Golf instruction is available from the professional staff by appointment. We offer both private instruction and playing lessons. Clinics will also be conducted intermittently throughout the season. Please check the board in the golf shop for clinic dates and times. Each golf professional will be available to play at select times during the week.

Practice and the Practice Area – Getting the most out of warming up

Golf – what a game – and boy does it require practice!  So what do we do? We go to the range where we see that big pile of  balls, then we begin to pound away until we can’t see straight – there now, we have practiced.  Well - not really.

Practicing is an art in itself.  We must go to the Practice area with goals in mind so that our practice accomplishes something.  Every time we hit balls, chip or putt we must be trying to achieve something – this is a great way to improve.

Examples:

Wedges – Try to land your wedges on different spots on the range.  Use the yardage finders on the range to measure the distances and find out how far you hit each wedge. Pick a distance that is the most comfortable to swing each club smoothly.

Irons – Always pick a target.  Imagine that you are on the golf course, and that you are hitting a shot in to your favorite par 4 or you are on the tee box on a par 3.  Line up the shot, check the elements (wind, etc.), and go through your routine if you have one.  If you put those extra few seconds of thought in to each ball, it will make your practice much more productive.

Woods – Pick a fairway out in the practice area to aim for.  Create holes in your mind where you need to drive the ball in certain places or position fairway wood shots in to a specific area.  Practice driving in to very tight fairways with out of bounds on each side or water hazards around the driving area.  This will put a premium on accuracy and help you to become more mentally prepared when you go to the course and face these same types of situations.

Short Game – Always place emphasis on your short game when going to the practice area.  I think it is a good idea to start your warm ups on the putting green or chipping area and finish your practice session there as well.  Work on chipping with different clubs and hitting different shots with each club – you could even try the “Tiger Woods 3 wood Chip”.  Make sure that you work on your putting too.  Hit short putts, long putts working on speed and side-hill and breaking putts to work on line and speed control.  Imagine yourself in pressure situations to have to execute a chip shot or make a putt.  This will help you get ready for that Saturday morning nassau with the gang or that crucial putt in the Member Guest!

The Quarry golf staff for the 2007/2008 season are:

Derek Lane, PGA   Head Golf Professional
Brian Brown, PGA   First Assistant Professional
Peter Nessa   Assistant Professional
Gabe Maughan   Assistant Professional

Cathy Edwards Merchandise Buyer and Coordinator
Rachel Goodwin Assistant Merchandise Coordinator