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Big changes at Lloyd
For starters, Lloydminster Golf and Country Club is no more - it's now called the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre. But, that's a minor change compared to the $1.86-million upgrade to facilities at this championship track.
"It's been a big year," says head professional Kyle Mulligan. Upgrades include a new full-service restaurant and lounge, pro shop and a state-of-the-art meeting room that's decked out with new technology.
On the course, there have been a number of tee box renovations for the women's and championship tees. This allows continued use of the course for regional, provincial and perhaps national championship tournament play.
The Lloydminster Golf & Curling Centre Golf Course is an 18 hole, par-72 championship layout that can play from 5,722 to 7,011 yards. This well-known course is notable for its quality conditions and pretty setting.
If you want to check out the "new Lloyd" and the finest golf experience on the border, there are deals on the weekends after 2 p.m., only $45 per person for 18 holes including cart. For nine holes, just $25. They also have a great stay and play special with the Holiday Inn. For more information, www.lloydgolf.com/golf/proto/lloydgolf/
Vacation fun at Harbour
Opened in 1988 to the public this 18-hole championship course is situated on the bluffs overlooking the scenic Lake Diefenbaker at Elbow Harbor Recreational Site in Elbow, Sask.
The Harbor Golf Club & Resort is fast becoming one of Saskatchewan's premier tourist attractions. Large greens that are well bunkered make it an exciting challenge to all levels of golf enthusiasts. Many golfers who have played here compare the amazing views to the famous Pebble Beach in California.
Our newly renovated Harbor View Restaurant prides itself on quality service and home cooked meals and the outdoor patio area has breathtaking views of the Elbow Harbor which is enjoyed by golfers, sailors and sightseers alike.
You will find the well-stocked golf shop has everything you need to enjoy your golf experienceÉtake time to enjoy the views of Lake DiefenbakerÉfish of shore or relax around our natural fireplace. Think of us if you are planning a wedding, family reunion, cooperate meeting or company tournament. We have facilities to accommodate large or small groups.
There are lots available for sale at Lakeside Properties from a reasonable $33,000 in the RV/Park and municipal lot development. The course and housing development is a few steps from lakeside on scenic Diefenbaker, the marina and its 800 km of shoreline. www.harborgolfclub.com
Sask Golf board changes
Golf Saskatchewan would like to thank Rhonda Richards, Delbert Betnar and Joe Trudell for serving on our Golf Saskatchewan board the past several years. Their intentions were great for our organization as they put in many hours on the road, input at meetings and provided people with the most up to date information in an effort to improve programs, services, communication and more. With their departures from Golf Saskatchewan, we would like to thank you all for your efforts!
With their departures from our board came opportunity for individuals that have an
interest in golf and intentions to do what is best for the game in our Province. We are very pleased to announce Crystal Thiessen, Donna Kovatch and Mark Galambos have joined our group in an effort to continue to grow the game of golf in Saskatchewan. Welcome!
Byron Harvie has served his time as President for the past 2 years and has now moved in to the past president role with our organization. Dave Forster "Big Dawg" is the new Presi- dent of Golf Saskatchewan. Dave has been a board member for several years and it is great to see his passion and determination for our organization in his new role as President of Golf Saskatchewan. Other Board members include Wendy Besplug, Terry Gaube, Moe Martin, and Richard Smith. - Golf Saskatchewan
Some great golf thoughts
Triggers for you
- Triggers are moves that help you start a certain part of your swing. Two of the best are: Rolling your left angle at the top of the swing to signal your body to start the downswing. Move your hands a bit forward toward the target before your takeaway to help break the tension.
The ropes on the slopes - When you end up on a slope on the fairway, whether it's uphill, downhill or side hill, one common thought should be keep in mind. Keep your legs and fee as still as possible and swing from your upper body. Swing with your legs and feet and you will lose balance.
Removing a fried egg - A fired egg is one where the ball is buried into the sand. It's a difficult shot for most golfers but there are ways to get it out. Square the face of your wedge instead of opening it. Pick the club up steeply and strike down sharply at the ball. Expect it to roll a great distance and there's no backsping to stop it.
Why should I care?
A Course Rating is the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal course and weather conditions. It is expressed as strokes taken to one decimal place (i.e. 71.1), and is based on yardage and other obstacles to the extent that they affect the scoring ability of a scratch golfer.
The Slope Rating is the evaluation of the relative difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch, compared to the difficulty of a course for scratch players. Essentially, the Slope Rating numerically describes the difference in course rating difficulty between bogey and scratch players. The higher the Slope rating, the greater the expected difference there will be between the bogey golfer's score and the scratch golfer's score.
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The lowest Slope Rating is 55 and the highest 155.
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A Course Handicap is the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific
set of tees at the course being played to adjust their scoring ability to the level of scratch
golf. A Course Handicap is determined by applying the player's RCGA Handicap Factor to a Course Handicap Table (Slope Conversion Chart).
A Handicap Factor is calculated by your RCGA Approved handicap software and is con-
verted to a Course Handicap that is specific to the course and set of tees being played. A player's Course Handicap is determined by multiplying their Handicap Factor by the Slope Rating of the tees being played and then dividing by 113. The resulting figure is rounded to the nearest whole number. A Course Handicap Table (Slope Chart) can also be used.
So, why should you care? if you are not a scratch golfer (and the vast majority of us aren't - the average male and female handicaps are 15.0 and 28.0 respectively), our expected gross score will rise as the slope number rises. Because your gross score will rise as the slope rises, your Course Handicap should be adjusted upwards as well.
Following is an example where the player's Handicap Factor is 17.8 and Slope Rating of
two different courses and tees played are 123 and 134 respectively.
17.8 X 123 / 113 = 19.37 Course Handicap = 19
17.8 X 134 / 113 = 21.12 Course Handicap = 21
For a much more in-depth and technical, look at the excellent article written by Dean
Knuth, a prime developer of the course rating system, entitled Course Rating a two parameter golf course rating system. Do you have questions about this article or other handicap topics? If so, email info@golf-saskatchewan.org.
Negative self-talk on the course
We've all heard the statistics. Golf is 85% mental, 11% physical, 2% luck, and 2% level of intoxicants in the system. I don't really have a problem with the numbers, however, for somebody like Barney the dinosaur, golf being 85% mental is somewhat scary.
I'm convinced that if that big Ôol, furry purple "thing" (if you ask me, he looks and acts like a retarded dinosaur) would peg it up he'd be lucky to break 1000. He just doesn't seem to have the mental toughness to play golf at a high level. For example, his stupid laugh followed by, "look boys and girls, watch as Barney attempts to play a bank shot off the tree, off his spleen, and onto the green!"
"Negative Self-Talk" is prevalent among many of the golfing segments, of which "retarded purple dinosaurs" would probably make up the smallest group. Basically, everyone who has ever picked up an iron, wood, and especially a putter, has suffered from negative self-talk.
What exactly is negative self-talk, you ask? When you inwardly cite things like "I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough, I'm not strong enough, and darn it all, people don't like me" you've negatively self-talked. Of course, according to the statistics, negative self-talk will severely hamper your game. That's why I find it intriguing why so many golfers don't recognize this fact and rectify it (chaining a cannonball onto your leg and jumping off a pier doesn't count). Perhaps we should start by listing a few possible situations where "negative self-talk" can settle in, and then provide a few alternative ways to deal with the misfortune or the challenge confronting you.
Situation #1 - The Ball Literally Needs To Be Hanging On The Lip In Order For You To Make The Putt
Struggling with the flat stick is all too common. Most people react by thinking negatively. For Example, "My blind, purple, retarded pet dinosaur could make more putts" and so on. In an effort to combat the negative talk in this situation, first grab the guilty putter and snap it over a log. Then vehemently shout vile, and repulsive threats to your new putter, which will likely be your driver. Using a different "putter" should resolve the problem and create a more positive environment.
Situation #2 - You've Just Sliced Five Consecutive Tee-Shots Out Of Bounds
Although making a 17 on a hole isn't really what you had in mind when the day began, keep in mind that hitting five balls OB on one hole isn't even close to the record. Barney hit 12 consecutive tee shots out of bounds at the "Retarded Dinosaur Classic" golf tournament last July. Nonetheless, your usual reaction in this situation is to impale yourself with the broken shaft of your driver as you scream out confirmation of your self-hatred. Remembering that there is usually somebody that has done worse than you should make you more joyful going back to your bag for more ammo in these situations. Also, if you must, impaling yourself onto a golf club will work best with a top brand xxx stiff steel shaft.
Situation #3 - You're In The Bunker
Due to obscure reasons, such as the last five times you played a shot from the sand you launched screaming, head-seeking missiles at your playing partners, you have little confidence in the sand. In fact, you've just requested that the boys either a) put on protective headgear prior to your shot or b) run away from the area. Believe it or not, these are signs that you are suffering from "negative self-talk". What you need to do is get the proper legal, accidental death, liability, etc. insurance protection done before hand. This way you won't have to worry about that stuff on the course and you'll be able to relax and breathe a whole lot easier in these situations.
Thinking negatively on the course will not do you much good. Take the necessary steps to rid yourself of this corrosive disease. The statistics don't lie. Golf is 65% mental, 20% physical, 2% luck, and 13% level of intoxicants in the system (I had a little Chardonnay while writing this column).
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