Golf Virtues

			Need a Lesson? Click here to search the directory.
			Offering Lessons? Click here to learn about enrollment.


	Golf Swing
	GOLF VIRTUES (Bill Castner)
	To so many of us, golf is an integral part of our lives. Ben Franklin was a great man, known for his contributions as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, civic leader, and philosopher. As far as I know, he was not a golfer. In his autobiography, Franklin identified thirteen virtues that he wanted to incorporate into his personality. In his daily planning, Franklin would list and work on each virtue weekly. When he finished each thirteen- week cycle, he would start over again. This way Franklin insured that he worked on each virtue steadily for four weeks every year. Maybe this is why those Franklin Planners have become so popular in recent years! For this New Year, I have chosen 26 "Golf virtues" that I believe should be a basis for all golfers. They cover areas from personal improvement to service to the game. I truly believe that in these difficult times, it will help you to become a better golfer both on and off the course. Improving Your Golf: *Take A Series of Lessons! If the pros need instruction, so do the rest of us. We all need coaching. Pick a coach and stick with that person. Before you begin, have them explain their coaching philosophy to you. Understand where you are, where you want to go and how your coach intends to get you there. There are many fine local PGA professionals in our area. Attend a Golf School! There are many available nearby at many different price ranges. Most are in great locations. This will be a golf improvement vacation. You will improve by totally dedicating a few consecutive days to instruction. A three-day school is plenty. Try to find a school that is compatible with the swing style your golf coach endorses. Analyze Your Swing on Video! This can be a real eye opener. Preferably watch your swing in slow motion. Watch it with your coach so you can determine together which areas need improvement. Analyze Your Overall Game! After each round count how many fairways you hit, how many greens you hit in regulation, and how many putts you had. More statistics will help you to improve your game. This is another tool to let you and your coach know exactly where your game needs work. Improving Your Equipment:* *Play With Fitted - Brand Name Golf Clubs! Every player on the PGA Tour has custom fitted clubs. If you go to the right place, it will not cost extra to have your clubs fitted to you. If you are making an investment in clubs, please get them fit properly. I have not found a single "knock-off or copied" club that is as good as the manufacturers brand name clubs. Remember the old saying, you get what you pay for. Companies that copy clubs are breaking the law. Carry More Wedges in your Bag! If 60 percent of golf is played within 50 yards of the hole, why carry only two wedges? Think about carrying three or four wedges, and remove that old 1 and 2-iron from your bag (finally). Change Your Grips and Have your Lofts and Lies Checked Periodically! If your grips are worn you will have to squeeze the club too hard and it will hurt your swing. Lofts and lies on irons can change. As we get older, and our body's change, we might need to have the lies adjusted. Have your clubs checked twice a year. *Buy a New Pair of Golf Shoes or at least Change Those Worn Spikes! Shoes are now lightweight, stylish, and waterproof. Many manufacturers build game improvement features into their shoes. Soft spikes do not last as long as the old steel ones. Worn spikes can cause you to slip during your swing and are dangerous. Practicing Your Golf: Practice Your Weaknesses! We all love to practice what we are good at. We love to hit drivers at the driving range. But if you take some time to analyze your game, you might just find out your weaknesses. Practice these weaknesses until they are strengths. Practice On The Driving Range The Way You Play On The Golf Course! Imagine the first hole of the golf course you normally play. Hit your driver and watch the ball. Imagine the type of shot you would need for your next shot. Take that club and hit it. Continue until your ball is on the green. Then either play the next hole or replay the last. *Practice Putting More! Putting is a very important part of golf. Putting should take up at least one-third of your practice time. *Practice Bunker Shots! This is the area most of us never practice. The bunker shot is an important part of golf. It is an easy shot once you have confidence in the technique. You must practice it in order to establish the confidence. Playing Golf: *Manage Your Game Better! We are all guilty of hitting dumb shots. Try to play the percentages to lower your score. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Play to your strengths. Learn The Rules of Golf and Play By Them! Take some time to learn the 34 rules in the "Rules of Golf" 2002-3 United States Golf Association handbook. Let them work to your advantage. Establish A United States Golf Association Handicap! It helps you track improvement and allows you to play in tournaments. *If physically possible, walk as often as you can! Even if that means walking just a few holes during the round, I assure you, it will help you. Golf is still a walking game. Enjoying Golf: Play A Round at a "Premier" or New Golf Course! There are so many beautiful golf courses now. Get out and play them. *Attend A Tour Event. The PGA Tour, Senior PGA Tour, LPGA Tour all offer great opportunities to see golf played at the highest level. You can watch close up how the professionals play and pick up some pointers. Read A Golf Book! If you have already finished Tiger's new book, How I Play Golf, take a look at Brad Klein's, Discovering Donald Ross: The Architect and His Golf Courses. Watch Those Guys and Gals on TV! A great way to get caught up in the drama of and learn more about the game. Service To Golf: *Volunteer for A Junior Golf Event! Organizers always need help. You will gain a lot from being a part of watching a junior develop in the game. Play in A Charity Outing! Now more than ever, charities need our support. Golf and help someone. Do it as often as you can. Give Your Old Clubs To A Child or Donate them to a Junior Program! Are you really going to use them again? Most kids need clubs. The local golf shops can have them cut down to size, if necessary. *Introduce A Child or A Friend To Golf! Make this a habit. Share this great game. Call an Old Golf Buddy! Relive the memories. He or she may become a new golf buddy for life. Go Play The Golf Course You Started On! Relive the memories and see how much you improved. Whatever you do, remember that golf is a great part of our lives. Enjoy it, have fun with it, and be healthy. A very Happy New Year to one and all! You can find information on all our programs at GolfinNYC.com. If I can help, please contact me. Thank You for your time! Bill Castner Castnerpga@aol.com GolfinNYC.com The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge, Monroe, NY Turtle Cove Sports Center, Bronx, NY (917) 208-5197