Focus No 3 » Practice

I love this… it cracks me up! I am hitting balls on the range and someone comes up with a mammoth bucket, sometimes two. The first club they take out of their bag is the driver! From there, it becomes a banging-balls-at-warp-speed-with-zero-focus session.

Many players newer to the game are under the impression that if you hit a gazillion balls, you’ll get better. This could not be further from the truth. As my instructor poetically states:

Going to the range without a purpose: you’ll get fresh air, you’ll get some sun on your face, chat with your buddies, and maybe even blow off some steam from the day. Going to the range with a purpose is called practice. – Marc Spencer, PGA

Here is my suggestion: Go to the range with a very specific purpose. For example, one of my focus areas for the range is improving my ball striking. So today, I am going to work on hitting down on the ball by ensuring my hands are ahead of the clubhead at impact. To help me achieve this, I am going to use the Tour Striker, a training aid designed to kick your butt!

Ever notice how your tee shots are pretty good, sometimes amazing, but when you hit your second shot from the fairway… kabang… topped balls, chunked balls, and the dreaded texas bug-runners. The culprit is simple. If the clubhead gets to the ball before your hands… you’re done. If you do not hit down and through… you’re done. Enter the Tour Striker; designed to intuitively teach you how to compress the ball to get it up.

Remember, golf is a game of opposites: You need to hit down to get this puppy up.

I have only been working with the Tour Striker for a few sessions, yet I am already seeing improvement in my ball striking! Full disclosure: I love this club…and I hate it!

I hate it because it takes away all forgiveness leaving only the sweet spot. I love it for the same reason. Without forgiveness, you are forced to find a way to get this sweet spot onto the ball. And let me tell ya something, at first it is not easy. In fact, it is downright humiliating! My balls were squirting left, right and center without much height. My hands were not leading the way enough to make the Tour Striker happy. Essentially, I released a bit early.

My Suggestion: Once you have the Tour Striker in hand, {MissPar readers get a 10% discount + free shipping…Use code MissPar during checkout}, I highly recommend you head on over to the official site of the TS and watch Martin Chuck’s video. Phenomenal.

Martin is a PGA professional and the creator of the Tour Striker. He not only talks about how to use the TS, but also how to swing the club. In his lesson, you’ll learn the importance of body rotation and pivot {backswing/downswing}, the elusive lag, the-always-important grip and the definition of clubface path.

You may want to get a bunch of grapes and have a club handy before you begin watching. He really simplifies and provides vital information to improve your swing…I really enjoyed it!

I watched the video and I also booked an appointment with my pro. I suggest you do the same. Your pro is like your kickstart to using the club properly based on your current swing. Here’s what happened in my lesson:

PRODUCT INFO:
Ladies Version: The Tour Striker Ladies/Junior 8 Iron training club is cast of 433 stainless steel and has a regular flex graphite shaft. The grip on the Tour Striker Ladies/Junior 8 Iron club is smaller than a man’s grip, allowing for ladies/juniors to easily grip the golf club. The lie angle and shaft length may be modified for a nominal additional fee. These customizations can be made in the ordering process on line and may add 3-5 days to the time it takes for you to receive your order.

Price: $99

Deal for Miss Par Readers: MissPar Readers enjoy 10% savings on their Tour Striker + free shipping. Enter Code MissPar during checkout. Hurry offer expires 6/30/2012! Get the Tour Striker »

Focus 4 » Next in this series of game improvement.  Look for it early May! Hint: I prefer to work on my game here.

B E N ’ S  F R I E N D S  G O L F  C L A S S I C

Their mission is to eliminate the challenges of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)…the #1 genetic cause of life threatening childhood obesity.

On June 13, 2011, our grandson, Benjamin Catalfamo was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome
(PWS). As most people in the U.S., we knew nothing about this rare disorder prior to his
diagnosis. We are now committed to help fund research in the hopes to find a cure for the
constant hunger children with PWS suffer. We hope you will join our circle of Ben’s Friends for
the 1st Annual Golf Classic to benefit the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. – Pat & John Whitney

About the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research
Proceeds from the Ben’s Friends Golf Classic will go to the benefit of the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. Their mission is to eliminate the challenges of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)…the #1 genetic cause of life threatening childhood obesity. PWS is a complex genetic disorder that occurs and randomly affects approximately 1 out of every 12,000 births. Babies born with PWS produce limited growth hormone and without treatment, experience underdeveloped muscles and limited growth. Children with PWS suffer from an unrelenting, overriding physiological drive to eat…for someone with PWS, the feeling of fullness after eating is missing. We want PWS children to be able to feel full, to have more energy to play and to live independently. As an “orphan” disease, PWS depends on grassroots fundraising to support research efforts.

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN: AUGUST 7, 2012
WHERE: Waverly Oaks Golf Club, Plymouth, MA
COST: Download pdf sponsor and details »
WEBSITE: www.fpwr.org

EVENT SCHEDULE

11:30 AM
Registration
Silent Auction Opens
Driving Range
——-
1:00 PM
18 Hole Shotgun Start
4-Person Scramble Format
——-
6:00 PM
Cocktail Hour
——-
7:00 PM
Dinner
Silent Auction Closes
——-
8:00 PM
Prizes and Drawings
Live Auction
Support Ben’s Friends and Register today!

History has shown us again and again that the only force known to effect real change, even in the most desperate of circumstances, is one of which we all have an unlimited supply. That force is love, and that love is most powerful when it comes to fighting perceived threats to the lives of our children. It was this force that caused us to form The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR).Help the FPWR find new treatments and a cure for Prader-Willi Syndrome. You can help defeat PWS!
Register or Learn More {pdf} »

Focus No 1 » Set Goals

If you desire improvement of any kind it is critical to set goals. Without goals how can you monitor improvement? Without goals your focus will be scattered.  Goals make it easier to stay on track and make the learning process more fun.

Goals need to be measurable and realistic based on your time and drive. For example, I want to drop 5 strokes off my handicap this season, or I want to hit more fairways this season.

An unrealistic goal may be: I want to drive the ball 270 yards this season, or I want to drop from a 30 to a 10 this season.

Once your goals are set and written down, you’ll need to jump in and get to it. The biggest issue I see with the improvement process is lack of time. “I don’t have time to practice.” I believe, if there’s a will…then there’s a way to find a bit of time to dedicate to your game.

Even if it’s a half hour working on your backswing or putting. Or, perhaps you’re a busy mom or you perpetually work late. May I suggest improvement at home in front of the mirror, or try this great tip from Suzy Whaley:

I recently attended the EWGA Boston Kick-off.  Suzy Whaley was the guest speaker. I was wow-ed by her teaching style and sense of humor. I was in stitches! She immediately got us on our feet…well, should I say, balancing on one foot.

A critical element for good ball striking is good balance. Without balance, you will tend to compensate somewhere in your swing. And in many cases, we have better balance on one side versus the other. For example for a right-handed golfer, say you are solid on your right side, yet, not as balanced on your left leg…a bit wobbly.  As a result, you may struggle with your finish, by falling back, rather than getting fully to your left side. So here’s something you can do at home to improve your balance. In fact, my friend is already doing it! She placed a post-it on her bathroom mirror. Click image to enlarge and read post-it!

The Exercise: While brushing your teeth, stand on one leg for one minute. Switch legs after one minute. Advanced move » close your eyes and brush your teeth on one leg. Do this either method {eyes open or closed} and watch your balance improve. Thanks Suzy for the great tip!

Home is also great place to learn the top 10 rules and etiquette, read books on the game, or watch golf tournaments! In fact, I learn so much using the features of my remote control!

For example, Yani Tseng happens to be my swing model. When she’s about to pull the trigger, I hit the pause button and either slo-mo the swing, or hit the pause-pause-pause button to view frame by frame. For me as a visual learner, it helps me to see her positions. I take it one step further by taking video of my swing at the range, using a simple Panasonic camera with good quality video. Then, I compare my swing to Yani’s! I make a few mental notes, and head back to the range the next day to work on the tweaks. I also share my focus with my Pro and off we go!

Right now my dream goal is scratch, but to be honest, that is not realistic…this season. I am simply not playing, or practicing enough. Yes, time is my culprit. That’s fine. I simply need to dial down my expectations.

My overall  goal is to shoot mid 70′s consistently from the average 6100-6400 yard courses I play. To get there, I am working on posture, alignment and creating more club head speed to gain a few more yards. Click goal sheet image to view larger!

Where I lose the most strokes…putting. My current putting average is 34 putts per round. My goal is 28 by the end of the summer.  I also continually work the tempo in my short game and putting.

My Suggestion » Track Your Stats! HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YOU NEED THE IMPROVEMENT? Tracking your stats is an easy way to establish a starting point and to monitor progress.

Begin by tracking fairways hit, greens in regulation, and number of putts per round every time you play.

You will begin to see the error of your ways. Once you have at least 5 rounds of statistics, take these to your Pro for evaluation.

Focus 2 & 3 » Next in this game improvement series. Look for it mid-April!

Hint: I love it…and I hate it!!

IMPROVE with 5 Areas of Focus

My goal is scratch and I know this to be true, regardless of what level you are, golf requires focus. If you desire improvement of any kind, complacency won’t work in this game.

How many of you want to improve your game…this season?

I took up the game of golf in 2000 and never thought I’d author two golf books. Crazy what passion does. When I was learning the game there was minimal on the bookshelf for the visual learner. Lots of text-heavy coffee table style books, certainly not suitable to bring to the course without looking like an oddball.

So, sometimes I’d bring golf magazines. But in the 90 degree heat, they did not hold-up well… plus they were also too big. Then, I’d write a few tips down in a little booklet, but with me…no visuals…no go. The moral of this tale: there was a gap that needed filling!

I have a huge drive to improve and love the process, most of the time. I know that when I am making a swing change, even just a tweak, I will fall 3 steps back to get 1 forward. I know this to be true, so I will do my best not to get impatient, or frustrated. Sometimes that doesn’t always work, but at least I am aware.

Being a passionate golfer, I am observant. There are a few commonalities that I notice among players of all levels that make it more challenging to find improvement. I will share 5 critical areas over the next several weeks that will apply to the new golfer, or advanced player. Follow these 5 focus areas and you will expedite your learning process dramatically this season!

Focus 1 » Set Goals

The fashion trend this season…bold colors!

Pants, tops, shoes and Parsnips…a contemporary trendy collection of golf, resort and travel accessories.

What I love about this line is the quality and the attention to coordinating details. The signature golf towels are plush, stylish and finished with color coordinated ribbon-trim. The Accessory Cases are stylish, functional and canvas-coordinated! A selection of 4 styles with a choice of 12 bright canvas color. These bright bold colors with coordinated lining are a great welcome to Spring!

The 2012 Collection from Parsnips features six new designs of bright canvas tote bags and accessory cases with colorful coordinated cotton print lining. Venturing beyond the emerald fairways, these accessory cases are the perfect companion for an active lifestyle!

Owning Parsnips is a dream come true for me. After too many years in the corporate world and not enough “golf, resort and travel”, I’m now working in a field I have loved for many years. – Jo Ann Redding

The name “Parsnips” is a fun play on words – “par” is kind of obvious, since our roots are in the golf industry, and “snips” refers to the snips of ribbons that you see on our golf towels and accessory cases.

Parsnips Accessory Cases

Parsnips Accessory Cases are stylish and functional… the the perfect companion with your spring outfit!

Features include:
» A handy clip for easy attachment to your golf bag, tennis bag, tote bag or suitcase.
» Available in your choice of 12 bright canvas colors – jet black, hot pink, summer pink, turquoise blue, royal blue, navy blue, lemon yellow, bright orange, deep purple, fire red, natural canvas and lime green.
» Colors coordinate across the line: signature golf towels, resort totes, beach totes and cooler totes
» All items can be custom embroidered. A unique gift for your next ladies-tailored golf event!

Signature Golf Towels

Parsnips famous golf towels are available in 16 delicious colors, tri-folded and trimmed with color-coordinated and trendy ribbons. I particularly enjoy the thick plush quality of these towels. What’s more, they are meant to be used. I struggle with this, but hey… a girl has to clean her clubs!

Special Feature » The “scrubber” waffle-weave design helps keep your clubs clean and ready for use with minimal cleaning effort.  The towels have an easily removable spring action fastener for a secure and attractive way to attach to your golf bag.  These towels are durable and meant to be used!  They can be tossed in the washer machine. For best results, Jo Ann recommends a cold wash and machine dry until damp.

Today’s active woman wants to have stylish pieces that can serve many purposes – they want to know that whether they are on the golf course or the tennis courts, out for lunch with friends or hopping on an airplane, that they have the right accessory and that it looks great all of the time. – Jo Ann Redding

The Parsnips Americana Collection is a tribute to Parsnip’s company’s heritage and our love “fore” the colors that wave proudly in the American flag. Parsnips Signature Golf Towels are available in fire red, snow white, navy blue and royal blue – the ribbons we select for these towels coordinate with colors in the Americana theme. This collection is perfect for a summer tournament or event!

Bonus » Parsnip products are made in the USA!
Prices for all budgets: $15-75

Visit Parsnips »
Buy it now at these great sites!
www.birdiebabegolf.com
www.swingwithstyle.com

Calling all girls between the ages of 5-17! An event just for you…an exciting opportunity to learn the game, build lasting friendships and experience competition in a fun, supportive environment!

2012 Cobra-Puma Girls’ Golf Fair Presented by PGA Tour Charities at TPC River Highlands hosted by Suzy Whaley!

I am extremely passionate about growing the game especially amongst girls. Our inaugural Girls’ Golf Fair will give girl’s the opportunity to learn and participate in a sport that is active, healthy, and in an environment that is non-threatening and fun! – Suzy Whaley

About the Event
This fun-filled event will include activities aimed at getting girls excited about golf! Hosted by Suzy Whaley who knows a thing or two about teaching and getting people of all ages excited about learning and playing the game. Her credentials speak for themselves including 2011 Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher in America, 2011 LPGA Northeast Teacher of the Year and US Kids Top 50 Instructor… the list goes on and on.

The Girls’ Golf Fair will include fun activities such as:

– SNAG Golf Stations – Bounce Houses – Hands on instruction from LPGA and PGA Professionals – Short game practice stations – Mini golf – Physical activity – PGA Sports Academy – A hole in one contest – US Kids Golf – Golf equipment demos – Equipment provided or bring your own – Lunch will be provided – AND shows by Dennis Walters

Event Details

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2012
WHERE: TPC River Highlands and The First Tee of Connecticut Learning Facility Cromwell, CT
WHO: Girls Ages 5-17 Welcome!
COST: Registration Fee: $10 per Junior
TIME: Session 1: 7:15 am – 1:00 pm Session 2: 11:15 am – 5:00 pm

Sign-up today!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012
Register Now »

Golf has been good to me. I am fortunate to have enjoyed and continue to enjoy more than two good rounds. Elisa Gaudet is also fortunate. She is a passionate golfer with a flair for the social side of the game. Hob-nobbing with the likes of Arnold, Lorena, Luke, Annika, and many others in her newly released book, Two Good Rounds – 19th Hole Stories from the World’s Greatest Golfers, showcasing thirty-six professional golfers and legends of the game.

Two Good Rounds is not laced with golf stats, but with style and culture from the best players in the world, as they share their most memorable moments including their favorite 19th hole, apres-golf cocktail and treasured hole-in-one moments. Two Good Rounds invites golfers to remember the most important cultural element of the game…enjoying the company of your fellow golfers and non-golfers alike. Life is moving at a much faster pace, so it is important to savor the moments through the enjoyment of the game and the company we keep.

I really wanted to write a fun, feel good golf book that respectfully highlighted the social side of golf as I feel we are losing touch with that side as the demands on our time become more complicated. Also having the privilege to work in the golf industry and know so many Pro golfers I thought it would be a great way to highlight the international, lighter side, see what their favorite drinks and 19th hole experiences are and that they share a lot in common with the average golfer. – Elisa Gaudet

About the Author:
Elisa is a dynamic women with tremendous drive and passion…golf being at the top of her list.
Elisa Gaudet has spent the past several years working in the golf industry in the U.S. and Latin America. She worked for the PGA Tour and the Tour de las Americas, including executing the EMC World Cup in 2002, prior to founding Executive Golf International. EGI a strategic golf marketing firm that works with clients to develop and implement golf-related programs. Prior to golf, Elisa worked in the entertainment industry for over ten years as a model and SAG and AFTRA actress. She has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs and has been a guest speaker on a variety of golf topics. She has written several golf-related articles and her syndicated “On the Lip” column has been running since 2003.

From a cold Heineken at The Tap Room at Pebble to a smooth Ketel One at Royal Birkdale Club, Two Good Rounds is a celebratory tribute to all golfers. Celebrate the game in good company. Two Good Rounds is a good read. The perfect gift for the golfer who has everything. Retail $19.95
Buy It »

“Ok,” I said, “that’s very nice…” My friend continued, “She was 61.” My mouth dropped five miles. “What? Are you kidding me!”

Judy Ellers Street is the oldest NCAA collegiate player…ever! But her golfing legacy didn’t start in Miami. After enrolling as a non-scholarship athlete at UM in 1958, Eller soon became a dominant force throughout the intercollegiate scene.

In May 1959, she won the first of two consecutive Southern Amateur Championships and in June, 1958, became the first Hurricane female athlete to win an individual championship, capturing the National intercollegiate Championship. In May 1960, Eller Street joined future LPGA Hall of Earner JoAnne Carner and future USGA president Judy Bell on the American team that won the Curtis Cup.

Judy’s golf legacy begins even earlier at home in Old Hickory, Tennessee with her family. In fact, the Eller family is recognized as the first family of golf for the state of Tennessee!

In a delightful southern accent, Judy shares her story.

Judy: I grew up in Old Hickory, Tennessee. I lived and breathed golf my entire life. Our family was all about golf to the point that the Eller family became known as the first family of golf for the state of Tennessee. In 1993, we were honored by the National Golf Foundation with the Jack Nicklaus Golf Family of the Year for our contribution to the game.

I played my first tournament in the women’s division touring the state with my mom, Ruth, and my older sister, Beverly (Eller) Pearce, playing what we called the “Tennessee fried-chicken circuit.” Because there were no junior tournaments for girls then, we’d compete in one-day invitationals against older women, stopping midway through their 18 holes for a fried-chicken lunch. We were the only girls playing at that time.

My father Harold Eller, was the golf professional and green superintendent at Old Hickory Country Club for 34 Years, and retired in 1979. My mother Ruth Eller, considered one of the pioneers of Tennessee junior golf, initiated the Tennessee Junior Golf Championship in 1967, which served as the first true statewide junior-golf activity. She continued to work with the USGA Junior Golf Committee for twenty years.

My two older brothers also dedicated their lives to the game; Richard, a golf professional and a course designer, and Mike, who had a lifelong career in golf-course ownership.

My sister Beverly, also quite a player, and inducted—as I am with my Dad—into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 2009, currently resides in The Villages outside of Orlando. The Villages is one of the largest golf communities in the world with over 75,000, 55+ senior residents, 36 executive-style courses and ten 18-hole regulation courses. Everyone in this community owns a golf cart.

MP: So I would imagine, it’s the go-to spot for golf enthusiasts over the age of 55!

Sister Rivalry

Beverly and Judy behaved as any two normal sisters behave with heavy rivalry throughout their youth, especially with the game of golf. They played their first competition, the Nashville City Tournament, against each other—Judy 12, her sister 16. Judy was a fierce competitor and knew what it took to win, especially against her older sister…a competitive mind-set and lots of practice. Consequently, Beverly never won against her sister.

MP: Your sister never won against you, but she was certainly a force in the game.

Judy: Yes, of course. In fact, Beverly significantly influenced Tennessee golf on and off the course, playing in more State Women’s Amateurs than any other person.  She won five Tennessee Women’s Senior Amateur Championships (1987, 88, 91, 92 & 94) and was a semifinalist in the Women’s State Amateur twice.

“It was a shock to learn I will be included among only thirty-three in the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame,” Beverly said. “This is a tremendous honor. Having played in our State Amateur for over 50 years, I have had the pleasure of competing with all of our great players, from Marguerite Gaut and Margaret Lee to Betty Probasco, Connie Day, and my sister, Judy Street.” -Beverly Eller Pearce

MP: Competing against your sister and always winning…that must have caused friction between the two of you?

Judy: There were tears shed, yes. It wasn’t easy competing against your sister. And I certainly didn’t make it any easier. During rounds, I would lie down on the ground to see who was away. If our balls were even close to the fairway or the rough, I would lie down to get a straight look at it to see who had to hit first. And Beverly did not like to practice as much as I did, and I think that was the main difference. She was the oldest, and I think probably there was a lot of pressure on being the oldest.

MP: So you believe practice played a role in your success?

Judy: I loved to practice and Bev had no interest in it. There were no driving ranges back when we played, so we would save all of our old balls in an old leather bag and with the help of a caddy—which I paid 50 cents an hour—would collect the balls as I hit to him as the target. It was the only time I could use a caddy, so I really enjoyed my practice time. So yes, I guess that did play a major role that lead me to win 7 State Amateur title victories.

MP: Did you have aspirations of continuing on as a professional player?

Judy: I gave up the game at 30 to raise a family and be a loving wife. Unfortunately, in 1996, we divorced, and I moved to Miami from Tennessee. However, in 2001, I was back in the game carrying my own bag—as an amateur—and very much by accident!

continued on next page »

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I attended Barry’s athletic awards banquet, at which my friend introduced me to Buccaneers golf coach Roger White, and jokingly she said that I still had some eligibility. Barry officials discovered that I did, in fact, have four semesters of eligibility remaining for Division II play. When it was official, I immediately hired a personal trainer and went to see my old pal Carner for help with my swing.

MP: The good news is that you didn’t have to walk-and-carry wearing a long skirt, especially in Miami’s heat!

Judy: Yes, this is true. Back in the 50’s, the Southern Women’s Golf Association forbid any other attire besides a long skirt for women.

MP: You shared with me that your homemade banana bread was a hole in one with your teammates—a must-bring for the long trips on the road. Share with us a few poignant moments as a new addition to the collegiate team in 2001.

Judy: There were certainly memorable and hilarious moments, but it was also challenging adjusting to being a student-athlete. One event, I carried my bag for 36 holes, then drove 25 miles back to the Barry campus to take a literature exam. Early the next morning I was back on the course for the tournament’s final 18 holes.

“She was right there with all the kids,” says her coach Roger White. “She’s an inspiration.”

Judy: Here are a few moments that shaped my journey:

• When I arrived at the Doral Resort for my first college tournament in 40 years carrying my own clubs, I inspired a passerby to wish our team good luck. He thought I was the coach!
• Three meals a day on twenty dollars, when I used to spending that much for one meal!
• Traveling with 18-22 year-olds and listening to music that I had never heard of!
• Sleeping with someone on a pullout couch. The last time I did that was probably with my grandchildren!
• The acceptance from ALL the young ladies I competed against…I could have been their mother!
• Telling the doctor when I had my school physical, with all the athletes at Barry in earshot, that my last menstrual cycle was 30 years ago!
• Learning course management…knowing when to walk away with a bogey and not trying for that spectacular shot that would probably have cost several strokes! When I was young, I thought I could do the impossible. Wisdom sometimes comes with age! Roger White, my golf coach, was responsible for that.
• I do remember during practice with the girls that I would imagine we would be sinking that putt to go to the Nationals. And we did! I believe you put out to the universe what you want… and it has a way of coming true!

MP: You have experienced hysterical and poignant moments indeed, and the icing on the cake… during your single season at Barry, you became the No. 3 player on Barry University’s team (Miami Shores, Fla.) that ranked as high as No. 6 in NCAA Division II that season. Now that is poignant! Were you pleased with your performance?

Judy: I had high expectations and would get frustrated with my play. I expected to be as good as I was in my early days. My putting was the weak link. At 61, I got the yips!

As a younger player, putting was easy for me—didn’t think twice. Now at 61, I was desperate, trying all sorts of methods to get the nerves out of those short putts: I tried closing my eyes, I went back to the bulls-eye putter, and even tried putting the short ones with just my left hand… I finally realized that my expectations, not my putting technique, needed a change. I began to accept my game and enjoyed the game much more from that point forward.

MP: You mention that you were always a tomboy, playing softball and basketball. You also wanted to play tennis, but this wish was not granted?

Judy: Yes, my Dad unfortunately, forbid it. He thought it would ruin my golf game. I did finally take up tennis in Miami and played competitively to boot!

MP: I often hear that tennis and golf don’t mix. You either play one or the other. What is your take?

Judy: I believe you can do both as long as you know the difference. Here is what I believe to be the biggest differences in golf and tennis:

TENNIS
Tennis you are hitting a moving ball;
You have to analyze you opponent for strengths and weaknesses;
Courts are always the same construction, with different surfaces;

GOLF
• With the game of golf THE ONLY PERSON YOU HAVE TO BEAT IS YOURSELF!;
• You do not have any control over your opponent;
• Each course is a new challenge;
• Keeping your concentration between shots is a challenge.

SIMILARITIES:
• A topspin forehand is similar to a golf swing,
• You must keep you eye on the ball;
• Net play is similar to short game in golf, especially the drop shot which is touch or feel shot.

MP: I play tennis with a 2-handed forehand! It simulates golf for me. The mindsets are similar as well. Both require a competitive mind-set and will put any good athlete through the ultimate test of ‘strength of mind’. At 61, you had high expectations of herself, many hilarious moments, and most importantly valuable lessons that you learned along the way. Now at 71, leave us with your best golf wisdom; what you feel would be valuable knowledge for women golf enthusiasts.

Judy: I learned so much over the years. Golf has taught me strength, perseverance, and above all… acceptance. I do have a short list of tried-and-true advice for new and avid players:

For new players: Start with a golf instructor so you don’t develop bad habits early on. And find an instructor that you can relate to and understand!

• Practice, practice, practice, BUT you have to compete under pressure to improve.
• As you improve, you’ll reach a plateau, stay there, maybe slip back… but continued work will then propel you on to the next level. Bottomline… have patience.
• PRACTICE YOUR SHORT GAME… 100 YARDS IN
• ALWAYS DISPLAY GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND…NEVER GIVE UP.
• MOST OF ALL…REMEMBER IT IS JUST A GAME… HAVE FUN!!!!!

Thank you Judy for sharing your inspiring journey. Golf truly is a game… for life.

Tim Beckwith is a family man, a golf professional, and a man with valuable life lessons for his son Jackson…and us.

When we found out we were pregnant with our son, my wife and I discussed at length what our primary lessons would be for our son. They mirrored those lessons I value in golf.

I read Tim’s book and was touched by his unabashed humility and vulnerability. Sharing downright embarrassing and undeniable bad-behavior moments is not an easy task. I asked Tim if this was difficult and how the idea of writing a book with no prior experience came about.

MP: How did the idea of a book come to your mind?

TB: It was a simple combination of me always wanting to write a book about golf instruction (as you know there are a million of them) and life guide for our son. I knew it needed to be something a little more than “Here’s how to grip the club.” It needed to be different.

The golf course teaches us something about ourselves if we are honest enough to accept the lesson. When we found out we were pregnant with our son, my wife and I discussed at length what our primary lessons would be for our son. They mirrored those lessons I value in golf. Above all, our goal was to have a confident and kind person both on and off the course. The mental aspect of golf and life all comes down to faith. You have to believe in you. There are not a lot of easy ways to teach that. But I have found that if there is a solid foundation of practice with a very healthy dose of honesty with yourself, you can create mental faith. I wrote The Front Nine to teach my son nine lessons about life and golf to prepare him for that mental faith.

MP: Was it a challenge to sit down and write your first book?

TB: The more challenging part was coming up with the chapters. Once those were determined, the book was fairly simple. Since they are all a collection of things that did happen to me or I caused, it wasn’t too difficult, perhaps time-consuming. For the most part, it was fun to write, especially knowing our goal was to do whatever we thought necessary to be good parents.

MP: A creative endeavor with a purpose…I love that. Do you see more books down the road?

TB: There is a chance that there will be a second book, creatively titled “The Back Nine.” It is somewhat predicated on sales of The Front Nine as it was for Jackson. If there is a second book, it might be more of a selfish feeling, but if demand is there, I guess it will come. I already have some of the chapter topics lined out. And for fun, I have a title for the third if it was to ever become necessary. I certainly don’t want to get ahead of myself.

MP: Was it a challenge for you to relive, and put onto paper, past mistakes and bad-behavior moments?

TB: It wasn’t that difficult to put onto paper, but there was a little fear that people would look at me differently. As the Director of Golf of a beautiful, high-end private club in Sarasota, I was concerned that it would damage my reputation. I try to be as professional as possible, and I felt that might jeopardize that; quite the contrary.

MP: I believe people embrace the truth and respect you for having the strength to bear your soul with the ultimate goal of providing your son with valuable life lessons.

TB: Yes, valuable perspectives as well. An interesting story: During my time as a Director of Golf, during a Men’s Club Championship, an interesting thing happened. A gentleman had collapsed on the ninth green. He was rushed to the hospital and it was diagnosed as a stroke—it didn’t look promising. Unfortunately, there was still golf to be played and a winner to be announced. I will leave the story there and let your readers, read the incredible outcome of this story in chapter 4, titled Perspective.

The Front Nine is a good read. Retail $7.95 Buy It »
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