Golf Swing
Open (Megan)
The crisp air consumes Michael Scully as he pushes the large glass doors open to step outside into the dreary fall October day. With the old, worn in seven-iron in his right hand, Scully walks to the green with a small smile perched on his face. He presses the club softly into the damp ground, leaning on the black top with prestige. Scully is comfortable and confident with the apparatus he holds in his hand, and prepares himself for yet another golf swing.
Scully takes off the reading glasses that hang around his neck and places them into the safety of his pants pocket. He looks around for the perfect spot while unzipping the pocket of his mountain green fleece to reveal the contents inside moments later. He pulls out two pristine, white golf balls and throws them onto the broken grass spotted with brown dirt and worms.
Unsatisfied with the first spot of choice, Scully throws the club over his right shoulder and struts down the lawn towards the water. The breeze intensifies as he walks closer to the bay, standing out only due to the aluminum shaft of his club because his dark green fleece begins to blend in with his sorrounding area.
With a perfect spot chosen, Scully throws the fresh,clean ball onto the grass and begins to prepare for his swing. His brown loafers have darkened in the front due to the damp ground that was earlier painted with rain droplets from a storm. He situates himself around the ball, separating his feet shoulder width apart and straightening the dampened toes. He practices his swing using the left arm as an extension of the club, concentrating ultimately on the ball the entire time.
"If I hit it right, it will be a "schwap" and the ball will go into the woods," says Scully in anticipation for the future shot.
Scully steps up to the single white ball on the ground before him and focuses his concentration. With a small bite of his bottom lip, Scully swings his arm back and hears a "whack." Dirt flies into the air like snow on a winter's day, and the ball loses sight landing a couple hundred feet away.
"And that would be a bad hit," he says with a head nod of disapproval and a chuckle. "Seven-iron is usually always my best shot".
Scully walks off to find the ball that scurried away after the hit, trying to escape the wrath of that powerful golf club and swing. He again hoists the iron over his shoulder as he walks, now dirt stained and grass speckled. Returning moments later with ball in hand, Scully prepares himself for yet another swing.
"If you have confidence in yourself, it comes out in your golf stroke" says Scully as he prepares himself for the next shot. "If you have internal strife, it will show in your swing".
Psychology of the Golf Swing (Sara)
Contrary to popular belief, the sport of golf is about more than the ability to perfect the art of swinging a club. The psychology of golf is a very prominent aspect of the game and is the main reason why many people spend every free minute on the green.
In addition to the light and air, there is the moment when the golfer approaches the golf ball. Standing in the fairway, looking down wind towards the green, the golfer must address the ball, stand over it, survey "the lie" and select the club. Woods are for long distances, irons are for shorter positions. Once in place, the golfer forms his grip along the shaft of the club, considers his stance, and with a swift swinging motion, draughts the club backwards, behind his ear before snapping it forward, downward and with purpose at the little white-dimpled ball.
When the club pierces the ball, the rubber-coated wad of cork and plastic actually folds a little, melding with the metal of the iron before launching forward, detatching itself arching skyward. If done well, with precision and precisely, the golfer can actually feel the pitch of the strike shake through his arms, his chest and into his heart.
“All it takes is one good hit, and your hooked for the rest of the year no matter how bad you are,” says Scully, who learned how to play golf at the age of 15. He has learned through the years that the psychology of the game is what keeps people of a wide range of ages and athletic capabilities addicted to the sport. “It’s not all about coordination; it is about internal peace," he says. “That’s why 90 year old men can play golf.”
Not only does the psychology of the game keep players set on the sport, but it also determines how well one plays. Many golfers complain of being their own competition. Whether a negative mental state, or losing concentration after missing a shot, golfers must train themselves mentally before they can move their physical game forward.
History (Melissa)
Of the Golf...
Golf is said to have originated from Scotland in the Kingdom of Fife during the 15th century. They would hit a pebble around sand dunes, rabbit runs and tracks using a stick. (Golf Europe). It was then banned in Scotland due to its interference with archery practice, until King James IV (the ruler at the time) became an avid golf player. In 1651, the Scottish were free to play golf whenever they wanted to.
However, there are debates as to where golf really began.
The English claim that they have found pictures of people playing golf as far back at the mid 1300s. Also, the Chinese claim to have a book called "Dongxuan Records" that explain play the same type of game with the same type of rules as golf. The first golf club, The Gentlemen’s Golfers of Leigh, came about in 1744. It was an annual competition with a silver golf club as the prize. Other golf associations of this time were the Saint Andrews Society of Golfers, The Royal Blackheath, and the Royal Bombay Club. Golf did not become popular in the United States until the 1900s. In 1916, Professional Golfers Association of American formed and the first championship was played with Jim Barnes winning over Jock Hutchinson. Women’s golf grew simultaneously with Men’s, in which Professional Women’s golf came after World War II.
A man by the name of Tommy Armour's came out with the first book about golf called How to Play Your Best Golf All the Time, which hit the best-seller lists in 1953. In 1993, the first Golf channel came about under a group led by Joe Gibbs and Arnold Palmer, broadcasting for 24 hours a day. Currently the United States has over 16,000 golf courses and over 50 million Americans enjoy this game every year.
Nation wide golf is also starting to become a popular sport.
Recently in Japan, they have started building courses on the top of high-rise buildings due to the lack of space and high population. Tiger Woods is currently the highest paid golf pro , valueing in at $10,508,163.
Of the Golf Swing...
Famous Golfers (Ali)
Today, when people think about famous golfers, Tiger Woods is probably the first name that comes to mind. As the number-one golfer and highest paid professional athlete of 2008, his athletic reputation is hard to ignore. However, some of the best players come from the earlier years of the sport.
Tom Morris Sr., known on the course as "Old Tom," was one of the most influential golfers in the late 1800s. Morris was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, the "home of golf", in 1821. According to writer Brent Kelly, Morris is remembered as a "great golfer, club maker, greens keeper and course designer." Morris won four British Opens in the same decade. He still holds two major records in the Golf Hall of Fame. He holds the longest margin win since 1862 with 13, and since 1867, he is still the oldest golfer to win British Open at the age of 46. He has been attributed with being the founder of golf. He often played with Allan Robertson, one of the first professional golfers in history. It is said that they never lost a game that they played together.
As years go by, new up-and-coming golfers perfect their game to outplay their opponents.
“Slammin” Sam Snead dominated the sport of golf for the majority of four decades, racking up 82 PGA Tour wins and 165 professional wins throughout his career. His rookie year alone he won five events on the Tour, proving to his fellow golfers that until he retired he would be a major force to be reckoned with.
He didn’t disappoint. Snead went on to win seven major events: three masters events, three PGA championships, and the British Open once. The only event to elude him was the U.S. Open. He came close in 1949, but missed a two-and-a-half foot putt to lose the tournament to Lew Worshawn. At 52, an age where most people are thinking about retirement, Snead won a PGA tour event, making him the oldest golfer ever to accomplish the feat. An article in Golf Digest published in 2000 ranked Snead as the 3rd best golfer of all time. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and received the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.
Snead was not your typical golf player. Born in Virginia, he was tall and lanky, which allowed him to excel at most sports. He made his own golf clubs out of swamp maple limbs and taught himself the sport. Snead never lost his Southern style, even on the course, where he was known to go barefoot to regain his rhythm. He was described as having the “perfect swing” and was a long driver adept as using long irons.
The "Golder Bear" Jack Nickluas is often referred to as the greatest golfer of all time. He has 18 championships, the highest number of wins ever. According to McCormack's World Golf Rankings, Nicklaus was the number one golf player from years 1968-1977. In 1986, he became the oldest player to ever win the Masters Tournament at the age of 46. Nicklaus made his final appearance on the professional course in 2005 at The Open Championship and Masters Tournament.
Arnold Palmer, nicknamed "the king," is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on the PGA and American tours, dating all the way back to 1955. He was one of the first men to become a star on sports television and is credited along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player with popularizing golf around the world.Palmer won the PGA Tour Lifetime Acheivement award in 1998 and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1929, Palmer learned to play golf from his father who owned a local country club. At age 7, he broke the record of 70 at Bent Creek Country Club and ended up going to Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship.After joining the Coast Guard for three years, Palmer returned to win the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1954. He went pro the year following and won his first championship, the Canadian Open as a rookie. The most prolific years in his career ranged from 1960 to 1963 when he won 29 championships in four seasons. In 2000,Palmer was ranked sixth greatest golf player of all time in Golf Magazine, and still continues to play for enjoyment at his own golf course today.
Phil Mickelson is a somewhat newer famous face in golf. Nicknamed "Lefty" for his winning left-handed swing, Mickelson was born in California in 1970. He attended Arizona State University on a golf scholarship. Since then, he has won three major championships and 37 events at the PGA Tour. He has been ranked second best player next to Tiger Woods for several years. Mickelson continues to perfect his game. In September 2009, he beat Tiger Woods in the PGA Tour Championship. Golf fans will eagerly wait to see what this famous player will do next.
Ever since golf was started, players have become widely known due to their unique golfing abilities. The future is sure to bring younger, stronger players with more precision and drive than the last. Even though the game of golf will continue with new faces, the legendary players and the skills and achievements they brought to the course will be remembered.
...Of the Golf Club (Bryanna)
The golf club
For more than 700 years people all over the world have had a fascination with hitting balls with sticks. The game that we call golf today was coined in the 1400s in Scotland and brought along with it the evolution of the golf club. With limited materials available, not many crafts man, along with no standards or regulations on club design, it was up to the player to create their own equipment.
By the 1500s, golf was becoming a popular game with royalty. King James IV of Scotland took such a liking to the game that he appointed William Mayne as his royal club maker and had him create the first set of golf clubs. At this time a set of golf clubs consisted of a set of play clubs; (longnoses) for driving, fairway clubs (or grassed drivers) for medium range shots, spoons for short-range shots, niblicks that are similar to today's wedges and a putting cleek.
Through the 1600s, the wooden club was the club of choice for golfers. They were less damaging to the type of balls that were used, which were made from three pieces of leather filled with “one Top Hat’s worth of fine feathers” and then sewn together. These balls were used for over 200 years. The handcrafted wooden club's shaft was made with European woods such as hazel and ash.The heads of the wooden clubs were long and thin and made from harder woods like apple, beech and pear. Because of their shape, they became known as “long-nose woods.” When golf was introduced to America in the 1800s, hickory wood was used to create the club because of its durability.
Although the wooden club was the choice of golfers, the iron clubs were available but were not used because of the damage they caused the feather balls due to their heavy design. By the 1800s the process of drop forging, a metal shaping process in which a heated workpiece is formed by rapid closing of mold forcing the workpiece to conform to a die cavity, made it easier to mass produce iron clubs in factories. Scotland became world famous for golf because of the balls and clubs it produced. Tom Morris and Willie Park, two of the early club makers from Scotland, handcrafted and shipped their golf clubs all over the world. Because of the materials and time consuming craftsmanship of the clubs and balls in the beginning of the sport, only the royal and wealthy in America and Europe could afford the necessary equipment to play the game.
Wooden clubs made mostly of hickory, continued to be made until the early 1900s when factories began to take over to keep up with the high demand. Between 1900 and 1930 there were many advancements in the game of golf and the designs of materials used to play the game. One of the most important changes was the move from smooth faced irons to the grooved faced irons we use today. It was discovered that the grooves allowed for better back spin on the ball as it was hit by the club. The more backspin on the ball, the more distance and control the golfer had on the ball. The steel clubs came after the iron clubs were introduced in 1925. However, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club also known as R & A in St Andrew, golf's governing body and organizer of The Open Championship, only legalized the use of steel clubs in 1929 after the Prince Of Wales used them on the Old Course at St Andrew.
By the 1930s, the popularity of the game of golf was on the rise and so was the design and style of clubs. "There was many variations of clubs available using both modern and traditional materials. It was common to see golfers using 20-30 clubs of varying styles and uses(1)." However, because there was such a varying number of clubs being used from golfer to golfer, in 1939 the R & A implemented the "14-club rule." In addition, the R & A removed the traditional names used and introduced the numbering system that we use today.
Since the end of World War II, the design of golf clubs have been dominated by scientific research. Graphite clubs were used in the 1970s and are still used today. The latest trend is drivers with titanium heads and graphite shafts. Titanium is a very strong and light material that allows club heads to be made quite large without adding too much weight. The thin faces increase the spring-like effect of the ball off the club face and, in turn, increases the distance the ball travels. The evolution of the game of golf would be nothing with out the advancements and new technologies being used in the creation of golf clubs. They are an instrument of science and therefore forever changing. The golf club is not just a stick anymore.
...the Perfect Golf Swing (Carey)
A golf pro....
For 12 years William Maguire has been playing golf. He currently hangs his hat at the Montaup Country Club in Portsmouth, R.I. Being his first season at the course, Maguire seems to be enjoying his time there. Boasting a personal best of 63: played on the Montaup Country Club last week Maguire seems to have his golf swing in check. In a few weeks, he will leave Rhode Island to take a Golf Pro position in Florida.
"It's time for the seasonal change," he said, while standing inside the Pro Shop on a rainy autumn afternoon. "I'm going down there to work on my game."
At 24, he's been out of college a year now but has an eye on the future.
"I'm hoping to get my handicap down and get accepted by the PGA," he said. Should the PGA accept him, his plan is to enter the pro circuit and climb the ranks. "I'll probably teach on the side too."
And he likes teaching:
"Swinging the golf club is easy finding your golf swing is the hard part," says Maguire. When swinging the golf club there is a lot to think about. Maguire notes that you need, "Flexibility, balance, and a good quick shoulder turn." Teaching lessons at the course Maguire has had lots of practice helping his pupils find there swing.
In the movie, "Tin Cup" actor Kevin Costner's character Roy McAvoy attempts to explain what he thinks the golf swing is about. He begins by describing the golf swing as "being like a poem."
Roy McAvoy: The critical opening phrase of this poem will always be the grip. Which the hands unite to form a single unit by the simple overlap of the little finger. Lowly and slowly the clubhead is led back. Pulled into position not by the hands, but by the body which turns away from the target shifting weight to the right side without shifting balance. Tempo is everything; perfection unobtainable as the body coils down at the top of the swing. There's a slight hesitation. A little nod to the gods.
Dr. Molly Griswold: A, a nod to the gods?
Roy McAvoy: Yeah, to the gods. That he is fallible. That perfection is unobtainable. And now the weight begins shifting back to the left pulled by the powers inside the earth. It's alive, this swing! A living sculpture and down through contact, always down, striking the ball crisply, with character. A tuning fork goes off in your heart and your balls. Such a pure feeling is the well-struck golf shot. Now the follow through to finish. Always on line. The reverse C of the Golden Bear! The steel workers' power and brawn of Carl Sandburg's. Arnold Palmer!
The perfect golf swing combines both the mental and the physical. Not only do you need to be completely focused on the ball but you also need to have your whole body working together. The only sure fire way to create the perfect swing is to practice. "Gradually, you will completely master the swing procedures... a particular sequence, which through constant repetition will become part of your golfing DNA," says Leslie King a golf pro, and author of the Perfect Golf Swing.
Scully's Golf Club (David)
When Professor Michael Scully entered the office of Roberta Adams, Assistant Dean of Humanities and Performing Arts at Roger Williams University, at around 1:30 pm, he had an unusual request: he needed to find a 7-iron. He explained to the assistant dean that he was planning a golf demonstration for his News Writing and Reporting class; meaning that he had under two hours left to find the elusive sporting good. Scully's earlier attempt at requesting a 7-iron from the athletic department had fallen on deaf ears, so he decided to request help from the assistant dean. Roberta Adams is no golf professional herself, but felt it might be a good idea to try asking the Fitness Coordinator at RWU, Mark Andreozzi.
"I figured he might be a golfer and have a few golf clubs lying around," said Adams.
While amused by the idea, Andreozzi was not actually a golfer, and offered the advice of calling the intramural sports office. Adams called the intramural sports office, and after leaving a message, she wrote down the name of the individual that Scully could try to contact. Andreozzi had also suggested another resource, the Montaup Country Club, just on the other side of the bay from the university, in Portsmouth, RI. The whole meeting lasted for around ten minutes before Scully left the office, planning to visit the Portsmouth golf course. He thanked Adams for the help and felt somewhat indebted.
"He said that he owed me one, and that he would have to make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich some time," said Adams.
Scully called Mountaup's pro shop and was able to speak to William Maguire, the assistant professional at the course. When he asked about getting a 7-iron for use in a classroom demonstration, Maguire was more than happy to help. Arriving at the pro shop, Maguire met Scully with a grin and provided him with an old 7-iron, and six used golf balls.
Looking at the 7 Iron (Casey)
The seven iron from the Montaup Country Club's pro shop, shows signs of aging. The club was abandoned by a golfer at the country club over a year ago, and since no one had claimed it, McGuire gave Scully the club as a gift.
The silver aluminum shaft of the club is tarnished, with spots of rust accumulating at the end of the grip, and freckled rings of rust running down the shaft.
The grip of the club is made of a black rubber, worn and misshapen from it’s excessive use. Six rows of golden lined grooves run down the grip, some betraying the shape of fingertips from such heavy use. In between two of the rows, the words “Fine Line” are written vertically down the grip, while the top of the grip has a small hole, also adorned by the words “Fine Line”. Around the outside edge of the words, “Golf Pride” and “Made In USA” can be seen engraved in the rubber. The hosel is made of black rubber as well, with a golden ring at the top. It had numerous dents and some dirt spread around the surface.
The entire head of the club is made of iron, matching the sliver coloring of the shaft. The socket of the club, located below the hosel, has diagonal grooves in it, as well as numerous chips and scratches.
There are twelve grooves that are evenly spaced over the surface of the club face; they are caked in a light brown layer of dried dirt. There are even small pieces of dead grass stuck in the old dirt, making it clear that the club has not been cleaned since its last use.
The sole of the club has a large number seven engraved, and is filled with dark brown dirt. Next to the number seven there is a label, “REG. 259”, also engraved and filled with dirt.
The back side of the club head has engraved writing as well. There is a name, “Matt Andrews,” carved in black, above a small red star, and the word “Executive” next to it, all in capital letters and written in gold.
Architecture of the Game (Tucker)
The architecture of a golf course consists 18 holes. However, the golfer is given the choice to play either nine or 18 holes. Each of these holes have different distances defined by either a par three, par four, or par five. A par three hole usually stays below 250 yards. A par four hole is between 250-450 yards. A par five hole is between 450-550 yards.
"Par" in golf is the number of strokes or tries is takes to get the ball into the hole. For example, on a par four hole, the golfer is expected to put the ball into the hole within four strokes. If the golfer exceeds four tries, he or she is now "over par", which is hurts an individual's score. If the golfer puts the ball in the hole in less than for tries, he or she is now "under par", which is improves an individual's score.
When the golfer completes the hole one stroke under par, it is called a "birdie". When it the hole is completed two strokes under par, it is called an "eagle". If the golfer buries the ball in the hole on the first stroke, it is considered an"hole-in-one", which is extremely rare. It is considered to be one of the toughest feats to be achieved in all of sports. When the golfer completes the hole one stroke over par, it is called a "bogey". Two strokes over par is called a "double bogey", and so on.
At the beginning of each hole, players take their first shot from "the tee". This is an area where the grass is cut very short so the golfer can make an effective swing with the large head of their driver club. The golf ball itself is placed on a small wooden tee no longer than two inches, which is then stuck in the grass. There are also two areas to tee off from. Each is color coated, usually blue and red. The tee furthest away from the hole is mainly for experienced golfers, while the tee closest to the hole is meant for amateurs and also women.
In the center of the golf course is shortly cut grass, which is called "the fairway". All golfers aim for this area in order to have an adequate area to take their next shot. Landing on the fairway also gives the golfer a better chance of getting on the green quicker. The fairway is surrounded by "the rough", which is taller grass and is typically more difficult to swing in. Trees are also included in the rough. If a golfer hits his or her ball into the trees, the rules state they must take their next shot as it lies. A golf course also contains several sand traps or "bunkers". This is an area covered in sand and is typically about fifteen feet wide and four feet in depth. Bunkers are mainly located around the green, but are also included on par five holes next to the fairways.
The green is the goal where every golfer aims. It is the area where the hole or "the pin" is located. The grass in this area is the shortest it can possibly be. Based on the way the grass is cut and how the ground is shaped, the green can control the speed and direction in which the ball is putted by the golfer.
Closing
Blaming the unusually bad hit on the "New England ground, filled with divetts," Scully focuses his concentration on the ball for his next shot. Unhappy with the ball's position, Scully breaks his attention and steps back to roll the ball out of one of those stubborn divetts.
"We'll call on the winter rule that is set up here for sucky players," says Scully. "This rule lets the player move the ball a little to take it out of the small slumps found in the ground."
Stepping forward to the ball yet again, Scully places his hands one on top of the other with fingers overlapping, thumbs pointing down. The awkward feeling of this position and the uncomfortableness of the swing do not seem to phase Scully as he keeps his head down and focused.
Scully swings back, never breaking his gaze, and pierces his lips as he makes contact with the small golf ball.
"Schwap."
The ball goes flying off like Superman at the speed of light into the woods and disappears within moments. Scully has done it, he has accomplished a perfect hit.
"The thing about golf is one good hit and your hooked," says Scully with a look of satisfaction. "All it took was that one good hit a long time ago, and now, I'm hooked."
Sources:
http://golf.about.com/od/golfersmen/p/phil_mickelson.htm
http://golf.about.com/od/golfersmen/p/old_tom_morris.htm
http://www.philmickelson.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicklaus
sources : (1) http://www.golf-club-revue.com/golf-club-history.html
(2) http://class.et.byu.edu/mfg130/processes/descriptions/deformation/dropforging.htm
(3) http://www.randa.org/home/TheR%2526A
(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Palmer
Authors
Sara Bagwell is a senior Communication major
Carey Baldwin is senior Communication major at RWU.
Megan Dias is a senior Communication major on the journalism track, minoring in Dance.
Eryn Dion is a sophomore Communication major.
Bryanna Fucci is a senior Communication major, music minor at Roger Williams University
Melissa Luneau is a senior Communication and journalism major, minoring in poli sci, legal studies and core concentration in international studies.
Casey Meagher is a senior Communication major at Roger Williams University with a concentration in journalism
Ali Murphy is a senior Communication major at RWU.
David Santos is a senior Communication major.
Michael Scully is an assistant professor of Communication at Roger Williams University.
Tucker Silva is a senior Communication major. He is an amazing golfer.
