The PGA Merchandise Show took place in Orlando, Florida last week January 25th to 28th. All of the large golf suppliers use this show to introduce new products for the upcoming golf season. Since we are a Titleist Golf Shop we were interested to see what new and improved Titleist equipment was launched.
Titleist has introduced four new golf balls to its lineup with the unveiling of the NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity and DT SoLo at the PGA Merchandise Show.
“Our golf ball product development process is the same for all Titleist golf balls,” said Bill Morgan, senior vice president of golf ball research and development.“It always starts with golfer testing where we identify performance improvements that will help golfers score better and determine what their preference options are,” he added.“New Titleist NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity and DT SoLo are the result of that process and deliver the best scoring performance and quality within their respective segment,” he said.
The new products will begin shipping to golf shops in February and since we are a Titleist shop we will be carrying all four of the new golf balls for the 2012 season – NXT Tour, NXT Tour S, Velocity and DT SoLo .
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out when they arrive or stop by the golf shop anytime.
What is Equitable Stroke Control?
As many of you know Equitable Stroke Control is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicapping purposes. It is used in order to make handicaps more representative of a player’s potential ability. An Equitable Stroke Control chart sets a maximum number that a player can post on any particular hole based on the player’s handicap at that course.
Example of Equitable Stroke in Use
For example, a 20 handicap takes a 9 on the last hole at Fraserview after hitting two balls into Vivian Creek. When that player is entering their score in the computer to track their handicap they must enter an 8 for the 18th hole because they are not allowed any scores more than 3 over par and the 18th hole is a par 5. A second player in the group also scores a 9 on the 18th hole. Their handicap is 35 so they keep the 9 marked on their card as is for handicapping purposes.
Change to USGA method
For whatever reason Golf Canada (formerly the RCGA) and the USGA have been using different systems for Equitable Stroke Control. As of March 1st, 2012 the RCGA will adopt the current USGA method. Golf British Columbia has provided an article about the change and an interview with Matt McKay, Manager of Rules and Handicap with Golf Canada on why the change is occurring.
The team at The Golf Institute at Fraserview would like to wish you a very Happy New Year and a great 2012 golf season! Come visit us in the golf shop to check out some great merchandise specials, lesson promotions and our Winter Golf Card.
Our golf shop is open from 8am to 7pm daily with the driving range opening at 11am Monday, Wednesday and Friday and at 8am Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Our staff is here to answer any questions that you may have and to help you get your game ready for the 2012 season.
Our Winter Lesson Promotion gives you two great options to keep your game in shape! Take either three 30 minute lessons or a 90 minute playing lesson for ONLY $99. Call 604-257-6923 to book today!
The team at The Golf Institute and the Golf Shop at Fraserview wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season! We look forward to seeing you many times in 2012!
Please note our holiday hours are as follows:
December 24th 8am-3pm
December 25th Closed
December 26th 8am-3pm
December 31st 8am-3pm
January 1st 8am-3pm
All other days we will be open regular hours which are: 8am to 7pm daily with the driving range opening at 11am Monday, Wednesday and Friday and at 8am Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
The “glove or no-glove” debate has been around since gloves were invented. Normally golfers wear one glove to gain an improved grip on the club. In hotter months and climates sweat on your hand and the club can make gripping difficult without a glove. Those golfers that do not wear a glove state better feel for the club and club head direction when not wearing a glove. This is why gloves are rarely worn when putting.
Some golfers choose to wear two gloves year round. Reasons might include help with blisters, a feeling of improved grip, or even fashion. But whether you choose to wear no glove, one glove or two gloves there is sometimes a good reason to wear two – and that is the rainy, winter season in Vancouver.
FootJoy Rain Grip Gloves
Winter golf gloves are designed to both keep your hands warm and dry and to provide better grip during your swing. There are many types of winter golf gloves out there. The golf shop at Fraserview is primary a Titleist and FootJoy shop so we carry the FootJoy RainGrip glove.The microfiber palm helps your grip in wet conditions. The QwikDry knit material along the back of the hand helps with breathability and flexibility and is quick to dry after the rain. There are bands on the back of the glove to allow for easy tee access and the gloves are always sold in pairs.
Rain and cloud is no reason to stop golfing. With the right company and the right equipment it can be just as fun as in summer, and you will have less people in front of you on the course. For more information on the RainGrip glove visit the FootJoy website.
Physical technique aside, picking a landing spot for the ball is something you always need to focus on while chipping. It’s kind of like driving your car to the grocery store. In order to get to the grocery store, you find a secondary target – the parking lot. Similarly in chipping the target destination is the hole, but you should only be trying to imagine a landing area appropriate for the ball to come to rest near the hole. So even if you are trying to sink the chip shot, the hole shouldn’t be where you are aiming. Aim where you want the ball to land!
What is your target? While I have you on the topic of targets I want you to ponder this: Let’s say I go out for a round of golf and shoot 78. The actual hole is only my target 5-10 times out of those 78 strokes. How is that possible? The hole isn’t my target off the tee, it usually isn’t my target from the fairway, it isn’t my target chipping, and it is very rarely my target while putting, unless the putt inside 2 ft and dead straight. So take the time to think about what your target really is.
If you have any questions about the hole not being your target or any other golf techniques please send me an email at jwpresnail@gmail.com and I would love to chat about it.
- James Presnail, TCCP Level 4, Head Golf Professional, PGA of Canada
So many times in golf we forget that our objective is to propel a ball towards a target. We get so caught up in “trying” to hit the ball that we forget that what is most important is not the ball but the target.
Here is a tip to help you stay aware of the target throughout your full golf swing.
Pick a target either on the range or the golf course. Create a very clear picture of that target in your mind. Your visualization of the target should be so clear that you can still picture it when you look down at the ball. With this picture in your mind take a golf swing. REMEMBER don’t ever lose the picture of the target from start to finish. You may find the golf ball becomes fuzzy to your eye or that you are no longer staring at the golf ball but merely gazing at it. If you can get into this state you are much more attached to the target and your body will eventually react accordingly.
Target awareness is something most amateur golfers have not given much practice, however consider this statement: Most professional golfers stare at the target and glance at the golf ball; most amateur golfers glance at the target and stare at the golf ball. Food for thought!
- Tom Monaghan , TCCP Level 5, Head Golf Professional, PGA of Canada
To learn more from our instructors come see us at TGIFraserview – 604‐257‐6923.
This may sound like a really simple tip – but most of us don’t check our alignment regularly.
Golf is hard enough when trying to hit a straight shot towards our target but it will be even harder trying to hit the target while aiming at a bunker!
Checking your alignment is a very easy process and should be done regularly. Next time you are at the driving range try aiming at a certain target down the range. Then take the golf club that you are holding and lay it parallel to your feet. Step directly behind the club to see if you are actually aimed at your target. You may be amazed at the result.
Take the time to check your alignment regularly during practice and you will see results.
- David Lin, TCCP Level 4, Teaching Professional, PGA of Canada. David speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and English and teaches golfers of any level.
To learn more from David or one of our other instructors come see us at TGIFraserview – 604‐257‐6923 or TGIFraserview.com.
August Promotion: Purchase Five 30 minute lessons for $245 and receive a 4-hole playing lesson for Free! (Must be used in August. Playing lesson must be booked by your golf professional at non-peak times).
During the month of March take 3 half hour lessons for just $125. James Presnail and Mo Kidane are excited to see you out at the golf course! It snowed last night so the course is closed, but the driving range is always OPEN. James & Mo were a little bored today so they made the March Madness video below. Don’t forget to have fun when you practice, and don’t forget that this is the perfect time of year to start working on your game! We hope to see you out at the golf institute @ Fraserview soon! Give us a call at 604 257 6923 to book your lesson appointments. We are located in the heart of Vancouver. Enjoy the show!
The golf institute at Fraserview has a great deal for February. During this month, take 3 x 45 minute golf lessons, and get 1 TPI fitness screen from Brad Kahn (certified TPI fitness trainer) Sometimes our body won’t let us have an efficient golf swing… so come check up on your physical mobility and stability with Brad and get 3 golf lessons from either James or Moe! See you soon!
