1. This past summer I bought a belly putter after all the success I was seeing on the PGA Tour. I found it really helped lock my wrists and improve my putting. I was furious at the proposed USGA amendment that would ban anchoring putters. What are your thoughts? Simon from Vancouver, BC

Belly Putter

I too am seething. I strongly oppose the ban on anchoring the club. There are PGA Tour players, like Carl Pettersson, that have played their entire careers with a belly putter. In my opinion it is taking away their right to make a living. The only reason I feel that the USGA is looking at banning anchoring the putter is because of the recent success seen on the PGA tour. Every player has the right to pick up a belly butter if he/she feels it would improve their game. As you can see, most have not elected to do so. It is a choice. Many recreational golfers have said it improves their putting tremendously making the game more enjoyable. What is wrong with making the game more enjoyable and keeping more players in it when statistics say we are losing golfers in droves? Nothing! I’m unimpressed and will use my belly putter till it is banned in 2016.

2. Do you have any tips to help keep in good physical shape in the off season that can befit my game? Marilyn from Moncton, New Brunswick

Boat exercise – core work

The areas I would suggest you working on to improve your golf game through fitness this winter is to work on your core muscles paying special attention to your oblique muscles (turning muscles) and your overall flexibility. To work on core exercises you can do planks, stability ball work, take Pilates classes and use tubing to simulate a turn. Most fitness instructors will also have great suggestions for core strength. You want to strengthen your obliques as these are the muscles that will create power in your turn. You also want to work on overall flexibility. The more rotation you are capable of the farther you will hit the ball and the easier it will be to get to better positions. Yoga is great for this along with basic stretching exercises again available through most fitness instructors. You’d be amazed what a difference stretching for 15 minutes 4-5 times a week will make to your game.

3. Who is your favorite PGA Tour player? Scott from Winnipeg, Manitoba

I know this may be an unpopular answer but it is Tiger Woods. When he is teeing it up or in contention I am far more likely to watch golf on TV than when he is not in the field. The network ratings agree with me. Tiger Woods is exciting. The way he dominated the game and changed the face of golf to me is staggering. I remember watching the 1997 Masters in awe when he won his first major by 12 strokes along with the chip that he dropped on 16 in 2005 also at Augusta, the shot he hit with a 6 iron 218 yards from the bunker on 18 at Glen Abbey to win the 2000 Canadian Open, the putt he holed on 18 at Torrey Pines to force a playoff in the US Open in 2008. The list of mind boggling shots goes on and on. Women are appalled when I say he is still my favorite. My answer is “He is not my husband” (heck I probably would have used a driver not an iron). He plays great golf period. I haven’t written him off yet and I think those who have will be eating crow.

Longball Tip

Hitting during off season

For Canadians the off season can last anywhere from one month to most commonly 6 months. That is a long time to step away from the game. To keep your swing in check and even be proactive on improving your game it is imperative that you swing the club in the off season. I typically start hitting balls in January. Most city centers have an indoor driving range and if you are lucky there are many cities that boast outdoor driving ranges with heated stalls. This is my preference as you can actually see your ball flight and shape of your shot. I find up to about -15 degrees Celsius, being properly layered, I am definitely warm enough. When it gets really cold I can feel ever shank reverberate through my shaft to my hands though, so solid contact is priority one. Be target focused in your practice over the winter. Don’t just bang balls. It is also the perfect time to take a lesson and make a swing change as you cannot revert to your bad habits on the course, because the only golf you are playing is on your Wii! PGA of Canada instructors are readily available in the winter and can devote more time to you than in their overcrowded summers. It is the perfect time to improve your game!
Lisa “Longball” Vlooswyk is the time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women and is ranked top 5 in the World. Lisa can be reached at li**********@**************da.ca.