How to Cure the Shanks

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We know, we know. You don’t even want to talk about the shanks for fear bringing the subject up will cause you to catch them. But like it or not, you might find yourself in a situation where you’re going to want to know a solution. Though awful, the plague of the shanks is curable.

First thing you have to do is take a break from the course. You need some alone time to sort this out on the range. Start by checking in on a few basics. Make sure you’re standing tall with your chest up during the swing, don’t hold the club too tightly, and make sure your weight isn’t sneaking up toward your toes. David Leadbetter told us that not tending to all of these little things could be the root of your struggles.

He also gave us a drill that will cure your shanking woes.

Set up like you’re going to hit it, and then put a tee in the ground just outside the toe of the club. While you’re swinging, think about keeping the grip end of the club near your body. “Miss the tee at impact, and you’ll hit the ball in the center of the face,” says Leadbetter.

 

-Keely Levins, Golf Digest (Source)

2021 & 2022 Memberships are NOW AVAILABLE!!

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It’s time to purchase or renew your 2021 & 2022 Membership!!

$114/yr. – plus a $10/yr. admin. fee

ONLY $248.00

A two year membership to your home course of Lakeshore Golf Course & sister courses:

  • Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon
  • The Oaks Golf Course in Springfield
  • Timberlake Golf Course in Sullivan

Unlimited GREEN FEES Monday – Sunday for ALL of 2021 & 2022 • Cart Required

 

Purchase here in our online store! https://golflakeshore.com/product/2021-2022-membership/

The Great Golf Ball Search

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The Great Golf Ball Search

How To Find The Best Ball For Your Game
By Tom Patri

With so many brands of golf ball overloading the marketplace, it’s difficult if not confusing to figure out which one best fits your golf game.

Here’s a sensible game plan to help you logically conduct and conquer The Great Golf Ball Search.

First, ask yourself what you are looking for:

A – Distance

B – Accuracy

C – Short Game: touch, feel, and spin

If you answer all three, the search is over, as far as I’m concerned … the Pro V1 family. Look no further. For me, Titleist’s premier line is the best all-around ball, regardless of skill level, to deliver all of the above traits. Market research and testing proves that. Period, end of discussion.

To me, anyway. For you, the discussion may be different. There are a lot of good golf balls out there. Either way, here’s my advice on finding the perfect ball.

If your answer is A – Distance, be careful, because by boxing yourself into the “distance matters most” request (granted, every manufacturer has a ball to fulfill this request), you are severely tying one hand behind your back when it comes to the touchy-feely scoring shots.

B – Many balls today with a bevy of dimple designs and patterns do a wonderful job of helping the average golfer hold their line in windy conditions, and in fact almost self-correct to a degree, minimizing those off-line shots when you make the occasional poor swing.

C – Some manufacturers advertise their “softer feel” ball for the lower-swing-speed player, and also tell you these balls feel better around and on the putting surface. When you see this type of ad on your TV, change the channel or leave the room. It’s nonsense.

Let me tell you a personal story that happened in winter 2018-19 in Naples, Florida, where I live and teach. I have been a Titleist Leadership Advisory Board Member for many years.

I’m prejudiced with reason. As a competitive professional player many moons ago, and before that a fairly successful college player, I had access to any golf ball I wanted to play. It had always been an incredibly easy choice to make through the years: Whatever was the Titleist premium ball of the time period was the ball of choice. In my experience, they always out-performed the other balls hands-down.

Anyway, in October 2018 I turned 60. Ouch — it hurts to type and look at that number. I wondered if it was time for the Old Pro to find a ball (in the Titleist line of course) that would help me find a few extra yards while not hurting me on the scoring shots (my bread and butter), on and around the green. In the past, I had gone on similar journeys and always found yardage, but hated the greenside touch and feel results. About that time, Titleist suddenly launched the AVX, and it was and still is receiving rave reviews.

I grabbed a dozen Pro Vs and a dozen AVXs. For three consecutive evenings, after I finished teaching, I went out and played holes on the golf course, hitting several drives, second shots, pitches, chips, sand shots, and putts with several of each ball. I then played several rounds with the AVX on my home course. I’m sure you know on your home track where you generally drive the ball, as I do, and how your regular ball reacts when you hit any particular club into a green, how it feels off the putter face, and so on.

With the driver, both balls were similar. The AVX was a bit longer in the air (about half a club) with my irons, and compared to any previous distance-type ball it had much better feel on short shots. Still, the Pro V won out across the board. Just more consistent, better feel, better all-around performance.

You may very well find a different result.

What you must do when contemplating a ball change is conduct side-by-side on-course testing, hitting many golf shots with every club in your bag over several days (conditions change, as do you). Then and only then will you be able to make a sound decision.

Take a hard look at the Darrell Survey results the last 100 years. Titleist is played by a landslide percentage of tournament professionals around the globe. A small percentage of world-class players are paid big bucks to play a particular ball, but the vast majority are not. Given the choice, those golfers still choose Titleist.

Whatever brand and model you choose, don’t base it on some ad, or your buddies’ prompting; do it based on your own mini-testing. Play the ball that performs best tee through green for you. It’s the only piece of equipment that is involved in every shot you hit.

Lakeshore Golf Course will be closed through April 7th

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Due to the State of Illinois’s Executive Order,

Lakeshore will be closed through April 7th

Lakeshore wants to do their part to protect our golfers, employees and community.  Therefore, effective immediately, Lakeshore and our sister courses will be closed through April 7th per Illinois’s Executive Order 20-10 (click on link below to read).

We have been actively trying to get clarification from the State of Illinois since the executive order was announced on whether golf courses can remain open.  Finally, this afternoon, we received word this question was addressed by the state, and the answer is; “we must close”.

Please read the last page of the below link on the part that addresses golf courses.

https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/search/pages/results.aspx?k=essential%20business%20checklist#k=essential%20business%20checklist

Unfortunately, we are all dealing with the economic fallout of this global virus.  But ultimately, the safety of everyone is the most important issue. We will continue to maintain the golf course as it is essential to our business; so we can be ready for all of you, our valued golfers and friends, on April 8th!  We will all get through this.  Stay safe everyone!

In the meantime, if you are interested in renewing or purchasing your membership, click on the button below to navigate to Lakeshore’s online store.

https://golflakeshore.com/online-store/

Golfer Safety Covid-19

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Golfer Safety & Covid-19

We hope you and your loved ones are safe during these uncertain times.  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, our absolute priority is to the ensure the health and safety of our golfers, their families,  employees, and the community in which we live.

The golf course is OPEN at Lakeshore, (weather permitting), as well as our sister courses, and we are practicing CDC recommended business guidelines for sanitation and disinfection.

We will be:

–  sanitizing all touch points on golf carts before and after each use.

–  sanitizing all golf cart keys before and after each use.

–  increasing the frequency of sanitizing of all points of contacts in the clubhouse and bathrooms.

–  providing sanitizing solution and paper towels by our cart staging area.

–  providing single rider carts upon request.

–  providing hand sanitizer in the pro shop.

 In addition, it is recommended you leave flags in the cups and not rake sand traps or use ball washers.  We will be addressing our snack shop TO GO operation as the season progresses.

Nothing is more important to us than your health.  Click HERE​ for the CDC’s recommended steps to prevent illness.

We will continue  to monitor the evolving situation and keep you updated via email and our Facebook page.

Relieve Stress at the Course!

Golf is a great distraction in stressful times.  Come spend some time and enjoy the great outdoors!

Remember, kids always play FREE with one paying adult so bring the FAMILY for some fresh air and enjoy the wide open space!

Click the button below to book your tee time or give us a call at (217) 824-5521.

The Oaks Golf Course now under New ownership

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We have exciting news to share with you…

We just acquired the Oaks Golf Course located in Springfield, Illinois!  As a loyal customer, you will have another fabulous golf course to play.  We are underway with many renovations to get the course opened and ready for the 2019 golf season.

The 18-hole golf course features over 6000 yards of golf with beautiful terrain and mature trees.  The Oaks opened in 1926 and was one of Springfield’s first premier golf courses.

If you are a current member of one of our sister courses, Lakeshore, Meadowview or Timberlake, you can now play The Oaks with your membership!

Open to the Public

Contact The Oaks at info@theoaksgolfcourse.com

Directions: from I-55 take exit 98A (I-72) East. Take exit 104, turn left, go North 1 3/4 miles. Turn right on Oakcrest Rd. Then course is to the right. Turn right on Dave Stockton Drive and follow it to the clubhouse.

Controlling distance in between yardages

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Solutions for when you’re between yardages

You probably feel pretty good when you’re at the perfect yardage for the club in your hands. But what about those annoying yardages, like when a full 7-iron is going to be too much, and a full 8-iron might not get there? Or when you’re 45 yards from the green and your full lob wedge flies 60? I’ve seen many golfers struggle in these situations because they swing too hard or decelerate the club to try to control distance, and neither really works. If you want to hit more shots pin-high, give the methods I’ve used on the PGA Tour a try. Let’s start with in-between yardages. Here I’m swinging a 7-iron. I normally hit it 185 yards, so if I have 175 to the pin, I stand slightly closer to the ball and narrow my stance a few inches.

I also grip down an inch or so. When I swing, the only adjustment is to stop my backswing just short of my usual top position. Then I make my normal through-swing. I don’t change my speed coming through the ball. That’s key.

Swing speed also is important when you have less than a full wedge into a green. This is the area of the course where I’ve noticed amateurs struggle the most. Part of the reason is because they don’t have a consistent plan for how to handle these short shots. If you don’t have a strategy, it’s hard to know what to practice. And without practice, you’re going to struggle on the course.

The way I handle these shots is to regulate the length of the backswing depending on the length of the shot—shorter distances mean shorter backswings. But the thing to remember is, just like with in-between yardages on longer shots, you have to swing through the ball at the same pace no matter the distance.

I practice three swing lengths with my sand wedge that are less than full, so I have three distances locked in when I’m on the course. If I stop my backswing when the shaft is around the height of my hips (above), I know the ball will go 35 yards. When my forearms are parallel to the ground, it’s going 60 yards. And when my hands stop at my shoulders, it’s going to go 80 yards. Again, I can’t stress enough that you never want to slow down as you come through. It leads to inconsistent strikes.

“KEEP YOUR SWING SPEED UP ON SHORTER SHOTS.”

For even better results, add this to your range sessions: Hit 10 balls each with your backswing stopping at three different lengths. Make note of how far the ball goes with each, and rely on those swings to produce the right yardages when you get on the course. You’ll be a lot more confident in hitting half-wedge shots pin-high.—with Keely Levins

SOURCE:  Golfdigest

Lower Back Pain Is No Joke, But It’s Preventable

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How to Avoid the Most Common Golf Injury

Lower Back Pain Is No Joke, But It’s Preventable

Golf is a unique sport because you can often participate even if you’re not as physically fit as you once were. That said, golf isn’t always an injury-free sport. Low back pain is the golf injury you’re most likely to sustain. Luckily, it can be avoided.

The following tips will help.

Warm Up

Golf may not seem as intense as a sport like football or hockey, but you still need to warm up before playing. Loosening your muscles helps to prevent discomfort. Practice these basic exercises to prep your muscles for a few hours on the course:

  • Hold the club behind your neck, one hand on each end, and rotate your torso to stretch your neck.
  • Pull your knees towards your chest a few times to stretch out your hips.
  • Keep your hamstrings loose by bending down and reaching towards your shoes.

If you’re having trouble with these stretches, or they don’t seem to be effective, getting direct access to physical therapy could help. A few sessions with an expert could help you learn how to properly stretch before golfing to avoid lower back and other injuries.

Practice Your Swing

Golfers apply torque and torsion to their lower backs in order to generate sufficient club speed when swinging. This puts strain on the lower back. That’s why practicing a swing regularly is important. You want to emphasize smooth motions. Additionally, researchers have found that attempting to mimic the “X-factor” swing of professionals (in which you attempt to maximize rotation of your shoulders relative to your hips) may result in injury.

Maintaining proper balance while swinging also helps protect your back. Keep your knees bent and shoulder width-apart, while maintaining a straight spine.

It will take practice to develop a smooth swing, but it’s necessary. Doing so will keep you comfortable while also improving your overall performance while playing.

Get the Right Golf Bag

Lifting heavy items incorrectly or repeatedly can result in low back pain. In other words, your swing isn’t the only part of your game you need to optimize if you want to avoid discomfort. You also need the right golf bag.

Don’t use one you have to set down on the ground every time you’re ready to take a swing. Get a bag that has a stand, so you don’t have to lift it up repeatedly throughout a round.

Don’t Make Assumptions About Age

It’s easy to assume low back pain is something only older golfers need to worry about. However, the X-factor swing described above is often more likely to cause certain injuries in younger players. They tend to have more muscle mass than older generations, which puts significant pressure on their spines during the swinging motion. They may also be more likely to apply excessive force. Even if you’re a younger golfer, you should keep these tips in mind. Doing so will also help avoid injury as you get older.

Again, golf is the type of sport you can play well into old age. You’re more likely to be able to if you avoid low back pain. Remembering these points will help you stay out on the course for years.

SOURCE:  Golftipsmag

What is a “condor” in golf?

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Who knew??

A “condor” is term given to a hole-in-one on a par 5.

It is almost as rare as two hole-in-ones in a single game of golf.

How awesome would that be to make a hole in one on a par 5?

 

Stop topping the golf ball

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How To Stop Topping The Golf Ball

We have all heard the phrase, “Keep Your Head Down!” Some people might say, “Keep your eye on the ball.” They say this so we do not top the golf ball. It is one of the five old wives’ tales of golf.  In fact, it is the NUMBER ONE Old Wives’ Tale. It won’t help you stop topping the ball.

What is the challenge?  If you look at the top of the golf ball, you will most likely hit the top of the golf ball.

stop topping 1

Look at the photo above. I have placed some golf tees behind the ball.  If I look at the top of the golf ball, I will hit the top of the golf ball when I swing down.  The tees on the ground will not move and the ball will not go get airborne.  Basically, I will top the ball.

How do you fix this? Place a group of tees on the ground about 3-5 inches behind the ball, as I’ve done in the photo below. Place your club head behind the pile of tees. It will seem strange starting the club head way behind the ball.

stop topping 1

Trust me.

Swing the club head and be sure to BRUSH the grass behind the ball, sweeping up all the tees behind the ball.  I guarantee if you do this, you will never top a shot again.

Cindy Miller is 2010 LPGA National Teacher of the Year, three-time LPGA Northeast Teacher of the Year, 2001, 2005, 2010 and a former LPGA Tour Player. 

SOURCE:  Golftipsmag