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RURAL-URBAN RECORD, April 24, 2017 Page 15
Golfer’s
Guide
LaGrange Mayor Kim Strauss’s How to Help Kids get
7th Annual Charity Golf Classic into Golf
Saturday July 15, 2017
Golf is a game of skill
Questions or information please contact Mayor Kim that can take years, if not
Strauss at kimstrauss53@gmail or 440-355-5309 decades, to master. Many
golfers ?nd their time on
Tips for Newer Golfers the golf course both re-
warding and relaxing,
Few hobbies can be as enjoyable one moment and even on those days when
as frustrating the next as golf. Golfers know a great the fairways seem impos-
putt can be quickly followed by a bad tee shot, and sible to ?nd.
maintaining their composure through the highs and
lows of the game is a key to success on the links. Though many players
never swing a golf club
Maintaining that composure isn’t always easy, even until they reach adult-
for the professionals. It’s even more dif?cult for begin- hood, it’s never too early
ners, who quickly learn the game of golf involves more to hit the links. Some of
than just spending sunny weekend afternoons on pris- the world’s most accom-
tine golf courses. In fact, golf can be quite demanding, plished golfers, including
and beginners would be wise to heed a few tips before four-time Masters cham-
hitting the course. pion Tiger Woods, began
playing as toddlers, and
* Don’t commit to an expensive set of clubs right many feel that getting an
off the bat. Golf clubs can be very expensive, so be- early start can lead to a
ginners should buy an affordable secondhand set of more successful game
clubs so they can get the hang of what they like before down the road.
spending a lot of money. Visit a pro shop and explain
that you are just a beginner. The shop will likely make Getting kids into golf is
some valuable suggestions and might even let you try a great way for parents
out a pair of clubs. In addition, many driving ranges to bond with their children
allow customers to rent clubs, and this can be a great while enjoying the great
and inexpensive way to ?nd the right clubs for you. outdoors. Golf can also be
used to teach kids humili-
* Take lessons. Even ty, sportsmanship and the
the very best at self-teaching might ?nd it extremely importance of hard work.
dif?cult to become a self-taught golfer. When ?rst try- Thanks to the often frus-
ing your hand at golf, take some lessons and don’t trating nature of golf, par-
expect to be playing 18 holes any time soon. Before ents may ?nd it somewhat
hitting the course, where you might be discouraged challenging to instill a love structors may teach kids
and you might frustrate those gol?ng behind you, learn of the game in their young-
the fundamentals by taking a few lessons at the driv- sters. But there are ways
ing range. Learn from a professional, who won’t offer to introduce kids to this
you any hidden secrets to gol?ng glory (there aren’t wonderful game that kids
any) but will offer sound advice on the game’s funda- might just play for the rest
mentals. of their lives.
* Take the game home with you. Beginners can even · Focus on having fun.
take advantage of golf’s vast popularity by taking the Few, if any, golfers at your
game home with them. This doesn’t mean building local golf course on a giv-
a putting green in your backyard. Rather, purchase en weekend could say
some instructional DVDs to learn the game during with certainty that golf has
your down time throughout the week. Many golfers never frustrated them. The
don’t have time to hit the links during the week, but challenge of golf may be
they do have time to watch some DVDs when they get its most appealing char-
home from work. Such instructional DVDs can help acteristic to older players,
you master your grip and stance, which you can then but young kids can be
take with you to the course over the weekend. easily overwhelmed by the
challenges golf presents.
* Have fun. Golf is a fun game; it just takes time By focusing on having
to hone your skills. But even if you aren’t ready for fun instead of perfecting
the professional tour after your ?rst few rounds, you techniques, parents can
can still have fun. Don’t let some beginner’s frustra- get kids to look forward
tion, which every golfer experiences, ruin the fun of the to their time on the links.
game. Take note of your surroundings when you hit The more fun kids have,
the links, and appreciate the time you’re spending with the more likely they will be
your group. If the game becomes more a source of to embrace the game and
frustration than fun, then take a break and put in some its many challenges. Don’t
more work away from the course, be it at the driving put pressure on young-
range or studying at home. sters as they develop their
games, but encourage
them through their strug-
gles and reassure them
that you faced the same
obstacles when you start-
ed playing.
· Hire an instructor with
experience teaching chil-
dren. Instructors with ex-
perience teaching children
will understand the ba-
sics of the game and how
learning those basics pro-
vides a great foundation
for future enjoyment and
success on the course. In-
structors who have taught
kids in the past also know
that teaching youngsters
the ?ner points of golf re-
quires patience and en-
couragement. Ask a fellow
parent or an employee at
the club where you play to
recommend an instructor
for your child. And take ad- 56-Degree Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM6
vantage of any kids’ cours-
es your club offers.
· Purchase the correct
equipment. Even the best
golfers are bound to strug-
gle when using the wrong
equipment. While it might
be unwise to invest in es-
pecially expensive equip-
ment for youngsters likely
to grow out of it in a few
months’ time, deals can be
found on used kids’ equip-
ment. Used kids’ equip-
ment is typically subject-
ed to less wear and tear
than used equipment for
adults, as kids tend to play
less often and fewer holes
than adults when they do
play. But make sure to ?nd
correctly sized equipment
that kids feel comfortable
using.
· Play some holes. In-
the differences between
the types of clubs and how
to swing and putt. But golf
is most fun when players
are out on the links going
from hole to hole. Instruc-
tion is important, but don’t
forget to play a few holes
with your child each week
as well.
Golf is a challenging
game, but it’s one that can
be enjoyed by athletes of
all ages.
NOW
SCHEDULING
FOR OUTINGS!
WEEKEND
SPECIALS
WEEKENDS
AFTER 1:00 PM
9 Holes $9.00
w/ cart $15.50
18 Holes $15.00
w/ cart $25.00
16525 Indian Hollow Road, Grafton, Ohio 44044
440-355-5344
Reserve and League Golf Excluded from Special Rates
Whats in Their Bags?
Spieth & Mediate
Jordan Spieth
Dean & DeLuca Invitational, PGA Tour
Driver: Titleist 915D2
3-Wood: Titleist 915F
3-Iron: Titleist 716 T-MB
4-9 Irons: Titleist AP2
46-Degree Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM6
52-Degree Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM6
60-Degree Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM6
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Rocco Mediate
Senior PGA Championship,
PGA of America/PGA Tour Champions
Driver: PXG 0811
3-Wood: PXG 0341
5-Wood: PXG 0341
22-Degree Hybrid: PXG 0317
4-9 Irons: PXG 0311T
48-Degree Wedge: PXG 0311T
51-Degree Wedge: PXG 0311
56-Degree Wedge: PXG 0311
Putter: PXG Drone
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Source: www.pga.com/golf-equipment/winners-bag
WELCOME
BACK
GOLFERS!
Make Our Pub the
19th Hole!
Happy Hour in the Pub
Tues-Sat 4-6PM
OPEN Tues - Sat at 4pm
Appetizers • Sandwiches • Dinner
THE UNICORN RT. 57 GRAFTON
RESTAURANT 926-2621
AND PUB www.graftonunicorn.com
LEAGUES
WELCOME
WEEKDAY
SPECIALS
MON-THUR TILL 2:00 PM
& FRIDAY ANYTIME
Walking Rates
Reg. 9 Holes $9.00
Reg. 18 Holes $16.00
SENIOR & JUNIOR
9 Holes $8.00
18 Holes $14.00
Riding Rates
18 Holes & Cart
Seniors $22 & Reg. $25 each