Crocodile Attacks Toronto Man on Golf Course

A Toronto man is lucky to be alive after being attacked by a crocodile on a golf course in Mexico.

Dougie Thomson was playing a round at the Iberostar golf club in Cancun, near a lagoon, when “I heard this rustling and this thing was snapped right on my leg.”

It was a crocodile, and it refused to let go.

“Then it started going backward into the lagoon, taking me with it,” Thomson told CBC News from Mexico, where he is recovering in hospital.

Thomson’s golf partner and others rushed to his aid.

“I had broke my club over its head,” said Brendan O'Hara, and another man rammed the animal with a golf cart. It eventually let go and the golfers made their escape, though the crocodile was in no rush to leave.

It remained for “at least an hour” by the swamped golf cart, said friend Gordon Victory, and the course remained open.

“They still let people play behind us,” said Victory.

This is not the first crocodile attack on the Iberostar course. An American golfer lost fingers in an attack this past September and is suing.

The club says crocodile warning signs are posted and Thompson is welcome to a free round if he decides to play there again.

Thompson will fly back to Toronto on Thursday.

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This article was originally posted on cbc.ca the original article can be viewed here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/crocodile-attacks-toronto-man-on-golf-course-1.2424803

The Science Behind Golf

Have you ever wondered how the little ball that golfers are so infatuated with developed over time?  Here's a great infographic that illustrates the science behind the golf ball...

Thanks to Golfzing for providing this informative image. For more information about the history and the evolution of golf, check out the Eat Sleep Golf series 'The Evolution of Golf' where we take an in depth look at how the game has evolved over time.

The Masters - Quick Stats

This infographic was provided by Statista

Cobble Beach - Concours d'Elegance

Picture 150+ of North America's most venerated automobiles sprawled across the lush greens of the Doug Carrick designed 18-hole links; polka-dot sundresses and white linen suits will spend the day strolling through decades of automobile ingenuity with stunning coastline as a backdrop. With a roster of renowned car collectors and judges, and an already impressive list of exhibits, the inaugural Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance is set to become the pinnacle car event of the North, on par with the esteemed Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California. 

Georgian Bay is set to become the backdrop for the newest edition of the concours d’elegance. Heralded as the celebration of the world’s finest cars, this prestigious international event has finally found a worthy home in Canada. Location has always been paramount for the most elite concours around the world – from the esteemed Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California - the new Cobble Beach golf resort community offers stunning coastline on par with this tradition of excellence.

“If ever there was a Pebble Beach of the north, this is it. Breathtaking scenery, wonderful countryside, and close to home,” says Steve Plunkett, renowned car collector, organizer of Canada’s largest car show and special advisor to Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Dating back to 17^th century French high-society as a parade of horse drawn carriages, the event has transformed into the most venerated display of antique and classic automobiles in the world. The Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will exhibit over a hundred years of beauty and innovation represented in ten-plus main categories, featuring a concours d’elegance first: the introduction of a ‘Made in Canada’ class as a testament to the North American love-affair with the automobile. Exhibitor categories also include:

• Horseless Carriage (Brass Era) Pre 1916 (under 30/over 30 HP)
• Vintage (Nickel Era) 1916 to 1927
• American Classics Open 1925 to 1948
• American Classics Closed 1925 to 1948
• European Classics 1925 to 1948
• Sports Cars – European to 1973
• Sports Cars – American to 1973
• Preservation Class – pre 1960 cars (largely untouched, unrestored, running, original paint)
• Post War Thoroughbred - limited production prestige to 1973
• American Muscle Car 1960 to 1973
• Supercars
• Race Cars - track only – pre 1980
• Special Interest
• Pre-War Canadian engineered and built automobiles
• Production Modern 1949 to 1973
• Street Rods and Hot Rods to 1956

While the search for the world’s best cars has only just begun, entries for the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, have already started to flood in. The event will welcome home the 1978 Ferrari 312T3 F1 that won Gilles Villeneuve his first Formula One Grand Prix. After thirty years outside the country, the Ferrari will take its place among chief examples of automotive ingenuity, including the spectacular 1956 Maserati 200SI, the revolutionary 1930 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Roadster, and the rare 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe.

“The Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be the car event of the season. Exhibitors will flock to be a part of this statement of elegance in the North,” predicts Edward Lucas, recipient of National Automotive Historian Award and Past Director and Chief Judge in the Classic Car Club of America. With over 20 years of experience as announcer at national automobile events, Lucas will lead the first annual Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance as Master of Ceremonies.

Contributing to the proper preservation of automotive history, Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance judging will consider correct preservation or restoration, as well as standards of presentation. Cars will be judged based on quality workmanship and functionality, originality and authenticity, as well as elegance in styling and design.

John Carlson joins the team as Chief Judge for the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. With over 45 years of experience in the collector car hobby, Carlson’s resume is stacked with impressive titles and accolades that he brings to the inaugural event. Carlson is the National President, CEO, and Chief Judge of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada, a permanent Chief Class Judge of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and has been inducted into three Motorsport Hall of Fames in Canada. 

"I am thrilled to have been invited to be part of the first Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The setting alone is sure to entice some of the most significant collector cars in North America. It will be a fantastic show to judge…to watch,” says John Carlson, Chief Judge of the inaugural Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance. 

Proceeds raised by Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will go to Sunnybrook Foundation to fund a state-of-the-art helipad on the rooftop of the Toronto hospital. Of the 1,000 patients that are treated for life-threatening traumas at the hospital each year, about half arrive by helicopter. Right now, the hospital’s helipad is located about 500 meters from the trauma room and transferring patients from the helicopter to the trauma room can add time in treating patients when every second counts.

Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance general admission tickets range in price from $25 per person to $75 for a family including 2 adults and up to 4 children under 16. $250 VIP admission includes gourmet breakfast, lunch, VIP parking, and access to the VIP Clubhouse with wine-bar available throughout the day. For the utmost convenience, the $1100 VIP Ticket + Flight includes VIP admission plus a round-trip with Porter airlines from Toronto Island Airport and shuttles to Cobble Beach, as well as a $300 charitable donation receipt from Sunnybrook Foundation. For exhibitor information, to purchase tickets and more details on the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance Gala dinner visit www.cobblebeachconcours.com.

Cobble Beach Golf Links Resort Community

Nestled in the Bruce Peninsula, a National Geographic top-rated destination, the Cobble Beach Golf resort community is located on 1.6 km of private, untouched shoreline with unparalleled panoramic views of the Georgian Bluffs, and a 260 ft dock stretching into the bay providing access to yachts up to 120 ft. Deemed a Top 20 Golf Resort in Canada by Links Magazine in 2012, and one of the Top 10 Best New Courses in the World by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, Cobble Beach’s Doug Carrick designed 18-hole golf course is sure to draw the elite crowd of international tastemakers and automobile enthusiasts to stay for the week. Cobble Beach residents and guests of the inn enjoy gourmet dining at the award-winning Sweetwater Restaurant and first-rate treatments at the five-star Vichy Spa.

Potential purchasers charmed by the 574-acres of coastal landscape are invited to learn more about living at the Cobble Beach Golf Links Resort Community year round. Find out more at the Cobble Beach Experience Centre.

Hiking the Ultimate Tee Off at 12,667 ft.

For those among us whose desire for adventure outweighs the pressure of self-preservation have I got a trip for you! This one comes to you courtesy a sparsely populated, but famously potato state. Any idea which I am talking about? If you said Idaho, you’d be absolutely right! Located just inside the eastern edge of the Pacific Northwest, Idaho has a lot to offer those looking to get away from the hustle of city life. With over 83,000 square miles (mostly undeveloped) Idaho is a rare gem in the lower 48. Perhaps that’s why it’s referred to as the “Gem State”?

One of the best hikes in the state of Idaho is the Mt. Borah hike. At a little over 12,660 feet high, Mt. Borah is Idaho’s tallest mountain. Even for those who are in good shape, this hike can take a whopping twelve hours to complete from start to finish. Although the hike is strenuous, and at times downright dangerous (case and point - Chicken Out Ridge), but the views and freedom you experience once reaching the summit can only be compared to pure bliss.

When I made the summit in July of 2012 I witnessed firsthand a favorite past time some Mt. Borah hikers partake in, teeing off at the summit. As if the hike wasn’t bad enough already, people actually decide to haul golf clubs all the way up the mountain, and although I certainly do not encourage such behavior (for safety and environmental reasons) I will say this: if you’re going to do it, be smart. Make sure no one is climbing the mountain in the direction you’re teeing. It may not look like it, but people are able to ascend the mountain from more than one route, and use a bio-degradable ball. Here are a few I’d recommend.

The Eco Golf Ball - The Eco Golf Ball is made from 100% biodegradable wood. Originally designed for use in or around bodies of water the Eco Golf Ball meets all MARPOL V regulations and is actually approved by the US Coast Guard to be hit into the ocean. If left alone this ball should naturally degrade within a 3-6 month period.

UMaine’s Lobster Shell Ball - The lobster shell ball is produced by UMaine’s very own The Lobster Institute. Originally designed to be hit into the sea the lobster ball is made from waste lobster shells left over from the canning industry, a by-product that would otherwise be more waste in the landfill. These balls don’t fly as far as a regular ball but for the special summit tee off, or other non-retrievable tees (like the ocean) the lobster ball is the perfect solution to preventing pollution.

The Ecobioball Golf Ball - Albus Golf has produced the first 100% biodegradable golf ball that has a core made from fish food. The ball begins to degrade as soon as it touches water. Within 48 hours of initial exposure the entire shell should be gone and the inner core, made from fish food, is available for fish to eat. The idea behind this ball is that you shouldn’t just make a ball degrade; you should also give benefit to the fishes.

Final Thoughts Bring lots and lots of water, a sports drink or two, and a few snacks. Because the hike can take all day to complete, you’ll want to get an early start. When I did it in 2012 I stayed the night in the campground at the base of Borah and left at 5am the next morning. Since the sun isn’t up quite yet you’ll also want to pack a flashlight. For more information on this hike the US Forest Service has prepared a PDF file which can be found here.

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This article was written by David Bryce an online publisher for Golf in Branson, MO at Thousand Hills. He blogs on the topics of golf, travel, and vacations. 

Garmin Golf Expands with the Approach S2

Preloaded with over 30,000 Worldwide Courses 

The Approach S2 GPS golf watch—a sleek, stylish golf watch to expand the already popular Approach Series. The Approach S2 comes preloaded with over 30,000 worldwide courses, and is ready to use right out of the box without any subscriptions or fees. In addition to measuring distances to the front, back and middle of the green (like the Approach S1), the S2 features layup and dogleg distances at a glance so golfers can be at the top of their game, all while keeping track of their strokes on the digital scorecard. Additionally, the Approach S2 boasts a fashionable, yet functional design that is sleek enough for everyday wear but also acts as a digital guide to golf courses across the globe. Approach S2 was announced in preparation for the PGA Show in Orlando, FL. (Jan 24-26 2013) where it will be prominently displayed at the Garmin booth.

Annandale Golf & Curling Club

Number of Holes: 18

Yardage:  6,000 yards (from blue tees)
Par: 71
Open to the public: Yes
Green Fees: From $30 - $35
Call for tee times: 905.683.3210 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            905.683.3210      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Driving range: Yes
Restaurant: Yes

Website: www.annandalegolfclub.com

Nestled in the attractive valley of Duffin's Creek in the town of Ajax, the Annandale Golf & Curling club is an average-length, 18-hole course that offers an excellent retreat for a game of golf. The course is a par 71 measuring approximately 6000 yards, and our facilities include a driving range, snack bar, dining lounge, and tavern.

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Jamie Sadlowski Breaks Golf Channel's Simulator

I couldn't help but share this video clip from Fridays Morning Drive show on the Golf Channel  features two-time RE/MAX World Long Drive Champion Jamie Sadlowski competing in a driving contest against Morning Drive host Gary Williams using Golf Channel’s in-studio simulator. Sadlowski broke the simulator on his opening drive, with the ball ripping through the net and punching a hole through the simulator screen.  Have a look...

Catching up with MLB's A.J. Pierzynski

Longtime Chicago White Sox All-Star catcher and current free agent A.J. Pierzynski joined Golf Channel’s Morning Drive this morning to discuss a variety of topics from golf to baseball. Pierzynski is competing this week in the Pro-Am portion of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic PGA TOUR event at Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday and Friday.

McIlroy Gambling With His Future Regarding New Equipment

In the world of mega-endorsement deals this one, at least in newsprint, is Alex Rodriguez – a blockbuster that defies market value and the status quo.

On Tuesday Titleist confirmed it was clearing the air and essentially giving Rory McIlroy an opportunity to take his considerable talents to Beaverton, Ore., home of the Nike empire that has reportedly been wooing the Ulsterman to the tune of a 10-year deal with $20 million a calendar.

Your Realistic Guide to Becoming a Scratch Golfer in a Year

When I was a young golfer (about 15 years old), I thought a handicap was a bad limp. It wasn't until I started playing competitively that I understood that a handicap is meant to level the playing field among golfers. My Dad was a bowler and the lower his bowling average got, the higher his handicap was and that figure was added to whatever his three-game total was for that night. If his handicap was 33 and he bowled below his average, the handicap gave his team a boost. If he had the same 33 handicap but bowled like a pro one night, that would be added to his total, very likely giving his team a three-game victory!

The golf handicap system is more complicated and the rules vary from country to country. In the United States, the US Golf Association (USGA) handicap system is generally based on a player's ability according to a recent history of rounds played. There are variables which are factored into the equation, such as the slope and course rating. These are all used to calculate a "handicap differential," which in turn is used to calculate a player's handicap. Even though golfers with lower handicaps consistently post lower scores than higher handicapped players, the handicap is not meant to just measure a golfer's average score. It is calculated to show a player's potential, i.e., how many strokes above or below par a golfer should be able to play. Therefore, a handicap is not a fixed figure; it is regularly adjusted according to the increases and decreases in scoring on official courses.

McIlroy and Woods Abu Dhabi Bound in January

The world’s top two players, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, will head an all-star cast of the biggest names in golf at the eighth annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship - running January 17-20 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

After dazzling local galleries when paired over the opening 54 holes of this year’s tournament, McIlroy, a two-time Major winner and the current world number one, and Woods, widely-recognised as the most high-profile player in the sport’s history and a 14-time Major winner, will head the battle for Abu Dhabi’s prestigious falcon trophy and a share of the event’s US $2.7m prize purse.

“Confirming Rory and Tiger, the world’s top two players and a duo with well-documented respect and admiration for each other’s talents, represents a significant coup and demonstrates how far the Championship has come in its relatively short history,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Event Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the Championship organiser.

“Rory and Tiger are true giants of the game and represent only our opening salvo – we are actively working to bring another world-class field to Abu Dhabi and further player announcements will be made in coming weeks.”

A member of both the European PGA and PGA Tours, Northern Ireland’s McIlroy shot to the summit of the sport’s rankings earlier this year following a string of victories culminating in a staggering eight-shot victory in August’s US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island – the Ulsterman’s second Major. With four Tour wins in 2012, McIlroy subsequently played a central role in Europe’s historic Ryder Cup defence at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois.

“I’ve come close a few times in Abu Dhabi now – hopefully it’s my turn,” McIlroy revealed via a live telephone link at the event’s official launch at five-star The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort – the Championship’s new official hotel partner.

“This will be the first time I’ve headed to Abu Dhabi as world number one and I’m determined to keep the wins coming and cement my ranking. The strength of the field means there will be a ton of world ranking points on offer so Abu Dhabi will be a really significant tournament that sets the tone for the year. I had a great tussle with Tiger nine months ago and I’m sure he’ll be in contention again. We’ve spent a lot of time playing together this year and it’s always fun challenging the best. I’ve made no secret of the fact he’s a hero of mine and there’s nothing better than tussling with your heroes.”

Having signalled his falcon trophy intentions with an imperious, bogey-free third round of 66 on his Abu Dhabi debut, a resurgent Woods was unable to halt the glory march of eventual winner England’s Robert Rock. After memorably performing a traditional Emirati ayala dance prior to this year’s opening round, Woods is eager to find his groove when he returns to the emirate in three months time.

“I had heard so much about Abu Dhabi in the past and I was very impressed by the crowds, the organisation and the overall atmosphere,” said Tiger. “I really enjoyed my time in Abu Dhabi and I wanted to return, particularly as I played well and came so close last year. I’d love nothing more than to win in January and start the season in the best possible way.”

With the Woods-McIlroy effect ensuring this year’s Championship shattered its own four-day attendance record by attracting more than 82,000 spectators to the National Course, the event’s title sponsor, HSBC, believes the stellar cast lined up for January will further cement the tournament’s billing on the international golf calendar.

HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship and Events Giles Morgan said: "Next year marks our tenth anniversary as a major international sponsor of golf and this is a great way to kick off a landmark year for us. In the last decade we are proud to have sponsored 30 tournaments around the world and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is right up there as a major global event and an important showcase for golf in the Middle East."

Simon Cooper, Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Middle East & North Africa, added: "The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has become the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season and the past couple of years have seen the event establish itself as the jewel in the crown of Middle Eastern golf. As a centre of international trade, Abu Dhabi is a very fitting location for this high profile HSBC event. With the support of local governments, this region is now a major player on golf's global stage - 2012's event witnessed the strongest field ever assembled in the Middle East - and we're anticipating an even stronger line up for 2013."

One of the family-friendly tournament’s key off-course attractions, the 12,000m² Championship Village, will once again bring a fantastic range of activities, attractions, prizes, games, competitions and live performances to complement the National Course action.

Fans will be able to enjoy the popular HSBC Interactive Zone, which offers a variety of sporting activities reflecting the diversity of the bank’s global sports sponsorships and allows participants to test and hone their swing and putting techniques, while non-golfers can spend time in the creative area.

Several innovative promotions introduced this year are also back. As well as a family-friendly picnic day on Friday 18 January, the popular ‘Dress in Red Day’ returns on Saturday 19 January. Any visitor with red in their outfit - whether something simple like a red hat or even red accessories – enters free on the Championship’s penultimate day. Additional crowd-pulling initiatives will be unveiled in coming weeks.

With Championship tickets priced at AED50 (US$13.3) for a daily pass and AED150 (US$ 40) for a four-day pass, Emirates Golf Federation members and children under-18 – when accompanied by an adult – enter free. HSBC customers can redeem exclusive ticket offers by simply presenting their cards at the entry gate during tournament week. Premier card holders can redeem family ticket access, while regular card holders can claim two daily tickets.

Tickets are available via the event’s official website – www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com - as well as online at www.timeouttickets.com. Customer service can be contacted through the ITP toll-free hotline 800 4669, or for international visitors, +971 4 444 3459. Tickets can also be bought at the gate throughout the Championship.

To boost the event’s social media penetration, revamped Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Facebook and Twitter pages are already active and will feature a host of competitions, as well as regular updates about the tournament and field.

To woo international visitors, Championship organisers have also launched a series of attractive visitor packages which are now available via Golf In Abu Dhabi – www.golfinabudhabi.com. The packages include Championship tickets and the opportunity for visitors to extend their stay and play Abu Dhabi’s diverse golf courses. Packages also include Championship season passes, airport transfers and hotel-Abu Dhabi Golf Club transfers.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is backed by a high-profile sponsorship line-up that includes: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort as official hotel partner; Nike as official apparel partner; Cadillac as official car partner; Etihad Airways as official airline partner; as well as CNN, Gulf News and Golf Digest Middle East as media partners.

It's All in Your Head - So Think!

When you step up to the tee with a golf ball in your hand, what are you thinking? "I should have made those phone calls before I left the office" or "What was it I have to pick up at the grocery store"? If it's anything like that, you might as well turn around and go home because you're going to have a really bad day on the course.

It's been said that golf is a mental game and over the years I have found that to be so true. If your mind is miles away at the office or in the grocery store, you cannot be present to that little white ball and that is the only way that you will ever become friends with it. You have to get to know it, talk to it even; but above all, you have to think about what you're going to do with it every time you address it.

Acton Golf Club

Quick Stats and Information

Number of Holes: 18
Yardage:  5155 yards (from white tees)
Par: 68
Open to the public: Yes
Green Fees: From $30-$32
Call for tee times: 519-664-2851
Driving range: Yes
Restaurant: Yes

Website: http://www.golfacton.ca/

Founded in 1968, the Acton Golf Club is an attractive course neatly tucked away on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment. The course plays through mature stands of oak, birch, maple and pine trees and was expanded to 18 holes for the 1998 season.

Although the course features a fairly short 5,155 yard par 68 layout, golfers should not take Acton too lightly. Exceptionally tight, tree lined fairways and water in play on just about every hole, means a golfer always has his or her hands full staying out of trouble.

More difficulty is found on Acton’s large greens which are all well protected by water and/or sand. Uneven surfaces and hard to read slopes make putting a challenge.

At less than 450 yards the 13th hole is a deceptively difficult par five that provides a terrific risk/rewards challenge. A creek crossing the fairway about 80 yards in front of the green on this dogleg left, offers long hitters an opportunity for birdie. Miss your approach shot, however, and you're looking at a bogey or worse.

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My 'Must-Read' Best Golfing Tips And Advice

Learn from the best.
I am a good golfer. I can say that with all honesty and with no embarrassment because, as Walter Brennan used to say, "No brag, just fact." The fact is that I am a good golfer because I was taught by the best golfers I could find. I took lessons and I read books by the great pros from the past and the present, all of which gave me a lot of basic information about the game of golf. Quite frankly, I may have gotten a little too much because by the end of the fourth book and the 15th video, I was on overload. So, I decided to stop and take stock of where I was in my learning process.

I'm a visual person so I knew if I was going to keep it all straight and internalize what I needed to be the best golfer I could be, I would have to get organized. So, I did what I always do when I need to "get my stuff together" - I made a list . I'm also a pack rat, so I never threw the list away. I went looking when I started writing this post and found it has most of the tips any beginner needs to get off on the right foot on the golf course. This is it - unedited:

What I Have Learned About Golf (at 14):
- Get good clubs - no, get the best.
- Be sure the clubs are the right length - don't buy longer ones and think you'll grow into them. You'll play so badly before you do that, you'll quit!
- Proper stance - feet apart a little wider than shoulders, relaxed, focused, back straight but not like a ramrod - just good posture like Mom tells me every day.
- Good grip - hold the club gently - don't squeeze it to death but hang on tight enough so it doesn't fly out of your hands.
- Correct grip - right hand slightly resting in left hand so they're both comfortable and snug. Solid grip - not death grip.
- Swing smooth - start backswing and don't stop - when your club reaches the top of your swing, change the direction smoothly - don't chop - it's a golf ball, not firewood!
- Firm and solid - hit the ball squarely and firmly - the club will send it down the fairway, not your arms. If you hit it right, it will go.
- Get Dad or pro to video swing - once you get it right, watch it over and over until you can do it without thinking.
- Practice, practice, practice - before school, after school, weekends, anytime you can. Can't hit the ball too much.
- Other shots - irons, chips, wedges, putts - later - perfect the drive first.
- Play whenever you can - alone, with friends, anytime but try and play with the best golfers you can find. Learn from them and get them to assess your play. Don't be a baby - take criticism and use it to be better. You're a beginner not a pro.
- Beginners learn, pros teach - but also they learn - you'll never know it all but keep learning!

Some Big Things I Learned: 

Killing the Ball Will Kill Your Game
When I was a young golfer, I thought I knew everything about hitting the ball. I did all the things on the above list - read all the books, took lessons, got all the angles right with my hands and my feet, learned to keep my head down, and found that I have a natural ability to swing a golf club. I wasn't a big kid and I didn't pump iron or anything so I wasn't very strong or powerful; therefore, I figured I would have to compensate for that if I wanted to drive a golf ball long and straight. That is, after all, the most crucial part of the game of golf. A long, straight drive can fill you with confidence while a slice or hook into the woods can send you down in flames from the beginning.

So if you want to get the right start - hit the ball straight and long and to do that, the first order of the day is relax! I tell you that with great confidence because I have learned the best way there is - from experience. I really was a brash young know-it-all; I thought I was so smart when I figured out that in order to hit a drive as far as I could and have it go straight instead of flying all over the course, I needed to hit it as hard as I could. So I began to perfect my "killer" swing. I figured if it worked for Willie Mays and Babe Ruth, it would work for me. Little did I know that they were taught the same thing on the baseball diamond that Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead were taught on the golf course: "Don't try and kill the ball!"

The other thing I figured out in my young brain was that if I didn't hold on to the club really tightly, it could go flying out of my hands and take out my whole foursome. So I grabbed my drivers and irons with a death grip and hung on tight. Of course, this prevented me from following all the other lessons I had learned like letting the wrists move like on hinges and following through smoothly without chopping at the ball. So, here I was, hitting big power drives and thinking I was well on my way to the professional golf tour. In reality, I was poised on the edge of disaster - I was killing my golf game as surely as I would have killed any creature that ventured onto the tee near my ball. I was a "killer" golfer.

Don't let your opinions get in the way of the facts.
I really loved playing golf but it seemed that the harder I tried to hit the ball straight and long using my opinions of what constituted a good golf swing, the harder it became to hit the ball at all. One day, I was playing with the club pro and his son and on the third hole I shanked it right into the woods. I had hit it so hard that it crashed through the trees and landed out of bounds, somewhere in the deep underbrush on the far side of the course, never to be seen again. I had to take a drop - in the woods!

It was the worst drive I had ever hit and I was devastated. The pro asked, "Keith, you want to know what happened to that drive?" At first, I bristled. After all, I knew everything I needed to know - so I thought. But I listened politely and what I learned that day is that facts are way better than opinions especially when the opinions are dead wrong! Over the next few weeks, he taught me that killing the ball was indeed killing my game. He showed me how my tight grip and smashing swing were throwing me off balance so that I wasn't square with the ball when I hit it and neither was my club face. When he showed me how the angle of the club can affect the direction and flight of the ball, I thought, "No wonder I ended up in the woods; that's exactly where I hit it."

Learn the basics of a good drive first - even if you think they're dumb.
I had figured out that the success of a drive depended on the strength of the swing but he taught me that a long and accurate drive is the product of these three factors:

- Good aim . He taught be to aim the ball using this trick - stand behind the ball on the tee and pick out a spot about five to six feet in front of it and in a straight line with your ultimate goal. That way you're not tempted to look up to keep your target in sight.
- Correct ball and club placement. Stand so that the ball is just inside your left heel (if you're right-handed) and the face of the club is square to the ball; this allows you to sweep the ball off the tee with a smooth and easy swing.
- Proper stance. Standing with your feet a little further apart than your shoulders spreads your weight evenly over your feet and gives you a solid and balanced foundation for your swing.

Start young and play 'til you're old!
If you have a hankering for trudging around a golf course when you're just a little kid, go for it! Bug your parents until they buy you a good set of clubs and join a country club or golf course with a good pro and a lot of really talented players. The younger you are, the easier it is to learn so play, play, play.

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This article was written by Keith Matthews.  Keith is keen to share more of his golfing tips and experience so sign-up for his free weekly emails at TopGolfTipsHQ.com.

Playoff Beards Make Reappearance

As Canadians, I think we can all appreciate a good playoff beard!  Time will tell if this superstition pays of for these bearded golfers as the weekend progresses...

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Canada’s Graham DeLaet and David Hearn appear to be taking a page from countryman Mike Weir’s book this year during the FedExCup Playoffs.

In 2008, the former Masters champ had filmed a PGA TOUR commercial with Wayne Gretzky where the man they call "The Great One" suggested Weir grow a "playoff beard" like hockey players do during the road to the Stanley Cup.

In a case of life imitating art, so to speak, Weir did — although by the time his wife and children arrived for the Deutsche Bank Championship the beard was gone. Weir went on to finish sixth in the FedExCup that year, posting top-10 finishes in three of the four Playoffs events.

Earlier this week, DeLaet and Hearn tweeted about resurrecting the playoff beards.

Time to get these Playoffs going! Bethpage is awesome! Got the beard ripping, didn’t cheat and start 2 weeks ago like @HearnDavid though. @GrahamDeLaet

@GrahamDeLaet had to start early so people could see it!! Haha. Go get em today and lets grow those playoff beards long! #FedExCup #playoffs @HearnDavid

Hearn started The Barclays ranked 108th while DeLaet was two spots higher. Both made the cut on Friday but remain below the top 100 eligible for the Deutsche Bank Championship so they need to play hard this weekend.

Grand Opening of Used Golf Store in Mississauga

Mobile Golf is pleased to announce the grand opening of their Mobile Golf Store at Andy Bathgate's driving range (600 Eglinton St E Mississauga On) on Wednesday July 25th.

Visit them every Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday 11am-8pm for a tremendous selection of used equipment that can be tried out directly on the driving range. Hundreds of TaylorMade, Ping, Titleist, Cleveland, Cobra, Callaway and Nike drivers and woods.

Customers are welcome to trade in any unwanted or used brand name equipment for cash or for store credit.

Take a Kid to the Course Week!

It's time for the 10th edition of the 2012 Take A Kid To The Course program! The much anticipated start date to this year's program is July 9th. Currently there are 650 participating courses from across Canada offering free golf to a junior who is accompanied by a paying adult. Please check the participating courses map for a facility close to you!  Applies to all kids under the age of 16.

Developed by the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada to encourage families and juniors to take up the game of golf, this cross-Canada campaign is designed to illustrate how easy it is to improve both your score and your relationship with your children by bringing them out to the golf course.

What an awesome program!

Cobble Beach Day Dock

Cobble Beach Golf Links & Resort introduces 260 feet of direct waterfront access, marking a new destination for boaters and seaplanes on Ontario's Georgian Bay

July 5, 2012…Grey Bruce, Ontario – Cobble Beach’s award-winning links-style golf course, designed by Doug Carrick, is now accessible by boat and seaplane with the launch of a new floating day dock. The latest addition to the distinguished luxury resort community marks a new destination on Georgian Bay. As the only golf course in the area with direct water access, the 260 ft. dock has already attracted chartered aircrafts and mariners from across the region.

“This is one of the largest day docks in the area, and we are very excited to provide a new recreational and commercial destination to communities all around Georgian Bay and beyond,” says Rob McLeese, President and Owner of Cobble Beach.

Leisure boaters throughout Georgian Bay can tie up at Cobble Beach’s new dock, which welcomes vessels of all styles and sizes, from compact speedboats to 120 ft. yachts, with depths ranging from 5.5 ft. to 11.5 ft. Golf enthusiasts from the U.S can clear customs at nearby Wiarton Airport and enjoy easy access to one of most renowned courses this side of the Atlantic.

Vacationers from Muskoka, Michigan, Sudbury and beyond can now pop-in by water or by air to enjoy a world-class round of golf, indulge in a gourmet meal from the award-winning Sweetwater Restaurant, play tennis at Cobble Beach’s U.S Open-style tennis courts or relax with one of the resort’s signature treatments at Cobble Beach Inn & Spa.

The milestone addition to Cobble Beach took close to nine months to complete with a price tag of more than $350,000. Built to withstand the high winds of Georgian Bay, the reinforced dock is surrounded by 65 ft. of wave attenuators, weighing 48,000 pounds and protruding 6 ft. deep to ensure calm waters on the south side of the dock along Cobble Beach’s 1.6 KM of breathtaking shoreline.

Located 6 KM north of the Owen Sound Marina, the dock at Cobble Beach is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy complimentary shuttle service from the shore to Cobble Beach’s Nantucket-style Clubhouse with a quick phone call to the Proshop upon arrival, 519-370-2173 x 104. For more information, visit www.cobblebeach.com.

Cobble Beach Golf Links & Resort

Cobble Beach is a four-season resort community located along the stunning Georgian Bay shoreline just north of Owen Sound, Ontario. Featuring an award-winning 18-hole links-style golf course designed by Doug Carrick, Nantucket-style Clubhouse and Boutique Inn by Richard Wengle, Cobble Beach also boasts resort-style amenities including the popular Sweetwater Restaurant & Bar, a five-star spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, private beach and US Open-style tennis courts. Cobble Beach features year-round recreation with more than 14 kilometres of scenic hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski trails.

Attracting local and international interest, new home designs and lots for custom-builds are available for purchase amid the 574 acres of sprawling coastal landscape. For more information, visit www.cobblebeach.com

Golf Club Adds Goats to Groundskeeping Staff

ORO-MEDONTE TWP, ONT. - Settlers’ Ghost Golf Course near Barrie could possibly be the first course in Canada to put four-legged grounds keepers on staff.

And they’re not kidding.

A pair of six-month-old goats named Whipper and Snipper are causing quite a stir among the golfers.

“When we had a Mother’s Day brunch here, people were bringing their children and spent hours just patting the two little animals,” general manager Lana Stoddart said.

The goats aren't being kept for their looks, though -- these two are expected to produce.

On a hill beside the start of the first hole, the pair start munching their way through the weeds that crowd the cart path.

“They eat the flowers off of the weeds first,” said Chris Gulliver, course superintendent and brains behind this green effort. “And then they start working on the rest of the plant.”

On the less frivolous side, this is an attempt to reduce the pesticide and herbicide load that almost all golf courses experience.

“We’re fortunate enough to be surrounded by wildlife, which we take very seriously, and I am always researching ways that we can become more environmentally friendly. Through looking for solutions, I found a number of countries which have been using goats,” Gulliver said.

“If you look back old school in Scotland where golf originated, it was goats and sheep that kept most of those golf courses trimmed and weed-free.”

So Gulliver took his idea to the board. He admits that there was a bit of giggling, but then they did a little research on their own and suddenly the workforce at the course increased by two.

“The cost of these two goats is equivalent to about one carton of herbicide. Just from a monetary side, this makes sense,” Gulliver said. “The thing is that, once the weed killer is gone, it’s gone. The goats are going to be here for years.”