ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. _ Austin Cook was chased by proven PGA Tour winners all day at the RSM Classic.

Now the Arkansas player is one of them.

The PGA Tour rookie held off veterans Brian Gay, Chris Kirk, Kevin Kisner and Brian Harman on Sunday at the chilly, windy Sea Island Club’s Seaside Course.

Cook closed with a 3-under 67 for a four-stroke victory over J.J. Spaun. The victory in the final PGA Tour event of the calendar year gave Cook a spot in the Masters next year.

“It was definitely exciting … real brutal with the wind,” Cook said. “I got off to a slow start but I was able to keep my head level and know there was a lot of golf to be played. With the wind and those conditions, a lot could happen.”

Cook birdied three of his last four holes after the three-shot lead he began the day with slipped to one over Spaun. Cook made a 14-foot birdie putt at No. 18 to finish at 21-under 261.

Spaun shot a 66.

Gay, the oldest contender of the week at 45, eagled the par-4 18th hole from 161 yards with a 9-iron to break out of a five-way tie for third and finish at 16 under. He shot 68.

Kirk (71) and Kisner (68), past winners of the tournament, St. Simons Island resident Brian Harman (65) and Andrew Landry (67) tied for fourth at 14 under.

Cook, the 26-year-old from Little Rock, earned $1,116,000 and improved to third on the FedEx Cup points list.

It’s the second year in a row that a rookie won the RSM Classic. Mac Hughes of Dundas, Ont., survived a five-way playoff to capture the title last year in a Monday finish, but missed this year’s cut.

Ben Silverman (66) of Thornhill, Ont., was the low Canadian, jumping up five spots and tying for eighth at 13 under. David Hearn (65) of Brantford, Ont., was 11 under and Corey Conners (69) of Listowel, Ont., was 7 under.

From @MacHughesGolf to @austincookgolf.

Another rookie winner at @TheRSMClassic. pic.twitter.com/v9K5EP4fa5

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 20, 2017

Spaun, a stocky former University of San Diego player, made the biggest move of the day and twice cut Cook’s lead to one shot _ the last time on an 8-foot birdie putt at the par-4 16th.

However, Spaun bogeyed No. 17 when he failed to get up-and-down from a greenside bunker, and Cook birdied No. 15 with a 4-footer and No. 17 with a 15-footer to seal the victory.

Spaun’s birdie at No. 16 could have put him into a tie for the lead but he missed a 4-foot birdie attempt on the previous hole.

“That (Spaun’s miss at No. 15) was big,” said Cook, who said he’s an obsessive leaderboard-watcher and knew exactly when Spaun had come within a shot.

Cook, who has Gay’s former caddie, Kip Henley, carrying his bag, never slipped after a bogey at the second hole, just his second of the week. He missed only two fairways in the final round and made par after four of his five missed greens. He led the field in scrambling, converting 11 of 12 pars after missing greens, and tied for fourth by hitting 48 of 56 fairways.

“With Kip on the bag, he was able to keep me in the moment and keep me pressing instead of playing conservative,” Cook said. “There was a lot of stuff going on, mostly up here (tapping his head). My ball-striking was great and for the most part, my putting was great. Holding the nerves down, playing a good round in these conditions. … I’m so happy.”

The Foothills Nordic Ski Club plans to make snow at the Confederation Park Golf Course again this year, and the Calgary Ski Club has been given permission to do the same at the Shaganappi Golf Course.

A successful pilot project making snow at a public golf course in northwest Calgary is expanding this year to include another course, in the city’s southwest.

The city allowed the Foothills Nordic Ski Club to make snow, run lights and manage the parking lot at the Confederation Golf Course in northwest Calgary last year.

This year, the Calgary Ski Club has been given the go-ahead to make snow at the Shaganappi Golf Course in the city’s southwest.

Michelle Deacon, president of the Foothills Ski Club, says she’s pleased the city is allowing another group to take over the Shaganappi Golf Course to provide even more cross-country skiing opportunities for Calgarians.

“I think that’s where the community benefit of both of these golf course projects are demonstrated, right? Because it does provide access to inner-city skiing for all Calgarians and there is no cost to that as well. It’s free.”

The volunteer-run club stepped forward after Calgary Olympic Park reduced its cross-country ski trail network last year to make way for its tube park.

Deacon says her group hopes to appeal to the generosity of Calgarians to either donate time or money to keep these ski trails at Confederation operating again this year.

Greg Steinraths, manager of golf course operations for the city, says he’s not sure if the program will expand beyond the two courses.

“We have an opportunity to utilize our golf courses as multi-use, year-round sites, so the more we can get Calgarians… more active, more often, that is just an awesome opportunity,” he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ski-trails-golf-courses-confederation-shaganappi-deacon-volunteer-1.4400416

With files from Colleen Underwood

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum (CGHF) is raising funds to help preserve The Canadian Golfer, a rare collection of golf magazines covering the sport in Canada for more than 25 years.

The Canadian Golfer, printed monthly from 1915 until 1941,  is full of stories and histories of Canadian golf clubs, tournaments and people. The CGHF is home to the only public repository and complete collection of the publication.

“Due to the age and frequency of use of these documents we are seeking the public’s support to digitize the more than 200 issues we have in our archives,” said Meggan Gardner, Curator of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. “The Canadian Golfer is often our first resource for conducting research.  It’s also the first resource requested by scholars, journalists or club’s looking researching their club history. The digitization of The Canadian Golfer will aid in its preservation as we eliminate the need to ‘flip’ through the pages for information.”

Bound copies of The Canadian Golfer are fragile and extensive, tallying approximately 24,000 pages for the entire collection.  Scanning will be competed by a company with extensive experience digitizing records and working with delicate material. The cost of digitizing the collection is $0.45 a page.

Once the scans are completed they will be housed online and all issues will be fully searchable. Potions of the publication will be available for the public to download at no charge.

A hundred percent of all funds raised will help in scanning and thereby preserving this important collection of sport history.

To make a donation, click here.

CALGARY — Canadians made a major mark on the fifth anniversary of Calgary’s Shaw Charity Classic by chipping in to raise a record $8,391,413 for 159 youth-based charities across Alberta.

The fifth straight record-setting donation for any event on the PGA TOUR Champions now brings the award-winning tournament’s fundraising totals to more than $22.1 million.

“We began our five-year celebrations by encouraging the public to find a small way to make their mark on this powerful event in Alberta that is having a lasting impact on communities throughout the province. This donation proves Albertans have made their mark in a major way,” said Clay Riddell, Tournament Chairman, Shaw Charity Classic. “More than 2,400 generous donors from around the world played a key role in helping us achieve our goals through their unbelievably generous donations that will help positively impact the lives of more than 480,000 children.”

The tournament’s title sponsor, Shaw Communications, teed off the tournament’s 2017 fundraising efforts with a total $1 million contribution split between the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and the RESOLVE campaign, two of the Shaw Charity Classic’s charitable partners.

“Five years ago, we wanted to help bring to our city a world class event that would benefit charities, children, and families across Alberta,” said Brad Shaw, CEO, Shaw Communications. “Since then, the Shaw Charity Classic has become a cornerstone of our community, supporting hundreds of charitable organizations that are making meaningful impacts to families and kids across the province. We are sincerely grateful to the Patron Group, PGA TOUR Champions, the hundreds of volunteers, and most importantly, the thousands of fans who have made this event one of the biggest in Calgary.”

Shaw Communications launched two new initiatives this year to further the charitable giving. Birdies for Charity saw $500 donated for each birdie made on the 18th hole during the tournament. There were 83 birdies made over the three-round event, which raised $41,500. However, the company bumped it up to a $50,000 donation at the trophy ceremony. Additionally, Shaw donated $100,000 for Make Your Mark Day held on August 6, which saw thousands of local golfers attempt to make a birdie on a designated hole at one of 20 participating golf courses across the city.

Building on the leadership of its title partner, the tournament’s Birdies for Kids program once again played a critical role in helping to smash the tournament’s previous annual fundraising totals.

Thanks to the support of Birdies for Kids presenting partner, AltaLink, individuals and corporations have the opportunity to make a one-time donation directed to the children’s charity of their choice. Those donations were further leveraged through a tiered matching program that saw a percentage of the first $250,000 donated to each charity. This year, Birdies for Kids expanded its reach to include more donors who helped provide a positive impact on more charities.

“We’re incredibly proud of the impact the Birdies for Kids program is making on charities across Alberta dedicated to bettering the lives of children,” said Scott Thon, President and CEO of AltaLink. “This year marks another record-breaking year for the tournament overall and the Birdies for Kids program, and it’s possible only because of the generosity and can-do spirit of the people of this province.”

The records didn’t stop with the financial side of the tournament in 2017. A star-studded field of PGA TOUR Champions players, including Sir Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie, Fred Couples, Billy Andrade and 2017 champion Scott McCarron, played in front of another record number of spectators, with more than 45,000 people lining the fairways of Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club throughout the week.

Shaw Communications originally launched the five-year anniversary celebrations last spring by reinforcing its commitment to bringing world-class golf to Calgary in an effort to raise big money for charities with a commitment to extend its title sponsorship of the event for three more years through to 2020. Officials are already focused on reaching new goals in 2018. Many of the greatest names in golf will once again tee it up at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club from August 27 to September 2, 2018. Corporate packages for the Shaw Charity Classic are available online at www.shawcharityclassic.com.

Jaclyn Lee

Sport: Women’s golf

Age: 20

Year: Junior

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

Major: Finance

Question: Well, it’s November. Do you get bummed at this time of year, when it’s often too cold to golf?

Answer: Not really. I like having a bit of an offseason from tournament golf so I have time to recharge. Being from Canada, too, I’m used to having some time off in the winter to work on my game technically, so I like that.

Q: Are you the type who will sneak in a round, or even nine holes, despite some rough weather?

A: It depends on what kind of mood I’m in, but yes. I’ll golf in all types of weather. The cold doesn’t really faze me.

Q: What’s the coldest you’ve ever been while golfing?

A: It was pretty cold during the third round of NCAAs this year at Rich Harvest Farms (in Sugar Grove, Illinois)! Back in Calgary, we have an outdoor range with heated stalls and I’ve gone out to hit balls when it was minus-16 degrees Celsius (about 3 degrees).

Q: Is it safe to say that in Calgary, golf season starts later and ends earlier?

A: Yes! Except the biggest misconception that people have is that it’s a lot colder in Canada than here. That’s not necessarily the case everywhere. For Calgary in particular, the temperature is similar to Columbus but our golf season ends around mid-October and we start in late spring.

Q: How did you deal with that growing up, by playing more often or playing longer rounds?

A: With a shorter golf season, I had more time to work on my technique in the winter but I definitely lost some short game feel during those months too. In Calgary, we have a golf dome, where I spent a lot of my winter days hitting balls and essentially putting on cement covered in felt. I also had the opportunity to fly to Arizona, California and Texas to get in some rounds in, too, which helped.

Q: What kind of golf town is Calgary?

A: In general, British Columbia and Ontario probably have more juniors and have bigger golf towns than Alberta. However, Calgary has produced a good amount of elite amateurs. I know a ton of golfers from Calgary who have gone on to play at top-ranked D-I schools for golf. Aside from competitive golf, Calgary has a bunch of great courses around town and there are always a lot of people out in the summer!

Q: You’ve played three LPGA events in Canada; how satisfying were those experiences?

A: My first LPGA event was the CP Canadian Women’s Open last year in Calgary, which to this day is one of my favorite golf experiences. I made the cut, won the low amateur award and got to experience a phenomenal hometown crowd. It has been really special to play LPGA events and in my country because the fans are always so supportive and I love learning from the other professionals.

Q: Your sister is a collegiate golfer, too, correct? Are you guys competitive with each other when you play?

A: Yes! She played college golf in Canada but she is now in medical school at University of British Columbia and doesn’t play collegiately. She will still play for fun but we were definitely more competitive with each other when we were juniors.

Q: Has golf always been part of your family?

A: Not really. My dad got us into golf when we were young because he wanted our family to play as a natural foursome. But as it turns out, my parents don’t play golf ever since my sister and I picked it up and started playing it competitively!

Q: What other sports did you play growing up, and how long did you play them?

A: I did gymnastics from ages 2 to 9, and then I also played soccer and did bit of track and field in junior high. I also skied a ton as a kid with my dad and sister!

Q: How did you end up at Ohio State?

A: A big part of my decision was based on the fact that Ohio State had just built the indoor golf facility and that coach (Therese) Hession was here. I felt like she was a coach who was dedicated to her players and could teach me a lot. I also wanted to go to a school that had a good balance of school and golf, and Ohio State fit that bill.

Q: How much will you use the indoor golf facility in the coming months?

A: We’ll use it a ton, along with our heated hitting bays on the driving range! The awesome indoor facilities are what helped me choose Ohio State over other schools.

Q: Is there anything you can’t do at the indoor range?

A: Honestly, no, and I’m not just saying that. You can putt, chip, hit balls, work out and even study. Our facility is amazing, and we are so lucky to have it. It makes the offseason a little more interesting than hitting balls in a golf dome.

Q: Are you a superstitious golfer?

A: I’m pretty superstitious, to the point where I can’t even name the things I do. I have little quirks and/or routines that I like to stick to — sometimes I don’t even know it’s a superstition until I break the routine.

Q: Let’s talk food. I’m guessing you don’t want to be too full on days when you’re playing. Do you have a go-to pre-round meal?

A: True, but we also have to be fueled for 36-hole days! While it varies, my pre-round meal usually consists of things like oatmeal, eggs, fruit, bacon, peanut butter, etc. Usually the staples that you can find at any hotel breakfast.

Q: And what is the best post-round meal to celebrate a good tournament?

A: I can always go for a nice steak! Or anything cooked by my dad.

Q: As a Canadian golfer, is it hard not to root for your countrywoman Brooke M. Henderson? Were you two competitors as juniors?

A: I have a ton of Canadian pride, as my teammates and friends here would also agree with. I got to play with Brooke a bit as a junior. She is a great person and competitor. It would definitely be hard to not root for her because she’s got such a great heart, too. I’m always cheering for my Canadians on tour! People like Alena Sharp, Jennifer Ha, Augusta James and Brittany Marchand (of the Symetra Tour) have been great role models and friends as well!

Q: Who is your favorite golfer?

A: Jordan Spieth. I think he brings a lot of excitement to the game and it seems like he’s got a big heart.

Q: And lastly: How did you celebrate the recent Canadian Thanksgiving? Do Canadians eat turkey every year, too?

A: Yes, turkey, and stuffing, pumpkin pie — all the good stuff! Our Thanksgivings are similar to American Thanksgivings, which people might not realize. This year, Gene and Sheila Smith held a Canadian Thanksgiving for all the Canadian student-athletes at Ohio State. It was a lot of fun and really sweet of them to bring a little bit of Canada to Columbus!

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) 51^st Annual Conference took place Nov. 5-8 in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the conference, the association named its President for 2018, Craig Loughry, Golf Canada’s director of handicap & course rating and Golf Ontario’s director of golf services.

“Being President of the IAGA is quite the honour for me. It is an exciting time to be in the golf industry with so many new ideas and philosophies to better grow our game. I am excited to have this opportunity and am eager to face the challenges that come with it,” said Loughry.

Loughry, a resident of Courtice, has been with Golf Ontario since 1998 where he began overseeing Handicapping and Course Rating for the province. Since then his role has evolved but Loughry has continued to share his expertise in the field at multiple levels. He has held a similar role with Golf Canada and volunteered with the USGA on their Handicap Procedures Committee. In addition, he currently represents Canada on the World Handicap Committee.

Since 2012, Loughry has been a member of the IAGA Board of Directors. He becomes the fourth representative from a Canadian golf association and the first from Ontario.

Loughry has had a life-long passion for the game of golf. He has a well-accomplished playing career that includes the record for most Ontario Public Player Championship wins with four.

The IAGA has been in existence since 1968 with the goal of promoting and conserving the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. The IAGA serves as a medium for golf administrators to exchange information, techniques and other data relating to the game of golf and establish channels of communication among all of the world’s golfing fraternities.

Loughry will serve as IAGA President until next year’s annual conference.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame revealed the six Athletes, one Team, and two sport “Builders” who will make up the Class of 2017. Induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is considered the country’s highest sporting honour and reinforces the incredibly successful athletic careers of the nominees. This year’s Class has broken down barriers, blazed new trails, and served as proud international ambassadors for Canadian values. Each of the inductees selected to join the Class of 2017 have fostered inspiration both on and off the field of play, using sport as a platform to build a better country for their fellow athletes and all Canadians.

In attendance, on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, officially welcomed the Class of 2017.

“On behalf of our government, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to all the 2017 inductees to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. What an amazing group of sport leaders. Thank you for the contributions you have made to sport and for helping build strong, inclusive and active communities for all Canadians, especially our young people.”

“We are thrilled to announce the Class of 2017 – a class that features Canada’s greatest Indigenous, National, Olympic and Paralympic sport heroes who will inspire Canadians in sport and life. This group of people is a great reflection of Canada’s rich 150 year sporting history” said Mario Siciliano, President and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

We are thrilled to officially welcome our latest Inductees, the Class of 2017, into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame! ?? #ClassOf2017 @cindy_klassen @MikeWeir @simonwhitfield @CharlesTator @HuynhCarol pic.twitter.com/WoJTbox92r

— Canada’sSportsHall (@CANsportshall) November 9, 2017

Mike Weir, one of Canada’s best golfers, hailing from Sarnia, Ont., was the first Canadian to ever win the prestigious Masters Tournament. Like many young Canadians, Mike first dreamed of playing professional hockey, but his path changed when he held his first golf club.  Golf intrigued Mike because of how challenging the game was and how much hard work it would take to succeed. His determination became clear as a star on the Brigham Young University golf team. This same determination would also help him achieve success in the early years of his professional career on the Canadian Tour where he won Rookie of the Year Honours in 1993 and led the Order of Merit in 1997, before reaching the PGA Tour in 1998.

Mike won his first PGA TOUR title in 1999, the first Canadian to win on native soil since 1954. Mike would go on to win seven more PGA titles including his 2003 Masters victory. Mike has beaten the odds his entire career, with doubters saying he was too small or not powerful enough. He silenced the critics in 2003 when he walked away with the green jacket and became a Canadian hero in the process.

In 2000, Mike became the first Canadian to play in the President’s Cup where he led the international team with a 3-2-0 record.  He was appointed to the President’s Cup team in 2003, 2005, and 2007 where he won the final match play round on Canadian soil.  Mike made his fifth consecutive President’s Cup appearance in 2009.

Mike has distinguished himself not only with his success, but with his quiet, focused, and humble approach, whether winning or losing. Mike demonstrates dignity and grace at all times and has become a role model for youth in Canada contributing to the strength of junior golf in Canada.

Mike has used his success as a professional golfer as a platform for helping families in need with the creation of the Mike Weir Foundation in 2004 to support children in physical, emotional, and financial need. Mike launched a national fundraising program, called the Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids, supporting Children’s Miracle Network. On a national level, Mike was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2007 for his contributions to the country through his charitable work.

The distinguished Class of 2017 inductees includes:

Carol Huynh, two-time Olympic medallist, Wrestling

Cindy Klassen, the most decorated Canadian Winter Olympian in history, Speed Skating

Lanny McDonald, Stanley Cup champion, Ice Hockey

Gaylord Powless, one of Canada’s most outstanding Lacrosse players

Mike Weir, the only Canadian to win the Masters, Golf

Simon Whitfield, two-time Olympic medallist, Triathlon

Dr. Robert W. Jackson, founder of the Paralympic movement in Canada, Builder

Dr. Charles Tator, Scientist and Neurosurgeon with profound impact on the world’s understanding of concussions, Builder

The Edmonton Grads Basketball Team, the best basketball team the world has ever seen

The Class of 2017 will be officially inducted during the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame 2017 Induction Celebrations on Nov. 9, 2017 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Please visit sportshall.ca for more information.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is a national charitable organization established in 1955. Each year, a class of the country’s most influential and inspiring athletes and sport Builders are inducted. They are true Canadian sports heroes with achievements and life lessons that can inspire all Canadians to be the best they can be in all aspects of life.

They are some of Canada’s most renowned golf legends, a list amassed of professional and amateur players, course architects and administrators. They have all contributed to the growth of the game of golf in this country. However, their contributions to golf pale in comparison to their contributions to the fabric of our nation.

November 11 is Remembrance Day. A day we remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. What better day to remember Canadian golfers of the past who helped our nation during its greatest times of need.

The following are just some of the contributions Canadian golf legends made to the Allied forces during the First and Second World Wars.

Florence Harvey

During World War I, Hamilton, Ont. native Florence Harvey, along with other women golfers in Canada, raised enough money to purchase an ambulance for use in Serbia.

A staunch advocate of women’s golf, Harvey founded and held the position of Secretary of the Canadian Ladies Golf Union – later known as the former Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association (CLGA).

One of the top players of her day, Harvey won the 1903 and 1904 Canadian Ladies’ championship, while capturing the Ontario Ladies Championship on four occasions.

During WWII, the CLGA also raised money, this time their money went towards the purchase of a Spitfire plane.

Karl Keffer is best known for becoming the first Canadian-born golfer to win our national championship – the Canadian Open – in 1909. He also won in 1914.

Keffer, from Tottenham, Ont., was a founding member of the PGA of Canada and held numerous positions during his 29-year involvement with the association including; secretary-treasurer, captain and president. Keffer, a war veteran, pleaded with other golf professionals of his day to join the war effort.

Stanley Thompson

Stanley Thompson

Most golf enthusiasts will know Stanley Thompson as a renowned Canadian golf course architect. Thompson, who was born in Toronto, has 200 course designs to his credit throughout an illustrious career as an architect with a majority of them residing in Canada.

However, many don’t know Thompson was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in WWI.

Donald Carrick

Donald Carrick, born in Thunder Bay, Ont., was a standout amateur golfer. A two time Canadian Amateur champion, Carrick also won the 1924 US Junior Boy’s Championship, several Ontario amateur titles and played for Canada against the British Walker Cup team before retiring from competitive golf in 1933 to focus on his family and law practice. Carrick would become a political figure and also competed as a boxer in the 1928 Summer Olympics.

Carrick also received the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) for his service in the Royal Artillery during WWII.

Winnipeg’s Geoffrey Cornish, one of the legendary Stanley Thompson’s protégés, fashioned a career in golf course architecture. He was one of the best Canada has ever produced. With a career that included more than 200 golf course designs or remodellings, Cornish turned his attention towards chronicling the history of his field, becoming an author and penning several internationally-acclaimed books on golf course architecture in the later part of his career.

Cornish was a Major in the Canadian Army, serving in Europe from 1940-45.

To these and other notable figures in Canadian golf who have supported our troops as well as all of the brave men and women who have served our country – thank you.

MURRIETA, Calif. – A pair of Canadians finished inside the top 20 on Friday at the Bear Creek Golf Club to advance to the third and final stage of Web.com Tour Qualifying.

Calgary’s Ryan Yip held a spot for the duration of the tournament after opening with a 3-under 69. He finished the event tied for 15th at 6 under par (69-70-69-74).

Fellow countryman Seann Harlingten of Vancouver punched his ticket with a 3-under 69 in the final round, his best score of the tournament. Harlingten finished in a three-way tie for 20th at 4 under par.

Canadians Riley Wheeldon (Comox, B.C.), Jared du Toit (Kimberley, B.C.), and Aaron Cockerill (Gunton, Man.) all fell short of the cut line.

The final stage of qualifying will take place from Dec. 7-10 at the Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz.

Click here for scoring.

When I analyze a golf swing I do so with a number of objectives in mind. Helping to create the desired shot is a very important one but also allowing enough variability to create a number of shots as required. Oftentimes I will suggest an adjustment in setup rather than alter an athlete’s swing mechanics. This is both easier to manage (as long as comfort is not the priority) and delivers almost immediate results.

Let’s focus on two parameters that change the resulting impact of ball flight dramatically: shoulder alignment and ball position.

Successful athletes like Alena Sharp, an Olympian with Team Canada at the 2016 Rio Games, know how to match these positions up to their desired result. She demonstrates here two different setup positions to deliver two different-shaped shots.

DRAW
Shoulder alignment to the right of target, ball position closer to the centre of your stance. This allows your path to move to the right of the clubface and encourages right-to-left shape to the shot.

FADE
Shoulders aligned to the left of the target with the ball position closer to your lead foot. This allows your path to move to the left of the clubface and encourage a left-to-right shape to the shot.

At first these positions may feel uncomfortable and contact may be inconsistent. But stick with it and try both address positions. At some point you may need both shapes to be successful on the golf course.

This article was originally published in the Fall Issue of Golf Canada Magazine. Click here to view the full magazine.