Sports in general have a lot in common with one another. Perhaps because we are obsessed with golf that we keep hearing sports cliché’s that work well for golf.

Here are a few that come to mind:

New Set of Downs (Football)

When we are stuck in the trees it’s easy to try for the Hail Marry pass. The hail marry would be considered trying to thread the needle through tiny gap in the trees. Instead of trying the high risk play, sometimes it’s best to go for the middle of the fairway and get yourself a new set of downs so you can live for another play. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you commit to the shot with confidence.

Get Pucks Deep (Hockey)

• Ace: It’s in the hole. A 1 on your card. A euphoric feeling that no drug can top. And Ace is what all those newfound friends in the bar will be calling you as you buy them drinks. Cheers.
• Albatross: The rarest of all birds, an albatross is playing the hole three under par (like making a 2 on a par-5, or acing a par-4). For most, it’s an endangered species.
• Army Golf: Going from the left side of the hole to the right, then back to the left again (left, right, left… get it?).
• Barkie: Hitting a tree and still making a par.
• Breakfast ball: An unofficial rule of golf that gives you a free mulligan on the first tee. For many golfers, it’s the most important meal of the day.
• Coast-to-Coast Flight: A ball that is hit from one green-side bunker to a bunker on the opposite side of the putting green.
• Chili-Dip: When you chunk a chip.

Melissa is currently a golf student taking lessons with Jodi Reimer, Riverway PGA of Canada instructor at the Riverway Golf Course. Jodi loves teaching golf and is truly inspired when she has the opportunity to teach someone who is as dedicated to learning as Melissa is. “Melissa is a pleasure to teach, she is eager to learn and very devoted to improving her golf game, she is such a pleasure to teach” says Jodi.

Below is Melissa’s testimony of her experience at her first international golf tournament at the World Stars of Junior Golf Championship in Las Vegas.

Golf Club
• Toe
o The farthest part of the club head from the golfer
• Heel
o The closest part of the club head to the golfer
• Face
o The middle of the club head where the golf ball is intended to be struck
• Grooves
o The lines set into the club to promote spin on the golf ball
• Bounce
o The bottom of the golf club
• Perimeter Weighting
o The weighting around the perimeter of the club to help make a golf club more forgiving
• Hosel
o The part of the club where the shaft and club head are one
• Shaft
o The tapered tube which connects the club head to the golf grip
• Kick point
o The point where the shaft is flexed to achieve different ball flights
• Shaft flex
o The amount the shaft will flex under stress of the swing
• Grip

Choosing the correct club head style

When choosing the correct club head style it is important to match your contact tendencies to a head style that enhances your performance. During the fitting process your custom fitter will narrow down your tendencies by matching your launch angle needs, spin needs and your forgiveness needs by letting you use the different heads to match to your maximum performance. Make sure the club you choice is one you are excited to play with. Confidence in a club can be just as important as the technology that goes into them.

Confidence and trust are underrated when it comes to the game of golf. We are too quick to question our technique when it could be as simple as you having second thoughts over the shot.

Developing a routine that allows us to walk up to the golf ball with confidence will go a long way in improving your game. We want to take in all the information at hand, digest that information into a clear plan of action and have the confidence in that plan that it will suite your game at the time of the shot.

There are many correct ways to play any given golf shot, but if we are over top of the golf ball, still deciding what the best play is, we are already setting ourselves up for failure. Try and have a clear plan on what you are trying to do before you put your club behind the ball. If we are between two thoughts, chances are you won't be able to do either of them.

“It was such an exciting time for all of us who volunteered at the Pebble Beach Golf Links for the USGA sponsored 2019 US Open on the week of June 10th to 16th!

Stitch in Time, Saves 9
Summer golf is the greatest. We get to play whenever we want, the course is in great shape, and usually our game is in great shape. The downside is that we do not get as much time to practice as we may hope to, usually because we are spending all of our time playing. If we start having troubles with one aspect of our game, and it's been a few rounds, we suggest you work on it right away. Don't let bad habits creep into your game because it could be a quick fix right now, or it could be a big fix later on in the year. Think of your game like a car. Maintain it, and it will run smoothly, neglect it, and it may break down on you. If you don't know what to fix, let us help you, it could be as simple as standing further away.

Grip

Grips are much more than just the rubber keeping your hands off of the cold steel. They are an essential part of a golf club.

Sizing:
Having the correct size of grip is something that most people over look. Having a grip that is too small could make you pull your golf ball, and a grip that is too big could make you push your golf ball. They also sell large grips for those with arthritis to relieve some of the pain you may feel when hitting a golf ball.

Staying Focused

Are you distracted? Are you waiting for an important phone call? Have you not had anything to eat for 16 holes?

Our focus is something that influences your golf game more than we might think. With smart phones and wrist watches that buzz and beep every 30 seconds, it can be hard to stay focused on the task at hand. Getting angry at one’s self is something that may feel beneficial, but, it usually does more harm than good. What we want to try and emulate is the focus and attitude we bring to our practice. Deep breathing and taking a second to clear our head from outside distractions can help keep our round consistent rather than a classic golf game of pars and triple bogies.