By JOHN GORDON, Golf Canada

As you have heard, a historic reworking of the Rules of Golf came into effect on January 1.

Golfers seeking the breakthrough technology and proven performance of Titleist 718 AP3 and AP2 irons can bring an extra edge to their game with the introduction of new limited all-black editions.

Tiger Woods Called A Wedge From The Bunker On The 10th Hole At Carnoustie In This Year's Open Championship His Best Shot Of The Year - File Photo

Associated Press Golf Writer Doug Ferguson put together a list of the shots from 2018 representing every club in the bag (that would be 14 for purposes of this article), that he felt were the most memorable of the year. 

For example he cites: 

"Brooks Koepka used a 9-iron on consecutive full swings in the final round at Shinnecock Hills. One led to birdie, the other led to par. Both were crucial in making him the first back-to-back U.S. Open champion in 29 years. Tiger Woods showed glimpses of being back on his game with a long iron and a short one. Tony Finau hit one of the luckiest shots in Ryder Cup history. They were among the memorable shots using all 14 clubs in the bag, from driver to putter, that helped shape 2018 on the PGA TOUR."

To read his entire list of memorable shots that 'shaped golf in 2018' Click HERE.

Please find below the Junior Fixture Sheet with events listed by date, zone and location (Information to be added).

The sheet will be updated as tournaments are confirmed so please check back regularly for tournaments in your area or ones in which you'd like to participate or attend. Contact the club or the zone to find out more information.

To have your event added, please email details to Susan White at susan@britishcolumbiagolf.org 

To view association schedules, please visit following links:

BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

GOLF CANADA

PNGA

CJGA

MJT

Please find below the 2018 Women's Fixture Sheet with events listed by date, zone and location.

The sheet will be updated as tournaments are confirmed so please check back regularly for tournaments in your area or ones in which you'd like to participate or attend. Contact the club or the zone to find our more information.

To have your event added, please email details to Susan White at susan@britishcolumbiagolf.org 

To view association schedules, please visit following links:

BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

GOLF CANADA

PNGA

Please find below the 2019 Men's Fixture Sheet with events listed by date, zone and location.

The sheet will be updated as tournaments are confirmed so please check back regularly for tournaments in your area or ones in which you'd like to participate or attend. Contact the club or the zone to find our more information.

To have your event added, please email details to Susan White at susan@britishcolumbiagolf.org 

To view association schedules, please visit following links:

BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF

GOLF CANADA

PNGA

The First Study To Assess Spectator Physical Activity While Watching Golf Shows Fans Averaged Nearly 12,000 Steps Per Day, With 82.9% Achieving Their Recommended Daily Step-Count - Image Credit (LET/Tristan Jones -ladieseuropeantour.com)

(ST. ANDREWS, SCO) – The University of Edinburgh in conjunction with the Golf & Health Project released new research about the health benefits of golf spectating, showing those who attend golf events could potentially gain benefits similar to those playing in them. 

The study is the first to assess spectator physical activity while watching golf, showing that of the fans surveyed, 82.9% met the recommended daily step-count levels by achieving on average 11,589 steps.

The study suggests that golf spectating can provide health enhancing physical activity; whilst also allowing spectators to spend time in green space, socialise with friends and family, and watch their sporting heroes compete in real life.

by Ian Fabian (iG contributor)

There is no doubt in my mind that the key to your best round of golf ever is the “swing thought.”

We constantly hear that the game is far more mental than physical and therein lies the power of the swing thought. For those who may be new to the game let me endeavour to explain exactly how the swing thought works (or, in some cases, doesn’t work).

Canadian Golf Industry Partners With The PartcipACTION 150 Play List To Invite Canadians To Celebrate The Country And The Game Of Golf In Communities From Coast-To-Coast

OAKVILLE, Ont. (Golf Canada) — With Canada 150 celebrations happening in communities from coast-to-coast all year long, the Canadian golf industry has partnered with ParticipACTION in designating Sunday, May 28th as Get Out and Golf Day.

The ParticipACTION 150 Play List — introduced this year in honour of Canada 150 — invites Canadians to participate in 150 activities throughout 2017 to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. As part of Get Out and Golf Day, avid players and new enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in a round of golf (No.14 on the Play List), learn more about the sport or take part in golf related activities at golf facilities in their community.

By John Gordon (courtesy Golf Canada)

“The cry for the simplification of the Rules of Golf is a stock-in-trade of the journalist during the winter months. Countless words on the subject have been poured out to an ever-tolerant public, but still the long-sought simplification does not come.” Henry Longhurst, 1937

And here I thought I had come up with a novel idea for this blog. Turns out iconic golf writer Longhurst was 80 years ahead of me.

His quote can be found in the opening pages of a small volume called The Rules of Golf in Plain English.

Carruthers Creek, Ajax, Ont. (Rachel Wittenberg/ Love the Moment Photography)

By John Gordon, courtesy Golf Canada

On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, let’s get all the bad, frequently offensive, jokes out of the way first.

To speed up the process, I will provide just the punch lines to a couple of the hoariest groaners. “No way! The last time I tried that shot, I made double bogey!” “But you don’t understand. It’s my wife’s funeral.”

On a related note this Feb. 14, let’s officially bury the term “golf widow.” With that out of the way, let’s move on.

The viaSport #ERASEBullying campaign invites organizations and individuals to TAKE THE PLEDGE TODAY TO #ERASEBULLYING IN SPORT

Bullying is unwelcome or aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and can take many forms including physical, verbal, emotional or other types of intimidating or humiliating behaviours. The behaviour is often repeated and can occur on or away from the playing field, court or arena.

British Columbia Golf signed the Declaration of Commitment to erase bullying in sport. Find out how you and your organization can take part as well by visiting http://www.viasport.ca/campaigns/erasebullying

Who among us in the game of golf isn't always searching for the 'answer'? Or at least an inkling as to what would be a good 'swing thought' as we step up to hit the ball.

Fear no more, we've uncovered a golf tip video done some years ago by former Canadian Tour and PGA TOUR player JC Anderson that puts it all into one, clear process...kind of...actually, as JC suggests, you may want to write this down.

  Todd Keirstead is trained and certified to assist individuals with different physical challenges in learning to hit a golf ball

(Photo/USGA)

FAR HILLS, New Jersey (USGA) — The United States Golf Association will host the 2017 North American Golf Innovation Symposium on March 6-7 at the Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown in Vancouver, BC, gathering leaders in sustainable facility management and sports research to share knowledge and advance the game.

Symposium attendees will discuss how research, science, and data can help golf facilities around the world reduce their costs, operate more efficiently and provide a better experience for golfers. Over two days, the USGA and other contributing innovators will share details of their ongoing work in areas such as resource management, golf operations, revenue management, pace of play and equipment standards.

Eaglequest Coquitlam's Director Of  Instruction Shiella Cowan Addresses Her Latest Group Of Young Girls Eager To Learn The Game - Image Credit Ezzabella Hernandez/British Columbia Golf

by Bryan Outram

The CN Future Links Girls’ Club website tells us the program is a developmental golf program essentially designed for girls 7-18 years of age. As members, young girls will develop the skills, attitudes and positive images of themselves as athletes on the golf course, encouraging both self-esteem and a life-long love of the game.

The Girls’ Club was developed to address the huge discrepancy between the numbers of young girls playing golf compared to the number of young boys. It aims not merely to attract girls to the game but also to help retain them longer.

The Girls Club has been held every Monday at Eaglequest Coquitlam since July 4th and is having a very positive affect according to Shiella Cowan, the Director of Instruction at Eaglequest in Coquitlam, who leads the event.

The Target In The Swing Net Was A Big Hit With The Youth Who Came Out To Participate In National Aboriginal Day At Musqueam - Image Credit Gino Cutri

By Gino Cutri

The day began with the opening ceremony in the Musqueam Centre gymnasium. Young girls dressed in traditional Musqueam clothing entered the room singing hymns passed down from their elders. 

The display reminded those in attendance of the importance of National Aboriginal Day, and what it means to Musqueam Nation. As the opening ceremony concluded, the block party ensued. Music, and barbecue filled the surrounding area with the sounds and smells of a block party celebration.

The Velcro Target Dartboards Were A Big Hit With The Kids At BC Golf's Ball Striking Station On International Olympic Day - Images credit Gino Cutri/British Columbia Golf

By Gino Cutri/British Columbia Golf

The Richmond Olympic Oval was the host for International Olympic Day, which saw more than 2,000 elementary school students from the Lower Mainland attend. The goal for International Olympic Day is to promote the Olympic values and participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.

With 13 sports represented, International Olympic Day provided students with the opportunity to realize the skills required to play sports across the sporting landscape. At our British Columbia Golf station the skills of ball striking and rolling were on full display.

CN Future Links Offers Junior Programs In Communities Across The Country For Boys & Girls From The Ages Of 6-18 - Image Courtesy CN Future Links

by Gino Cutri, British Columbia Golf

CN Future Links is Canada’s junior golf program allowing kids from the ages of 6 – 18 the opportunity to learn and play the game of golf through affordable and accessible programs. Eaglequest at Coyote Creek were proud to host their first ever CN Future Links Jr. Skills Challenge over the June 4-5th weekend.

The organizers and volunteers were pleased to have very positive feedback from the parents and kids alike, saying, “They really enjoyed the whole experience, and think it really motivates more young kids to get into golf and I think more of these events are going to be great for us in BC.”