By Tom Ward | www.teetimewithtom.com

Hitting a golf shot over water can be the ultimate nightmare scenario for many golfers regardless of their abilities. Adding to the dilemma would be having a stiff wind in your face to make matters more difficult. If you were sleeping, this would be the moment that you would jump out of bed sweating profusely. Let me give you an example. In the photograph is a student of mine who happens to be my wife. This beautiful par three, as seen in the photo, is the 18th hole at the magnificent resort in Manzanillo, Mexico called Las Hadas. Perhaps you may remember the movie “10” that used the hotel as a backdrop to scenes filmed there. It starred Dudley Moore, Julie Andrews and introduced the world to a young actress named Bo Derek. If you’re not careful, “10” is what you might be writing on your scorecard after you’ve played this hole.

What makes golf holes like this so dangerous, especially as a finishing hole, is one ill-timed shot can ruin a great round. Usually when water is involved on most golf courses there is an area where you can bail out and play safe. In this instance as you can clearly see, it’s an all or nothing type of shot. That’s why it’s really important to know your distances with how far you hit each club. On a hole like this choosing the wrong club will send your golf ball to a watery grave.

To read more, pick up a copy of the November/December issue of LiveIt magazine. To subscribe, call 940-872-2076.

By Tom Ward | www.teetimewithtom.com

It was 42 years ago that the film ‘Caddyshack’ burst onto the silver screen and into our conscious. To get an idea what it must have been like behind the scenes of that zany comedy I reached out to my friend, actress Cindy Morgan, who portrayed “Lacey Underalls.” Caddyshack was Cindy’s first film. The movie was shot in the early fall of 1979 at Rolling Hills Golf Club in Ft. Lauderdale – Davie, Fla., which acted as the fictitious Bushwood C.C.

After Cindy won the role of “Lacey” she was off to south Florida to be thrown headfirst into the deepend, to play opposite some of the most talented comedians of the day like Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray. Along with first-time director Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters, Stripes), Cindy had to keep her wits about her working with some of the best improvisational personalities in the entertainment industry. Fortunately, her training in live radio working on the air back in her native town of Chicago came in handy.

To read more, pick up a copy of the September/October issue of LiveIt magazine. To subscribe, call 940-872-2076.

By Tom Ward | www.teetimewithtom.com

Chipping is a crucial part of scoring in the game of golf. Even the best pro golfers (men and women) will miss five to six greens a round on average. It’s their ability to get it up and down and salvage par that can make the difference in winning or losing a tournament. The average golfer will miss a few more greens in regulation than the professionals. That’s why spending time on this area of your game can pay off big time in lowering your scores.

Almost every single time we make a poor chip shot it’s because we had improper hand (wrist) movement in our swing. Bladed (low running shots that skid across the green) or chunked (fat or heavy) shots are all caused by involving your hands too much on the shot.

To read more, pick up a copy of the July/August issue of LiveIt magazine. To subscribe, call 940-872-2076.