Amazing Solid Feel

I played Ping Eye 2 irons for most of my “growth” stage in golf. For 4 years I played a club that was ultra forgiving and enabled me to learn this game. Ping irons were the rage in the late 80’s. In fact I still play my Ping Eye 2 one iron…it is by far the easiest “knife” I’ve ever hit. I also have a stable of Ping putters…I mean who doesn’t. Kushin, Anser 2 and 4, Zing, and Piper. I wasn’t one to ever give Ping a chance when it came to metal woods…maybe it was the strange experience I had playing Ping Zing woods…and yes they were wood. I never thought they looked normal, and I had a tough time convincing my eyes that these clubs could move the ball down the fairway.

Well today it’s a different Ping, and they have a great line of game enhancing and player woods…this time they are metal thank goodness!

The Ping i15 is a players club. The Ping website has it in the “competition” category. Coming in at 460 cc and a traditional pear shaped head, the Ping i15 looks clean. The smoke grey deep titanium face looks sleek and sexy. The face has an amazing solid feel, not too much “ping” or “pong” or “dink”….just a solid “thwack”, which fills my ears with joy. The ball flight and results were a joy as well! I was surprised that I enjoyed the look, usually anything other than a Titleist looks bulky and toolish. Ping hasn’t gone the route of removable (anything) but sets up the club in a fade bias. This allows the player to work the ball.

The 8° i15 was the club of choice for me. The higher lofts seemed to accentuate my high ball flight, which could also be a result of the shaft I was hitting. I tried the i15 in two shaft models the Fujikura Motore F1 and the UST Mamiya AVIScore Tour Red 69. The Fujikura Motore F1 is a nice option and a great sidekick to the i15 driver. The Fuji comes in at 65 grams and has a low to mid lauch angle. The UST is a slightly heavier shaft and a mid launch. Both have 3.2° of torque, if there was one thing I would have changed…it would have been to a slightly heavier shaft, which is a personal preference since I do not need to increase my swing speed to gain distance.

Overall

The Ping i15 Driver is a very nice club. In fact it has made the short list for my new 2010 bag makeover. The ball jumps off the face, it has a very solid feel and can be worked. I did find that my draw (10-15 yards) was slightly less than with the Titleist 983K  that I currently love….My ball flight was typical…sorta high, but when I focused on hitting a low shot, ball back in the stance and tee’d lower…the ball screamed about head high.

This driver isn’t for high handicap players…the face is somewhat less forgiving (a miss is a miss with this club). The deep face and classic look is for purists or traditional players. Other models of Ping woods offer elongated faces to increase the sweet spot. So if you want a really solid feeling driver without all the wrenches, ports and screws…more of a set and forget…then I recommend giving the Ping i15 a try.

Hank Haney, Stan Utley, and Chad Johansen.  What a motley crew of Guru’s. All three are PGA Professionals with golf putting aids. And each strives to provide you with the best putting tools through countless years of observation. Lucky for me Chad is not too far away, and has yet to raise his teaching abilities to “diva” status….at least for a little while.

Chad is the head professional at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol. He’s the man behind the curtain of the Chad Johansen Golf Academy, and creator of The Perfect Putting Aid. He’s also very passionate about teaching golf, and well… putting.

The Perfect Putting Aid

For me it’s always been about making things simple. Simple is easy to remember, easy to repeat and easy to sell. When a new product or dohiggy comes onto the market, I take a look and if it looks simple…I’m interested. I’ve used putting aids in the past, but have found that a good somewhat straight 2×4, a chalk line, or a few well placed golf tees got the job done. I’ve tinkered with fancy arc’s, locked my putter into a contraption of, bells, whistles and lasers. So of course I was interested in Chad’s Perfect Putting Aid…I mean who wouldn’t, it’s all about the name isn’t it?

The Perfect Putting Aid comprises of a Tower, a putting line and a mirror.

The Tower is supported by two legs, and each leg has a cutout, kinda like Jerry’s mouse hole. One cutout is large and the other is small. The idea is to work your way from easy to hard (start with the large..trust me). The large cutout will allow a ball to pass by unmolested on a decent stroke…the smaller hole requires a well struck ball as it is only a few millimeters larger that a golf ball. The supporting bracket that runs the length of the “aid” provides you with a visual that divides the golf ball while looking down. This is a key factor in determining how your eyes should be over the ball. If you see only ¼ of the ball outside the line…then your eyes are too far behind the ball. In a perfect world you would see about ½ the ball on either side.

The Perfect Putting Line is a metal bar that resembles a yardstick. Placing this between the cutouts and over the center of the Tower bar support bracket will allow you to putt down the “line”. This is a great tool to have, in fact I think it might be the strength of the whole Perfect Putting Aid system.

The main goal for using the Perfect Putting Aid is to get the ball rolling on line!  If you can keep the golf ball on the perfect putting line you are rolling it very well and then combine it with the perfect putting tower and get it through the little hole.  Your scores will fall rapidly!

This is nuts and bolts, not fancy, and simple. Place the golf ball on the Perfect Putting line (hole pre-drilled) and make a stroke.  Painted white with a black line, the object is to putt the length of the “bar” without the ball going off the track until the end. Reminds me of railroad tracks…and the feedback is really really good.

A small mirror completes the Perfect Putting Aid.  Placed on the ground at the center (of the Perfect Putting line) it gives you instant feedback on head, eyes and shoulder positioning. It basically provides you with a tool to help you memorize where your set-up should be every time you putt.

Overall Thoughts

What I like about the Perfect Putting Aid is the simplicity, and feedback it provides. I have used it for about 3 hours of practice putting over six days. I’ve also had others try it out. The one thing every person has commented on is “wow it looks easy, but I’m having trouble hitting through the small hole…” I’ve always felt that putting should be a challenge, but not too much to keep you from practice. Using the Perfect Putting Aid at times was difficult, but with use I found that I could regulate my tempo, and stroke and get the ball to roll down the line. For me that is an ultimate strength. Being able to repeat a stroke and “see” the line it travels…is priceless. When I used the mirror to make sure that each stroked putt was from the same set-up I did notice a much better roll and control. I began to equate the roll of the putt with the Putting Line, in fact I enjoyed using the Putting Line the most (since it was much easier to transport in my bag). It also does not discriminate between a down the line putting style or an arc style. It gives feedback to both. In fact it doesn’t promote a specific style, but rather choses consistency or repeatability as it’s measuring device. That earns some serious golf karma in my book.

Is the Perfect Putting Aid perfect? Almost. For me it has two factors from becoming “Perfect”. One it is a large aid, it doesn’t fit easy into your bag, and can be cumbersome to transport to your local putting green. Second it is the cost. In my conversations with Chad (the inventor), he defends the pricing of his golf aid.

I realize that the price of the aid may seem to be expensive.  One thing that I am not afraid of is charging what I think something is worth.  Do you want to buy a Scotty Cameron for $299 and have no idea how to use it.  It’s kind of like buying a very expensive pair of reading glasses with no prescription on the lens….  If price is an issue then buy the Perfect Putting Line for $39.99 and you will be emailing me about how many more putts you are making.  I promise!

The overall cost of the entire Perfect Putting Aid system retails for $139.99 plus tax and shipping. It makes it one of the more expensive aids you can purchase. But does it deliver? I feel that this is a great teaching tool for golf professionals giving putting lessons, since it has no bias, and covers all the bases in feedback. For the casual golfer looking to improve…I feel that the Perfect Putting Line is the way to go. (In fact I have it in the computer room and hit some putts a paragraph ago) For $40 this is worth it. In fact think of it as a lesson…since most Pro’s cost about $60 an hour or more you’ll save a ton buying this aid. And you can stick it in your bag to take with your clubs when you go and practice.

Since using the Perfect Putting Aid I noticed two things while playing. #1 I have made more longer putts and #2 I’ve seen the “Line” better…maybe because the aid has conditioned me, but I like that I can see my ball rolling longer on the target line.

So if you need some help, by all means contact Chad Johansen to help you with your putting. Heck he’s sending the Perfect Putting Aid on a countrywide tour to all the Professional Golf stops…with any luck, his passion for the game and simple aid will get him a late night infomercial. Then he might become a “diva”.

A Tale of Two Sides

Seven Bridges Golf Club was built in 1991, actually it was carved out of an existing 36 hole facility which became part golf course, part housing development. Located west of State Route 53, and north of Hobson Road, the golf course has two different and distinct flavors. The front nine is a calming parkland style course. Plenty of trees and subtle topography frame almost every hole on the front. Water comes into play on three holes 4-5 and 6. My favorite hole on this side is #7.

What a great hole #7 Tee Box

At 469 yards from the Gold tees, this is an awesome par 4. A slight dogleg right, the giant stands of oaks on the right off the tee force you to play it to it’s true length (unless you can really motor the ball and carry the tops of the oaks…um yes I did!). You will be left to a long iron shot to a three club green. It slopes from back to front and has a ridge to navigate at the back half. It reminds me a lot of hole #6 on Cantigny’s Woodside (which is one of my all-time favorite holes) and it makes you earn your score. Finishing up on the front is an interesting par 5. Measured at 579 yards from the Golds, this is a true risk reward par 5. If you’ve bombed your drive (it’s slightly downhill) you have a chance to go for it in two…but danger lurks. Water is guarding the front portion of the green in the form of the Dupage River Tributary.  It’s not too wide, but it sure can make you think about going for it!

The back nine is totally different from the front. The first three holes known as the Bermuda Triangle are challenging, actually it makes sense that they re-routed the nines back to their original design. These holes are guarded by unrelenting water…water and more water. Hole 10 is basically a par 5 surrounded by water…the whole thing…so you better be on target and take your time. Playing at 505 yards, it’s my opinion that you play this hole as a 200 yard par 3 for your first and second shots. Hole #12 is a wicked par 5. The a water retention pond plays along the left side of the hole, and the green is tucked away in a corner. The river crosses the front portion on your approach and the fairway is split off to the left…again it makes you think on every shot. Did I mention that water is the theme on this nine? The most difficult hole on the course is #16 Maelstrom.

Hole #16 called Maelstrom

Playing a tight 441 from the golds, this hole requires a well placed tee shot…there is no bail out…unless you are like me and knock it into the water on the right, then hit your next shot to 12 feet and sink a curling putt for par. The elevated green sits above the water, and is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. The round ends on a demanding par 4. At 447 yards it plays slightly less since it’s downhill, but the water comes back to play on your approach. A well placed second will leave you on a green with some twists and turns.

Overall

After I finished I was reminded why I thought the course was a tough nut to crack. The back side will either surrender some strokes or add them on. I had a strange back nine in that I had 4 penalty strokes yet still shot 39. The front nine is challenging, yet calm, while the back nine is more of a wild ride…always on the edge of your seat nine. And this time around I found it much more enjoyable. Maybe it was because I was playing by myself and finished in 2 ½ hours. Or maybe it was that the course was in superb condition. I was loving the greens. They were fast and true and would hold a shot. The fairways were well watered and not too hard, yet cut short enough that you could spin shorter shots with ease. I was very impressed with the grounds crew, every time I came to where they were working (and believe me you need to have a top notch grounds crew to keep a course like this in pristine shape) they would stop…and let me play without having to listen to mowers or trimmers. That is a sign of a great facility…when you put the guest first only good things will happen.

The Pro Shop is fully stocked with all the necessities. The clubhouse offers a wide array of dining options, and the outside bar (The Dock..go figure) is a great place to cool down with some adult beverages and reflect on the day of golf. Carts come with GPS and you really should ride, the front is walkable, but the back nine would be a haul…especially on a hot day. Plus you get the advantage of seeing the “Pro” tips while using the GPS system.

The Dock outside Bar

If there is one negative…and it only grinds my teeth a little…it has to be the cost. Now Premium golf courses require a premium rate, but I feel that given the current economic conditions, price is king. Weekend Rates of $107 will price most people out of playing. Will you want to add it to your heavy rotation? Maybe, but unless you have a fat wallet,  a couple of rounds at Seven Bridges Golf Club will set you back some dough. I think that you should give it a shot for a special occasion or a well deserved treat, and the bring a 4-some during the weekday and get 20% off (about $54 per player with cart which is a very attractive rate). An attentive and well trained staff and a well conditioned course will ease some of the monetary burden…if not the killer drinks at the “Dock”.

Click Here for the Latest Rates and Specials

Green Grass Accounts

Cantigny Pro Shop

It’s a logical place to start. When you go out to play golf or practice, you automatically become a potential customer to the “green grass” account. Your local golf facility should have some type of golf merchandise on display.

Pros

• Green Grass accounts have PGA Professionals, it is their job to know about golf equipment and products. Many of the Professionals are on staff with the major manufactures. This means that they play a specific brand of equipment, and have their names associated with that brand…ever see a PGA Professionals Staff bag?
• Local Sales Representatives assisting in the sale and care of each individual brand. Usually a local person. This helps in a variety of ways. Sales Reps get hard to find items, deal with warranty issues and trouble shoot problems for the Golf Pro.  Special orders tend to be faster and easier to do with green grass accounts.
• Pros at “green grass” accounts tend to know a lot about a particular product line(s). Since they carry it, play it, they have a wealth of knowledge…and know how to explain it!
• Most..and I mean most…of the Professionals at a golf facility have superior customer service, if you buy a product from them, it’s because they want you to spend your money on green fees or range tokens. For most golf shops, the money is in the repeat customer using their other services. Selling clubs is a by-product, not a necessity.
• Green grass accounts are stable…I mean that they tend to stick around, and are open from first light to darkness…including Sundays!

Cons

• Limited product brands. Most Pro Shops won’t carry every manufacturer. Or have accounts with every manufacturer.  It would be impossible to fit them all into the limited sales space they have.
• Lower in-stock sku’s (stock keeping units…or stuff)
• Tend to have higher costs. This is very true for must have things such as balls, gloves and apparel. Since you are there, they gotcha! They rely on margin, over volume.

Retail Box Stores

Dedicated to the sale of anything golf related. These stores can be as large as 50,000 square feet of equipment overload. Golfsmith and Golf Galaxy are golf/ tennis only stores. Dick’s is a mega sports store with golf, fishing, men’s and women’s apparel, shoes, fitness and any “ball” sport utopia. The retail box stores know how to merchandise…they know how to set up displays, and are somewhat knowledgeable (the sales force knows product, the cashier not so much…)

Pros

• Vast selection of products. Everything from A-Z.
• Large in store inventory…multiple products with the same characteristics. And most stores have a very large demo section…you can hit the ball in a net   not the best option, but better than most.
• Most have a trade in program…at least you can get some $ for your old equipment to help defray the cost of something new. In fact you can find some used clubs at great prices.
• Close outs…this is a great reason to stop by a big box store. They have plenty of last years or later merchandise to choose from. If a manufacturer has too many of last years model in a warehouse, they will sell it to a Big Box retailer (due to the logistics and distribution power) at an excellent discount…which means you get it for a lot less.
• The ability to find what you want in one stop. These stores have literally thousands of sku’s (stuff) from every manufacturer and then some. Dick’s currently purchased the Hagen name, and McGregor Line…they then cut out the middle man and offer some ridiculous prices on decent products.
• Box retailers can sell on volume, and are motivated to turn over product (saves room and makes $) so you can get great sales pricing…

Cons

• Staff knowledge. Imagine if you had to know everything about 8 manufactures…who have 6 product lines…wow that would even hurt my head! When you go to buy a “new” car…you don’t have the Toyota’s hanging out at the Ford store…So this can be somewhat tough when deciding on a specific brand…it can be overload. Too many choices can confuse.
• Limited hours of operation. I’ve tried to buy stuff on a weekend (it’s still light outside) and found the store closed. They are also located in high traffic areas, making parking and travel times difficult.
• Sometimes I feel so alone….hello…anyone there? With such a large space, there is not too much interaction…and these “helpers” are paid to make the store $…the questions they ask are not really about me, but rather how much I plan to spend.
• Customer service can become a nightmare. Not all Big Box retailers are bad…but with the volume of customers, sometimes you can become a lost name and number. I had a student once that bought some clubs (heck it was a great deal) the problem was they shipped the wrong set (she was a lefty) it was a righty…then it took 8 weeks for her to get the clubs…TWO months…in the middle of summer? Her season was gone before she got her sticks. And she didn’t even get a discount or a towel…was very sad.

On-Line Retail or Auction

Beavergolf.com a community on the Web

This is the area that has taken off. It’s always on….24/7. Items get shipped directly to your house, no need to drive around. On-Line retailers tend to have some great prices…You get exactly what you want, in the size shape or color…All types of manufactures are available and hard to find items are just a click away.

Pros

• Buy what you want when you want. Every option is available to you. Prices are generally lower (most of the big manufacturers won’t allow them to advertise a lower price than Green Grass, but they almost always have some special to entice you…like free shipping or an extra club or a free towel)
• Super low pricing on discontinued products…they make a killing on selling 2nd-3rd generation clubs. Auctions like ebay can let the market dictate what prices are. I’ve seen some really low prices on great clubs. The used golf club market feasts on the auction based platform. Owners and sellers can help each other out.

Cons

• Not being able to physically hold or touch the merchandise
• Shipping costs and times. Some on-line sellers find creative ways to inflate the cost…especially handling fees.
• Restocking fees and return processes
• Customer service? Some are exceptional (TGW and Golfsmith) some are not so good. Getting answers to questions about a particular item is kinda like asking a NY cabbie directions to Boston…won’t happen. You must know exactly what you want…the internet is also a great resource for information…like dlrgolf.com
• Paying by Credit Card…I do enjoy using Paypal…and have found that in most cases ebay is very concerned with customer satisfaction
• Buying used equipment and relying on a photo for what you get..you never know how it’s been used..at least the best sellers have a return policy, plus you can leave a bad review if needed on a transaction.
• When a deal is too good to be true…there are scam artists out there so buyer beware…deal with only people that have good reputations…if you notice more than 10% of the comments are negative…move along.

In the End

When you feel the need to get some new golf gear, take a look at all three. I’m sure that something might catch your eye. I highly recommend using a Green Grass Account if possible. These guys are good, they have an interest in improving your game, and they don’t want to lose you as a customer (since they have a smaller number). If you do have a problem, it usually just takes one phone call to get it fixed.

For Big Box retailers…I like Golfsmith and Dick’s. They have lots of product and some great pricing on golf balls and accessories. The amount of in-stock clubs makes it very possible that they have what you need. Chicago Bills Golf in Hanover Park is a hybrid..not quite as large as a BBR but way bigger than a GGA…plus Mark and Norris are golf guys..and they have as much knowledge as anyone I know about all the major manufactures. They provide all the pros of a GGA but have superior customer service when compared to a BBR.

On-line retailers are the 900 pound gorilla. They are changing how every retailer model works. They are never closed and offer the widest assortment of inventory around. As we move forward, I suspect that a greater percentage of my purchases and yours will be done online. I’ve noticed more and more PGA Instructors (Lou Solarte comes to mind) are offering web based sales of equipment. It makes sense, they understand the game, and can use it provide the buyer with information…also they are providing club fitting with purchases, so that’s a good thing! The web also allows specialty or niche retailers the opportunity to sell unique golf products. Beavergolf.com is run buy a local golfer, who wants to provide a specific feel to his “community” of golfing contacts. Ebay and the auction websites offer you the opportunity to buy or sell…which keeps more money in your pocket and that’s a good thing…isn’t it?

Ball Above the Feet

The other day I was playing and came across a very difficult lie and I thought…wow what a chance to write something for my site! What makes golf such a challenging game is that it always provides mental and physical obstacles, both good and bad. Just think how mundane, ordinary golf would be if it didn’t provide you the opportunity to say “hey this is one tough shot”.  So here are a few ways to take the difficult lie and make it playable.

Ball above your feet

I had hit my drive to the right side, like I usually do (since my ball flight is a right to left draw). The problem was that it stayed straight. That left me with a very difficult second shot on a frightening par 5…Seven Bridges GC hole # 12. My ball ended up perched on a mound protecting a fairway bunker.  When I surveyed the shot, I was beginning to feel a little “light” headed. Seems my ball decided to remain on the mound instead of rolling two feet down into the bunker. My main problem was that my stance would place me in the bunker. The ball would be about belly high, and I had to navigate about 100 yards of rough and water.

The shot was one of the most demanding, obstinate hangers I have had the misfortune of attempting….this is how I planned to escape.

Process the Situation

The first thing is to process the situation. Look for the easiest way out of trouble. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but you need to look at all possibilities. In my case the only opportunity to forward the ball was straight away. Trees blocked my escape to the right, and I couldn’t go directly left.

Blocked out Right

As my feet were going to be in the bunker, I didn’t have a stable foundation. Balance is key to making this shot work, so I knew that I had very little in the way of “error”. When the ball is above your feet, the shot will come out moving “left” of the target. This is due to the very flat swing arc, so you must do two things.

• Aim right
• Add loft to the shot by using a lofted club

I selected an 8 iron and focused on moving the ball about 100 yards down fairway. My swing thoughts were to just make a smooth swing, remain balanced and “clip” the ball. I didn’t want to take much of a divot. I dug my feet into the sand bunker and increased the width of my stance. I’d like to say that I hit a perfect shot…I didn’t. But I did manage to get the ball out of a tricky hanging lie…and moved it towards the hole by about 6o yards. I had done exactly what I wanted…GET THE BALL OUT OF TROUBLE.  Sure it wasn’t the way I planned the shot to shape…but it allowed me to make a great third shot.

Keys to Playing a Ball above your feet

• Aim Right! The ball will move to the left as the swing will be flat and becomes flatter in relation to the distance the ball is above your feet, it is almost impossible to hit it right
• Widen your stance, it’s all about balance
• Use more loft, the ball will travel a longer distance due to it “hooking”
• Focus on making “clean” contact, try to limit the amount of divot taken if you can
• Give your next shot a chance (I buried a 4 iron from 204 out and almost made a great birdie, missed a 10 footer)

When you get a difficult “hanger” of a lie, just figure out what will allow you to hit a great next shot!

The Ladder

This is a staple, in fact it’s a widely used approach to learning about distance control and speed. Brandon Evans from Village Greens of Woodridge wrote a nice article about it and you can view it here. Go ahead it’s ok to go to other sites…I don’t mind, in fact I would appreciate it if you did. It helps re-enforce my thought process if you see that “it’s not Rocket Science”.

The set up for this drill is simple. You’ll need 5 golf balls and a hole to putt to. Start out on a level flat putt. As you become comfortable, move to a left to right or right to left putt.

• Arrange the balls evenly spaced about 2 feet apart
• The closest ball is 2 feet, while the farthest ball is 10 feet from the cup
• Work your way back, focus on the roll and the distance your putter travels
• Repeat 4-5 times

The goal is to make every putt, but that’s not an easy thing. What you really need to measure is where do you begin to miss. If you have trouble with the shorties…then you need to spend more time at that distance.  When you get better (when your Shot IQ improves) those 6-10 footers won’t seem as difficult and you’ll make a fair share of them.

Pay close attention to how far your ball travels when it doesn’t go into the cup. Don’t leave them short! Those never ever go in. Try to have your putts travel beyond the target. After doing this drill for a while, you will notice that your putting stroke will become slightly longer the further you move back, and you should have a “feel” for how long the stroke needs to be.

Just remember a ladder helps you get to high places…

Located in Wheaton about 30 miles west of Downtown Chicago, 27 holes of outstanding golf await those searching for golf nirvana. BTW the “g” in Cantigny is silent…it’s French..CAN-TE-Nee is the correct way to say it. Built in 1988 by Wadsworth Construction Company the Roger Packard designed golf course sits on part of the 500 acre estate of the late Robert R. McCormick, editor and owner of the Chicago Tribune. Voted the best new Public Golf Course in 1989, Cantigny is-World Class- golf provided by a great staff of dedicated professionals.

Cantigny also boasts a separate Youth Links Facility, a short par 3 course for the younger generation, about a 4 par east of the main entrance on the south side of Mack Road. This is another amazing facility and needs it’s own post, so check back later.

Build it and they Will Come

Welcome to Cantigny

The golf course is nestled east of Winfield Road on Mack Road.  There is no large billboard sign saying “Awesome Golf this Way”, and many people might think they are going on a road to nowhere.  Even the front entrance is somewhat plain and non-descript. The drive is sidelined by Catalpa Trees, neatly standing guard, giving an informal salute to those entering the grounds.  The trees actually continue all the way to the front door of the Colonel’s Home approximately a mile away. The Golf Course, Restaurant and Teaching Academy are on the “South” side of the property.  The “South” side was developed to pay for the on going maintenance of the “North” side, which includes the Robert R. McCormick Museum (his “crib-worthy” estate house) and the First Division Museum-home of some of our countries greatest military treasures. The “North” side also has campgrounds and formal gardens. The gardens were designed in 1967 by landscape artist Franz Lipp, who divided the gardens into “rooms” framed by one or two specific native plants or shrubs.  All of the flowers which cover the entire swath of Cantigny are grown locally at the parks greenhouse. The greenhouse and it’s production facilities promote a nationally recognized educational setting, overseen by Bob Waterman and his staff. Events and programs are available here. The best part is you can enjoy walking the gardens and climbing “tanks” for only $5 per carload…What a great deal!  The amazing setting, and rich history makes for an experience unlike anything in the Chicagoland area. And the golf is….well….some of the best “soil” in the midwest.

It’s All about the Experience

I worked at Cantigny for a number of years, and in some ways I’m surely biased. But I always feel the same way every time I amble up the “drive”. For you see, Cantigny is about the experience. The moment you drive up to the Bag Drop, and are greeted by the staff in their knickers, to entering the clubhouse basking in warm wooden earthy tones and seeing a well stocked Pro Shop, you get an experience not unlike a private course or resort. If you are there early for an afternoon time or finished playing, sit down in the spacious Fareways Grill and have a light lunch, the views are free and spectacular. The Cantigny Golf Academy is a modern, premier teaching center. Overseen by Connie DeMattia and his talented staff, the Academy can transform your golf game using state of the art technology, and expert instruction. The grounds have separate putting, chipping and pitching greens, available for serious practice (a whole different post in the future). Nothing about the Cantigny Experience is “over” the top…it’s just right.

Cantigny Pro Shop

Playing Cantigny will set you back either $85 or $90 for regular greens fees. You pay a little more on the Weekends (Friday-Sunday and Holidays). Cart fees are $20 per player and the new Club Car fleet has a built in GPS system, a nice bonus. You have the opportunity to hire a well trained caddie for a base rate of $20 + tip. The caddie program has a special place in my heart, and is a service rarely seen at any public course.  The caddies make the experience even more sublime, I mean who wouldn’t like to wander the golf grounds and have someone else carry the load… Plus you are helping keep a tradition alive! Rates for juniors and seniors and 9 holes are available at a discount from the regular rate. Reservations can be made by calling 630.668.8463 to speak with a staff member or online by clicking here.

Are you going to pay for the experience? Yep, but I feel that there is no better facility to spend a remarkable day of golf…and the personal touch, exceptional golf and pleasant scenery surrounding your excursion at Cantigny will be worth every penny….I guarantee it!

The Three Nines

Cantigny has three nine hole courses. Woodside, Lakeside and Hillside.  Originally the Woodside and Lakeside nines were considered the 18 hole course, while the Hillside 9 was a stand-alone.  What is unique is that Cantigny uses all three nine hole courses to offer 18 hole play during the day.  Tee times are from 7 AM – 9 AM  Tuesday – Sunday and a later open on Mondays (closed some Mondays for Special Outings).  This is due to the triple tee wave.  Players have the opportunity to play Woodside-Lakeside, Lakeside-Hillside, and Hillside-Woodside.  In essence the 7AM time off of Woodside follows the 9 AM group off of Lakeside.  By 12 o’clock all three tees are open for afternoon play.  During the afternoon only two combinations of 18 hole play are allowed, while the third course is open for 9 hole play.  Cantigny is known for it’s outings, so check ahead to see if times are available (Outings are Tuesday-Thursday) during the afternoon.

Woodside

5th Green on Woodside

The toughest of the three nines, Woodside is a challenge to any golfer.  The course runs along the north and east boundaries of the property. Trees (hence the name) creeks and water come into play on almost every shot. The first three holes demand your attention, and failure to do so will result in lost balls and high scores. Hole # 2 might just be the toughest par 5 in Chicago. Mounds, creeks, trees and a demanding green are just part of the menu on this nefarious, but memorable hole. Woodside #6 is a stunning par 4. Teeing off on this dogleg right demands a well struck tee shot. The right side is basically “oak” jail, while the left side is receptive almost to a point…but danger lurks. At 440+ yards from the Championship tees, the green is the 900 pound gorilla waiting in the room. Ah.. Mr. Packard, you’ve set the trap. The green of Woodside #6 is the canary in the coal mine, putt from the wrong spot and bam! you are rewarded with a 8 foot slider that would make David Feherty spasm with choice words. Making 3 on this hole is a major feat… I do so love the hole.

Lakeside

Lakeside #9 Tee box

The Lakeside nine has water hazards on 6 of the nine holes. A little more open than the Woodside nine, Lakeside’s strengths are the three finishing holes. Lakeside #7 is one of my favorites, a slight dogleg left with a demanding tee shot it is a formidable challenge. Lakeside #9 is the Signature hole. Basically surrounded by water, the fairway is guarded by the famous Dick Tracy bunker. Seen from above, the bunker on the right side is in the well known profile of the cartoon character penned by Chester Gould. Actually hitting into the bunker might be the safest place on the hole. The approach shot, watched by patrons overlooking the vista via the patio, should make you nervous. The green at #9 is protected by bunkers and water. The green, receptive to only well placed shots, is small and tight (I’d rather say crusty, but tight works better). If you’ve hit the green in regulation, you have an better than 30% chance of making birdie…because they don’t come easy on this hole.

Hillside

Originally built as a 9 hole course, Hillside tends to not receive the adulation of the other nines, and I feel this is totally unfair. The Hillside 9 is somewhat more open than the other nines, yet it allows for different shots, but finishes strong. Hole #6 is a risk/reward hole. Tee off with a driver or fairway wood, you could have a short iron into the hole. Hit it off line and you’ll be dropping a new ball and playing your 3rd shot. Water surrounds the fairway, and the green. The key is to keep it in play. A well placed tee ball will allow you to attack the pin, which could be a sucker bet depending on the hole location. Lakeside #6 shares the green with Woodside #8, and it has a ski slope ridge running its width (maybe that’s why they named it Hillside?). Placing the ball on the wrong side of the ridge will test any putter, many a four putt of anguish has been seen on this hole.  The 7th hole is a fun par 5 with a fair chance at making birdie. Mounds protect the left side, while the green is elevated and tiered. Use the slope as a backstop for front pins, and a lower running shot is required for back pins. The finishing hole on Hillside is a dogleg left. The green is not the one you see from the tee box. Many a player has tried to play it to Woodside #9’s green. The safe and smart play it to hit it out to the right and come in with a longer iron. Hitting it left will bring the trees into play. Long hitters beware…the water can be reached with a driver and even a three wood straight away. The green is always a challenge. It plays more break than you think…especially when the pin is on the back right side.

Conclusion

A happy Cantigny Resident

I’m glad I didn’t have to hand write this post…phew! If you made it this far, thanks. I could have gone on and on (like I didn’t already) Cantigny is what a premier golf course should be. It’s always in immaculate shape. It has a “private club” character and a warm “resort like” charm. The experience is top-notch. What sets Cantigny apart from other courses in the area is that it is always in a state of  change. And it’s the good type of change.  The wonderful setting of trees and flowers provide the physical change. Wildlife comes and goes during the season, you might encounter a Red Fox or Blue Heron, or Red-headed Woodpecker.  Red-tailed Hawks soar above the fairways and have nests in the Oak groves between Woodside #6 and Hillside #4.  So bring a camera to record a great day of golf, you never know what you might catch.

Renovations on improving the golf experience are ongoing. Over the past few years new tees have been added, giving the course the “teeth” needed for Championship USGA level play. Bunkers have been added, fairways have been reshaped and new challenges sprinkled throughout.  Hole #6 on Lakeside is currently undergoing bunker work, and last Fall Lakeside #1 had a bunker removed and reshaped, offering a bail out area right of the green. Grounds Superintendent Scott Witte and his staff take the time to make the course a real visual treat…

The one thing that hasn’t changed is the  dedication to a world class experience and outstanding customer service. Past employees are now working at some of the best private and public courses around, and one is even playing the PGA Tour, so the “Cantigny” experience is spreading. The three nines provide a unique golfing thrill. You can play there every day and it never becomes boring or routine. Cantigny has many layers, and if you have a chance, go play it…you’ll finish and ask for more.

Contact Info

Where to start

Golf for most of us is rather enjoyable, or constant heartbreak. We either are consumed by the mysteries, or confounded by the demands. Yet in all of us there is a desire to improve…a strange personal challenge, a call to “next year I’m going to….get better!” That is the amazing thing about golf, unless your initials are TW, you need to practice. And these are some guidelines to help.

Do an assessment on your game. Figure out what you do well and what you struggle with. On a scale from 1 to 5 (with 1 being dreadful, and 5 being “all-world” rate the following:)

1. Driver
2. Fairway Woods/hybrids
3. Long Irons 3-4
4. Middle Irons 5-7
5. Short Irons 8-PW
6. Wedges G-S-L
7. Chipping
8. Bunker Play
9. Putting
10. Course Management

Now add up your total…there’s a possible 50 points out there….Take that number and multiply it by 2 then divide it by 3. That’s your real total. Nothing is inflated more than golf acumen, except fish stories…and I have proof of mine! BTW I scored a 33 adjusted to a 22. Any score above a 30 and your game is rather solid, glad to know you and let’s play sometime. If you scored below a 20 then practice is your savior….it will without a doubt help your game. It also means that you are truthful, which as the saying goes…denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.

Find the Range closest to the putting green

In all my years it never amazed me to watch golfers on the Driving Range. What amazed me was watching people on the putting green or pitching green. Those were the people that understood the importance of practice. Don’t get me wrong, there is place and time for everything. The Driving Range is needed, albeit in smaller doses, for all golfers. The primal urge to pound golf balls is embedded somewhere deep within the Limbic system and can not be reprogrammed. What is needed is a method to improve. So find a driving range with a short walk to the putting and practice greens.

If you’ve followed my posts, you might see a common thread…The game of golf is not won with brute force and strength, yet it is subtle and yielding, kind of like Operation™ (Milton Bradley is not a sponsor and in no way shape or form associated with dlrgolf.com). The person that takes the time to practice their short game, in a nutshell improves the rest of their game. The logic is thus:

• Chipping takes pressure off of hitting the ball on the green
• Short wedge mastery can save any errant shot
• Two putting is a goal that any golfer can obtain
• More strokes are taken from inside of 40 yards than any other position!

Getting Dirty means to come Clean

So if you honestly want to improve your game, then lets practice. Hit your bucket of balls, flail away with the driver if it makes you work up a sweat, then take the time to cool down on the putting green. The best way to do this is to allow yourself 1 hour of practice. Twenty minutes of ball striking (most people are machine gunners and 30 balls in 20 minutes will be super easy) followed by 20 minutes of putting and 20 minutes of chipping.

To make practice fun, you need to do two things. Find a partner…a golf buddy and develop a game. The partner should be someone you like, and the game? Try playing a 9 hole putting match, or chipping match. Get the juices flowing by wagering a cold beer, or candy bar. Try to have fun, but also be into the learning aspect. And if you are looking for someone to pal around with, I’m setting up practice “dates” (and yes I’m happily married) for people to just go out and hit a couple balls on the range and then work out the short game. So check back soon and I’ll have times and locations posted. Let’s do this…and come out clean and mean for 2010.

The Art of the Lag

The lag putt is one skill that all golfers need to focus on. The ability to get a putt close enough to the hole is a trait all great putters have. Watch the Masters this week and pay attention to how close the leaders get their long putts. The greens at Augusta will be firm and fast, and lag putting will more than likely determine the winner. When greens are soft, Tour Pros can dial it in on the flag. They are basically shooting darts to the pin, when green conditions firm up, they are left with longer putts (and according to Dave Pelz they make less than 50% of their putts over 6 feet and a little over 10% of putts of 24 feet). The tools you need to improve your lag putting are simple. Judge the speed, and find a target. To judge the speed you need to understand what direction the ball will travel. Is it going uphill or downhill? When will break come into play? To achieve your goal of lag putting, you must decide where you have the greatest chance of success for the…next putt or your target. The idea of a target is another way of removing the thought of the “hole” from your visual context. By putting towards a target, you can focus on making a stroke without the pressure of hole-itus…

What to work on

When you are faced with a long putt what do you think about? Are you trying to make it? Are you fearful of three-putting? Can you even see the hole?

I tend to think of long putts as those over 24′ which is approximately 3 flag lengths. Putts inside of this distance are ones that I feel confident in making some of the time. Putts outside this distance are ones not holed often. Add these techniques to your putting tool box (Shot IQ) and watch your scores plummet!

• Walk off the distance of your putt
• View the putt from the side, notice the way the ball will behave around the hole
• Pick the best spot for your next putt
• Find your comfort zone on short putts

Walking off the distance: this will give your mind a specific distance. The more numerical information you can give your “brain” the better. If you guess at the distance, so will your “brain”.

View the putt from the side: by getting a better “lay” of the land, you can visually see how the putt will act upon reaching the hole. Factors like uphill or downhill will move the “target” area of your lag, as will right to left or left to right breaks. It is always better to have an uphill putt, and one that breaks (if any) from right to left for a right handed golfer.

Pick the best spot: this is subjective, and relies on your ability. But the closer you can get to the hole, the more likely you will hole the next putt. If you practice making short putts from 2′ and can achieve a 80% success rate, your target area is within a 2′ circle. If your 80% rate is 3′ then your target area expands. Think of the rings on a dart board. Lagging should be a set of measurable objectives that are attainable.

Find your short putt comfort zone: The key is finding what distance you can make a high percentage of putts from. These are the “no-brainers” the putts you have super confidence making. Find your distance by starting out at 2′ from the hole and putt 10 balls. If you can make more than 8 of 10, move back to 3′ and putt again. Find out where your ability falls below 60%. This is the outer edge of your comfort zone. To be a better lag putter, zero in on placing your first putts inside this comfort zone, and adjust your target accordingly.

Lag putting is a non-glamorous skill, but if you take some time and work on getting these types of putts closer, you will find that you have less three putts. And that means your handicap will surely lower!

Going to Go Hug a Tree

I’m not a tree hugger, but I am impressed with something so simple as the Eco Endurance golf tee. The Endurance tee is made from natural starches and a composite of resins. According to the manufacturer they will degrade in 3-4 years (um that is a long time…but I guess those plastic water bottles I use take like 3000 years so I’ll say that 3-4 years is very good) or if placed in compost 12 months. Eco Golf also touts that the Endurance tee will last 10x’s longer than a wooden tee and will cause less damage to mowing equipment. This is a win-win situation. By lasting longer, and causing less damage to mowers, this tee could revolutionize the game of golf!…well sorta. At least the Amazon forest won’t be supplying my wooden tee fetish.

Playability

I’ve tried so called “hi-tech” golf tees in the past. And none of them really did anything for me. I mean I like the feel of a solid piece of wood, and the bonus of having a ready toothpick. The shape and size (2 3/4″) of the Eco Endurance were similar to what I use, I would have rather played a 3″ tee but these were gratis…no complaints. I noticed that it was a smidge lighter than a wooden tee, but the savings in weight were evident while walking down the 18th hole. I didn’t feel as tired and had more energy!

The Eco Endurance tee did its simple yet important job. It held my golf ball, and fluttered through the air on my big swinging drives. Since the tee is not painted with a color, the bottom of my driver and hybrid demo didn’t show the usual paint transfer. That is great if you don’t regularly clean your clubs, but kinda limits the telltale signs of a poor swing.

As far as durability, the tee lasted me all 14 tee shots. Which is actually a very good thing. I have splintered many a tee in my days, so kudos to Eco Golf. The downside I see is on par 3’s. I usually look for wounded soldiers, those discarded broken tees. If everyone played the Eco Endurance, I wouldn’t have to hunt for the right sized temporary tee. Darn!

Conclusion

So if you want to be more green, and save some, then go out and ask for your club or retailer to stock the Eco Golf Endurance Tee. They come in stock colors (white, tan and natural whatever that color is) and custom colors can be ordered. The tees can also be printed on (mine were courtesy of the Holiday Inn Lafayette City Center) and purchased directly from Eco Golf. 1,000 tees for $45.00 isn’t too steep, especially if you only need 2 per 18 holes…thats like a lifetime of golf. Now I only wish the packaging wasn’t in a plastic bag.