Keeping Busy During the Golf Off-Season

Rocky and the assistant golf pros at Mill Run
know what it takes to train like a champion

The 2012 golf season is nearly ready for hibernation, but the golf team at Mill Run Golf Club certainly isn't! Matt and Cameron are preparing to begin their off-season training schedule that includes hundreds of chin-ups, thousands of crunches and regular 6 a.m. jogging.

While we can't all train like Matt and Cam, there are a variety of ways you can improve the physical aspect of your golf game over the winter!

Firstly, rest is good. If you've been golfing multiple times a week all summer long, taking a few weeks off to rest is a valuable practice for both mind and body. After a nice break, take an hour to incorporate some golf-specific stretches or exercises into your workout routine; if you don't have a regular routine, don't worry! There are lots of simple stretches you can do from home that require no equipment at all.

The golf swing requires balance, flexibility, mobility and strength all coming together in a fluid, controlled motion. Understanding what muscles contribute the most to these different factors can help to highlight which areas to focus on when it comes to training.

The back, shoulders and hips are areas where improved flexibility will really help your game. Incorporate stretches that involve controlled twisting and resistance in the aforementioned areas. Doorway stretches are a great example of a simple technique to increase range of motion and strengthen your rotator cuff (shoulder).

Doorway Stretching

For more examples to build a small workout routine, visit the "Golf" section of the Livestrong website. They have plenty of resources!
http://www.livestrong.com/golf-exercises/

Little Known Golf Rules

Greetings from Mill Run!

Most of us know the basics of golf. We know the rules, we know the etiquette, we know how to dress. One of the neat aspects of golf is the notion of honour as it relates the rules of the game. The majority of sports see athletes competing right at the limit of the rules and perhaps even bending them when they can get away with it. Golf is different. 99% of all golf rounds include over four hours of self-refereeing and require a good measure of discipline to complete with integrity.

Nevertheless, broken rules are common to nearly every amateur golf game. Most of the time, it isn't something done with malicious intent or sneakiness, but rather a decision of convenience or to maintain the pace of play.

Are you going to walk back to the tee to re-hit the 300+ yard drive you failed to find in the deep rough?

Probably not.

Most playing groups have established their own rulebook that they follow on a day-to-day basis. It can include consensual agreements on which rules must be always honoured as well as those perhaps deemed too strict or intense for weekend golf.

Here's some interesting USGA rules or rulings you might not be aware of:

Putting in the Rain

It is illegal for a player to receive umbrella cover from a caddie or another player when putting.

10 Second Stall

Think Tiger Woods' most famous shot... If your putt arrives at the lip of the cup, you have 10 seconds to address the ball before it falls in. If it falls in after 9 seconds, good putt. If it falls in after 11 seconds, an additional stroke will be assessed even if you didn't touch it.

Don't Do the Dew

It is illegal to remove dew from your ball anywhere between the tee and green. Even if there's grass cuttings sticking to it, even if there's mud on it. There was no specific reference to any snow cleaning for us here in Canada.

Range Finders

Illegal.

Water Bunkers

You just hit your ball into the sand, wait the water... In the case of rain-filled bunkers, you are granted a free lift to a part of the bunker, no closer to the hole, that is dry. What if there's nowhere dry to drop or the ball just keeps rolling back into the water? You can take a one-stroke penalty and drop outside the bunker directly behind the original position of the ball. Unfair? Yup, tough.

Enjoy the rest of the fall golfing season!

Bunker + Water  =  No Mercy

Source URL: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/golf/article1035045.ece 

Mill Run receives Environmental Heroes award

May was a very special month for Mill Run Golf Club as we successfully completed a $1-million creek diversion project that saw a reroute of the Pefferlaw Brook around the Siloam pond, connecting the waterway to nearly 17 kilometres of new waterways.

Please see the below excerpt from Jennifer Walker's May 18 article posted on durhamregion.com

* * * * *

Uxbridge golf course receives Environmental Heroes award

Rod Speake and Stuart Brindle by the Pefferlaw Brook

After noticing the deterioration of the dam located at the Siloam pond on the golf course property in 2008, Mill Run officials began to look at options to solve the problem, and as a result, many environmental improvements were made.

To work with new Ministry of Energy guidelines, and improve the dam, the Pefferlaw Brook was rerouted by constructing a man-made creek bed, around the Siloam pond. A new groundwater well was established to provide the pond with fresh water to keep up with the property's irrigation demands.

Throughout the process, more than 5,000 plants, trees and shrubs were planted, phosphorus was reduced, 620 metres of aquatic habitat was created, approximately 17 kilometres of upstream creek channel was opened for fish migration and the barrier for fish passage was eliminated.

"It was a win win for everyone," said Rod Speake, head superintendent. "A pile of environmental positives."

The Environmental Heroes Award was presented on behalf of the Uxbridge Watershed Committee and the Uxbridge Energy Conservation Committee.
* * * *

Source URL: http://www.durhamregion.com/community/article/1357623--uxbridge-golf-course-receives-environmental-heroes-award

Photo Source: May 15, 2012,  Celia Klemenz / Metroland

Breaking 100,90 and 80!

As the golf year is now officially underway, it is important for you to have a clear and concise idea for how you want to improve this year. Otherwise you may just end up making the same mistakes over and over and never make any progress to better golf. The big three goals most golfers face are breaking 100, 90, and then 80.

To help facilitate your improvement, below are few tips on each stage and what you should focus on to break through those barriers.

Hi, it’s Chester.

Here is my take….

Well, we have moved past January, the toughest month of the year for Ontario Golfers.  February is half gone and March is just around the corner.  Can you believe that the golf season is only around 6 weeks away?  I don’t know if it is just me, but this has been one of the easiest winters I have experienced so far.  I hope that that means good things for the start of the golf season, I have my fingers crossed. 

PGA Tour Season….

The start of the PGA Tour Season has been very exciting.  So far I am dubbing this season “The Year of the Comeback”!  The last three weeks have seen huge come from behind winners in the final round that makes for exciting T.V.  Click this link to have a look at the winners so far this year.   I did mention last time that I was looking forward to the AT&T and it did not disappoint.  Tiger started out the first 3 days with a bang, but fell down the leaderboard on Sunday.  That paved the way for the excitement of Phil’s final round magic     It was great to see two of the tours best playing together in the second last group, click this link for the full story.

What’s New in Equipment….

Almost all of the latest and greatest in equipment is now available so get a jump on things and test out some of the new product.  As promised I know move onto the fairway woods to keep your eyes on from Golf Digest’s 2012 HOT LIST.  For the complete list of all clubs on the list click this link.  Future blogposts will feature what hybrids, irons, wedges, putters & golf balls to keep your eyes on as well.  Give me a call or send me an email and I can give you more details or arrange a fitting on these or any other clubs. 

·         Callaway RAZR Fit Fairway – click this link to check it out!

·         Callaway RAZR x Black Fairway

·         Titleist 910F Fairway

·         Titleist 910FD Fairway

·         Adams Speedline Fast 12 Fairway

Visit us at The Toronto Golf & Travel Show….

The Toronto Golf & Travel Show is a good sign that the golf season is just around the corner.  The show is just a few weeks away.  If you want to try out some of the equipment that I mentioned the Golf & Travel Show is a great opportunity to do so.  Click this link to get a $5 off coupon for your entry into the show compliments of Mill Run Golf Club.  Don’t forget to visit us at booth #1417.  For full details and dates on The Toronto Golf & Travel Show click this link.

Mill Run in January

Hi, it's Chester.

Here is my take….

January is the toughest yet most exciting month of the year for Ontario Golfers.  The excitement of Christmas and New Years has passed and golf in Ontario is still 2 ½ to 3 months away.  January is pretty tough on us Ontario Golfers, but there are a few things that can help make the time pass quickly, and the start of the Golf Season get here quicker.

The buzz of the start of the PGA season and the launch of all of the latest and greatest in equipment, golf balls, gadgets and apparel is in full swing.  As well most of those winter golf getaways that are planned by many Ontario Golfers are fast approaching.  I know it helps me pass the time quickly when I watch the great PGA events during the deep freeze of winter and do my research on all of the new equipment.  Unfortunately I am not getting away this year for a golf vacation, very envious of all of you that will be.

PGA Tour Season….

Well say good bye to Hawaii and hello to California.  The next couple of tour stops are in sunny California, then off to one of the most boisterous crowds of the year in Scottsdale Arizona.  Is it a coincidence that the liveliest crowd of the year is on the same weekend as the Super Bowl?  I think not.  Click this link to have a look at the shots of the week from the 2011 Waste Management Phoenix Open. The early season stop that I am looking forward to the most is the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am; it looks to be the first tournament of the year for Tiger.  I am very interested to see what Tiger has in store for golf fans (on the course that is) in 2012.  If you ask me, I say he wins 3 events with one of them being a major.

What’s New in Equipment….

The New RAZR Fit - Available on Feb 17

All of the latest and greatest in equipment is introduced just in time for the Annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in late January.  Here is a little preview of some of the Drivers to keep your eyes on from Golf Digest’s 2012 HOT LIST GOLD.  For the complete list of all clubs on the list click this link.  Remember that just because it is January that does not mean that you can’t think of putting that new driver in your bag.  Feel free to get in touch with me and I can help you make your decision.  The best way to figure it out is to get a professional fitting.  I have the opportunity to book you a fitting appointment at the Callaway Fit Center.  Future blogspots will feature what fairways woods, irons, wedges, putters & golf balls to keep your eyes on as well.

My picks from the Golf Digest 2012 HOT LIST GOLD

• Callaway RAZR Fit Driver – I’ve got this one in my bag and can’t wait to hit it!
• Titleist 910D2 Driver
•  Titleist 910D3 Driver
• Ping G20 Driver
• TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon,

Chester Morin, DIrector of Golf at Mill Run Golf Club.

Year of the Dragon

Here we are, brand new year, brand new PGA golf season.

It's 2012. The Chinese Lunar New Year Calendar is the longest stretching chronological record in history dating back to over 2600BC. According to the calendar it's the Year of the Dragon. Wikipedia says that according to Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon's characteristics include being strong, proud, passionate, self-assured, decisive and pioneering. According to the PGA it's the Year of the Youth and they are pioneering a new sense of confidence amongst young golfers on Tour.

Simply put, they're saying they're not afraid to win.

The 2012 season gets under this weekend in Hawaii with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Kapalua hosts the inaugural tournament which is exclusive to tournament winners from last year. The 28-man field features 11 golfers in their twenties (an additional 7 qualified), and their expectations are high. That being said, there are plenty of fantastic mature players sill on tour. The void of dominance that Tiger left when he fell from glory is still very present, and the number 20-something year old golfers on tour who are salivating at the opportunity to grab a piece of victory pie is growing.

Of particular note, 22-year Rory McIlroy won't be playing as he takes a bit of time off. Expect him to compete in plenty of Sunday afternoon battles throughout the season as he looks to chalk up a few more tallies in the wins column.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua

There's definitely still something to be said for how 15 years of professional experience come into play on the back nine of the fourth round, but more and more PGA newbies are saying "so what?"

Player list source: pgatour.com