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the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 01

table of contents 04

chesapeake yacht center

30

gadgets in golf

06

get the most out of your game

32

be a golf mentor

08

2017 PGA tour schedule

34

solving your driver shots

10

a studio built by warriors 4 warriors

conquering 36 the greens

12

2017 LPGA tour schedule

38

14

the most common golfing equipment

golf tips for 40 the field

practice makes 16 perfect

18

golf instruction online

20

maximizing your wedding budget

etiquette for 22 rookies

the right golf training

close your eyes 42 to make more putts

44

is a golf cart necessary?

how far 46 is “average”?

48

crossword puzzle

perfect shots

49

golf score cards

28

50

local business & service directory

because we don’t 24 always hit about love ‘n care, LLC

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 02

MY Prestige 630, My Lifestyle

We’re the Mid-Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay’s exclusive dealer for new Prestige Luxury Yachts. Experience the beauty and precision of these globally renowned yachts with us in the Chesapeake Bay!

BE YOURSELF, BE PRESTIGE FLYBRIDGE COLLECTION NEW 560 • 500 • NEW 460 • 420 COUPE COLLECTION NEW 560S • 500S • NEW 460S • 420S YACHTS DIVISION 750 • 680 • NEW 680S • NEW 630 • NEW 630S 410.823.BOAT | sales@cyc.yachts | 2780 Lighthouse Point | Baltimore, MD 21224 the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 03

c hesapea k e y a c h t c e n t e r

C

hesapeake Yacht Center is the Mid-Atlantic’s premiere source for new yacht sales and yacht brokerage.

Chesapeake Yacht Center was formed by two boaters who have decades of experience in boating and cruising on the Chesapeake Bay. After years and years of buying and running boats and many beverages shared complaining about the boat buying, servicing, and entire ownership experience, we decided to do something about it.

We started to research a new brand to the United States that we had seen reviewed on BoatTest.com and in magazines. Quickly all the complaining about the traditional boat buying experience was about to pay off. We started to write a business plan to present to the world’s largest boat builder here on the Chesapeake and after a month of meetings with Jeanneau/Prestige we had convinced the world’s largest boat builder that our dream of doing things differently would be something that they believed in also.

Chesapeake Yacht Center is very different from your traditional boat dealer. We offer a boutique experience, we offer a whiteglove service from shopping, settlement, delivery, maintenance and warranty, but not at premium price!

First off when you purchase a Prestige Yacht from Chesapeake Yacht Center you get a full two-year bow to stern warranty, complimentary weekly boat washes for the first season of ownership, an iPad loaded with VesselVanguard and every .pdf manual for the vessel. We also have two full time transient slips available for our customers at the Chesapeake Bay Hyatt Resort and Marina located in Cambridge, Maryland.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 04

There are several things besides our passion and understanding of Chesapeake Bay boating that we do differently. We know how valuable a weekend on the water is to you and your family with the short season we have here on the Chesapeake. Our commitment to warranty service is absolute. Our first priority is getting you out on the water as fast as possible.

Over the past years we have delivered many new Prestige Yachts to so many excited customers; these families are examples of our yachting family’s growth and a unified belief that things should be done differently.

We ask that if you are in the market for a new or used boat to please reach out to us so that we can show you our unique and appealing style.

About Prestige Yachts: Part of the world’s largest boat builder at over 8,000 sail and power boats a year. A group that had their start in boat building in 1884.

Jeanneau was founded in the late 1950’s and has grown and evolved to an extremely powerful builder, leveraging engineering expertise and economies of scale.

Until 2010 Prestige was branded with the Jeanneau name but since 2010 the Prestige name has been standing on it’s own.

About our Premiere Brokerage Program: Chesapeake Yacht Center goes above and beyond with allowing customers access to our wholesale detail and cleaning rates, we take the time to de-clutter, stage and professionally photograph your yacht before listing and marketing her. Our brokerage program is different than the rest because we take the same care in selling your yacht as we do in listing and representing our new yacht line.

Please call us or email us today to set up a showing and appointment to see our new yacht line-up or to get an accurate assessment out what your current yacht is worth and how we can help you better market and sell her!

For more information, please see our ad on pages 03 and 39 of the magazine. the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 05

get the most out of your game

re you an aspiring golfer A who doesn’t know where to start, or an intermediate golfer looking to improve your game?

This article is written for golfers of all skill levels who want to know what techniques they can try to improve their shots and lower their scores. Read on to find out how.

In order to be good at golf, one of the basic things that you need to take care of is your grip. It is good to know how the ball will act in response to your grip. The tighter you hold the golf club, the more likely it is that the ball will go to the right. The looser the grip, the more likely that the ball will go to the left.

Add power to your swing by using your body, not your arms. Lean in to power your shot. Turn with the ball on the downswing. This lets you use the power of all of the muscles in your body to get a better shot, instead of being limited to just your arm muscles.

Another helpful tip is to be sure that you are a positive role model on the course when it comes to sportsmanship. This will say a lot about your character and help to build up the relationship with whoever you are playing with. Never let competitiveness get in the way of friendship.

A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that you follow through with each shot that requires a full hit. This is helpful because you want to make the most out of your swing and stopping short may cause you to not hit the ball as far as intended.

If you want to get rid of a hook the first thing you should do is check your grip. If your grip is too strong, your right hand is rotated too far over your left hand, you should practice moving your hand to a more neutral position. This will open your club face at contact and should prevent the hook.

Additionally, always be sure to try to find the reason why things go wrong if you have a bad day or bad shot. It is common to blame outside factors for your shortcomings, but you will not become a better golfer unless you can narrow down how to improve.

We hope you enjoyed this article about improving your golfing game.

Hopefully, no matter what your skill level, you’ve learned something here that can improve your game and your overall skill as a golfer.

Apply these tips in your practice, play to see your scores drop and come out ahead of your opponents.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 06

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2017 PGA

TOUR SCHEDULE JAN 2-8 ♦ Hyundai Tournament of Champions ♦ Plantation Course ♦ Kapalua, Maui, HI JAN 9-15 ♦ SONY OPEN IN HAWAII ♦ Waialae Country club ♦ honolulu, HI JAN 16-22 ♦ CareerBuilder challenge ♦ PGA West Stadium Course ♦ La Quinta, CA JAN 23-29 ♦ Farmer’s insurance ♦ torrey pines golf course ♦ san diego, ca Jan 30-Feb 5 ♦ Waste Management Phoenix Open ♦ TPC Scottsdale ♦ scottsdale, AZ feb 6-12 ♦ at&t pebble beach pro-am ♦ pebble beach golf links ♦ pebble beach. ca Feb 13-19 ♦ genesis open ♦ riviera country club ♦ Pacific palisades, CA Feb 20-26 ♦ The Honda Classic ♦ pga national (champion) ♦ palm beach gardens, fl Feb 27-mar 5 ♦ world golf championships ♦ TBA ♦MEXICO CITY, MX Mar 6-12 ♦ valspar championship ♦ innisbrook resort ♦ palm harbor, fl Mar 13-19 ♦ ARNNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL ♦ BAY HILL CLUB & LODGE ♦ ORLANDO, fl MAR 20-26 ♦ World Golf Championships ♦ Austin Country Club ♦ AUSTIN, TX Mar 27- APR 2 ♦ Shell Houston Open ♦ Golf Cluib of Houston ♦ HUMBLE, TX Mar 13-19 ♦ Arnold palmer invitational ♦ bay hill golf club & lodge ♦ orlando, fl mar 20-26 ♦ wolrd golf championships ♦ austin country club ♦ austin, TX mar 20-26 ♦ puerto rico open ♦ coco beach golf club ♦ rio grande, PR Mar 27- apr 2 ♦ shell houston open ♦ golf club of houston ♦humble, TX Apr 3-9 ♦ masters tournament ♦ augusta national golf club ♦ augusta, GA Apr 10-16 ♦ RBC Heritage ♦ harbour town golf links ♦ hilton head island, SC apr 17-23 ♦ Valero Texas Open ♦ TPC San antonio ♦ san antonio, tx apr 24-30 ♦ zurich classic of new orleans ♦ tpc louisiana ♦ new orleans, la may 1-7 ♦ wells fargo championship ♦ eagle point golf club ♦ wilmington, nc may 8-14 ♦ the players championship ♦ TPC sawgrass ♦ ponte vedra beach, fl may 15-21 ♦ at&t bryon nelson ♦ four seasons resort & club dallas ♦ irving, tx may 22-28 ♦ Dean & deluca invitational ♦ colonial country club ♦ fort worth, tx may 29-jun 4 ♦ the memorial tournament ♦ muirfield village golf club ♦ dublin, oh jun 5-11 ♦ fedex st. jude classic ♦ TPC Southwind ♦ dublin, oh jun 12-18 ♦ US Open ♦ erin hills ♦ hartford, wi jun 19-25 ♦ travelers championship ♦ tpc river highlands ♦ cromwell, cti jun 26-jul 2 ♦ quicken loans national ♦ tpc potomac ♦ potomac, mdi jul 3-9 ♦ the greenbrier classic ♦ the greenbrier ♦ white sulphur springs, wvi jul 10-16 ♦ john deere classic ♦ tpc deere run ♦ silvis, il jul 17-23 ♦ the open championship ♦ royal birkdale ♦ southport, lancashire, ENG jul 17-23 ♦ barbasol championship ♦ robert trent jones trail ♦ auburn/opelika, al jul 24-30 ♦ rbc canadian open ♦ glen abbey golf club ♦ oakville, ontario, can jul 31-aug 6 ♦ world golf championships ♦ firestone country club ♦ akron, oh jul 31-aug 6 ♦ barracuda championship ♦ montrÊux golf & country Club ♦ reno, nv aug 7-13 ♦ pga championship ♦ quail hollow club ♦ charlotte, nc aug 14-20 ♦ wyndham championship ♦ sedgefield country club ♦ greensboro, nc aug 21-27 ♦ the northern trust ♦ glen oaks club ♦ old westbury, ny aug 28-sep 4 ♦ deutsche bank championship ♦ tpc boston ♦ norton, ma sep 11-17 ♦ bmw championship ♦ conway farms golf club ♦ lake forest, il sep 18-24 ♦ tour championship ♦ east lake golf club ♦ atlanta, ga sep 25-oct 1 ♦ presidents cup ♦ liberty national golf club ♦ jersey city, nj

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 08

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A STUDIO BUILT BY WARRIORS 4WARRIORS

K

nown to have the best yoga practice and studio on the east coast 4WARRIORS is place to be when it comes to developing a strong and deticated practice! We represent continued growth in every way,that touches the lives of many.

We are a united community built around a space where people can come together celebrating and creating peace.

Our community gatherings assemble in the name of yoga studios, trainings, special events and products around the world. People of all genders, age, and back grounds come together free to awaken to the truth that lies within.

4WARRIORS is a Baptiste Inspired Studio, practicing and teaching the Power Yoga method. Our practices are geared towards all levels and promise you to leave feeling invigorated and refreshed from the mind, body and spirit.

This practice is dynamic and functional, providing the right amount of challenge while practicing peace. Our power classes are heated to 90-95 degree temperature, providing a detoxifying sweat.

The space includes yoga rooms for classes, workshops, special events and teacher trainings. Our studio is also equipped with a meditation sanctuary for all to use on a daily basis. We have women’s and men’s bathrooms. We provide the comfortable down to earth yoga environment, while maintaining a clean and open space for all our guests. You will also notice our cozy massage room, with specialists that operate 7-days per week.

Our warm and vibrant staff and teachers are here to assist with any questions.

Call us TODAY and start your journey in becoming a true warrior of peace and together we will form our ultimate reality!

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 10

WARRI RS Contact us to find the class time for you. We are ready to lift up with you.

the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 11

2017 LPGA

TOUR SCHEDULE Jan 25-31 ♦ Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic ♦ Paradise Island, Bahamas Feb 13-19 ♦ ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open ♦ Adelaide, S. Australia Feb 20-26 ♦ Honda LPGA Thailand ♦ Chonburi, Thailand feb 27-Mar 5 ♦ HSBC Women’s Champions ♦ Singapore mar 13-19 ♦ Bank of Hope Founder’s Cup ♦ Phoenix, AZ Mar 20-26 ♦ Kia Classic ♦ Carlsbad, Ca Mar 27-Apr 2 ♦ ANA Inspiration ♦ Rancho Mirage, Ca Apr 10-15 ♦ LPGA Lotte championship BY HERSHEY ♦ KAPOLEI, Hi Apr 24-30 ♦ VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA TEXAS SHOOTOUT ♦ IRVING, TX may 1-7 ♦ LORENA OCHOA MATCH PLAY ♦ MEXICO DISTRIO FEDERAL, MEXICO May 15-21 ♦ Kingsmill Championship by JTBC ♦ WILLIAMSBURG, VA May 22-28 ♦ LPGA Volvik Championship ♦ ANN ARBOR, MI May 29-Jun 4 ♦ ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer ♦ galloway, NJ Jun 5-11 ♦ MANULIFE LPGA CLASSIC ♦ ONTARIO, CANADA Jun 12-18 ♦ Meijer Classic FOR SILMPLY GIVE ♦ GRAND RAPIDS, MI Jun 19-25 ♦ Walmart NW Arkansas PRESENTED BY P&G ♦ Rogers, Ar Jun 26-Jul 2 ♦ KPMG Women’s pga championship ♦ olympia fields, IL Jul 3-9 ♦ THORNBERRY CREEK LPGA CLAssic ♦ oneida, wi Jul 10-16 ♦ US WOMEN’S OPEN CONDUCTED By the usga ♦ bedminster, nj Jul 17-23 ♦ MARATHON CLASSIC BY OWENS CORning ♦ sylvania, oh JUL 24-30 ♦ aberdeen asset management scottish open ♦ n. ayrshire, scotland Jul 31-aug 6 ♦ Ricoh women’s british open ♦ fife, scotland AUG 14-20 ♦ solheim cup ♦ west des moines, ia Aug 21-27 ♦ CANADIAN WOMEN’S OPEN ♦ ontario, canada AUG 28-Sep 3 ♦ CAMBIA PORTLAND Classic ♦ PORTLAND, OR SEP 4-10 ♦ INDY WOMEN IN TECH BY GUGGENHEIM ♦ INDIANAPOLIS, IN SEP 11-17 ♦ The Evian Championship ♦ evian les bains, france SEP 25-Oct 1 ♦ Mckayson new zealand women’s open ♦ auckland, new zealand Oct 2-8 ♦ alisports reignwood ♦ beijing, china Oct 9-15 ♦ lpga keb hana bank championship ♦ incheon, korea Oct 16-22 ♦ swinging skirts Taiwan Championship ♦ Taipei, Taiwan OCT 23-29 ♦ sime darby LPGa malaysia ♦ kuala lumpur, malaysia OCT 30-NOV 5 ♦ toto japan classic ♦ IKIBARI, JAPAN NOV 6-11 ♦ blue bay lpga ♦HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA Nov 13-19 ♦ CME Group Tour Championship ♦ Naples, Fl. The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 12

WHAT WE DO? Effectual, Compassionate & Specialized Services.

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the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 13

the Most Common Golfing Equipment

or a person to thoroughly enjoy any sport, it would be best for him Fto have the proper equipment. Golf is

just one of those sports that require a person to know the different kinds of golfing equipment if a person wants to completely understand the game.

Basics #1 - Golf Attire All the golf ranges have their own set of golf dress codes. A person cannot just enter a golf range with whatever attire and expect that he would be permitted to play. Though the dress code depends on the golf range, the universal set of golf attire is a clean collared polo shirt and golf pants. A golfer should avoid wearing jeans and cargo pants to the field. Rubber shoes are also not allowed inside, as they tend to ruin the grass. A good pair of golf shoes is highly recommended.

Basics #2 – Golf Ball The golf ball is a small ball that is covered with dimples. It is typically white, though there are also golf balls available in bright neon colors, to make it easier for the golfer to locate.

This is one piece of equipment that has strict regulations. For example, golf balls are not allowed to be used until they have passed the test of approval by the R&A and the US Golf Association.

There are two common types of golf balls: recreational and advanced.

Basics #3 - Golf Club This is used to hit the ball. In a regular game, the maximum number of clubs a person is allowed to carry is 14.

It is important to know the different kinds of golf clubs as each type results in different flight distance and degree of loft. The basic kinds of clubs are putters, wedges, irons, woods and the hybrid club.

Optional #1 - Golf Tee This equipment is used to elevate the ball from the ground and provide an easier shot for the player. It is a tiny spike, which has a cup at the top where the ball is placed. It is pushed into the ground and can only be used at the start of the round.

Optional #2 - Ball Marker This object is used to mark the exact spot the ball landed, just in case the player has to temporarily remove the ball. Though players are not allowed to move their ball, there are still exceptions to the rule. One exception is when the ball lies directly on the putting line of the opponent and needs to be temporarily moved out of the way.

Optional #3 - Golf Bag This is an elongated bag mainly for golf clubs storage. It is characterized by a number of pockets at the side for additional golf equipment compartments. There are different bags depending on how it would be carried.

There are shoulder bags, two-wheeled cart bags, and bags for golf carts.

There are a lot more golf equipment. A player does not need all of it. It would be best for him to identify the optional equipment that he would be actually using to help improve his game.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 14

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praCtice makes perfect

ave you been trying to improve H your golf swing but to no avail?

Just like what most of the greatest players have said, “A golf swing is like a fingerprint, no two are alike.”

If you have been watching some of the world’s best players and if you have read the biographies or golf instruction books of some of golf’s legendary players and instructors, you will notice each has a style of their own.

One of the best players to have ever played the game was Ben Hogan. Having won more than 60 professional tournaments in his career including all of golf’s four major tournaments, you would not believe he had a golf swing problem which is known to golfers as “hooking.”

Hooking is when the golf ball tends to veer towards the left side of the fairway. Hogan, who is actually left handed as he has stated in one of his books, played with his right hand and used a strong grip. This was theorized as the reason for his hooking the ball.

To solve this problem, Hogan developed a swing which would be known as “The Secret.” Revealed in several magazines some years back and which were based on observations done while Hogan was actually playing, the ball striker’s swing consisted of using a slightly weaker grip, opening the clubface during the takeaway using the wrists and then using his right knee as a trigger to initiate the downswing.

This swing is now known the world over as the “Hogan Fade.”

The golfer who instilled the importance of practicing has written two golf instruction books, Power Golf and Five Lessons, the legendary golfer talks about the basic essentials of having a consistent and good golf swing. In the book the golfer also known as “The Hawk” explains the importance of how to hold the club the right way, how to address the ball correctly and how to swing the club from the takeaway to the follow through. You can also now catch his golf instruction online, by typing “Ben Hogan’s Timeless Tips” or “Ben Hogan Swing Keys.”

Golfing equipment also plays an important role in playing good golf.

Over the years a lot of modifications have been developed in terms of golf clubs, putters, golf balls and other golf training aids.

Unlike before where golfers could only check their swing if they took a video of themselves hitting the ball, advance technology has made it possible to analyze a golfer’s swing inch by inch.

In this way, a golfer’s bad habit could be easily corrected by providing the appropriate golf training aids and golfing equipment.

From putting green to golf swing trainers to practice nets for the garage and a whole lot more to choose from, you can be sure your golf game would improve tremendously if you keep using these devices consistently.

Take it from Ben Hogan the golfer who has been tagged by his peers as the guy who gave the word “practice” a whole new meaning since he was known to have trained the most among all of them during their time.

Practice really does make it perfect!

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golf instrUction ONLINE

one are the days when golf clubs used to be sticks and pebbles G were used as golf balls! The first ever

sale of a set of golf clubs is credited to James IV. Formalwear while playing golf also became a trend in the early 1900s, with Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones leading the pack.

In regards with their golfing equipment, the wooden clubs were made of hickory wood and were handmade.

Iron clubs were heavier then but evolved into steel shafts and later shifted to graphite. Golf balls started out with rubber which flew quite a distance before the dimpled ball was introduced by William Taylor.

In this time of digital technology, modifications on golfing equipment could easily be improved. Now clubs could be tested first and players could check out a review on a certain set of clubs before deciding if they would get one.

Descriptions of the clubs, how they react and how they rate compared to other clubs could assist a player in making the right choices.

Golf training aids are also great tools to use for the busy handicapper. Usually the devices that help improve one’s swing are very portable and easy to carry since they are also meant to be used outside the golf course. This gives a golfer more time to practice even when he is at the comfort of his own home.

Video analysis gadgets are very much in the market nowadays too. The latest software for swing analysis that can be used on tablets and portable devices

that can measure the speed of the ball is readily available.

Books and DVDs on the game of golf are also part of golf training aids which could help both beginners and low handicappers alike. Swing fixes, experiences of professional golfers, golf games for both junior and adult golfers make up this catalogue of books about golf.

A lot of professional golfers endorse golf training aids and golfing equipment, sometimes even wearing the company’s logo while playing a tournament. Some of them have even made a golf instruction video on their field of expertise in the game.

Johnny Miller, winner of two major tournaments and 25 PGA Tour events, together with Top 100 teachers Brady Riggs, Brian Mogg, Rick Grayson, Mitchell Spearman and Kellie Stenzell are just a few of the professionals who have done golf instruction online.

Using the hips for power, eliminating a slice, how to make a sandy birdie, different types of shots and how to address the ball correctly are just a few examples of the tips you can learn.

Updates and the latest golf news could also be found easily, especially if someone is looking for a golf instruction online. Even junior golfers could simply find the most suitable golfing equipment, golf training aids and golf instruction online.

Learning a thing or two from these mediums is not a bad thing if it means shaving off a few strokes on the scorecard.

Even though golf has evolved over the years, its main concept of hitting a ball with a long stick remained the same.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 18

www.SpinCityPro.com

DISC JOCKEY, VIDEOGRAPHY, & PHOTOBOOTH After Leaving NYC for film school in Washington D.C., DJ Kurtiz began performing the hottest weddings in Baltimore and DC. High-Quality, reliable service at a low price and with a great personality. DJ Kurtiz is awesome!

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great personality. DJ Kurtiz is awesome!

maximizing your wedding budget

W

eddings are but one day, Marriage is a lifetime. Yet it seems sometimes that the wedding day can cost a lifetime in money and effort to get from proposal to honeymoon.

Wedding Expert, DJ Kurtiz Schneid of Spin City Productions serves brides in YOUR WEDDING DESERVES the Baltimore and Washington DC areas by advising how to maximize the ENTERTAINMENT .

GREAT budget and hire the best entertainment to give them the biggest bang for their buck.

“One of the best ways to earn a return on your wedding expenses is to start with a high-rewards credit card,” says DJ Kurtiz. The budget will be spent either way, so running all of the expenses thru a high-rewards card gives you a great return on what you are already doing. “One of my clients received an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii as her second honeymoon... for FREE!”

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1. Get married on Friday or Sunday. Most venues and vendors have lower rates for non-Saturday events. Using the holiday schedule can present interesting options and save you thousands.

2. Flowers make any setting more beautiful, but can dominate a wedding budget. Many brides use real flowers for bouquets and bootaniers but supplement the decorations with faux flowers. They look great and save money. “My wife and I bought a used collection of Faux Flowers on eBay. They look amazing in our wedding photos. Then, we sold them on eBay for more than we paid for them, LOL!”

3. Also, we saved several Hundred dollars on our delicious cake. Guests still remark on how they enjoyed that towering desert. The secret is that the cake was fake too. All but the top. Our baker loaned us this Three-Level display cake and topped it with a small 7” real cake for us to cut into for the Cake Cutting Ceremony. In the kitchen, the staff sliced sheet cakes and served them to the guests. Nobody knew, asked, or cared. The cake was a huge success.

4. Finally, accept the help that is being offered to you. So much goes into the planning and paying for this day and everyone knows it. Many The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 20

friends and family are willing and able to help. So let them. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much stress and anxiety can be relieved by delegating duties and accepting assistance.

When it comes to hiring entertainment for your reception, DJ Kurtiz recommends that brides look at four factors: What to look for when hiring a Disc Jockey.

1. Quality: Your event is a very important one-shot deal. The person you hire must be qualified. Just because someone has gear or performs in other events does not make them the “Right” person for the job. Not only do they need high-quality gear but also high-quality business operations, insurance, and reputation.

2. Reliability: Is the person you are hiring reliable? Do they show up on time?

Can you count on them, their car, their gear, and their business to deliver what you are expecting? In other words, do you breath a sigh of relief when you think about this person running your event? If not, choose someone you can count on.

3. Price: Rates vary from company to company and it is sometimes difficult to compare one entertainer to another. Adding to the confusion is the emergence of a High-End Market. Some consumers are expecting to pay high rates believing that the high price equates to high-quality. Often they end up paying much more money for much less entertainment. The best thing to do is look for value not price. Investigate who that performer is and why their rates are what they are. You should find that you may pay a couple of hundred more but you’ll have a team member that improves the overall experience of all of your guests.

Now, once you have eliminated the unqualified, the unreliable and the over or under priced, you are left with a small pool of individuals. From here you choose based on personality.

4. Personality: The person you hire will be working with you to develop your itinerary, so pick someone who you can get along with. Also, this person will be at your event speaking on the microphone to all of your guests, so pick someone who can relate to you and your family. A great DJ will not only play your favorite songs but will guide your guests thru the Itinerary of the Best Wedding they have ever attended.

At SpinCityPro.com we offer Disc Jockey, Videography, and Photobooths for some of the most amazing events in Baltimore and Washington, DC. For more information on how you can design the best event for your guests, contact us today!

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etiquette for rookies

ou have to be polite to play golf?

Y Well... sort of. After all, golf is a gentlemen’s game. Of course, you are not expected to follow every single unwritten rule of the game, but here a few you should pinpoint on…

Number One If you hit an errant shot (and trust me, you will) please yell “FORE” to warn nearby players. The last thing you need is a potential lawsuit on your hands because you didn’t open your mouth.

Number Two If you are playing ahead of a clearly more experienced and skilled group, please let them play through. You will save them a lot of frustration and yourself a lot of embarrassment if you happen to have a rough day.

The rangers on the golf course also appreciate if you keep up with the “pace of play” as they call it and this is easily accomplished by letting the big hitters be on their way.

Number Three This is an important one to follow and the rest of your friends will appreciate if you abide by it.

NEVER, under any circumstance, walk through the line of your buddy’s putt on the green. They’re worried enough about accounting for the break, speed, and slope of the green. The last thing they need is to figure out how to hit over your big fat shoe mark in the middle of their line. These are just a few simple tips

to follow when on the course but their importance is unmatched.

Earlier this month, I wrote an article explaining how out of the loop some new golfers are with the etiquette of the game and just how detrimental that is. No one can really fault you for having a poor day at the course if you are truly giving forth your best effort and just not getting results.

However, if you are being arrogant or violating the unwritten rules of golf over and over, you may get a well-justified earful after the round has concluded.

And rightfully so.

Another huge and crucial mistake most amateurs make is neglecting the mental aspects of the game. I’m not arguing against the fact that technique and fundamentals go a long way, rather pointing out that your performance can be heavily influenced by your attitude. If you are someone who has a quick temper, you need to address that immediately and leave the pouting at home. Getting down on yourself NEVER helps in the sport of golf. You will begin to cloud your head with negative thoughts to the point where you can hardly make contact with the ball anymore. Keeping a positive attitude before, during, and after the round is half the battle and you will notice results immediately. Golf is a game that takes quite some time to finally “master” so a good attitude will only speed up this process. As with any sport, one mistake can often snowball into many more if complemented by a negative attitude.

Keep that in mind next time you pick up (or want to throw) a golf club.

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because we don’t always h i t p e rf e c t s h o t s

J

ust when you think you have hit a great tee shot way up in the air, clear of the water and bunker ahead, you can’t imagine what could possibly go wrong! And then all of a sudden (thud) it lands in the rough. Sometimes this lie may not be bad at all; the grass is at times the perfect cut and acts as a tee for your next shot. Of course we can never get that lucky in this sport so it’s now time to learn how cope with this obstacle.

First, assess just how deep the grass is. Try to judge how much grass you are going to catch on the downswing at impact.

If you think your swing speed will be drastically reduced then you may need to club up. For example, if you are 150 out in the deep rough, a 6 Iron may play better than a 7.

Once you have the right club, it’s time to move onto the setup.

The setup. If you are using a 5 Iron Wedge, place the ball in the middle of your stance to ensure you make downward contact on the ball. This type of contact will allow you to get the ball nice and high in the air, which is vital to lifting the ball out of the rough.

However if you do have a 3 Iron or wood in hand, place the ball about an inch more forward in your stance. These clubs are designed to “launch” the ball by making contact on the upswing.

Utilize these keys next time you find yourself off the fairway and there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy better approach shots. Of course repetition will make the difference in the end so do not expect to master this skill right away! Happy golfing!

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ab o u t l o v e ‘ N c a r e , l l c

L

ois Ecker started Love ‘N Care in 1999 with over 48 years of experience in newborn care, health care, and the corporate world. Lois has an advance degree in Management, Health Care Administration, is Internationally Board Certified as a Lactation Consultant, a Certified Lactation Educator, Certified Postpartum Doula, and Certified Educator of Infant Massage, American Red Cross Babysitter Instructor, and Children and Teens Etiquette Instructor. She holds nine certifications, seven member affiliations, and over 30 certificates in breastfeeding and newborn care.

Lois saw the need for professional training and placement for care providers after seeing how newborns and children were being cared for around the MD and DC areas. Lois was appalled when she witness several child care incidences where children where injured at the playground and the care providers were too busy on their phones, reading a book, and /or not paying attention to their charges. After witnessing newborns wrapped in blankets with stuffed animals and pillows in bassinets with the baby Lois decided that care providers needed to be trained. Just hiring a care provider with numerous years of experience means nothing without proper training. This was evident when care providers could not pass a written exam on basic newborn care.

Lois has been a speaker on Infant and Child Safety, Breastfeeding, Transition into Parenthood, Role of the Postpartum Doula, and has served on several parenting Expert Panels. She has also been a Breastfeeding Instructor for one of the local hospitals in Washington, D.C. area.

Love ‘N Care believes in giving back to the community and donates 10% of the profits to various non-profits that devote their cause to educating, caring, providing a home for children, and research for newborns and children.

Our belief is you should work hard, give thanks for what you have and help those who are in need.

Love ‘N Care understands that finding and hiring a competent home

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staff to help care for your family can be a daunting task. We know how you feel leaving a loved one in the hands of a stranger. That’s why we refer only the best qualified and most dedicated Care Providers. Love ‘N Care is the Care Provider of choice; recommended by physicians, area hospitals, former clients, and other health care professionals.

What sets us apart? Our high ethical and professional standards. The safety and well being of all our clients are our number one priority. We have a strict ethical code of conduct that all of our Care Providers adhere to.

Your Peace of Mind is Our First Priority Love ‘N Care has a reputation for excellence! We base our success on our referrals and repeat clients! We build relationships, we get calls from parent’s years after we took care of their first babies to come back and help them again! We pride ourselves on providing nannies, doulas, newborn specialists, and companions that have undergone the most extensive and thorough screening available, including but not limited to, finger printing through the State and FBI, DMV reporting, and of course a rigorous interview process with a verbal and written exams. We are solemn about building an exceptional and reliable home service providers as you are about providing the best care for your family.

Through our extensive screening and interview process, we personally match your family with reliable, experienced, and educated professional providers. Love ‘N Care looks for newborn specialists, childcare, and senior providers who make safety their number one priority and involve your children and seniors in fun-filled activities.

Love ‘N Care specializes in consulting with families and professional care providers. We are a trustworthy source for newborn, childcare, and senior solutions that exceed your family’s anticipations. Our goal is to make the process of finding superior care a pleasant, stress-free experience by saving time that is required by parents to recruit, prescreen and schedule professional care. We train our nannies, newborn specialists, and postpartum doulas. Our care providers are required to pass a written, verbal, and demonstrational exam.

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g a d g ets i n g o l f

D

o you ever feel like you know just enough about golf gadgets to be dangerous? Let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from golf gadgets experts.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of golf gadgets is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about golf gadgets.

There are tons of golf gadgets out there, mainly because of the incredible increase in popularity of the sport. The more people who are ready to play the game, the more they’re all looking for ways to improve their game. The result is that an industry that was doing fairly well before has boomed. There are entire companies built around a single golf gadget, and the results range from incredible golf aids to the ridiculous contraptions. Take a look at some of your options.

If you’re having trouble finding time to hit the driving range and your backyard is too limited for driving practice, you have some options. You can play virtual golf, but this lacks the satisfying feel of the club striking the ball. You might find that a limited flight ball is the answer you’ve been looking for. These are just what the name implies. You have a ball that you place on the tee, then hit just like any other ball. But the ball won’t travel outside a particular area. Or you can work with a regular ball and a net. The catch here is that you have to hit the net - every time.

Of course, putting pads and practice aids for your putting game have been around for ages. Give yourself the advantage of practice time in your office or living room. Choose from kits that are as simple as a pad with a cup, or those that offer features such as ball return.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 30

If you’re into technology, you might find good use for a digital scorekeeper. Not only do you have an immediate way of tracking your score on the course, you have a digital record that you can save and Instantly recall scores from past games to help improve your current game.

Every dedicated golfer has probably been at the receiving end of some silly golf gifts. Think covers for your golf clubs - from handmade crochet covers to cutesy cartoon characters and everything in between. There are probably few ideas for golf club covers that haven’t been tried on the market and these seem to be universal golf gifts. Covers do serve a purpose and many golfers are even secure enough to walk the course with tigers and mouse heads proudly protruding from the golf bag.

Are you having trouble lining up the exact spot you should be aiming for on the golf ball? You can find a stencil to help. Simply use the stencil to mark the ball, place it on the tee as directed, and you’ve got a clear target.

How about a metronome? No, you’re not going to be taking your guitar onto the golf course, but a golf metronome can help you work on the rhythm of your swing.

There’s no doubt that the golfers have tons of gadgets to choose from. Many offer real help to the golfer, while others are simply ways to collect money for a useless product. Some of these gadgets and gizmos will be completely wasted on one golfer but will be just what another needs to improve their golf game.

Is there really any information about golf gadgets that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

Author Bio Author J. Brian Keith is a proud contributing author for Golf Balls, Exercise Equipment and enjoys writing about many different topics. Please visit my other web sites for Golf Articles and Free Photo Sharing. the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 31

be a golf me nt o r

T

hose of us who have been playing golf for any length of time understand that it is more than just a game. There’s no denying that golf instills certain physical attributes and that it’s good exercise but there’s more to it than that, and most golfers that I know would wholeheartedly agree. That extra component that

golf offers its players is a set of life skills that serve us daily — whether we know it or not.

This holds true for new golfers as well as they begin to learn the game and appreciate its overall value not just on the course but in life in general.

But golf isn’t like basketball or soccer or baseball when it comes to our younger

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 32

players. Kids who want to play but don’t have the resources to buy the needed equipment or mentors to teach them the game are pretty much left out. The truth is golf can be horribly expensive, even at the junior level.

So what can the average Joe do about this? That depends on how much you want to do. If you live a metro area, chances are there are mentoring programs already in place.

A call or visit to one might lead you into taking personal active action by becoming a mentor. If you don’t have the time or feel as if you don’t have the skills to teach others, perhaps you can do other things to help the program.

If you live a rural area or an area that simply doesn’t have a golf mentor program at all, well, consider creating your own mentoring program. You don’t have to be a pro to teach a youngster the fundementals of the game. Schedule a chat with your course manager and discuss the idea with him or her and see if you can’t work something out.

If you’re not the mentoring type, consider donating to a program. Many golfers (at least the ones I know) have old clubs and bags sitting in their garages that they will never use again. Why let them gather dust and spider webs? Give them to a program of your choice and let someone else enjoy them. Even if you only have a few old clubs (meaning less than a full set, or even an old putter or driver)... donate it to them.

Frankly, I think it’s something of a shame that kids who can’t afford clubs or have no one to teach them this game are left out. It doesn’t have to be that way, and you could be the one to change that in your community. the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 33

solving your driver shots

any golfers have a problem with their M drives. On this page readers

will learn how to properly drive the golf ball. Every golfer knows that the first tee box is a scary sight, with many viewers ready to judge your entire golf game off the first shot you take. However, just like any other sport, the start of a match can set the tempo for your entire game. This is why learning how to hit a successful driver shot can benefit you tremendously.

A successful driver shot in golf can you set you up in better position for the rest of your shots on the current hole you are playing. An unsuccessful driver shot can lead to disaster in your golf game, causing you to have to take extra strokes, or causing you to play your ball on an unfavorable lie. These steps will hopefully allow the viewers to gain a hold on their driver shots, which will improve their entire game as a whole.

The first step to hit a successful driver shot is to ensure that you have the proper equipment tailored to your game. The modern day driver has various customized features that one can apply to their weapon of choice. You first must get your driver sized properly according to your height and arm length. This will make sure that you are not swinging a club that is too large or too small. Another feature that is customizable on a driver is the degree of the driver head.

Many divers allow you to change the angle of the head to provide either more of a draw to their shot, or more of a slice in some situations. The shaft of the driver also allows for some change, providing either a flex or stiff shaft type.

A stiff shaft does not bend during your shot, and is more consistent in many cases. A flex club provides a bit more torque while swinging the club, although is harder to control. No matter how you choose to create your driver,

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♌ advertising to move your business forward ♌ 34

you want to make sure it matches your style of play.

The second step to producing a successful drive is your setup to the ball. You must first use a tall tee to raise the ball. You usually want the ball height to be about ½ of an inch above your club when placed in front of it. Once you have finished placing the ball in the corresponding fashion, you must approach the ball and focus on your driver stance. Unlike many irons, the driver is almost always played on your front foot. In order to match the weight of the club, place your front foot even with the ball. Next, make sure you have a slight bend in your knees, allowing you to swing with more degree of motion on your swing.

Once you have set up to the ball correctly, you can now focus on the actual swing itself.

Yes it is true, everybody will obviously not have the same exact same swing, but there are key pointers in your swing that a successful driver swing possesses. The first component of a smooth driver swing is the player’s grip on the golf club.

It is important that the player holds the club in a relaxed manner, because if the club is held too tight, the player will roll their wrists over, causing the ball to hook. If a player is too loose with his grip, the club face will open up, causing the ball to slice instead. The next step to a correct driver swing is to remain calm and collected in your downswing.

Once you bring your club back to a comfortable height, you must fight your first instinct, and control your club on the way down.

Many beginner golfers feel that in order to crush the golf ball, you must swing as hard as you can. This is hardly the reality of the matter. Remaining calm and collected on your downswing allows your body to remain loose, instead of tensing up and losing control of the club. Remaining loose allows your muscles in your body to act as rubber bands and produces a whip like motion, creating the overall power in your shot. Although it might seem awkward not to swing as hard as you can, it will prevent you from losing your eye on the ball and much of the time, force your body to raise up and top the ball. the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 35

conquering the greens

nvision this scenario: you have just launched a E beautiful driver shot off the

tee and followed it up with an even better approach shot from the fairway. As a result, the ball is sitting 10 feet from the cup with a chance at birdie! You are probably feeling pretty good until you walk up to grab your putter and think to yourself “what on Earth do I do now?” You would be like many golfers who haven’t quite yet developed the skill of reading a putt.

In essence, you are attempting to envision the path your ball is going to take to hear that wonderful sound of the bottom of the cup. There are numerous factors that play into this potential success and we will review them here.

First things first. Determine an estimate of the distance your putt will need to travel. If the ball is a mile away from the hole and on the green, you need to adjust your strategy.

You cannot realistically go for the hole and expect to make it from 40 feet and out.

Instead, deploy the “lag” shot as it is called. This is a shot in which you do your best

to get it relatively close to the hole in order to give yourself a true chance of sinking the next putt. On your way to grabbing the flagstick out of the hole, attempt to eyeball the distance by pacing off the walk carefully.

There is a rule of thumb that for every foot of distance the club needs to be taken back 1 inch on the backswing (use that simply as a guide). Next, determine the bend or slope of the green.

Not every putt is going to travel on a straight path towards the hole and you must realize that and account for it. Putts with a lot of break should fall into the cup from the side of the hole, not the front like most straight traditional putts. This allows you to really play the break and give you a better chance to hole out the putt. If you can’t determine the slope of a green, know that if there is water involved that the green USUALLY falls towards that hazard. The slope and break of a putt are the two biggest components of any putt. For example, if a putt has a lot of break but is downhill, you will need to compensate for the break more. The reason for this is that a slower putt will experience the full force of the break as opposed to a faster hit uphill putt. One last thing to keep in

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 36

mind is how to address putting out of the fringe. The fringe often outlines the greens and contains a thicker cut. Therefore the ball will slow down when traveling through it, so please take that into account and add speed to your putt. These are just a few simple keys to abide by around the greens and following them will work wonders on your game.

Do not be deceived by how much I have stressed the importance of hitting the “long ball” and approach shots. While it is absolutely imperative you have this part of your game down to get on the greens, what you do when you’re on the dance floor is just as important. You can hit the prettiest drive and stick your approach shot close and be looking at a birdie opportunity! But then if you three or even worse four putt, no one will remember your first two great shots. Today we are going to learn the bare bones basics of a solid, working putting stroke. Everyone please take heed; even you “big hitters” out there.

The Stance/Setup Often overlooked, this is the point at which the success (or lack thereof) is determined. If you want to put more putts in the bottom of the cup then you need to be careful how you set up.

• Aim to have your eyes over the ball and place the ball up in your stance; off your left foot • Grip hands with palms opposite of each other (one palm facing the other) • Grip should be about 6 on a scale of 10; relaxed and loose grip is always better

The Stroke Ensure shoulders are aligned parallel to the target line and form a triangle with your arms and hands.

• Maintain triangle throughout stroke and limit use of lower body • Pretend your arms form a pendulum; backswing should be the same tempo as downswing • Do NOT hesitate at any point. Trust your stroke and good things will happen Unfortunately you cannot just walk up and hit the ball hoping for the best like you can in miniature golf. Greens actually have varying slopes, ridges, and other obstacles that mean you have to account for the speed and break of each putt. Before you make your putt, squat down and do your best to read the slope and speed and then pick a “line” to the hole. From there, align your ball along that target you pictured in your head and just trust it.

Thinking too much is a silent killer for many putters on the green so don’t fall into a bad habit now. Happy putting! the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 37

the right golf training

golf training is not a Ttheaking big issue until and unless players get the right kind of trainers and these days the internet has come up with many options where the players can learn the various smart tricks and skills on the game.

Every skill in the world needs to be polished, and the game of golf is no exception when it comes to practicing the game.

Although there are several kinds golf training kits available in the market and online (where you can select according to your choices), it is very important that you know that these kits are not so useful when it comes to practicing. You can make sure that these kits are more commercial rather than being useful and you need to make sure that you are having the right kind of kit with you. The best guides will suggest you to look at the features of the golf training kits, where they also suggest you to practice with the chipping golf club as it is one of the essential parts of the game.

There are many people who think that golf training is really costly and they do not want to go through such an expensive route, but on the contrary these

kinds of training are very easy and cost-effective too.

There are many golfers who believe that a professional or an experienced golfer can train well, and they use the best putter for side saddle putting when it comes to making the best shot according to the need of the game. There are many other places from which the golfer can learn skills and the tricks of the game and be a professional by his or her own effort. The initiative must be taken with grace and confidence. These days the golfers are following various kinds of books, online sites and online tutorials when it comes to polishing their gaming skills and removing all the blunders from their games. They must learn the techniques and skills carefully to make sure that they do not repeat errors again and practice with more effort, for the players can be more confident if they see the uploaded videos in the training sites. They can also learn the right striking ways as well as seeing their mistakes, which they make ignorantly during the game and fail to impress their trainers.

There are many notable things which the players should learn, most of all the swings and strokes for the game.

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golf tips for the field

T

he players who want to play their best in the field should learn to be strong and use the best training equipments.

Any golf player would love to play their best game. There are different kinds of swings and strokes in the game of golf and players cannot make their best all the time. To make the best putting stroke all the time, players should remember that training is not enough, and it is also necessary to recognize your mistakes during the game and work to stop making them.

Flexibility training in the game of golf is very necessary as the players should learn time management on the very first level. It is one of the most valuable things in the game and the players who use it wisely are always winners who benefit that much more from the game.

When it comes to playing on the field, another important part of the game is strength training. This should be practiced at home to gain more stamina as the game

of golf demands it. The players can join a gym or take part in any other exercising as a way to increase the stamina and minimize the effort necessary to hit a high stroke in the huge field.

Do you prefer to use a minimal amount of training equipment? You can easily use the video streaming on golf sites which are available to train students to get more confidence in their gaming skills.

They will learn to notice incorrect movements in this way. With the right equipment and strength training, the players will be able to fight injuries and they can make the best of their game by reducing the chances of getting injured. They will learn to use the golfing equipment correctly, or purchase a DVD. An online tutorial is the best choice for a beginner, since they can get the best experience tips from experts who will help the players to learn more every day. Online you can find good tutors to help you make the best putting stroke all time.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♌ advertising to move your business forward ♌ 40

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close your eyes to make more putts

ears ago, I played in the Y Heather Farr Charity for the Blind tournament in Sun City, Ariz. I played with an English gentleman who had been blind since birth.

It was quite fascinating to watch him play, especially when he was preparing to hit a shot. His wife would walk him to the ball and help him set his club to the ball. He would then slide his hand down the shaft of the TaylorMade R1 Driver to feel the distance from the ball. It was an amazing thing to watch, and really opened my eyes to all the tools we golfers have to improve our feel. There are many senses we often take for granted.

While the Englishman did this routine for all his shots, he did something a little different with his putting that I think is something we all can learn from. I noticed that instead of walking him directly to the golf ball, the Englishman’s wife would take him to the hole and let him walk backward toward the direction of his ball for about five or six steps, then proceed to set up to the ball. After about four holes, I asked him why he would walk backward from the hole and what this did for his putting.

He explained to me that it allowed him to feel the way the green was

sloped close to the hole and he could only feel it when he walked backward as it would move his body as he walked. It was amazing how close he came to the hole with his putts. He shot a 92 with TaylorMade RocketBladez Irons that had much to do with his ability to putt!

I have not only used this method to “see” which way the ball will break to the hole for my own game, but have passed it along to many of my students. The reason why the golfer only needs to walk back about five or six steps from the hole is that the ball is slowing down at this point and will be most affected by the slope of the green then.

The next time out on the putting green, try this little exercise.

Stand facing the hole, then walk backward, allowing your body to follow the slope of the green.

If you feel yourself going downhill to the right, you’ll know that you’ll be putting uphill from left to right because you’re putting in the opposite direction that you’re walking. If you have a tough time seeing or feeling any slope, you can try closing your eyes. You’ll begin to notice the subtle breaks and make more putts every time.

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is a golf cart necessary?

G

olf carts were designed to transport golfers and their clubs from one hole to another. These days, nearly all golf trolleys are still used for this reason, however lots of people make use of these vehicles for other purposes. People utilize them for gardening, short-range transportation, security, event venues, and farming etc.

Mainly there are two types of carts: electric and gas-powered. Powered by a rechargeable battery, electric models are very popular on golf courses.

The average electric golf cart offers three to five horsepower. Depending on frequency of use and battery size, electric carts need to be recharged every couple of days. For transportation or other non-golf related activities, gas-powered carts are more commonly used. Operated using regular unleaded gasoline, an average gas powered cart has a horsepower of ten to twelve.

When compared to electric counterparts, gas-powered carts are very noisy and release harmful emissions into the environment. They require expensive gasoline to refuel. But electric carts are almost silent when running. They do not require fuel. Electric golf trolleys with updated batteries can go up to two rounds of golf on one charge.

When selecting a golf cart one of the key decisions is deciding between electric or gas powered carts. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Based on several factors, such as makes, models, and features, prices for both carts will be different. Normally, electric models are less expensive to purchase and their operating cost is lower than gas.

Before purchasing a golf trolley, buyers should think the number of passengers they want the cart to carry frequently. This can range anywhere from one to six people. Shoppers can opt for features to increase comfort, such as heating and air conditioning, leather seats, radios, built-in refrigerators, drink holders, or even GPS. Some carts have full canopies with windshields and even doors.

But some of them have no canopy to protect from debris or rain. The more features, the higher the cost. Thus buyers should think which features are most essential to make a smart investment.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♌ advertising to move your business forward ♌ 44

Commercial & Residential Cleaning

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C LE A N I N G IS O U R BU S IN ES S Window Cleaning Interior & Exterior

Power Washing Houses, Decks, Driveways, Roof, Fences, Outbuildings

Gary Preston REALTOR®

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transactions.

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the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 45

ho w far i s “a vera g e” ?

A

lot of golfers get bogged down in the numbers game, analysing their every shot, loft, number of spikes in their shoes, buttons on their trousers, etc. It all makes us feel better when we hit another errant shot. But a lot of people would like to know just what average is, so let’s crunch some of the numbers.

What is the average handicap?

According to this extract from the Daily Mail , the average for men and women is 15.2. However the average score is well over 100. Why such a disparity? Well, the majority of scores posted are by keen golfers; i.e. those who play often enough to get their handicap lower. Plus you’re less likely to post that 115 in the rain...

Are people honest about their handicap?

Golf digest states almost 90% of handicaps are truthful. What about the other 10%? These fall into the following categories: • Sandbaggers: these post artificially high scores so they have more of an advantage in net competitions. They may post very few scorecards, or even simply cheat to make their scores worse. They make up around 2% of golfers.

• Vanity handicappers: the opposite of sandbaggers, these golfers post only their very best scores, or embellish them to appear better. It is estimated these make up around 10% of golfers.

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 46

Scratch that, what are the driving distances A study from growingthegame.org demonstrated that the average drive for a 90-95 scoring male golfer is just 192 yards. For women scoring 95-100, the figure is 145 yards.

These figures taken from average golfer represent a lower handicap player: • • • • • •

Average driver distance, men: 200-260 yards.

Average driver distance, women: 150-200 yards.

Average 6 iron, men: 130-160 yards.

Average 6-iron, women: 70-130 yards.

Average pitching wedge, men: 80-120 yards.

Average pitching wedge, women: 50-80 yards.

Golfers overestimate their drivers by anything up to 20-30+ yards.

However, lower handicap players tend to be more accurate in their assessment.

How long should a round of golf take?

A round of golf is commonly quoted as lasting around 4-5 hours. However, this increases or decreases depending on your handicap. A study showed that 60% of use take 4-5 hours, however 40% of 0-9 handicappers get a round done in under 4 hours. 10% of 30+ handicappers take 5-6 hours to finish a round, looking for their lost balls presumably.

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dave.themdhometeam.com the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 47

crossword puzzle 1

3

2

4

5

6 8

7

9

10 11 13

12 14

15 16

17

ACR OSS

3. The intended path of the ball, usually referred to in the context of putting 4. The position of the feet at address 8.A complete miss (also known as an “air ball”) 9. The direction which the blades of grass grow, which is of primary importance on the greens 10. A score of two over par on a hole 11. The rotational movement or spin of the ball produced by contact with the clubface 14. Another term for a practice area (also known as a golf range, practice range or learning center) 15. The score an accomplished player is expected to make on a hole, either a three, four or five 17. A score of one under par on a hole

ACROSS 3.

4.

8.

9.

10.

11.

14.

DOW N

1 . The custom of hitting a second ball — without penalty — on a hole 2 . A person hired to carry clubs and provide other assistance 5 . The act of aligning the clubface to the target 6 . A swing flaw in which the lead elbow bends at an angle pointed away from the body, usually resulting in a blocked or pushed shot 7 . To successfully hit a shot from a poor location 1 2 . The placing and positioning of the hands on the club 1 3 . The proper distribution of weight both at address and throughout the swing 1 6 . A derogatory term describing poor play that results from nervousness

ANSWER KEY: 3. LINE, 4. STANCE, 8. WHIFF, 9. GRAIN, 10. DOUBLEBOGEY, 11. BACKSPIN, 14. DRIVINGRANGE, 15. PAR, 17. BIRDIE, 1. MULLIGAN, 2. CADDIE, 5. AIMING, 6. CHICKENWING, 7. RECOVER, 12. GRIP, 13. BALANCE, 16. CHOKE

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 48

golf score cards LENGTH PAR

+/-

BACK

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TOTAL

PLAYERS

HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

FRONT

DATE

+/-

1 2 3 4 5 6

LENGTH PAR

+/-

BACK

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TOTAL

PLAYERS

HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

FRONT

DATE

+/-

1 2 3 4 5 6

LENGTH PAR

+/-

BACK

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

TOTAL

PLAYERS

HOLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

FRONT

DATE

+/-

1 2 3 4 5 6

For the simplest way to keep score, just count the number of strokes you’ve taken on the hole just completed, and write that number down in the box corresponding to that hole on the scorecard. At the end of each nine holes, tally up the strokes for your front nine and back nine totals, respectively, then add up those two numbers for your 18-hole score. the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 49

local business & service directory Baby Nurses & Na n n i es

Love ’N Care, LLC...............................................................................13, 26

Babysittin g Servi ce

Love ’N Care, LLC...............................................................................13, 26

Baltimore City Ho u si ng

Dave Caplan - Keller Williams............................................................17, 47

Boat Sale s

Hawk’s Marine...........................................................................................23

Boat Detaili ng

Dirt Diva Cleaning Services......................................................................17

Certified Life Coa chi ng

MacroLife Coaching................................................................................25

Custom Decks & Outdoor Buildings

Harmony Home Remodeling LLC......................................................15, 41

Cus tom Ki tchen s & Tri m

Harmony Home Remodeling LLC......................................................15, 41

Cus tom Pa i nti ng

GMG Enterprises Inc...........................................................................27, 45

Deck Cle ani ng

GMG Enterprises Inc...........................................................................27, 45

Drug & alcohol Reha bilitation

Recovery Bootcamp.....................................................Front Inside Cover

Golf Apparel

Big Daddy Addi Promotions................................ Back Outside Cover, 09

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 50

local business & service directory Health & Welln ess Co a ching

MacroLife Coaching................................................................................25

Helicopte r Tou rs

Charm City Helicopters......................................................................17, 27

Hou se Washin g

Griff’s Services............................................................................................07

In-Home Ca re

Love ’N Care, LLC...............................................................................13, 26

Meditation

4Warriors...............................Front Outside Cover, Back Inside Cover, 11

Mobile DJ

www.SpinCityPro.com........................................................................19, 43

New Boat Sa les

Hawk’s Marine...........................................................................................23

Newborn Speci alist

Love ’N Care, LLC...............................................................................13, 26

Nutrition Con su ltin g

MacroLife Coaching................................................................................25

Ph otoBooth

www.SpinCityPro.com........................................................................19, 43

Power Washin g

Griff’s Services............................................................................................07 GMG Enterprises Inc...........................................................................27, 45

Promotiona l Pro du cts

Big Daddy Addi Promotions................................ Back Outside Cover, 09 the back nine of BALTIMORE ♦ backninepublishing.com ♦ 51

local business & service directory

Real Es tate Ag en ts

Dave Caplan - Keller Williams............................................................17, 47 Gary Preston - Century 21 Downtown..............................................25, 45

Residential & Commercial Cleaning

Dirt Diva Cleaning Services......................................................................17

Sub stanc e Abuse Trea tment

Recovery Bootcamp.....................................................Front Inside Cover

Videographer

www.SpinCityPro.com........................................................................19, 43

W indow Clean i ng

GMG Enterprises Inc...........................................................................27, 45

Yacht Bro kerag e

Chesapeake Yacht Center...............................................................03, 39 Hawk’s Marine...........................................................................................23

Yacht Sales

Chesapeake Yacht Center...............................................................03, 39 Hawk’s Marine...........................................................................................23

Yoga Classes

4Warriors...............................Front Outside Cover, Back Inside Cover, 11

The Back Nine of BALTIMORE ♦ advertising to move your business forward ♦ 52

WARRI RS Contact us to find the class time for you. We are ready to lift up with you.

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