Sandell Bennett

Kendall Academy at Miles of Golf

A Golf Instruction Gem Right Around the Corner

Did you know that Kendall Academy is home to 5 of Golf Digest’s top 15 golf instructors in Michigan? True! Paul Haase (5), Dave Kendall (8), Jeff Goble (13), Jack Seltzer (14) and Tom Harding (15) are the fab five. Kendall’s a golf instruction gem right in our own backyard.
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With that in mind, 4 of us are planning a 3-day golf “get-away” – all the way to Kendall Academy on Carpenter Road! Why go any farther? Jim Yuhaz, Director of Instruction, will be our intrepid teacher. We’re headed to Kendall because it’s:

Custom-designed just for us – and our schedules
Flexible – instruction can adapt to our “unique” games
Inclusive – we four have different levels of golf experience
An awesome social outing for us!
Local. When it’s over, we know where to find Jim for a follow-up!

The founder and president of Kendall Academy, is the ever-affable, approachable Dave Kendall. “Golf’s a social thing,” he says. “Being with friends and having fun is a large part of it.” Right you are, Dave. We’ll see you over there next week!
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The Good Golf Partner – A Fine Art

There’s a personal pantheon of folks I love to play golf with.They have that spot-on combo of thoughtfulness and golf smarts.Some have a great game of golf and others are almost beginners.What they have in common is the fine art of being a good golf partner.

After you’ve trekked together over hill and dale, missing shots, finding hazards, taking penalties, are there smiles for the mission accomplished? That’s what a good partner brings to the game.

Here are some good partner habits worth acquiring…

Be on Time
There’s so much to think about on the first tee – “Where is my partner?” shouldn’t be in anyone’s mental mix.Get to the course early with plenty of time for all the pre-game details.Orderly and unrushed – that’s a great way to start a round together.

Be Quick
We’re not talking speed golf here, just an ever-efficient mindset.Gauge yardage, select a club, read greens while others are playing – when it’s your turn, you’re ready. Be smart with your cart too.

Attitude is everything.
No matter how you’re playing, keep it upbeat.Stressed out?No sharing.Your bad mood is no one’s idea of a good day on the golf course.

4 Eyes Are Better Than 2
Always track the path of everyone’s ball, and join in the search when a ball is lost.

Mind the Flagstick
Simple, yes.Overlooked, often. If you’re closest to the pin, pull it.If you putt out first, move over near the flagstick so you can pick it up and replace it when everyone’s done.It’s all about efficiency and doing your part.

Be Prepared
An extra ball marker, energy bar, the tab for the snack cart, those are the little kindnesses a good partner has at the ready and offers up at just the right moment.The small, thoughtful gesture goes far on the golf course.

Just Don’t Offer Up Any Unsolicited Golf Advice
The reasons are too numerous, and the consequences too complex to mention.Unless you’re a golf pro, keep your personal “6 Sure Steps to a Better Golf Swing” all to yourself.

And last, but surely not least …
Raise a glassto the good golf partner, she of generous gestures and bullet-proof humor. Long may we appreciate what she does for our golf game!

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Golf Rule 18-2b – Welcome Wind of Change in 2012

Thank you to Jeanne Meyers, GAM Assistant Director of Rules & Competition, for helping us understand the Rules!

Webb Simpson led by 1 stroke in the final round of the 2011 New Orlean’s Classic. On the green at address, putter 4-5 inches behind the ball, he saw the wind move the ball about 1/4″. Simpson called a penalty on himself – one stroke. With the score tied, he was forced to a playoff which he then lost. His tournament win slipped away because of wind.

This year one of golf’s most unpopular Rules,18-2b, now has a welcome exception.

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Rule 18-2b. If a player’s ball in play moves after he has addressed it (other than as a result of a stroke), the player is deemed to have moved the ball and incurs a penalty of one stroke.

Exception: If it is known or virtually certain that the player did not cause his ball to move, Rule 18-2b does not apply.

This exonerates a player if it is known that she did not cause her ball to move. Example: if a gust of wind moves her ball after it has been addressed, there’s no penalty and ball is played from its new location.

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Golf Grips – What to Do, What to Know

The grip is our personal connection to our golf club – so why do we neglect and mistreat them?Grips that are ill-fitting or worn impact swing mechanics and ball path – and not in a good way.

Be smart about your grips – here are 4 questions to get you there – with special thanks to the always-informative Brent Norton, VP, Miles of Golf Shop Operations.

Do you clean and brush your grips regularly?
Dirt and hand oils cause natural degradation and make grips hard and slick.You want them tacky!Use hot soapy water on them to keep them clean.

Is your grip the right size?
A grip that’s too small promotes too quick hand rotation, resulting in a draw or hook.A grip that’s too big hinders or slows club rotation.Have your grip size assessed next time you get your grips replaced.

What about the style of a golf grip?
There are many styles of golf grips – and selecting one is a personal preference.The one that feels good to you is the one you want.

When do you need to replace your grips?
Materials age and wear with time and use. If you play 4 times a week or more in hot, humid conditions you may need to replace grips every 6 months. An infrequent golfer will want to consider regripping every 2 years. A worn, hard, shiny grip makes us subconsciously hold the club too tightly. Tight means tension, and tension means a host of bad things in the world of golf.
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Pay attention to your golf grips – they’ll pay you back with better play.

Leslie Park Golf Course – Ann Arbor Golf Gem

North of town, and just this side of heaven, lies one of Ann Arbor’s true treasures – Leslie Park Golf Course. Put it on your Places-to-Golf list this season; you won’t be sorry. Golf Digest recently gave Leslie 4 1/2 stars as a Best Place to Play, but did you know that it is top of the leader board in environmental excellence?

Recently Leslie achieved the designation of Certified Cooperative Audobon Sanctuary for Golf Courses.The course has earned distinction in environmental planning, wildlife & habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.Scott Spooner, LPGC Superintendent, has led the charge and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audobon International.

“One of my favorite parts of the certification process has been the community outreach. It’s great to be able to show our community that golf courses can be good stewards of the environment,”said Scott.

Additionally, Leslie is certified in the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program.It is only the second course in the state to be certified in Audobon’s program and the Michigan Turfgrass program.

Next time you tee it up at LPGC, take a minute to look around and appreciate its environmental excellence.A tip of the cap to everyone who has worked hard to make us so proud of our hometown gem!
_____________________

And…

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Watch a video about Leslie Park Golf Course

Check out Tree Town Turf Guy blog, “life of a golf course superintendent for the City of Ann Arbor.” Scott Spooner, Leslie Superintendent, tells all about maintaining a top-flight course.

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Establishing a Golf Handicap

For me or not for me … that is the question!

Establish a handicap?That’s a point to ponder as we start the season.Many recreational golfers never do; others find it an elemental part of the game.

What is a golf handicap index?
The USGA Handicap System enables golfers of all skill levels to compete on an equitable basis.Read more from the experts – USGA Handicap Manual and GAM’s Handicapping For Dummies – Back to Basics.

WHEN to consider establishing a handicap
If you are just learning golf and spend most of your time taking lessons or practicing, it’s probably too early for a handicap.If you’re playing 9 or 18-hole rounds, you’re ready.

WHY establish a handicap

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Competition – Handicaps are required to play in officially sanctioned tournaments
Friendly competition – Handicaps accurately measure skill and enable players of all levels to compete against each other.That’s fun and fair for everyone, whether it’s league play, a special event such as an invitational, or a round with friends.
Incentive to practice and improve – Is there any better reward than watching your handicap index drop?Set a target number and see if you can get to it.

Establishing a handicap index is not difficult.

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A Golf Association of Michigan handicap provider or “club” is the first step. Miles of Golf is an authorized provider. Players sign up at gam.org or they can come into the store; the cost is $25 for the year. Once signed up, players post scores online – coming into the store is not necessary. Membership can be renewed annually online or in store. Other GAM handicap providers include public courses and private clubs. Just ask!
Submit a minimum of five 18-hole rounds to establish a handicap
Keep submitting your 9- and 18-hole scores
As a GAM member, you’ll receive a monthly email with your current index

GAM membership offers other benefits too!

Swing & Save at golf courses around the state
Exclusive Tee Times at private clubs
Michigan Links Course Directory
GAM competitions
1 Year subscription to Golf Digest Magazine
And more!

FAQ – A handicap index does NOT describe your AVERAGE golf score.
It’s all about potential, based on your average number of strokes over par on a good day.Really, a golfer plays to her handicap in only one out of four rounds.

Establishing a Golf Handicap

For me or not for me … that is the question!

Establish a handicap?That’s a point to ponder as we start the season.Many recreational golfers never do; others find it an elemental part of the game.

What is a golf handicap index?
The USGA Handicap System enables golfers of all skill levels to compete on an equitable basis.Read more from the experts – USGA Handicap Manual and GAM’s Handicapping For Dummies – Back to Basics.

WHY establish a handicap

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Competition – Handicaps are required to play in officially sanctioned tournaments.
Leagues & Events – Handicaps accurately measure skill and enable players of all levels to compete against each other.That’s fun and fair for everyone, whether it’s league play, a special event such as an invitational, or a round with friends. Sometimes non-beginner leagues and special events require handicaps.
Incentive to practice and improve – Is there any better reward than watching your handicap index drop?Set a target number and see if you can get to it.

Establishing a handicap index is not difficult

Ask your club or public course if they provide handicapping services.Very likely, they are a Golf Association of Michigan member club, and you can join. There will be a small fee. Miles of Golfis a GAM member club.
Submit a minimum of five 18-hole rounds to establish a handicap.
Keep submitting your 9- and 18-hole scores.
As a GAM member, you can enter your scores on the GAM web site.You’ll receive a monthly email with your current handicap index.

A GAM membership offers you other benefits too!

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Swing & Save at golf courses around the state
Exclusive Tee Times at private clubs
Michigan Links Course Directory
GAM competitions
1 Year subscription to Golf Digest Magazine
And more!

A handicap index does NOT describe your AVERAGE golf score!
It’s all about potential, and it’s based on your average number of strokes over par on a good day.Really, a golfer plays to her handicap in only one out of four rounds.

There’s lots to learn about the golf handicap index. Establishing one for yourself is a good way to start.

Golf Competition – Let’s Hear it for the Team

Golf’s an individual sport – especially when you stand over your ball in competition. As Chris Mile writes, it is a “juiced up form of the game”, incredibly fun for some and a form of torture for others. Oh yeah.

To competitors who have played under pressure this season, a tip of the cap to you all. In local league, club and city championships, or in competitions more distant and difficult, cheers to you. A special shout-out goes to several local women who competed in the National Senior Games in Houston and to Sarah Hoffman who won the Ann Arbor City Tournament, a three-peat!.

Now to the rest of us – the competition-is-torture crowd…

There IS a middle way between competition and no competition. Call it team golf, events in which you work together to achieve a winning golf score. A few of us have just returned from the Western Michigan PGA Pro-Am, a women’s event in Grand Rapids – competing has never been so fun.

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WM PGA Pro-Am Format

3 amateur women and one golf professional on each team
Net best ball – on par 5’s, use one best ball with handicap; on par 4’s two balls; on par 3’s, 3 balls
Women played forward tees

Teamwork is Tantamount
Love that collaborative, fired-up feel, helping each other read putts and cheering each other on. One shot might affect others, dictating caution or a go-for-it approach, so it was strategic too.

The Heat’s (Mostly) Off
One might (just possibly!) blow up on a hole, but there were teammates – and their better scores – to ease our frustration and preserve our team score.

The Pro’s of Playing with a Pro
We played with Tim Katanski, an assistant golf professional at our club. It was fascinating to observe the focus, routine, and extraordinary play of someone who makes golf his living. And, how beneficial was it to have his input as we made our way around the course? Big. Our dedicated expert!
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Now, at a level a universe beyond our own golf ability …
Let’s Talk Teamwork USA
Each year there’s an opportunity to watch team golf in its most rarefied form and patriotic intensity. US Women and Men professional golfers compete with European counterparts in alternate years in the Solheim and Ryder Cups. US men also compete against an international team less the Europeans, in the biennial President’s Cup in years alternating with the Ryder Cup.

Solheim Cup –12 US LPGA player-team vs. Europeans at Killeen Castle, Ireland, Sept. 23-25.
Team includes Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, and Julie Inkster, team player and assistant coach, who will be the oldest player to ever compete at age 51. Catch the action on the Golf Channel.
President’s Cup – US men vs. International Team (but not the Europeans), Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia, November 14-16, 2011. Captain Fred Couples leads e 12 US players in match play.

Ryder Cup – 2012 seems far away, but it’s actually perfect timing if you are interested in seeing the US men in action against the Europeans. The late September competition will be at Medinah Country Club in Illinois, only a 4.5 hour drive from Ann Arbor (!) Random Draw to determine who may purchase tickets is open now through September 30.

Thinking a 2012 outing with a couple of friends to the Ryder Cup would be a great “team” experience indeed!

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Golf Cart Smarts

Last week during league play, an empty golf cart rolled down the hill and tipped into a bunker. File that under amusing/unexpected/semi-dangerous golf moments – really, the game never fails to entertain.

The runaway got me thinking about smart cart usage …

Who doesn’t love golf carts with their cartoon look and silly beep-beep backups? Is there anything finer than hopping aboard with your favorite partner, anticipating the hills and thrills of the next few hours? It’s worth noting though – carts cause much more damage to the course than walkers, and are involved in many serious injuries each year.

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BE KIND TO THE COURSE
ALWAYS, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S WET

Know the local cart rules
Before beginning a round, ask about the course’s cart rules – they may change daily based on course conditions. Can you drive on the fairway, is the 90 degree rule in effect, etc.

What IS the 90 degree rule?
Use cart path until you get parallel to your ball, then enter fairway at 90 degrees. (My friend has her personal interpretation – when it gets to be 90 degrees out, take a cart!!)

Steer clear of delicate areas of the course.
Don’t drive:
– Within hazard boundary lines
– Close to water hazards or bunkers (unless there’s a path)
– Over or close to tee boxes
– Through mud or casual water
– Close to greens

CARTS SHOULD INCREASE SPEED OF PLAY, NOT HOLD IT UP
Always be thinking how to use the cart efficiently.

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Drive & Drop
If you and your partner hit balls to different parts of the course, drive to nearest ball, drop off the player with several clubs and proceed to the next ball. Players can be ready more quickly, and play moves along. Likewise, as you come to the green, you might drop off a player with his wedge and putter while you go park the cart. Efficiency in all things!

Be a smart parker. When you get to the green, park your cart at the back or on the side, positioned so that you can walk off the course and be quickly on your way to the next tee. You will not hold up the players in back of you. Remember – score when you get to the next tee.

BE KIND TO OTHERS

Carts are noisy. Stop when someone is about to hit the ball. Carts are VERY noisy when going in reverse.

If you have to drive to another part of the course – say you’ve left a club behind – be very aware of other golfers and where/when they are hitting.

CART SAFETY CAN BE BOILED DOWN TO THREE WORDS – “DON’T BE STUPID”
It’s a day of golf, not Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
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Buying Your First Set of Golf Clubs

Does my tennis-loving friend Janet play with a wooden racket like Bjorn Borg in the 1970’s? Not for a minute. So after a couple of weeks using Borg-era golf clubs in her beginner lessons, she was eager to find out what new clubs could do for a beginner.

What should you consider before purchasing that first set of golf clubs? What’s the process at Miles of Golf? What did Janet find out?

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Evaluate your level of interest and dedication before you set foot in a golf shop

Do you have personal golf goals, however rudimentary? Playing in retirement or making a team, joining a league, playing with a spouse, learning golf for business – these are good beginner golf goals.
Will you be taking lessons and practicing?
Do you have time to practice and play?
What budget do you have in mind?

Check, check, check, said Janet. So she set up a time to meet Pete Farner, Miles of Golf Club Fitter. Here’s how it went…

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Off to the Cluboratory – Private, Sheltered, Filled with Clubs
The Cluboratory at Miles of Golf is equipped with state-of-the-art ball launch monitors to satisfy the needs of high-level players who come from all over the area. But hear this, it’s also a comfortable place where a beginner can work one-on-one with an expert who has experience fitting ALL LEVELS of players.

Intros & Insights
Janet and Pete spend several minutes talking about goals, skill, and budget.

Warm Up
While Janet loosens up with a 7 iron, Pete gathers some clubs that he wants her to try.
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Try, This … And This … And Let’s Try This One Again
After several minutes with one 7 iron, Pete substitutes another and then another. He’s looking at length and lie angle. They try a shorter shaft and revert to a longer one. By process of elimination and examination, two clubs are obvious favorites. Janet is a beginner (consistency-challenged!) yet there are obvious standouts.

Tech Talk
Pete explains the benefits of perimeter weighting of the club head, and the trampoline effect of the thinner face of cavity backed heads. This sounds hard, but he’s a master explainer. And let’s not forget the things a graphite shaft can do for our golf games!
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“I’ve Seen It All”
The vibe of the session is low-key and comfortable. No pressure to hit a stellar shot, no cringing when one goes wild – Pete’s seen lots of golfers with many levels of “skill.”

Back to the Favorites – And Then to THE Favorite
More hitting with the two 7-irons that Pete and Janet have zeroed in on. More discussion. One club is identified, and the set it comes in is well within the budget.

Into the Shop and Out the Door
Janet meets her new bag of clubs, the Square Two Lady Bliss Full Set, everything from putter to driver. The fitting with Pete costs $25, but it is refunded because she purchased clubs. She doesn’t forget a range card with $10 – that’s a Miles of Golf Women’s Club benefit, so if you haven’t asked for one, do it!
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Long-Term Planning
Janet’s clubs are a suitable for learners and designed especially for women. In a few years, she’ll consider more advanced clubs. Right now, as a beginner, she can concentrate on lessons, learning and practice, assured that she has technology on her side. The latest clubs make golf so much easier – and that makes it fun-ner!

PS. Bjorn Borg won 4 Wimbledon’s with his beloved Donnay Allwood.