Shoal Creek Country Club in Birmingham,  Alabama was the site of the first major tournament of the year on the Champions Tour, the Regions Tradition. One of the first Jack Nicklaus designed courses, Shoal Creek is considered a top 50 course in the world. Each hole is designed for the length of the shot being played into the green. Longer shots have larger greens while shots under 150 yards have smaller greens. This is a Nicklaus design feature that is found on many  of his courses around the globe. Shoal Creek is fantastic for high level players because shotmaking is essential for good scoring. A draw or a fade is required on almost every tee shot and approach shot. The greens are undulated with deep bunkers and run off areas that are difficult to get up and down from. This venue has hosted several major championships over the years and should be considered for more in the future. Shoal Creek ranks high on the list of great courses and is highly regarded among the players.

Toshiba Classic

The Champions Tour traveled to Newport Beach, California for the Toshiba Classic at Newport Beach Country Club in March. The event is well supported by all the surrounding areas and the tournament gives generously to charity each year.  The golf course has undulating greens that take some experience to read as the ocean has an affect on the ball. Uphill putts towards the ocean are just as quick as downhill putts away from the ocean. This takes some time to get a feel for and presents a challenge. The course is a good layout with a mix of par 4′s that give players options off the tee with good risk reward. The par 5′s are reachable for long hitters but tricky around the greens, and the par 3′s have character and length. This is a good test of golf that is fun to play and provides excitement for the fans.  Toshiba is a great sponsor and the tournament is well run and fun to be a part of.

Solar Powered Score Board

This  year at the Toshiba Classic, Firm Green supplied solar powered score boards and golf carts as well as two renewable natural gas powered vehicles for the event. Firm Green also assisted in transporting e-waste generated by the event and supplied bio-diesel to the on site power generator for the event. Way to go Firm Green and the Champions Tour for making strides in the direction of eco-friendly golf tournaments! Read more about Firm Green’s efforts at the Toshiba Classic.

Try out these golf putting tips to improve your golf game!

Golf Grip

Cross Handed Grip

Putting Cross Handed: For children and beginners a great putting tip is to begin putting cross handed and never change. This method is a very effective way to consistently achieve solid contact with the ball.

Putting Stroke

Grip Pressure: Focus on equal grip pressure in both hands the entire stroke. The amount of pressure should be a four on a scale of one to 10 with 10 being as hard as you can squeeze the club.

Putting  Tempo: To improve tempo in the putting stroke allow the arms and hands to free up and swing without restriction.

Putt through the Ball: Pretend there is no ball and make a stroke with no thought of the golf ball. Take a practice stroke and just let the ball get in the way.

Visit JLLewisGolfTips.com for more golf tips or to order the “Pocket Pro” edition of “Golf Tips from the Tour.”

Golf Video Tip: Putting, Chipping, Pitching Tips

In this golf video tip J.L. Lewis gives putting tips and explains the many types of golf short game shots from just off the green. Visualization with each different type of shot is important to be a good short game player. He teaches that a golfer must take into account all the factors that could affect the shot, and that you must determine the shot with the least risk and the greatest amount of reward. Watch the video to learn more!

For more golf tips, visit JLLewisGolfTips.com.

In 1983 I asked our local professional if he thought I could make it on the PGA TOUR. His reply has stuck with me to this day. He said, “There is no way anyone else could ever answer that question for you. You have to believe in yourself and what you are capable of. What you achieve will be a reflection of your own thoughts.” This was great advice because it made me realize that the amount of effort, the intensity of my desire, the ability to overcome adversity, and the level of tolerance and perseverance needed to succeed are all controlled by my own self motivation.

Ability is a factor in being able to play any sport professionally. However, there are extremely talented athletes that never achieve their potential. On the PGA TOUR numerous players have done extremely well contrary to what many critics believed they would do.

PGA TOUR Player Personas:
There are many examples of players on the PGA TOUR who have created their own winning personas. Corey Pavin has had many PGA wins including a major championship during his career. He makes up for a lack of distance with gritty determination and an outstanding short game. Additionally, Corey has a tremendous desire to win and works nonstop on all parts of his game. Scott Verplank has been one of the most consistent money winners in the history of the PGA TOUR. His caddie once told me that on approach shots from inside 100 yards Scott rarely ends up with a putt of more than six feet. Since forty-three percent of all strokes are taken from inside 100 yards, mastering this aspect of the game, short game and chip shots, has led to his success. Many criticize Jim Furyk’s unorthodox golf swing; however, results are what matter. Jim has improved his golf swing to perfection which now produces consistently good shots and top finishes with regularity. Corey Pavin, Scott Verplank, and Jim Furyk have developed outstanding skills to go along with the work ethic needed to be successful on the PGA TOUR.