PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE
There are many reasons to produce a Golf-A-Thon. Each organization will have different goals and objectives. Here are a few reasons why you should produce an event.

PURPOSE
Fundraising – This should be the main purpose. Raising needed
funds for a worthwhile purpose.
Public Relations – This event can be used as a great PR event and
will give you tremendous exposure for your organization. If you work
with the local media, you will receive coverage because of its
uniqueness.
Entertainment – You can use this event to entertain clients by having
them out the day of the event and playing golf at their leisure.
Competition – This is a great opportunity to have several groups and
organizations to compete in raising funds.
Networking – By inviting certain groups and vendors, it may be used
as a relationship building opportunity.
Fun – Every event should be fun. By producing a first class event
with games, contests and incentives, it will be fun.

FUNDRAISING
When fundraising we encourage you to consider a couple of key questions.

1. How much money do you want to raise?
Be specific and make sure that everyone knows the goal.
Be realistic, understand your golfers and their demographics.

2. Where is the money going?
Insure that you have a good reason for raising the money. If it goes to administration, you will not have as many donors with compassion for your cause.

OBJECTIVE
Your objective and goal should be $100,000. This is achieved by obtaining sponsors to underwrite the costs of the event; golf course, food, prizes, etc.  Golfers should raise pledges to reach the $100,000.  If 40 golfers raise $25 per hole in pledges and play 100 holes of golf each, they will raise $2500 each. 40 golfers at $2500 equal $100,000


Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.
PGA Professional / Author/ Owner
Global Golf Consultants, Inc
www.globalgolfconsultants.com
www.gtaaweb.org

        

This entry is for those who are thinking about or currently hosting a golf tournament to raise money.  While filling up the field with players is a great way to raise funds, the real money comes from sponsorships.  Most events base their success off of how much net revenue they generate from their golf tournament for their cause.  If you don't think you can raise money with a golf tournament, consider these facts:

Golf Events:  1 Million per year
Events Per Course: 50 per year average
Average Players: 80 per event
Average Money Raised: $5,000

These are staggering numbers when you think about it.  While raising $5,000 can go a long way for a charity, to me it's hardly worth the effort.  If an event is run properly, it should raise at least double that!  There are a ton of ways to increase the net amount raised.  Here are some tips to help you increase your tournament success:

1. Start Planning at least 6 months in advance- give yourself, players and sponsor's time to prepare and budget
2. Develop a Sponsor Committee- businesses are more likely to sponsor your event if asked by someone they know or respect
3. Develop Sponsorship Packages with REAL benefits to the sponsor- create different levels of pricing i.e. Gold, Silver, Bronze levels
4. Follow up introduction letters with a phone call- sponsorships are not sold by mail only!


Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.
PGA Professional/ Author/ Owner
Global Golf Consultants, Inc.
www.globalgolfconsultants.com
www.gtaaweb.org

        

Compression: It is simply what it sounds like, the measurement of how much a golf ball deforms when you make contact.

                                                       
When choosing a golf ball it is important to understand what it is you are putting on the tee.  While visually all golf balls look almost exactly alike, their construction characteristics vary.  In the old days, the color of the number on your golf ball determined what compression the ball was.  Due to changes in design over the past several years, compression does not mean as much as it used to.   


So what does golf ball compression effect your game?  Compression now days serves only to provide a certain level of feel.  Compressions range from 70-110.  Golfers with slower swing speeds are going to want to stick to the lower compression balls to maximize distance.  Golfers with higher swing speeds should stick with higher compression golf balls to maximize distance.  The reason for this is that if a golfer is not able to generate enough clubhead speed to fully compress the ball, they will leak distance.  Balls with lower compression will have a softer feel around the greens.


Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.
PGA Professional/ Author/ Owner
Global Golf Consultants, Inc.
www.globalgolfconsultants.com
www.gtaaweb.org




 

        

I'm sure we can all agree that it is impossible to eat perfectly for every meal of every day.  We are too busy with kids, jobs, and running around.  It is inevitable that we will stop by the closest drive-thru to grab a bite to eat.  You are honestly better off grabbing a quick bite, than not grabbing a bite to eat at all.  The best bet is to have a protein bar handy at all times.  Keeping a couple in your car is a great idea, just make sure they are not chocolate-based because they will melt easily!  One product that I have tried recently that works perfectly for this situation is called, IDS Sports New-Whey 42™ Liquid Protein.  It does not spoil so it can be left in the glove compartment of your car for when you are in a bind. 

Now on to the real point.  This is where I like to bring a little economics into the equation.  By definition, sunk costs are costs that have already been incurred and should not be factored in financial decisions.  When you break down and eat that cheeseburger while you are trying to lose weight, should you give up because you fell off the wagon?  NO!  It's a "sunk cost".  You may have broken your diet for one meal, but it is the entire diet that matters.  Keep the long term goal in mind.  If you happen to break down and have a bad meal, don't worry about it, just make sure the next meal is within your diet.  Take comfort in knowing that small hick-up's in your diet will not lead to your demise.  While every meal is important, if will do you no good to feel guilty about a meal you slipped up on.  Always look forward and plan ahead so that it doesn't happen next time.

Just like a superior golf game, losing weight and gaining muscle does not happen overnight.  Take a long term approach but always focus on the details!


Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.
PGA Professional / Author/ Owner
Global Golf Consultants, Inc
www.globalgolfconsultants.com

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Fast Fix Golf Tips and Pro Instruction for the rest of us!  PG-13 Golf

        

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new era in American history, the inauguration of the first African American (well technically half African American)  president.  It's incredible to see how much our country is heading in a direction of equality.  If nothing else, I think that Mr. Obama will be a symbol of hope that helps spark new light into our economy and the citizen's of this great nation. 

Tiger Woods made an appearance at the inauguration.  It's only fitting that arguably the best athlete of all time speak at one of the most momentous occasions of modern history.  With all the hype sounding Tiger and how he had never really spoke out about his political beliefs, Tiger disappointed a lot of critics with his speech.  At no point did he express his political nor religious beliefs.  I have to hand it to him, the man knows how to stay away from controversy.





Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.
PGA Professional / Author/ Owner
Global Golf Consultants, Inc
www.globalgolfconsultants.com
www.gtaaweb.org

        

Check out my latest talk show interview here:

Download | Duration: 00:52:37

(I come in around minute 44)


Why do we hit a shot "fat".  Is it because we weigh too much?  Is it because we looked up?  Is it because we were quick from the top?

No, No, and kinda.

The most probable reason for hitting a shot fat is improper weight shift.  Being able to transfer your weight to your left side (I am assuming you are right handed) is a tremendous source of power and leads to consistent contact.  The Stack-and-Tilt(TM) method of swinging the club almost eliminates this problem because the swing is based off a coil around your spine, not a rotation from the ground-up.  Either way, being able to move through the ball is critical to consistent and crisp contact.

The easiest way I've found to combat this issue is at set-up, to keep the pressure of your right foot on the inside of the sole.  The sensation is almost the same as if you placed a golf ball under the outside of your right arch.  This keeps you from moving too much weight to your right side on your backswing, and helps create a better weight transfer through impact.

                                                



-Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.

Author of : Golf Fitness FOR MEN


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Fast Fix Golf Tips and Pro Instruction for the rest of us!  PG-13 Golf

        

There are few roads that lead to success.  The one least traveled is paved with failure and disappointment.  Everyone is out to have more than the next guy;  it's dog eat dog.  I find that a lot of my students expect maximum results with little effort.  Sorry but that is not the case, especially in a game as complex as golf.  You have to commit yourself to success.  In a world where everyone is self-motivated, so you must also be self-motivated.  So what you have been practicing for 2 weeks and still shoot 90.  That should only fuel your fire to become better.  Use failure as a catalyst for achievement.

Every great undertaking required someone to take the first step.  Improving your game will not happen overnight, it will take months of continued dedication.  If you truly want to improve your game for good and not just mask your swing problems, you know what you have to do.  Take the information I’ve given you and put it into action.  Destroy your limitations once and for all.  Let the years and years of neglecting your body and your game fall away like the sweat from your brow.  There are too many men that have faded away into the background of history never to be remembered.  I refuse to settle for mediocrity and I employ you to do the same.  If you want to be like every other hacker in the world and just wish you had a better game, be my guest, but you will always be just that, another hacker.  Become that guy that everyone looks up to and everyone wants to try to beat.  Build the machine that is you, one day at a time, one swing at a time, and one weight at a time.  The result is worth the means.  Good luck. 

-Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.

Author of : Golf Fitness FOR MEN

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Fast Fix Golf Tips and Pro Instruction for the rest of us! PG-13 Golf

        

"Many people think that cooling down by exercising at a very slow pace after exercising more vigorously, helps to prevent muscle soreness. It doesn't. Cooling down speeds up the removal of lactic acid from muscles, but a buildup of lactic acid does not cause muscle soreness, so cooling down will not help to prevent muscle soreness. Stretching does not prevent soreness either, since post-exercise soreness is not due to contracted muscle fibers."
- Dr. Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

There you go, stretching during and after a workout will not prevent you from being sore.  How sore you get from a workout is directly related to two things:

1. How you perform an exercise
2. How intense you exercise

Performing an exercise with incorrect form will leave you sore for the wrong reasons.  Usually because you have pulled or strained a muscle, not because you got a great workout.  Instead of writing a huge post, I will give you a good rule of thumb (read my book for more info)- keep your chin up, core tight, and back straight.  No matter the exercise, follow this rule of thumb and you should be fine.

Intensity of your exercise should depend of what time of year you are working out.  If you are in the middle of golf season your workout movements and their intensity will not be the same as in the off season when muscle soreness will not effect you game.  Keep workout intensity lower during golf season to help prevent soreness.  Also it is critical that you do not neglect stretching during and after your workout.  Lose of flexibility will effect your timing and increase your risk of injury.


 - Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.

Author of: Golf Fitness FOR MEN                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                        
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  Fast Fix Golf Tips and Pro Instruction for the rest of us! PG-13 Golf
 

        

I thought that might raise an eyebrow or two. 

Stretching has long been the "end all, be all" for increasing flexibility in the golf swing.  In the words of Bagger Vance, "he is and he ain't".  You see, walking up to the first tee and stretching does literally no good.  You might as well hop out of your truck and tee-off.  Stretching a muscle that is "cold" does little good.  Trying to stretch out a muscle without warming up is one of the quickest ways to pull or strain a muscle.  Think of it like plastic:  when heated up, plastic can be stretched and molded, but when cooled off, it's rock hard.  Same pricnicple with your muscles.  You need to get extra blood pumping through your body before you stretch. 

So how do you remedy this problem?  SIMPLE!  Before you start stretching before these exercises:

Squats - 1 set of 12

Kneeling Pushups - 1 set of 12

Large Arm Cirlce - 1 set of 12


That's it...now start stretching with your muscles warm.  Your mentally more focused and less prone to injury!

- Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I

Author of: Golf Fitness FOR MEN



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It's time for me to help you take it to the next level.  I must admit that when I wrote my book I had a mental boost.  A secret weapon that helped me keep up my focus and practically eliminated any writer's block.  It's called iMusic.  I just happen to stumble across the website while researching data for my book.  I honestly would sit down at my desk, put my headphones in, and listen to the music with my eyes closed for a few minutes and could literally feel my focus sharpen.  I've never seen anything like it.  It's really cool!   Here is a video that describes it better than I can:







- Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.

Author of: Golf Fitness FOR MEN

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