Approach Shots

By Golf Pro Graham Castanheiro

Here are some tips on how to handle approach shots

Ball Position: 2 inches off the heel of the front leg.

Clubface Position: Square to the target.

Stance: Feet inside the shoulders.

Weight Distribution: Evenly balanced on the inside of both legs.

Hand Position: Neutral in front of the body. Arms hanging loosely.

Swing: Little effort is required. Make certain that you feel as if you are going to compress the ball at impact. Maintain a long straight leading arm into impact supported with a cupped right wrist and a flat left wrist. Shallow divots are made on the front side of the ball.

By understanding these areas of the golf swing completely along with practice and coaching, you will enjoy your game and time on the course. Your scores will go down and you will have more personal satisfaction.

Practice with a purpose, have fun, and as Mr. Hogan once said “the secrets in the dirt.”

Happy golfing!

Cream of Mushroom Soup

By Executive Chef, Jeff King

Today I will share with you my recipe for cream of mushroom soup. This is a very popular dish that I always get asked the recipe for. Now you will be able to make it at home for your guests and family to enjoy!

Ingredients:

5 lbs button mushrooms
5 oz. Dry Porcini mushrooms
8 sprigs of thyme
2 white onions
4 sticks celery
8 cloves garlic
3 liters water
1 liter 35% cream
Salt and white pepper

Place large pot on stove at medium high heat with 3 tablespoons of butter.

Crush garlic cloves, roughly chop onions, celery and place in pot and saute for 3 minutes. Add thyme and saute for another minute. Add washed button mushrooms, dry porcini and water. Raise temperature to high and bring up to a boil. Once it comes to a boil turn down heat to medium and simmer for 20 mins. Add cream and simmer for another 5 minutes.

Using a hand blender blend soup till everything is pureed and season to taste.

Using a blender (recommended) fill blender halfway full and place lid and towel on top. Caution do not fill too high as hot soup may splash out. Blend until smooth. Repeat till all soup has been pureed. Return soup into pot and add salt and white pepper to taste. Adjust consistency to your liking by adding more water or cream.

Happy cooking!

Bunker Play

By Golf Pro Graham Castanheiro

We have all been there before…your ball lands in the bunker.

Today I will teach you the steps to properly shoot your ball from the bunker.

Ball Position: Off the heel of the front leg.

Club face Position: Open the face of wedge to the target.

Stance: Open stance wide feet, dig into sand to establish a good base.

Weight Distribution: Weight slightly toward the front foot.

Hand Position: Neutral in front of the body. Arms hanging loosely

Swing: A feeling of splashing the sand onto the green is required; tell yourself I need more energy than my mind thinks, the sand will slow down the club head. Be careful not to ground your club in the hazard. Make certain that you hit slightly behind the ball and follow through with constant speed. Think low & slow as you initiate the takeaway, get your hands to travel to shoulder height on the back swing and follow through to target with your chest.

Follow these tips and you will be a pro in no time!

Remember to always have fun and see you on the course!

Titleist Pro V1 vs. Pro V1X

By Head Pro Justin O’Leary

Over the years, one of the most common questions I get in the pro shop is “What is the difference between the Titleist Pro V1 and the Pro V1x golf ball”? The funny thing is that what once differentiated these two golf balls has completely flipped in recent years.

The Pro V1 has a softer feel, less iron spin, and a more penetrating ball flight. Comparatively, the Pro V1x should launch higher, feel a little less soft, and offer more iron spin.

Titleist launched the Pro V1x golf ball alongside its second-generation Pro V1 golf ball in 2003, and golfers quickly understood the relationship between the two golf balls; the four-piece Pro V1x spins less than the three-piece Pro V1. That was common knowledge, embedded into the psyche of not just Titleist golf ball users, but golfers in general.

Originally, when Pro V1x was introduced, it was introduced to be a lower-spinning but higher-flying golf ball than the Pro V1.

That relationship remained for the next 14 years.

With the release of its 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, however, Titleist switched the script. The relationship between the two golf balls changed. The 2017 Pro V1x was a higher-spinning, and still higher-flying, golf ball than the 2017 Pro V1. Some golfers didn’t realize the change, while others were simply perplexed.

So for those Titleist golf ball players out there, if you are thinking that your Pro V1 is not spinning as much as it once did, you may need to make the switch over to the Pro V1x.

For the Cedar Brae members that are interested, we have a complimentary Titleist ball fitting day scheduled for August on August 16. Please email me at Justin@cedarbraegolf.com to schedule your appointment.

Happy golfing and see you on the course!

Benefits of a Sous Vide Machine

By Executive Chef, Jeff King

Today I will be talking about a piece of equipment that everyone should have in their kitchen. A sous vide machine. This machine has a lot of benefits that will make your cooking experience top notch!

Lets start off with what a sous vide machine is;

Sous-vide is a method of cooking in which food is placed in a plastic pouch or a glass jar and cooked in a water bath for longer than usual cooking times at an accurately regulated temperature.

The temperature is much lower than usually used for cooking, typically around 55 to 60 °C for meat, higher for vegetables.

The intent is to cook the item evenly, ensuring that the inside is properly cooked without overcooking the outside, and to retain moisture.

This machine can cook a wide variety of proteins and cut cooking time which will give you more time to spend with your family or guest.

You can buy a sous vide machine on Amazon, Canadian Tire or Best Buy.

Happy Cooking!

How to Chip in Golf

By Golf Pro Graham Castanheiro

Today I will be talking about how to chip properly in golf. Follow the instructions below and you will be a pro in no time!

Ball Position: Directly off the big toe of the back foot.

Clubface Position: Square to the target.

Stance: Narrow, feet almost together.

Weight Distribution: Slightly toward or on the front leg.

Hand Position: Move the grip forward as if in a forward press.

Swing: Little effort is required. Make certain that you shave the grass on the practice stroke. Hold the finish with the chest and club facing the target directly.

Make sure to follow these steps in order to strengthen your chipping skills. Remember to practice with a purpose and have fun!

Putting Tips

By Golf Pro Graham Castanheiro

Make sure you have your putter on hand, I am going to tell you some tips to improve your putting!

Ball Position: Directly off the heel of the front foot.

Clubface Position: Square to the target.

Stance: Narrow, feet inside the shoulders. Quite eye.

Weight Distribution: Slightly toward or on the front leg.

Hand Position: Neutral in front of the body. Many grip varieties.

Stroke: Light grip pressure, allow the putter to swing on an arc. Make certain that you maintain good tempo and club head accelerates. Hold the finish with the club facing the target directly.

I hope this helps you improve and I will see you on the course!