Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Still Too Cold!

Today is a balmy 30 degrees and gray. I talked with a friend who was visiting Florida and she said it was 77 and sunny. I really didn't want to talk to her after that! Staying in good physical condition during the winter in Michigan can be quite a challenge. I get so bored going to the driving range that after awhile, I just give up.

A friend of mine recommended Roger Fredericks' Golf Flexibilty DVD's so I ordered them. Here is the website for them:
http://www.fredericksgolf.com/?gclid=CJGDo-iM94kCFQGPWAod-00mVw

I found that 90% of the exercises were yoga postures that were slightly altered for the golf swing. I enjoy doing them but Fredericks isn't the most motivational coach I've ever had. If you have never done yoga before, take it easy in the beginning. These stretches can be intense without you ever knowing it. Don't ever stretch until you feel pain! Stop and go back an inch or two. Breathing out and releasing are the only way to get more stretch.
I think that these exercises can be very beneficial to the golf swing if done consistently. Which I guess is true of any exercise! It's just getting out from under the down comforter to do them!

Friday, January 19, 2007

Wonderful Women's Golf Store

I have been debating whether to share this great golf store site with anyone. I admit I wanted to keep it my little secret. During my travels on the internet, I found Lori's Golf Shoppe. https://seastar.securesites.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=Loris+Golf+Shoppe
I was like a kid in a candy store the first time I looked through what Lori had available. These are women's items you won't see at your local pro shop. Well, maybe some of them but not the selection that is offered here. I probably will never buy some of the expensive items shown but, jeez, I love to look at them!

Is this not one sharp golf bag? It is priced at $299.99 which is a little higher than I'd like to pay.



But then how about this cutie for only $99.99? This is the one my husband got for me for Christmas. He was happy he didn't have to shop for me!



For all you Pink Ribbon girls, there is a Pink Shoppe. There are also tons of great clearance deals on shoes, gloves, bags, etc. Great jewelry, too! I ordered these socks for a Christmas present. They say "Mulligan Queen" on the top! I don't know where Lori finds these items but I am impressed.




The prices are very reasonable. Also, Lori has generously offered anyone who orders through my site a special one time discount of 20% which can be used now through December 31, 2007. When ordering, you will need to enter Coupon Code SL011906. What a nice deal! She usually has regular ongoing discounts available on her Storefront page, too.

So now you know my favorite place for adorable women's golf items. I know you will not be disappointed by what you find there. Please don't blame me when your credit card bill comes due but do come back here and tell me about all the compliments you get on your cute golf stuff!

Lori was nice enough to give me permission to post her website and give us a discount. Thanks, Lori!

Monday, January 15, 2007

LPGA Drug Testing

In November 2006, the LPGA announced it will be begin drug testing on all LPGA members beginning in 2008. Here is their official release. http://www.lpga.com/content_1.aspx?mid=2&pid=8891 Annika and Tiger have already stated that they would welcome the policy. Of course, everyone in professional golf says they can't believe that any golfers are currently using drugs. Why would this sport be any different than the others? It seems that almost every day there is an article about athletes being busted for drug use. The PGA does not and has no plans to do drug testing.

In the past, the image of a professional golfer was one of a sedate and genteel manner. This image has been changing over the years. We now see John Daly smoking and Natalie Gulbis posing in a swimsuit. PGA members have been heard talking about drinking beer after the tournament. They are people just like us. They are not perfect.

I think they need to step down from that pedestal and realize that in this day and age, drugs are a reality. If the LPGA and the PGA did a suprise drug screening today, how many of them would test positive? A report just released by the government, http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/metro/metro.htm, states, "In the Nation as a whole, an annual average of 8.1 percent of persons aged 12 or older reported past month illicit drug use during the combined years of 2002 to 2005." I guess professional golfers don't live in "the Nation as a whole". I think they live in a fantasy world.

Friday, January 12, 2007

My Favorite Women's Golf Ball

It's funny but I chose this for my topic last night and, lo and behold, someone asked me this morning what my favorite golf ball was! Weird, eh?

My favorite golf ball is the white Volvik Crystal. I have been using these balls since they first came out. Only one store in this area carried them for years. They are very popular now. One golf pro told me that quite a few men are using them also. The secret is out! Here is where you can purchase them:
http://astore.amazon.com/micgolchi-20/detail/B0002X4T0M/002-8300632-9963215

They are kind of cool because you can see through them, hence, the name "Crystal". They have a great soft feel and I think they really work well with my slower swing speed. I have converted many of my girlfriends to these balls after they see how they roll! They seem to go forever and I need all the distance I can get.

They come in various pastel colors but I find that I can see white the best. I always tell people my ball is the "dirty" white ball, as they look kind of gray next to a regular white ball. I don't recommend the purple ones because they don't show up very well against the grass.

I have tried some of the newer knockoff balls that have the crystal look but haven't found any I like as much as the original Volvik brand. Give them a try and see if they don't make a difference in your game!

Thursday, January 11, 2007

My New Online Women's Golf Store

Today I set up my new golf store, Golf Chick, and added the link to my blog. Here is the link - http://astore.amazon.com/micgolchi-20
I really enjoyed picking out the items for my store. I wanted one of everything! I do already own some of these items and in the future I am going to try and write reviews of them. There are some really interesting and unique things out there for us women golfers. I hope you find something there that tickles your fancy. I know there are tons of different golf stores online but I have tried to have really special products for sale. It may save you some time or searching on the net. I should have no problems keeping the items updated as I love to shop!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Please Re-Grip Your Clubs

“Good golf begins with a good grip.”
Ben Hogan - 1957


I have talked to many of my golfing friends and most of them say they have never had their clubs regripped. I'm not sure why so many women don't have this done. I have my woods and irons regripped at least once a year. My hands used to get so sore because, like most of us, I grip the club too tight. The first time I had my clubs regripped, I went to a men's size grip in a super soft Winn grip. This is what my grips look like on my woods & irons. What a difference the new grips made in my enjoyment of the game. My hands never get sore anymore and I don't have such a death grip on my club! Also, I think it improved my scores just because my hands don't get so tired.

I take my clubs for regripping to a friend who makes golf clubs as a hobby. Most pro shops or golf stores do it also. I have seen instructions on how to do it yourself but I'm handy-woman challenged. The best instructions I found for you brave souls was at: http://www.ehow.com/how_117745_regrip-golf-club.html Good luck!


I have seen some really awesome golf grips coming out for women this year (finally!) I really like the new Rave ones from Winn shown here.They also come in a pink/black combo which will go really well with my putter grip which looks like this.It's time for me to get new grips, don't you think?
So if it's been a long time since you had your clubs regripped, remember, this is your ONLY connection to the golf club - Make it a Good One!




Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Too Cold To Golf - Brrrr

I am a little depressed today. It is 29 and the wind is howling. I guess I have been spoiled because we've had such a warm winter. It is also cloudy and gray, no wonder I'm not in the mood to write about golfing! I hope it is warmer wherever you are and if you can, please go out and play nine for me.

Monday, January 8, 2007

My Golfing Style

I just wanted to warn you that if you're looking for reviews of expensive golf items or elite country clubs, that this is probably not the place for you. I buy most of my golf polo's at Kohl's or Land's End. My fancy golf shorts are whatever is comfy and have pockets. My golf sandals were bought on clearance as was my pretty, flowery, new golf bag. The sandals are Sandbaggers but I only paid $39 for them. The golf bag is a Burton Cloud 9 I found for $80. I probably will never own Walter Genuin shoes or a Benetti bag. Unless, of course, I can find a great sale! Still, I always try to look my best when golfing. I'm just not going to spend money on things I will have a spot on before you can say "Fore!"

Most of the golf courses I play regularly are the local public courses. The reviews I plan on writing will be mostly about the average courses, ones that may not be five star (or even 3 star!) but that are fun and cheap. Most of the time, the fairways are not perfectly manicured and they don't have designer outhouses on the course. My friends and I won't be writing articles for Golf Digest or Golf For Women magazines. We believe that golf should be for the pure enjoyment of golfing, on whatever conditions we find.

Does this sound like you and your friends? Please, if it does, send all and any of your friends here! I would love to hear from you!

Friday, January 5, 2007

A Must-Have for Women Golfers

Every woman needs a Universal Cart Cover! When it's rainy and cold, you will thank yourself for buying this item.

About two years ago, my long time golfing partner and I decided to buy a Cart Cover. After researching the item online, we decided that we would purchase the Universal Deluxe Cart Cover from Buggies Unlimited.com. It still sells for the same price of $74.99 plus s&h. We split the cost so our individual investment was only about $45. I wish that I loved everything I had ever spent $45 on as much as this!

Online ordering was easy and we received the cover within a week. It is shipped with it's own carrying case and on our first cold league night, we brought it with us. The leagues here start in early May and it can still be pretty nasty weather in Michigan. The women's league I am on is pretty fun and has been in existence for thirty-some years. Some of the original golfers still golf on it!

We arrived at the course pretty full of ourselves with the new toy. It wasn't raining yet but it was about 42 degrees with gusty winds. We took the cover out of it's case and had no idea which way it goes on or how. There were no instructions or maybe they just blew away in the windstorm. All the other women were hooting and hollering about what the heck did we have now? After approximately 100 bumbling tries, (not really, but sure seemed like it), we finally get it put on the right way. My suggestion is to mark, in indelible ink, which end is the front and which is the back on the underside. This will save much embarrassment in the future.

Of course, we still have to attach all the tie-downs to the cart and it has begun to gently mist on us. The tie-downs need to be adjusted for each individual cart model but it is a very easy buckle clasp to adjust. Unless this is your first time, then it is not so easy in the torrential downpour.

I believe that some of the women on my league still discuss the evening we showed up with our cover. Whenever I overhear them saying, "drowned rats", "Laurel & Hardy", "Laverne & Shirley", "gale force winds", "funniest thing I've ever seen", or "I laughed so hard, I peed my pants", I know they are talking about it. BUT now that we have become wizards at using the cover, they don't laugh so hard! Whenever we zoom by them, warm, toasty & dry, inside our cart cover, I try to be nice and not rub it in. Well, kind of...
Here are a few more suggestions on use & care of the cover:

  • Take it with you on the cart if it even looks like rain. It can be stored under the cooler rack on some carts or behind you on the seat. I have never regretted taking it.
  • Make sure to lay it flat to dry before putting it back into the carrying case. I've never had any mildew but don't want to take the chance.
  • This cover doesn't fit too well on what I call the newer wide body carts. Not sure what brand they are but they have the wider seats. It still fits, just not great. Unfortunately, the wider seat fits something of mine just great.
  • If it is hot, it can get very toasty inside. All the sides can be tied up or sometimes we just leave the back zippers open to get some air. Also good if your golfing partner had chili on her hot dog at the turn.
  • The front windshield is hard to see out of because of the wrinkles. We used a hair dryer on it and it helped quite a bit. Just make sure it's not set too hot or you will have permanent ventilation.

And my last, but not least important bit of advice, sneak onto your neighborhood golf course after dark and practice putting your new cover on a cart before attempting to do it during your league or at a large charity golf outing in the pouring, freaking rain.

I hope this info will save you ruined hair and wet grips in the future.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, January 4, 2007

My First Blog Ever

So here I go! My first blog. What a monumental day in my life. I'm not even sure where to begin or end.

As you can tell, I am an avid golfer. I guess it's been about 10 years of lessons, practice, playing and lots of cussing for me. Living in Michigan does inhibit my amount of playing time but I squeeze all I can into those few available months! Actually, the last two weeks, the weather has been unseasonably warm here and I've seen many people playing golf. Unfortunately, on the nice days, I wasn't able to get out on the course. Dang it all! Putting in the living room will have to do for now...

I am hoping to form this blog into a large array of golf information, for women especially but hopefully a few men, too. I will try to review some items I have tried and also use info from my friends. I'm sure this blog will not contain just golf stuff because I just have too much to talk about! This is all new to me so hopefully my twisted sense of humor will keep you coming back until I figure out what "content" is.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon!