Join us for our Thursday Night Men’s League!
JOIN in the FUN at LAKESHORE!
Thursday Night Men’s League starts THURSDAY, May 5th @ 5:30pm!
Lakeshore Golf Course will be closed through April 7th
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.
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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.
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.
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
Longest Hole In One
Who knew??
The record for the longest hole in one belongs to Lou Kretlow, who achieved a hole-in-one at a 427-yard course in 1961. Kretlow was originally a baseball player and enjoyed much success. He only became a professional golfer after hanging up his gloves. We can certainly think of worse ways to enjoy retirement.
Have you ever had a hole in one?
Shop for your Valentine ♥
We’ve got our Golf Memberships available for your Special Golfer!
Golf adjusts rule on caddies standing behind players
Six weeks into the new year, the new set of golf rules have their first adjustment on caddies standing behind their players.
SOURCE: StarTribune
Golf’s two governing bodies released a clarification on the rule aimed at caddies no longer being able to help players line up a shot. The rule now says a player can avoid the penalty if he backs away from his stance and starts over anywhere on the golf course, and not just the putting green.
It also says caddies will not be in violation if they are standing behind their player without being aware the players are stepping into their stances.
The clarification was in response to a two-shot penalty on Denny McCarthy at the Phoenix Open that later was rescinded so the rule could be studied.