Golf. Sleep. Eat. Golf. Sleep. Eat. Golf Sleep. Eat.

The annual list of Saskatchewan stay and play packages has started on SaskGolfer.com on Hole #10. More deals will be posted during the coming weeks, so check back again. This year's special deals include packages at Spiritwood, Katepwa, Harbor, Elk Ridge, Evergreen, La Verendrye, the hawood at Waskesiu, Golf Kenosee and White Bear and others - check it out. MORE >>

Ford is #1

Attending a golf tournament at Bally Haly, Tiger Woods drives his new Ford Fusion into a gas station in St. John's. The pump attendant, obviously knowing little about golf, greets him in a typical Newfoundland manner completely unaware of who the golfing pro is. ''How's she cuttin' bye'' says the attendant.

Tiger nods a quick 'hello' and bends forward to pick up the nozzle. As he does so, two tees fall out of his shirt pocket onto the ground. ''What are dose?'' asks the attendant. ''They're tees'' replies Tiger. ''Well, what on god's earth are dey for?'' inquires the attendant. They're for resting my balls on when I'm driving'', says Tiger. ''Jaysus'', says the Newfoundlander, ''Ford tinks of everyting!''

Losing your hearing

The British Medical Journal reports that you risk losing your hearing if you use titanium clubs. The story titled "Is golf bad for your hearing?", it claims the thin-faced titanium drivers produce a noise loud enough to damage the sensitive hairs of the inner hear. The study focussed on a 55-year-old man who developed tinnitis and hearing loss and who played three days a week for 18 months. The authors say that a safe noise level is 110 decibels, but that titanium drivers cracking out as much as 128 decibels.

Spare a million?

If you are still filthy rich after the economic meltdown the last few months consider a Jack Nicklaus custom backyard course package. The Golden Bear will design a three-hole course and a practice area. On completion Jack will be on hand to play the first official round on the course, leave an autographed club and ball and a set of custom designed clubs after the game. It will cost you a cool $1-million US.

Whos gonna win the 2012 Fed Ex Cup? Tiger Woods Bill Haas Phil Mickelson Lee Westwood Dustin Johnson Rickie Fowler other View results

Golf Canada Magazine

The April 2009 edition of Golf Canada magazine has been mailed to SGA members’ homes. It is important the SGA receives the most current contact information from your golf club so all our members can be included for home mailing. As SGA members, you are entitled to receive the magazine as part of your member benefits. SGA members can register for home delivery by going to the SGA website.

Sask Open returns

The Saskatchewan Open will be hosted July 6 to 12 by the Dakota Dunes Golf Links near Saskatoon. It’s the second consecutive year Dakota Dunes - named by Golf Digest as the Best Canadian Course in 2005 - has hosted the event.

The last event featured an outstanding field of players including Grham DeLaet, Kent Eger and Kris Wasylowich from Saskatchewan. Josh Geary of New Zealand won the tourney and $24,000 in 2008.

The Canadian Tour revived the Saskatchewan Open beginning in 2008 after an absence of almost 24 years. The Saskatchewan Open, first played in 1919, was a mainstay on the Canadian Tour schedule up until 1984 and has played host to some of Canada’s finest touring professionals.

The list of Saskatchewan Open winners is a who’s who in Canadian golf. 1954 Canadian Open champion Pat Fletcher, a member of Canada’s Golf Hall of Fame, captured the title in 1947, 1948 and 1951. www.saskatchewanopen.com

School golf program launched

Golf initiates new programming to introduce Canadian elementary school aged children to the sport as part of regular Physical Education delivery. Thousands of Canadian youth will now have the opportunity to be introduced to the game of golf as a part of their elementary school physical education curriculum with the launch of the National Golf in Schools Program.

Developed by Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) in partnership with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) and the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (Canadian PGA), the National Golf in Schools Program has been designed to allow elementary school teachers, regardless of their golf background, the ability to deliver required physical education learning outcomes through the sport of golf.

In addition to helping teachers assist their elementary school students to become more physically fit, the program will help introduce thousands of youth to the game of golf each year.

“The National Golf in Schools Program is a tremendous opportunity to introduce hundreds of thousands of children to the game of golf through the physical education curriculum at Canadian elementary schools,” said Scott Simmons, RCGA Executive Director and CEO. “The program creates a vital link between the education community and the golf community so that teachers, students and parents can gain better access to and familiarity with this wonderful lifetime sport that not only encourages physical activity but a very strong sense of core values.”

Provincial golf associations will also offer a variety of Golf in Schools activations including sending qualified golf professionals to schools, conducting teacher orientations and organizing field trips to local golf facilities.

"The Canadian PGA is extremely pleased to be an integral part of the development of the National Golf in Schools curriculum. The involvement of Canadian PGA Professionals will enhance the pathway to success for these young students as they progress from the initiation phase through to participation at golf facilities staffed by our members," stated Lindon Garron, President of the Canadian PGA.

Schools that sign-on to participate will receive child-friendly and easy to store golf equipment, as well as golf-related curriculum and instructor training to enable teachers to integrate golf into their elementary school physical education curriculum.

“This learning resource was designed to support some of the learning outcomes of elementary school curricula across Canada,” said Mark Jones, President of PHE Canada. “A key mandate is to help students develop physical literacy skills that are necessary to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to lead healthy, active lives and enjoy success in all levels of sport participation.”

As part of its development, the program was test-piloted at 13 schools across Canada and expects over 300 schools to sign on for the program in its first year.

Schools interested in participating will be charged a nominal fee of $175 for the complete Golf in Schools program package which includes the learning resource and specially designed child friendly golf equipment. The balance of the $475 total program cost will be subsidized by the RCGA. A unique element of the program is that it has been designed to allow schools to deliver this program without golf specific equipment by utilizing existing equipment they have in their gymnasiums such as floor hockey sticks and hoola hoops. Schools interested in only receiving the program learning resource will pay $25.

The Golf in Schools program also offers an “adopt a school” option whereby individuals can make a direct donation to the RCGA to bring the program into a school of their choice. Individuals interested in the “adopt a school” option will receive a tax receipt for the full amount of their donation.

Canadian elementary schools interested in signing up or finding out more about the National Golf in Schools Program can visit the program website at www.nationalgolfinschools.com or by calling 1-800-263-0009 ext. 204.

"Wind Meter" detects wind speed and direction

If you live in Saskatchewan, the new iPhone application called "Wind Meter" may be the ultimate gizmo. It detects the wind speed using the iPhone microphone - it’s so popular it’s been in the *Top 5 Paid Downloaded Weather Applications* for several weeks.

A complete description and video of the application in use can be found at www.windapp.com . “Wind Meter” can be bought for a princely 89 cents at Apple iTunes APP store by searching for “Wind Meter”.

The "Wind Meter" concept came from a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs that happen to love sports and in particular, the game of golf. The idea for converting the decibel reading from the wind “noise” on the mic to a velocity reading almost seemed obvious after-the-fact.

Suppliers are confident that the Wind Meter can be used during all regular play, practice rounds and before tournaments. and will be sanctioned by the R and A and the USGA. After locating the highest wind reading by moving the meter into the wind, it also helps the user to ascertain from where the wind is coming in relation to their standing position. It can also work double-duty if you surf, windsail, fly kites etc.

Around Saskatchewan Links

If you’re looking to watch some great golf in person, a few miles down the road in Calgary is the 2009 CN Canadian Women’s Open Aug. 31-Sept.6...

SaskGolfer.com is for sale!

If you enjoy golf and meeting people, the award-winning SaskGolfer.com is an ideal home-based business for you. The owner-operator is getting a little long in the tooth and plans to retire in the next couple of years, learn how to putt and play more golf. Serious inquiries may reply in confidence to Stan@saskgolfer.com.

Trakker a big hit

Several thousand golfers are using the Handicap Trakker available at no cost on Hole #9 of SaskGolfer.com. While it’s not an official handicap (available only if you’re a RCGA member), it allows you to monitor your progress in the great game of golf. The Trakker is dedicated to Saskatchewan, but you can type in out of province courses if you wish.

Golf courses sometimes change their ratings and distance, so double check that this hasn’t happened. Plus, print up a copy of your scores once and a while - computers are computers and have a habit of deleting things for no reason!!!

RBC Canadian open set July 20-26

The RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey July 20-26 was recently named Toronto’s top sporting event by BizBash magazine. The yearly list compiled by BizBash - one of the leading trade media outlets for the event industry - names the top 100; sporting, entertainment, arts and fashion events, as well as festivals, parades, walks and holiday events. The list was published in the spring 2009 edition of the magazine.

“We’re delighted to have been selected as the number one sporting event in the Greater Toronto Area,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director, Bill Paul. “Our goal was to make the 2008 RBC Canadian Open a memorable event and we are excited about making this year’s event, the 100th playing of the event, even more memorable.”

Since its inception in 1904, the RBC Canadian Open has played host to the world's best golfers competing for Canada’s national Open championship. Fans across the country and around the world have been entertained by legends including former champions Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Curtis Strange, Nick Price, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods. The list of legends also includes Sam Snead and Lee Trevino, who each won the event three times. Jack Nicklaus, considered by many to be the greatest golfer ever, was runner-up seven times.

Conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) and proudly sponsored by RBC, the RBC Canadian Open is the second oldest stop on the PGA Tour and the third oldest national golf championship in the world. Its rich history gives it a cachet and tradition that makes it much more than a regular golf championship.

Today, the RBC Canadian Open remains a premier event both on the PGA Tour and around the world, joining the US and British Opens as one of golf’s prestigious Open championships. The trio constitutes the Triple Crown of national championships with only Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods to have accomplished the feat of winning all three championships in a season.

2009 will mark the historic 100th Playing of Canada’s national Open championship. The championship returns to the venerable Glen Abbey Golf Club as the storied Oakville, Ont. layout is set to host the event for a record 25th time. For more information about the 2009 RBC Canadian Open, please visit us online at www.rbccanadianopen.ca.

Golf’s widening gap

Here’s the deal - and, brace yourself, this might hurt a bit - you’ve just stepped onto the first tee with your brand new $450 driver. You reel back and absolutely spank one senseless. It goes way, way, way the heck out there. Probably damn near 270. Like Hans and Franz, you are so (clap) pumped, you don’t even feel like a girly-man anymore. You feel large. Very, very large. You begin the lengthy stroll to your ball and, with an ear-to-ear smile on your face, think you’ve finally done it. You’ve attained PGA Tour-calibre distance. Wrong.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Sure that big shovel is helping you out a tad (actually, some surveys have shown that the new drivers aren’t benefiting the average player at all), but know this: the performance gap between touring professionals and recreational players continues to widen. Smash that sucker to Kingdom Come and there’s still no way in the world you can keep up to the average PGA Tour player. No way.

Try this on. In The Invitational tournament a few years back professional Hank Kuehne reached the 644-yard opening hole at Castle Pines with a 9-iron. How is that possible? First he lambasted a 465-yarder off the tee and then he ripped a 180-yard 9-iron onto the green. Now, don’t think for a second all touring professionals are capable of doing that. They’re not. But, let’s put it this way, if you want to talk numbers with the top guns on the PGA Tour, you’re gonna lose. Badly.

But why is the gap widening so much? Why hasn’t the average recreational player (who creates about 80mph of girly-man clubhead speed and shoots 95, or so) made the same strides – especially when it comes to distance – that the touring pros have? After all, we’re all playing more or less the same equipment, right?

(Incidentally, a recent survey by Golf Digest concluded that, in the last decade, the average golfer’s driving distance has increased from 193 to 205 yards while the average on the PGA Tour increased by 30 yards in the same period.)

“There are a number of reasons why the gap is widening,” says Calgary golf professional, Richard Hardy (McKenzie Meadows Golf Course). “The competition for touring professionals has become extreme. They work much harder than they used to. They have access to launch monitors, precision fitting systems, and physical and mental training specialists who have helped them immensely. In short, they understand the dynamics of the game, especially spin rates and launch angles, and the intricacies of their motion much better. The average player just doesn’t make the effort to tap into all of these resources.”

Another Calgary professional, John Wilson (Heritage Pointe), has another take on it. “Just take a look at the size of the guys on tour these days. They’re monsters. They’re ripped. Tiger has had a major influence on how the average tour player looks after himself. Twenty years ago they chain-smoked and went to the pub after the round. Today they go to the fitness trailer. Has the average recreational player followed suit? No way. The average golfer still goes for beer and nachos after the round.”

In many ways, Rocco Mediate, long considered one of the shorter players on tour, sums it all up. “It’s a distance war on tour,” he says, “and in order for me to stay in it I have to understand exactly what I’m doing with my swing, my equipment, and my body. Basically, I have to absolutely max out.” (I.e. He has to be more like Hans and Franz.)

Also, Tour players have adopted a game plan where they play at full throttle and without fear. They are not girly-men. No, no, no. Their swings are so audaciously precise, yet so barbarically uninhibited, it’s a wonder there isn’t a bigger flatulence problem on tour.

Meanwhile, the average recreational player – with his wimpy arms and nacho gut - still stands over the ball with a bad grip, poor stance, and wonky alignment. Then comes the fear-filled flatulence (the nachos don’t help) and the limp-armed lunge at the ball. And, at that point, it doesn’t matter if the equipment is nuclear charged, it just isn’t gonna go all that far…if it goes anywhere at all.

Andrew Penner is a Calgary based CPGA Professional, comedian & author. He has written for SaskGolfer.com for the past seven years.

The Perfect Drive back

SCN’s The Perfect Drive is back for another season on Sunday evenings at 7.30 p.m. The traveling golf series takes us on a tour of some of the 525 courses scattered throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta. From Spiritwood to Moosomin, from Fort McMurray to Cardston, the series exposes some of the most stunning and challenging courses in Canada. The series was first aired last year and features he high production quality of a Saskatoon-based company.

Look after yourself

While golf equipment and advice proliferates, one of the most important success factors can’t be found at the pro shop. It’s the physical condition of the golfer. After all, back pain and golfer’s elbow are two of the most common injuries suffered by golfers.

When you consider the spinal rotation that goes into a swing and the fact that the speed of the club can reach 160 km/hour, it’s easy to understand that golf puts significant biomechanical stress on the body.

Follow these tips to improve your game and prevent the pain.

Every golfer should include strength-training exercises in their routine. Strengthening all major muscle groups is essential to maximizing your performance. Core body strength and flexibility helps breathing and oxygen flow, as well as preventing injury to your back. Muscle is also an important shock absorber that helps prevent strains and sprains.

Warm-up and cool-down both before and after your game for a full 20 minutes. Include gentle stretching and range of motion exercises, as well as a brisk walk or gentle jog to loosen the muscles and joints.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after your game. Sorry, beer does not count. Remember that once you are thirsty, you are already starting to dehydrate. Dehydration affects your energy level and your physical functioning.

Use a wheeled golf cart for carrying heavy clubs. If you must carry your golf bag, use both shoulders straps. This will spread the weight across a greater area. If there is only one strap, alternate sides frequently. If you find that your bag is getting too heavy, put it down and take a break.

When wheeling your golf cart, push rather than pull.

Golf requires long periods of standing. Frequently alternate your weight on your feet from one to the other or rest one of them on your golf bag or cart.

Take care of your feet! Make sure you have the proper shoes for your type of feet. Golf cleats with short cleats are the best.

Use the right technique for your physical capacity and limits. Adopting a golf swing based on your physical and biomechanical capacity is important. Amateurs are usually better off adopting a classic golf swing, which enables the hips to turn nearly as much as the shoulders to minimize spinal twisting.

Lastly, have fun. The right attitude is good for your performance and your overall health!

Shoulder injuries in golfers are common due to the repetitive nature of the swing. To reduce shoulder pain: Shorten the backswing slightly. Instead of ending the club head at the 3 o’clock position, stop at the 1 o’clock position. Strengthen your shoulder (rotator cuff), scapular muscles, chest (pectoralis major), and back muscles (latissimus dorsi). Your chest and back muscles are large and generate the power in the swing.

To help prevent elbow, wrist and hand injuries: Select larger and softer club grips and use a neutral grip. Select irons with large heads and graphite shafts to lessen vibration. Select the correct club length (the end of the club should extend slightly beyond the palm of the leading hand). Strengthen your forearm muscles.

Chiropractors can help prevent backpack problems by showing you golf exercises and stretches. Should you suffer an injury from golf, a chiropractor can also provide treatment for your pain.

Fact: 80 per cent of Canadians will suffer from back pain in their lifetime. If required, a chiropractor can treat your pain through a variety of methods. These can include: adjustment, modalities such as ultrasound or TENS, soft tissue therapy and therapeutic exercises. For more information or to locate a chiropractor near you, please visit the www.saskdc.org

All the luck

Duffers like you and I can keep an entire underwater frog team busy scooping balls out of a creek or lake. Not Vijay Singh, from PGA Tour fame. Watch this great video of him skipping his ball across the water and into the hole for an Ace at this year's U.S Masters Golf Championship Par-3 Competition. MORE >>

DeLaet inside the ropes

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn will write a weekly blog on the association’s website, www.cpga.com. The 27-year-old has started off well with four top-15 finishes in South Africa, two of those as runner-up. His performance in South Africa comes on the heels on a tie for 13th at the World Cup and a win at the Canadian Tour’s Montreal Open. He also finished second at the Jane Rogers Championship and Canadian Tour Championship late in 2008.

Working on virtual

There are now more than 30 cool golf applications for the popular Apple iPhone. Check out Ernie Els Golf 2008 at $6.99 or the free PGA Tour Tracker with scores, leader boards and more, or Break Meter at $1.99 which measures the break on a putt. There's also Mini Touch where the hazards on the course include UFOs, clown's teeth, and for the Canadians out there, beaver tales.

Follow the Roar

In "Follow the Roar", Bob Smiley recounts following Tiger Woods on a roaring journey from the seaside cliffs of California to the deserts of Dubai and a few adventures along the way. His off-course run-ins include an Arabian sandstorm, ex-con ticket scalpers, and of course, Tiger's every swing during his spectacular 2008 season.

Smiley is a Los Angeles TV writer and golf columnist for ESPN.com who found his career at a standstill. So, starting in January 2008, he started to follow the game's greatest player from the gallery for 604 holes. The results are intriguing.

Smiley, as the book cover boasts, "Met strangers who became friends and found in Tiger the inspiration and quintessence of what it truly means to be an athlete and a man."

This is a great read for the hardcore golfer, especially his first-hand account of THE greatest US Open of all time at Torrey Pines, where Tiger dueled with Rocko Mediate.... on one leg. (Harper Collins, 2008, $27.95 CDN).

Amen Corner

“I’ve probably forgotten more about golf than I’ve learned.”

- Jack Nicklaus

Win free golf at more than 150 sweet courses!

Win one of four (4) RCGA Golf Cards valued at $24.95. The RCGA Golf Card is the points reward program of the Royal Canadian Golf Association rewarding golfers with A FREE ROUND WITH EVERY 5 PLAYED at more than 150 participating golf courses across Saskatchewan and Canada. RCGA members also receive a 1/2 price green fee voucher for each of our participating courses. You can win one of four copies of the 2009 edition by e-mailing the number of discounts to RCGA@saskgolfer.com. Try now!