Year: 2015

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7 Winter Golf Tips to Help Keep Your Game Sharp Until Spring

7 tips for winter golf

7 Winter Golf Tips

Front9Back9 Blog logoI am fortunate enough to live in Central Texas where winter golf means wearing pants and maybe being delayed by an hour because of frost.  Not to brag, but I can play golf year around and don’t have to worry about my golf game getting rusty during the months of November, December, January and February.  Unfortunately for a lot of golfers though, the game is completely vacant from their lives during these four months.

But just because mother nature doesn’t like to cooperate when it comes our wants and needs as golfers doesn’t mean you have to completely lose your golf game during the winter.  Below I’ve put together seven winter golf tips to help you stay sane and keep your game sharp even with 12 inches of snow on the ground outside.

Get An Indoor Hitting Net

I recently got a golf hitting net and was really blown away with the quality and ease of use.  Setting up something similar in your garage or basement can provide you with the perfect area to take full swings with all the golf clubs in your bag.  While you may not be able to see the ball flight with this setup, you will still be able to have a good feel for impact and club positions through the entire swing.

Set up an Indoor Putting Green

If you can only choose one of these golf tips to execute during the winter months, having an indoor putting green is probably the most ideal.  Dialing in your putting stroke and keeping it sharp during the winter months will help save several strokes once the snow finally melts.  Adding in putting aids or other gadgets can also help you get better while your golfing buddies are probably doing nothing.

Get Fit

Look, I get it.  You couldn’t work out during the spring, summer and fall because you were trying to play as much golf as possible.  But now that winter is here and you’re not playing golf, why not use this time to lose a few pounds and get stronger for the next golf season?  Working on your flexibility, leg strength and core muscles can help you pick up pick extra yards when spring time rolls around.

Take Indoor Golf Lessons

Indoor golf lessons are a great way to avoid the winter weather outside while sharpening and fine tuning your golf game for the upcoming spring months.  Places like Golfsmith offer GolfTec instruction inside their stores and many other local independent golf instructors also offer indoor lessons complete with video recording and the latest technology.

Use a Golf Simulator

A golf simulator can be a great addition to the indoor hitting net from above.  While high-end golf simulator packages can set you back up $25,000 or more, there are other much reasonable packages out there to help you stay golf ready during the winter months.  Take OptiShot Golf for example.  Packages range from $300 – $500 and you can hook it directly into your computer and play some of the best courses in the world.

Carve out some space in your garage or basement, set up a golf hitting net, hook up the golf simulator and invite your regular golf group over for some winter golf competition indoors!

Go to a Golf Retail Store

This one is the only tip that doesn’t involve spending money and I bet many of you already do this even in perfect weather.  My local Goldsmith store has four golf simulator screens and another 8 hitting bays in which you can test all the golf clubs you want.  They also have a massive putting green with every putter you can think of.  I go in there frequently throughout the entire year just to swing the new golf clubs and test the new putters.  Why not do this 1-2 times per week during the winter months to at least get some full swings in and loosen up?  I guarantee you won’t be the only one doing it!

Move to a Warmer Climate

While this winter golf tip may be unrealistic for most folks, it is probably the best solution for helping to keep your golf game in shape until spring.  Relocating to a warmer climate during the winter months will allow you to play real golf on real golf courses until the snow melts.  Texas, Florida, California and Arizona are some of the most popular places to relocate to during the winter months.  Is it coincidence that these four states are well known for having great golf courses?

Even by implementing just one of these winter golf tips to your routine during the snowy months can greatly help your game.  Just think how much better you’re golf game will be if you execute on several of the ideas?

Do you live in an area where playing golf outside is completely void from your life during the winter?  If so, let us know in the comments below how you keep your golf game sharp!

Ryan Young of Front9Back9.comFront9Back9 – Ryan Young – Front9Back9.com
Blogger, Golf Fanatic

Have you ever met a real life golf nut?  Meet Ryan.  He blogs about golf, has a podcast about golf, watches a lot of golf and reads a lot about golf.  If he’s not playing golf, he’s likely thinking about the next time he will play golf.  He hails from the great state of Texas and has a unrealistic goal of playing all 800+ golf courses in the state.

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Golfing Healthy – 5 Tips For a Healthier Holiday

Golfing Healthy with Cate Ritter

5 Tips For a Healthier Holiday

Water is the optimal beverage but tea is a close second
Water is the optimal beverage but tea is a close second

The Holidays are a nutritionally challenging time of year for most people. How do you partake in all of the wonderful festivities without packing on the pounds? Yes, you could just wait until New Year’s resolutions roll around and kill yourself on the “dreadmill” at the gym. But, losing weight really doesn’t need to be that painful or difficult. Spare your belly and save your golf game by following these 5 tips for staying slim this season.

  1. Drink Herbal Tea

Avoid sugary and artificially sweetened beverages and limit your alcohol intake by enjoying some soothing herbal tea. Although

water is the optimal beverage of choice, herbal tea provides an excellent source of hydration during the cold winter months. Available in many delicious flavors, some teas can even taste like dessert with stevia. Try peppermint tea with stevia for a candy cane in a cup!

  1. Enjoy Protein-Rich Breakfasts

Start your day with more protein-rich, fat-burning foods such as eggs, leftover “roast beast” or wild salmon. Wild salmon is a great source of muscle-building protein, anti-inflammatory omega-3s and immune-boosting nutrients.

  1. Grab a Handful of Nuts

Nuts are rich in healthy fats that support weight loss, prevent overeating and reduce sugar cravings. Include a handful of nuts daily. Try them roasted with coconut flakes, cinnamon and honey to satisfy a sweet tooth.

  1. Slow Down & Chew

With a busy schedule most of the year, now is a great, “no excuses” time to slow down and savor your food. Practice putting your utensils down in between bites. By slowing down and chewing more you’ll improve your digestion and might even find meal time to be more relaxing.

  1. Go Green at Every Meal

The more whole foods you eat, the less room you have for processed products. Green leafy and cabbage family vegetables such as kale, collards, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and spinach, provide maximum nutrients for minimal effort. Prep and cook them in batches so they’re always available to enjoy.

 

Cate Ritter - Director of Nutrition MTT PerformanceCate Ritter runs THE LEAN 18 Nutrition program at MTT Performance, A Golf Channel Academy located in Pebble Beach, CA. With a successful career as a top junior and collegiate golfer, Cate knows the importance of nutrition when it comes to having a competitive edge on the course. Cate’s work has been featured on ABC15 News, U.S. News and World Report, Wall Street Journal, Golf Digest, GolfWRX, Golf Tips, Golf Today Northwest, PopGolf Mexico, GolfPunk UK, and The Arizona Republic.

Keywords:  golf healthy lifestyle, happy holidays, 5 tips for healthy holiday season

MTT Performance

 

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Golf Course Review Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club

Golf Course Review Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club

Golf Course Review Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club

The latest golf course review from Golf Nomad and BogeysAcrossAmerica.com is about Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club.  Check it out.  An exclusive private club in California, but our own Golf Nomad was able to get out and play not just a round but two rounds of golf.  Read about it here.

 

http://bogeysacrossamerica.com/post/131160699352/course-review-rancho-santa-fe-golf-club


 

Enjoy the read?  Then consider playing with us at one of our GK Plays.  We play Monarch Beach Golf Links this August 20, 2015.  Purchase your spotand join us!
Golf Nomad - BogeysAcrossAmerica.comGolf Nomad –Keith L.  of www.BogeysAcrossAmerica.com Blogger & Online Personality Blogger and fanatic Golfer.

In his words, “a mediocre golfer with limited funds.”  His personal goal to play golf in all 50 states.  He already reached one milestone, playing all daily-fee golf courses in the great state of California.  You can witness and catch up on his travels here at www.BogeysAcrossAmerica.com.

Twitter:  @GolfNomadBAA

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Golfing Healthy – 12 Reasons to Enjoy Pumpkin Seeds

Golfing Healthy with Cate Ritter

A Dozen Reasons to Enjoy Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of the essential mineral and powerful antioxidant zinc. Also called pepitas, pumpkin seeds are a “super” seed packed with nutrients. Did I mention, they’re also perfect for packing in your golf bag?

Nutritional Benefits

  1. Rich in zinc to strengthen the immune system.

    Pumpkin seeds super packed with nutrients
    Pumpkin seeds are super packed with nutrients
  2. Excellent for prostate health and hormone balance.
  3. Boosts reproductive health, fertility and sex drive.
  4. Packed with 10 grams of protein per 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds.
  5. Contains anti-inflammatory omega-3s.
  6. Abundant in antioxidants that reduce inflammation throughout the body and help prevent cancer.
  7. Good source of magnesium to promote heart and nervous system health.
  8. Great balance of nutrients that reduce cravings and support blood sugar levels (anti-diabetic).
  9. Filled with fiber that aids detoxification, especially of the brain (prevent Alzheimer’s).
  10. Decent source of tryptophan that improves sleep, elevates mood and increasesbrain function.
  11. Supports healthy hair and stops hair loss.
  12. Helps kills parasites and support digestive health.

How to Enjoy Pumpkin Seeds

Best enjoyed raw, toasted, roasted or dehydrated, pumpkin seeds are delicious enjoyed by the handful, sprinkled on steel cut oatmeal for breakfast, added to a protein shake or green drink for a snack, tossed into salads for lunch, or mixed into baked goods for dessert.

Quickly Toasted Sweet and Spicy Pepitas

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 pound raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil and swirl to coat the skillet. Add pepitas and sauté until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in cayenne, cinnamon and maple syrup. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool before enjoying.
  • Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 year.

 

Cate Ritter - Director of Nutrition MTT PerformanceCate Ritter runs THE LEAN 18 Nutrition program at MTT Performance, A Golf Channel Academy located in Pebble Beach, CA. With a successful career as a top junior and collegiate golfer, Cate knows the importance of nutrition when it comes to having a competitive edge on the course. Cate’s work has been featured on ABC15 News, U.S. News and World Report, Wall Street Journal, Golf Digest, GolfWRX, Golf Tips, Golf Today Northwest, PopGolf Mexico, GolfPunk UK, and The Arizona Republic.

Keywords:  golf healthy lifestyle, pumpkin seeds, 12 reasons

MTT Performance

 

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How to Write a GREAT Golf Course Review in 5 Easy Steps

5 Steps How to Write a Golf Course Review

How do You Write a Great Golf Review?

I am asked this a lot.  And being the Director of Community on Greenskeeper.org in addition to the Editor-in-Chief of this blog I would like to think I know a thing or three about what it takes to write a great golf review.  In fact as I was reviewing our current FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section of our forums, I realized I never really addressed this question here on our GK Blog.  So here it is.  Here is my take on what you need to know when you write a fantastic golf course review.

5 Easy Steps to Write Great Golf Course Reviews

I have taken the liberty of breaking down a really well written golf course review into five parts.  This is my criteria whenever I write a golf course review.

  1.  How were the conditions of the Greens?  This is central.  You don’t count it until the ball goes in the hole.  A great golf course always starts on the greens.  50% of your shots during your round will in and around the greens so conditions here better be pretty darn good.  Ask yourself, how was the pace?  How was the direction of the putts?  Did your putt stay on-line or did you hit every divot on the way to the hole?  How are the conditions of the green complexes (bunkers included.) Be as descriptive as possible.  Nothing beats being able to describe your experience on the putting surface to other golfers.
  2. How are the conditions of the fairways?  How was the rough?  How were the fairway bunkers?  Were the bunkers well stocked with sand?  What kind of sand?  Was it compacted sand or fluffy sand?  The rough was thick or cut to the same height as the fairway?  Did your ball sink into the rough when your ball came to rest?  How penalizing what making your shots out of the rough compared to on the fairway?  Letting us know how you felt the conditions of the fairways are just as important as the green complexes but honestly, if you hit into a hazard, don’t expect perfect conditions.  They are hazards after all; you’re not suppose to hit there.  Did a lot of hazards come into play off the tee?
  3. How were the conditions of the tee boxes?  Were they level?  Do they rotate the tee boxes well?  Less wear on the tee means the golf course operator regularly move the tees.  This is a good thing.  Were the tees level?  Were the tee boxes a trek just to get to?
  4. How was the service?  Anything of note from the staff?  How was your starter?  How were the people in the snack shop/restaurant?  How many times did you see a refreshment cart if any during your round.
  5. Finally add your own color commentary.  Be as descriptive as possible.  Here you can add Pace of Play (PoP).  Have fun describing your experiences — good and bad.  Remember a lot of our golf course operators use Greenskeeper to actually gauge how their service performs.  Did the course fit your style of play?  Do you think the course played fair?  Help other golfers decide where to play next by helping their envision what their round would be like if they were to play the course you’re reviewing.

Consider these five aspects of a golf course and be as descriptive as possible.  As mentioned at Greenskeeper.org we help other golfers decide where to play their next round of golf.  You come for our aeration alerts but you stay because our golf course reviews are spot on and give as much information as possible; allowing other avid golfers to make informed decisions where to spend their hard earned money on a round of golf.

Think of it this way.  When I first found this site over ten years ago, I wanted a site that could tell me about all the golf course maintenance alerts so I wouldn’t have to suffer another round of golf on aerated greens.  It still is a big secret for some golf course operators.  Those that understand why they do what they do, like our whole online golf community at Greenskeeper.org, want to be given the best and current information available.

At Greenskeeper.org we fulfill that need over and over again.  Help us help others by writing a golf course review for the golf course you just played.  Help other golfers make informed choices.

Thanks for your time and I’ll see you on the links!

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3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Playing the Same Golf Equipment as the Pros

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Playing the Same Golf Equipment as the Pros

Club Fitting

PGA Tour golfers are an extraordinary talent. They spend hundreds of hours practicing their craft each week in the hopes the time spent will pay off in form of a victory and big paycheck. To get there, they must have the best golf equipment accompanying them every step of the way all tuned to the precise specifications for every shot.

It’s hard to resist the urge to go out and buy the latest driver to hit the market just because your favorite player put it in his bag and picked up 15 yards of distance. If you’re a regular reader of online golf publications such as Golf.com and Golf Digest, you’ve surely noticed the featured content highlighting the next greatest driver being played on Tour.

But just because PGA Tour golfers are playing the latest and greatest golf equipment, doesn’t mean you, as an amateur weekend golfer, should run out to get the same equipment.

Here are three specific reasons why you shouldn’t be playing the same equipment as the pros.

PGA Tour Pros Have Precise Tools to Measure Every Aspect of Their Swing

PGA Tour pros have the best technology available at their fingertips to measure every inch of their golf swing. Everything from ball speed to spin rate to launch angle is constantly monitored and these pros know when something isn’t accurate with their equipment.

When they find something off, they can walk into one of the many 18-wheeler equipment trailers brought to each tournament and get it fixed immediately. Inside these trucks you’ll find every measuring device and computer program available to make sure the pros are precisely fit and fine-tuned to their exact specifications.

For us amateur golfers, unless you have all the tools in your garage, have to rely on the friendly folks at Edwin Watts to rush you through a fitting session so they can move onto the next customer. Yes, you should always get fit for your golf equipment, but the same driver head and shaft combination being played by Jason Day is not the same combination that will make you a better golfer.

PGA Tour Pros Don’t Pay For Their Equipment

The Titleist Equipment Trailer

You know that large 18-wheeler I mentioned above? Yeah, that truck contains every golf club head, golf shaft and golf grip needed to make sure any golfer can walk through that door and get a new club in their hands within hours.

Golfers on the PGA Tour don’t pay for their equipment. They have the luxury of receiving golf equipment at no charge from any equipment manufacturer looking to get their equipment in the hands of pros. If one guy doesn’t like his wedge anymore, all he has to do is walk into the equipment truck and ask to have another model. It’s as simple as that.

For amateur golfers, we don’t have that luxury. We’re paying top dollar for our golf equipment at retail stores like Golfsmith. The cost of golf equipment has gotten ridiculously expensive over the years and for most regular golfers we can’t afford to run out and buy the latest driver to hit the market.

PGA Tour Pros Have Specific Clubs For Each Event

Pro golfers sometimes change out golf clubs based on the course conditions they will be playing for that week. One player might take a 5-wood out of their bag in favor of a 3-iron for The Open Championship for instance, because they can hit lower and more penetrating shots better with the iron.

Weekend amateur golfers will most likely be playing the same golf courses over-and-over. On top of that, we’re not good enough to need a different golf club for every situation we’re playing in. The same 14 clubs should be fine for every course throughout the year.

Conclusion

Sure this article may not apply to everyone. Maybe you’re a low-handicap competitive amateur player and you need to change out wedges because a higher bounce might be better for a tournament. This article is mostly geared towards the folks who feel they need to go out and buy the newest driver just because Jordan Spieth picked up 18 yards on his drive and you feel it will do the same for you.

Golf is hard and yes, and the equipment on the market today has come a long way in terms of helping you play better golf. But remember this. Most likely it’s your golf mechanics that are not allowing you to get better. Invest that $400 you were going to spend on a new driver on some lessons with a local PGA pro. Your return on investment might end up being fewer bogeys!

Ryan Young of Front9Back9.comFront9Back9 – Ryan Young – Front9Back9.com
Blogger, Golf Fanatic

Have you ever met a real life golf nut?  Meet Ryan.  He blogs about golf, has a podcast about golf, watches a lot of golf and reads a lot about golf.  If he’s not playing golf, he’s likely thinking about the next time he will play golf.  He hails from the great state of Texas and has a unrealistic goal of playing all 800+ golf courses in the state.

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Golfing Healthy – Oatmeal, a Healthier Alternative to Cereal

Golfing Healthy with Cate Ritter

Oatmeal, a Healthier Alternative to Cereal

Golfing Healthy - Oatmeal, a Healthier Alternative to Cereal
Oatmeal is high in carbs, balance your meal with healthy fat and a side of protein

There’s nothing like starting your day with a piping hot breakfast. A great alternative to those highly processed boxed cereals, breakfast bars, and baked goods, these healthy oatmeal recipes are filled with nutrients to start your day and your round with success.

Oats are rich in fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. These nutrients work together to help lower blood cholesterol, fight free radicals, stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer.

When selecting oats, it’s best to get the actual “whole grain,” not a product “made from whole grains.” There’s a big difference. When a product is made from whole grains, it’s processed and refined, resulting in a much higher glycemic load (GL). The higher the GL, the greater the spike in insulin, a.k.a. your fat storage hormone. For a lower GL with nutty flavor and creamy texture, select steel cut oats. Although they can take a long time to prepare, the recipes below reduce cooking time greatly with a simple pre-night prep technique.

Oatmeal is high in carbs, so be sure to balance your morning meal with some healthy fat and a side of protein, such as cottage cheese, yogurt with whey, eggs, or smoked salmon.

Lastly, beware adding too much sugar to oatmeal by selecting fresh fruit over dried fruit. For healthier sweeteners try in this order: cinnamon, stevia, fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw local honey or grade B maple syrup.

Try these great tasting recipes and start your day or your round of golf right.

 

Berry Coconut Oatmeal

 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup gluten-free steel-cut oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk
  • To taste, vanilla flavored stevia
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 cups fresh/frozen berries
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup

Instructions

  • Bring water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Remove pan from heat; stir in oats and salt. Cover pan and let stand overnight.
  • The next morning,stir remaining ingredients into oats and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens, about 5
  • Remove pan from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. The oatmeal will thicken as it cools.

 For a quick pre-round breakfast the next day, store 1 cup of leftover oatmeal with 1/4 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt and 1/4 cup frozen cherries overnight. Stir with a spoon and enjoy cold.

 

A Twist on “PB&J” Oatmeal

 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup gluten-free steel-cut oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 2 teaspoons raw honey
  • To taste, vanilla flavored stevia
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 2 bananas, sliced thin

Instructions

  • Bring 3 cups water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Remove pan from heat; stir in oats and salt. Cover pan and let stand overnight.
  • The next morning, stir almond milk, honey, and stevia into oats and bring to boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens, about 5
  • Remove pan from heat. Stir in cinnamon, almond butter, and bananas and let stand for 5 minutes. The oatmeal will thicken as it cools.

Cate Ritter - Director of Nutrition MTT PerformanceCate Ritter runs THE LEAN 18 Nutrition program at MTT Performance, A Golf Channel Academy located in Pebble Beach, CA. With a successful career as a top junior and collegiate golfer, Cate knows the importance of nutrition when it comes to having a competitive edge on the course. Cate’s work has been featured on ABC15 News, U.S. News and World Report, Wall Street Journal, Golf Digest, GolfWRX, Golf Tips, Golf Today Northwest, PopGolf Mexico, GolfPunk UK, and The Arizona Republic.

Keywords:  golf healthy lifestyle, oatmeal, alternative berry coconut oatmeal, twist on PB&J Oatmeal

MTT Performance

 

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What is Meet & Play?

Golf Tee Time

Meet & Play:  Sharing your Golf Experience with other Golfers

GK Meet & Play
GK Meet & Play: Bringing Golfers Together

Golf doesn’t have to be a solitary sport.  Share your experience with other like-minded golfers.

Have a tee spot available?  Consider Greenskeeper.Org’s Meet & Play.

Meet & Play is just that.  Meet other golfers and play some golf.  Create lasting friendships with other golfers in your area.  Play competitively or not.  Play golf and share the experience.

Meet & Play was originally conceived as a way to get golfers together playing golf in a less structured and more informal manner.  Just like playing as a single at a golf course, Meet & Play pairs you with other golfers with tee times.

Have a tee time where your buddies backed out?  Still want to play?  No worries.  Post it here on Meet & Plays and find players interested in play a little golf with you.

Since it is informal there are no sponsored GK contests or prizes; only the opportunity to play with other golfers who have a tee time.

It’s very simple use.

  1. Join Greenskeeper.org.  Membership is free.
  2. From the homepage, click the Meet & Play tab.
  3. Join with other golfers playing golf in your area.  Meet & Play outlines available tee times that members in our community have space available.  Think of it as ride-sharing without the transportation and more playing golf.
  4. Communicate with other golfers through the internal GK Messaging system.
  5. Play some golf.

You’re just a few mouse clicks away.

Goose Creek Golf Tee Times
Goose Creek Golf Tee Times

Now if Meet and Plays is not your cup of tea, be sure to check out our latest GK Plays at Goose Creek Golf Club this August 31 2015.  Have the time?  Join us!  Space is limited.  But if you’re unable to attend our latest GK Plays consider our upcoming GK Plays.  Great Golf is in your future!