Seven Ways for Increase Your Competitiveness

As I once again collected the cash (ok - quarters) at the Hartland Glen 19th hole from my usual foursome, I figured it was time to share some strategies for staying competitive with your golf game.

Here is how the golf pros - and hustlers - do it:

1. Focus on little things.

Whatever you know you do wrong – or did wrong last time you played – make sure to concentrate on not doing it THIS time. Make manageable goals that you can achieve. If you focus on just one thing rather than several, it will help you immensely with #2.

2. Have total confidence in what you do.

I kid around lot, but I always think I will get it done. Always believe in yourself. And if you are “focusing” on not repeating the errors you made recently, then your confidence should be way up.

3. Always play for something.

Anything. It doesn’t have to be big, but there should be some sort of reward or punishment for the effort. It keeps you from getting lazy and not focusing.

4. Don’t think about the prize.

Never start looking ahead to payday. “Don’t start counting your chickens until they hatch” – is an old expression. And it goes along with, “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” In other words, stay focused on the task at hand and play your best at all times. You do that and the prize (and bragging rights) will be there.

5. Keep it simple.

This may sound like a contradiction, but when in the heat of the battle, don’t take big chances or try new shots. I know sometimes in skins or match play, the “hero” shot is all we have. But in most situations “safety first” is the best rule. Save the “new shot” for the driving range and don’t try it in the “heat of battle.”

6. Control your emotions.

Did you know beta blockers and sedatives are banned for PGA Tour Players? Do you know why? Because those drugs turn off or reduce the effects of our adrenalin gland and artificially keeps you on more of an even keel.

Now – if you can naturally do this, it appears to me that this would be a huge advantage in golf. Once a bad shot happens, forget about it. The next shot is all you have control over. Concentrate only on making the next one the best it can be.

7. Use a tough loss for motivation.

If you are serious about getting better – at anything – a post mortem on what you need to work on is necessary. Staying with #1 and #5, pick one aspect of your game and work on it BEFORE your next round. This will help with #2.

Serious chess players always replay the game to find out what they missed and how their opening went wrong or what endgame strategy they don’t know. It should be the same with golf.

See you on the 1st tee!

2010 Junior Golf Program!

Here at Hartland Glen junior golfers will learn the basic fundamentals, rules and etiquette of the game of golf from our Golf Professionals. The price is only $99

Ages 5 to 10 10:30 to 11:30 and Ages 11-17 8:30 to 9:30

Mondays
Jun 21 Etiquette/Putting
Jun 28 Rules/Chipping
Jul 12 Irons
July 19 Woods
July 26 Sand
Aug 2 Tournament

OR

Jun 23 Etiquette/Putting
Jun 30 Rules/Chipping
Jul 7 Irons
Jul 14 Woods
Jul 28 Sand
Aug 4 Tournament

Juniors 5 to 10 may play golf after class with Parent or Guardian
Juniors 11 to 17 are encouraged to play golf after class

Call Hartland Glen at 248-887-3777 to register.

Beginner, Junior Clinic and Junior Tour Classes Registering!

Classes for adults wanting to learn to play, and two sets of classes for ages 5 thru 17 years of age are registering now.

Beginner's Golf Clinic - learn the fundamentals during 6 weeks of instruction for only $120.
No experience or equipment needed. Classes on Monday or Wednesday - starting at 6pm.

Junior Clinic - 5 weeks of instructions, 2 Driving Range passes, 9 hole tournament, and gift package - all for only $99. Classes are held either Monday or Wednesday.

Junior Tour - 6 Nine hole rounds of golf, 5 Driving Range passes, Tournament and gift package - for $140. This is on Wednesday starting June 23rd at 8am.

Just give Nick at HG a call at 248-887-3777

Beginner’s Golf Instruction Available!

Beginner's golf instruction sessions are being offered by Golf Pro Nick Kouba at HG.

Learn the basic fundamentals - putting, chipping, pitching and the full swing shots during (6) six instructional lessons - both on and off of the course.

No experience or equipment necessary.

Pick either of the two sessions offered:

Session #1: Monday - June 14th thru July 2th

or

Session #2: Wednesday - June 16th thru July 21st

All classes will begin at 6pm.

Only $120 per session, six lessons in a session.

Call Hartland Glen at 248-887-3777 to make your reservations.

A Tip for the Looooong Putt

There are a few holes at Hartland Glen where you may find yourself calling a cab to get from one end of the green to the other.

When your ball is at one end and the flag is at the other, here are a few tips to think about:

Don't rush the backstroke and make a stabbing motion at the ball. Take a longer slower backstroke and follow thru the ball, letting your wrists break reacting to the weight of the club. As always, practice on the pre-round putting green to get the idea.

Remember - distance control is the focus on those long bombers. Getting within 3 feet of the hole is the real goal here.

Ok - a bonus short putt lesson: Do NOT peek at the putt! Instead - listen for the sound of the ball falling into the cup. Peeking usually makes the putter turn at impact causing you to push the ball to the low side of your target.

So, pick your line and speed and execute that. You will be rewarded with "the good sound"!

One of Golf’s Toughest Shots Made Easy

On bunker shots of over 40 yards, try using your 9-iron instead of your sand wedge next time.

Swing the same way you hit a sand wedge explosion shot and the 9-iron will give you much more room for error.

Just be sure to swing thru on an "out to in" path and keep your left arm firm at impact. The ball will usually come out low, so leave room for some roll.

Remember, you don't have to hit your sand wedge every time you are in the sand - or your pitching wedge every time you need to pitch. Sometimes other clubs will do a better job based on distance needed and the way the ball is sitting.

Lesson II

Maintain a Quiet Head

I can’t stress enough the importance of a quiet head for solid ball striking. Average players tend to move their heads during the swing. This will make you push, pull, chunk or blade iron shots.

Keep your head still on the backswing and the downswing. Then move the head easily thru the target on the follow-thru. Your head acting like a bobble-head or a salt-shaker is not beneficial to your swing. Keep a quiet head thru your swing.

Always Listen to Good Advice

Lesson - Kiss the Knees

If you struggle to maintain your balance when you swing the club, you are either swinging way to hard or you are not transfering your weight properly.

Remember a three-word tip: Kiss the knees. And I don't mean Paula Creamer's knees.

As you swing down and shift your weight to your front leg, the knee of your back leg should turn inward toward the target and get closer and closer to your front leg knee.

The front leg should be braced and stable as your back leg should be up on it's toes with the knee of the back leg kissing the knee of the front leg after impact with the ball.

If you do that, you will be able to hold your finish like they do on TV as your iron shot goes right at the pin.

Welcome to the Hartland Glen Golf Course Blog!

Golfers - spring is here and it is time to hit the links. There is no place better to play than the 36-hole Hartland Glen Golf Course.

We have a driving range open to knock off the rust and two putting greens to get the 'feel' back.

Then - try the long and open North Course or the shot-challenging South Course.

If you need anything at all to put in the bag - or if you need a bag or shoes - the HG Pro Shop has it all!

Hit them straight, long and not too often. Have a great 2010 on our links.