(StatePoint) On the surface, golf can be a game of beauty and majesty, producing some of the most-storied traditions in all of sports. But for casual players, it can be the single most frustrating exercise ever invented.
You don’t necessarily need to hire your own golf pro to improve your experience on the links. Of course, a lesson or two probably wouldn’t hurt either.
“If you feel rusty or self-conscious, take a golf lesson or join a clinic to brush up your game and confidence,” says Carol Preisinger, the Director of Instruction at the award-winning Kiawah Island Club Golf Academy. “A good grip, posture, and alignment go a long way when you don’t play often. If you don’t have time to play, visit the practice facility and spend the majority of time working on your short game.”
Preisinger knows what she’s talking about. Kiawah Island hosts a number of heralded courses designed by such golfing luminaries as Tom Fazio, Tom Watson, and Jack Nicklaus. In fact, Kiawah’s Ocean Course was designed and built specifically for the 1991 Ryder Cup matches.
However, if lessons aren’t in the cards, Preisinger offers some other helpful tips:
*Call in Advance: Before arriving at the course, inquire about rates, dress code, and other necessary information. If you’re on a budget, ask about twilight rates. Many resorts have discounted rates in the afternoon. You can save money on green fees and the course may be less crowded.
*Know Your Game: By being familiar with how far your shots carry, you’ll better navigate course hazards. “Carry is the key word here, especially when water lies between you and the green,” says Kiawah’s Preisinger. “Plan accordingly and pick the best club that will carry the water.”
*Improve Your Club Selection: Updating your golf clubs can help. Consider investing in custom wedges to save strokes, hybrids for hitting more greens, and a putter with a length and head weight that’s right for you. But lugging a set on your vacation isn’t all that appealing. Leave them at home if they aren’t imperative to your game. Many resorts provide top-of-the-line equipment. Just don’t forget to buy golf balls.
*Play Challenging Courses: Top resort golf courses typically offer scenic landscapes, lagoons or ocean views, which add beauty to the eye and depth to your game.
*Learn the Rules: It might seem elementary, but familiarizing yourself with the USGA rule book, especially specific situations and procedures, may save you some strokes. Ask if local rules allow for “drop areas” on holes with water hazards, which could save you time and golf balls.
For more information about the courses on Kiawah Island, which is just off the coast of South Carolina, visit www.Kiawah.com.
Difficult to pick up, impossible to master, golf has confounded players their entire lives. But with a few simple tips, the grand game can get just a little easier.
The Fairfield Bay Area Chamber of Commerce announced the date of their annual golf tournament to be on May 1, 2010, 8:30 a.m. at Indian Hills Golf Course. Teams interested in playing may contact the Chamber at 501-884-3324 to receive a form in the mail. Forms will be mailed to previous hole sponsors, and team sign-up forms are available at 383 Dave Creek Parkway.
The Shirley High School Boosters will be having their annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Shirley High School Athletic Programs on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Mountain Ranch Golf Club in Fairfield Bay. This will be a 4-person scramble with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Cost will be $50 per person. Entry includes green fees, prizes, special events and lunch.
Please contact Mountain Ranch Golf Club to register at 501-884-3400.
Ladies Nine Hole Swingers will meet in the ladies locker room on March 10 at 10 a.m. Bring a driver, putter, and 2 marked balls. Lunch to follow at the Country Club with 3 menu choices available.
RSVP by March 5 to Linda Miller at 884-6919 or Diane Glyde at 884-6722. Watch for upcoming early play to warm us up.
The HART center gives awards to winners of the SWIM THE LAKE contest. Participants got miles for each time they came in to workout and for every class they took.. The lake is 276 miles around the border and three members completed the task. The winners received a trophy and a cash prize for all their hard work. Winners are: 3rd place Carolyn Cook with 279 miles, 2nd place Deana Stepp with 357 miles and 1st place was Charlene Carr with 460 miles! Congratulations to the winners! Great Job!
Jonathan Sites is the grandson of Colonel Carroll and Sarah Sites, long-time residents of Fairfield Bay (901 Dave Creek Parkway).
He led the Beech High School Buccaneer Football Team to their first ever 5A state championship in 2009, and ended up becoming a 3-star rated player by Rivals.com (placing him in the top 750 high school football players in the nation).
Carroll and Sarah drove 23,000 miles over the past two seasons to see their grandson play football, and ended up being interviewed on state-wide radio and even announced at stadiums as the most faithful fans of Tennessee high school football. Their story is quite funny, as they made friends along Interstate 40 between Little Rock and Nashville, TN where they would consistently stop each week during the season while on their road trips. Cracker Barrell waitresses would ask about the outcome of games. Gas station attendants would ask how Jonathan did during the game, etc. They have thousands of photos from the games as well. You can reach them by phone at 501-884-6123 (house) or by cell at (501) 940-0224.
Jonathan comes to visit his grandparents every year and always works out at the Hart Center.
Also, he has grown up on his father’s national television show “Spiritual Outdoor Adventures,” and many viewers of the show live in the Fairfield Bay region and have seen Jonathan make consistent appearances since he was 8 years old (Carroll has also appeared on several episodes). For more information about the show, go to: www.SpiritualOutdoorAdventures.org.
Jonathan Sites is the grandson of Colonel Carroll and Sarah Sites, long-time residents of Fairfield Bay (901 Dave Creek Parkway).He led the Beech High School Buccaneer Football Team to their first ever 5A state championship in 2009, and ended up becoming a 3-star rated player by Rivals.com (placing him in the top 750 high school football players in the nation). Carroll and Sarah drove 23,000 miles over the past two seasons to see their grandson play football, and ended up being interviewed on state-wide radio and even announced at stadiums as the most faithful fans of Tennessee high school football. Their story is quite funny, as they made friends along Interstate 40 between Little Rock and Nashville, TN where they would consistently stop each week during the season while on their road trips. Cracker Barrell waitresses would ask about the outcome of games. Gas station attendants would ask how Jonathan did during the game, etc. They have thousands of photos from the games as well. You can reach them by phone at 501-884-6123 (house) or by cell at (501) 940-0224.Jonathan comes to visit his grandparents every year and always works out at the Hart Center.Also, he has grown up on his father’s national television show “Spiritual Outdoor Adventures,” and many viewers of the show live in the Fairfield Bay region and have seen Jonathan make consistent appearances since he was 8 years old (Carroll has also appeared on several episodes). For more information about the show, go to: www.SpiritualOutdoorAdventures.org.
The 13th Annual “Women Can Run” Walking and Running Clinic is about to kick off at the Hart Center in Fairfield Bay. The clinic starts Tuesday, March 2, 2010 and ends Saturday, May 8, 2010. The clinic runs for 10 weeks and is held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Hart Center in Fairfield Bay. Walkers show up at 6 p.m. and runners 6:30 p.m. The clinic is for ladies of all ages and abilities.
The Cost of the Clinic is $15 for non-members of the Hart Center and Free for members. For additional information call Kelly Farrell at 501-884-7777.
The 13th Annual “Women Can Run” Walking and Running Clinic is about to kick off at the Hart Center in Fairfield Bay. The clinic starts Tuesday, March 2, 2010 and ends Saturday, May 8, 2010. The clinic runs for 10 weeks and is held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Hart Center in Fairfield Bay. Walkers show up at 6 p.m. and runners 6:30 p.m. The clinic is for ladies of all ages and abilities. The Cost of the Clinic is $15 for non-members of the Hart Center and Free for members. For additional information call Kelly Farrell at 501-884-7777.
Mark you calendars for March 18th and plan to attend the retirement party for Charles Ransom and Ginger Nicholson. Everyone is invited to attend an evening of fun and celebration. The party starts at 5 p.m. with cocktails and 6p.m. for dinner at the Indian Hills Country Club.
Watch for further details as this event comes closer.
IT”S TIME! Time to get back in the swing of GOLF! Come join us past, present, and future Swingers on Wednesday, February 24 for food, fun and fellowship. Lunch will be served at IHCC at 11:30, followed by a short meeting, sign-ups, and a mystery golf game with no clubs required. RSVP by calling Linda Miller at 884-6919 or Diane Glyde 884-6722.
Jonah McCulley goes up against the Rural Special defense
Taylor Burgess drives towards the basket
Darren King shoots from outside
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Mark you calendars for March 18th and plan to attend the retirement party for Charles Ransom and Ginger Nicholson. Everyone is invited to attend an evening of fun and celebration. The party starts at 5 p.m. with cocktails and 6p.m. for dinner at the Indian Hills Country Club.
