The Golf Guide, Fall 2016

Accommodations & Packages

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Accommodations & Packages

50 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM

Accommodations & Packages

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Accommodations & Packages

52 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM

Accommodations & Packages

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Shanks & 3–Putts

The Slow Decline of Golf?

Mike Ahrnsbrak — Golf Guide Senior Writer
PGA Professional, Lexington Golf & Country Club
If you’re a fan of the news media, and I’m not, you would think that golf was
dying, and dying fast. Numerous articles have appeared recently in the Wall Street
Journal, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated that state just that. The cynic
in me thinks that perhaps golf is in the crosshairs of the intellectually elite, who
believe that golf remains a rich man’s game played predominantly by older, white
males, you know, the 1%. To be sure, the game had and still has its challenges.
But the negative publicity comes from “both sides of the proverbial aisle,” where
conservatives continually harp on President Obama for playing golf. I disagree with
our President on a lot of issues but playing golf isn’t one of them. I think it’s great
for him to enjoy a round of golf. The truth is, the game has made significant strides
toward becoming more welcoming. Let’s take the arguments being made and see
what the industry has done to tackle some of the negative perceptions out there.
Golf appeals to only the rich and well to-do: Nothing is further from the truth. Of
the approximately 15,500 courses in the USA, 11,500 are public. Many private
clubs have taken steps to address the changing culture by loosening dress codes
and becoming more family friendly. Some old line clubs haven’t had to adapt to
the changing culture. In many instances clubs have either embraced the changes,
become semi-private, or are now housing developments or shopping centers. Foot
Golf, Hack Golf, Fling Golf, and The Golf Board are just a few different variations
of golf that make things interesting for younger generations and help boost
awareness of the game.
The game is too hard, too boring, and takes too long: Millennials unquestionably
have a difficult time connecting to the game. With instant gratification available
through technology, the game can be difficult to learn and navigate. With the
addition of entertainment venues like high tech driving ranges, however, golf can
be entertaining and fun! Golf courses now embrace the time crunch by offering
time specials (hourly rates), early morning or late evening times, and playing less
than 18-holes.
My kids won’t play because none of their friends play, and it’s not a team sport:
True, we have lost a generation of golfers. Soccer has had tremendous growth over
the past couple of decades, and golf has taken a page from their book. Check out
PGA Junior League Golf. It’s a little league style team sport that is taking the
country by storm! Check out pgajlg.com and see what’s happening. Add to that
the success of Drive, Chip & Putt, and we are on course to regain some of what we
lost. Of course, who wouldn’t like to compete at Augusta National?
We can really shine when we share the game we love with other people. We grow
the game one player at a time. Invite your friends out to mini-golf or the driving
range. And before they get too frustrated, have them take a quick lesson or clinic
from a PGA Professional.
Who knows, maybe golf will still be around when all the glaciers melt or we have
another ice age. Until then, Play More Golf!

54 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM

IRON FORGE COURSE $5 OFF
FOUNDERS COURSE
ALL AM AND TWILIGHT RATES
Seniors 60+

$55 Green Fee and Cart

Monday – Thursday

2016 Golf Season Pass $20.00 OFF
Regular Rates
Cacapon Resort State Park Green Fee & Cart
Adult Unlimited Play Monday thru Thursday

$650 plus tax

Includes 4 “spend the night” and
“18-hole rounds for a friend” coupons

Taco Thursdays Carroll Valley at Liberty Mountain
Resort All-Inclusive
30$
per player All Inclusive Prime Season
9 holes of Golf, all the Tacos you can eat, and 2 Nights/3 Days of Golf

Pitcher of Beer Weekdays starting at only $386

NORTH & SOUTH COURSES Foursome Special

$5 OFF Green Fee and Cart

GREEN FEE and Cart $99 Monday – Thursday
$119 Fridays
Valid Anytime
$139 Saturday & Sunday

Bristow Manor Golf Club Penn National Golf Club & Inn
Bristow, VA Mont Alto, PA
703-368-3558 800-221-7366
penngolf.com
bristowmanorgc.com

Cannot be combined with any other offers or used for Price includes cart and is not valid with any other offer. Good for
tournaments or special events. Good for up to a foursome. up to four players. Expires 10-31-16
Expires 10-31-16
Cacapon Resort State Park
Maryland National Golf Club Berkeley Springs, WV
Middletown, MD 304-258-1022
301-371-0000 cacaponresort.com

marylandnational.com

Offer good Monday thru Thursday. Good for up to a foursome. Reciprocal play at Canaan Valley, Twin Falls, and Pipestem
Not Valid for twilight, winter, or senior rates. Must present resort state parks. Call Ken McCarthy, Cacapon Resort Golf
coupon. Expires 10-31-16 Pro, for details and other pass options. Expires 12-31-16

Carroll Valley at Liberty Mountain Locust Hill Golf Course
Fairfield, PA Charles Town, WV
800-548-8504 304-728-7300

libertymountainresort.com locusthillgolfcourse.com

Prime season May 1 thru October 16, 2016. Includes 18-Hole Offer good Thursdays only after 4 pm and cannot be combined
round of golf on our Carroll Valley Championship Course with with any other discount offer or special. Good for up to a
cart per day, range balls, hotel accommodations, a full hot foursome. Expires 10-27-16
buffet breakfast, and four-course dinner per each night's stay.
Everything you need for a great getaway just steps from the first Bowling Green Country Club
tee! Call 717-642-8282 x3357 to book your stay. Front Royal, VA

Ingleside Golf Club North 540-635-2024 South 540-635-2883
Staunton, VA bowlinggreencountryclub.net
540-248-7888

inglesidegolf.net

Good for up to 4 players. Cannot be combined with any other Cannot be combined with any other coupon or group packaging.
offer. Price per person. Must present coupon when checking in Expires 12-31-16
for golf. Expires 10-31-16

$120 / Foursome $40 per player
Green Fee and Cart Green Fee & Cart

Good Any Day After 11:00 am

2017 Associate Member Club 2017 Associate Member Club

$249 $249

Includes: Free Rounds, Discounted Pricing, Includes: Free Rounds, Discounted Pricing,
Half Price Range balls, as well as Half Price Range balls, as well as
Guest Passes Guest Passes

Coupon #891a

Seniors (55+) $42 Midweek

$34 Green Fee and Cart Any Time Monday thru Friday
Monday through Friday Excludes Holidays

4 Play for the price of 3 Grand Opening Special

Green Fee and Cart $5.00 ALL REGULAR RATES

Green Fee & Cart

Good for up to a foursome

The Club at Viniterra Heritage Oaks Golf Course
New Kent, VA Harrisonburg, VA
804-932-3888 540-442-6502

viniterragolf.com heritageoaksgolf.com

Can be used by up to 4 players. Valid Monday through Friday Price includes cart and is not valid with any other offer. Good for
any time and Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays after 10:00 am. up to four players. Not valid with any other special or discount.
Not valid with any other offer or discount programs. Expires 10-31-16
Expires 12-31-16
Pleasant Valley Golf Club
South Riding Golf Club Chantilly, VA
South Riding, VA 703-222-7900
703-327-6660
southridinggc.com pleasantvalleygc.com

AMC program is valid at Pleasant Valley, South Riding, Bristow AMC program is valid at Pleasant Valley, South Riding, Bristow
Manor, Bowling Green, and the Club at Viniterra. Available Manor, Bowling Green, and the Club at Viniterra. Available
starting on September 1st and membership benefits last until starting on September 1st and membership benefits last until
the end of 2017. Maximum benefits available if purchased in the end of 2017. Maximum benefits available if purchased in
September. Contact Chadwick Jones by phone (703)-327-3673 September. Contact Mike Zosh by phone (703)-222-7900 or by
or by email [email protected] to discuss. email [email protected] to discuss.

Whitetail Golf Resort The Gauntlet Golf Club
Mercersburg, PA Fredericksburg, VA
717-328-4169 540-752-0963
golfatwhitetail.com golfgauntlet.com

Price includes cart and is not valid with any other offer and Price includes cart and is not valid with any other offer or
Good Monday thru Friday excluding holidays. Must have coupon discount programs. Good for up to 4 players. This offer is good
to receive this offer. Expires 10-31-16 Monday through Friday anytime.
Expires 10-31-16

Sly Fox Golf Club The Vista Links
Middletown, VA Buena Vista, VA
540-635-7814 540-261-GOLF (4653)
slyfoxgolf.com thevistalinks.com

Not valid with any offer or discount program. Cannot be used Offer good for one foursome. Green Fee and Cart for three
for tournaments or special events. Offer good 7 days a week. required to redeem 4th golfer. Not valid with any other offer or
MUST present coupon at check-in. Expires 10-31-16 discount program. Offer good Tuesday thru Sunday.
Expires 10-31-16

$43 per player Seniors & Ladies Day
Every Thursday
Monday thru Thursday
Good for a Foursome! $29

Unlimited Green Fee & 18-Hole Cart

Play 27 holes for the price of 18 Play Three Rounds
Receive One Round Free!
$36 Green Fee and Cart
Monday thru Thursday 18 Premier Courses

One Card . . . Endless Opportunities

$150 Fall Special

Foursome with cart, Monday thru Thursday
2 range tokens, and 4 box lunches
9 holes for $9.00
Good Any Day of the Week! 18 holes for $18.00

Green Fee and Cart

$39 Unlimited Green Fee $49 weekdays
and Cart w/Range Balls $59 weekends

Good for up to a Foursome GREEN FEE & CART

Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Rock Harbor Golf Course
Front Royal, VA Winchester, VA
866-273-1934
540-636-GOLF (4653)
shenandoahvalleygolfclub.com rockharborgolf.com

Offer valid Thursdays only, excluding holidays. Green Fee and Cart. Offer good Monday through Thursday. No
Cart rental and soft spikes required. Up to 4 players. holidays. Good for up to a foursome. Not valid with any other
This offer is not valid in combination with any other offer. offer, special or promotion. Must present coupon when checking
Expires 10-31-16 in for golf. Expires 10-31-16

Raspberry Golf Trail Meadows Farms Golf Course
18 Premier Courses in VA, MD, DE, PA Locust Grove, VA
540-854-9890
raspberrygolftrail.com
meadowsfarmsgolfcourse.com

All players must be Raspberry Golf Trail card holders (purchase Not valid with any other offer or discount program. Offer good
online or at the course same day). Not good with any other Monday thru Thursday only.
offers, discounts, league or outing play. Redemption windows Expires 10-31-16
strictly enforced. Check raspberrygolftrail.com or specific club
websites for eligible times. Expires 10-31-16 Packsaddle Ridge Golf Club
Keezletown, VA
Front Royal Golf Club 540-269-8188
Front Royal, VA packsaddle.net
540-636-9061
frontroyalgolf.com

Includes green fee and cart. No other promotions apply. Must present coupon and cannot be combined with any other
Expires 10-31-16 offers. Expires 10-31-16

Lee’s Hill Golf Club Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club
Fredericksburg, VA Front Royal, VA
540-631-9661
540-891-0111
leeshillgc.com blueridgeshadows.com

Valid all 7 days. Green Fee & Cart. Valid for up to one foursome. May be used anytime Monday-Friday and after 11 am
No holidays, outings, or other offers combined. weekends. Not valid on holidays. Replay rounds subject to
Expires 10-31-16 availability. Expires 10-31-16

Pro’s Corner

An Aggressive Approach

David Johns, PGA Professional
Heritage Oaks Golf Course, Harrisonburg, Virginia
As golfers, we always look for consistency with
our golf swings and games. We search for that
“magic formula” to hit it solid every time,
despite the fact that it is virtually impossible to
hit it solid EVERY time. So many variables come
into play with respect to our golf swings, and we
should not become frustrated when we don’t hit it
solid each and every time.
Situations do come up though with our golf
swings such as hitting behind the ball on a regular
basis or hitting it “thin” too often. Throughout
my years of instructing the game of golf, I have
had several golfers come to me saying they are
hitting behind the golf ball and want to hit it more
solid. The comment that often accompanies this
situation is “I think I’m dropping my shoulder,
and that’s why I keep hitting behind it.”
What I have found in my years of teaching is that while a player’s shoulder might
be “dropping” when the player hits behind the ball, it is not the cause, but the
result of something else going on in the swing. Often times when we struggle with
our golf swings, we become tentative. When this happens, we tend to not swing as
aggressively, particularly with our shoulder turn. As a result, our hands and arms
tend to “outrace” our shoulder turn, resulting in a swing where the club hits the
ground before the golf ball. With this type of a swing, the swing plane tends to
become much more of a downward, steep swing. As a result, our back shoulder
(right shoulder for right-handed golfers, left shoulder for left) tends to get pulled
down more and the golfer has the feeling of the shoulder “dropping.” This is a
result of the shoulders slowing down or being taken over by the hands and arms.
So the question remains, what do we do when we are hitting behind the golf ball?
When we are tentative, things tend to break down in the golf swing and result in
poor contact. If you are physically able, try speeding up your shoulder turn and
swing more aggressively through the ball. You will find that in doing so, each of the
components of the golf swing will tend to stay together more, and you will strike
the golf ball more solidly. This improved contact will help to instill confidence, and
that confidence will create a feeling of being able to swing aggressively and hitting
more solid shots, which is, after all, what we are all striving for in this game.
Enjoy the game!

FALL 2016 61