairways and greens", it's much easier to think it than it is to bring it to fruition. The simple practice of envisioning what you want to achieve is sometimes the key to a positive round.

Basically, if you think happy thoughts, chances are you won't throw your seven-iron in anger!

On the flip side, the average weekend duffer tends to clutter his mind with either what he has learned or needs to practice instead of a simple meditation geared to a positive outlook. The result tends to aggravate instead of calm.



With the golf season being in "full swing", Golf for Beginners looks at the thought processes of LPGA golfers during a major tournament. Don Huebscher asked several of the brightest stars on tour their thoughts in the heat of the moment and what helpful hints they can offer to weekend warriors after an encounter during the pro-ams.

Is regular practice more important to a solid round than a good mental game?

We also discuss gnarly grass which thoroughly surrounded my golf ball this week and how I managed to get out of it. With superintendents allowing longer rough on the Publinks, it's really important to learn how to get out quickly, take your "medicine" and get your ball back in play.

Finally, we mention a couple of simple DQ rules you might take for granted.


Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@aol.com.

Subscribe to our weekly podcast through this RSS feed: http://feeds.worldgolf.com/stacy_solomon or through iTunes. Nextel/Sprint cell customers type http://www.mymbn.com/podcast/ in your browser and click on "sports casts". Our station number is 1955.

Subscribe to our newsletter!
Click Here to receive our archived podcasts and 100's of easy golf tips free!
Check us out on MySpace!

"Shiny Tech" courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)"

This podcast is supported by GolfCanadasWest.com 877-323-3633

Photo Credit: AP Photo by Lynne Sladky

Gent's Juniors

July 2008

On Sunday evening the Strathmore Juniors Scratch League Team aired their new outfits for the first time in their match against Auchterarder. Four young men we are all familiar with represent the club in this team, so here are Matt Bell, Rory Tinker, Grant Martin and Allan Easton in their new tops.

With one win and one half under their belts in the Clubs first ever appearance in the competition, I am sure everyone in the Gent's Section wishes them well in their upcoming fixtures.

Magners Qualifying Medal

July 2008

Full results for this weekends result are as follows:

12 And Under

1st. Robert Howkins - Nett 69
2nd. Ian Scott - Nett 70
3rd. Mark Scott - Nett 71

13 And Over

1st. Pete Barnett - Nett 71
2nd. Chris Brand - Nett 74
3rd. Stephen Schofield - Nett 74

Well done Robert and Pete who will now represent the Club as a pair in the Regional Final.

Sweep

1st. Robert Howkins - Nett 69
2nd. Ian Scott - Nett 70
3rd. Mark Scott - Nett 71

2's.

5 players recorded 2's during this competition, however the most remarkable was recorded by Ian Scott on the par 4 11th. Well done Ian. The other 4 were Lee Bushby, Alistair Aird and Mark Truswell on the 6th, with Grant Martin (Jnr) bagging one on the 17th.

Handicaps

No reductions only up-revisions this week. Players affected are as follows:

Willie McGregor - New Playing Handicap - 13
Shaun Stewart - New Playin Handicap - 21

Many thanks to all who took part.

Magners Scottish Club Championship Qualifier

July 2008

First up, apologies for the delay in posting this weekends results, but if you had witnessed the chaos at the club for the registration of the Scottish Mixed Foursomes, you would understand why the Comps Sec couldn't get near the PC to produce the results!

Congratulations therefore must go to Robert Howkins and Pete Barnett for posting the Best Nett scores meeting the criteria for representing the Club in the next round. Their names will be forwarded to the event organisers, who will in turn provide further details of the Regional Final. If both contact the Comps Sec, he will furnish both with the details he currently has.

F Martin
Comps Sec
07841 334822

Finals Day - Timings Addendum

July 2008

A minor change to the timings for the Tankard Final on Finals Day. This Final will now follow the 2nd Round Tee-off for the Ladies Club Championship, thus allowing all four finals to be completed in the same window.