Ultimate Lakes Area Golf Guide 2017

G LF e d i u G

2017 ULTIMATE

Tips From The Pros Area Golf Schedule Lakes Area Golf Course Map

A Bra ine rd Di s pat c h & Ec h o Pub lis h ing Sp ecia l Ad ve rt i s i n g S ec t i on

Hole #6 at The Preserve 2017 GOLF GUIDE

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Twilight Rates starting at $30

The Pines and The Preserve at Grand View Lodge 7 Days a Week | All Season Long

After 1:00pm $69 | After 3:00pm $59 | After 4:00pm $30

Book tee times online at GVLGolf.com

Minnesota's Best Golf Hotel

2016 INTERNATIONAL HOTEL VISIONARY AWARD

The Historic Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake has been providing guests with memorable stays in the Brainerd Lakes Area of northern Minnesota since 1916. It is our mission to continue to provide our high standard of

service, unique atmosphere and abundance of activities. 218-963-8750 www.grandviewgolf.com

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AM

ON THE COVER:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Preserve is known for its scenic elevated tees and its tour speed greens.

218.963.2234 • vacation@grandviewlodge.com

STAFF: Publisher........................................................................ Pete Mohs Copy Editor ..................................Jeremy Millsop, Pete Mohs Marketing ................................................Leo Miller, Lisa Henry Magazine Layout.......................................................... Sue Stark

www.brainerddispatch.com • www.pineandlakes.com 506 James Street • P.O. Box 974 • Brainerd, MN 56401 (218) 829-4705

Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Publishing would like to thank all the advertisers and Golf Professionals who contributed to our 2017 Edition of the Ultimate Golf Guide.

CHE CK OU R WE BSI TE FOR DAI LY SPE CIA LS

REDUCED S P R IN G R AT E S

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ANY 18 HOLE GREEN FEE CART RENTAL REQUIRED – 2017 GOLF SEASON ONLY –

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2017 Lakes Area Golf Tournament Schedule........4, 5 & 6 Your Golf Grips ...........................................................................5 Chip and Pitch it like professionals ...................................6 Become a better lag putter .................................................6 Area Golf: Lakes area golf trending toward fun ......8-9 2017 Lakes Area Golf Leagues ........................................ 10 Self-coaching through awareness ...................................11 How to help get kids into golf .......................................... 12 Putting toward success .......................................................13 Area Golf: A healthy state of mind ...........................14-15 Consistency is key ..................................................................16 Tips for junior golfers ........................................................... 17 Crushing the first tee jitters ...............................................18 9 ways to improve your golf game .................................19 Making practice more effective........................................ 20 Grip it and Rip it ..................................................................... 20 Lakes Area Golf Course Map .............................................. 22

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For An Unforgettable Golf Experience

2017 GOLF GUIDE

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GOLF

2017 LAKES AREA GOLF TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

May 3 -- Canadian Cup, Little Falls Golf Course May 5 -- Dutch’s Duffer’s Open, Cragun’s Legacy Courses May 6 -- The Traditional tournament, Breezy Point Resort’s Traditional May 6 -- Iron Man 2-person scramble, Cuyuna Rolling Hills May 20 -- Spring Fling ‘Go Low’ scramble, Emily Greens May 21 -- Couples Mixer, Emily Greens May 21 -- Bloody Open, Whitefish May 23 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods May 27 -- Super Demo Day, Cragun’s Legacy Courses May 27-29 -- 11th Memorial Weekend Parent/ Child tournament, Madden’s Resort May 28 -- 18th Legacy Spring Challenge, Cragun’s Legacy Courses May 29-30 -- Veteran’s Appreciation Golf Event, Cragun’s Legacy Courses May 29-30 -- Fred-Mark Charity Invite, Grand View Lodge’s Pines and Preserve May 30 -- MGA Senior Tour, Breezy Point Resort’s Deacon’s Lodge May 30 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods May 31 -- MGA Senior Tour, Breezy Point Resort’s Deacon’s Lodge

June 16 -- Camp Confidence Classic, The Classic at Madden’s June 16 -- Humane Society scramble, Whitetail Run June 18 -- Father-child tournament, The Vintage at Staples June 19-20 -- MGA senior Tour, Grand View Lodge’s Preserve and Pines June 20 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods June 22 -- Minnesota State Open Qualifier, Grand View Lodge’s Preserve June 23 -- Drive Fore Cancer , Eagle’s Landing June 23 -- Brainerd Sports Boosters charity event, Grand View Lodge’s Preserve June 23 -- Friends of the Golf Course scramble, Whitetail Run June 24 -- Ducks Unlimited Conservation Cup, Cragun’s Legacy Courses June 24 -- Match Play Madness, Grand View Lodge’s Pines and Preserve June 25 -- Lakes Junior Cup, Deacon’s Lodge

ities Amenlude: PRO SH c OP In

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Hole 2 at Tianna Country Club is a 170 yard par three with five different places to tee off.

It features an elevated tee box with direct view of the sprawling green. Before the fair-way, you pass through the pines and clear a pond.

A sand trap guards the left side of the pitched green. Long puts must be strategized.

ive rece

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2017 GOLF GUIDE

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July 4 -- Celebrate America Junior tourney, Crosswoods July 8 -- Izzy Cup, 2-person combo tournament, The Vintage at Staples July 9 -- Lakes Junior Cup, The Classic at Madden’s July 10 -- Little Falls Area Chamber Golf Outing, Little Falls Golf Course July 10 -- Junior PGA event, Madden’s Pine Beach West July 11 -- Charlie’s Scramble, Breezy Point Resort’s Whitebirch

TIANNA ountry Club

EVENTS

June 2 -- Lion’s Par 3 tournament, The Vintage at Staples June 3 -- Free 10 minute lesson, Whitetail Run June 5-9 -- Hook a Kid on Golf, Little Falls Golf Course June 6 -- Charlie’s Scramble, Breezy Point Resort’s Whitebirch June 6 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods June 9 -- Crosby-Ironton Sports Boosters, Cuyuna Rolling Hills June 10 -- Knights of Columbus scramble, Crosswoods June 10 -- Little Falls Golf Extravaganza, Little Falls Golf Course June 12 -- Junior Golf and Pizza League, Crosswoods June 12 -- Little Falls Habitat for Humanity, Pine Ridge June 13 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods June 16 -- Jaques Art Center, Cuyuna Rolling Hills

July

Where friendships begin...

BANQUETS &

June

June 25-26 -- Grand View Lodge Pro-Am Challenge, Grand View Lodge Preserve and Pines June 25 -- CocoLoco Cup, Whitefish June 27 -- Pink Links for Cancer Tournament, Cragun’s Legacy Courses June 27 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods

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May

LAKES AREA GOLF SCHEDULE CONTINUED July 11 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods July 12 -- Junior PGA event, The Classic at Madden’s July 12 -- Cuyuna Lakes Chamber scramble, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge July 13 -- PGA Junior event, Whitetail Run July 14 -- Hospice, Cuyuna Rolling Hills July 16 -- Emily Days 9 Hole ‘Go Low’ scramble, Emily Greens July 17 -- Bay Lake Lions scramble, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge July 18 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods July 21 -- Minnesota Teen Challenge charity event, Grand View Lodge’s Pines July 22 -- Scandia Valley Lions tournament, Pine Ridge July 23 -- The Quinn Cup, Cragun’s Legacy Courses July 23 -- Lakes Junior Cup, The Pines at Grand View Lodge July 25 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods July 27 -- Team Foundation Benefit, Cragun’s Legacy Courses July 29 -- Minnesota State Putting Championship, Grand View Lodge’s Pines July 29 -- Verndale Fire Department scramble, Whitetail Run

July 30 -- Best Ball Beach Party, Grand View Lodge’s Pines

August

Aug. 1 -- Charlie’s Scramble, Breezy Point Resort’s Whitebirch Aug. 1 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods Aug. 4 -- Royalton wrestling club tournament, Pine Ridge Aug. 5-6 -- Dean Erdman Memorial Classic, Little Falls Golf Course Aug. 6 -- Lakes Junior Cup, Cragun’s Legacy Courses Aug. 6 -- Pillager Sports Boosters, Cragun’s Legacy Courses Aug. 6 -- 12th annual Battle of the Bars, Emily Greens Aug. 7 -- Relay for Life scramble, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge Aug. 8 -- MGA Member Day, Breezy Point Resort’s Deacon’s Lodge Aug. 8 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods Aug. 9 -- PGA Junior Players Championship, Breezy Point Resort’s Whitebirch Aug. 10 -- PGA Junior Players Championship, Breezy Point Resort’s Deacon’s Lodge Aug. 10 -- St. Francis of the Lakes Golf Benefit, Cragun’s Legacy Courses

GOLF

Aug. 11 -- Deerwood Open, Cuyuna Rolling Hills Aug. 11 -- FAB Golf Outing, Little Falls Golf Course Aug. 12 -- Swanson’s Melanoma Cancer Scramble, Breezy Point Resort’s Traditional Aug. 12 -- Fregin Foundation, Eagle’s Landing Aug. 13-14 -- Legacy Pro-Am, Cragun’s Legacy Courses Aug. 13 -- Dru Sjodin Classic, Whitefish Aug. 14 -- Tri-County Foundation scramble, Whitetail Run Aug. 15 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods Aug. 18 -- Ducks Unlimited Golf Outing, Little Falls Golf Course Aug. 22 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods Aug. 25 -- Mike Wilder Memorial Scramble, Crosswoods Aug. 26 -- Wolfhound Cup, Emily Greens Aug. 27 -- Northern Lakes Lightning event, Breezy Point Resort’s Deacon’s Lodge Aug. 27 -- Brainerd Lakes Curling Assoc. Golf Fundraiser, Cragun’s Legacy Courses Aug. 29 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods

SCHEDULE: PAGE 6

PRO TIPS

Your golf grips…

W

ith the golf season kicking off, it’s time to take a look at one of the most basic pieces of equipment that could be letting you down -- your golf grips.

Grips should be changed at least once per season. When our grips start to lose their tackiness you start to grip your clubs a little harder. Gripping your clubs too hard can lead to poor golf swings, leading to inconsistent shots.

Soft grip pressure keeps your hands and arms relaxed making it easier to make good consistent swings.

Did you know that the size of your

grips can also affect your ball flight?

If you tend to hit a “cut” or “slice” your grips might be too big. With larger diameter grips, your hands have to work harder to release the club through the hitting area which can cause your club face to be left slightly open Try using a smaller diameter grip to make it easier to let your hands release through the hitting zone, which will help square your clubface at impact. To figure out which is the best grip for you contact your local PGA professional and have them take a look and help you pick the size that fits your hands best.

Adam Haugen

Head PGA Professional Grand View Lodge’s Preserve

2017 GOLF GUIDE

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GOLF

LAKES AREA GOLF SCHEDULE CONTINUED

2017 LAKES AREA GOLF TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE SCHEDULE: From page 5

September

Sept. 5 -- Charlie’s Scramble, Breezy Point Resort’s Whitebirch Sept. 5 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods Sept. 6 -- Women’s Invitational, Cuyuna Rolling Hills Sept. 8 -- The Vintage Senior Open, The Vintage at Staples Sept. 9 -- Green Jacket Open with Andy’s Bar & Grill, Emily Greens Sept. 9-1 -- Memorial Best Ball tournament, Whitetail Run Sept. 12 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods Sept. 14 -- Pine Ribbon (women’s event), Madden’s Pine Beach East Sept. 15 -- MGA Senior Tour, The Classic at Madden’s Sept. 15 -- Camp Shamineau tournament, Pine Ridge Sept. 16 -- Rossy Round-up, Whitetail Run Sept. 17 -- Couples Steak Fry, Emily Greens Sept. 19 -- Crosswoods/Moonlite Bay 2-person tourney, Crosswoods Sept. 20 -- Nisswa Chamber’s Pretty Good Golf Tournament, Grand View Lodge’s Preserve Sept. 23 -- Tournament of the Trades scramble, Crosswoods Sept. 23 -- 13th annual Gary Stiner Ironman Classic, Emily Greens Sept. 23-24 -- Fish and Golf Tournament, Grand View Lodge’s Pines Sept. 23-24 -- Greater Whitefish Scramble, Whitefish Sept. 24 -- Classic 6-6-6 Shootout, The Classic at Madden’s Sept. 30 -- The Houff scramble, Grand View Lodge’s Pines Sept. 30 -- Year End tournament, Pine Ridge Sept. 30 -- Womenade Glow Ball event, Whitetail Run

October

Oct. 1-2 -- Great Northern Couples Shootout, Grand View Lodge’s Pines and Preserve Oct. 7 -- Golftoberfest Party, Grand View Lodge’s Pines and Preserve Oct. 7 -- Chilly Open, Madden’s Pine Beach West Oct. 14-15 -- Ironman Tournament, Grand View Lodge’s Preserve and Pines Oct. 15 -- Chili Dip Challenge, Whitefish

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2017 GOLF GUIDE

GOLF

PRO TIPS

Chip and Pitch it like professionals H ere is an important shot to have if you’re going to take your chipping and pitching to the next

level.

Use your most lofted wedge and learn to keep the trajectory of the shot as low as you can from a normal centered ball position. Practice different distances starting at 30-feet and working back to a 40-yard pitch. Focus on the height of your shots, the amount of spin on the ball and the final run out. Also be aware of how the grip handle is now leading the downswing into the ball in front of the clubhead and a natural release feeling at impact.

Visualizing the low height that you want your chips and pitches to fly is more important than technique. A 40-yard pitch will look something like this, bounce, bounce and then a trickle out.

Lower your trajectory, Lower scores.

Bill Israelson

Head PGA Professional The Vintage at Staples

Become a better lag putter O

ne of the questions regarding putting I get the most is -- how do I know how hard to hit the putt?

My answer is you have to practice to develop a feel for what it takes to hit a 20-foot putt and a 40-foot putt. Here is a drill that will help you learn distance control.

Next time you are on the putting green place tees in the ground at ten foot intervals in a straight line and pick a spot that has a slight slope from front to back.

Now to get started, place five balls at the first tee so you are putting uphill to the farthest tee. Try to get as close to the tee as you can. Next hit your second putt to the next closest tee. Your last putt will be to the closest tee. Do this a few times and then switch directions so you are putting down hill. Repeat the drill from that direction.

Do this a couple times a week and your feel on the greens will improve and your three putts will be a thing of the past.

Tim Trott

Head PGA Professional Crosswoods Golf Course

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2017 GOLF GUIDE

7

AREA GOLF

By Jeremy Millsop

F

un is the future of golf in the lakes area.

It must be in order to improve upon one of the largest tourism draws to the Brainerd lakes area The 1990s saw an explosion of golf course construction and players to the game, but economics stymied the growth as did golf course design. While Tiger Woods, who is credited for the industry’s boom years, made golf look easy, architects made it more difficult.

“To be honest, I think architects went through a period in the ‘80s and ‘90s where we did make golf not fun,” said Kevin Norby, golf course architect at Herfort and Norby in Chaska.

Norby is or has worked with three area courses on long-range master planning to make their courses more fun for the

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2017 GOLF GUIDE

average customer, but still challenging for the better players.

“Everybody wanted to build a better golf course than the guy down the street,” Norby said. “They would say, ‘I want bentgrass fairways’ or ‘I want white sand bunkers’ or ‘I want 7,100 yards because the course down the street just built 7,000 yards. We want a bigger clubhouse.’

“Nobody was saying, ‘What I really want is a par 66 golf course that would appeal to the kids, ladies and seniors.’ We know that 90 percent of the golfers out there are what we call the casual golfer or the average golfer. They like to play golf at 6,100 yards. The average guy feels most comfortable playing golf at 6,100 yards. There is only about 3 percent of the population that plays the back tees or would consider going back and playing a

7,000-yard course.”

The result was beautiful, challenging championship courses sprouted up all over the nation. The other result was the cost to maintain such a large course went up, making playing those courses more expensive. The longer courses meant it took longer for players to get around 18 holes, and because of the increased difficulty the average golfer was humbled into quitting the sport or playing less.

“We were building golf courses that were too difficult. I think what has changed, I think golf architects have been aware of this, but I think course owners and managers have become more keenly aware of the fact that we need to make golf fun again,” Norby said.

He’s not alone. Jim Dahl created the ideal business model at Eagle’s Landing

Golf Club south of Brainerd. The tee sheet is full, which prompted Dahl to contemplate building another course a few miles north of Eagle’s Landing.

A lot has to do with the reasonable pricing, but another reason is Eagle’s Landing is a forgiving layout. But Dahl admits he’s guilty of making hard courses too.

“Yes, they made them hard and I did too,” said Dahl. “You wanted to make them tough and now it’s all changed. You want to make it as fun as you can for the golfers and not so darn hard that they don’t want to come back. It’s changing, but of course, there aren’t that many being built now.”

What’s the recipe for making courses more enjoyable? Both Dahl and Norby agreed eliminating forced carries, making wider landing areas, cutting the rough shorter and removing trees to open up corridors were a few suggestions.

Dahl’s popular grass mounding instead of sand bunkers is another example.

What many of the new courses did have going for them was the numerous tee box options. But creating even more forward teeing areas is still a priority, said Norby.

“Greens shouldn’t be so doggone fast that the average person can’t putt them,” Dahl said. “Simple things like that. We at Eagle’s Landing tried to get ours fast,

Scott Hoffmann is on board with making courses easier. He believes there is a place for championship style golf design, but more of a need for more accommodating course design.

“I probably agree with that statement,” said Hoffmann. “As a rule, we need courses like (Madden’s Pine Beach) East and West courses. It’s the old Jim Madden philosophy of have them come out, have a good time and go home happy.”

Hoffmann said concentrating on angles to the green would be important to new course designers who want to make a more fun course. He said the shape and tilt of greens would be important, and having alternate routes to the hole would be key to create risk-reward options for all abilities.

A few area resort properties have land to add golf holes to their repertoire, but none in a hurry to build just yet. Most are reinvesting in what they have now.

However, Norby said the trend is getting back to new course construction.

“It probably wouldn’t be fair to say we’re seeing a trend toward renovations because I think that trend started in 2013,” Norby said. “Although it’s fair to say most architects are working on renovation projects as opposed to new courses, I think what we’re seeing more recently is now we’re starting to build new courses again. New courses, to some

“Eagle’s Landing is probably the way I would build it again. The greens maybe not so big because of the cost of maintaining them. I really think that’s the right kind of golf course and probably what I would try to do again. About 6,200 yards on the average tee boxes and you can stretch it out to 6,800 or 6,900, but you don’t want to make them real long and have four or five different tee boxes.”

Hoffmann appreciates the concepts created in Oregon at Bandon Dunes with courses like Bandon, Pacific, Bandon Trails and Old MacDonald.

“We can learn a lot from the Bandon Dunes golf courses,” Hoffmann said.

“They’re just wide open and rolling.

There is a lot of interest. A lot of interesting ball roll, mounding and bunkering, but it’s hard to lose a ball and always an opportunity for recovery. I think that’s the big thing. People love to have a chance, if they hit a wayward shot, they want a chance for a heroic comeback without losing a full stroke.”

Hoffmann wouldn’t stop at design.

He’d like to see all of golf focus on fun and be more inviting.

“Probably less formal,” Hoffmann said.

“You don’t want to make that entry point into golf where people feel like they’re going to some high falutin country club and they just aren’t comfortable there.

You want to make people feel comfort-

Lakes area golf trending toward fun too, but they’re at a point where that’s enough. It’s fine for The Classic to make theirs as fast as possible because that’s a different course, but I hear all the time that those courses are so hard and they get so frustrated they don’t want to play.”

At The Classic at Madden’s Resort, a top 100 golf course, Classic architect

degree, is a result of a strong housing market.”

Norby is drawing up plans for new courses in Minnesota, Florida and North Dakota.

Dahl purchased Oak Hill in Rice last October so he won’t be building anything in the near future. But if he did?

able and really get out and appreciate what a great game it is.”

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at 855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.

2017 GOLF GUIDE

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GOLF MEN’S LEAGUE

Breezy Point Resort

5:15 p.m. Wednesdays: Team competitions

Cragun’s Legacy Courses 5:00 p.m. Thursdays: Team league

Crosswoods

9:00 a.m. Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. Thursdays

Cuyuna Rolling Hills

8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Eagle’s Landing

1:00 p.m. Thursdays: 18-hole league 5:00 p.m. Thursdays: 9-hole league

Emily Greens

8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Front 9 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Back 9 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Back 9 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Back 9 3:00 p.m Thursday, Front 9

Grand View Lodge

5:30 p.m. Wednesdays: 9-hole league

Little Falls Golf Course

9:00 a.m. Wednesdays: 18-hole 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 9-hole 9:00 a.m. Thursdays: Senior league

2017 LAKES AREA GOLF LEAGUES

WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Breezy Point Resort

10:00 a.m. Thursdays: A variety of contests from team games to individual stroke play.

Cragun’s Legacy Courses 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays

Crosswoods

9:00 a.m. Mondays: 18-hole 9:00 a.m. Wednesdays: 9-hole

Cuyuna Rolling Hills

9:00 a.m. Wednesdays, 18-hole competitive group

10 2017 GOLF GUIDE

4:00 p.m. Mondays 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays

Eagle’s Landing

Sunday evenings. Couple’s League 3:00 p.m. Mondays: 2-person scrambles

Madden’s Resort

Little Falls Golf Course

Pine Ridge

5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Front 9 9:00 a.m. Thursday, Front 9 9:00 a.m. Tuesdays: 18-hole league 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 9 hole league

Madden’s Resort

5:30 p.m. Thursdays: non-member league

Pine Ridge

Mondays: a.m. league

Whitetail Run

10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: 18-hole 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays: 9-hole

Cuyuna Rolling Hills

Emily Greens

5:00 p.m. Wednesdays

Whitefish

Whitetail Run

5:30 p.m. Tuesdays: Moonlight 2-person, 9-hole events.

5:00 p.m. Wednesdays: Mixed scramble.

Emily Greens

Whitefish

Tuesdays: This 18-hole morning league features individual events to team events.

Crosswoods

Eagle’s Landing

Pine Ridge

Tuesdays: p.m. league Thursdays: p.m. league

MIXED LEAGUE

9:00 a.m. Wednesdays: 18-hole league.

Wednesdays: 9-hole morning league 9:00 a.m. Tuesdays.

9:30 a.m. Monday, Back 9 2:00 p.m. Wednesdays: non-member league Wednesdays: evening league

Whitefish

4:30 p.m. Sundays: non-members welcome

GOLF

PRO TIPS

Self-coaching through awareness U

nlike many touring professionals, you are probably not going to pay someone a retainer to be your personal golf coach by following your every move while practicing and playing.

As a result, you need to learn how to coach yourself through situations as they arise.

Self-coaching is certainly more in-depth than the few words this article can cover, but the first steps are to be aware of what’s going on, remain open to any possible adjustments and implement a new strategy to achieve success.

For instance, if you are leaving your lag putts a few feet short, you need to: 1. Actually be aware of what is going on (putts are coming up short).

2. Realize that you’re not necessarily

doing anything wrong and you may just need to adjust something— (increase the amount of pace on your putts).

3. Implement a new strategy—(focus on a target a few feet beyond the hole in order to “trick” your mind into allowing your body to perform an action to make a slightly bigger putting stroke).

Oftentimes I hear, “Many of my putts are coming up short. What am I doing wrong?” This question indicates there is an awareness of the issue, but also a feeling of frustration and doubt, which are not positive emotions to help you see alternative solutions. Through self-coaching, the question might be phrased differently...”Many of my putts are coming up short. What adjustment

Dave Sadlowsky

Head PGA Professional Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge can I make to improve that?” The faster you become of aware of any issues, the more open-minded you can be about adjustments and the more efficient your self-coaching will become. You will play better and enjoy the game more as a result.

2017 GOLF GUIDE

11

How to help kids get into golf G

olf is a game of skill that can take years, if not decades, to master.

Many golfers find their time on the golf course both rewarding and relaxing, even on those days when the fairways seem impossible to find.

Though many players never swing a golf club until they reach adulthood, it’s never too early to hit the links. Some of the world’s most accomplished golfers, including four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods, began playing as toddlers, and many feel that getting an early start can lead to a more successful game down the road.

Getting kids into golf is a great way for parents to bond with their children while enjoying the great outdoors. Golf can also be used to teach kids humility, sportsmanship and the importance of hard work. Thanks to the often frustrating nature of golf, parents may find it somewhat challenging to instill a love of the game in their youngsters. But there are ways to introduce kids to this wonderful game that kids might just play for the rest of their lives.

1. Focus on having fun. Few, if any, golfers at your local golf course on a given weekend could say with certainty that golf has never frustrated them. The

challenge of golf may be its most appealing characteristic to older players, but young kids can be easily overwhelmed by the challenges golf presents. By focusing on having fun instead of perfecting techniques, parents can get kids to look forward to their time on the links. The more fun kids have, the more likely they will be to embrace the game and its many challenges. Don’t put pressure on youngsters as they develop their games, but encourage them through their struggles and reassure them that you faced the same obstacles when you started playing.

2. Hire an instructor with experience teaching children. Instructors with experience teaching children will understand the basics of the game and how learning those basics provides a great foundation for future enjoyment and success on the course.

3. Purchase the correct equipment.

While it might be unwise to invest in especially expensive equipment for youngsters likely to grow out of it in a few months’ time, deals can be found on used kids’ equipment.

4. Play some holes. Instruction is important, but don’t forget to play a few holes with your child each week as well.

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Show the Guide and Save Seniors

S P E Juniors C I A L S

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Walking $11 9 or 18 Ride 9 - $16, Ride 18 or more - $22 Valid Mon - Thurs

16 and under Same cost as Seniors Valid 7 days a week

Midweek

9 holes - $11, $17 w/cart 18 holes - $20, $26 w/cart Valid Mon. - Thurs., Not Val. Holiday or June 30th - July 6th

Twilight & Early Bird 9 holes - $11, $17 w/cart 18 holes - $20, $26 w/cart Valid Everyday Before 8am & After 3pm

GOLF

PRO TIPS

Putting toward success D

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rive for show and putt for dough.

On TV the most comments go for the big hitters, but every week the winners of the tournament are near the top in the ‘strokes gained putting’ category. The same is true in your group of players or league.

One of the most satisfying and exhilarating times on the course is when you sink that bending 25 footer; or that straight-as-an-arrow 10 footer for par or birdie; or that long lag putt to within tap in distance and not leaving a knee knocker. Every single hole you play will leave you a variation of these three putts.

There are a couple of drills that can help you achieve that satisfaction on a regular basis and shave strokes off the game.

Putting drill No. 1 First, take a range ball to the putting green and identify a relatively flat putt to start your practice session. Put that nice big stripe on the range ball right on your line. Now, if you can putt the ball so that the stripe doesn’t wobble; you are hitting the ball pretty solid and you are not getting any right or left spin on your putts. Sidespin indicates inconsistency in your putting stroke The more solid the stroke, the more true the stripe will roll and your putts will stay on line.

This is a good drill especially if you have a lot of putts that lip out.

Putting drill No. 2 Grab a piece of chalk and mark your golf ball on one side. Set the ball down so your putter will hit the chalk mark when you make your stroke. Take your practice putt and look at your putter to see where the chalk left its mark. You will see how close you are to the sweet spot of the putter. Make any corrections from the marks you see so you consistently start hitting the sweet spot. As with any golf shot, hitting the sweet spot will improve your line and distance control – we just do not usually think of that concept with our putter.

These drills can also be done inside at home to help groove your stroke but it is always best to be on the practice green with the wind in the face and the grass under your feet, just like what you are going to be facing on every hole during every round.

THE

WWW.WILDWEDGE.COM Head PGA Professional Emily Greens

218.568.6995

2 MILES N OF PEQUOT LAKES ON HWY 371 NEXT TO AMERICINN

2017 GOLF GUIDE

13

Area Golf: A healthy state of mind

By Jeremy Millsop

I

n the early 2000s, the Brainerd lakes area was known as the Golf Mecca.

The area was rated a top 50 golf destination in the world by one golf publication. A number of courses have been rated in the nation’s top 100 and the state’s top 20.

Two economic dips since then have impacted the area’s golf landscape. Five courses have closed, including Black Bear north of Pine River this season.

There still remains 450 golf holes in the immediate Brainerd Dispatch coverage area. Despite national grumblings that the game isn’t doing well, in the lakes area, golf is still a major draw.

“There is a subset of visitors that comes to the Brainerd lakes area just for the golfing experience and for the number of holes they can play in a long weekend or even a full week,” said Matt Kilian, president of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber. “We talk to people, I would say every summer, that plan to play an exorbitant number of holes in a three to seven day period. They are playing a minimum of 36 holes a day and looking to check off as many courses as they can in the lakes area while they are here. It’s a huge source of tourism and revenue that is brought to the area every single year.”

The flashpoint to the area becoming a golf destination was Grand View Lodge’s construction of the Pines in the early 1990s. From there other resorts followed suit and other properties popped up, while established facilities improved their product.

The trend in the lakes area over the last few seasons has been a reinvestment into those properties.

“The whole reason we did the renovation at the Preserve, and it’s the whole reason we did the renovation on the Lake and the Woods (nines at the Pines), was to have people come back and see something different,” said Jack Wawro, head PGA professional at Grand View Lodge.

“Last year was our most successful year in probably the last 12 years in golf. I attribute it for sure to the renovations, especially at the Preserve, but with both courses we positioned ourselves where last year was going to be our year. We renovated both these courses and we marketed all the new things we had.

14 2017 GOLF GUIDE

“The last three or four years have been pretty successful.

I don’t think anyone is going away. It’s still a destination that works well for the Twin Cities. It’s just easy to drive two hours.”

Madden’s Pine Beach East Course is going through a similar renovation this season. Glenn Hagberg, head PGA professional at Madden’s said 90 percent of play is generated from a two-and-half hour radius around the lakes area. He believes the key to growing those numbers will be growing the radius.

“Our focus has to be on efforts to grow the pie out,” Hagberg said. “Our market for this area has to be all of Minnesota, Manitoba, western Ontario, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and the Dakotas. We have to continue to grow the pie for everybody to be successful.”

On the smaller local scale, even a 10 mile radius can make a difference for the golf market.

Last summer, Crosswoods in Crosslake added a new nine to accommodate its growing league commitment, while still providing tee times for walk ups and travelers. A few miles east of Crosswoods the idea of expansion just wouldn’t work.

“Ten miles makes a whole bunch of difference between Crosswoods and Emily Greens,” said Gregg Gamble, owner of Emily Greens. “You can draw that 15mile circle around your golf course and

LAKES AREA the population numbers just don’t compare. Plus, if you take on that debt by adding a new nine and affordable golf goes out the window because you have to charge more. We still need to have places where people can get into the game. Expensive golf is one big barrier to bringing people into golf.

“We take pride in being in that niche of golf where we are affordable, but still offer excellent conditions and a good product. It fits people of all abilities.”

That’s not to say Crosswoods changed its business model.

“In the lakes area, when we’re busy, we’re really busy,” said Mike Stone, owner of Crosswoods. “We have a lot of leagues and a pretty active golf community. You just hate to say no to any golfers. Our season is so short that we have to make the most of it. That was one of the driving reasons that we put in the extra nine. We never wanted to say, ‘No, we don’t have a tee time available.’

That really rang true for us last year. It was so refreshing to always be able to offer people space. We filled all 27 holes up a few times.”

Stone admitted location played a large role in his ability to expand. Crosswoods is found in the heart of Crosslake. A few miles north is Golden Eagle Golf Club in Fifty Lakes. A different style course with a different price point.

“What Crosswoods did, I’m not sure other people would be successful doing the same thing,” said former owner-operator of Golden Eagle Bruce McIntosh. “I think Crosswoods will succeed because of their location and because of the population right there in Crosslake. It wouldn’t make any sense at all

for Golden Eagle to expand to 27 holes because, and they’re only six miles away from Crosswoods, the demographics just aren’t there.”

The common agreement among most in the golf business is the lakes area is still saturated. The recent closing of Black Bear might provide evidence of that.

A counter argument could be that made good course operators understand their role in the market. Not every course in the lakes area is Deacon’s Lodge or The Classic. There are a lot, though. And this is what makes the lakes area the Golf Mecca -- variety.

For every Bobby’s Legacy there’s an Emily Greens.

For every Pines at Grand View Lodge there is an Eagle’s Landing.

The local population may play one or two rounds at a resort course during the summer. The majority of their rounds are played at Whitefish Golf Club or The Vintage at Staples, which rely heavily on members and the local and seasonal residents.

One of the area’s newest course operators is Terry Thompson at Cuyuna Rolling Hills. Thompson purchased the 18-hole course in Deerwood four years ago and remains optimistic. He’s reinvested about $500,000 into the facility complete with bunker renovations, improved greens, fixed drainage issues and the expansion of fairways to make the course more playable for all levels.

ation isn’t necessarily buying memberships.

“There are also positives. Golf seems to be trending upward and the Brainerd lakes area is a golf destination with some of the best courses in the state.”

Most courses in the area saw an increase in rounds. Cragun’s Legacy Courses did and head PGA professional Chuck Klecatsky isn’t surprised the lakes area is bucking the national trend.

“It is interesting because obviously golf is a weather dependent sport, but we managed to have an increase in number of rounds played last year,” Klecatsky said.

“It wasn’t completely unexpected with 2015 having the storm in it, but we still had a good year. I think that golf is such a regional game.

Nationwide people can say golf is declining, but in the Brainerd lakes area golf is thriving. We’re happy with our package bookings, membership and general play.

2017 is looking to be as good or better year than 2016.”

There still remains 450 golf holes in the immediate Brainerd Dispatch coverage area.

Despite national grumblings that the game isn’t doing well, in the lakes area, golf is still a major draw.

“There are challenges of owning a golf course in the lakes area,” Thompson said. “There are a lot of courses that are all fighting for the segment of local golfers and relying on the influx of visitors to the area. It’s also a challenge to maintain memberships when the younger gener-

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at 855-5856 or jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com.

Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.

2017 GOLF GUIDE

15

GOLF Consistency is key

PRO TIPS

T

o improve your golf game, it is important to be consistent.

To be consistent it takes a lot of practice and to do the correct things over and over again. Such as having the correct grip, correct posture, stance and addressing the golf ball correctly.

It is also important to not overswing.

When you watch a good golfer, they look like they hardly swing the club.

Club head speed is what gets distance and that is generated from your core, not your arms. To improve your golf game, you should spend time on the driving range, practicing the correct grip, posture, stance, addressing the golf ball and proper body rotation.

The more you do the correct things in practice, the more consistent you will become and that will improve your golf game.

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16 2017 GOLF GUIDE

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GOLF

PRO TIPS

Tips for junior golfers W

ith the 2017 golf season quickly approaching, here are a couple of tips to focus on with your junior golfer.

I believe that golf is the greatest game because any skill level and generation can play together. Adding the game of golf to a child’s life, brings more than just another sport, it brings an opportunity to learn honesty, integrity, respect, determination and so many other life skills.

When you bring your child to the golf course, keep in mind, complicated instruction is not going to be beneficial.

We have found that creating an environment that presents challenges and fun games is a great way to grow your child’s love for the game.

Stick to the basics of the golf swing and the five fundamentals: grip, aim, stance, posture and ball position.

In my experience, success in our

junior programs comes from teaching these fundamentals from the ground up and allowing players to improve these essential skills as they grow in the game.

Then you can add in fun games that teach the importance of competition, maintaining a positive attitude and consistency to maximize your game and take it to the next level.

The “11-Point Game” is one of our favorites. You can play with any number of people. 1 person picks a location to chip from and which hole on the practice green. Whoever chips it closest gets points: 1pt = outside of putter length, 2pts = inside club length, 3pts = inside grip, 4pts = hole out. The winner of the point(s) selects the next location to chip from. First person to 11 points wins. It’s a great competition for kids, but adults love it too.

The ultimate goal is to have each player striving to improve during and

Ryan Sharpe

Teaching Professional Madden’s Resort after each session, while making sure that having fun on the golf course is always a priority. Young players learn better in a fun learning environment.

We look forward to seeing you and your children on the golf course this spring.

2017 GOLF GUIDE

17

GOLF

PRO TIPS

Crushing the first tee jitters

18 2017 GOLF GUIDE

do nothing while waiting to hit their first shot. Stay moving, keep it light and keep your mind occupied with other thoughts.

Lastly, when it’s your turn to hit, go through your normal pre-shot routine and see and feel yourself making a confident swing. Visualize your shot and how your ball will fly through the air and be specific where you want your ball to land. Then walk into the ball confidently, take one or two looks at the target as you waggle your club, and pull the trigger while swinging at about 70% and remaining in perfect balance.

Then watch your ball sail effortlessly to your target.

Steve Bengtson

Head PGA Professional Whitefish Golf Club

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L

et’s face it, we all get the first tee jitters, especially when you’re playing with new players for the first time, or because you just slammed your trunk, paid your fee and rushed to the first tee.

Whatever the reason, even the most seasoned golfers (i.e. touring pros) get the jitters on No. 1. Here’s how to combat them.

First, accept that it is part of the game and try to embrace them (and know that your playing partners are feeling them too). The simple act of acknowledging your nerves and that everybody is feeling them should help ease them a little.

You’re not in the boat alone.

Begin to think of them positively and as a way of getting you focused for your round. This is how the pros look at their first tee nerves. Focusing too much on the uncomfortable feelings they produce will only increase your tension, which is a killer to even the best golf swings.

Treat your nerves as a good sign and know that by your second or third shot they most likely will have vanished.

This allows you to then shift your attention to your game plan and how you should play the first hole.

Second, focus on your game plan.

Ideally, if you had time to warm up at the range, then your last shot should be with the club you plan to use on the first tee. If you didn’t warm up on the range then make sure to hit a club off the tee that you have the best chance of keeping in play. There’s no rule that says you have to hit driver. If you need to hit a 3-wood, or 5-wood, that’s fine. Your job is to give yourself the best opportunity to get the ball in play and move on to your next shot.

Third, work at staying relaxed. More often than not you will have a few extra minutes on the first tee. Try to stay relaxed by talking with your playing partners and taking your mind off the shot for a few minutes.

Some players work themselves into a state of anxiety as they stand around and

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9 ways to improve your golf game

W

armer weather sends scores of golfers to their favorite courses each and every day. Golf is a challenging pastime, but a few pointers can help golfers hone their short games, long games and everything in between.

• Choose the right clubs. There is more to selecting clubs than pulling any old iron out of your golf bag and whacking away. Wind, hazards and obstructions in landing areas should influence your decision of which club to use.

Novice golfers may want to rely on their caddies to make club recommendations, and as they become more confident in their abilities they can start to make their own choices.

• Anchor your feet. Anchor your foot behind the ball to drive the ball further.

Right-handed players will keep the right foot anchored, and lefties will do the opposite. Do not lift your foot prematurely; otherwise, you can lose power and distance.

• Identify your weaknesses. As with any hobby, identifying those areas that need the most work can help you become a better golfer. Keep track of each shot you take, and then look at the results to see which areas of your game need the most work.

• Fix your alignment. Align your shots by assessing the target from behind the ball. Then set the clubface behind the golf ball and align it with the target before you enter your stance.

• Use your torso for power. The torso is essential to a solid swing. Practice rotating from your core to control your backswing and then maintain the same spine angle and posture on the downswing.

• Use the wind. Not every golf game will be played in perfect weather. A good player knows how to make adjustments for the wind depending on the shot. Use the wind to your advantage when you can, and adjust your swing when hitting

into the wind.

• Become a better chipper. Many players put so much emphasis on their backswings and putt shots that they fail to devote any practice to chips. All shots are important for golfers trying to shed strokes off of their scores.

• Keep fit. Maintaining or improving your physical strength and overall health can help your golf game. Exercise and eat right, and you will have more endurance on the links.

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19

GOLF

PRO TIPS

Making practice more effective A

frequent comment I get from people is that they hit the ball great on the range, but then they struggle to take that same ball striking to the golf course.

One of the reasons for this is the way we practice. The majority of people I see spend most of their time in “block” practice. Block practice is hitting a number of shots with the same club, at the same target, if they have a target, with a single focus on swing mechanics or error correction.

While there is a place for this type of practice, this is not how we play the game of golf. The golf course is a one shot environment. On the practice tee we have a pile of balls, no hazards, and no consequences if we don’t hit a good shot. The amount of time between hitting each shot is short and after a few swings we can get in a sense of rhythm and timing and hit shot after shot with

great proficiency. When we go to the golf course though, that timing is much harder to find. We are hitting a different club on each shot, have 3-5 minutes between hitting shots, we hit from a variety of lies, and our score is impacted for a wayward shot. In short, we don’t practice how we play.

The key to improved play isn’t the amount of time we spend practicing, but the quality of that time. It sounds simple and obvious, but very few of us spend any time practicing more like we play.

Motor learning experts refer to this type of practice as deliberate practice.

Deliberate practice involves doing things slower in shorter sequences. It involves reviewing practice performance and getting feedback. Finally, it is important to put pressure on ourselves and to vary practice frequently.

One of the things I often ask the players that I coach is “are you practicing or

Chris Foley

Chris Foley Golf Schools Cragun’s Resort are you exercising?”

If you are spending most of your time in block practice, you are just exercising. Practice more effectively and you will shoot lower scores this summer and have more fun.

Grip it and Rip it S tart the season with a proper grip.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, the grip is your only connection to the golf club and the most important determining factor in the development of your golf swing.

There are many checkpoints in attaining a proper grip. Plus, there are three different grips used by a variety of players for different reasons. To make this easier to understand I will be describing the grip of a right-handed golfer.

The most popular grip in golf is the overlapping grip. This type of grip is when the little finger of your right hand goes over top and in between the index and middle finger of your left hand.

There is also an interlocking and baseball style grip, all of the following check points remain the same regardless of your choice of grip.

The first checkpoint I look at is to make sure the grip is under the palm pad of your left hand -- this creates stability.

Get this correct by holding a club, parallel to the ground, in your left hand by using just your index finger and allowing the club to balance under the palm pad of your left hand.

20 2017 GOLF GUIDE

You should grip the club with the end three fingers of your left hand and the middle two of your right hand, this will eliminate tension in your wrists.

Never grip the club tightly with your index finger or thumb, this creates tension.

To model all great players throughout time, your thumbs should remain close to your hands, no space in between, close enough to form a line. This line should be parallel in both hands with the lines pointing somewhere between your back shoulder and chin.

Then the middle knuckle of your right index finger, called your trigger finger, should always stay to the back or to your right side of the shaft.

Now you should be able to take your grip and hold the club parallel to the ground, look down at your hands and see two to three knuckles on the back of your left hand and one knuckle on the back of your right hand. You should not be able to see the thumb of your left hand. It should be buried under your right hand.

Finally, while holding the club parallel to the ground, have a friend or playing

James Carlson

Head PGA Professional Minnesota National Golf Course partner grab and pull on the bottom of the shaft, the scoring lines on the face of the club should remain pointing straight up and down.

Now you’ve attained a great start in building a better swing.

Good luck and good golfing.

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GOLF A B C D E F G H

Long Bow Golf Club

I J K L M N O P

Whitebirch Golf Course

LAKES AREA GOLF COURSE MAP

6516 Long Bow Trail Northwest Walker, MN 56484 www.longbowgolfclub.com | (218) 547-4121

Tianna Country Club

7470 Minnesota 34 Walker, MN 56484 www.tianna.com | (218) 547-1712

Emily Greens Golf Course

39966 Refuge Road Emily, MN 56447 www.emilygreens.com | (218) 763-2169

Minnesota National Golf Course

23247 480th Street McGregor, MN 55760 www.mnnationalgolfcourse.com | (218) 426-4444

Crosswoods Golf Course

35878 County Road 3 Crosslake, MN 56442 www.crosslakegolf.com | (218) 692-4653

Whitefish Golf Course Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 www.whitefishgolf.com (218) 543-4900

Wildwedge Golf

32792 Paul Bunyan Trail Drive Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 www.wildwedge.com | (218) 568-6995

Deacon’s Lodge

9348 Arnold Palmer Drive Breezy Point, MN 56472 (218) 562-6262 9252 Breezy Point Drive Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 www.breezypointresort.com | (218) 562-7178

Traditional 18-Hole Golf Course

9252 Breezy Point Drive Breezy Point, MN 56472 www.breezypointresort.com | (218) 562-7166

The Preserve at Grand View Lodge Preserve Boulevard Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 www.grandviewlodge.com | (866) 801-2951

Grand View Lodge Golf Resort

23521 Nokomis Avenue Nisswa, MN 56468 www.grandviewlodge.com | (866) 801-2951

Cuyuna Rolling Hills Deerwood, MN 56444 www.cuyunarollinghills.com (218) 534-3489

Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge 25039 Tame Fish Lake Road Deerwood, MN 56444 www.ruttgers.com | (218) 678-2885

Madden’s On Gull Lake

11266 Pine Beach Peninsula Brainerd, MN 56401 www.maddens.com | (218) 829-2811

Cragun’s Resort

11000 Craguns Drive Brainerd, MN 56401 www.craguns.com | (800) 272-4867

22 2017 GOLF GUIDE

Q R S T

Cragun’s Legacy Golf Courses 11496 East Gull Lake Drive Brainerd, MN 56401 www.craguns.com | (218) 825-2789

The Classic at Madden’s Golf Course 11266 Pine Beach Peninsula Brainerd, MN 56401 www.maddens.com | (218) 829-2811

Pine Ridge Golf Club

34500 Hillcrest Road Motley, MN 56466 www.pineridgegolfclubmn.com | (218) 575-3300

Eagles Landing Golf Club and Grill 14825 263rd Street Fort Ripley, MN 56449 www.eagleslanding-golf.com | (320) 632-5721

2017 GOLF GUIDE

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