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.”

WHAT IS THE 'PLAY LIKE THE PROS' CHARITY CHALLENGE?

Play Like The Pros Charity Challenge is a series of mini-tournaments at some of the best golf courses in Canada where golfers pledge support for junior golf through the Golf Canada Foundation.

The winners at each event and the top fundraising teams will qualify to play Glen Abbey on Monday July 25th, 2016 – the day after the RBC Canadian Open, from the same tees, pin positions, and tournament conditions as the pros played!

Royal Colwood's Jason Giesbrecht Has A Total Commitment To Using Technology In Instruction

Royal Colwood's Director Of Golf Jason Giesbrecht has long embraced technology's value in golf instruction. Recently he travelled to the PGA Show in Orlando to evaluate some of the latest advances in this rapidly evolving sector of the golf industry...

(Prince George, BC – February 3, 2016) - Sports enthusiasts from Prince George and the surrounding area are being recruited to work with elementary-school-age children to encourage them to be more active. 

SOAR (Sharing Our Activities and Resources) is an initiative developed by Tennis BC, British Columbia Golf and Curl BC. The not-for-profit groups are recruiting individuals to be trained in the delivery of three sports programs.

The Home Of Golf, St. Andrews, Is Hosting A Forum On Pace Of Play Issues - Image Courtesy The Royal & Ancient Golf Club Of St. Andrews 

via Golf Canada with files from the R&A

St. Andrews, Scotland – The R&A is conducting an industry forum in St. Andrews this week to examine the issues surrounding pace of play and the time it takes to play golf.

The Time for Golf conference, which is taking place today and tomorrow (Nov. 24-25) will bring together representatives of national affiliated bodies with figures from some of the key organizations involved in administering the sport to discuss factors such as the golf course, management and player behaviour.

Dale Jackson, chair of Golf Canada’s Rules Committee, is there representing Canada.

Most golfers today are much more aware of how fitness can assist them in playing better golf. But it's also important when working out that the exercises you undertake are relevant to the game.

In this Fit Tip Video the SCGA in conjunction with Hansen Fitness For Golf want to help you balance better during your golf swing. Mike Hansen and Gentry Fields want to know... how long can you balance on one leg?

Watch The Video

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canadians from coast to coast invited to share their stories at www.golfcanadagolf.ca or through social media using #GolfCanadaGolf

Tweet or share: Canadian golf launches #GolfCanadaGolf national marketing campaign; golfers invited to share their stories atwww.golfcanadagolf.ca

(April 16, 2015) – With nearly 5.7 million enthusiasts and 60 million rounds played annually, Canadians are passionate about the game of golf.

As Canada’s most participated sport, every golfer has a unique story to tell, and now the Canadian golf industry is encouraging golfers to share those stories, aligning on a national campaign to market the game of golf in Canada.

Having trouble with back pain while playing golf? These two basic stretches will help.

Check out this latest SCGA Fit Tip on how you can eliminate your back pain while out on the course. These two stretches can be done with a cart and a golf club as you get ready at the next hole.