THE SEASONS ARE CHANGING-take it outside at the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 North Roselle Road. All 27 holes are open outside, three simulators are still open inside. The pro shop is filling up for the season ahead. SchaumburgGolf.com (847)-885-9000.
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter-X @GogBlogGuy and connect on Facebook/LinkedIn and Instagram. In the fitting simulator at Heritage Oaks GC in Northbrook IL.
THE OUTDOOR GOLF SEASON IS COMING-SOON.
So while the weather will be a little tricky the next two weeks, the warmer spring and summer season are getting ready to knock at the door of the clubhouse.
ARE YOU READY?
So answer yourself this question. What have you done in the winter off season, to make yourself a better golfer in the outdoor season that is coming quickly.
DID YOU GO AND HIT BALLS-in the dome. Did you go hit balls and a play golf in the simulator. How about practicing on the indoor putting greens, or even the living room or office carpet.
ARE YOUR CLUBS still in the garage, if so bring them inside and warm them up. Did you buy new clubs, or a new club, such as a driver, a wedge or a putter.
WHAT ARE THE condition of the golf balls still in your bag from last golf season. Still with dirt of cart path scuffs on them. Because if you plan to use them, bring them inside, and clean them with some warm water. But better yet, go buy some new balls. Because many clubs are still running the buy four dozen and pay for three dozen deal. Yes it is a deal, as golf balls, the best balls are now edging up towards $60 a dozen.
Arnie is always at the bar-at The Shack Indoor Golf Club 1717 Chestnut Street in Glenview. 4 new simulators and a putting green. Be ready for outdoor golf season, by getting ready at The Shack. (847)-904-2905
So what about your glove, is it black and crumpled from a rain day last year. Does it have a hole-in the palm.
But what about you hat or visor. Still dirty from last year, with the sweat stains from the hot days.
IS YOUR GOLF BAG beat. Is the strap or the stand broke. Do you still have any tees in the bag, or a marker to ID your golf ball before you tee off.
Did you ever find the missing head cover or head covers you lost at the end of last year. Because if you did not get a call from the pro shop at the golf course, that said we got them in lost and found. Your woods still need covers to start the year. But what is really amazing, is how many people never come back to a course or make a call about lost head covers. Some courses are throwing garbage bags full of head covers in the trash every year.
BETTER YET-did you ever get the range finder back you left on the post of the golf cart, or does it need a new battery.
The Mistwood Golf Dome Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook-now is the time to dig into the madness-hoops and golf season prep. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. Book a hitting bay today, open daily until 10p.
SHOES-are they still wet and dirty from that final round last October.
Is the umbrella still in one piece after that rainy, windy fall day last year.
IF YOU answered YES to any of these questions, take an hour to put things in order, before the league starts. Before the first outing, before the first business golf day. Before the first day your regular foursome is ready to tee off.
But maybe even more important is, what kind of shape is your game in as the golf season ramps up. Are you going to address the short comings before you hit the golf course.
I DECIDED that enough is enough in some area’s, and have already taken steps to be better this summer. Yes that means play more and practice more, but even beyond that, there was more that needed to be done.
Last years failing putter is gone-it was cut and released for more “cap space”. You have to love the Callaway Golf trade-in program. Odyessy AI-Two has been ordered. But there is already a new Bettinardi Novai in the bag. Soon a LAB Golf DF3 will be on it’s way to my front door. So it will be like a battle for the starting QB job in training camp. Who will start, who will back-up and who will hold the clip board while wearing a baseball, oops golf hat.
LAST YEARS NEW STICKS the Callaway Paradym’s were tested against the NEW Callaway Smoke AI, was it time to upgrade. My answer was no. The new Smoke’s won the battle vs Paradym’s. But only by 1-2 yards in both woods and irons, so I’m sticking with last years models that still don’t have many rounds on them. But if you did not upgrade last year, the time could be right for an upgrade now.
FITTING does not mean a full new bag of clubs all at once.
I already have a new pair of Sqairz Speed II golf shoes and new spikes. Traction will not be an issue if it’s a wet spring. I picked up some new gloves at the PGA Show, and the new golf balls are coming soon. I might take one day to burn out last years low mileage models, but lets get the new balls in the air.
LESSON’S-Do you need a couple. I did, and it’s already helping. Just because you take one lesson, doesn’t mean you need a whole bunch. I have to thank two members of the Illinois PGA for some quick tips. Both Billiter brothers Jim (Ivanhoe Club) and John (Heritage Oaks GC) might have figured out my issues, that were dragging on and keeping the handicap in double-digits, during one quick segment.
While at the new Cabot Citrus Farms before the PGA Show-Jim straightened out my driver stance, and ball positioning on my iron shots. Improvement in both accuracy and distance came quickly. John while working in the IPGA booth at the Chicago Golf Show, made a slight grip change, and closed the club face a little on my take-away. I am already liking what I see, and it’s still only March.
BUT WHAT I DO KNOW-I am already feeling more upbeat about my golf season ahead. So take the steps you need to be ready for golf season, don’t use 10-12 rounds to work the rust off. With some proper prep, you can have better results from the start, if you take a little stock in your overall game, and equipment.
PGA TOUR-LIV GOLF MEETING with all the big bosses and some players. Could happen today or tomorrow, somewhere near Sawgrass and Tour headquarters. Stay tuned.
ILLINOIS GOLF-on the women’s side Isabel Sy earned co-champion honors at Briar’s Creek Invitational. The Illini were fourth, and for Sy, it was her sixth straight Top 5 finish. The men’s team finished 8th at the Johnnie O’s Invite at Sea Island Resort in GA.
THE GOG BLOG returns tomorrow. RS