1 Aug 2024

NEWS FROM NEPAL

By Sachin Prasad Bhattarai

Greetings from Nepal. Over the years, the Royal Nepal Golf Club has been dedicated to nurturing junior golf talent. Through a series of tournaments and programs, the club has identified and developed several promising young golfers. I have been entrusted with leading the junior development camp at RNGC due to my experience analyzing and practicing techniques, particularly during my visit to the United States.

Upon my return from participating in the U.S. Golf Teachers Cup, I actively engaged in various golf activities and tournaments. I noticed that the traditional format of junior tournaments, involving chipping, putting, and longest drive, lacked efficiency, having been unchanged for many years. During my time in the U.S., I observed how juniors were taught and how newcomer tournaments were organized, which inspired me to rethink our approach.

Additionally, the GYAN Foundation hosts annual junior tournaments, for which I was tasked with tournament management. I introduced a new format where junior golfers aged 8 and below played a nine-hole round from shorter distances, while those above 8 played from regular junior tee boxes. This innovative approach generated excitement among junior golfers and diversified our tournament categories, resulting in a successful event with 75 participants, including juniors and ladies.

The support of RNGC’s president, captain and development committee has been crucial in implementing these progressive programs and ideas over the years. Recognizing that golf is not widely popular outside the capital city of Nepal, I initiated efforts to promote the sport nationwide. I began by providing basic information about golf through national television broadcasts. These videos, presented in Nepalese, cover fundamental aspects of the game, including rules, techniques and equipment, making golf more accessible and understandable to the Nepalese audience.

The following contains the coverage of golf on national television:

Basic Knowledge of Golf For Begineers | SPORTS INFO | 2081-01-07 (youtube.com)
Uses of 14 Golf Clubs | SPORTS INFO | 2081-01-21 (youtube.com)
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1 Aug 2024

REGION UPDATE

USGTF regional championship events are a great way to connect with old friends, meet new ones and play in a competitive environment that is affordable, with tee assignments based on age and gender. There are currently four region championships played annually with one more left on tap:

Central – The 2024 USGTF Central Region Championship has been cancelled and will not be held this year.

Southwest – The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be held Friday-Sunday, September 20-22, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bruce Sims at bsims@pga.com.
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1 Aug 2024

“PRO” FILE – LPGA PROFESSIONAL XANDER SCHAUFFELE

He had been knocking on the door to major championship titles for several years but could never quite close the deal. That is, until he broke through by winning the PGA Championship this past May at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

Xander Schauffele wasted little time in capturing his second major championship when he blitzed the field with a final-round 66 to win The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July. Schauffele was also touted as one of the players who, once he won one major, would win multiple majors, and it was surprising to few that he affirmed that notion so quickly. The championship itself was a tense, back-and-forth affair with some of the top names in the game in contention, including world number one Scottie Scheffler, Billy Horschel and Justin Rose, until Schauffele birdied three holes on the tough back-nine stretch to win by two over Rose and Horschel.

There is talk by the pundits in saying that Schauffele should now be considered as Player of the Year for his two major victories despite Scheffler’s overall dominance in 2024, underscoring the importance that some give to the major championships. However, Scheffler did also win The Players back in March, which many consider equal to a major championship, so that comes into consideration. Schauffele will certainly have a strong say in who wins that award in the coming months ahead.
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1 Aug 2024

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER HORACE MITCHELL

By Horace Mitchell

My name is Horace Mitchell I have been a resident of Detroit since 1969 and played golf since 1974, at the now-closed Palmer Park Golf Course. Over the years, I’ve been able to produce not only a better-than-average golf game, but in doing so, I was blessed to put it to the test against the best players I have come in contact with no matter what their skill level.

The system that was developed by me over the years has allowed me to compete and win against tour players in my prime and win consistently, against names such as Charles Sifford, Bobby Stroble and Nate Starks. These were a few that had been to the tour. That was fine, but with how I was playing, at times I would assist any of my peers who were making an error or who were having trouble, and it worked to help them. Fast forward…I had always wanted to see if what I had developed was transferable and not just a quick fix or gimmick cure. One day I sat down and put a six-lesson program together, and all I needed now was an opportunity to test it. In 2008, my assistant and I got that chance and went to assist Miss Johnson with her Hollywood Golf junior program. She allowed me to introduce my developed curriculum, along with what they were already doing:

– Attitude
– Aptitude
– Execution

To date, it has worked so well that seven of the young students have gone to the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, enrolled in their PGM program and obtained their PGA cards. These are the same young men and women who began with us as children. I have now written a book, The Mental Guide for the Average Golfer. I wrote the book to help other struggling golfers who have never looked at golf from the “mental” approach and concept. This book will surely assist any level of golfer to nudge their game in the proper direction.

I hope this is something people see, as I do and know, as a “need.” For too long, the mental side of the game has been omitted in the instruction process. It is my quest to fill that void. I was instructed by my father that wherever there is a void, there is a business. Cover that void and you have not only covered a void but also cured the problem. Mentally, the game of golf supersedes any other sport for needing the ability to learn to control “self!” This is the only approach focused on in this publication.
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1 Aug 2024

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – KEITA YOBIKO

By Yasuhiro Yobiko

My golf school student and my own 15-year-old son, Keita Yobiko, participated in the Drive, Chip and Putt finals in 2022 and 2023, which are held at Augusta National Golf Club on the Sunday before the Masters every year. Only 80 of the approximately 70,000 junior golfers who attempted to qualify in the United States can participate at Augusta National, but he won the tough qualifying rounds held prior to the finals. I have been to Augusta in the past because two other students from my golf school qualified in 2018. Augusta National is a very special course and there is nothing like it. It is such a great experience no matter how many times we go.

Keita has also achieved great results in addition to participating in the Drive, Chip and Putt. He had 11 consecutive wins on the Southern California PGA Junior Tour; won the Toyota Tour Cup when he was in junior high school; finished in 4th place in the U.S. Kids World Championship (boys 12-year-old division), and played in the Van Horn Cup. He will continue to play, practice and work hard to improve his physical strength, with the aim of winning on the professional golf tour. I am looking forward to his and my other students’ success in the future.
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1 Aug 2024

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – SRIXON GOLF BALLS

Srixon Golf is a major player in the world of professional golf, and many advanced players have gravitated to their clubs in recent years. With a lineup of the ZX7 irons (forged with a touch of cavity back) and the ZX5 irons (forged, cavity-backed irons with more forgiveness and distance enhancement), low-handicap and professional players love the feel and playability.

But Srixon also has the lesser-skilled player in mind with their ZX4 irons, a true game-improvement club that competes with the best on the market. Higher-handicap players will enjoy the control and forgiveness that the ZX4 line provide. In addition to irons, Srixon also boasts a driver, fairway wood and hybrid lineup that relies on cutting-edge technology to give players the ultimate in the latest of golf club advancements, starting with Rebound Frame technology.

Finally, Srixon’s ball lineup has something for everyone, including three tour models of golf balls (whereas most companies have two), along with an array of products to fit all skill levels. Srixon is a longtime USGTF industry partner, and more information can be found at https://us.dunlopsports.com/srixon, and you can call the USGTF National Office for personal use discount information at (772) 88-USGTF.

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1 Aug 2024

EDITORIAL – THE RULES OF GOLF MOSTLY TALK ABOUT HOW AND WHEN TO TOUCH THE GOLF BALL

The entire essence of the game of golf is to hit the golf ball. Therefore, it only makes sense that most of the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf focus on why and how to touch the golf ball, either with the clubhead or with your hand.

The very first rule deals with the principle that you play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. It goes on to say that each hole starts by making a stroke at the ball. Of course, the ball must be handled and placed either on a tee or the ground to start the hole, and the Rules detail this. The Rules also define what constitutes a stroke, the definition of which has remained the same for several decades. And once the ball is on the putting green, the Rules describe how to mark the ball before lifting it and what may be done with the ball.

A frequent, and unfortunate, happening while playing is dealing with a ball that has been hit out of bounds or into a penalty area. There is also ground under repair that must be dealt with. All of this brings up the question of exactly why the Rules speak largely into the how and why of touching the ball. The answer goes back to the first rule, where you play the ball as it lies. Because if you can’t play the ball as it lies, then care must be taken to preserve the integrity of the game by playing the next stroke from the most equitable location and situation.

If you haven’t perused the Rules of Golf recently, they can be found on the USGA’s website at https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-and-clarifications.html#!ruletype=fr§ion=rule&rulenum=1.
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1 Jul 2024

U.S. CUP REGISTRATION ONGOING

Are you ready to have some fun and excitement in the world’s capital of entertainment? Registration for the 28th annual United States Golf Teachers Cup is still open. This year’s event will take place at Painted Desert Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8.

This year’s event will once again feature a concurrent pro-am along with individual competition, although bringing an amateur partner is not required. Please note that all amateurs must have a USGA GHIN handicap or a recognized equivalent. Three divisions — Open, Senior (50+) and Super Senior (68+) — will be offered, and women competitors will be placed in the appropriate age category and play from shorter distances. To register, please visit https://www.usgtf.com/uscup.
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1 Jul 2024

LUXOR IS THE PLACE TO STAY FOR THE U.S. CUP

Opened in 1993, the Luxor in Las Vegas continues to be a favorite draw for visitors to the “Sin City.” With its distinctive pyramid building and vertical laser light visible for up to 275 miles, the Luxor has been a spectacular staple of the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip for three decades. This year, it will once again serve as the recommended host hotel for the United States Golf Teachers Cup.

The Luxor is within a 25-minute drive from Painted Desert Golf Course, and traffic rarely creates delays. Special rates for U.S. Cup participants have been arranged and can be found at https://book.passkey.com/event/50719407/owner/4939/home.
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1 Jul 2024

NEWS FROM GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND

By Peter Hudson

It has been a very wet winter and spring in the U.K. and Ireland, with many courses and driving ranges closed for days and weeks at a time. This, however, has led to greater demand for those of our members who have indoor golf schools and studios. This market segment is a real opportunity for the independent golf coach, especially with more and more game improvement being conducted online.

There are very few differences in the skills required to be a successful golf teacher/coach in these environments. True, there may be a need for a higher level of technical equipment and knowledge, but clients still learn best instinctively and intrinsically. If you have not read The Inner Game of Golf or Fred Shoemaker’s Extraordinary Golf, they are a great starting point for this genre. Interestingly, Homer Kelly, who is an expert in engineering, geometry and science, only learnt from feel in a blacked-out room!

Newswise, we conducted a training course with seven golfers in April, and the next is planned for Oxford in August. Those attending and planning to attend are many and varied in their previous work endeavours. Sports coaches, business coaches, accountants, I.T. experts, business managers and taxi driver are just some of their backgrounds.

We were invited by WGTF Netherlands to take a team of six players for a small European competition, organized by WGTF Netherlands, over two days in June. It is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and grow the WGTF family values. We will also continue to work closely with V1 Technologies, and they help us offer superior customer service, learning and communication.

We also work with Fore-business in the U.K. and Ireland, and now have at least six coaches who have enjoyed business from this outlet. The are currently growing in the USA and other parts of the world, and if you are a qualified coach, I highly recommend you contact their agents and arrange to join, or you may also contact me at info@wgtf.org.uk and I will arrange for them to call you.

I will be attending the PGA marketing exhibition in Orlando 2025. If anyone would like to meet, share ideas and maybe have a round of golf, let me know. Meanwhile, play well, teach well!
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