The most common thing that I am asked when giving a lesson is, “Clint, How do I get more distance out of my driver?” You must understand that consistent distance comes from centered-ness of contact (the sweet spot) and the angle of approach that your club makes when coming in contact with the golf ball. When this is realized, I also focus on three points that will help optimize your distance.

First, do you hold the club correctly – Do you have a proper grip? An added power technique that is often under utilized by the amateur golfer is holding the club in the fingers, as opposed to the palm of the hand. For example, when you hold a baseball bat you encircle the bat palms first and then close your fingers in around it. In golf you should let the club rest in your fingers – primarily in the ring and middle finger of the lead hand (Note: the lead hand for right handed players is the left hand, and vice versa for left handed golfers). This allows a more free flowing swing, a release of the club head during impact, and lets you create more club head speed without having to swing harder at the ball.

The second thing that I look at is posture. According to The Titleist Performance Institute, 65% of missed golf shots, from the amateur to the professional level come from early extension, also known as a loss of posture. This means that somewhere during the course of the swing the golfer losses the starting posture or the golfer was never in the correct posture from the start. To get the proper posture, stand up straight with your feet shoulders width apart. From here try to bend at the hip flexors, not the back, to lower yourself over the ball. Finally gently soften your knees. If your posture is correct, you should be able to see the tops of your shoe laces, and your lower back should be flat. Try to maintain this posture through the entirety of your swing; you must stay down over the ball until your arms pass your body. If you lose your posture, you will lose your power.

Finally, in many cases amateur golfers feel that if they swing hard at the ball they will get more distance. This could not be further from the truth. When you swing hard at the ball, your muscles are flexed. What is longer, a flexed muscle or a relaxed muscle? The answer is a relaxed muscle. To create club head speed, try to keep your arms relaxed, your upper back relaxed, and your wrists lose.

So, if distance is what you are looking to gain, remember to check these three things: your grip, your posture, and your level of relaxation. It is also very important to stretch before, during, and after your round to avoid injury and increase the longevity of your game.

Notice here that you should hold the club in the fingers, primarily the ring and middle finger. From here close your hand around the rest of the grip like in the picture above.

Don’t establish your grip palm first. Notice the club laying across the palm of the hand instead of the fingers.

A solid starting posture, bending at the hip flexors and softening the knees. Also notice a flatter lower back.

This is an incorrect starting posture. You will notice the rounded lower back – Also known as “C” posture. This is an inefficient way to start your swing

Here at the top of the swing the hands are as far away from the center of the chest as possible. This will allow for a larger swing arc and increased club head speed

Until next time, keep swinging!

Clint Higgins –
Director of Golf – PGA Golf Professional
Titleist Performance Institute Certified Golf Fitness Instructor
Sycuan Golf and Tennis Resort

1. Golf jokes are made for laughing, so do. Except if they can’t hit the ball.
2. Offer snacks liberally; a full golfer is a happy golfer.
3. Let your sweetheart drive the cart. At least it’ll get them off the green.
4. Compliment them. Often. Even if they’re back in the bunker for the fifth time.
5. Be courteous and don’t ever drive past the ladies tee box.
6. NEVER give unsolicited advice.

“We provide golf instruction of all sorts…even when it comes to affectionate game moves helping mates understand the basics of golfing togetherness,” said Bob Madsen, PGA, Director of Instruction at Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort. “Even if those couples aren’t matched in skill, we can help. Couples that play together, stay together and learning the basics can help cement that golf-bond.”

Couples Retreat
When one night together just isn’t enough, Sycuan offers their “Couples Retreat Package” for a full weekend of golfing fun. This includes two nights in the resorts newly renovated rooms, 3 hours of golf instruction, included greens fees, complimentary beverages, unlimited range balls and more. For the golfer who has everything, a few days on the course makes for the perfect relaxing getaway. For more information please visit http://www.sycuanresort.com.

Ultimate Romance Package Contest
Sycuan is also launching a contest around their “Ultimate Romance Package.” Couples submit their creative stories of how they met to win a free overnight stay at the resort and a private dinner for two at the Sycuan Café Grill. The romantic menu includes a full-course dinner of exotic aphrodisiac foods and two glasses of champagne to kick off the evening in style. “It was a creative idea with the romantic holiday in mind. Why not use aphrodisiacs as a way to entice our guests to come in and enjoy a romantic setting? It’s risqué and appealing at the same time,” said Sycuan’s award-winning Chef, Augie Saucedo. You can find the $39 menu at http://www.sycuanresort.com/resort/dining/valentines-dinner/.

To enter to win the “Ultimate Romance Package” please visit: http://www.facebook.com/sycuanresort.

ABOUT SYCUAN GOLF & TENNIS RESORT
Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort is a 425-acre golf resort managed by the Sycuan Tribe, and is nestled in the lush Dehesa Valley of El Cajon, California. Just a short 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego, the resort is the perfect place for a vacation, business retreat, conference, tournament or special event. The resort boasts 54 holes of championship golf and offers professional golf instruction through its PGA and LPGA certified Golf Academy. Also included are 11-lighted tennis courts, swimming pools, Primrose Spa, and delicious fine and casual dining options. Offering great values all year long, Sycuan Resort is a golfer’s paradise. For more information about Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort please visit http://www.sycuanresort.comor call 800-457-5568. To schedule a group meeting or special event please contact Amy Hungerford Galusha, National Sales Manager at ahungerford@sycuanresort.com or 619-219-6066. For press inquiries, please contact Robert Blodgett at 619-573-1061 xt. 311 or Robert@jacobtyler.com.

ABOUT THE SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
Members of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation have resided in and around the San Diego area for nearly 12,000 years. The Sycuan Tribal Government operates one of the region’s premier Indian gaming and resort facilities, the Sycuan Resort and Casino. The Sycuan Tribe demonstrates its strong commitment to the San Diego region through its support of hundreds of civic and charitable organizations. The Tribe, through the Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation (STDC), also seeks to reinvest in the San Diego community with a progressive business development effort. To date, STDC has purchased Sycuan Resort (formerly Singing Hills Country Club) and the historic U.S. Grant Hotel and Conference Center in National City. For more information about Sycuan visit www.sycuan.com.

Willow Glen, one of two premier 18-hole San Diego Championship golf courses at Sycuan, gets a “bunker-lift”.

The championship layout is undergoing the replacement of “42” sand bunkers. These challenging golf course features are being reshaped and contoured as part of this project to increase your golf-playing pleasure. With this major overhaul, it equates to 1,200 tons of Caltega Silica Sand. This process started the 3rd week of November and is slated to be completed by the end of 2011.

Pine Glen, our Par 3 18-hole Pine Glen golf course gets a “‘tee-box’ lift”.

Pine Glen, Our Par 3 18-hole Pine Glen golf course gets a “‘tee-box’ lift”.

With a total of over 60,000 square feet of Hybrid Bermuda, the course will have an improved feel at the start of each hole. This is not just new seed/sod, but leveling and grading for appropriate runoff and once again to improve our players golfing experience.

It’s not a golf cart, but a Club Car!

If the scenery, food and facility isn’t breathtaking enough, we are furthering your golf experience with a brand new Golf Car fleet from Club Car. This is the precedent model that provides a great ride for your 18 holes and includes Visage, the newest GPS system around. Why not have your own personal caddy with the included flyovers and descriptions of each hole and accurate yardage to provide you with the most detailed information when deciding the appropriate club to use. Hosting a tournament? We would be glad to help your group advertise your sponsors and key players on each hole. The possibilities are endless.

When you come out to check out the improvements, let us know what you think!

$20 per person (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity)

From January 15-20, 2012, Sycuan Cafe Grill will be offering a 3-course dinner for $20 in recognition of San Diego’s Restaurant Week. This will give an opportunity for our guests to taste what Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort has to offer from a cullinary standpoint. bring out the flavors of your dinner with a wine pairing for an additional $10. Reservations are highly suggested and can be made by calling 619-219-6092 or through OpenTable.

Menu

Appetizer

Baby Iceberg Lettuce Wedge
Spanish Chorizo, Manchego, Red Onion, Tomato Vinaigrette

Baja Tortilla Soup
Smoked Chicken, Goat Cheese Crouton, Avocado Oil

Entrees

Almond Parsley Crusted Salmon
Whipped Artichokes, Fennel Orange Salad, Saffron Verjus

Maple Chili Smoked Hanger Steak
Boniato Timbale, Asparagus, Bearnaise Sauce

Blue Crab Butternut Squash Risotto
Asiago Cheese, Lemon Zest, Basil

Dessert

Organic Florida Key Lime Pie
Meringue, Chocolate Swirl, Berry Coulis

Peanut Butter Banana Bread Pudding
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Cardamom Caramel Sauce

Sycuan S’Mores
Graham Cracker Crust, Callebaut Chocolate, Marshmallow

Reservations Suggested. Please call 619.219.6092.

For every membership the NMCRS generates, Sycuan will gift the organization ten dollars.

“We are deeply gratified to donate a portion of our membership proceeds to the NMCRS, a group which works tirelessly on behalf of the brave men and women who protect our freedom every single day,” said Doug Kacena, Director of Sales and Marketing for Sycuan Resort. “We are excited to introduce our members to this organization and the important work it is doing on behalf of Navy Service members.”

“We are thankful to Sycuan Resort for supporting our organization,” said Barry White, Captain, United States Navy (Ret), Director of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society San Diego. “Having generous community partners like Sycuan Resort allows the Society to better serve our Sailors and Marines in financial need,” adds White.

In addition to a multitude of deep discounts at its award-winning golf course; Sycuan’s Gold Club Membership also offers a complimentary stay at its 100-room hotel and spa, which just underwent a $2.7 million renovation. Members will also enjoy perks such as a two for one entrée at the Sycuan Café Grill, now headed by award-winning Chef, Augie Saucedo.

To sign up for a chance to win the tournament, visitors can click on: https://www.facebook.com/sycuanresort

The tournament will include golf with cart and driving range access, for a total of 16-players, or four groups of four. Each player will receive a gourmet boxed-lunch, and awards will be given for the groups’ first, second and third place winner, longest drive, and even last place player. The awards include prizes such as a free twosome of golf, dinner for two, two complimentary hours of lessons, and certificates for Sycuan’s pro shop.

While the tournament contest is open to the public and members alike, it is part of Sycuan’s Gold Club Membership drive. Annual memberships can be purchased for $169, online, at http://www.sycuanresortgoldclub.com, by calling the membership line at 888-548-8640, or in person at the resort’s Pro Shop.

“All of us at Sycuan live and breathe golf and feel privileged to work at one of the finest golf resorts in the nation. Nothing is more exciting or fun, than a tournament with friends, family, or colleagues.” said Doug Kacena, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort. “We are happy to offer this giveaway to one lucky individual and their fifteen guests. We know that they will find our pristine courses the most beautiful and challenging they’ve encountered.”

The $169 annual membership offers more than $850 dollars of complimentary certificates and discounts. These include 30% off green fees, a complimentary round of golf in Sycuan’s Pine Glen course, a complimentary round of golf in its Oak or Willow Glen course, buy-one-get-one-free golf instruction and rounds of golf, as well as three complimentary cart fees.

Memberships can be purchased online, at www.sycuanresortgoldclub.com, by calling the membership line at 888-548-8640, or in person at the resort’s Pro Shop.

“We were delightfully overwhelmed by last year’s Gold Club membership package,” said Doug Kacena, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort. “Our members began asking us halfway through the year, when they could sign up for next years’ package. It offers member benefits on our stunning golf courses, hotel, restaurant, as well as our tennis facility and at Sycuan Casino. Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort is a jewel nestled within the majestic backdrop of east county’s mountains and vistas. Once you are here, you are treated like family.”

In addition to the multitude of deep discounts at its award-winning golf course, Sycuan’s Gold Club Membership, also offers certificates at its 100-room hotel and spa, which just underwent a $2.7 million renovation. Members also enjoy perks at Sycuan Café Grill, now headed by award-winning Chef, Augie Saucedo, formerly at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, such as a two for one entrée purchase.

The event will take place on October 6th, 2011, from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m at the NTC Promenade at Legacy Plaza in Point Loma, San Diego. Hosted by Sam Zien, of the show Sam, the Cooking Guy, and Brian Malarkey, a winner of Bravo’s Top Chef series, the chefs will compete in classic “Iron Chef” style, meaning they are timed and limited to surprise ingredients.

“Sycuan Resort is proud to bring our wonderful cuisine to the Showdown. We have one of the best restaurants in San Diego county and I’m ready to sharpen my knives and show them some of our specialties,” said Augie Saucedo. “Sycuan is also proud to be supporting a cause that benefits victims and survivors of domestic violence. Too many families are affected by this epidemic. The first step in abolishing domestic violence is to bring attention to it.”

For more information on the event, or to buy a ticket, please visit: http://www.ccssd.org/news_chefshowdown_2011STD.html