Random Golf Thoughts July 2011 (Part One)

Upcoming Golf Tournament - Shanker's Invitational Golf Tournament
We have set a date for the second of our three annual golf tournaments.  Right now we are in negotiations with
Broken Arrow Golf Club for a reduced green fee ($47 currently).  Some details are foggy, but our committee has come
to the agreement to have many of the contests and prizes that were given away at the Chili Dip Open as well as the
following organizational matters:

  1. Date:  Saturday, July 23, 2011
  2. Format:  27 hole event with a cut after 18 holes.
  3. Entry Fee:  $30

We are debating on whether to use the handicap system, as was used in our previous events, or dividing our field into
three flights and letting each flight slug it out.

We really need to see how many people would be willing to join us at Broken Arrow on Saturday, July 23rd.  PLEASE
REPLY TO THIS EMAIL upon reading so that we can properly organize this event.  We will send out another email
after the holiday, once we have an idea of the number of participants.  

Saving Money on Golf
The average golfer spends over $2000 on golf per season.  Here are some money saving tips that can help to keep a
little more money in your pocket.

  • Get out of the Golf Cart - Cart fee at most courses is $15.  If you're healthy enough to walk, then do it.
  • Bring your own drink - Gatorade at Sam's Club sells for less than $0.75 per bottle.  You'll give the cart girl $2-$3
    for a bottle.  Maybe more if she has a nice "rack."
  • Use coupons - Discounts websites such as: Playerspass, golfnow, greatgreenfees, birdiebug, and others can
    save you more than 50% off regular rates.  In addition, many courses will send coupons by email.  Join their
    email list.
  • Play the correct ball - Too many golfers are playing pro v1's.  If you are struggling to break 90, then you're
    losing 2+ balls per round, and don't need to be playing no pro v1.  At $4 per ball you're wasting your money.  
    Either play a cheaper brand, or purchase some used pro v's on ebay.
  • Play during non-primetime hours - Whether you play at 9am on Sunday morning or 1pm on Sunday afternoon,
    the course is still the same.  But you can save as much as 50% off the green fee for playing later in the day.

Do You Know Your Swing?
No one has an "out-of-body" experience and sees themselves hitting a golf ball.  All your buddies know how your
swing looks but you don't.  Most smartphones now have video cameras installed on them, you can have your buddy
video tape your swing then when you get home, you can watch it on your computer.  You will be amazed at some of
the things you are doing!  I thought I had shortened my backswing and increased my follow-through.  But when I saw
the video, my backswing was the same, and I wasn't completely finishing my swing.  I couldn't believe it!!  Watching the
video really helped my game.

Golf Tip of the Month
Although most courses are six to seven thousand yards, the game is really played within the six inches between your
ears.  So much of golf is simply having confidence in your abilities, and executing your game plan.  Somewhere during
your preshot routine you should be envisioning the flight of the ball and its direction of travel.  On a putt, visualize it
rolling on your chosen line directly into the hole.  For me, this is all done before I even address the ball.  It is also
during this time, that I use my "Bowling Pin Philosophy" described in last month's Random Golf Thoughts.  Good luck
and I hope this helps.  See you in the short grass......Chuck Dogg.


       PLEASE REPLY TO THIS EMAIL - PLEASE REPLY TO THIS EMAIL - PLEASE REPLY TO THIS EMAIL