GOLF like a pro with tips from local PGA pros G LF No. GUIDE TO LOCAL COURSES INSIDE CENTRAL IOWA s 1 g o l f g u i d e 2 0 1 4 38 CITYVIEW APRIL 24-30, 2014
Putting by Curt Wahlert Keeping in mind that all courses are different in their design, it is not hard to believe that greens can also be different from hole to hole. River Valley is a great example of a course with a variety of green designs. We have wide greens with gentle slopes, narrow greens with abrupt contours and virtually everything in between. I have found it to be very important to remind myself that I have to play each green based on its individual attributes. Mower lines and shading are great factors to consider when deciding on a line. While addressing the ball, try to allow for more break in the line than you might have seen when reading the green. As green speeds vary, it is a good practice to visualize a ring, the size of a five-gallon bucket lid, around the pin. This buffer allows for imperfect speed and slope changes approaching the hole. If all goes as practiced, this leaves a manageable tap-in second putt. Curt Wahlert is the General Manager of River Valley Golf Course 515.993.4029 GOLF GUIDE ADVERTISING SECTION 25- to 80-yard pitch by Kevin Beard One of the most important shots in golf when it comes to scoring better is the long pitch, shots of 25 to 85 yards. Good players find themselves at this distance for third shots into par fives, where a good pitch can result in a birdie. This shot shows up on par fours when you have driven into trouble and were not able to reach the green. Again, a good pitch allows you to save par and keep the round going. Depending on what is between the player and the flag determines what club to use. If the ball needs lofted into the air to carry a bunker, a sand wedge in the 55- to 60-degree range would be the club of choice. If there isn t a hazard to carry, a pitching wedge in the 50-degree range will serve the purpose. This shot requires very little leg action fact is, the less foot movement the better. You want your arms and shoulders to control the length of the backswing, matching it with the length of the shot. Let your knees start the downswing and help create the needed speed. Focus on solid ball contact, as distance is your main concern. To control the pace of the shot, practice matching the length of the backswing to the length of the follow-through. Kevin Beard is the Director of Golf at Otter Creek Golf Course and a PGA member. 515.965.6464 Plan a day at Otter Creek! Experience our challenging course, competitive rates and outstanding service! WELL WORTH THE DRIVE! Celebrating 10 years of being family owned and operated SPECIAL RATES and PROMOTIONS all year long! LET US HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT! Golf Outings Dinners Parties Meetings Call to set up your next tee-time (515) 993-4029 Check us out online www.rivervalleygolf.com 18-hole course Practice range Tin Cup Bar & Grille Pinnacle Club banquet facility Full-service golf shop Online tee times Golf outings Otter Creek Golf Course 4100 NE Otter Creek Drive Ankeny, Iowa 50021 515.965.6464 www.ottercreekankeny.com Otter Creek Golf Course is owned and operated by the City of Ankeny CITYVIEW
It s time to swing into spring By Ken Norland After storing your clubs away for the winter, those first few rounds in the spring can make you feel like a beginner again. Here are two ways to get your game rolling after the long winter months: 1. Short game (chipping and putting) Because short game is mostly based on feel, this is the first skill we lose over the winter and is often the hardest thing to get back in the spring. If you have the ability to practice putting during the winter months, do it. Even simple putts over your carpet at home will help maintain the feel you need to consistently be successful. Once the snow melts, don t go immediately to the range and bang drivers. Head to the putting green to get back your feel. Ultimately, you will see better scores in less time! 2. Tempo and balance These two important aspects of any golf swing also have a tendency to be lost over the winter months. To get both tempo and balance back into your swing, simply go to the driving range and hit bucket after bucket of range balls with just your pitching wedge. No one will over-swing a wedge, right? Hitting balls with only wedges will ensure good balance and tempo, which will in turn transfer to longer clubs. You will feel more confident and comfortable with a smoother tempo. Before you know it, you ll be back in the swing of things. Good luck! Ken Norland is the PGA Professional at Copper Creek Golf Course and Woodland Hills Golf Course GOLF GUIDE ADVERTISING SECTION 40 CITYVIEW APRIL 24-30, 2014
THE ULTIMATE GOLF EXPERIENCE 18-Hole Championship Golf Courses Great Daily Rates & Specials Practice Facilities Tournaments & Leagues Pro Shops & Concessions BOOK A TEE TIME ONLINE! COPPER CREEK EVENTS CENTER Flexible Catering Options Golf Course Views Accomodates up to 350 COMING FALL 2014! GolfCopperCreek.com GolfWoodlandHills.com Faster Play the Golfer s Way! A par-31 course that can be played in as little as an hour, The Executive 9 is perfect for beginners, juniors, families and golfers with a limited time to play! COPPER CREEK GOLF CLUB 4825 Copper Creek Drive, Pleasant Hill 515.263.1600 WOODLAND HILLS GOLF COURSE 620 NE 66th Avenue, Des Moines 515.289.1326 CITYVIEW
Honey Creek Resort has so much to offer Nestled within 240 acres of rolling prairie just south of the resort s entrance. The Preserve is sure to treat every golfer with an experience not easily forgotten. Come see for yourself and spend the day with us at The Preserve. The Preserve, a 7,000 yard layout designed by Herfort Norby and Associates, Chaska, Minn., is a perfect blend of great golf and natural landscapes. With five sets of tees, carts with the latest in GPS technology, and unmatched guest service, The Preserve is sure to provide each guest with a great experience. As a true resort facility, the course has been designed for golfers of every age and skill level. Course Architect Kevin Norby Herfort, Norby Golf Course Architects Imagine the delights of an indoor water park, all the amenities of Iowa s secondlargest lake, the recreational opportunities of 16,000 acres of state park land, and impeccable meeting and dining space. Dining Experiences A variety of dining options are available in the beautiful restaurant featuring Iowa grown products. Dine indoors or outdoors on the lake-view patio. Or, you may choose from special catering options, including picnic-basket meals for one-of-a-kind fun. Outdoor Activities Along with the water park, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences, including walking trails, fishing opportunities, boat rentals, nature programs and wildlife watching. Our staff can even coordinate planned outdoor educational or recreational activities. And don t miss the chance to try your swing on the Audubon-certified 18-hole golf course. Water Park Our action-packed water park is the perfect kids vacation spot an all-season water playground. Zoom down a water slide, float on a lazy river, relax poolside or enjoy the hot tub. Whatever the weather is outside, it s a tropical party in our water park. Honey Creek Resort guests receive water park passes for each day of their stay. Location Best of all -- our beautiful scenic location can be reached from anywhere in the country. We re just a 90-minute drive from Des Moines International Airport or a five-hour train ride from Chicago into nearby Ottumwa, Iowa. On behalf of our staff, we look forward to welcoming you to Honey Creek Resort State Park on Rathbun Lake. Experience the outdoors with our many outdoor activities and recreational opportunities. Unique outdoor opportunities for your event available with Iowa DNR outdoor educators located at the Resort. Programs are presented year round and requests can be accommodated. area, restaurant and lounge Honey Creek Resort State Park s fine service and comforts include: natural prairie wireless Internet locations For more information please call or visit our website at honeycreekresort.com/resort-activities/interpretiveprograms. Kenneth Hamilton, kenneth.hamilton@dnr.iowa. gov, (319) 504-6789. 42 CITYVIEW APRIL 24-30, 2014
STAY AND PLAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE! RANKED 5TH BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN IOWA BY GOLF.COM honeycreekresort.com CITYVIEW
Tournament Club of Iowa offers dramatic and challenging course Tournament Club of Iowa is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in the state and offers daily public play, yearly memberships as well as hosting private and corporate golf outings. The course is challenging, yet appealing to a wide cross-section of golfers. The course winds through hills, dramatic bluffs and timberland surrounding beautiful Big Creek and two major lakes. The magnificent clubhouse offers patrons with great dining options with unsurpassed views of the finishing holes at TCI. Our expert culinary and event planning team is perfectly equipped to assist in the planning and execution of unforgettable golf outings, parties and wedding receptions. Stay and Play: Boulders Inn & Suites is a beautiful 44-room hotel sitting high above the finishing holes at TCI. With comfortable furnishings, plasma tv s, microwaves, and refrigerators in each room, it will be hard to leave the room to enjoy all of what TCI and this great recreational area has to offer. Whether taking advantage of golf and stay packages, at the club for a wedding, or simply taking in the endless activities offered by Saylorville and Big Creek Lake; Boulders will surely become a favorite staying destination in the greater Des Moines area. The hotel is connected to the TCI clubhouse and restaurant by a cart path. Great food and drink is only a three-minute walk or seconds by way of golf cart. See why TCI is one of the premiere Iowa golf destinations! Magnificent Structure The distinguished architectural firm Colonnade Design Group of Minneapolis designed the impressive and welcoming clubhouse. This is a full service facility offering all golf amenities as well as casual dining and banquet/meeting capability. Features overlook to green No. 18 and valley with lake. including dramatic viewing of finishing holes. 44 CITYVIEW APRIL 24-30, 2014
WEDDINGS AT TCI: Picturesque ceremonies & unforgettable receptions. tcofiowa.com 515.984.9440 1000 Tradition Drive, Polk City, IA 50226 FAR FROM ORDINARY 19 CITYVIEW
PRACTICE EVERY CLUB IN YOUR BAG... EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR! AT LONGVIEW GOLF, YOU CAN ENJOY GOLF INSIDE OR OUTSIDE 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR! OPEN DAILY INDOOR DOME AND OUTDOOR PRACTICE RANGES INDOOR AND OUTDOOR MINI GOLF IMPROVE YOUR GAME BY GETTING CUSTOM FIT ALL MAJOR BRANDS! ON 54th AVENUE ALONG I-35/I-80 EXIT AT EITHER HWY. 141 OR 86th STREET IN URBANDALE 986-9799 Look for the DOME! www.longviewgolf.com 46 CITYVIEW APRIL 24-30, 2014