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The Oaks’ 15-Second Tip with Gary on Pitching

The Oaks Course loves to give tips to all golfers! This week Gary Miller is giving a 15-second tip about pitching. In our video tip, Gary explains the proper technique to master the pitching stroke. The pitching technique is useful when you are too close to take a full swing, but are not close enough to chip or putt the ball.

Pitching is a simple stroke that can successfully get your ball over an obstacle, such as a bunker or tall rough. It can also be used if you happen to be stuck behind a tree; it is one of the best techniques to get your ball back onto the fairway. When practicing this technique, be sure to use a pitching wedge or a sand wedge for the best results.

The setup for a pitching shot is similar to that of the chipping technique. Place your hands lower on your club during this shot, while also keeping in mind to keep your ball in the back of the center of your stance, setting the ball next to your back foot. Be sure to only take your club halfway of your normal swing.

Pitching is a versatile technique that is great for getting golfers out of trouble when faced with obstacles on the course. Pitching is an essential shot that can be used frequently throughout your round of golf at The Oaks Course! Watch Gary's 15-second tip on pitching and keep it in mind the next time you are in need of an easy, successful shot! 

Are You a Junior Golfer? Participate in The Oaks Course Winter Break Camp!

Is your junior golfer looking to sharpen their golf skills? Spring is right around the corner, making it the perfect time to polish their golf technique. The Oaks Course will be holding a Winter Break Camp on February 12th and 13th. The camp will consists of two morning lessons led by The Oaks Course’s own golf professional, Gary Miller.

Instructional topics include, but are not limited to; golf fundamentals, golf etiquette, the rules of golf, full swing and more. Not only is the Winter Break Camp at The Oaks Course a great time to sharpen your junior golfer’s golf skills, it’s a great time for kids to meet other golf lovers their age!  

The Winter Break Camp is open to both boys and girls, ages 5 to 16. Junior golfers should arrive at The Oaks Course at 9:45 a.m. for check-in. From 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., junior golfers will be taught golf tips that will come in handy for the rest of their golf career. Pick up time from camp is at 11:45 a.m. each day.

Sign up is easy. All you have to do is call the golf shop at The Oaks (reach them at (770) 786-3801) or stop by The Oaks’ golf shop – but make sure you sign up before February 10th, as that is the deadline for this great junior golfer opportunity. The Winter Break Camp costs $45 per child and is a wonderful chance for your junior golfer to learn more about golf technique that they can use in upcoming spring golf matches!

Stop Slicing: A Golf Tip From Gary

The Oaks Course sees a variety of golfers and the problems they face during their game each day. One of the problems we tend to notice is when golfers unintentionally slice the ball. This week our own golf professional Gary is offering a tip that will help prevent you from slicing the ball.

If you are not sure, slicing the ball is a shot shape that starts off on the left side and then veers toward the right. Slicing typically happens to a golfer when their club hits the ball from the outside in, causing the swing to come across the ball rather than through it. The ball slices due to the side spin that is imparted on it due to the outside in swing.

In order to prevent slicing your ball, make sure that your swing plane is going through the ball, rather than across the ball. To do this, have your down stroke come from the inside of the ball and continue through the outside of your ball, while rotating your hands through the swing.

Slicing will rob your shot of distance and is a very unpredictable method. If your ball is slicing and you are facing a wind, it is even more likely that your ball will be taken by the wind – ultimately hurting your score on that hole. If you are interested in learning more about preventing a sliced ball, visit The Oaks Course to set up a lesson with Gary Miller! Until then, watch our 15-Second tip about slicing.

Check Out Putters' New Menu!

To start off 2015 right, The Oaks Course’s restaurant, Putters, has updated their menu! Putters has included light, yummy breakfast and lunch items to their 2015 menu. Putters opens at 7 am daily and is the perfect place to grab a healthy breakfast before a few rounds of golf. With Putters, there is no need to worry about missing breakfast by a certain time; Putters serves breakfast biscuits and sandwiches all day.

Some of our favorite new breakfast items include the Wrap Around the Tree and the Sunrise Breakfast. If you are in the mood for a breakfast burrito, try Putters’ Wrap Around the Tree. It includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, cheese and onions wrapped in a fresh, warm tortilla, served with a side of fresh fruit. The Sunrise Breakfast is delightfully simple. It includes an egg, cooked to your liking, served on a biscuit or toast with cheese, bacon or sausage.

For lunch, try our homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich. Our homemade chicken salad is a special blend of seasonings, cranberries and pecans. We top it with lettuce and a slice of tomato and serve it on the bread of your choice! Another Putters favorite is the Triple Stack Club. The Triple Stack Club is the perfect sandwich for lunch – it has ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar and swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato all layered on three slices of bread.

The next time you stop by The Oaks Course, be sure to stop by Putters too! You can check out our full new menu here!

Gary's 15-Second Tip of the Week: Bunker Play

It happens to all golfers – sometimes we end up in the bunker! When the ball does not land where you want it to, do you know how to get it out? If not, our own golf professional, Gary Miller, is offering a 15 second tip about how to play in the dreaded bunker! Being able to master bunker play is vital to your golf game.

When your ball is stuck in the sand, the first thing you should do is position the ball close to your back foot while taking an open stance towards the green. Shuffling your feet a little into the sand will give you a solid stance as you prepare to make your shot. Be sure to pick your spot on the sand where you want your club to hit before you make the swing. Typically this spot will be about two inches behind your ball.

After preparing for the shot, make an aggressive, stable swing that will hit down and through the ball. The sand will prevent the ball from going too far out. Bunker play is tricky because the goal is to hit the sand underneath your ball, rather than your ball itself.

Bunker play techniques are essential to every golfer’s game. Getting out of the bunker with as few shots as possible could save your score at the end of the match. If you do find yourself stuck in the sand, be sure to remember that resting your golf club on the sand, while waiting to play, is a two-stroke penalty. If you want to see a bunker play in action, watch our 15 second bunker play tip! 

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11240 Brown Bridge Road
Covington, GA 30014
(770) 786-3801