WIN, YOU WIN!!! Just mention the Braves winning score from the most recent game and you’ll pay only twenty five dollars for your round of golf. So cheer on the Braves, and come to Jekyll Island for the best golf value. Call for details and we’ll see you at the turn! © 2009 Jekyll Island Golf Club| 322 Captain Wylly Road | Jekyll Island, GA 31527 Phone: (912) 635-2368 | Fax: (912) 635-4164 golf.jekyllisland.com | golf@jekyllisland.com

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By Steve Godley, Director of Instruction, Jekyll Island Golf Club
Georgia Head Professional, Bird Golf Academy

“Sand shots are the easiest shot in golf,” is a statement I have made in clinics only to hear sarcastic responses like sure, and yeah right! But in reality, no truer words were spoken. And why is it the easiest shot in golf? It is the only shot where you are not trying to strike the ball. The ball simply floats out on a pillow of sand.

In defense of amateur players, a lot of their bunker problems and mistakes stem from being taught improperly. Not saying that my method is the only one, but I have seen it work time-and time-again. Golfers learn that for a basic bunker shot, we open the clubface, open our stance, place the ball in the middle of the stance and attempt to strike the sand 2 – 3 inches behind the ball. However, “hitting behind the ball” does not make sense to most people so my method is a little different. Yes, we want to have an open clubface and stance to add loft, but instead of setting up on the ball as you would a fairway shot, set up to the spot where you would like to “strike the sand” as if the ball were not there. Take a normal swing striking your mark and take the ball out on a pillow of sand.

Other than the set-up, amateur players make other mistakes. Primarily, is deceleration of a chip or pitch shot. They take the club too far back and slow down through the hitting area. Bunker shots are nothing but a pitch shot in the sand. The technique for a bunker shot and a pitch shot is a short backswing into a full follow through. One of the reasons for the deceleration is because it is a short shot. Our mind tells us that it does not take a lot of force to move the ball a short distance, so when a long backswing is executed we slow the club trying to ease the force. The club only needs to go back waist high. This way, there is acceleration through the shot and our prime objective of getting the ball out of the bunker is accomplished. Just as in all short game shots, the club head should never pass the hands. The hands must be leading all of the way through the shot. Not finishing the entire swing is another mistake that is commonly made. Because it is a relatively short shot, players tend to stop the motion once the club impacts the sand. Everyone seems to be afraid of hitting the ball too far. Golfers will stop their swing, forgetting the prime objective getting the ball out of the bunker

Another shot from a bunker that we must address is from a fairway bunker. To properly play this particular shot, choose a club that will allow you to advance the ball the greatest distance without hitting the top lip of the bunker. Proper execution of this shot requires that the ball be played in the back of your stance, off the right foot. The reason for this is to strike the ball before the sand. Use no body motion for this shot; it is an arm swing only. So now, you see sand shots are the easiest shots in golf. These basic bunker shots will help to extricate you from this hazard in the fewest number of strokes. Take the time to practice and improve your shots and other areas of your game by contacting your PGA Professional for help. Jekyll Island offers individual lessons, Corporate and group clinics, as well as 1, 2, and 3-day schools. Weekly clinics are conducted through April. For more information and instruction, call 912-635-2368.

Tags: bird golf academy, golf tips, jekyll island golf, steve godley golf professional
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Jekyll Island Golfers,

Please come join us for some fun at the Great Dunes golf course on Saturday March 20th for the “Plus Fours” Tournament.

Format: 4- person scramble using hickory shaft golf clubs and old gutta purcha golf balls. You can put together your own foursome or sign up individually.

Time: 9:30am Shot-Gun Start

Cost is just $30 per person and includes golf & lunch!

Tags: golf tournament, historic golf, jekyll island golf
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FUNDAMENTALS – MOST IMPORTANT, MOST IGNORED

In my 25 years of providing golf instruction, many students seem to seek two elusive basics from a golf lesson—distance and consistency. The students explain that their game is “on again – off again” and that they seem to lack the distance they should be achieving. I have found that the majority of players are missing some basic fundamentals of a golf swing.

The fundamentals of golf are like the foundation of a house. A good foundation supporting a house makes for a long lasting and enjoyable home. A house with a poor foundation is livable but has many problems over the course of time. Just like a golf swing.

There are only 2 basic fundamentals to a sound golf swing. Grip and posture. We will mention the posture aspect first. You want to make sure that have set yourself in a good, athletic position. Bent from the waist, a slight knee bend, with your weight evenly on the balls of your feet. Most people that I have encountered have played some sort of athletics over the years and have no problem accomplishing this.

A poor grip is the fault seen by golf instructors. There is an old saying that “you will never see a good golfer with a bad grip or a bad golfer with a good grip”. No truer words were ever spoken. Players tend to grip the golf club in a manner which is most comfortable to them. With the club positioned more in the palm of the hand. The proper grip should be as deep into the fingers as possible. Starting at the base of the pinky finger and across to the middle joint of the index finger. The next step is to roll the hand over and locking the club under the heel pad of the hand. If this is done correctly, you should be able to hold the club with the middle two fingers of the hand. There are a couple of checkpoints that we use to insure the club is gripped properly. The “V” formed between your thumb and index finger should always be pointing at your right shoulder. And when you look down you should be able to see the first two knuckles of your left hand. Gripping the club in this manner will allow the clubface to square itself at impact, thereby eliminating the need to adjust for the slice.

If you feel that you are having a problem with these fundamentals or other areas of your game contact your Jekyll Island PGA Professional for help.

Jekyll Island offers individual lessons, corporate and group clinics, as well as 1, 2, and 3 day schools. Weekly clinics starting in December.

phone I (912) 635-2368

Tags: golf instruction, golf lessons, golf tips, jekyll island ga, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island vacation
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Cornelius Lee, Secretary of the United States Golf Association (USGA), was a member of the Jekyll Island Club from 1919– 1947. He served as the Chairman of the Green Committee for the Jekyll Island Club. In 1924, under his influence, low-to-high handicap golfers conducted a series of equipment tests on Jekyll Island. These tests resulted in the adoption of a lighter ball and steel-shafted clubs for use by the USGA.

The USGA permitted the use of steel-shafted clubs in 1924. In 1931, it also dictated the use of a larger, lighter ball that was very unpopular. After a year the USGA reverted back to a heavier ball but maintained the larger size.

The Change in technology signified a switch to more modern golf equipment. It also represented America’s shift away from the rules of golf established by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in Scotland, which had determined international golf standards since its fomation in 1754.

Tags: cornelius lee, jekyll island golf, jekyll island golf vacation, jekyll island history, usga
Posted in Beachscape, November 2009 | No Comments »

Thirty years ago, PGA Golf Pro Johnny Paulk and friends, H.P. Weldon and Frank Inman, decided to put together a “little” golf tournament geared toward University of Georgia football fans . . .

Every October, these three avid golfers watched as UGA fans flocked to Jekyll Island before the big Georgia-Florida football showdown in Jacksonville, FL. The island was filled with team spirit and competitiveness. Paulk, Weldon, and Inman decided to channel this excitement into a one-day golf tournament. This “little” golf tournament was the birth of the annual Georgia-Florida Golf Classic which is now celebrating its thirtieth anniversary and has become the biggest amateur golf tournament in Georgia.

Forty golfers teed off for that first tournament in 1979 to play one round, in one day, with the winning team taking home new golf bags. The Georgia-Florida Golf Classic has evolved since then with 576 players participating last year in the two-day, 36-hole competition. Now, the winning team not only receives bragging rights, but also the exclusive Georgia- Florida Golf Classic ring. Additionally, the top 75 teams receive prizes from vendors like Nike, Callaway, Odyssey, Cobra, TaylorMade and Cleveland. And, if that’s not enough, the players and their dates enjoy a cocktail party, an oyster roast with entertainment by the Swingin’ Medallions, a putting contest, a wine & cheese party, a doubles tennis tournament, and a ladies’ luncheon.

Today Mr. Paulk continues to lead the tournament as Tournament Director. However, he will tell you he could not pull this tournament together if it were not for his lovely wife, Virginia, the Jekyll Island Authority, and 110 volunteers.

“It is a lot of work, but it is worth it,” says Paulk. “A golf tournament is just what Jekyll Island and the fans need to get the party started.”

By encouraging camaraderie and promoting good sportsmanship during one of the most competitive rivalries in college sports, Johnny Paulk embodies his legacy as one of Georgia’s, and Jekyll Island’s, greatest sportsmen. The Jekyll Island Authority, tournament players, and volunteers all appreciate his dedication and hard work. We look forward to another great Georgia-Florida Golf Classic and many more years to come.

more online

The Georgia-Florida Golf Classic runs October 28-30th at the Jekyll Island Golf Course. For more information and GA /FL Golf Classic Registration, please visit us online: www.jekyllisland.com/georgiaflorida

Tags: georgia florida golf classic, golf tournament, jekyll island golf, jekyll island golf tournament, johnny paulk
Posted in Beachscape, November 2009 | No Comments »

We asked some of the ladies playing in the putting contest and some of the guys warming up on the driving range, what was their favorite part of the Georgia Florida Golf Classic:

Tags: georgia beaches, georgia coast, georgia florida golf classic, golf tournament, golf tournaments, jekyll island golf, jekyll island vacation
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Tags: Beach Music Festival, beach vacation, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, Georgia, georgia beaches, georgia coast, georgia's jewel, golden isles, golf, island treasures, jekyll, jekyll island, jekyll island arts association, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, jekyll island birding, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island development, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island facts, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island museum, jekyll island vacation, sea turtles, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, shrimp and grits festival, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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If you wait too long it will be too late! The 30th annual Georgia-Florida Golf Classic is filling up and less than twenty team slots remain available! The Georgia-Florida Golf Classic is a great way to celebrate college football and the annual Dawg vs. Gators rivalry. Stay on Jekyll Island and be part of the celebration. Hotel Packages including game day transportation and tailgating at the stadium available. Teams of four compete for top prizes and bragging rights in two-day, 36-hole competition that takes full advantage of the college football celebration. $300 registration fee per person. Enter today, only 20 team openings remain! Get your team together or enter as an individual player. Individual players will be placed into competitive teams with A, B, C and D players. Registration is per person and all-inclusive of the following: Two rounds of tournament golf Breakfast at the tee for players (coffee, Bloody Marys, Orange Blossom Special and alka seltzer included) Lunch at the tee and turn for players (Soft drinks and beer provided) Two tickets for player and guest to the Get Acquainted Cocktail Party with food and drinks included Two tickets for player and guest to Oyster Roast, entertainment by Swingin’ Medallions Prizes for top 75 teams (prizes range from $600 – $80 value) Tournament goodie bag Free putting contest for players and guests, prizes awarded. Wine & Cheese Party for players’ guest Doubles Tennis Tournament for players’ guest (optional) Annual Ladies Luncheon

Tags: georgia beaches, georgia florida golf classic, golf tournament, jekyll island golf
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Tags: Add new tag, Beach Music Festival, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, Georgia, georgia beaches, georgia coast, golden isles, golf, jekyll island, jekyll island arts association, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, jekyll island birding, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island golf, jekyll island history, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island museum, jekyll island revitalization, jekyll island vacation, Jekyll Island vacations, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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Check out this great article on Worldgolf.com by Stan Awtrey:  Jekyll Island on three budgets: Plenty to do on Georgia a golf vacation

Tags: georgia beaches, georgia coast golf, georgia golf, jekyll island beach, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels
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Tags: Beach Music Festival, beach vacation, Beachscape, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, geocaching on jekyll island jekyll island georgia, Georgia, georgia beach vacation, georgia beaches, georgia coast, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, golden isles, golf, jekyll, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island development, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island facts, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island museum, jekyll island revitalization, jekyll island vacation, sea turtles, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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The Last Golf Cart Nature Tour (by Lydia Thompson, local birding enthusiast and blogger. Visit her blog at http://coastalgeorgiabirding-lydia.blogspot.com.

Friday was the last Golf Cart Nature Tour on Jekyll Island’s golf courses for the summer. It has been so much fun to ride in a golf cart to look at the beauty of nature. Here is a picture of the group looking at the Amphitheater pond. I hope we can schedule some more of these tours. (Golf Cart Nature Tours will be offered June through September at 5:30 p.m. (time is subject to change). The cost is $15/person and private tours are available. Keep this in mind for your Spring trip to Jekyll Island!

Tags: georgia golf, golf cart nature tours, jekyll island golf, jekyll island golff courses
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Tags: Beach Music Festival, emerald princess, Geocaching on Jekyll Island, geocaching on jekyll island jekyll island georgia, Georgia, georgia beach vacation, georgia beaches, georgia coast, golf, jekyll, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island development, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island golf, jekyll island history, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island revitalization, jekyll island vacation, Jekyll Island vacations, sea turtles, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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2 Person Team Net Results  – August 21st

Pos

1st Kevin Dye (Bristol, TN)

Chris Dye (VA.)  – Net Score = 60

2nd Patrick Kennedy (Statesboro, GA)

Harrison Pitts (Swainsboro, GA) -Net Score = 63

3rd Greg Dodd (Jekyll Island, GA)

Keith Ingalls (Jekyll Island, GA) Net Score = 64

Tags: Beach Music Festival, emerald princess, geocaching on jekyll island jekyll island georgia, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, golden isles, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island golf, jekyll island history, jekyll island vacation, Jekyll Island vacations, sea turtles, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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Tags: bbq cooking competition, beach music, Beach Music Festival, georgia beaches, georgia coast, jekyll island, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island golf, jekyll island vacation
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Tags: beach vacation, Beachscape, coasta, Coastal, emerald princess, geocaching on jekyll island jekyll island georgia, Georgia, georgia beaches, georgia coast, golden isles, golf, jekyll, jekyll island, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island golf, jekyll island history, jekyll island vacation, Shrimp & Grits Festival, shrimp and grits, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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Tags: Add new tag, coastal georgia, emerald princess cruise, geocaching on jekyll island jekyll island georgia, georgia beach vacation, georgia beaches, georgia coast, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, georgia's jewel, golden isles, jekyll, jekyll island authority, jekyll island beach, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island facts, jekyll island festivals, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island golf, jekyll island history, jekyll island hotels, jekyll island museum, jekyll island vacation, Jekyll Island vacations, Shrimp & Grits Festival, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
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