To start a new series, we are introducing our "Mississippi Dunes Golf Lessons Series." Many golf courses have certain shots that must be played in order to score well. Well, those who know Mississippi Dunes know there are many of those shots that must be practiced or you can turn a 3 into a 7 in no time.
In Part 1, we will study the lob shot. At the Dunes, you never want to short side yourself or par is almost our the question unless you can hit either a great lob shot or a bump and run. Today we will look at the lob shot. So what is a lob shot and how do you hit it.
The lob shot is defined as a super-high, short shot with very little carry or roll. If you have seen one hit perfectly you would describe it as it goes straight up, straight down. But how do you hit one:
How to drop it in tight: Set up slightly farther from the ball than usual, with your stance open and the ball opposite your left heel. Open your clubface by first turning the handle to the right and then taking your normal grip. Finally, lean the shaft slightly away from your target.
Make a long, effortless swing, with soft arms and hands. It is very important to stay relaxed and to allow the clubhead to get back to the ball before the grip, which is the position you were in at address. Don't let your right wrist turn over your left in your follow-through. If you do, this will close the face and keep your shot from flying high off the clubface.
It is best to try a couple at the range before trying this on the course or you can hit some pretty ugly shots. Next shot: The Bump and Run
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Golf Technology
Over the past few years, the USGA and the golf world have really started to embrace technology in the clubs, GPS devices and anywhere else where people feel they can benefit from the latest gadget (basically where any business thinks THEY can make money).
GPS Devices
For the past couple years, they have crept into all of our bags at one time or another. You see them not only sold at Golf Galaxies now, but even local pro shops. You see them at small scramble, local games or even a caddie using one during the smaller events helping their player out. Don't get me wrong they are great to have, but they will put question marks in your head when the sprinkler head says 184 and your GPS says 180 and water is in front of and behind the green.
Clubs
Here are my thoughts on club technology. The guy who taught me to play golf was in his late 30's when I was first introduced to the game and he still had his custom built clubs from high school. He was a PGA Professional, had all the opportunities to change and upgrade clubs, but never let a rep steal away his custom "Power Built" irons. I eventually went to college to play golf, started playing with the technology, the shafts, the grips, and anything else I could find to change and play with. I came home for a lesson and saw a brand new set of Titleist irons and Callaway woods in his bag. I asked him what was going on. He said he finally gave in it and it was the greatest decision he's ever made. I call him from time to time to check in and every conversation we have, we talk about the new club or clubs he has in his bag. The point being no matter how stubborn or set in your ways you are, USE the technology. It's out there, and yes it changes a lot, but the clubs actually do make a difference. You can't tell me you are going to hit more fairways with an old Titleist Howitzer that probably has a club head size of 300 CC than you are when you are using the D2 that has 460 CC. Forget even all the new technology in the club head, just look the club head size. It's just not fair.
Go to the Golf Galaxies, come out to the Dunes, take it a step further and go to Totally Driven in Oakdale and see what is out there. Try the clubs out, have fun doing it, trust me they will improve your game. Just remember though when purchasing the clubs, all our clubs are cheaper the Golf Galaxies, TGW, and Rock Bottom Golf. (Sorry had to sneak that in there!)
GPS Devices
For the past couple years, they have crept into all of our bags at one time or another. You see them not only sold at Golf Galaxies now, but even local pro shops. You see them at small scramble, local games or even a caddie using one during the smaller events helping their player out. Don't get me wrong they are great to have, but they will put question marks in your head when the sprinkler head says 184 and your GPS says 180 and water is in front of and behind the green.
Clubs
Here are my thoughts on club technology. The guy who taught me to play golf was in his late 30's when I was first introduced to the game and he still had his custom built clubs from high school. He was a PGA Professional, had all the opportunities to change and upgrade clubs, but never let a rep steal away his custom "Power Built" irons. I eventually went to college to play golf, started playing with the technology, the shafts, the grips, and anything else I could find to change and play with. I came home for a lesson and saw a brand new set of Titleist irons and Callaway woods in his bag. I asked him what was going on. He said he finally gave in it and it was the greatest decision he's ever made. I call him from time to time to check in and every conversation we have, we talk about the new club or clubs he has in his bag. The point being no matter how stubborn or set in your ways you are, USE the technology. It's out there, and yes it changes a lot, but the clubs actually do make a difference. You can't tell me you are going to hit more fairways with an old Titleist Howitzer that probably has a club head size of 300 CC than you are when you are using the D2 that has 460 CC. Forget even all the new technology in the club head, just look the club head size. It's just not fair.
Go to the Golf Galaxies, come out to the Dunes, take it a step further and go to Totally Driven in Oakdale and see what is out there. Try the clubs out, have fun doing it, trust me they will improve your game. Just remember though when purchasing the clubs, all our clubs are cheaper the Golf Galaxies, TGW, and Rock Bottom Golf. (Sorry had to sneak that in there!)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Free Golf and the NFL Draft...
What could be better? Free Golf or the NFL Draft? How about both! For all you draft gurus, here is your chance to shine. We are in the process of putting together a promotion that if you guess the first 7 draft picks you will automatically receive a free round at the Dunes. Keep a look out for that on the home site.
Best Golfers in the NFL
1
Sharpe, Sterling plus-2.4
Ex-Packers receiver now analyst for NFL Network.
2
Hentrich, Craig plus-2.0
Tennessee Titans punter for past eight seasons.
3
Longwell, Ryan plus-1.8
Vikings kicker spent his first nine NFL seasons with Packers.
4
Chandler, Chris plus-1.5
Falcons QB in '99 Super Bowl loss to Denver.
4
Dilfer, Trent plus-1.5
Ravens QB in '01 Super Bowl win over N.Y. Giants.
4
Tolliver, Billy Joe plus-1.5
QB played 12 NFL seasons; two wins in Tahoe.
7
Del Greco, Al plus-1.3
NFL kicker for 17 seasons; celebrity-tour winner.
8
Favre, Brett plus-0.8
Packers QB can play to scratch during NFL's off-season.
9
Bartkowski, Steve 0.2
Ex-QB's “Ultimate Game” began as “Big Stakes.”
10
Elway, John 0.2
Broncos QB has played Tahoe celeb event 17 times.
11
Theismann, Joe 0.9
Ex-Redskins QB is TV commentator.
12
Anderson, Dick 1
Defensive player of year in '73 with Dolphins.
13
Rice, Jerry 1.1
NFL great had 7-handicap in '02 (see Final Exam).
14
Feely, Jay 1.4
Kicker left N.Y. Giants for Dolphins in off-season.
16
Rypien, Mark 1.8
Super Bowl MVP in '92 when Redskins beat Bills.
17
Marino, Dan 2.2
Dolphins Hall of Famer works with Jim McLean.
18
Romo, Tony 2.2
Cowboys QB attempted to qualify for U.S. Open.
19
Stenerud, Jan 2.2
Retired Chiefs kicker is still team's best golfer.
20
Bradshaw, Terry 2.9
Won four Super Bowl rings with Steelers.
21
Aikman, Troy 3.2
Improving rapidly thanks to work at Cowboys G.C.
22
Manning, Peyton 3.4
Played at Pine Valley, San Francisco G.C. in '06.
23
Rashad, Ahmad 3.4
Before TV career he was a Pro Bowl receiver.
24
Boller, Kyle 3.6
Baltimore QB
25
Feagles, Jeff 3.8
Giants punter has consecutive-games record.
26
Bulger, Marc 4
Rams QB was third in NFL passing yards in '06.
27
Palmer, Carson 4
Bengals QB has hosted a charity tourney.
28
Lomax, Neil 4.2
Ex-NFL QB runs an evenmanagement firm.
29
Beuerlein, Steve 4.3
Got a Super Bowl ring as Cowboys backup QB.
30
Brown, Kris 4.6
Texans K plays at Houston Open's Redstone G.C.
Best Golfers in the NFL
1
Sharpe, Sterling plus-2.4
Ex-Packers receiver now analyst for NFL Network.
2
Hentrich, Craig plus-2.0
Tennessee Titans punter for past eight seasons.
3
Longwell, Ryan plus-1.8
Vikings kicker spent his first nine NFL seasons with Packers.
4
Chandler, Chris plus-1.5
Falcons QB in '99 Super Bowl loss to Denver.
4
Dilfer, Trent plus-1.5
Ravens QB in '01 Super Bowl win over N.Y. Giants.
4
Tolliver, Billy Joe plus-1.5
QB played 12 NFL seasons; two wins in Tahoe.
7
Del Greco, Al plus-1.3
NFL kicker for 17 seasons; celebrity-tour winner.
8
Favre, Brett plus-0.8
Packers QB can play to scratch during NFL's off-season.
9
Bartkowski, Steve 0.2
Ex-QB's “Ultimate Game” began as “Big Stakes.”
10
Elway, John 0.2
Broncos QB has played Tahoe celeb event 17 times.
11
Theismann, Joe 0.9
Ex-Redskins QB is TV commentator.
12
Anderson, Dick 1
Defensive player of year in '73 with Dolphins.
13
Rice, Jerry 1.1
NFL great had 7-handicap in '02 (see Final Exam).
14
Feely, Jay 1.4
Kicker left N.Y. Giants for Dolphins in off-season.
16
Rypien, Mark 1.8
Super Bowl MVP in '92 when Redskins beat Bills.
17
Marino, Dan 2.2
Dolphins Hall of Famer works with Jim McLean.
18
Romo, Tony 2.2
Cowboys QB attempted to qualify for U.S. Open.
19
Stenerud, Jan 2.2
Retired Chiefs kicker is still team's best golfer.
20
Bradshaw, Terry 2.9
Won four Super Bowl rings with Steelers.
21
Aikman, Troy 3.2
Improving rapidly thanks to work at Cowboys G.C.
22
Manning, Peyton 3.4
Played at Pine Valley, San Francisco G.C. in '06.
23
Rashad, Ahmad 3.4
Before TV career he was a Pro Bowl receiver.
24
Boller, Kyle 3.6
Baltimore QB
25
Feagles, Jeff 3.8
Giants punter has consecutive-games record.
26
Bulger, Marc 4
Rams QB was third in NFL passing yards in '06.
27
Palmer, Carson 4
Bengals QB has hosted a charity tourney.
28
Lomax, Neil 4.2
Ex-NFL QB runs an evenmanagement firm.
29
Beuerlein, Steve 4.3
Got a Super Bowl ring as Cowboys backup QB.
30
Brown, Kris 4.6
Texans K plays at Houston Open's Redstone G.C.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Welcome / Rule Changes for 2008
Will the snow ever go away? Let's hope so. Welcome to Mississippi Dunes Golf Links in Cottage Grove. With this being a new added feature to our website, I would appreciate any comments and questions anyone may have.
In our first segment of the year, I'd like to go over all the rule changes for the 2008 season. Every couple years or so the USGA and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews sit down and decide what rule changes they need to make to adapt to the ever so changing game of golf. Usually you have a couple minor adjustments, but nothing to serious. However this session was completely opposite. There were some major rule changes that will change how everyone plays.
1) Beginning in 2008, a golfer will be allowed to lift a ball for identification in a bunker or water hazard. However, there now will be a two-stroke penalty for playing a wrong ball from a hazard. In match play, the penalty will be loss of hole.
This rule was made to speed up play. Sometimes in a hazard or bunker, the ball can be positioned in a way it can not be identified. The player then had the option of playing the ball and then identifiying the ball. If the ball was not his or hers, they had the option of going back to the hazard and searching once again, charged with no penalty.
Now they will be able to pick up the ball identify it, if it is their ball, place the ball to the orginial lie and play away.
2) Another notable change is the reduction in penalty in Rule 4-1 for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to, in stroke play, a penalty of two strokes per hole, with a maximum penalty of four strokes for the round.
So if you are as good as Tiger, which I know you all are, you don't have to empty the bag before the big Club Championship. Keep that "Texas" wedge or that old, non-corming ERC Callaway Driver in your bag, just don't use it and all you have to do is give the field 4 strokes, but hey at least you are not DQ'd like last year.
I wonder what Taylor Smith would of said about this change. Remember he was the one DQ'd for the illegal grip on his putter after tying Tiger in the Disney tournament in the late 90's. Though he wouldn't of won, he could of still pocketed a hefty check for it would of be his 7th place finish with the 4 stroke penalty versus the automatic DQ.
3) Lastly, the penalty for the accidental deflection of a ball by a player, his partner or either of their caddies or equipment under Rule 19-2 will be reduced to one penalty stroke in both match play and stroke play. (In 2007, the penalty was loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play.)
That law most famously caught out Jeff Maggert in the final round of the 2003 Masters when he was penalized two strokes after his bunker shot at the third caught the lip and rebounded back into his chest. Jeff ended up with a triple-bogey to ruin his victory chances.
Overall there were 28 amendments to 34 rules, but most of it was language to clear up exactly what the rule was supposed to be or act.
That wraps it up for "Blog #1". Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions. Please e-mail me at tbrewton@mississippidunes.com
In our first segment of the year, I'd like to go over all the rule changes for the 2008 season. Every couple years or so the USGA and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews sit down and decide what rule changes they need to make to adapt to the ever so changing game of golf. Usually you have a couple minor adjustments, but nothing to serious. However this session was completely opposite. There were some major rule changes that will change how everyone plays.
1) Beginning in 2008, a golfer will be allowed to lift a ball for identification in a bunker or water hazard. However, there now will be a two-stroke penalty for playing a wrong ball from a hazard. In match play, the penalty will be loss of hole.
This rule was made to speed up play. Sometimes in a hazard or bunker, the ball can be positioned in a way it can not be identified. The player then had the option of playing the ball and then identifiying the ball. If the ball was not his or hers, they had the option of going back to the hazard and searching once again, charged with no penalty.
Now they will be able to pick up the ball identify it, if it is their ball, place the ball to the orginial lie and play away.
2) Another notable change is the reduction in penalty in Rule 4-1 for carrying, but not using, a non-conforming club from disqualification to, in stroke play, a penalty of two strokes per hole, with a maximum penalty of four strokes for the round.
So if you are as good as Tiger, which I know you all are, you don't have to empty the bag before the big Club Championship. Keep that "Texas" wedge or that old, non-corming ERC Callaway Driver in your bag, just don't use it and all you have to do is give the field 4 strokes, but hey at least you are not DQ'd like last year.
I wonder what Taylor Smith would of said about this change. Remember he was the one DQ'd for the illegal grip on his putter after tying Tiger in the Disney tournament in the late 90's. Though he wouldn't of won, he could of still pocketed a hefty check for it would of be his 7th place finish with the 4 stroke penalty versus the automatic DQ.
3) Lastly, the penalty for the accidental deflection of a ball by a player, his partner or either of their caddies or equipment under Rule 19-2 will be reduced to one penalty stroke in both match play and stroke play. (In 2007, the penalty was loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play.)
That law most famously caught out Jeff Maggert in the final round of the 2003 Masters when he was penalized two strokes after his bunker shot at the third caught the lip and rebounded back into his chest. Jeff ended up with a triple-bogey to ruin his victory chances.
Overall there were 28 amendments to 34 rules, but most of it was language to clear up exactly what the rule was supposed to be or act.
That wraps it up for "Blog #1". Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions. Please e-mail me at tbrewton@mississippidunes.com
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