Golf Tips from Gary

Improve your Score in 2012
Many golfers have added “hybrids” to their golf bags.  These wonderfully easy to use clubs should be in wider use, as they can replace long irons which tend to take years to master.  Dana Quigley (PGA SR TOUR) was using 9 hybrids when I played with him – and he said I was giving away at least 4 shots per round by not using them.  I now use three hybrids, replacing my favourite clubs (1, 2 and 3 iron).
When players first try a hybrid they sometimes complain about the feel of the hit, or poor result.  My advice is play all shots from the middle of your stance, mid-way between the feet and below your buckle or belly button.  Imagine you are hitting a smooth five iron.  It may take dozens of shots to figure out the distance you hit each hybrid, but the results certainly are worth the practice.  We feature several  hybids in the shop, Adams, Taylormade, Ping  and Titleist are the best, but they all work!

Chipping

Golf Tips

#1 Chipping

Most golfers have been taught to chip by pushing their hands ahead of the ball at address, then dragging the handle through impact with the hands leading the clubhead. The thinking is, this creates a downward strike for solid contact. But trying to keep the hands ahead often causes the left arm to pull the butt end of the club away from center, which actually makes it harder to catch the ball flush.

The best chippers make a small pivot or body turn toward the target as they swing through. This helps keep the arms and body moving in sync. To groove this, try my tee drill: Stick a tee in the butt end of the grip, set up with the tee pointing just forward of your belly button, and keep it pointing at that spot throughout the swing. Play the ball slightly back in your stance, and put more weight on your left side. As you swing, retain the triangle formed by your arms and shoulders.

The tee in the grip should stay close to your body and move to the left as you turn through the shot. Iit should stay pointed at the spot where it started. That proves your arms and body are in sync, and your chipping is sure to improve.

Brian

Improve your golf Experience

Improve your golfing experience in 2012
Every spring the great Jack Nicklaus went to his Head Pro Jack Grout, the man who had been teaching Jack from his first days as a junior, to “review the basics”.  What was good for the best in the world certainly should also be good for the rest of us!
Jack and Jack reviewed PGA – Posture, Grip and Alignment.
Posture: how you stand as you address the ball, pre-swing.  Relax, stick your seat out, arms extended, hands below your face.
Grip: the most important, how you “hold” the grip of the club.  I say “hold” as it sounds less strong than “grip” as we want light pressure, like holding a tube of toothpaste with the lid off.  Ask the Pro if you are holding the club correctly, in both hands.  Are your grips the right size?  A 10 minute review of your “hold” can last a season!
Alignment:  How your feet, hips, shoulders are aligned towards your target will improve chances of a better shot.  The most important thing to align is your brain, think target (not ball) and your chances improve.  When you swing “away from the target, then swing back to the target” you are on your way to a more powerful and accurate game.
See the pro for a quick P.G.A. lesson, a half hour that can show immediate increased enjoyment.

Albatross on Seventh Hole

Kyle Derzaph took a two on hole number seven last Wednesday in Men's League.  The seventh hole is our hardest hole and is also our signature hole- way to go Kyle- see if you can do it again tonight.

D'Arcy Super - Kim Bodnar: Greens Aeration

D'Arcy Super - Kim Bodnar: Greens Aeration: Greens aeration is one of the most important cultural practises that is performed on the golf course and there is no substitute that is as e...

The Story of the founder of D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club

Mr. Jerry D’Arcy (pronounced DRC and fondly known as Mr. D)

Mr. D past away in 2001 at the age of 79. His wife Patti lives in Calgary and son Clyde and daughter Rebecca live in Denver, Colorado.

Mr. D was born in Denison, Texas and attended University of Tulsa where he was a 6’6” centre for the very successful football team.  Mr. D’s football career was interrupted by the war where he served in the Army Air Force for 41 months. He came back to the university to finish his degree and then became the assistant coach for the football team in 1949. 

Mr. D started working for Arrow Drilling in 1953 and was transferred to Calgary in 1954 where he also became involved with the Calgary Stampeders. In 1960 he bought Can-Tex Drilling where he was President until he sold the company a few years before he died.

  Mr. D has many accomplishments. In 1973 he was inducted into the University of Tulsa Hall of Fame. He is past president of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors; Past President of Calgary Petroleum Club; Past President of the Calgary Stampede and  Past President of Canadian Quarter Horse Association.

Mr. D bought the golf course land in 1963 and ran a quarter horse ranch complete with an indoor arena (where the existing maintenance building is) and a  quarter mile track ( situated around the second hole on the golf course). When Mr. D decided to build his own golf course he contracted Finger Dye and Spann of Houston, Texas to design a links style course that is challenging for experienced golfers yet enjoyable for beginners. He also thought it very important that to provide employment to local teenagers as Okotoks was a growing community.  The golf club was to be a public facility where everyone could experience a day of golf and be treated like members of a private course.

This is our new splash page for our up coming D'Arcy Ranch App

Hopefully it will be ready for you by May 15th.