Mr Jose Calleja

GOLFING IN PARADISE

By JOSE CALLEJA
General Manager, Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

This week’s tip covers how to play your Driver from the fairway.
If we compare the difference between the two drives it’s noticeable how much technology has changed golf clubs and the way we play golf. A decade ago the driver was used frequently from the fairway in an attempt to get the ball on the green in 2 shots. The older driver on the right is much smaller in size and also had more loft. This additional loft helped golfers get the ball up in the air and off the ground a little easier. Touring golf professional still hit a driver off the deck because it is an extremely useful shot. So there is no reason why amateurs can’t do the same if you know when and how to play it.
Before you decide to hit the driver from the fairway please make sure you have a good even lie. You should refrain from attempting this shot from the rough as you will only rack up the numbers on the hole. Your ball position is similar to your 3 fairway wood and not as you would normally tend to position to ball if you were on the Tee Box. From the Tee you would position the ball on your left heel, this refers to right handed players.
As we all now golf is a game of confidence so you have to trust your swing when playing the driver from the deck. Too many amateurs try to add loft to the driver by trying to hit up on the ball and hanging back. You should refrain from such movements as these will only lead to fat or thin shots. Ideally you should treat the driver as if it was a 3 fairway wood with much less loft. The aim of playing a driver from the fairway is as mentioned previously, to get home in 2 shots. The ball flight height will not be high however you will drive the ball further. Make a smooth swing with the driver and let the club do the work.
The ideal place to try this is before you decide to implement this shot on the golf course is the Driving Range. The typical ball flight with this shot is a low fade so it’s ideal to aim slightly left of your target.
Set Up for the Driver of the Deck
1. Position the ball in your stance similar to your 3 fairway wood.
2. Aim slight left to compensate for the typical fade ball flight this shot produces. This is for a right handed players.
3. If you tend to draw the ball it’s best if you set up with an open stance.
4. Choke down on the drive to add a little more control.
5. Make a smooth swing, which means you don’t swing at 150 per cent or over swing.
6. Only attempt this shot if there is no hazard before the green as the ball will always be rolling on.
7. Avoid playing the driver from down slopes, rough or if the ball is sitting in a divot. The chances of success are low.

Fiji Amateur Team
The Fiji Amateur Team will be departing Fiji shores on the 29th of September to compete in the World Amateur Team Championship held this year in Turkey. The Fiji Squad has utilized Natadola Bay Golf Course for their preparation and we would like to wish them a successful Championship. Good Luck Vikrant Chandra, Olaf Allen, Anuresh Chandra.
The South Pacific’s best golf course Natadola Bay Golf Club receives its new premium Cleveland CG16 Golf Sets, can it get any better.

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

This week we provide a review on the Titleist Structured Sports Mesh Cap.
The following are the features of the Titleist Structured Sports Mesh Caps:

• This cap has Mesh back panels / cotton front panels
• It is made of 57 per cent polyester, 43 per cent cotton
• This is a structured fitted cap with pre-curved bill
• This cap has a raised Titleist logo on front of cap, FJ on right side of cap, and Pro V1 on left side of cap
• It also has Titleist embroidered on back

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

PGA Tour events update   
Last week’s Tour Championship by Coca Cola played on the Par 72, 7316 yards, Crooked stick Golf Club was won by Brandt Snedeker on a total score of 10 under par, 270. Snedeker was tied with Justin Rose going into the final round and managed to hold on to the lead while Rose faded. It’s double celebration for Snedeker as he has won both the Tour Championship and the FedEx cup. Justin Rose finished runner-up three shots behind on a total of 273.
This week’s event: This week on the PGA tour we have the Ryder cup event. This event will be played between Team USA and Team Europe. It is scheduled from September 28 to 30 and will be played on the par 72, 7658 yards Medinah Country Club, Illinois, USA. Let’s see which team wins!

LPGA Tour
Last week’s Navistar LPGA Classic played on the Par 72, RTJ Golf Trail, Capitol Hill Course was won by Stacey Lewis. Lewis finished the event on a total score of 18 under par and this win has led to Lewis taking a 56 point lead on the Rolex Player of the Year race. She is on her bid to become the first American since Beth Daniel who won in 1994.
This week’s event: This week the LPGA Tour takes a break and will return on October 11 for the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Tournament. The Ladies European Tour also takes a break this week and will return on October 4 for the Lacoste Ladies Open in France.

NATADOLA BAY COMPETITION RESULTS:
Last week’s competition results are as follows:
Event:  Wednesday Open Competition – Stableford
Date:  September 19, 2012
Winner:  Sulueti brook – 33 points
Runner-up:  Neil Stokes – 32 Points
Event:  Saturday Open Competition – Stroke
Date:  September 22, 2012
Winner:  Lisa Rangitutia – Nett 71
Runner-up:  Grant Alchin – Nett 72
NTP 15th: Vani Patel

NEXT WEEKS COMPETITIONS AT NATADOLA BAY GOLF COURSE

• Wednesday October 3 – Mixed Competition – Stableford Competition
• Friday October 5 – Bula Friday – Bingo, Bango, Bongo Competition
• Saturday October 6 – Stroke Competition

PLAYER REVIEW

This week’s between shots is Manjoor Begg
What clubs do you use? I use Callaway clubs.
Where is your home club? I am a member of Fiji Golf Club.
Who is your favourite player? Tiger Woods.
What course do you love to play? I love to play at Natadola Bay Golf Course.
What is your favourite hole? The 9th hole at Natadola Bay.
What shot will you always remember? My tee shot on the 4th at Natadola.
Who are your dream playing partners? Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Rory Mcllroy.
This was what Mr Begg had to say about Natadola Bay Golf Course: “Natadola is a fantastic course, very challenging and interesting to play”