Monthly Archives: January 2010

Top Golf Movies

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The snow has once again blanked Northern Indiana, making us realize that winter is still very much upon us. As much as we’d like to hit the links, practice our swing and even sport our golf skorts, the likelihood of that is still a few months off. So, what can we do to get a sufficient golf fix when the temps are below freezing? That’s easy. Make a cup of hot cocoa, grab a blanket and fire up the DVD player.

We came across an article the Southland Golf Magazine posted a while back, listing their top 10 golf movies of all time. The list includes Tin Cup, Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore, The Legend of Bagger Vance and more. To read the complete list and full details, click here.

So, all you lady golfers out there, won’t you join us in choosing your favorite golf movie, kicking up your feet and relaxing in front of the television on this cold winter afternoon? Be sure to let us know what movies are at the top of your list.

Winter Games for Girls Who Golf

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iStock_000011474826XSmallWhen you have snow and ice like we have had for the past month here in Indiana, my mind begins to crave the sun and green grass of summer. I begin to wonder if there is a way to beat the snow and icy weather. Is there a way improve a golf game when you are really stuck inside? Fortunately, there is. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Curl up with a blanket and watch the pros play golf on TV, and get used to the look of a great swing.

In the book, The Game Before the Game, world-renown golf coaches Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson suggest things we can do away from the course to help our games. They say:

Watching good players imprints on the brain the image of the proper pass at the golf ball, and when you swing, the brain tries to replicate that action…. Visualization is extremely useful…thinking about the swing and how you want to swing and play will make you better.

Close your eyes and play a great round of golf in your mind.

In the chapter, “Rainy Day Practice,” Marriott and Nilsson help us escape to warm and sunny weather:

Sit in a chair or lie down and play golf perfectly in your mind and heart. Play one hole or play eighteen holes. Play any course. Be detailed about getting prepared to play, who you play with, the weather, what you are wearing, what you are feeling, your routines, your presence in the play box, your internal or external talk, the feel of impact, the flight of the ball. Play brilliantly. After the great shots, allow yourself to feel wonderful.

These sound like easy, no equipment mental exercises anyone can do anywhere in any kind of weather. So what do you think of these exercises? What do you do when you can’t get outside to stay sharp?

The Mental Side of Golf

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iStock_000006859033XSmallNo matter how many times you swing the club, putt the ball or hit the chip shot, one thing can undercut all your hard work and practice: a bad mental game. Your mental strength and focus can be the deciding factor of whether you become a top female golfer or an inconsistent hacker. And the off-season is as good a time as any to practice your mental toughness.

Start by taking a good look at yourself. To improve your attitude, you need to understand how you react in certain situations. When do you feel at the top of your game? When do you get upset? What factors affect your emotions, attitude and outlook on the golf course? Decide to be more positive and not allow outside forces or past mistakes to bring down your game. Resolve to fight on.

Sure, bad rounds are bound to happen, but do your best to work through them and stay as positive as possible. When all else fails, remember tennis-great Andre Agassi’s advice to his young son in his book Open: An Autobiography:

I just lost my match and I feel terrible. I don’t want to go back out there tomorrow. So much so I was actually wishing for an injury. Picture that, not wanting to do something so much that you wish upon yourself injury. Jaden, if you ever feel overwhelmed with something like I was tonight, just keep your head down and keep working and keep trying. Face it at its worst and realize it’s not so bad. That will be your chance for peace. I wanted to quit and leave and go home and see you. It’s hard to stay and play, it’s easy to go home and be with you. That’s why I’m staying.

Imagine that: a number-one tennis player with seven Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal struggling to get back out on the court. But he did it. And what a legacy he left behind.

So tell us, what tricks do you have for staying focused and mentally tough on the course?

Getting the EDGE for Girls Golf Clothes

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Jan Fye, regional director of the Small Business Development Center in South Bend, and Cindy Ormson, Wear to Win co-founder, at the award ceremony.

Jan Fye, regional director of the Small Business Development Center in South Bend, Senator Joe Zakas, and Cindy Ormson, Wear to Win co-founder, at the award ceremony.

We are so excited to announce that we received the Economic Development and Growth through Entrepreneurship (EDGE) Award—for making fun, flattering golf skorts and more. We are one of 10 emerging businesses across the state to be recognized by the Indiana Small Business Development Center. How awesome is that?

For a long time we dreamed of making fashionable junior golf clothing for girls. Our dream finally came to fruition and since we’ve started Wear to Win, we have been amazed by the awards and recognition that we have received…and quite grateful for it. Going back to our previous post on setting goals, all of this has been possible thanks to being focused, organized, and the encouragement and council of people around us. And of course, thanks to your inspiration. Keep swinging!

What’s Your Favorite Memory?

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Alex Gennicks: from junior to collegiate golfer

Alex’s dad first taught her the game of golf at age 7. Since then, golf has become a passion of hers, having played in the Junior League, on her high school varsity team and for Western Kentucky University. Wear to Win talked to Alex about her love of the game and how it has enhanced her life.

When did you first start playing?
I first started playing golf at the age of 7. My father, who is an avid golfer, is the one who got me started with the game. Although he is not very good, the sheer enjoyment he got from his weekly outings inspired me to play. The time I spent with him on the course became our father-daughter bonding time. I truly cherish that time.

What major accomplishments have you enjoyed as a golfer?
I was named athlete of the week my junior year of high school. My high school team and I won the state championship my senior year. I shot a school record low of a three-day total of one under par my senior year of college. I was named All Conference Academic Scholar all four years of college. I was named Senior Athletic Scholar for Academic Excellence during my college studies.

What is your favorite golf memory?
There is a tie for favorite memory:
1) Making my first hole in one at the age of 13 with my father present.
2) Having my father caddy for me and shooting my first tournament round under par.

What’s the best piece of golf advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of golf advice that I have ever received was to love what I do. If you cannot get enjoyment out of something you spend so much time doing, then why do it? The game should be played because you are passionate about it.

What is one unique or interesting thing you carry in your golf bag?
I carry my school mascot, Big Red, as my four wood club head cover. I also carry foreign coins for ball markers

Why would you recommend someone play golf?
I would recommend golf because it teaches life lessons. If you can play 18 holes of golf without getting angry, you can handle anything.

Looking to the future, what golf aspirations do you have for yourself?
I hope that I can take time from work to continue to play competitively every so often. Although I get much pleasure from recreational play, there is just something about tournament play that is so exciting. I also hope that one day as a parent, I can pass this much-cherished game on to my children to enjoy as much as I do.

Thanks, Alex, for sharing your story and your favorite memories. To read more golfer profiles, visit http://www.weartowin.com/profiles.php. Now we want to hear from you. What are your favorite golf memories?

How to Begin Playing Golf

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Back to the beginning….

Junior golfer in Wear to Win skort

When I was 11 years old, my dad thought it would be a good idea that my younger sister and I learn to play golf. I had grown up dancing, playing tennis and soccer, and did not really consider trying to play golf. One summer afternoon, my dad took us to the range. I had three Ping irons and a 7-wood in a purple bag. I immediately began swinging away, topping and wiffing every ball–super frustrating.

My dad came over and gave me a few pointers–how to stand, how to grip the club and the general motion to swing the club. He also made me tee up all of the balls, rather than hitting them off the ground. Towards the end of the bucket, I began getting some in the air.

After a couple more outings to the driving range, I was able to hit my 7 wood in the air to the 100 yard marker.  My frustration turned into determination. That same summer my dad enrolled me in a 9-hole golf match. I was so nervous. I had never played an entire 9 holes, while walking and carrying my own bag. I shot a 99 for that round–not for 18 holes, but a 99 for 9 holes…very embarrassing. I wanted to go back to focusing on tennis, soccer and dance. My parents both convinced me to stick with golf for the rest of the summer. By going out a couple evenings to the driving range, I continued to improve. I began breaking 70, then 60 and then consistently shot in the 50s. I was hooked!

That summer marked the beginning of a game that has had a huge impact on my life. From traveling to courses all over the country, meeting friends, networking and challenging myself, the game of golf has lead to numerous opportunities. Whether playing just for fun with friends or competing in local or national tournaments, golf will teach you invaluable lessons that you will use for the rest of your life.

How to start:

  1. Check out local golf courses, some of them have summer leagues for junior golfers. This is a great place to start. You will make friends with other junior golfers in your area.
  2. Go online to see if your county has a junior county golf tour. I began competing in the St. Joseph County Golf Tour in Indiana. These tournaments are fun because they allow you to play at different courses, sometimes even the private golf courses in your area.
  3. Go to your local course and take some lessons. Whether they are private or small clinics, it is important to understand the basics of golf.
  4. Practice, practice, practice. Golf is a game of creativity. Golf is unique because you get firsthand feedback from what the ball does. By going out and experimenting with a different stance, a different grip and different clubs, you will learn what works and what does not.

So this was my beginning. What about you? How did you start?