Golf is not a game of great shots, it’s a game of the most misses. The people who win make the smallest mistakes.

Gene Littler

You can’t go into a shop and buy a good game of golf.

Sam Snead

I know I’m getting better at golf because I’m hitting fewer spectators.

President Gerald Ford

Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the situation.

Jack Nicklaus

Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.

Arnold Palmer

Statistics say the average American golfer is a 38 year old male who plays 14 rounds a year.

Al Capone once accidentally shot himself in the foot while golfing.

Swing speed of the average male golfer: 93.75 miles per hour. Tiger Woods average swing speed: 125 mph.

a. Remember a chip, just like a putt is subject to break. Check it out before you hit your shot. Take time in aiming the shot!

b. Grip the club shorter…it’s a short shot….get closer to the ball!

c. Open the stance, that means dial your feet open….this will open you up to the hole and allow your arms and hands to operate more freely.

d. Hands and arms should be placed with a small forward press.

e. Sixty percent of your body weight MUST be on your leading foot.

f. Swing the club with your arms and not your hands. There is no breaking of the wrists on the short chips.

g. When picking a club first try to imagine the shape of the shot. How far should it travel in the air, how far on the ground. 

It is critical you think of the relationship of loft on each club when considering where you want to land the ball and where it will roll.

Anyhow, with some practice you can be good at this…..Good luck!

Scott Keenlyside

HANDICAP SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE!

In my experience, playing in many Pro-Ams and recreational golf with other amateurs, while their FULL swings have been fundamentally sound, they struggle with shots from 100 yards and in. 

For shots between 60-100 yards, for most players, this Zone won’t require more than 3 or 4 clubs depending on the distance you have to the hole. This is something that will require diligent practice and charting to figure out what clubs to use, and what length of swing to use depending on the yardage. 

Here are some quick tips to help your Wedge play in the scoring zone:

1. Go to the driving range with JUST the 8 iron, 9 iron, Pitching Wedge, and Sand Wedge. 

2. Make sure you choke down at least an inch on the club, as this will give you control for the shot. 

3. Hit each club with a half swing (waist-high back and through) and see how far each of them go. 

4. Hit each club with a three-quarter swing (shoulder-high back and through) and see how far each club goes.

5. Finally, and most importantly, chart how far each club goes with the two different length swings. 

Follow these tips, and your distance control into the flag will improve, you will get the ball closer to the hole on average, and guess what, you’re score will drop!!!

If we always look back, we lose sight of what’s ahead.

Justin Sims

If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have the capacity at the beginning.

Mahatma Ghandi

Creativity means believing you have greatness.

Dr. Wayne Dwyer

To conquer without risk is to triumph without glory.

El Cid

To achieve, you need thought. You have to know what you are doing and that's real power.

Ayn Rand

First off, I’d like to thank all of our great customers who supported our Golf Tournament. Unfortunately, it rained so hard that Glen Meadows was closed so we’ve rescheduled the tournament to the 16^th of September. The last concern Island View had was getting rained out on August 19^th!!!

You’ll notice that we’ve added some yellow and black triangle targets to the range. Not only do they look sharp, but also they allow you to dial in your 150yrd shots and in. Right now we have two 8’ x 8’ positioned at 135, 65 and three 4’ x 4’ positioned at 20yrs, 30yrds, and 40yrds. Those combined with the target greens give you a variety of distances to practice and improve your game.

If there are any additional distances you would like targets at, let me know and we’ll see what we can do for you.

I’d like to welcome the newest member to our team, Rusty Brown. Rusty lives locally in Central Saanich and brings the work ethic and attention to detail we are looking for here at Island View.

By the way, our heaters are waiting on stand by for the upcoming cold weather so you can practice comfortably!

See you at the range,

Sean.

Ever wonders how the guys on tour spin the ball so much on the green? 

If you want to find out, come to Island View and ask Sean our GM at Island View. He will tell you how to do it for sure. Once we were playing golf together at Uplands. On the15th hole, Sean had about 90 yards left and he really hit down on the ball with a 60-degree wedge. The ball landed way above the pin and sucked back at least 15 feet. I couldn’t believe how much it spun back.

How does he do that? 

Actually if you know how, its not that hard. Here are a few tips to creating backspin on your ball:

Technique:

1. The ball should be played slightly back of centre in your stance.

2. The swing should be short and compact.

3. You need to make sure you hit down on the ball to ensure solid contact.

4. Make sure you release towards the target with a low follow-through. 

Equipment:

1. High spinning ball is required. Try a PROV1 or a NIKE ONE for example.

2. Use a high quality wedge like a Titleist Vokey Wedge or a Cleveland. These clubs have sharp grooves, which will allow for good grip on the ball, resulting in backspin!

Use these tips and get ready to watch your ball dance on the green!!