• A Message from Brent & Janie
• Oceanside Programs
• Seasonal Camps
• Golf Schools

• Academy Update
• Golf Shop

• Fitness
• Motivational Picks for 2004

• Nutrition Nibbles
• The Power of You!
• Yoga
• Golf Tip

• Full-Time Junior Developments
• Student Perspective
• Meet Our Staff

One of the concepts we explore regularly in our full-time junior program is the notion that "I create my reality". A crucial component of creating a purposeful, rewarding life is developing a frame of reference in which your progress can be measured. If lowering my handicap is my goal, what would a lower handicap look like for me? 25? 15? 5? Is this a realistic goal? What are the steps I will take to see that I achieve my objective? What are some of the problems I may encounter, and what will I do when this happens? What/who are my resources? When will I accomplish my goal? How will I celebrate my accomplishment? Some rules of thumb we use for goal setting are to make them S.M.A.R.T.: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Rewarding & Timely.

We would like to thank everyone who has followed up with us on the November newsletter. Your kind words are much appreciated and we encourage your comments and suggestions!

It is a funny thing about life: if you refuse to accept
anything but the very best, you will often get it.
- W. Somerset Maugham

This individualized program is designed for local golfers of all ages and abilities! We'll work on your long game on Saturday, identifying individual tendencies & corrections; on Sunday you will learn the BMGA Short Game System.

Day Sessions:

• Two 1-hour group lessons covering short game and full swing.
• Necessary equipment provided if you do not have your own.
• Detailed handout for ongoing improvement.
• Maximum 6:1 student to instructor ratio.
• Program fee: $49.00 plus gst.

Click here for the schedule and more information.

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, you will benefit from our long and short game systems! All schools feature instruction by our certified Canadian PGA Teaching Professionals. Click for scheduled schools

We strive to make your golf experience with us both memorable and rewarding. Whether you are here for a short stay or an extended period, we will design a package to meet your objectives.

Barrie McWha, Executive Professional, Glengarry Golf Links

It has been very exciting from my perspective to observe the growth in interest in the Golf Academy and its programs. With inquiries coming in person, by telephone and electronically, it speaks volumes for the future of our programs and efforts. Now, with the Academy facilities now fully open and in use, students can really get a good perspective on what a unique place this is to work on improving every facet of their game.

The relationships that are developing with the complimentary professional services that we have been able to access locally are really exciting. For a golf instruction facility to be able to offer services like physical fitness and strength training, power yoga, nutrition, mental excellence and sports psychology in one location is truly a golden opportunity for instructors and students alike.

• loft
  
• face angle
• type of shaft
• length
• grip style
• diameter

The M.A.C. clubhead uses a Powersphere, which gives you longer, straighter drives -no matter where the clubface contacts the ball! When a Powersphere clubhead strikes a ball, the energy wave is immediately reflected back, from where it impacts the Powersphere dome, across the entire face of the club. The end result of the fitting should be a combination of having the right flex in the shaft, clubhead size and loft. Be sure to check out the M.A.C. website.

We also received the new Ping irons for our fitting cart and the G2 iron proves to be a winner! This iron enables the golfer to achieve optimum ball flight, distance and accuracy. The set also comes with an option of a high launch model with a wider sole to move the center of gravity farther away from the face, as well as an undercut cavity, allowing for extreme perimeter weighting, making it the highest launching, most forgiving long iron PING has engineered to date.

With all the excitement of this new technology, it is hard to believe we are in the midst of our winter months and not at the start of a new season! We look forward to helping you understand and find the technology that will improve your game.

Click to book a club fitting appointment today!

Diarmid "Scotty" McVicar, RPT, CWCE, BMGA Program Leader - Fitness

Cardiovascular Fitness

When we talk about cardiovascular training, most of us think of superbly fit athletes, such as long distance runners, tri-athletes, or cross country skiers.

For those readers who are old enough, think back to The Commonwealth Games in 1954 at Empire Stadium in Vancouver and The Miracle Mile. Remember Roger Bannister of England sprinting past John Landy of Australia to win the gold medal in the one-mile race? That was the first time two men in the same race had run under 4 minutes for the mile.

Shortly before that race, Dr. Roger Bannister had been the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. At that time it was reported that his pulse rate was 35 beats per minute.

Generally the norm for a pulse rate is around 72 beats per minute.

The lower the pulse rate, the better the cardiovascular fitness. This means that the heart is more efficient. The circulation of the blood, which is the result of the heart pumping, supplies oxygen to muscles to make them work.

• What are the general benefits of good cardiovascular fitness?
• It increases muscular strength
• It increases endurance
• It clarifies your mental processes
• improves your quality of life and can even extend it
  
  So what does cardiovascular fitness have to do with golf?

The better the cardiovascular fitness, the longer a golfer can walk without fatigue setting in. When the big drive is needed, the extra energy is present to assist the golfer in executing the stroke. When standing over a putt, which may mean winning or losing a hole, the golfer who is in good shape will control his or her breathing and have a better chance of concentrating and making that putt.How do we improve our cardiovascular fitness, and in doing so help our golf game?

Start slowly as the winter progresses, and increase your cardiovascular fitness through regular exercise, walking, biking, climbing or running. The activity should be done for at least 20 minutes, 3-5 times per week. The activity should be selected based on your physical condition. If you are overweight and have not exercised, 3 days per week at a good pace is more than adequate. Plan out a schedule as to how many times you want to work out. Get a buddy to work with you. Working alone is very boring and leads in most cases to people stopping the activity. Keep a chart with your heart rate at day one and check it once per week and make note of it. Do not expect immediate improvement; progress takes time.

Most golfers will find that, with the improvement of their cardiovascular fitness, they will play better and longer. A "bogey, bogey, par, double bogey" finish will look more like "par, par, par, bogey".

If you need help setting goals and making up a schedule, contact a golf coach, physiotherapist, kinesiologist, trainer, or physician. They will help you get started.

Do not delay, get active and be fit in 2004!

New! Motivational Resource Section on our Website

We are frequently asked which books and resources we recommend to our students for winter reading. We recently polled a small number of staff, family and friends and have compiled a informal list which can be viewed on our website. We've also added a form for you to add your personal favourite, along with a brief comment.

To view our top motivational picks, click here

Maureen Noble-Kilback, R.D., BMGA Program Leader -Nutrition

With all the parties and celebrations at this time of year it is not hard to overindulge! If you don't want to gain back those pounds you worked so hard to take off in the spring and summer, here are some tips that may help. Make a conscious commitment now to avoid succumbing to all those tasty treats and you will thank yourself and feel much better in the New Year.

• If you know you are going out in the evening, resist the goodies at the office. Make sure you select wholesome, healthy, low fat choices during the day.
• Practice saying "No thanks, I don't care for any just now"; don't let those who would sabotage get to you.
• Use low fat or light eggnog. Regular eggnog has approximately 361 kcal/cup and 20 grams of fat; depending on the brand, you can find a light variety with 189 kcal and 2.6 grams of fat.
• Relax, eat slowly and never go to a party too hungry.
• Remember, alcohol is just empty calories that can add up quickly. Hard liquor has approximately 110 kcal/ 2 oz, wine ~ 70 kcal/ 4 oz, and beer ~ 150 kcal/ 341 mL. Using regular pop as mixer adds about another 100 kcal/ 8 oz.
• You can usually reduce the fat in any recipe by 1/3 without affecting the end product.
• Don't stand next to the food table; it's too tempting to nibble. Get a small plate or napkin and take a sampling, then move away from the table.
• Make dips by blending together ricotta or quark cheese with no fat plain yogurt, adding the usual seasonings.
• Keep a food diary over the holidays; this will help you keep "in check".
• Make time for yourself. Continue with your regular exercise or activity routine. Don't take 2 - 4 weeks off for what adds up to a few days of special parties.

Happy holidays everyone, and here's to good health in the New Year!

Noble Nutrition is located in Parksville. Call 951-0888 for individual consult or seminar information.

Anne Sands, BMGA Program Leader - Personal Excellence

Developing an Attitude of Ownership

In our "The Power of You" sessions, I have challenged our junior golfers to speak in the first person, using "I" instead of "you." This is one of the strategies to help them take ownership of their own feelings, actions, reactions and results in all the arenas of their lives (for example, to hold that the source of my experience of life and how I feel at any given moment is not outside of me - I am the source).

We have agreed to honor the request of using "I" rather than using "you" or "we." I notice that people in general have a tendency to say "I" when they like the result they have created and to say "you" or "we" when they don't, or when they are being humble. For instance, listen with an ear to ownership language in T.V., ie interviews with golf pro's during or after tournaments.

One of the objections people sometimes raise to speaking with "I" is the team builder's slogan:"There is no "I" in team." Even though the game of golf is not usually a team sport, we all live and work in teams of different sorts at various times during our life. For example, we all belong to the team we call "family." The slogan is designed to remind people that the result is the team's, not any one individual's. Unfortunately, taking the position that it is "our" result often produces only partial participation, in that responsibility for results doesn't fall upon any one individual.

It is accurate that the team produces the result. Everyone does contribute. However, it doesn't work for any one member to think that way.

The "ownership attitude" is the key position that supports success in any and all endeavors, whether they are team or individual efforts. In conversations with himself or herself, the person who approaches life through the ownership attitude says, "This is my team, my result, my family, my city, my school, my company." This thinking supports full participation in creating the desired outcome. From the ownership attitude, I take responsibility for the result. Even if I don't like the result, by owning it, I am now in a position of power to change it or do something different, versus blaming someone or something outside of me and waiting for them or it to change.

Penny McGuire, BMGA Program Leader - PowerYoga

To lengthen and prepare your hamstrings and back before your game, try this simple, quick stretch. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and parallel. Bend your knees a little and slowly roll your upper body down towards the ground, like you are trying to touch your toes - but without 'reaching'. Exhale on the way down and when you get as far down as comfortably can, stay there and let your shoulders and arms dangle freely. Relax your jaw and neck and feel gravity release any tension in your upper body. If you feel straining in your legs or back, come up until this diminishes. When you are ready to come up, begin with a long inhale and slowly roll up. You can repeat this 3 or 4 times to really feel the benefit, see the increase in your range of motion and prevent injuries during your game.

Brandon Guile, Teaching Professional, Brent Morrison Golf Academy at Glengarry Golf Links

Don't let the Wet Coast get you down. The rosebuds and magnolias will be blossoming again before you know it, stirring those golf desires within. The winter does, however, provide us with the opportunity to get that edge on your golfing buddies that every golfer is looking for.

This is the season! Make a conscious decision to take the steps now to improve your golf game. Most people put away their clubs during the winter for other activities, like turkey and stuffing. But those who truly love the game cherish the adventures that winter golf has to offer.

For those who are dedicated to improving their golf, taking advantage of the winter months is critical in developing the technical aspects of your swing. I'm here to tell you now that there is no secret recipe to better golf. However, with 10-15 minutes a day of technical work through the off-season, and some CPGA professional direction, you can come shooting out of the gate in time for the Masters. Your foursome won't know what hit them!

Technical practice involves conscious awareness of swing movements, utilizing all of our body parts along with the club to put ourselves in proper positions throughout the swing. The challenge is to learn muscle memory. This is something that takes time. So, when doing technical practice, always do it slowly, holding positions and repeating them. Professionals can show you where you should be throughout the swing, but it is up to the individual to spend the time after the lesson, teaching their muscles and body parts to get into those positions without thinking about it. That's the challenge. Remember: a golf swing isn't solely bought, it's built. Time and effort are the best resources you can have.

Golfers who dedicate themselves to practicing specific technique will very quickly surpass others who just hit bucket after bucket of balls.
Practice should be specialized and managed to become effective. It's much better to hit 30 balls and focus 100% on the ball and the target than it is to hit 100 balls with less than 100% concentration and focus. Taking the technical practice to the range should start in slow movements first, such as half-swings. Focus on the ball and the clubface through the impact area. Baby steps are the key. Practice small swings and, as you improve, let the swing and your confidence grow together.

Use this season as your first step to improvement and contact a CPGA-certified Teaching Professional to help you tailor a routine of technical drills that will help you take your game to the next level.

Brent Morrison, Director, Brent Morrison Golf Academy at Glengarry Golf Links

The holiday break marks the end of the Technical Phase in our 10-month Junior Program. Our students have been working hard to implement swing changes and develop the muscle memory to take these changes with them into the Pre-Competitive phase of their program. When we reconvene on January 7, students will be switching gears to begin utilizing the different short game shots they have practiced. They will learn how and when to implement these short game techniques on the golf course, as well working on applying new mental techniques to improve their course management. Full-time students have reflected on their progress to date, identified their goals for the second term and will be developing their action plans for the Pre-Competetive phase over the holidays.

Parents of full-time students can expect to receive their son or daughter's Term 1 Evaluations over the next week. These evaluations will help parents develop a clear picture of their son or daughter's progress with us over the last four months ... helpful to local parents, but especially to those in different parts of Canada and our international parents, whom we may only see once a year! Evaluations will include summaries of each student's technical performance (skills & knowledge), attitude and work ethic, self-evaluation, goals for the next term and, if applicable, work experience.

On behalf of our staff, I wish you all the best in 2004!

Brent Morrison
Director, Brent Morrison Golf Academy at Glengarry Golf Links

Barrie McWha
Executive Professional, Glengarry Golf Links

Maureen Noble-Kilback
BMGA Program Leader (Nutrition)