Having grown up in Montreal and Winnipeg, year-round golfing was totally foreign to Tsawwassen Springs Golf PGA pro Chris Hood.
That all changed when he moved to B.C. at the age of 20.
“It was around Christmas time, and the courses were all open, there was no snow,” he says. “I couldn’t believe it.”
Today, Hood is the general manager and director of golf at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Course after a 20-year career as a golf pro.
Is 2013 the year that you are going to improve your golf game? Is this the year you will break 100, break 90, or break 80? If this is the summer you are going to get better, it is important to start the season off right.
If you follow these steps you will have a much better chance of playing well early in the year and lowering your handicap and scores.
Before you play your first round of golf, make at least one trip to the driving range. Your session at the range should include the following.
Stretching
Start you session off by doing some general stretching of you shoulders, back, hips, and legs. It is important to get your golf muscles loose anytime you go to the course or range, but especially this time of year when you haven’t been very active. A good way to loosen up is to take a couple of short irons, holding them together, and swinging them back and forth slowly.
Putting
The short game is the hardest area of the game to get your feel back. Good putting is critical to scoring well; spending some time on the putting green is important. Start out by finding a putt with very little break on the putting green. Place several balls at a distance of about three feet and work on hitting solid putts into the back of the hole. Try to make 10 to 15 in a row before quitting.
Next, get a feel for distance. Pick out the two holes farthest away from each other on the putting green. Take several balls and putt the balls back and forth, trying to get all of the balls to stop within a foot of the hole.
Chipping
The motion made when chipping the golf ball is a miniature version of the full swing. Hitting crisp, solid chip shots will translate into solid hit shots with the full swing. Remember, the correct technique is to set-up with a narrow stance, weight on the front foot and the ball positioned off the instep of the back foot. Grip down on the handle of the club and make a short, brisk accelerated stroke. To make the ball go up in the air, let the leading edge of the club work down to the ground.
Full Swing
Start your practice of the full swing with your shortest club. Making short, easy swings with a pitching wedge or sand wedge. As you start to get a feel for finding the center of the clubface, start to make full swings. Progress your way through your clubs by hitting a series of shots with every other club in your bag. Move from sand wedge to nine iron to seven iron. Finally, hit your fairway woods and driver.
Going through this type of practice session will give you a good idea of where the golf ball is going and give you a feel for hitting the ball solid. Confidence plays such a huge roll in how we play so starting the season off on the right foot will make lowering those scores much easier.
We are now offering 10% off food, merchandise and golf lessons to Springs Card holders. So if you haven’t purchased your 2013 Springs Card yet, make sure you come by the Pro Shop to do so. Not a golfer? It makes the perfect gift for Mothers or Fathers day.
The 2013 Springs Card:
– Costs $99 and comes with a $59 value loaded on it to cover your first round of golf.
– Comes with a Tsawwassen Springs Golf Shirt or a golf hat.
– Is reloadable in the Pro Shop.
– You can now add bulk range balls discounted onto your card, the more you load, the more you save.
– Stay tuned to the golf website to be able to load funds and check your balance online (coming this June!).
– Treat your card like cash, and please feel free to use it in the range ball machine, on the – Beverage Carts on the course, the Concession or in the Pro Shop.
*Homeowners at Tsawwassen Springs receive a Homeowner Springs Card and their rates are transferable to friends, among other special homeowner promotions.
We have partnered up with CKNW – AM980. Come visit us at the Pro Shop or Sales Centre to receive a Codeword and be ready to call CKNW during The World Today with Jon McComb, weekdays 3pm – 6pm. If you’re the lucky caller through, and you have the Bonus Codeword, you will get an entry in the draw to see Michael Buble Live in London! You will also instantly win a $50 White Spot Gift Card and a copy of Michael’s new album ‘To Be Loved’ out April 22nd.
Also, buyers of the next 8 house sales will have the opportunity to win a trip for 2 to London to see Micheal Buble perform and meet him after the show. Draw slated for June 14, 2013. Departing June 28, 2013 to London, concert June 30 at the O2 Arena, and return July 1. Visit the sales centre to learn more!
The Tsawwassen Springs Golf Academy has commenced. We are offering a range of programs; individual lessons, group lessons and junior lessons. We are striving to provide the best programs in a fun and safe environment. We offer many customized options for clients including learning how to golf in just days; elite junior performance programs; fine-tuning for seasoned veterans; short game lessons on chipping, pitching, putting, sand play and on-course playing lessons. Call the Pro Shop to book your lesson today: 604-948-GOLF(4653).
Class ‘A’ PGA Professional Instructors:
Chris Hood, Executive Professional 604-948-4653
Murray Poje, Head Teaching Professional 604-512-7040
It was so nice to see everyone at our April Fool’s Day tournament that took place on Easter Monday. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet so many new friends. A Special congrats to Derek Pybus who won our grand prize that was a trip for 2 to The 2013 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Congrats to Judy Deslippe, Howard Tearle and Bernie Stoltz who won season tickets for the Vancouver Giants. Thanks to Bro Jake who came out from Rock 101 to celebrate his birthday on April 1st.
Buyers of the next 8 house sales will have the opportunity to win a trip for 2 to London to see Micheal Buble perform and meet him after the show. Draw slated for June 14, 2013. Departing June 28, 2013 to London, concert June 30 at the O2 Arena, and return July 1. Visit the sales centre to learn more!
1PM Shotgun Start – April 1st, 2013
Join us for our 1st Annual April Fool’s Day Tournament. It will be held on Monday, April 1st at Tsawwassen Springs Golf with a 1PM Shot Gun start.
The tournament is open to 2013/2014 Springs Card Holders – be sure to purchase your Springs Card today! Please call the Pro Shop at 604-948-GOLF(4653) to register your spot or fill out the attached here and return to the Pro Shop. You can book your own foursome or book as a single and we will find you a group.
Entry Fee of $99 + tax includes: Green fee, Warm up Range Balls, Reception Buffet at the Delta Town and Country – Terrace Room, Entry into the Grand Prize Draw for a trip for 2 to the 2013 Masters Tournament, a prize, 2 ball Titleist ball pack, and an Entry into a Hit the Green contest.
GRAND PRIZE: A Trip for 2 to the 2013 Masters Tournament Includes: Airfare for 2, Accommodation and 2 Sunday all access badges. Must be a Springs Card Holder to participate. Call the Pro Shop for more information: 604-948-GOLF (4653).
Details: Must be a 2013/2014 Springs Card Holder to Participate Reception and Reverse Draw will begin at 6PM at the Delta Town and Country Inn
Our Spring rates commence on March 15 where we will be introducing our twilight hours back to our rates. Click Here to view.
Be sure to purchase the 2013/2014 Springs Card. Pay $99 to never pay more than $59 in green fees all year* and receive $59 preloaded on your card and the choice of a Tsawwassen Springs golf shirt or a Nike golf hat. Delta residents receive $10 off!
*Valid April 1st, 2013 to March 31st, 2014
Chris Hood comes to Tsawwassen Springs after a successful career at many top golf facilities throughout the Lower Mainland. Chris currently serves as the General Manager and Director of Golf at Tsawwassen Springs. He is a golf industry veteran having worked with high profile operators such as Golf BC and Intrawest Golf in key positions. As a CPGA Executive Professional since 1992, and past President of the PGA of BC, Chris brings a solid golf industry background to Tsawwassen Springs. He looks forward to working closely with our Sales and Marketing Team and being actively involved in building Tsawwassen Springs into one of the preeminent golf course communities in Western Canada.
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