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News From PGA Professional Joe Keefe

December 1, 2011

One of the nicest falls we have had for quite some time.  What a great bonus to play some late fall golf at one of the best layouts in the country.  If you have any interest in trying out our golf simulators please plan early.  Since their addition last year it has been a tremendous success.  So much we are in the process of adding an additional one so we will have 3 shortly.  Even still they are booking up very quickly so make your reservations now so you can keep your swing well oiled as the season turns frosty.  

September 27, 2011

Late September has brought some humid and wet conditions but the course is still in excellent shape.  The greens could not be aerified so Jake and staff will do them in early October.  Because of the last start due to the weather Jake says it will not be a major disruption to the golfers.  Good news there but the greens are beautiful as a result of this much needed practice.  The ladies shootout was held over last weekend and man what a display of golf by our contestants.  Candy Heath, who won last year, played well again this year unfortunately getting eliminated but came in third place.  That left Alice Lundgren and Glenna Goodnow to play for the title.  After a tie on hole number 8 we extended the shootout to the 9th hole and yet again the finalists didn't disappoint.  Another tie on 9 forced a chip off and Glenna Goodnow almost holed the very difficult pitch to win this years title.  All the ladies enjoyed the competition and really enjoyed themselves under this unique form of pressure.  The men will tests their skills Saturday October 1st.  Under a new format we will have a "gross" division as well as a "net" division.  I am sure there will be a ton of birdies this week!!
 

A special "thank you" to all the ladies who participated in "Girl's Night Out" this year.  A very unique instruction program for the women with a complimentary beverage after the hour long class.  For years we ran this the last Wednesday of the month.  This year we ran the program EVERY Wednesday and it was extremely well attended.  Not sure if it was the incredible instruction or the incredible drink following but it's none of my business I'm just glad they attended!!!

September 1, 2011

Well...we made it to September and this is the time when we see a drop off in golfer's due to school beginning etc.  Don't let the calander fool you.  This time of year is absolutely the best time to play golf with the conditions improving with the cooler weather, the trees turning and the temperatures warm during the day and chilly at night.  I love this time of year here at SSCC.  Congratulations to our club champions this year.  Steve White won for the very first time in a playoff over Mike Phillip.  Steve birdied number 18 and took the title.  Mike Stokes won the first flight and Maureen Cawley triple repeats as the ladies club champion winning on the 18th hole over Diane Harber.

August 15, 2011

The summer is going by way too quickly but man what a summer it has been.   The Massachusetts Golf Association held its Publinks Championship early this month and the golfer's were treated to great conditions and we were treated to some stellar golf.  Our second annual 4 Ball Championship was won by Carl Jacobson and Andrew Harvey with a score of 10 under par 134.  In our net division Bob Locke and partner Jon Beale bested the field with a score of 9 under par and our ladies division was won by Maureen cawley and carolyn Hart also with a 10 under par score of 134.  Our popular "girl's night out" program on Wednesday evenings continues to go well.  Interested ladies should contact me at jkgolfpro@pga.com to sign up for any week you would like to join in.  This program will continue through September by popular demand!!


July 1, 2011

Summer junior programs are filling fast.  Go to lessons and follow the steps to the program of your choice.  Juniors interested in the "Junior League" should contact Chris ASAP.  Best wishes for a successful summer of golf!!   Plans continue for next months Publinks Championship and Fourball. The golf course is in excellent shape and will be a strong test for those participating in these events.


June 20, 2011

Happy Father's day!!!!!

What a difference a major makes.  Last major McIlroy blew the lead going into the final 9 holes in Augusta, this time he looks like "Tiger Woods" as he blows away the field at Congressional in the United States Open.  All of us has had adversity on the course.  So have the best players in the world.  Lesson learned here is to stay committed.  Stay focused on your goals and continue to work.  Good things will happen

Junior programs are beginning soon so make your plans to attend our summer camps and clinics.  Chris, Lou and Sarah have put together some exciting programs to help all ages and abilities improve their game.  Contact the pro shop for new lessons, camps and clinics.  Don't forget.  There is a new early morning play policy comming July 1st.  NO early morning play on weekends now before the first scheduled tee time.  The new first tee time is 5:30AM.  Those interested in playing early can play 9 holes on the back 9. 

I always look at ways to improve or see what the best player's in the world do and see what I can learn from them and today is no different.  Rory McIlroy had the lead in The Master's Tournament for 63 holes.  Looked like Jack Nicklaus in his prime and then looked like an everyday duffer for the last nine hole.  It shows that even the best players in the world go through what you and I go through as we struggle to play this great game.

The lesson learned here is that things are going to get rough in an 18 hole round of golf.  You can't possibly hit the best shot time and time again.  You are going to make mistakes.  But the key is to not compound your mistake into a huge number.  The great Ben Hogan once said "when in trouble just get out" and Rory did do that on hole number 10.  A horrific tee shot almost putting him in the Butler cabin but smartly he played back into the fairway.

From here the mindset should be lets make bogey and get the heck out of here.  Hooked his third into the woods, then hits a tree trying to get on the green, poor chip and 2 putts and you take a triple bogey 7.  The mind starts wandering and he actually 4 putts the par three 12th for a double bogey and he shoots 80.

He certainly isn't alone.  Remember Greg Norman?  Took a 7 shot lead into the final round and lost to Nick Faldo.  It happens.  I remember when I was working at Inverrary Country Club and a rookie shot 64 in his Thursday round.  He waited around all day long and when his Friday afternoon tee time rolled around he proceeded to shoot 81 and missed the cut.

Learn from the best.  They make mistakes too.  And they play this sport for their living!!

Let's hope Rory learns from this tradegy and if he does he will have a great career.  Take the positives from your defeats and you too will become a better golfer.

Monday March 14, 2011

Tuesday March 1, 2011

Wednesday May 12, 2010:

***Ladies Golf Instruction Continues To Grow At SSCC****

Women golf instruction programs continue at South Shore Country Club.  Ladies interested in learning the game of golf should contact me via email to sign up for one of the programs offered.  Currently there is "Golf and Grapes", a 1 hour lesson followed by wine tasting held on the second Wednesday of the month and our popular "Girl's Night Out" on the last Wednesday of the month.  Another 1 hour lesson followed by an adult beverage of your choice.  Coming soon will be a women's golf school featuring short game secrets and course management ideas to help lower scores and to enjoy the game more.  Stay tuned!!!

Monday April 26, 2010:

***Opening Day***

Over 150 members took part in the opening day festivities.  What a tremendous showing and all had a good time. 

Monday April 19, 2010:

***Golf and Grapes Now Added To The Golf Instruction Menu***

Like a fine wine golf instruction at South Shore Country Club gets better with age.  Introducing "golf and grapes"!!  A one hour lesson followed by appetizers and wine tasting!!  Golf and Grapes will begin at 6PM on the 2nd Wednesday of May and we will have another the 2nd Wednesday of June, July, August and September.  Sign up in the pro shop as this summer series will sure to be a "vintage" year.

Saturday April 17, 2010:

***School Vacation Junior Camp Now Being Offered***

Golf instruction for juniors will be offered this Monday, Wednesday and Friday for juniors ages 6 and above.  Times will vary depending on age.  Sign up in the pro shop now!!  For questions please contact Chris at 781-749-8479.

Monday April 12, 2010:

The Masters has come and gone and Phil Mickelson won his 3rd green jacket.  What a display around the greens.  He is superb with a wedge isn't he?  How about that second shot on 13 on Sunday?  From the trees, over Rae's Creek to 6 feet.  One of the best shots I can ever remember.  The lesson learned here is the importance of learning how to chip and pitch.  Mickelson hit it sideways on Sunday...absolutely sideways off the tee....yet he didn't make a bogey on route to a 67.  Unreal.  I hope to see you over by the chipping area this season!!!

Welcome to the 2010 golf season!!  We all are looking forward to another great year at South Shore.  One of my goals this year is to play in more New England PGA events and Pro-Ams.  If you would like to play golf with me in a competitive environment I welcome your company.  I am going to post a schedule in the men's locker room.  Most events are 2 better balls of 4 and you can play some pretty nice courses in the State.  It will be fun!! 

Another goal of mine is to update this website on a more frequent basis.  Feel free to drop me a note or answer some questions I may pose in this area.  This could turn into our little golf "blog".  My email address is jkgolfpro@pga.com 

Our golf instruction programs are now up to date.  Most all of the successful programs are back and Chris Riley will be back in April to coordinate all of them.The golf pro shop is going to run some weekend golf tournaments this year.  Low key events that wont require special tee times.  Make your own tee times and if you want to participate just check in the pro shop and we will sign you up.  A minimal entry fee will be charged and prizes will be distributed to the winners in the form of gift cards.  But the fun won't stop there.  Throughout the entire spring and summer we are going to tabulate the top 10 money winners and invite them to participate in the grand finale "shoot-out"!!  In September we will take the top 10 men and on another day the top 10 women and have all 10 of them tee off number 10 and the high score is eliminated after the 10th hole.  9 players will go to the 11th and we'll eliminate 1 more.  This format is continued all the way until 18 where 2 survivors play the 18th hole for the title!!!

So let's start talking golf....How many, if any, major championships does Tiger Woods win this year?  Send your answers to jkgolfpro@pga.com   I will post some of the better responses.



Article written by Joe Keefe for Bay State Golf Magazine

If you want to learn how to do something very well you have to look at who does that job the absolute best and try to learn what they do and why and see if you could copy some of their techniques to benefit yourself and your own golf game.  The PGA and LPGA Tours is where to look for best technique as a rule and I’d like to bring up a few common threads when it comes to what they do on tour to chip and get their ball close to the hole for an easy tap in. First of all before a club is even chosen the philosophy is in place.  Maximum ground time, minimum air time.  The best players in the world get the ball on the putting surface as quick as possible and they watch their ball roll smoothly to the cup.  I remember watching an interview with Curtis Strange, 2 time US Open Champion and he was discussing the best way to play St. Andrews in Scotland.  He said that a golfer could lose the ball in the air when playing the short game.  A reference to hitting a high ball and having the winds deflect it off line.  He also said that getting it on the ground as quick as possible will help in playing not only in high winds but in all sorts of playing conditions.  This technique no doubt was instrumental in watching European amateurs even using their putter from well off the green and certainly helped in coining the phrase “bump and run” Secondly you see the best players holding the club extremely light.  Good feel is developed when you have a light grip and feel is so crucial in developing what it takes to propel the ball the proper distance. Feet are typically very close together.  Power is not mandatory in a small swing so keeping your feet close together will help you stay centered over the ball and will help you move “less” which is critical for solid contact. The best players use a lot of different clubs.  They will use clubs that I call “fit the situation”.  When they are faced with a shot over a bunker and the hole is located close to that hazard they use a club that will get the ball higher quicker and stop faster.  Conversely, if they have about 3 feet of rough to clear and 40 or 50 feet of putting surface they will use a club that gets them over the “trouble” and will roll beautifully back to the hole just as if they putted the ball from the front edge of the green. Another way to think of this is if you make a larger swing chances are there is the potential for more to go wrong.  Will you potentially have more issues with a full driver swing or making a 1 foot putt? Larger swing, more chance for error. Your swing will be much smaller when you adapt to changing clubs and using the “correct” club that fits your particular chipping situation.  Give it a try.  I am confident you will see your scores drop significantly by using these simple chipping techniques. 


A Lesson Learned: Harrington prevails at the Open Championship

By Joe Keefe, PGA Professional- PGA.com

July 21, 2008 -- What a tremendous 137th Open Championship. The drama, the story lines and what about the weather? Congratulations to Padraig Harrington in becoming the first European to repeat as Open Champion since James Braid did in 1906. This is an incredible accomplishment considering the players who have come and gone over those years. No wonder why it is such a compelling major championship. Greg Norman's resurgence and Padraig Harrington's steadiness are two things all golfers can take away from watching this week's Open Championship. (Photo: Getty Images) When I analyze this championship I can take away 3 very important "Lessons Learned". First, I believe strongly that any major championship, especially an Open Championship, can survive quite nicely without the world's number one player in the field. There are no reasons for any asterisks here. This particular championship had the oldest player EVER to lead a major after 54 holes. It had an opportunity, which came to fruition, to have a repeat champion for only the 16th time ever. Secondly, I learned that the true essence to golf, and most likely why we all love this game, is that shot making and course strategy is so crucial in playing winning golf. We have taught and heard a million times "it isn't how but how many". That along with "there aren't any pictures on the scorecard". All great clichés which emphasize shot making and not being embarrassed to hit a 123 yard 5 iron into a gale wind like Norman did in round three. Or not wanting to feel inadequate so one would hit pitching wedge and fall short into the lake rather than connecting with a smooth 8 iron to the center of the green. I learned that this high level of golfer is a shot maker and willing to play the appropriate shot even though they may not have practiced this shot in quite some time. But remembering how it was done days, months or years earlier practicing for this very opportunity. I remember vividly playing golf with my father as a youth and being upset that his 3 iron was closer to the flag than my 7 iron and wondering "how is this possible"? Day in and day out his shots were closer yet I was hitting less club. Naturally experience and age has helped with that lesson and want to pass along that advice today. It isn't how but how many. If you must choke down on your 3 wood to finesse that shot up onto the green than do it. Learn to play the shots that you can and learn to play within yourself. You'll enjoy the game so much more. Understand that the harder you swing the more spin you influence on the golf ball and how that golf ball will just climb incredibly high going into the wind helping it to stop well short of your target. Ironically Greg Norman's advice of years earlier comes to mind and I use this on the lesson tee as well. "Swing with ease into the breeze". Lastly, another important lesson learned this week was who finished in the top 5 this week and possibly why. Ian Poulter -- an incredibly talented player -- flew extremely low under the radar this week until late Sunday. Greg Norman -- 53 years old and who admitted he has played more tennis than golf over the past year and just recently got married and thus he didn't have time to think about his golf -- all week long he talked about trying to keep his expectations really low. Padraig Harrington -- the defending champ who up to minutes before starting his first round was not even sure he was going to play due to his sore wrist -- all he does is goes out and wins the championship, again. This game is extremely hard. It plays with all of us mentally. I feel strongly that in this particular case these 3 golfers were distracted with the enormity of the situation and had a peace about them this week. Expectations were low and there was a relaxation throughout the week and I believe this helped them all play better this week. We all can learn from this. Have realistic expectations about your next round. Realize and understand your handicap and accept the fact that you won't be perfect that day. Even the great Ben Hogan expected to miss 7 shots a round and he practiced unmercifully every day!!!! If you miss a shot, make the prudent play back to safety and move on. Don't let the final round of the club championship get to you. It is a game. And a great one at that. If you need any more help with your game feel free to drop me an email at jkgolfpro@pga.com

Joe Keefe has been a PGA Golf Professional for over 26 years and is currently the PGA Head Professional at South Shore Country Club in Hingham, Mass. For the past 12 years he has promoted the game of golf with his golf radio show with co-host Bob Bubka where they have worked together at some of the worlds most prestigious golf tournaments including the Masters, the US Open, the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. Joe has written many golf instruction articles for many publications including the Boston Globe, been seen on a number of television stations including New England Sports Network and currently is the WBZ radio golf analyst.