Coach's Corner: Driver Set up

February 2018

Jack Nicklaus said once that “the success of any shot is made up of three components…50% setup, 40% mental, and 10% motion.” Here are some tips to help your driver setup position.

I am sure you have heard that you have to “hit up” on the ball with a driver and that you have to hit the ball “from the inside.” If you setup correctly, like Mr. Nicklaus said, this will be a lot easier.

I want you to take a look at the PGA tour player and I will point out a few key points of his setup. This is called the “reverse K” position.

1) Ball position off of your lead shoulder
2) Head behind the ball
3) Slight tilt of the trail shoulder down

This setup will help you stay behind the ball, hit up on it and hit from the inside. Make sure you keep that head behind the ball when you swing!

I hope that this helps and if you would like more help with your driver, go see your local PGA professional!

The Coaches Corner is brought to you by our Oaks Course Golf Pro, Brad Patton. Brad is the Lead Staff Instructor and PGA Assistant Golf Professional. He has real a passion for golf and instruction, and has been part of the Oaks Course team for several years.

07 February 2018

Karen's Corner: A Twist on Tuna

The wonderful thing about Georgia weather is if you are tired of it, the next day it will change. I don’t know about you but having all four seasons in a week can make you a little crazy. It makes it hard to decide what you would like to eat also. I like a hot bowl of soup with a cornbread muffin to warm up with when I am cold; I like something a little lighter when it warms up. The Oaks Course specializes in having the right dish for the right weather or occasion.

The perfect combination for this time of year is a cup of soup paired with a light sandwich, wrap or salad. When you think about tuna salad, try this recipe:

• Two pieces of naan bread (softer than pita bread) grilled or lightly toasted
• Tuna Salad
• Swiss cheese
• Dill pickles

Grill or toast the naan bread, place two (2) slices of Swiss cheese melted and dill pickle slices and top with 3-4 ounces of tuna salad. Great blend of flavors. This Oaks sandwich is a good mix of both. Now just add a bowl of heart healthy lentil soup and you have a meal sure to please whatever the weather.

05 February 2018

Turf talk: Winter Survival

During the winter months ultradwarf bermuda grass greens still require a fair amount of time and money to maintain. Although the cultural practices of verticutting and topdressing are generally not performed, other factors rise to the surface as top priorities. One of the main focuses on greens during the winter is moisture management. Proper percentages of soil moisture are crucial in order to protect the greens for winter damage such as defecation and cold weather injury. Moisture levels are closely monitored through the use of a moisture meter, and are generally adjusted by hand with a hose. Also greens do receive small amounts of fertilizer and growth regulators as long as they remain in a semi dormant phase. These amounts are far lower than what is generally seen during the growing season. This helps to ensure storage of carbohydrates, which is what the plant uses to green up, or recover from winter injury in the spring. Lastly fungicides are applied if environmental conditions are suitable for disease, or disease is observed, but generally this is rare in the colder months in the transition zone.

Turf Talk is brought to you by Oaks Course Superintendent, John Fields. Stay tuned for more about the turf of our course and additional information as we roll out this new blog series!

17 January 2018

Coach's Corner: Know Thy Distance

January 2018

In playing lessons, I like to just observe for a few holes how my student goes about playing the game. Many them, on par threes, look at the score card, pull a club and hit away. Rarely do they have the correct distance. I then ask them how far the hole was from them and they tell me the distance that was on the score card. Oh, if was that easy!

If you do not know how far your target is away from you, how will you ever be able to score your best?

The distance on the card is measured from a spot on the tee box that is usually marked and fixed into the ground. Not the tee markers mind you, but a plaque that doesn’t move, and that distance is measured to the center of the green.

Let’s say, for an example, that the tee markers are 10 yards back from the plaque, then the hole is in the back of the green and the card says the hole is 150 yards.

You need to add 10 yards to the 150 and add another 10 to the hole. That shot is now 170 yards, not 150. A difference of 20 yards might mean an addition of two clubs. Instead of that 7 iron, it might be a 5.

To score your best, know your distance. Take a minute longer and get a better idea of how far you are. There are a lot of range finders that can make this process a lot faster, but it doesn’t take too long to pace the shot off.

I hope we can work together and make 2018 your best playing year ever. Here is to a happy, healthy and low score shooting New Year!

09 January 2018

Christmas Tournament December 16, 2017

Newton County Boys & Girls Club to Benefit

Christmas Tournament Image 2017

The Oaks Golf Course will tee off for a cause Dec. 16 with its annual Christmas Tournament! The golf course will be transformed into a Christmas themed obstacle course filled with goofy golf holes.

This year the Newton County Boys & Girls Club will be the charity recipient.
For Nancy Schulz, Oaks Golf Course owner, partnering with the NCBGC made perfect sense for the holiday season.

“Every year we select a charity. This year it seemed fitting to select the Newton County Boys & Girls Club, Schulz said. “We are in desperate need of a local club and, as you know, it takes funding. We have been raising funds to open a program and build a facility in the western part of the county.”

Newton County Boys & Girls Club’s mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. NCBGC is set to open a storefront location in the summer of 2018 serving teens.

Afraid your expert level may not be up to par? All experience levels are welcome to The Oaks Golf Course. This tournament is all about celebrating the season and coming together for a wonderful community cause! The format will be a 4-player scramble. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 9:30 AM. Save $10 with Early bird registration of $60/player.

Sponsorship levels are available to further the mission of NCBGC:
Gold Sponsor - $100
Silver Sponsor - $50
Bronze Sponsor - $25

To register click here, or call the pro shop at 770-786-3801.

05 December 2017