by lana | May 27, 2014 | Custom Fitted Golf Clubs, Golf Pro Shop, Golf Services, Golfing
Buying a set of golf clubs is not as simple as it may seem. There is a lot more that goes into it than a person might think. There are different types for different uses, there are different shaft flexes, there is a large price range, there are shafts that are made of different materials, different grips, and many people have their clubs tailored.
The first thing to determine when buying golf clubs is which type is right for you. There are three types, player’s irons, game-improvement irons, and super game-improvement irons. Player’s irons are for people that have the highest ability level. Game-improvement irons are fore people in the middle range of abilities. And then the super-game improvement irons are for the people that have the lowest ability level.
Then there is the shaft flex. The shaft flex is the amount of bend in the club. It ranges from “senior” which is the most flexible, to extra stiff. It is recommended that the faster your swing speed the stiffer your shaft. Having a slow swing and a stiff shaft is a bad combination, and vice versa.
And then there are the different grip materials that play a part, and the different club materials, a very large price range, and the overall feel of the whole shabang. The only thing that can really determine if clubs are right for you is getting out there and testing them on a range. Without actually physically using them, you will never know which kind of shaft is right for you.
For more guidance on buying the right golf clubs, head to our golf pro shop and speak with a professional who can help with a golf club fitting.
by lana | Mar 27, 2014 | Denise Lavigne Golf School, Golf Lessons, Golf Services, Golfing, Roland Stafford Golf School
Being a golf pro is a very rewarding career. You get to enjoy the game you love every day and help golfers with their games. Interested in becoming a golf pro? Here are our tips for helping you achieve a new career. Learn more about becoming a golf pro instructor and what it takes to be eligible for certification by the PGA.
You must be 18 years of age or have a high school diploma to be eligible. Have proof of U.S. citizenship or be a registered alien.
You must meet the PGA eligible employment requirements. To be considered eligibly employed, you need to be employed full time in an eligible position for at least six months at the time of registration. The PGA has a full list of jobs that qualify as eligible employment on its website.
Pass the PAT (Player Ability Test). The test is over two rounds of golf and each PAT has a different target score. Shoot below the target score to pass.
Register to be an apprentice by filling out the apprentice registration form on the PGA website. You must verify your employment, pay all apprentice fees and buy your level 1 kit to become an apprentice. Registration fees average $500 and your Level 1 kit costs $560.
There are three levels and you have two years to complete each level. Complete your level 1 kit and send it in to be reviewed. When the kit is accepted, you take the level 1 checkpoint test. Then you will advance on to level 2, followed by level 3.
Complete 36 hours of work experience credits along with the level kits. You receive twelve credits for a four-year college degree and six credits for a two-year college degree. Earn one credit per month by working under a PGA professional. After completing your work experience credits and Level 3, you are a PGA member.
Goof luck!
by lana | Mar 22, 2014 | Denise Lavigne Golf School, Golf Lessons, Golf Services, Golfing, Roland Stafford Golf School
Putting can be the most difficult part of golfing. Driving seeks to gain yardage on the greens, so your aim has to be in a general area, but putting requires an exact target. So how can you perfect your putting game and hopefully knock a few strokes off of your round? Let’s examine!
Use both hands, respectively. While you obviously have both hands on the putter, what are your hands actually doing? Use one hand to lightly swing the putter, and use your other hand to guide the swing.
Think in terms of rolling the ball rather than hitting it. To do this, take an open stance, your weight slightly favoring your left side and your putter shaft leaning toward the target, which makes it easier to feel the left hand to move the ball. When you make the stroke, keep the putterhead low to the ground past impact. Don’t try to hit up on the ball, which makes it hop.
Consider your finger placement. Grip the putter any way you like, as long as it doesn’t hinder your left hand’s role in the stroke. But make sure to grip the club in your fingers. Take the focus off of your palms and use your fingers to move the putter.
Don’t look at the ball, look in front of the ball. This gets you thinking about the target line instead of the stroke–the opposite of what most golfers do.
Need more tips for your golf game? Stop by for one-on-one instruction at our South Florida golf school with our team of golf professionals.
by lana | Feb 13, 2014 | Golf Pro Shop, Golf Services, Golfing
South Florida is known for beautiful sunny weather, but we all know the sun has the ability to do harm as well. When you come to Deer Creek Golf Club and play a round of golf with friends or family, be sure you have adequate protection from the strong South Florida UV rays. Here are our must-haves for a safe day of golf out in the sun:
Sunscreen. Use an SPF 30 or higher and remember to reapply throughout the round. Put your first application on about 30 minutes before starting, and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. This will help protect your skin. Remember that you need SPF even if it is cloudy!
Sunglasses. Gazing down the fairway can be difficult without polarized lenses, and it can also be detrimental to your eyes. Protect your vision and follow your drive by wearing a pair of sunglasses out on the course.
Hat. Male or female, young or old, a hat can provide a great deal of sun protection to your entire face and to the top of your head. Many people do not think about their scalp getting a sunburn, but it happens all the time and it can be quite uncomfortable. Wear a hat on the course and you’ll give your head and your face some extra protection.
Show up to the course and forget one of these items? Do not worry! Stop by our South Florida golf pro shop and pick up the items you need to have a safe and fun day on our golf course.
by lana | Feb 9, 2014 | Golf Lessons, Golf Services, Golfing
Aside from being a mentally stimulating and physically challenging game, golf can also be a powerful tool for furthering your career. Not sure how golf can help you in the business world? Let’s go over a few ways that playing 18 holes can translate into business success for you! Whether you invite clients to the course or show up alone and want to meet new golfing acquaintances (and prospective business partners), here are our tips:
Remember to compliment your prospective client on good shots and putts
Don’t be too competitive
Never cheat. Cheating on the course is a clue that you might cheat in other areas of life as well
Be on time! If you’ve invited clients to join you, please give yourself an adequate window of time to arrive at the club before your guests get there.
Come to the course with a few business cards to exchange before the end of the round. Follow up by scheduling a lunch, or at the very least, be sure to connect on LinkedIn
Structure the outing so you have time for lunch or a happy hour visit after the game. This time affords a better opportunity to discuss business, life, or changes at work.
Respect the etiquette of the game by repairing divots on the course, ball marks on the greens, and raking bunkers, if needed. This will help show your peers your respect for others and for the course
Start the conversations with innocuous topics. Avoid diving into business talk right away
So maybe you are ready to have a client meeting but aren’t a member of a local golf club. No worries! You can easily schedule a tee time at a South Florida public golf course that does not require membership.
by lana | Feb 6, 2014 | Denise Lavigne Golf School, Golf Lessons, Golf Services, Golfing
4 Steps to a Consistent Golf Swing
When it comes to honing your golf skills, consistency is key. This, of course, includes your swing! Consistency in your golf game leads to confidence, which can be a very powerful and competitive tool on the greens. The four ways you can have a consistent golf swing are as follows.
Posture and stance. A simple and effective posture is based around a straight back and spine. Put simply, a golf swing is your arms and shoulders simply rotating around your spine. That’s it, as long as your spine angle doesn’t change throughout your swing, you will return to impact in position.
Backswing path. Your backswing path can travel on three different paths: in to out, out to in, and the ideal in to in. Both the in to out and out to in paths tend to produce either pushes or pulls… whereas the ideal in to in produces straight shots. A consistent path will produce consistent and predictable results.
Balance. A properly balanced swing involves more than you may think… you have to consider your balance at address, throughout the swing and on the finish. Stance wise, your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart (slightly longer for long irons and woods), your weight should be balanced evenly between your feet at address and also evenly within your feet (heel to toe).
Your speed/tempo. The ball is staying put, it’s just waiting there to be hit, so don’t rush it, hit it when you’re ready. Tempo is one of the hardest things to teach a player, but it’s crucial to developing a repetitive and consistent swing.
If you need someone to show you one-on-one how to implement these elements into your golf game, come by and visit one of the South Florida golf schools at Deer Creek Golf & Country Club. A consistent golf swing is the foundation to a great game of golf, so it is certainly worth dedicating some time to.
