June 23rd, 2009 by Barb Hanson
Barb Hanson
According to Alice Jacobs, an educational psychologist, and Brian Gain, director of the organization called Brain Gain, golf is a “neurodynamic sport.” When you play golf, you engage muscle memory as well as analytical processes, activities which stem from two different areas of the brain.
Neurogenesis is the process of creating new brain cells and happens when the brain is challenged; this process helps stave off memory loss that comes with aging. “Your brain’s burning a lot of energy playing golf,” says Tom Pernice Jr., a PGA Tour player. During a round of golf, you are judging distances and spatial relationships as well as making club selections.
In order to get the greatest benefit for your brain and your well-being, it’s important to focus on having fun rather than striving for perfection. (David Donatucci, fitness director for The PGA of America.)
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June 22nd, 2009 by Barb Hanson
Golf (both on and off the course) has traditionally been a man’s domain. Yet, today, more and more women play vital roles in all areas of the golf industry. As one of those women, wouldn’t it be nice to be in constant contact with other women in the golf industry? That’s exactly what WIGI provides for its members.
From Debbie Waitkus, Golf For Cause, Phoenix, AZ:
“My WIGI membership has been invaluable. Numerous times I’ve reached out to members who proved to be willing and reliable resources. Whether it’s been for brainstorming, publishing articles, speaking opportunities, referrals within the industry, or simply camaraderie at industry events, the relationships I’ve created through WIGI are meaningful. I firmly believe that membership in WIGI is a must for every woman who works in the golf industry!”
For more information and a membership application, go to www.wigi.info.
Please join us as part of a nationwide circle of golf industry friendships/contacts/resources!
Posted in Business Golf | 1 Comment | Add a Comment »
June 21st, 2009 by Barb Hanson
There’s no such thing as a “sand trap.” It’s a bunker.
And there’s no such thing as the “ladies tee” or the “men’s tee.” Women often play from the forward tee, but that’s not a requirement. A golfer may play from any tee which suits his/her ability. Some men should play from the forward tees and some women should play from the tips.
Posted in Golf Jargon, Uncategorized | Add a Comment »
May 27th, 2009 by Barb Hanson
How often do you hear (or use) the words “line of flight?” Would it surprise you to know that there is no such thing? The concept is often called upon (incorrectly) to determine a place to drop a ball that has gone into a water hazard or is unplayable in some other way.
If your ball is in the water and you need to put another ball in play, you must take your drop based on where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard. You have two options if the hazard is a direct hazard and is marked in yellow: 1) replay the shot; or 2) go back as far as you’d like on an imaginary straight line beginning at the hole and going through the point on the margin where your ball last crossed. If the hazard is marked in red, you have two additional options: 1) take two club lengths from the point on the margin where your ball last crossed (not closer to the hole); or 2) find the point equidistant from the hole and not closer to it on the opposite margin of the hazard. All of these options are based on the point at which your ball crossed into the hazard, not the ball’s “line of flight,” and they all require taking a one-stroke penalty.
If you’re in some other kind of awkward situation (i.e. under a large pine tree) and need relief, you have three options: replay the shot; take two club lengths from where the ball lies not closer to the hole; or, keeping the ball between you and the hole, go back as far as you like. These options also come with a one-stroke penalty.
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May 6th, 2009 by Barb Hanson
We’re now playing golf in Minnesota! And with spring golf comes the question of “winter rules,” that nebulous privilege of being able to move your ball in your own fairway if you find it lying on a bare spot.
Harvey Penick, one of the game’s all-time greatest teachers, when asked by his college team players whether they would be playing winter rules that day, replied with this: “Well, are you going to play golf or some other game?”
There are a number of reasons I choose not to play winter rules even if others in my group are doing so. The most important is just what Penick said above. It’s not real golf. Secondly, moving the ball can develop into a very bad habit to the point where you mentally can’t get past a bad lie. If you never practice hitting off a bad lie, you’ll never be comfortable with that shot.
Finally, there are all kinds of things that might keep you from hitting a good shot, including wind, rain, a loud noise, an uphill lie, a sore toe, etc. etc. Don’t make a big deal out of a bad lie. Mind over matter….
Posted in The Mental Game | Add a Comment »
April 22nd, 2009 by Barb Hanson
From the chairperson of this event: “The Tournament is at White Bear Yacht Club (White Bear, MN) and is part of the world wide Audi tournament. The two person winning teams (one male and one female ) receive an all expense paid two night trip to the national championship. This year it will be at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay outside of San Francisco. The two winning teams from there receive an all expense paid trip o the world championship.
“Last year we only had two or three women’s teams compete for the trip. I am hoping to get more women’s teams interested in this tournament and thought some of the women who you deal with might have an interest.”
Not only is this a great cause and a first-class golf course, but it is also an example of one way a person might choose to spend dollars in order to expand their business contacts and networking system.
If you’re interested in this particular opportunity, contact Barbie Hentges at 651.855.2836 for more information.
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April 14th, 2009 by Barb Hanson
Barb Hanson
Those of us who love the game of golf understand its great history and tradition. We respect that history and tradition by responding to it in many ways:
We play by the rules.
We observe specialized etiquette.
We rely on our own personal integrity to “referee” ourselves.
We adhere to certain standards and expectations associated with the game.
One of the basic standards is that of proper attire. Dressing appropriately for the golf course immediately says: “I respect this game. I respect my fellow golfers. I understand the expectation and am happy to comply.”
As a teacher, I often had the opportunity to observe students on “dress-up days”. The students planned everything from “Seventies Day” to “Team Day” to “Pajama Day”. But the day that was the most interesting was the day when everyone was supposed to dress in nice clothes. The change in attitudes and behavior was astonishing. There was a different type of decorum present.
I believe that to be taken seriously as a golfer, I should look like a golfer. In order to play my best, I start with trying to look my best.
Posted in Etiquette | 2 Comments | Add a Comment »
March 31st, 2009 by Barb Hanson
I just got an email from my friend, Kathleen, who shared with me her experience last weekend when she went out to buy new irons. Unfortunately, the scenario is all too real. See if you can relate to her frustration. I know my blood pressure rose a few degrees as I read her story.
Kathleen and her husband went to a well-known, large golf store and began talking with one of the sales staff who had been there for some time. Kathleen continues, “First of all, the guy talked to my husband - not me - about everything from price to technology to brands, even though my husband told him more than once that I was the one buying the clubs. The guy didn’t get it. Then, without even asking me about my game or seeing me swing or anything he went on with things like the following:
- ‘These clubs should work great for you - I gave them to my wife . . .’
- ‘These clubs could be the start to helping you break 100 . . .’
- ‘Even if you never play anything more than par 3’s or executive courses . . .’
“Then he tried to sell me a complete set with covers and bag - in pink or purple, of course - when the whole time I told him I just wanted irons. He told me he didn’t know of any women’s clubs that didn’t come in complete sets or any brands that only sold women’s irons. Excuse me . . . ??!”
I repeat: Can you relate?
Purchasing new clubs is a huge decision and a significant monetary investment. Kathleen was more than frustrated when she left the store - without any clubs.
I do have an answer for this problem: custom clubs made just for you by a true professional in the business. I can recommend just such a person, and I promise you that you will come away from the club fitting knowing that you have the right clubs for you, feeling good about the experience, and, most likely, spending less money.
The final straw for Kathleen was “when he stepped into the swing booth while I was testing out some clubs and started to show me how to ‘correct’ my stance / swing.” I could just scream!
Posted in Equipment | 3 Comments | Add a Comment »
March 24th, 2009 by Barb Hanson
Have you ever noticed how many different kinds of distance markings are used on the golf course? Before beginning a round of golf - especially on an unfamiliar course - it’s a good idea to find out what kind of marking system is being used. You can ask in the pro shop or check with the starter. Sometimes it’s even mentioned on the scorecard.
Some possibilities:
- GPS on your motorized cart. (If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’m a walker. So if yardages are only provided by the GPS system, I’m at a disadvantage. I think that golf courses need to provide yardages for both walkers and riders.)
- Yardage books (usually for purchase in the pro shop)
- 150-yd stake, pole or disk
- Colored disks in the fairway (generally blue = 200, white = 150, red = 100)
- Yardage indicators on cart paths - a colored line or number
- Disks along the side of the fairway in 25-yd. increments
- Specific yardages on sprinkler heads
These days the hand-held GPS device is becoming more popular. I guess I’m old-fashioned in believing that determining yardage is part of the mental part of the game. I enjoy using the course markings to figure out my yardage.
As important as accurate yardage is, I realize my limitations as an amateur golfer and don’t get hung up on whether the yardage is 135 or 139, I’m not good enough to hone in to that extent. I only need an estimate and then I can take into account some other factors, i.e. pin position, wind, slope of the fairway, etc.
Furthermore for me (and most amateurs) there’s an optimal distance, beyond which I have no club in my bag that’s long enough. I laughed when I saw a sprinkler head that said, “Just hit it!”
Taking all this into account, you should be able to figure your distance quite rapidly and make your club selection. Don’t model the pros on this issue; they often take a lot of time making a club selection, because it really does make a difference to them.
Posted in Course Management, Learning to Play | Add a Comment »
February 27th, 2009 by Barb Hanson
Welcome to 2009 and to my new “Golf-Her’s Blog”! This blog has replaced the “Golf-Her’s News” newsletter and will be updated frequently.
Along with the new year comes the onslaught of fitness concerns. It seems like everyone is resolving to eat better and exercise more. I just read a study that makes me feel good about golf and fitness. Neil Wolkodoff, director of the Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences in Denver concluded that we do indeed burn calories playing golf, and that we can burn significantly more calories if we walk. He determined that over a nine-hole round, a golfer burns 412 calories when riding a motorized cart and 721 calories when walking.It didn’t seem to matter whether the walker carried the bag or used a pushcart. Woohoo!
I’ve always believed this, but it’s nice to have this information verified by a fitness expert. I know that I feel like I’ve exercised after walking the golf course. It’s not just the walking, but the combination of motions made while playing a round, i.e. swinging, bending, twisting.
New Year’s Resolution: Play more golf! And walk when you can.
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