PGA Championship: Predictions

With the PGA Championship being hosted at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin the boys are in for a tough weekend.  The forecast is a nice balmy 80 degrees Thursday-Saturday with a bit warmer on Sunday.  In other words perfect golfing conditions.  The top 4 FedEx Cup point getters are hitting the links.  Currently in first place is Jordan Speith with 3,839, second place Bubba Watson with 2,358, third place is Jimmy Walker with 2,014 and fourth is Jason Day with 1,859.  For the Rory fans the excitement grows as he plans on playing in this weekends event.

 

Golfers have been coming into the Pro Shop all week and asking me if he's ready...my response did you see him hit driver that he posted online...yup he's ready.  I'm not sure if he's ready for walking potentially 72 holes that will be the true test.  You have to remember that these golfers are athletes there's a certain drive they have that the rest don't poses.  I hope Rory isn't coming back to soon but he wants to win and I don't blame him I just don't want this to set him back.  Jordan Speith is defiantly in the hunt this weekend with his stellar year so far you cant count him out!!

This course is going to benefit the distant hitters but what's going to make the difference is course management.  For those of you readers who are new to golf, course management and the mental part of the game are extremely important.  An example of course management is when you have really big greens you are chipping on to you want to take a look at the slopes and figure out where you want your ball to land not so much focus on where it will end up.  On Hole # 2 on the Baby Boomer Par 3 Course the back of the green has what we call a death trap.  If you don't get your ball onto the high part when the flag is back there you could easily 3 putt.  Your course management thought should be to hit your chip a little father to the right on the flatter surface which gives you an easier putt.

In an interview Tiger Woods expressed his concern for the mosquitos at the Whistling Straits Golf Club stating: "I've never seen mosquitoes like this, like they've had here. I live in Florida and we go out in the evenings and you may get bitten, but here you get eaten alive." I'm so glad to hear we aren't the only course with those pesky bugs!!!

John Ziomek, Sports Center Coordinating Producer has picked Rickie Fowler for the win commenting: Betting that one of the best young players who has never won a major wins the Wanamaker Trophy this week. Take your pick between Jason Day, Dustin Johnson or Rickie Fowler. I'm going with Fowler to finally break through. His run in the majors last year, combined with his memorable win at the Players, shows that Fowler has been building for this moment. Very few players are playing better right now. The time is now for Fowler to earn that first major.

What is Match Play?

Stroke Play Vs. Match Play

Golfers watching or, especially, playing match play need to be aware of the differences in the rules between match play and stroke play. Some of the differences are major, some are minor and some involve a different type of penalty when rules are broken.

Here is a rundown of some of the most important differences in the Rules of Golf for match play:

The Way It's Played

In this sense, match play is a whole different game than stroke play. In stroke play, golfers accumulate strokes over the course of 18 holes. The golfer with the fewest strokes at the completion of the round wins.

In match play, each hole is a separate competition. The player with the fewest strokes on an individual hole wins that hole; the player winning the most holes wins the match.

Golf Rules Many Golfers Break

The stroke total for 18 holes simply doesn't matter in match play. Stroke play is more a player vs. the course approach; match play is directly player vs. player, or side vs. side. There is one opponent you must beat, and that's the opponent you're facing in the match you're playing right now.

Conceded Putts

In friendly rounds of golf, golfers often ask for and give "gimmies," very short putts that one simply picks up rather than holing out. Gimmies, needless to say, are illegal under the Rules of Golf, but many recreational golfers use them anyway.

In match play, however, conceded putts are perfectly legal. Your opponent can concede a putt to you at any point, whether it's six inches from the cup or 60 feet. But conceded putts almost always come, of course, on very short putts.

Fellow-Competitor vs. Opponent

This is a semantic difference. In stroke play, the golfers you are playing against are your "fellow-competitors." In match play, the golfer you are playing against is your "opponent."

Hit That One Again

There are several scenarios in match play where a transgression might result in your opponent canceling your shot and requiring you to replay it; whereas in stroke play, the same transgression would result in a 2-stroke penalty or no penalty at all.

 Playing out of turn: In stroke play, order of play is a matter of etiquette. If you hit out of turn, it's a breach of etiquette, but there is no penalty. In match play, if you hit out of turn your opponent can require you to replay the shot in the proper order. And if your first shot was a great one, you can bet that you'll be replaying.
I hope this helps for when you’re playing your first match out on the links or watching the PGA Match Play Events.

How Much Water to Drink on 18 Holes of Golf....

Nicole Kirkpatrick is back for your Nutritionist Guide to Golf
 

 How much water should you drink during 18 holes of golf? (4 hours typically)

 

Hydration is so important when it comes to performing your best in any sport. On those long, hot summer days, water acts like a magical elixir on the golf course.  It is really important to hydrate well before your game, and that includes the day and night before.

 

Your urine is also a great indication of how hydrated you are. If it is dark, you know you need to chug a few more glasses of water- it should be clear in colour.

 

Look at all the things water is important for:

• hydrates and lubricates your joints
• helps to transport much needed nutrients all over your body
• keep our moods high
• helps fight fatigue
• flushes out waste and bacteria
• prevents headaches
• feeds your cells so they are able to perform optimally

The night before drink two big glasses before bed. During your game try and get 2 litres in. With all the walking, playing and sweating, our body is constantly expelling this water.  It doesn’t need to be ice cold either, our body actually does better on room temperature water.

 

I hope this little tips helps get you one more step closer to that hole in one!

 

Move It Monday: Glute Bridge

Side Bridge with Leg Lift

How it’s done: Laying on left side with body in a straight line and elbow under shoulder, push into feet and elbow to lift hip off of the ground. When at max range of motion, lift right leg as high as you can. Lower leg and drop hip almost to the ground, then repeat motion. Repeat on opposite side of the body. (For advanced version, start with hand under shoulder rather than elbow. Ankle weights can also be worn to increase difficulty.)

For weight transfer: place both feet on the ground and press down with right foot and hold for 10 seconds.  Repeat with left leg.

How it benefits your swing: Increases strength through obliques, outside thigh, and knees, and improves balance. Improves hip control through swing.

Program:2-3 Sets per side; 4-12 Repetitions; 2-3 Times per week.

How Often Should You Apply Sunscreen??

The photo below is from the Golf Digest Website showcasing all the Sunscreen products a golfer needs to have.

Get An Early Start

The first rule of using sunscreen, and one that many people forget, is that it should be applied before you go out into the sun. You should apply sunscreen about half an hour before going outside, to allow it to penetrate the skin and begin to work.

Choosing an SPF Level

No matter how often you reapply your sunscreen, you need to choose the SPF level that's right for you. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, gives you an idea of how long you can stay in the sun before getting burned. An SPF of 15 lets you stay out 15 times longer than if you didn't have any sunscreen. An SPF of 30 should let you stay out about 30 times as long. But keep in mind that reapplying sunscreen doesn't change the SPF! Reapplying SPF 15 isn't the same as starting out with SPF 30.

 

How Often Should You Apply Sunscreen?

According to the Australian Academy of Science, you should reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or every hour if you're sweating a lot. Australia gets a lot of sun and has high rates of skin cancer-so they ought to know!  My sister spent a year in Australia teaching and she agrees with their statement.

If you notice your skin beginning to feel tender or turn pink, don't wait for the two hours to be up or you'll soon be needing sunburn relief. Reapply your sunscreen right away, and use a generous amount. Check the expiration date on the bottle to make sure it's still good; sunscreen can lose its effectiveness over time. And give some thought to your skin type, time of day, and time of year. Winter-pale skin will burn faster than summer-tan skin. Mid-day rays are stronger than morning or evening.

Waterproof or Water Resistant?

There's a difference between sunscreens labeled waterproof and water resistant. According to the FDA, water resistant sunscreen must continue to work at the same level for up to 40 minutes in the water. To be labeled waterproof, the sunscreen must maintain its SPF level for 80 minutes.

What this really means is that no sunscreen is truly waterproof. Check the label, and then reapply your sunscreen after about half an hour of swimming if it's "water resistant," or about an hour if it's "waterproof." If you're not swimming but you're sweating heavily, you may want to use these same time estimates to tell you when to reapply.

What's the best way to treat sunburn?

 Drink water to replace fluids, take some acetaminophen (Tylenol), and soothe the skin in cool water or, even better, milk, which creates a protein film that helps ease the discomfort, says the Skin Cancer Foundation. "When your skin begins to peel -- a natural part of the healing process -- use a non-greasy moisturizer to reduce itching," Dr. Robins says. Adds Dr. Andrew Jaffe, a dermatologist in southwest Florida: "A topical steroid can be prescribed by a doctor for a really bad burn."





What's In My Bag.....

With the July edition of What's In My Bag we have Ladies Club Champion Maureen Peet filling us in on everything she keeps handy in her golf bag:

My driver is a Calloway Razr X with a loft of 10.5

New this year (still struggling with it) is a 3 wood Calloway Big Bertha

Then I have a 9,7,5 wood a 6,5 hybrid, a S,P,7,8,9 irons .. All of these clubs are also Calloway Razr X.

I also have a Calloway 60 degree club ( stole from my husband)

Putter is a Odyssey blade.

Attached to my Cobra bag (won in a couples tournament) is my Bushnell, a towel, and my Goderich Sunset tag.

In my bag compartments I have...

Titliest "56" ProV1x golf balls imprinted with "Hit 'em straight"

Extra tees, extra gloves (I like ones where half of my fingers are exposed)

Hank Haney practice weight

Cleaning brush

Sunscreen and bug spray

Hand sanitizer, deodorant, hair brush, bandages, spare contact lenses

Ball retriever

I have a double ziplock bag for extra tees, pencils, ball markers

I carry a Under Armour long sleeve shirt and a extra jacket

Maureen Peet is an avid golfer who plays in numerous tournaments throughout the summer months.   (Hopefully John doesn't read the part about her 60 degree!!!)

Rules That Make You Go WHAT?????

Here are 8 Ridiculous Rules that Golf Fans are Unaware Of:

Searching for or Identifying Ball Covered by Loose Impediments in a Hazard

You hit your ball into a bunker but can’t find it immediately. You think it might be buried but can’t see it. You start moving sand around and finally unearth your ball, sweeping away some sand to identify it. Make sure you re-cover the ball with the sand, although you can leave a small part of the ball visible. If the ball moves, you can, at no penalty, replace it.

If you hit the ball without re-covering it, according to Rule 12-1b, it will cost you two strokes. That happened to Michael Hoey in the PGA Championship this year at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course.

Ball Moving in Water

If you happen to hit your ball into a creek and the ball begins to move, you are permitted to make a stroke at that ball, according to Rule 14-6. What you’re not allowed to do is delay making your stroke to allow for the current to improve your ball position or lie. Bottom is hit it and get out or, maybe just a drop.

Touching a Loose Impediment in a Hazard

Your ball sails into a bunker. When you get to the bunker, you’re pleased to see that you have a good lie. As you reach for your sand wedge, a gust of wind kicks up and some pine cones get airborne from a nearby tree. When you look back, one of those cones has come to rest behind your ball.

If you opt to move the pine cone and play your shot, it will cost you two strokes, according to Rule 13-4/18.5. The rule says you have to play the ball (and the cone) as it lies.

Removing Morning Dew from Your Ball

If you are one of those golfers who loves to get out early, a.k.a., a "dewsweeper," your ball is almost always covered with that morning dew. If you are in the habit of wiping that dew off with your hands or a towel, you are in violation of Rule 13-2. Dew-wiping is a two-stroke offense. Dew, frost or water may be removed on the tee box before hitting the ball.

Flagstick Attended, Removed or Held Up

Good old Rule 17-1, Note 1 refers to something we all do without realizing that it’s against the rules.

You are chipping or putting from off the green, and someone is standing near the flagstick on the green. If that person is close enough to touch the stick, he is deemed to be attending it while a stroke is being made. So if your ball hits the flagstick, you are penalized two strokes, even though you were playing off the green.

A Bunker under Water

If you’re playing on a rainy day and insist on continuing even when the heavy stuff comes in, you may encounter the bunker that’s completely filled with water.

The only relief a player may take is to move the ball within the bunker to where there is less water.

The only way to drop the ball outside the bunker is to take a penalty stroke, keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and where the ball is dropped.

Who’s Ball Is It?

You’ve played one of your favorite balls with a “1” on it and hit it into a greenside bunker. Your playing partner hits his ball to almost the identical spot, and when you get there, you discovered he was playing the same ball with a “1” as well.

Neither one of you put an identifying mark on the ball. What to do?

Rule 12-2 says that both balls are viewed as lost and both players are penalized a stroke and need to go back to play their previous shots.

 Just a Bit Outside

If you happen to hit your opponent, who is standing out of the way and out of bounds, with your shot, and the ball comes to rest out of bounds, there is no penalty, and you can replay your shot. Don’t forget to apologize to the stricken opponent.