Category: On the Course

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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  • 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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  1. 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!
  2. Submit a minimum of five 18-hole rounds to establish a handicap
  3. Keep submitting your 9- and 18-hole scores
  4. As a GAM member, you’ll receive a monthly email with your current index

GAM membership offers other benefits too!

  1. Swing & Save at golf courses around the state
  2. Exclusive Tee Times at private clubs
  3. Michigan Links Course Directory
  4. GAM competitions
  5. 1 Year subscription to Golf Digest Magazine
  6. 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.

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.
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Submit a minimum of five 18-hole rounds to establish a handicap.
  3. Keep submitting your 9- and 18-hole scores.
  4. 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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  1. Swing & Save at golf courses around the state
  2. Exclusive Tee Times at private clubs
  3. Michigan Links Course Directory
  4. GAM competitions
  5. 1 Year subscription to Golf Digest Magazine
  6. 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 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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