Take control of the course

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin, Sand Hills Golf Resort

Course management, accurate tee shots and a great short game were key to last week’s U.S. Open.
Of course, playing your second shot from the fairway produces a lower score. But fortunately, the majority of courses in this area have shorter rough than Torrey Pines, so we have a greater chance of success on our second shot. This week’s tip: manage your game.

Pick a landing target area
Pick an area of choice where you would prefer your drive to finish, based on your normal shot pattern, slice, hook, fade etc. (there is always a safer side to the hole).

Pick the right club
Your second shot should be played with a club that can reach the green with ease; don’t choose based on your best ever shot with a specific club. My experience in pro-ams and such is that most shots finish short of the flag. Play smart: always choose a club that will get the ball out of a bad lie and into a better position for your third shot rather than try to make up for a bad shot by being the hero and going for the green from an impossible position.

Play it safe and low
On short shots, play the percentages, if the shot requires lower running type shot rather than a lob shot, choose the running one. Most amateurs are not practicing the lob shot, so the results could be damaging to your score. If in doubt, run the ball to the flag if this shot is available.

Check out the green
Before you arrive, study the green for its surface, lie of the land, undulations. Pick the target line and the apex of your breaking putt and follow through to that point.

Don’t try the impossible do the probable. For more tips on your golf game see your local CPGA professional.

Golf tips - Technique lesson: weight shift and balance

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin
Sand Hills Golf Resort

It’s very important to have good weight shift and balance when you swing your club.
Always be in the ready position at address, weight positioned on the middle to balls of your feet and have your body weight slightly to the right: 55 per cent right leg, 45 per cent left leg. This is mainly due to your right hand being lower than your left on the grip.
This also positions your spine slightly to the right. Head definitely behind the ball with your longer clubs at address.
During the swing there is weight shift to the right leg as your hips turn and shoulders turn to the top of the backswing. The downswing starts with a lateral shift of weight to the left or to the target and then a body and hip rotation to a balanced finish with your chest and hips finishing perpendicular the target at the finish. Remember: your head does move slightly during the swing!
To achieve that balanced finish your left leg should be straight and the sole of your right shoe should be facing directly away from the target.
The two key swing elements are, maintain your spinal angle during your swing and always have your spine slightly behind the ball at impact. Remember lefties, it’s the opposite for you!

June 21 – Friends of Pinery Park golf tournament

Support children’s Natural Heritage Education Programs at the Pinery by taking part in the Friends of Pinery Park charity golf tournament June 21 at Widder Station.
Packages include: Golf Package ($100): 18 holes of golf, golf cart, 3 course dinner; Sponsor Package ($100): signage on hole and sponsorship recognition. Sponsor and Golf Package ($450); Dinner Only ($35).
For more info., contact 519-243-1521.

Check your fundamentals

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin
http://www.sandhillsgolf.ca

Club head: Position your club head at right angles to your intended target line.
Grip: The back of your left hand facing your target, looking down you should see between two and three knuckles on your left hand. Right hand palm facing the target, right thumb left side of the grip and there should be a line formed between the right thumb and forefinger, if you extended that line it should point to your right shoulder. (opposite for you lefties)
Feet: Shoulder width apart, slightly wider for your longer clubs and slightly closer together for your short irons.
Ball position: Long clubs, keep the ball forward in your stance (closer to the target) and then move the ball progressively back until the middle of your stance with the pitching wedge or sand wedge.
Posture: Tilt over from the waist keeping your weight positioned on the middle of your feet and with a slight leg flex. Your arms should hang straight down from your shoulders. Keep your spine as straight as possible.
Body Alignment: Position your body parallel left of your target line (think of railway line tracks) your club head and ball on one track and your feet and body on the other. (Parallel right of your target line for you lefties)
Practice these SIX fundamentals and save a few strokes.
See your local CPGA Professional for more swing tips.
Cameron Rankin is a member of the CPGA and British PGA, and the head pro at Sand Hills Golf Resort (http://www.sandhillsgolf.ca) in Port Franks.

Get ready for golf!

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin

The season is upon us after a long snowy winter. The local golf courses seem to have wintered well, with no noticeable winter kill or snow mould to speak of. The spring rain we’ve just had should promote a fast turnaround to course conditions and get the grass nice and green once again.
I have three tips for you this week to be properly prepared for the season.
1 - Check those golf clubs and consider replacing your grips. The feel of a new grip makes that club feel like NEW again. If the grips just need cleaning, use Comet or Ajax in the power form to clean them up. Make sure you check the steel shafts for any surface rust, use chrome cleaner to polish up.
2 - Check your shoes. Check those spikes and consider replacing them for better traction. Don’t forget to weatherproof your uppers.
3 - Get your legs into shape. Practice walking; the average golfer walks a minimum of four miles during eighteen holes, so if you want to finish your round strongly remember those legs.
Cameron Rankin is a member of the CPGA and British PGA, and the head pro at Sand Hills Golf Resort (www.sandhillsgolf.ca) in Port Franks.

Gifts for golfers

Looking for a gift for your favourite golfer? The Lung Association’s Golf Privilege coupon books give you a chance to help the charity and get deals at courses across southwestern Ontario. For $39, you get 40 coupons for deals at 17 courses including Bayview Golf Club in St. Joseph, and Sand Hills Golf Resort in Thedford.
For more information, call the Lung Association in Stratford at 519-271-7500.

Fall has been very kind

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin

What a fall season for golf!
The weather has been great to get those last few rounds in. Even the professionals have enjoyed the weather, with Mike Weir taking down Tiger at Royal Montreal and Jon Mills making a great mid-season charge to get his PGA Tour playing privileges back for next season.
Before you put your clubs away for the season, do some winter maintenance on them. Take the time to clean the grips, the grooves and if you still play with steel shafts, clean them with some chrome cleaner. Finally, store them in your house for the winter months; the truck doesn’t cut it due to the extreme temperature changes.
For those golfers still playing, please take a few minutes to do some stretching and warm up exercises before you tee-off. Dress warmly and have some fun.
I hope you all had a good season. Time to get those skis waxed and skates sharpened and ready to go.
Go Leafs!
Cameron Rankin will return to the Strip in the spring.
Sand Hills Golf Resort remains open for special events.

Fall golf is here!

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin

Fall is the best time of the year to play: the courses are quieter, the weather is cooler, course conditions are improving after an especially dry hot summer, and the green fees are usually less, so get your last few games in before the weather breaks.
Fall is a good time to take stock of your game and get ready for next season. I would check your equipment first. Grips are the first thing to look at. Worn grips or smooth grips will rob you of distance; look into replacing them or give them a good cleaning with Comet or Ajax (powder form). Remember to check that putter grip.
Regarding your game, do some statistics on your next few rounds. The following would be a good start:

Department How Many?
Fairways hit: 6
Greens hit in regulation: 9
Total # of putts: 32
Chip & putt greens: 2
Chip & two putt greens: 7
Penalty Shots: 2

Keep it simple to start. Try and identify your weak areas and work on them this fall and be better prepared for next season.
Good Golfing.

Looking for a straighter shot?

Keep your left wrist (right for lefties) flat at the top

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin

One of the secrets to hitting straighter golf shots more often is the left wrist position (the right wrist for lefties) at the top of the back swing. Assuming your fundamentals are correct, this position can be achieved fairly easily. During your backswing, your wrists hinge on an approximate angle of 45 degrees to the ground; the shaft of the club should also be on this angle. Turning your shoulders to complete the backswing, you should still have your left wrist flat.
Cupping your left wrist will cause you to slice the ball to the right of your target. Arching your left wrist will cause your ball to fly low and left of your intended target. The arched left wrist is not very common, as golfers like to see the ball have some trajectory. Check your left wrist position for lower and more consistent scores.

Cameron Rankin: golf at grandbendstrip.com

Hold the angle

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin

The angle we’re discussing is caused when the wrists break during the back swing and is held during the forward swing. Allow the inside (the core or center of your body) or shoulders to move your arms to hold the angle on the forward swing. The hands and arms do nothing and are only moved by the shoulders.
Do not allow your right arm (opposite for lefties) to straighten out too early on the forward swing. You must hold the angle by allowing the right elbow to stay folded as it drops against your right hip.
If your right arm straightens out too early, your right elbow will be pulled away from the body. This is called “casting” or “clubhead throw-away” and is the main cause of power loss. The backswing should be wide with maximum extension; the forward-swing should be becoming narrower as the shoulders turn the right elbow to the right hip. Remember there are two circles, one large circle for the backswing and one smaller circle for the forward-swing.
Remember this angle for more consistent striking of the ball.

Cameron Rankin is the head pro at Sand Hills Golf Resort.

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