The PGA’s return of the Florida swing and why it matters

Controlling distance in between yardages

Solutions for when you’re between yardages

You probably feel pretty good when you’re at the perfect yardage for the club in your hands. But what about those annoying yardages, like when a full 7-iron is going to be too much, and a full 8-iron might not get there? Or when you’re 45 yards from the green and your full lob wedge flies 60? I’ve seen many golfers struggle in these situations because they swing too hard or decelerate the club to try to control distance, and neither really works. If you want to hit more shots pin-high, give the methods I’ve used on the PGA Tour a try. Let’s start with in-between yardages. Here I’m swinging a 7-iron. I normally hit it 185 yards, so if I have 175 to the pin, I stand slightly closer to the ball and narrow my stance a few inches.

I also grip down an inch or so. When I swing, the only adjustment is to stop my backswing just short of my usual top position. Then I make my normal through-swing. I don’t change my speed coming through the ball. That’s key.

Swing speed also is important when you have less than a full wedge into a green. This is the area of the course where I’ve noticed amateurs struggle the most. Part of the reason is because they don’t have a consistent plan for how to handle these short shots. If you don’t have a strategy, it’s hard to know what to practice. And without practice, you’re going to struggle on the course.

The way I handle these shots is to regulate the length of the backswing depending on the length of the shot—shorter distances mean shorter backswings. But the thing to remember is, just like with in-between yardages on longer shots, you have to swing through the ball at the same pace no matter the distance.

I practice three swing lengths with my sand wedge that are less than full, so I have three distances locked in when I’m on the course. If I stop my backswing when the shaft is around the height of my hips (above), I know the ball will go 35 yards. When my forearms are parallel to the ground, it’s going 60 yards. And when my hands stop at my shoulders, it’s going to go 80 yards. Again, I can’t stress enough that you never want to slow down as you come through. It leads to inconsistent strikes.

“KEEP YOUR SWING SPEED UP ON SHORTER SHOTS.”

For even better results, add this to your range sessions: Hit 10 balls each with your backswing stopping at three different lengths. Make note of how far the ball goes with each, and rely on those swings to produce the right yardages when you get on the course. You’ll be a lot more confident in hitting half-wedge shots pin-high.—with Keely Levins

SOURCE:  Golfdigest

The post Controlling distance in between yardages appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

On this date in 1888

Who Knew??

On this date in golf history – 2/22/1888

“Father of American Golf” John Reid first demonstrates golf on a Yonkers cow pasture to friends

 

What is your favorite course to play with your friends?

Get your foursome together…

Book Now

The post On this date in 1888 appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

Lower Back Pain Is No Joke, But It’s Preventable

How to Avoid the Most Common Golf Injury

Lower Back Pain Is No Joke, But It’s Preventable

Golf is a unique sport because you can often participate even if you’re not as physically fit as you once were. That said, golf isn’t always an injury-free sport. Low back pain is the golf injury you’re most likely to sustain. Luckily, it can be avoided.

The following tips will help.

Warm Up

Golf may not seem as intense as a sport like football or hockey, but you still need to warm up before playing. Loosening your muscles helps to prevent discomfort. Practice these basic exercises to prep your muscles for a few hours on the course:

• Hold the club behind your neck, one hand on each end, and rotate your torso to stretch your neck.
• Pull your knees towards your chest a few times to stretch out your hips.
• Keep your hamstrings loose by bending down and reaching towards your shoes.

If you’re having trouble with these stretches, or they don’t seem to be effective, getting direct access to physical therapy could help. A few sessions with an expert could help you learn how to properly stretch before golfing to avoid lower back and other injuries.

Practice Your Swing

Golfers apply torque and torsion to their lower backs in order to generate sufficient club speed when swinging. This puts strain on the lower back. That’s why practicing a swing regularly is important. You want to emphasize smooth motions. Additionally, researchers have found that attempting to mimic the “X-factor” swing of professionals (in which you attempt to maximize rotation of your shoulders relative to your hips) may result in injury.

Maintaining proper balance while swinging also helps protect your back. Keep your knees bent and shoulder width-apart, while maintaining a straight spine.

It will take practice to develop a smooth swing, but it’s necessary. Doing so will keep you comfortable while also improving your overall performance while playing.

Get the Right Golf Bag

Lifting heavy items incorrectly or repeatedly can result in low back pain. In other words, your swing isn’t the only part of your game you need to optimize if you want to avoid discomfort. You also need the right golf bag.

Don’t use one you have to set down on the ground every time you’re ready to take a swing. Get a bag that has a stand, so you don’t have to lift it up repeatedly throughout a round.

Don’t Make Assumptions About Age

It’s easy to assume low back pain is something only older golfers need to worry about. However, the X-factor swing described above is often more likely to cause certain injuries in younger players. They tend to have more muscle mass than older generations, which puts significant pressure on their spines during the swinging motion. They may also be more likely to apply excessive force. Even if you’re a younger golfer, you should keep these tips in mind. Doing so will also help avoid injury as you get older.

Again, golf is the type of sport you can play well into old age. You’re more likely to be able to if you avoid low back pain. Remembering these points will help you stay out on the course for years.

SOURCE:  Golftipsmag

The post Lower Back Pain Is No Joke, But It’s Preventable appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

I wouldn’t want to be in this bunker!

Who Knew??

The largest bunker in the world is Hell’s Half Acre on the 585-yard 7th hole of the Pine Valley Course in New Jersey

Where was the biggest bunker you played out of??  

Let’s play golf…

Book Now

The post I wouldn’t want to be in this bunker! appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

Are you topping the golf ball? Try This!

How To Stop Topping The Golf Ball

We have all heard the phrase, “Keep Your Head Down!” Some people might say, “Keep your eye on the ball.” They say this so we do not top the golf ball. It is one of the five old wives’ tales of golf.  In fact, it is the NUMBER ONE Old Wives’ Tale. It won’t help you stop topping the ball.

What is the challenge?  If you look at the top of the golf ball, you will most likely hit the top of the golf ball.

Look at the photo above. I have placed some golf tees behind the ball.  If I look at the top of the golf ball, I will hit the top of the golf ball when I swing down.  The tees on the ground will not move and the ball will not go get airborne.  Basically, I will top the ball.

How do you fix this? Place a group of tees on the ground about 3-5 inches behind the ball, as I’ve done in the photo below. Place your club head behind the pile of tees. It will seem strange starting the club head way behind the ball.

Trust me.

Swing the club head and be sure to BRUSH the grass behind the ball, sweeping up all the tees behind the ball.  I guarantee if you do this, you will never top a shot again.

Cindy Miller is 2010 LPGA National Teacher of the Year, three-time LPGA Northeast Teacher of the Year, 2001, 2005, 2010 and a former LPGA Tour Player. 

SOURCE:  Golftipsmag

 

The post Are you topping the golf ball? Try This! appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

A Monday finish results in Lefty’s first win of 2019

Save the Date

 

What’s Goin’ Down at Down River?

EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

PLAY ALL DAY • ALL you can Play!

ONLY $25 per person

BOOK YOUR TEE TIME TODAY

BOOK NOW

 TRIVIA NIGHT • EVERY TUESDAY

A fun night of FEUD TIME TRIVIA – test your knowledge starting at 7:30 pm

CORNHOLE • EVERY SATURDAY

Join us for a fun day of Cornhole and enjoy our selection of drafts –  starts at 1 pm

BILLIARDS • EVERY SUNDAY

Are you a pool shark? Get in a few games of pool while enjoying great food & drinks.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

• OPEN MIC NIGHT • Thu. Feb. 14th – 7 pm

• VALENTINE’S DINNER • Sat. Feb. 16th – 11 am

Membership Opportunities for 2019

• Full Membership • Inclusive Membership • Individual Membership •

Specialty offerings like Snowbird & Student Memberships also available

Please learn more about all of the options for you by clicking below.

LEARN MORE

Please visit us for our delicious Nightly Specials and a wide variety of Beers on Tap.

The post Save the Date appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

Spend your Valentine’s Day listening to Sweet Music ♥

 

So excited for everyone to come out and SHARE their LOVE of MUSIC with us on Valentine’s Day

Come early for dinner and drinks then enjoy a fabulous night of local talent.

THURSDAY, FEB. 14th

Doors open at 4 pm Open Mic at 7 pm

The post Spend your Valentine’s Day listening to Sweet Music ♥ appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

An expensive day on the links!

Who Knew??

Charging $500 for an 18-hole round, Las Vegas’ Shadow Creek Golf Course is the United States’ most expensive public course. Known for its celebrity sightings, the Tom Fazio-design is regularly ranked as one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” by Golf Digest.

What is the most you would pay to play? 

Check out our great rates…

Book Now

The post An expensive day on the links! appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

Golf adjusts rule on caddies standing behind players

Six weeks into the new year, the new set of golf rules have their first adjustment on caddies standing behind their players.

Golf’s two governing bodies released a clarification on the rule aimed at caddies no longer being able to help players line up a shot. The rule now says a player can avoid the penalty if he backs away from his stance and starts over anywhere on the golf course, and not just the putting green.

It also says caddies will not be in violation if they are standing behind their player without being aware the players are stepping into their stances.

The clarification was in response to a two-shot penalty on Denny McCarthy at the Phoenix Open that later was rescinded so the rule could be studied.

SOURCE: StarTribune

The post Golf adjusts rule on caddies standing behind players appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

Better consistency with your tee shots

SIMPLIFY YOUR TEE SHOTS

Get your swing on plane and feel the proper motion.

I’ve had a successful PGA Tour career, including a pair of wins, by keeping things as simple as possible. Yet, in the numerous pro-ams I play, I notice everyday golfers tend to make things more complicated than they need to be, and their games suffer. One area to simplify is off the tee. For amateurs, it’s the most critical part of the game to avoid big numbers. Keeping it uncomplicated will result in better consistency, which allows you to pay more attention on your approach shots and short game. Here’s your first tip: Swing with the thought of putting the clubface on the back of the ball. This will help keep your body from lunging ahead of it, which causes those toey slices no matter what club you’re using.

GET READY FOR TAKEOFF
If we’ve learned anything over the past decade, it’s high launch with low spin is key to maxing driver distance. Most everyday players, however, have a negative angle of attack, with some hitting downward several degrees. That causes a low, spinny tee shot—not great for producing distance. Here’s a simple fix: Adjust your tee height. The people I play with in pro-ams tee the ball too low. You can’t possibly hit up on the ball if it’s only an inch off the ground. Tee it so two-thirds of the ball is higher than the crown of the driver (above), and adjust the ball’s position so it’s in line with the big toe on your front foot. Now drop your right shoulder slightly at address. You can see (below) how this helps get it in the proper position at impact. These simple adjustments at address will automatically improve your tee shots, and they’re so easy to make.

GROOVE THE RIGHT PATH
Swinging on an in-to-out path in relation to the target line is something most amateurs really struggle to do in the downswing, but it’s vital to making solid contact. I’m a big fan of the Orange Whip training aid to help with this. With its weighted end and flexible shaft, the Orange Whip keeps the arms and body moving in the proper sequence for that desired in-to-out path. For me, it’s not about where the club is at any given moment. It’s about feeling the proper motion. Another key is getting your chest behind the ball during the backswing. If your chest hovers over the ball, you’ll likely pitch forward on the backswing, eliminating any chance of being in the proper sequence on the way down. To help, set your lead shoulder so it’s pointing a little right (closed) of your target line at address. It gives you a head start for an in-to-out downswing.

GO SLOW TO FIND SOLID
The biggest problem I see amateurs have off the tee is, they don’t make solid contact very often. In trying to squeeze as many yards as they can out of their tee shots, they lose control of the swing. Their hands and legs are moving all over the place, and there are too many motions going on to find the center of the face. You need to back it down. A great drill is to swing a 7-iron at 30 percent of your max speed, and keep doing that until you’re hitting solid shots most of the time. Then increase to 50 percent, 70 percent and eventually full speed. This builds the feeling of controlling your swing. If you can’t find the center of the face at less than half speed, you have no chance full throttle. You can do this drill with any club, and I think you’ll be surprised to find how far you hit it without swinging out of your shoes. Better tee shots are as simple as that.

SOURCE:  Golfdigest

The post Better consistency with your tee shots appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

LOVE MUSIC? ♥ Come out for Open Mic Night

 

So excited for everyone to come out and SHARE their LOVE of MUSIC with us on Valentine’s Day

Come early for dinner and drinks then enjoy a fabulous night of local talent.

THURSDAY, FEB. 14th

Doors open at 4 pm Open Mic at 7 pm

The post LOVE MUSIC? ♥ Come out for Open Mic Night appeared first on Down River Golf Course.

Tee it up!

Who Knew??

The earliest golf tees rested flat on the ground and had a raised portion to prop up the ball. The first patent for this kind of tee is dated 1889, and was issued to Scotsmen William Bloxsom and Arthur Douglas. The first known tee to pierce the ground was a rubber-topped peg sold commercially as the “Perfectum.”

What type of tee do your prefer — short, long, wood, plastic, none at all???

It may be cold, but you can still tee it up!

Book Now

The post Tee it up! appeared first on Down River Golf Course.