1 Nov 2024

USGTF DUES NOTICES IN THE MAIL



Being a member of the USGTF has many benefits and advantages. In addition to having the right to identify yourself as a USGTF member, members also receive professional recognition, personal use discount programs from most major manufacturers, access to discounted liability insurance, ongoing professional education opportunities and chances to compete with and meet fellow members at our regional and national championship events.

USGTF dues notices for the 2025 calendar year are being sent out, and those wishing to remain members in good standing have until December 31, 2024, to send their dues in. After that date, a late fee will be assessed.

If you have any questions, you may contact the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or (772) 595-6490. You may also write to the National Office at info@usgtf.com or member_services@usgtf.com.
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1 Nov 2024

KIM, FOUR OTHERS CROWNED CHAMPIONS AT U.S. CUP

The era of Ken Kim of Orlando, Florida, is in full swing in USGTF competition, as he has captured his second consecutive Open division championship at the United States Golf Teachers Cup, played October 7-8 at Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Playing a lengthened course compared to past Cups, Kim fired scores of 73-77 – 150 to coast to a nine-shot victory. Kim also won the 2023 USGTF Southeast Region Championship.

In the Senior division, Kirk Junge of North Palm Beach, Florida, successfully defended his title by shooting 72-74 – 146 to also win easily with a six-stroke margin. Ron Platz from Windsor, Colorado, captured a closely contested Super Senior division with scores of 77-79 – 156 to win by four. Platz has been a USGTF member continuously since 1993, one of the federation’s longest-tenured members.

Once again a concurrent pro-am was held, and the winners were USGTF member Deborah Hughes and her amateur partner Dee Dee McGinnis-Hoeman. Their team fired a final round net fourball total of 64 to emerge victorious.

Results of the tournament can be found at http://www.24uscup.golfgenius.com.
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1 Nov 2024

WGTF NEWS FROM JAPAN: MEASURES FOR SAFE GOLFING DURING THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER

By Hajime Morita

Global warming has become a serious issue worldwide, and in recent years, the number of days exceeding 35° Celsius (95° Fahrenheit) has increased dramatically in Japan. The USGTF-Japan office is located in Saitama Prefecture, where Kumagaya City, known as one of the hottest places in Japan, can be found.

Golf courses around our office have prepared guidelines using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a criterion announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of the Environment, to ensure the safety of both visitors and staff. According to these guidelines, as a general rule, playing golf on courses is prohibited when the WBGT reaches approximately 33. This number is based on the Celsius degrees when used in Japan. With temperatures expected to rise further in Japan, golf courses across the country are likely to establish similar guidelines based on this index.

When the WBGT level exceeds 31, exercising is generally prohibited. At the level above 28, heavy exercise should be avoided. For levels between 25 and 28, it is important to take frequent breaks. To drink water and take salt regularly is also needed. When the WBGT is below 21, the risk of heat stroke is considered low, but it is still necessary to stay hydrated and take salt. Please note that the index values differ between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

When we look at the WBGT, we find that it was developed in 1954 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, to prevent heat stroke risk. Due to the high-humidity climate in Parris Island and the rigorous training, along with strict restrictions on clothing and equipment, heat stroke was a serious concern, which prompted the development of the WBGT. In 1975, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) introduced guidelines using WBGT for long-distance running. It prohibited races of ten miles or more when the index exceeded 28. In 1982, the WBGT was adopted as an international standard by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
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1 Nov 2024

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – ONCORE GOLF

The USGTF would like to thank OnCore Golf for supporting the recent United States Golf Teachers Cup held this past October in Las Vegas, Nevada. All competitors received a sleeve of one of OnCore’s tour golf balls, which has proven to be as good as any ball played at the professional level.

OnCore makes four models of urethane-covered golf balls to satisfy the most discerning of golfers at all levels. USGTF members can purchase OnCore balls at a personal use discount. Please call the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or (772) 595-6490.
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1 Nov 2024

REGION UPDATE

United States Golf Teachers Cup – The 28th annual championship was held Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8, at Painted Desert Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ken Kim emerged victorious in the Open Division.
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1 Nov 2024

“PRO” FILE – TOURING PROFESSIONAL NELLY KORDA

Nelly Korda poses for a picture after she won the Mizuho Americas Open golf tournament, Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Her father is a major championship winner in tennis. Her mother was a former professional tennis player herself. With genes like those, it’s no wonder Nelly Korda has become a true superstar in the game of women’s golf.

Earlier in the year, she tied an LPGA Tour record by winning five consecutive tournaments. Although she failed to break the record, she did add a sixth victory one tournament later. Interestingly, that followed by her missing three cuts in a row, which proves that even the best of us are human.

Her older sister Jessica got the ball rolling first in the Korda family, having won six times on tour herself. But Nelly has taken the Korda name to a whole other level with her 14 total victories and current #1-ranking in the world. Although she has slowed down the second half of the season, it’s a sure bet she will be back in the winner’s circle before long.
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1 Nov 2024

“PRO” FILE – USGTF PROFESSIONAL CHRIS WARNER

By Chris Warner

The first golf club I remember having in my hands was in 1965, when I was given a four-piece set of iron beginner clubs for Christmas. I remember playing with them in the back yard and hitting balls around. However, I have no idea what happened to them.

In March 1970, I was introduced to the game of golf on a real course. It was a par-3 18-hole course where the holes ranged from 75 to 150 yards, but it was my real start in stroke play and actually keeping score. I borrowed my father’s clubs and would play with my grandfather and his group of retirees from the railroad every Tuesday. In 1974, Jack Nicklaus released his book Golf My Way, which covered the entire game and was very instrumental in advancing my skill level. It was then that I started playing on full-size regulation courses, which changed everything for me.

Although I never had any formal lessons, I was gathering any instructional material I could find to learn from. Like most youngsters, I ventured into other sports and when they didn’t really intrigue me, I found myself back into golf. My father spent time with his 8mm video camera in the back yard filming my swing and together, we would look at them. I played every chance I could and even played on the high school golf team. I was limited by using my father’s Kroydon golf clubs, which were already 20+ years old, but it was what I had to work with. This included the 1 through 4 persimmon woods.

Although I pursued the game for many years, playing in any sanctioned events I could, it seemed rather expensive and difficult to completely commit to because of my responsibilities at the time. I did, however, introduce the game to as many people as I could with the idea of having interested friends and co-workers to play with. I didn’t realize at the time that I was developing a skill that would one day be my passion, teaching golf. After competing at a very high level, I discovered the true difference between competition and teaching others. This is when things changed in my direction.

Pursuing my newly found passion, I became a PGA apprentice and was able to eventually achieve my Class A card. I pursued every teaching avenue and gathered any material that was available and became certified in as many organizations as I could. I taught night classes at a junior college, and volunteered as a marshal in PGA Tour events, mainly the TPC in Sawgrass, Florida.

I have since amassed numerous full certifications and still teach golfers of all levels and walks of life. This would include special needs students, autistic children, military veterans, collegiate students, pro-am, school, coaches, etc. I have volunteered with The First Tee organization including the Ben Hogan training center in Fort Worth, Texas. I also acquired my Global Pass, allowing me to work with high school golf teams in multiple counties. This has opened the door to many opportunities in helping young players advance in their future aspirations, resulting in a multitude of them achieving full-ride college scholarships.

In 2014, I was blessed to be the recipient of the Harvey Pennick award in Las Vegas, which was featured on the internet. I soon received a call from a gentleman in Cuernavaca, Mexico, asking if I would be interested in traveling internationally to teach golf clinics. It wasn’t until I accepted the offer and traveled there that this would be an event happening three times every year, working with the American Express Centurion’s Elite members at different locations. I have had the privilege of traveling to numerous locations ever since.

I continuously study the physics involved in the swing, seeking the most efficient process using science and physics to accomplish that as well as validate advice given, offering simple explanations to individuals learning the game. After all, as with any subject, there is an unlimited number of opinions based on people’s understanding and interpretations, I find that when explained correctly and backed by logic, the student is more likely to understand the directions and commit to the effort of learning.
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1 Nov 2024

EDITORIAL – WHY DOESN’T IT FEEL STRANGE THAT WE MEET SO MANY TOUR PLAYERS IN THE GYM?

Long before Tiger Woods made working out mandatory for today’s tour players, and even before Gary Player hit the scene with his endless pushups and sit ups, an amateur golfer named Frank Stranahan made waves with his powerlifting routines. Ranked number one in powerlifting in his weight class from 1945 through 1954, Stranahan also competed in golf at a high level, finishing runner-up in both the Masters and British Open.

Both Player and Stranahan were considered anomalies, that is, until Woods came on the scene. Other pros quickly saw that part of Woods’ success was in his incredible fitness, and soon pros everywhere followed suit. College programs even got in on the act, requiring players to participate in early-morning workout sessions before class.

Before Woods, it was thought that lifting heavy weights was bad for golfers, but he quickly proved that idea wrong. Brooks Koepka is said to be able to bench press well over 300 lbs., for example. And the reason why we see so many players in the gym today is that the game at the professional level requires so much power off the tee that more than a few mph of ball speed can be attained through working out. In fact, Bryson DeChambeau took it to such a level that he finished second in the 2022 World Long Drive Championship.

As time goes on and science advances, we will likely see swing speeds continue to increase and players refine their workout routines. Where the limit is, who knows?
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