Golf news – February 2010
25th February 2010Golf tip of the month
Cape Town Golf Academy – Logicalgolf
Tip provided by: Lisa Mackenzie
Move and wind for more power – release your natural energy
Ever wondered how the pro’s seem to hit the ball a mile and make it look so easy? Using the correct techniques you too can release this natural power.
Power is built up in the backswing and there are two key movements that happen.
Correct transfer of weight – that is from left to right and back again.
And WIND (Coil).
These two movements need to be synchronized so here is how to
“MOVE AND WIND”
The body and arms work in unison here you will see the hula hoop illustrating how to maintain a wide arc in the swing.
Figure 1
Get your left side behind the ball good rotation. This position should remain constant. From address the arms start the swing, the left shoulder moves to the right which triggers a slight hip movement. About half way back as the shoulders continue to turn, the hips and knees respond to the movement of the shoulders. Flexible players don’t have to worry too much – it will happen naturally. They can simply wind the shoulders and let the hips and knees be pulled along. For less flexible players, it is important to consciously wind the left hip and knee against a solid right thigh.
When you shift your weight correctly onto the right side the right ankle, knee and hip should form one vertical line as seen in the picture. Don’t make the mistake of resisting too much with the hips – it’s the right knee and thigh that provide resistance. You will know when you are moving correctly when you feel the left hip “winding up” against the resistance of the right thigh
As the shoulders and hips turn, you should feel weight shifting into the right heel. This correct turn encourages a good swing plane assisting in loading your power ready for release, you are now WOUND UP at full Coil.
Figure 2
Good plane assisted by getting left side behind ball.
The head will have a slight movement laterally to the right in order to facilitate weight shift. The movement is no more than an inch or two.
From this loaded or ‘COILED’ position, with the weight on the right side, you are ready to fire. The downswing starts by rolling the ankles and shifting the knees which creates a shift of weight onto the left side.
Importantly, the left shoulder, which has wound laterally in the backswing, can now pull away from the chin and create torque on the arm, catapulting the arms into action as the downswing begins.
A common fault is when a player does not follow this sequence and subsequently leaves the left shoulder behind.
Figure 3
(Figure 3 - Left side drops down to the ball no stability in the) The weight then stays where it started which creates a very flat swing with no power and only the arms are able to be active in the downswing. A visible sign of not moving and winding is when the right leg is unable to maintain its flex and straightens.
This instantly loses you power and connection.
Figure 4
(Figure 4 – Flat swing not getting left side behind the ball) So get your left side behind the ball, move and wind and enjoy the POWER.
For full details please contact Lisa on 021 448 6358
Dates to diarise:
Friday, 26th of February
All members and their guests competition, 9 holes mashie, complimentary snacks and pizza, fantastic prizes compliments of Ridgemore wine, Nassau Golf, Logical Golf vouchers and Coca Cola!
Please contact Vernon to book, as space is limited – vernon@riverclub.co.za
4pm start – Shot gun start 4:30.
Cost is R60 per person and all proceeds will go to The Athlone School for the Blind Association.
At our River Club Open Day on the 12th of March you will be able to test the latest golf equipment, drivers, irons, wedges and putters by some of the best brands namely Taylor Made, Srixon, Nike and the Pro Shop.
Golf Shop special:
Ernie Else Collection – Woodworm Golf-shirts retails at R699 our SPECIAL R199.95, All sizes and colours – stocks are limited. We can also source for you hardware such as drivers, putters, irons, wedges at the BEST prices, please just e-mail me your request and I will get back to you as soon as possible with a quote at vernon@riverclub.co.za
New members special:
Once off joining fee of R680 there after monthly fee R185 per month OR – R2850 Once off annual fee. For more on info please see our River Club members page or contact Vernon on 021 447 3757.
The winner for our January members Golf Day was junior Zack Miller on 19 points, Well Done!
Every month we choose a different charity to raise funds for; The River Club Members and Guests in December raised R1130-00 for the St George’s Home for Girls and in January raised R1170 for the Cape Town Association for the Physically Disabled. Well done to all of you involved in make a difference, thank you for helping these great causes. We look forward to seeing you all again on the 26th of February!
Golf news – January 2010
29th January 2010Logicalgolf® monthly tip
Professional: Andre Rossouw
Blast it out in 2010
Welcome back. I hope you had a fantastic holiday season and I wish you all the best for 2010. Let’s get those scores down!
Good bunker play is an essential part of any good player’s game. Being able to get up and down from a greenside bunker will definitely help you shave a couple of shots off of your score.
It is very important to understand that in a bunker shot, you are not actually trying to hit the ball, but the sand behind the ball. This causes the sand to explode the ball out of the bunker.
The key is to think of blasting the sand out of the bunker and towards the hole. A very good way of practising this is to practise hitting bunker shots without the ball, trying to hit the sand to the hole.
Three months of great golfing weather left.
We kick the New Year off with a members Golf day on 29 January 2010. We will be making an enormous effort to bring you more benefits and exciting events in this year, please feel free to contact us should you have any ideas on making your membership more enjoyable.
Members Competition winner
In December we had a junior winner – none other than Matthew Speelman who has taken the prize for the second time. Come on guys, we need you to knock him off the winner’s podium! Enter the January competition in the golf shop or e-mail us on golf@riverclub.co.za . Phone bookings can also be made on 021 447 3757.
Question: What did Ernie Els say in his first Million Dollar Golf tournament that had journalist convulsed with laughter?
Answer: In 1992 Ernie played in his first Million Dollar and on the first day played with Fred Couples. When the golf correspondent from the Star asked Els: “So how did your length compare with Freddie’s?” Els smiled and replied: “I don’t know, I never showered with him!”
May we remind you that there are many benefits to hosting your golf day at the River Club such as the fact that our short course takes less time to play, we are very central and have on-site restaurant and conferencing facilities. Phone your booking through now on 021 448 6117.
Golf News – December 2009
9th December 2009Tip of the Month
What should you have in your golf bag when traveling?
- Clubs are clean and secure
- Golf Balls – enough for all your rounds
- Tees long and short
- Ball markers, divot tool for fixing pitch marks and sand bag
- Towel to clean clubs
- Towel to keep you dry
- Umbrella
- Rain suit
- A small first aid kit that includes headache tabs, bug spray, plasters etc
- Travel cover if you are traveling by plane
- Golf shoes
- Clothing for cold and warm weather
- Sun protection like a cap and Sunblock
Logical Golf – Welcome Grant Hepburn
The Logical Golf Academy at River Club is proud to announce that it is under the new ownership of Grant Hepburn (www.granthepburn.com ). We look forward to benefiting from Grant’s 15 years of international coaching experience. Grant is coach to current South African Open Champion Richard Sterne as well as having coached numerous world class players such as past SA Open Champion James Kingston. He has vast experience coaching juniors too and is National Coaching Advisor to the South African Golf Development Board. Grant has also trained coaches to PGA levels in Europe, America and Asia and will continue to share his knowledge with our coaching staff at the Logical Golf Academy. We look forward to helping you with your game in the near future at our academy which offers fantastic undercover hitting facilities and short game practice areas.
Momentum Golf Day a feather in our cap – see what they had to say:
“Thank you guys for the fantastic day that we had on the 2nd. It was really enjoyed by everyone. Thank you so much for organizing that Lisa from the Golf School was able to give us the instruction on how the game is played. All of you guys really went the extra mile to make sure that we had a really successful event. Even with us changing our minds 3 or 4 times. We look forward to organizing lots more of these days for smaller groups in the future”
Tracy-Lee Anderson
Migration Project Co-Ordinator
There are many benefits to hosting your golf day at the River Club such as the fact that our mashie golf course takes less time to play, we are very central and have on-site restaurant and conferencing facilities. Phone your booking through now on 021 448 6117 or click here to find out more.
River Club golf members contribute generously to charity.
“Thank you once again for inviting me on behalf of the SPCA to attend your prize giving on Friday. Together with two individual anonymous donations, we received a total of R1420.00. We are very grateful for your generous support and pleased to have been selected as a beneficiary of funding from the River club. Please pass my grateful thanks to all the members and guests who contributed toward our donation”
Carol-Ann Brand
Bequest and Major Donor Officer, Cape of Good Hope SPCA
Golf News – November 2009
16th November 2009Logicalgolf tip of the month
Instructor Lisa Mackenzie
Understanding the correct path that the club head should travel on is important to ensure a square club faces throughout the swing. A common fault is when a player takes the club back in a closed position (Incorrect picture 1a).
1a
This affects not only the path of the club head but your body motion as well. It inhibits the correct turn and rotation of your body around your spine (Picture 1 b).
1b
The follow through is also inhibited and the player is often left with to much weight on the non target side (Incorrect picture 2). The result, loss of power and direction as the club is left open and your power left behind.
2
What you want to do…
Try getting the “TOE UP” (at around hip height) on the back swing (Correct picture 3a). Just remember the first movement is with the arms and club try holding back on the amount of body motion.
3a
This will encourage the correct body motion (picture 3b) and will ensure the correct wrist action.
3b
4
The follow through is an exact mirror image of the backswing. (Correct picture 4) You will find that you are able to get through the ball easier getting a better release of the club. The result for you is an increase of power and direction.
Members competition winner 
The winner of our Monthly Member’s competition in October was Sacha Audiberth with 19 points. Our next competition will take place on Friday 27 November at 4pm. You can sign up at the golf shop or call 021 447 3757 or simply email us. There will be more great prizes and the R2000 hole-in-one prize still goes-a-begging.
Million Dollar Classic
The Nedbank Million Dollar Classic takes place from Thursday 3 December to Sunday 6 December. The Players Cafe will be putting up a plasma screen and having a Johnnie Walker lucky draw. Lots of other prizes and special offers will be up for grabs during this period from sponsors Players Cafe, Golf Resorts Club, Logical Golf and the River Club.
Golf News – October 2009
21st October 2009Golf Tip of the Month
Tip supplied by Logicalgolf® | Instructor – Francois van Zyl
The O- Factor
The o-factor is one of the great tips from Logicalgolf. This involves the hips in the golf swing. This is for the back swing and down swing. When you get in to your setup position the left hip should be slightly higher than the right. That will get you into a, what we call a positive o-factor. In the back swing you want to rotate you hip that when you get to the top of you swing that both you hips are level with one another. That position is called o neutral
You will then start your down swing with your left hip moving laterally first and then pulling up and out of the way. So your left hip will be higher than your right that will get you in the positive position again. The pro’s with a driver get 17° positive. This movement also gives them a lot of power and time to hit the ball straight and long
Feel Like You Throwing Water
This tip will also help you not hit the ball with your arms and use more the core of your body that will make you hit the ball better and more consistent. Hope this tip helps your golf and make you hit better shot.
For more information on creating a better swing contact:
Logicalgolf Academy @ The River Club on 021 448 6358 or lisa@logicalgolf.co.za
Month End Competition
We held our first month end members competition, which was a great success. A total of 32 members and guests took part with Sandy Churley taking first place and going home with R300 and our floating trophy. A fun and exciting day was had by all.
We would like to thank all who took part in the competition for helping us raise over R700 for St Luke’s Hospice.
The next competition will place on Friday, 30 October. Please sign up as soon by calling 021 447 3757 or email golf@riverclub.co.za
Member Referral Promotion
We are currently running a promotion called ‘’member finds member’’. An existing member will receive a R200 voucher from the Golf shop if they sign up a friend as a Golf Member.
If you know of anyone who may want to become a member please refer them to golf@riverclub.co.za
Golf Shop Specials
Just a reminder, that we are always running specials in our Golf Shop.
We currently have Junior golf equipment at competitive prices, to ensure that your ‘’Little Tiger’’ is kitted out for the season come in and have a look.
Taylormade Demo Day
Join us between 2:30pm and 6:00pm
On 23 October 2009 to try out the latest golf equipment for ladies and men
Facility Upgrade
We have upgraded our mats on the Driving range and mats on the Mashie course.
Have a fantastic golfing month and we look forward to seeing you at the River Club.
Ladies Golf
The River Club hosts a ladies day every Wednesday morning which includes a free golf clinic from Logical Golf Academy. The clinic starts a 10:30am every Wednesday and we encourage you to invite a few friends who want to improve their game. Tea and sandwiches compliments of Players Restaurant will be served afterwards.
For further enquiries please click here to email us or contact the River Club on 021 447 3757
Golf News – September 2009
16th September 2009Golf Tip of the Month
Tip supplied by Logicalgolf® | Instructor – Andre Rossouw
Generate Power
This ‘hammer’ picture sequence provides a visual description of how to generate power with the wrists.
Great golfers hit the ball with a distinctive whip-cracking effect achieved by the correct use of the wrists.
In the backswing, the right wrist hinges back upon itself and forms a ninety-degree angle between the forearm and the back of the right hand. This power loading movement creates a very important lever, very similar to the one used when loading a hammer to strike a nail.
Golfing News – August 2009
24th August 2009New Member Benefits
We are working hard on improving the range of benefits you can enjoy as a golf member of the River Club. Mowbray, Rondebosch, Stellenbosch and Milnerton golf clubs have agreed to offer our members substantial discounts on the visitors green fee. We are also talking to Kelvin Grove, Fitness Zone and Planet Fitness about reciprocal benefits.
In addition we will be having a monthly member golf day where you can bring guests and there will be fantastic prizes up for grabs. We will also sponsor a hole-in-one competition with prize money of R2000!
For further information please click here to email us or contact the River Club on 021 447 3757.
Ladies Golf
The River Club hosts a ladies day every Wednesday morning which includes a free golf clinic from Logical Golf Academy. The clinic starts a 10:30am every Wednesday and we encourage you to invite a few friends who want to improve their game. Tea and sandwiches compliments of Players Restaurant will be served afterwards.
For further enquiries please click here to email us or contact the River Club on 021 447 3757
New Tenant
The River Club would like to welcome a new tenant in the Golf Shop. The Golf Resorts Club markets holidays at golf resorts across the country and we believe that there is great synergy in having them here.
At the Golf Resorts Club, you will have access to a selection of beautifully appointed luxury houses on South Africa’s finest golf estates and upmarket leisure resorts. As a member you are entitled to the use of the club accommodation and its facilities at the prestigious estates every year in perpetuity. The Golf Resorts Club is ideal for corporates to use as incentive schemes, client relationship building, or much needed “de-stressing”. You will find that where you stay is as magnificent as where you play.
Currently on offer:
BUY 1 WEEK AT ANY RESORT AND HAVE ACCESS TO AN ADDITIONAL 5 WEEKS AT ANY OF THE OTHER GOLF RESORTS LUXURY HOUSES PER ANNUM.
To take advantage of this offer click here to email us or contact Taryn on 021 448 8577. For further information on the Golf Resorts Club log onto www.golfresortsclub.co.za.
Ideal Corporate Event
With all the new enthusiasm and excitement being injected into the team by new guy Vernon, we are chomping at the bit to host your teambuilding session, corporate golf day or charity event. Why not treat your staff to a day at the River Club? If you are pressed for time the mashie course is ideal, and we welcome hackers! There is simply no better place to introduce your staff to the game of golf than at the River Club where you can learn the game in a relaxed environment – as opposed to some of the more established and exclusive clubs which tend to be intimidating to first timers. It is a lot of fun and economical too.
Charity Golf Day an Overwhelming Success
The Charity Day Golf Day Arranged by Mr Terry Dickinson with the help of his friends proved to be an overwhelming success. Through the generous efforts by sponsors and well doers the golf day was able to raise R 47 257.00 in aid of people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.
Many participants and contributors are to be thanked including Mr. Robbie Simpson, Auction Alliance, Magica Roma, Ms Diane Niagle, The Wild Fig Restaurant, The Hydro in Stellenbosch, Ken Forrester Wines, Spier Wines, Constantiaberg Wines, Logical Golf, Mr Kevin Doyle, Mr Des Scott, Brown Fillery and the Player Restaurant at the Riverclub.
Other contributors were David Curling, Val de Klerk, Karen Dobbie, Vanessa Hindley, Gavin Hunter, Susie Macdonald, Piers Montague Evans, Des Scott and Terry and Lindy Dickinson.
Lastly a special thanks to the players without which the game would not be possible and the River Club staff.
We encourage you to consider hosting your Corporate or Charity golf day at the River Club.
We invite you to consider hosting your own Corporate or Charity at the River Club. Click here to request a quote or for further information please call the River Club on 021-447 3757
Golfing News – June 2009
30th June 2009Golfing news and golfing tips are kindly provided by LOGICAL GOLF, our on-site golf professionals, who are there to help you improve your game exponentially. (Tel. 021 448 6358)
Congratulations to Lucas Clover for winning the U.S Open this past week.
His world ranking moved up from (71) last week to 18. The big surprise was the form of David Duval who has been in the wilderness for such a long time. With the U.S Open result the former world number one has moved from (882) last week to 142 in the world
Rule of the Month
Question: A fellow Competitor’s drive may have landed in a water hazard as it cannot be located. Your competitor asks to drop his ball behind the hazard and incurs a one-stroke penalty. Should you allow this?
Answer: The rules don’t allow it and neither should you.
Rule 26-1 states that in the absence of knowing or being virtually certain that the ball entered a hazard; it must be treated as a lost ball.
Golfing Tip of the Month
Starting the Down Swing
The down swing happens in less than a second, is the culmination of the golf swing and the result of proper alignment, stance, grip and back swing. It requires a fluid movement of your body in a powerful and unified sequence of events. The three major phases of the downswing are:
- Shift
- Rotate
- Hit
In the beginning of the down swing, the arms and hands are passive, essentially in free fall from the top – The movement of the knees toward the target and the turning of the left hip and side back to the target initiates the downswing. This in turn sets up a chain reaction, whereby the power created by the resistance of the hips and shoulders is transferred into the back of the ball. At the top of your back swing, your upper body has completed its wind up and ideally the lower body has initiated the downswing.
Common Mistake: Do not start the downswing with your upper body, by first lunging at the ball with your head. Rather, you should feel the weight transfer from the ground up. Beginner golfers tend to swing hard with their arms and upper body, which in turn creates many problems. Swinging too hard will throw off your balance and weight-shift, which will actually reduce the power of your swing. A squarely hit ball will travel much further than a forcefully hit one.
