JOSE CALLEJA General Manager, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

GOLFING IN PARADISE

By JOSE CALLEJA

General Manager,
Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

This week’s tip covers the importance of straight arms in your golf swing.
Throughout the golf swing there’s only one specific moment when both arms are straight and that’s just after impact. The 2012 BMW Champion Rory McIlroy demonstrates the arm position which is dominating the golfing world.
This position is a key checkpoint which you can use to determine the quality of your golf swing. When both arms are extended just after impact it demonstrates a player’s ability to correctly synchronise the body with the arms during the swing.
However, most golfers allow one arm to collapse or break down at some point before impact or after impact.
High-handicappers and 99 per cent of beginners allow both elbows to break down near the bottom of the swing.
If you’re encountering a bent right elbow in your swing just after impact you’re probably not effectively utilising a very powerful lever which you should be.
The lever I am referring to is the 90-degree angle formed by your right elbow during the backswing, this is for right handed players.
Holding onto the right elbow bend instead of releasing it at impact means you are staling your hips and utilising your shoulders and you should be rotating your hips towards the target which allows the release of the right elbow as Tiger Woods demonstrates.
If you happen to be bending your left arm after impact, this is a direct result from your attempt to strike the ball by flipping your wrists. This will result is an incredible loss of distance so it’s strongly advised not to flip or break your wrists during impact.
However, the worst scenario of poor arm connection occurs when both arms are bent just after impact. This situation not only produces terrible loss of distance but also erratic direction. ,
A critical swing key to always remember is, your elbows should be the same distance apart just after impact as they were at address. A great way to feel this is to place a beach ball between your elbows at address and hit some balls with only implementing ¼ back swing and ¼ follow through.
A good drill to develop the feel of proper extension past the ball is the 1 Arm Swing. This is a very simple exercise that produces great results, eliminates flipping the wrists and you can even strike a golf ball at the same time.
Everything remains the same as when you normally swing the golf club, however you remove your right hand of the club just before impact.
You continue extending your arm and rotating your hips towards the target. It is recommended you begin this exercise without striking a ball. Start with a smooth swing and build up to striking the golf ball.
On behalf of Natadola Bay Golf Club and its Members would like to thank the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa for sponsoring this month’s Hotel and Tourism Golf Day.

• 1st Prize Accommodation for 2, 1night and 2 days including Buffet breakfast.
• 2nd Prize Massage for 2.
• 3rd Prize Dinner for 2.

EQUIPMENT REVIEW
AND TOUR UPDATES BY RAJNESH GOUNDON
DIRECTOR OF GOLF AT NATADOLA BAY GOLF CLUB

This week we provide a review on the Callaway TA Chev Blucher Men’s Golf shoe.

This shoe combines modern styling with Callaway Comfort Tech and advanced outsole technology to give golfers premium performance and control.
The following are the features of the Callaway TA Chev Blucher Golf shoe:

• This shoes has full grain waterproof leather upper;
• Its Xtra Width Technology provides players with the ability to adjust and customize fit;
• This shoe is soft, light and supple thus providing comfort and durability in every type of playing condition;
• The proprietary Callaway performance PINs spike provides superior traction and support.

If you are looking for a golf shoe with the above features then please contact the Natadola Bay Golf shop on 6733500 and we will order one for you.

PGA Tour events update   
Last week’s BMW Championship played on the Par 72, 7316 yards, Crooked stick Golf Club was won by Rory Mcllroy who finished on a total score of 20 under par and claimed his second FedEx cup playoff event. Mcllroy has had three wins in his last four starts and has claimed $1,440,000 in prize money. He is currently ranked number 1 in the FedEx cup points standing. Lee Westwood finished runner-up on 18 under par.

This week’s event
This week on the Champions Tour we have the Pacific Links Hawaii Championship. It is scheduled from September 14 to 16 and will be played on the Par 72, 7001 yards, Kapolei Golf Course. The total prize purse for this tournament is $1.8 million with the winners share being $270,000.

LPGA Tour HJH
Last week’s Kingsmill Championship played on the Par 72, Kingsmill Resort, River course was won by Jiyai Shin of South Korea who finished on a total score of 16 under par. Shin and Paula Creamer were both tied on 16 under par after the four rounds of golf and had to playoff in a lengthy 9 hole playoff where finally shin managed to be victorious.

This week’s event
This week the LPGA Tour heads off United Kingdom for the Ricoh Women’s British Open. It is scheduled from the September 13 to 16 and will be played on the Par 72, Royal Liverpool Golf Club. The total prize purse for this tournament is $2,750,000. The defending champion is Yani Tseng who won on a score of 16 under par.

NATADOLA BAY COMPETITION RESULTS:

Last week’s competition results are as follows:
Saturday Open Competition – 2 Person Ambrose

Date:  September 8, 2012
Winner:  Jeral Sharma and Biran Kumar – Nett 68.25 C/b
Runner-up:  George Stock and Roger Dold –Nett 68.25

NEXT WEEK’S COMPETITIONS AT NATADOLA BAY GOLF COURSE

• Wednesday September 19 – Mixed Competition – Stableford Competition
• Friday September 21 – Bula Friday –Modified Competition
• Saturday September 22 – Stroke Competition

Player review
This week’s between shots is Pat and Kate Lagan.

What clubs do you use? Pat uses Ben Hogan Clubs and Kate uses Cobra clubs.
Where is your home club? We are a member of Waitikiri Golf Course, New Zealand.
Who is your favourite player? John Daly and Rory Mcllroy.
What course do you love to play? We love to play at Jacks Point and the Hills at Queenstown, New Zealand.

What is your favourite hole? The 1st and 10th at Queenstown.
What shot will you always remember? Tee shot on the 18th at Natadola.
Who are your dream playing partners? Lydia Choi, Tiger Woods, John Daly.

This was what Mr and Mrs Lagan had to say about Natadola Bay Golf Course: “Natadola is a fantastic course. It provides a great challenge, is well kept and has very true greens”