Archive for April, 2011
Golf Books #27 (The Spirit of St. Andrews)
Alister MacKenzie was one of golf’s greatest architects. He designed his courses so that players of all skill levels could enjoy the game while still creating fantastic challenges for the most experienced players. Several of MacKenzie’s courses, such as Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Pasatiempo, remain in the top 100 today.
In his “lost” 1933 manuscript, published for the first time in 1995 and now finally available in paperback, MacKenzie leads you through the evolution of golf–from St. Andrews to the modern-day golf course–and shares his insight on great golf holes, the swing, technology and equipment, putting tips, the USGA, the Royal & Ancient, and more. With fascinating stories about Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and many others, The Spirit of St. Andrews gives valuable lessons for all golfers as well as an intimate portrait of Alister MacKenzie, a true legend of the game. (source)
Lambda Classic Golf Shoes
Together with the finest golf shirts and trousers a nice pair of stylish golf shoes is what you would need to sport a trendy and relaxed look on the course. Lambda Classic Golf Shoes are a throwback to the days of the classical shoe as worn by major champions around the world.
Lambda Golf is a Portuguese company that has been making high quality, leather shoes for 28 years and golf shoes for the past 3 years. Lambda golf shoes have a classic appearance, and are crafted from with fully treated water-repellent, Portuguese leather. They feature a special membrane inlay sole which absorbs force reducing the impact on knees, hips and back thus making the game more enjoyable.
The Portuguese brand created ripples last fall by launching in Europe with its all-leather range, particularly the eye-catching Imperia, which is available featuring a choice of 14 national flags, including the Stars and Stripes. Ladies golf boots are also very appealing and will surely look trendy on the fairways.
They offer personalized golf shoes as part of their Imperia line, where the design is completely up to the customer. With many golf courses and resorts offering this option to members, this aspect of the golf shoe industry is becoming very popular. Their Union Jack and Canadian Maple Leaf shoes are very sharp looking. If personalized shoes are something you are interested, please contact Lambda Golf through their website for a quote.
Environmental Golf Courses #3 – The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, Hong Kong
Jonathan Smith, CEO of the Golf Environment Organization (GEO) gives Hong Kong’s Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course high marks for its education programs and work with the community.
All golf course employees are trained in pesticide disposal, efficient water management, habitat maintenance, waste reduction, energy use, and environmental planning. In addition, the club issues a regular environment newsletter and posts environmental education materials throughout the course that identify flora and fauna—including eagles, herons, boars, civet, and porcupines—that can be found on the property.
The club’s work with the community recently resulted in partnerships to fund and run a fleet of solar-powered golf carts and hybrid ferries to the 54-hole, 618-acre public course.
Tasha Eichenseher (source – National Geographic – “National Geographic News series on global water issues.“
Golf preferences or superstitions?
Superstition at sports is well know and observed in many “rituals” performed before, during or after a sport event. What does it take to be successful in sports? Motivation, confidence, focus and desire; all of these are important, but what about luck? Do you ever wonder why athletes wear the same “lucky shirt” in competition, or why some eat the exact same meal for good luck prior to competition or even why some teams even go as far as not washing their jerseys until they lose a game?
Some may call it preference instead of superstition but the fact remains that in sports some people strongly believe that if you do repeat a certain behaviour, you will have good luck. As in other activities many golfers are superstitious; for example golf balls with the number 4 or higher are seen as bad luck. Not many people, or even rules, dissuade golfers from believing in superstitions; many common superstitions in golf have to do with the coins used to mark ball placements. Some American players for example refuse to use anything other than nickels (5 US cents), and others must use coins that are heads-up. In the thin line that may separate preference and superstition some of the following examples may sound funny but they are followed with strong believe and are performed as part of the way to success.
Phil Mickelson uses Titleist’s with high numbers because it helps him to discern his golf balls from other players. John Cook marks his golf ball only with US quarters (25 cent coins that feature different US States) that reflect pictures of states in which he has not only played, but played well. But wait, there’s more
Thou shall not lose trust in your golf swing #11
A great shot at the Bob Hope Classic 2011 in California, USA. Brandt Snedeker chips out of a bunker on the 18th hole for an eagle.
