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.
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).
We have expanded and golf lessons are now also available at Gleneagles Golf Course in West Vancouver from PGA of Canada Golf Professional James Presnail. James has taken on the role of Head Golf Professional at Gleneagles and will be offering his teaching and coaching expertise as well as his management skills to the facility.
To book a golf lesson with James you can contact him at 604-318-0306.
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!
2011 is going to be a great year for golf! TGIFraserview is going to have a heavy online presence this year. Keep checking www.TGIFraserview.comfor updates, and new videos. Our 2011 prices will be up shortly! James Presnail has committed to making a golf related video two times a month, so be sure to check them out! enjoy the season! We look forward to helping you discover YOUR golf game! The golf institute at fraserview is an excellent choice for golf instruction in Vancouver.
When I made this video hitting shots off a wall and then nailing them out of the air, I totally missed the ball a few times! So I included them in the video as I thought they were funny. Believe it or not, the toughest thing to do in this video is to hit the wooden board… Countless times in the beginning I didn’t even come close! So the lesson I learnt was being really aware of the club path and clubface through impact. Give it a try sometime see if you have the precision!
Come Visit us at TGIfraserview for golf lessons/instruction in Vancouver
