Therapy for a golfer's soul: Golf's Unfolding Drama

Evan Schiller

You meet the most interesting people when you work or play in the golf industry - many of them through social media.

Last week was no exception.  I followed someone on Twitter who introduced me to his new eBook on the iPad.

Now normally I get books sent to me by publishers to review for free. If I like a book I'll write about it.  And if I don't like a book, I write nothing.

But this time was different.  I actually paid for the book.  And it was worth every penny.

Golf's Unfolding Drama is a book of golf course photography designed especially for the iPad by Evan Schiller, a former PGA professional who has become one of the most renowned golf course photographers in the world.

Over the past 20 years, Schiller has captured the drama and stunning beauty of hundreds of courses including Pebble Beach, Augusta, The Old Course at St. Andrews and Ballybunion, to name just a few.

40 of his most dramatic grace the pages of his book.

A favorite of mine is his photograph of one of the best golf courses in British Columbia - Big Sky. 

Big Sky Golf Course, BC (Photo by: Evan Schiller)

Makes you want to play it, doesn't it?

Flipping through Golf's Unfolding Drama is like strolling through my bucket list of golf courses I hope to play someday.  Each photo comes with a "not immediately visible" narrative that allows you to appreciate what Evan had to do to capture the image at just the right moment.  It's fun to read them, but equally fun to hide them so you can fill your screen with breathtaking imagery.

I love having it on my iPad because it means I can flip through it anytime, anywhere (like waiting in the dentist office or sitting in on a really boring conference call ;)). 

I highly recommend you download it and see for yourself. It's a wonderful reprieve from life's dull or stressful moments.  I think of it as therapy for a golfer's soul.

Golfgal

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LPGA rookie Hannah Yun Hits ISPS Handa with High Hopes

Is it just me or does it seem like forever since we’ve watched the ladies tee it up on the LPGA?

Three months off the radar is much too long IMHO, so I'm excited that finally we'll see the ladies in action at the 2012 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, February 6-12.

It’s a formidable venue (remember it hosted the Presidents Cup in 2011) boasting a  world class field including  Rolex Player of the Year, Yani Tseng, 38-time champion, Karrie Webb, the unstoppable Susann Pettersen with 8 titles to her name, including 2 in 2011; and let’s not forget the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year, Hee Kyung Seo.

And while all of those accomplished women will capture the attention of golf fans everywhere, my sights will be on a teenager entering her rookie year on the LPGA tour with a resume many seasoned players would envy -- 19 year old, Hannah Yun.

One of 140 talented women (many previous LPGA players) battling for the coveted top 20 at Q-school, Hannah, in her first attempt, tied for 15th place and earned her full 2012 LPGA card in the fall of 2011.

It was an amazing feat for someone so young, but Hannah isn’t unfamiliar with accomplishments and accolades.  At just 15 years of age, Hannah:

• Graduated high school with high honors
• Was her high school’s MVP after winning the Florida High School State Championship
• Received a full scholarship to the University of Florida in 2007.
• Was the youngest student in the history of the NCAA to compete in college events
• Was named the MVP of the Florida women’s team
• Was selected as an NCAA, SEC, and Golfweek first-team All-American
• Won IMG/Leadbetter Golf Academy MVP and Player of the Year

In 2009, at the age of 17 Hannah was the youngest golfer to ever play as a touring pro in the US.

When I heard about Hannah from Dave Andrews, author of the delightful novel, Pops and Sunshine, I knew I had to find out more about her.   Listen in and discover what makes this young phenom tick...

Quite the young lady don't you think?

No wonder Dave Andrews (who graciously sent me pictures of Hannah for this post) wrote this after her Q-school success, "I was thrilled for her and happy to have helped in a small way. Trust me, however, Hannah didn’t need my help. She is as good a player as most of the players currently on the LPGA tour. She is going to do very well in her rookie season on the tour, and at the young age of 19 has a brilliant career to look forward to. She is also one of the nicest, most humble and modest young women I have ever had the chance to meet."

Best of luck Hannah! I'll be cheering you on throughout 2012 and for many years to come.

Golfgal

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A free Valentine's Gift for the golfer you love

I'm not a big fan of January.  The excitement of  Xmas is over and all we have to look forward to is snow, sleet and freezing rain.  Oh and did I mention darkness?  It's dark when I leave for work and dark when I come home at night.  And to top it off there are no more statuatory holidays until March.

No wonder bears hibernate at this time of year!

Oh and what about taxes?  For the self-employed like me, I enjoy visiting my tax accountant at this time of year about as much as having a root canal done. 

Sigh...

No discretionary spending for me for a while.  And it's usually shopping that gets me out of my winter funk.


So imagine my delight when I found out that I could get a $24.99 iPhone app I've been wanting to try for a while for free.  Yup, the folks at Mobitee are having a one-time promotion where you can get the app for free between January 26th - 31st at 9 pm.

Haven't heard about Mobitee?  Well, if you've been spending $60+ a year to update your SkyCaddie subscription, then you need to check them out.

Mobitee is a GPS golf app which contains over 25,000 golf courses, satellite aerial views of each hole, flyover videos, a range finder, shot tracking, score cards, and something I love...FREE updates! 

It works on the iPhone, iPod Touch (if you have Internet access) and Android and BlackBerry devices as well.

Check out this review done by Daily App Show. 



Pretty cool eh? 

I've just downloaded it for my iPhone and I can't wait to try it out on my home course in Vancouver.  Only problem is that it's too cold to play golf.  :-(

But I have a great idea.  Why don't you download it (make sure you download the premium version 2.8), try it out on your favorite courses and come back and tell me how it was.  Then I can live vicariously through you until the sun decides to honour us with his presence in this winterland.

And don't forget Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Why not download it for the one you love at the same time?  It's never a bad thing to be early with a Valentines gift - beats the heck out of being late. ;)

Golfgal

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Do your golf clubs suffer from S.A.D.?

It's January 21, 2012 -- almost two months since I lifted a golf club.  I remember the last time as if it was yesterday. 

18th hole, Ka'anapali Kai... 

My golfguy and I were reminiscing about the last 3 weeks when we played golf every day in paradise. We were moaning a bit that we were down to our last 2 or 3 shots for a very long time. 

It never occurred to us at the time that someone was listening, until I picked up my sand wedge, took an easy swing and proceeded to shank my new Prov V1 into the water.  Sandy was misbehaving.  No way was she going to let me par that last hole after hearing she was soon going to be denied active duty for many months.  At first I was angry, but then I understood...who could blame her? 

Imagine if we treated our kids like we treat our golf clubs. You try playing daily with Johnny for weeks on end and then lock him in his room for 2 or 3 months.  Family Services would be on your case faster than you can say PPSD (Post Paradise Stress Disorder). 

Golf clubs aren't just inanimate objects I've come to learn.  They need continuous tender loving care in order to do their job -- a job they do for us every chance they can, without complaint even in the foulest weather.

Clubs require regular exercise to stay fit for golf.  But instead of supporting their fitness regime, we dump them in the garage or basement when weather socks us in, just like I did upon our return from Maui.  We self-centered golfers are the reason that our clubs suffer S.A.D. (Seasonal Abandonment Disorder) every winter. 

Two months ago, my clubs went from swinging in seventh heaven to hunkering down in hell (which in our home is a cold dark shed) - all in a 24 hour period.  Talk about a shock!  No wonder they feel abandoned.

I did try and explain to them that as soon as it was 8 degrees C (46 F) I would come and take them out for a round. But that any lower temperature than that would be too cold for my hands to grip them.

Weeks went by and soon it was Xmas.  Imagine my surprise to find hand warmers in my stocking Xmas morning.  Where did they come from?   

It didn't take me long to find out.  It was all too clear who the secret Santas were when I discovered my stix waiting for me at the front door.

I confronted them as they stared out at the bleak cold day asking which of them was responsible for the toasty treats.  Not one of my sulky soldiers would look at me.  Finally Sandy peeked around her neighbor and then I knew. 

She was trying to make up for her blunder on my approach shot to 18 the month before.   I couldn't help but smile.  Unfortunately the warmers were not enough for me to take her out to play then or since.  Below freezing temperatures and snow do not a great round of golf make.

But now it's January 21, 2012.   My clubs continue to sit at the front door staring out towards the south to where the driving range awaits our return someday. 

The high today is 7 degrees C (45 F).  I'm feeling the full effects of P.P.S.D. and know that my clubs are as S.A.D. as S.A.D. can be.

1 degree is all it takes to turn our frowns upside down.  What's 1 degree?! 

The snow has been washed away, there are heaters in the driving range stalls and my handy warmers are in my bag. 

I think it's time for me to reward my loyal lasses for their patience these past 2 months.

It's time to take the plunge ladies.  Brrrr...ring it on and let the 2012 golf season begin!

Golfgal

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Don’t go to Maui unless you can risk the horrors of PPSD
Gordon Clark gclark@theprovince.com twitter.com/gordzillacity
The Province
16 Jan 2012
Ihave a warning for everyone. Do not, I repeat do not, go to Hawai‘i on vacation, particu‘ularly if you care about your mental health. I’ve just returned from a family vacation to Ka‘anapali on Maui and I’ve never been more miserable in my...read more...

Tech Tags: The Province newspaper Editorial

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Is it adios time for the Aloha season?

Every January I count down the days to the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.  Imagine an event where only winners are invited to play - what could be more exciting than that?

Well, actually almost anything this year.

Last weekend I had it on in the background while I did more stimulating things - like tallying year end expenses for my taxes.

Normally when the Aloha season kicks off on the PGA Tour on Maui, I’m glued to the TV, looking to see how the best of the best play Kapalua. 

But this season, with so many of the world’s best taking a pass on this event, I listened to the telecast, but my heart was just not in it.   If it weren't for Steve Stricker being in the field, I'm not sure I would have even listened to it.

Three out of the four, 2011 major winners did not feel the event was worth their time (Rory McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel, Darren Clarke).  The number one player in the world (Luke Donald)  had other things to do.  Numbers 4 and 6 (Martin Kaymer, Adam Scott) were also missing in action.

And Lefty hasn't shown up in years, allegedly because the Plantation Course doesn’t suit his game.  How can a course not fit the game of someone took home the trophy twice in 5 years (Phil Mickelson won the event in both 1994 and 1998).

Nope!  There is something seriously wrong when the most exclusive event of the year is excluded from the calendars of the best players in the world.  With both Nick Faldo and Johnny Miller in the booth, there were bigger stars behind the cameras than in front of them.  How sad is that!

Now don't get me wrong, the young guns are fun to watch (well, at least those who don't carry broomsticks in their bags), but we need big name draws at this event or it might go the way of the Champions Skins Game. 

Yes, sadly after an 11-year run on Maui, the Champions Skins Game is taking a leave of absence (or should I say, the sponsors are taking a leave).  Sniff...

The Royal Ka'anapali hosted the event from 2008-2011 and prior to that the legends of the game enjoyed 7 years competing at Wailea. 

I've always wanted to attend the Skins Game and thought it was just a matter of time before I would walk the fairways with the greatest players of our time, and my favorites of all time -- two-time defending champions, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.

Tom and Jack take home $310,000 at the 2011 Skins Game (Photo credit: Ka'anapali Resort)

But time may have run out on me.  Jack and Tom were ready to play this year if someone was ready to pay a fraction of what Hyundai paid out at Kapalua. 

The total purse for the Champions Tour this year was $5.6 million; Skins - $770K.

Stricker took home: $1,120,000; Jack and Tom had to split $310K.

Why do I suddenly feel like I'm talking about the LPGA? Sigh...

Forgive my first rant and rave of the new year, but something's just not right here. 

If fans make enough noise about the Skins Game, IMG and ESPN might put a little extra effort into getting it back because the men want to play!  Jack and Tom have already said they'd be back.

But what about Hyundai?  If I was the CEO, I wouldn't want to invest my money in a tournament where the best players bail every year.  But it wouldn't be Hyundai's fault if they withdrew their sponsorship and the Tournament of Champions collapsed; it would be the the players themselves we should blame. 

Golfgal

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Add this CLUB to your golf fitness regime

How often have we heard people complain that golf is an elitist sport for the wealthy?  Well, I'm not wealthy by any means and I play golf as much as I can.  But I do have to admit some golf courses charge so much for green fees I feel like I have to use my house as collateral before handing over my credit card in the pro shop.

Golf can be an expensive sport if one is not careful. This is especially true of championship resort courses; you can pay a hefty premium to play during prime time in high season.  And January through March is very high for those of us living in the great white north.

But when Xmas is over and it's dark and cold throughout Jan and Feb, we golfers start looking for a place to plant our Footjoys. Many easterners head to Myrtle Beach - "The Golf Capital of the World".

It certainly does offer a lot of choice in terms of golf with 100+ courses and the weather sure beats the heck out of Detroit's.

But a quick check today of their 7-day weather forecast was depressing.  The highest temperature all week is 65 degrees with lows in the 40's and a daily average high closer to 60.  Not freezing, but certainly not my idea of perfect beach weather. No wonder Myrtle Beach golf vacations are so affordable right now.  Just bundle up first.

Meanwhile on Maui's west coast, today's forecast is sunny with a high of 82.  The lowest it goes throughout the week is down to 79. Now THAT's golf and beach weather.

Okay, so we've found our destination, but what about those high season prices?  Yes, Maui golf can be expensive if you don't know what you are doing.  Even twilight golf can cost you over $100 at many courses on the island. 

But I just discovered a real gem of a deal.  Did you know that you can play everyday on a championship course on Maui for only $50 a month?  That's right.  It's part of Ka'anpali's FIT CLUB program where participants pay $50 a month for access to walk and play the first six holes of the Kai course each day after 4 p.m. It's been around since 2010, but I just heard about it.  One of those best kept secrets I guess. 

• First, I love that you can walk the course. It's great exercise and I actually play better when I walk.
• Second, it only takes an hour and a bit to play, so you can golf after work or after beaching it all day.
• Third, it's perfect for golfers who are vacationing with someone who doesn't golf.  Guys, if your wife doesn't want to be dragged around in a power cart for 4-5 hours, she can spend an hour at the spa while you hit the fairways before the cocktail hour.
• Fourth, those cocktails will taste great up at the new Roy's restaurant in the Ka'anapali clubhouse that opens at the end of January. If you haven't tried a Roy's yet, check out their Aloha Hour. Yum!

I tell you FIT CLUB is a brilliant idea. No wonder 80 players sign up each month and there are approximately 25-40 that go out and play every day.

It has created its own golfing community for both tourists and -- like Byron here from the Westin Resort and Spa.

Imagine closing off your day with 6 holes of golf.   It's better than nine and dine -- more like six and sips and for a lot less cash.

When I head to Maui this year, I'm signing up.  For once I'll come home from my vacation weighing less than I did when I arrived AND with a lower handicap AND with money in my pocket.

Aloha!

Golfgal

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If it's good enough for Annika, it's good enough for me!

Back in 2010 I was very focused on improving my golf handicap.  I put together a 10 step program to better golf and dropped 3 points off my index.  It was a very good year.

2011?  Not so much...

Last year my handicap remained flat even though my game felt okay and I shot my lowest score twice while vacationing on Maui.  I realized when I got home that it wasn't my golf fundamentals that went sour in 2011, it was my fitness program.

In 2010 I had a personal trainer for most the year.  It paid off, but it was an expensive investment.  When my trainer resigned and went back to university, I decided to save some money and try working out on my own.  I kept up my 4-day a week program, but it just didn't have the impact needed to improve my core strength, flexibility and balance.  I wasn't doing the right things - I was just putting in the time which turned out to be a big waste of time.

But this year is going to be different.  I just finished reading Weight Training for Women's Golf - The Ultimate Guide by Kai Fusser (Annika's trainer for many years).  I found the book easy to read and understand, and I really liked seeing every exercise presented in both text and photographs so you can see exactly how they should be done properly.

I also liked that Kai dispels some myths about weight training - myths I believed were gospel until now.  I always thought that women shouldn't lift heavy weights because it would make us bulk up - WRONG!  I also believed that more reps was better with lighter weights - WRONG!   And I thought spending a 1/2  hour every day on an elliptical machine was the best form of cardio - WRONG!

Kai pulls no punches when he tells you what machines to use and which avoid.  He replaces those hours on the elliptical machine or treadmill with something he calls HIIT (high intensity interval training). HIIT only takes 4-8 minutes, 3 times a week!  As soon as I read that, I knew I had the right program for me!

He also includes a nutrition chapter which I have dog eared to death.  I've never been into protein supplements before, but I'm starting to have second thoughts.

In Part 5 of the book Fusser details workout programs for 4 phases:

1. Building and Learning
2. Strength
3. Power
4. In Season 

He even includes exercises to help cure specific swing problems.


I do like this book and the workout programs it recommends (Hey, if they were good enough for Annika, they are good enough for me!).

The one thing I would change is the packaging.  I'd make it more of a workbook where you can extract your phase's exercises and take a small cheat sheet to the gym with all the info you need.  I improvised and tore the book apart to make my own mini book for phase 1 and I'll do the same for the other 3 phases.

I felt badly doing it, but I would never remember what each exercise was without the pictures.  It would be great if Kai were to create a website with the content in this book (and charge for access of course).  Or include a workbook with pictures as a supplement to the main publication.

Anyway, I am starting the program tomorrow and am committed to seeing it through 2012.  I'll let you know how I do.  Wish me luck!

Golfgal

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