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Social Buttons      Home on the Range Hits a Home RunFebruary 21st, 2012 9:30am - Posted By: Todd Mordhorst, Auburn Journal
Phil Green (Home on the Range Golf Instruction & Practice Range located in Newcastle, CA) is a Huge SNAG fan...check out this article that was released in the Auburn Journal where Phil really speaks to the versatility for all ages/abilities to have a FUN and inexpensive golf experience with SNAG. For more information on Home on the Range please visit their website at http://www.homeontherangegolf.com/ Auburn Journal article Making golf a colorful course Home on the Range adds SNAG program as teaching By Todd Mordhorst Journal Sports Editor NEWCASTLE — Decked out in his golf pro attire, Phil Green might look a little goofy swinging the bright, multi-colored, plastic golf club and hitting a purple ball that looks like a miniature tennis ball. But the owner of Home on the Range is sold on SNAG, a learning tool for golfers of all ages — so much so that he has set up a nine-hole course at his driving range. “I’ve been using it in schools for 11 years now,” Green said of SNAG, which stands for Starting New At Golf. “But it’s great for people who would like to get out and play golf, but might be intimidated by it. It’s really fun for date night, or seniors who aren’t able to go out and play nine holes on a full-size course.” SNAG was designed as a teaching tool, mainly for children. The oversized club heads, squared-off, color-coordinated grips and oversized balls make it easy for even first-timers to get the hang of hitting the ball. Portable tees are used to launch the balls, which can fly 60 yards with a full swing. The targets are Velcro-covered cones. The SNAG equipment was perfect for Green’s purposes. He’s conducted clinics and classes at schools throughout the area and started a golf team at E.V. Cain Middle School last year. This summer, he will have a series of youth camps and clinics through the Auburn Recreation District at Home on the Range. Most of the time, Home on the Range is a standard driving range. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and all day Saturdays, it transforms into what Green said is the world’s only SNAG golf course. The short, straight-forward layout allows groups to play a round in about half an hour. “I think it’s the same feeling as playing disc golf or mini-golf,” Green said. “Probably a little more like disc golf because it requires a full swing on most holes.” There are no delicately manicured greens or neat fairways. But the $5 green fee is tough to beat and the feel of the club is shockingly similar to the real thing. “It plays just like you’re playing a nine-hole course,” Green added. “It’s got all the aspects of traditional golf. If you don’t hit the green, you’re chipping. We’ve had a 13-month-old just walking who came out and played and an 85-year-old has gone out on the course.”
Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookCan we call you SNAG BOB!?February 6th, 2012 10:50am - Posted By: Tiffanie
Sir Robert James Charles (Sir Bob), is a New Zealand professional golfer whose achievements over five decades rank him among the most successful left-handed golfers of all time, being the first lefty to win a golf major, winning more than 70 titles, and beating his age twice during a tournament as a 71 year-old. Charles is a sporting hero in New Zealand, not only for his achievements but also for his demeanour and philanthropy regarding junior golfers. He was also a role model worldwide for left-handed golfers. Charles was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Queen Elizabeth in 1972 and advanced to Commander in the same Order in 1992. He became Sir Bob Charles in 1999 when made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. To learn more about Sir Bob, click HERE.
Here is what Sir Bob has to say about SNAG® Golf: " Starting new at golf is an introduction to the game which has been my life for over sixty years. Golf is a game of a lifetime and I would encourage all children, from the age of five, to give SNAG a try. SNAG can be enjoyed by all, parents with children, as well as, grandparents with grandchildren and a wonderful extra curricular activity for schools. From achieving the perfect grip with its five sides, to learning to roll the ball with the 'roller' or launching the ball with the 'launcher' SNAG is above all fun. The 'roller' can be used indoors and the 'launcher' even on the beach and can be enjoyed by all. Along with many instructional concepts SNAG could be an introduction to the game of golf for champions of the future." ~ Sir Bob Charles
To see more pics of Sir Bob using SNAG® please visit our Facebook photo album at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150559763510369.377863.113101870368&type=1 Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookGrowing Golf in NYFebruary 6th, 2012 10:14am - Posted By: Tim Keegan
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO: http://tinyurl.com/748yto3 Growing Golf in NY! A great video that shows The First Tee program using SNAG Golf to bring golf skills, life skills, physical activity, and FUN to kids in schools!Some youngsters at School Two in Rochester got a first-hand lesson in one of the world's oldest sports. The game of golf is making its way through districts thanks to the the New York State Golf Association. The program is being expanded statewide. The New York State Golf Association says 10 schools in Albany will receive exposure to golf this year. Last year, 16 Rochester schools were visited by the program. Most of these kids have never been exposed to golf before and they are now getting the chance to experience it firsthand. Once the kids experience that golf is fun and they are having success they are then encouraged to continue playing and building their skills. Let's Grow This Game!
Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookSNAG® was HOT HOT HOT at the 2012 PGA ShowFebruary 2nd, 2012 2:54pm - Posted By: Tiffanie
There has been an amazing amount of excitement and enthusiasm from Pros at the PGA Show this year. We have had LOTS of great media this year as well!! There will be more in the days, weeks, and months to come but here are some initial highlights: (I have added most of these to our Twitter and Facebook pages but PLEASE feel free to spread them throughout your networks as well!!)
Golf Club Business: http://www.golfclubbusiness.com/index.php?showtopic=33330 Golf Week: http://golfweek.com/news/2012/jan/25/demo-day-blog-snag-ideal-beginners/ (includes article and video from done by John on Demo Day) Golf Digest: http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/2012-01/photos-pga-merchandise#slide=10 (Sticky Suit named one of the Top 12 Coolest Things At the PGA Show, other items things like socks and golf shirts, we really stood out as looking unique and FUN) Golf.com: http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2012/01/scenes-from-demo-day-snag-golf.html (Blog and Video of Sticky Suit from Demo Day)
Golfmix.com: http://youtu.be/cEPxrS9tgFc (SNAG Canada distributor, David Shein, talking SNAG)
Thank you to all of you for your hard work and dedication in helping SNAG to grow the game! Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookSNAG® Golf used for Boys and Girls Clubs of America pilot programFebruary 2nd, 2012 12:48pm - Posted By: Tiffanie
We are excited by the success of using the SNAG® Golf Coaching System for the pilot program with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America conducted by the PGA and USGA to help grow and develop junior golf nationwide!!
It is encouraging to see that all four of the pilot sites used the SNAG® Golf Coaching System to get kids involved in golf and they all had positive results. Kirk Douglas, Player Development division of the PGA of America, trained the instructors at each of the four Boys and Girls Clubs on how to use the SNAG® Golf Coaching System.
The pilot program allowed the kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs the chance to learn the basics of golf in a FUN, engaging, and safe way using SNAG® (Starting New At Golf) equipment and programming. SNAG® Golf is used globally to teach beginning golfers of all ages the fundamentals of the game. To learn more about how to instruct new learners using SNAG® Golf Coaching System please visit www.snagpros.com.
Official Press Release below:
PGA OF AMERICA, USGA AND BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA TEAM UP
"Official Youth Development Partner" of The PGA and USGA to Introduce Golf to the Boys & Girls Clubs' Network of 4 Million Kids Nationwide
ATLANTA and PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - As part of a historic long-term strategic alliance, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) was announced today as an "Official Youth Development Partner" of The PGA of America and United States Golf Association (USGA). With programming to launch in 2012, this partnership with the BGCA will impact the lives of youth across America through the introduction of the game of golf.
"The PGA of America is extremely proud to join hands with Boys & Girls Clubs of America," said PGA President Allen Wronowski. "There are 2.5 million kids currently playing golf nationwide, and through this partnership, we want to share the fun of golf with more of America's children. Our missions are positively aligned, as we work together to help kids achieve academic success, build character and develop healthy lifestyles through golf."
"The USGA has a longstanding commitment to supporting programs that introduce the game of golf and the fun and the skills it offers to our nation's young people," said USGA President Jim Hyler. "We are very pleased to team up with The PGA of America and Boys & Girls Clubs of America on this ambitious new program, continuing our commitment to make a difference in the lives of young people throughout the country."
Based on a successful pilot project first tested in 2010, the new partnership will feature golf programming and instruction taught by PGA Professionals, along with support from Boys & Girls Clubs' staff and community volunteers. The program is expected to roll out next year at 50 BGCA sites, hosting between 50 and 100 kids each. The goal is to introduce golf to tens of thousands of kids nationwide.
The bulk of the program will take place at Boys & Girls Clubs facilities, where the PGA Sports Academy curriculum and activities will be utilized to provide introductory experiences. The PGA Sports Academy combines golf skills and physical fitness in high energy activities that focus on play, as well as instruction. The Club members will enjoy field trips to local golf courses and additional programs will be developed, including low-cost course access for those kids who want to continue to take their new-found interest in golf to the next level.
"Boys & Girls Clubs of America is thrilled to partner with The PGA of America and USGA," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We are very excited about this amazing opportunity for local PGA Professionals to connect with our Clubs, and teach our members how to enjoy and play the game of golf. Just as importantly, we know that our Club members will gain invaluable life skills as they learn all about this great sport."
The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America is to enable all young people, especially those who need support the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The goal of the new golf program is to expand across the BGCA's 1,100 local affiliates, which operate more than 4,000 clubhouses that serve approximately 4 million youth nationwide.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
About The PGA of America
About the USGA
Contacts: Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 1 Comment(s) | Rating: 4 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookJack Nicklaus/ Boys & Girls Club use SNAG® Golf to kick off PGA Show!February 2nd, 2012 10:52am - Posted By: Tiffanie
Picture: Jack Nicklaus, Ken Griffey Jr., Boys & Girls Club members, and PGA executives officially kicked off the 2012 PGA Show using our SNAG® Golf equipment. The SNAG® Player Paks given to them by the PGA were very special as they had the PGA of America colors and logo.
PGA of America President, Allen Wronowski, introduced two Central Florida branch members of the Boys & Girls Club of America (Thomas Brenard and Phoenix Walker) to offically kick off the 2012 PGA Show "in Golf 2.0 fashion” by using SNAG® Golf equipment. Thomas and Phoenix both used a SNAG® Golf Launcher to hit SNAG® Balls into the crowd. To see a video of the PGA Show Opening Ceremony with Jack Nicklaus/ Boys & Girls Club members hitting SNAG® Golf Balls off stage into the crowd go to http://bit.ly/xn847H (minute 8:30) Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookPress Release: New Jersey PGA & SNAG® Golf Continue Partnership To Grow GolfJanuary 16th, 2012 10:33am - Posted By: On Course Strategies
Press Release Tahlequah, OK (January 12, 2012)- The New Jersey PGA Section (NJPGA) has announced the continuation of a partnership with SNAG® Golf (‘Starting New At Golf’), a proven first touch player development program designed for new learners of all ages. “SNAG® Golf and the New Jersey PGA have had a wonderful relationship over the past two years”, said Chris Hunt Assistant Executive Director, New Jersey PGA. “The Section’s charitable arm, the New Jersey Golf Foundation, has been using SNAG golf equipment for all of its major community programs: Golf in Schools, Special Olympics Summer Camps, YMCA Wellness Days and Boys & Girls Clubs of America After School Golf Days. Modified golf equipment creates better technique, quicker learning and most important, more fun.” “We admire the New Jersey PGA Section’s commitment and look forward to a long term partnership toward bringing new golfers to the game in the State of New Jersey,” said Terry Anton, Owner & CEO of SNAG® Golf. “The impact of the junior golf programming with the New Jersey Golf Foundation has been felt throughout the Garden State,” stated Chris Hunt. “Some impressive highlights include: Golf in Schools – in 2009 we were in 9 schools reaching approximately 4,000 students. By 2011, we were in 101 schools reaching 60,000 students. With the YMCA Wellness Days After School Program, we worked with seven local chapters and introduced golf to over 350 elementary and middle school children. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America After SchoolProgram introduced golf to approximately 100 elementary and middle school children; The Morristown SNAP (Autism Programs) Summer Camp had approximately 30 athletes and the Barnegat Challenger Program met once a week for six weeks and consisted of 15 athletes ranging in age from 13-21.
The Special Olympics of New Jersey welcomes two golf professionals for their week-long Summer Golf Camp and approximately 40 athletes participate in this program; The Goddard School is a pre-school franchise with over 350 locations across the U.S. and about 60 chapters in New Jersey. We are running a pilot program this summer for three franchises targeting children ages 3-4. Our hope is to expand to all 60 franchises by 2016, the year of the PGA of America’s Centennial Celebration.”
About SNAG® Golf: SNAG® Golf (‘Starting New at Golf’) is a proven first touch development program designed for new learners of all ages. It is an easy and fun way to learn and play golf. SNAG® contains all the elements of golf but in a modified form. It builds on strong fundamentals of putting, chipping, pitching and full swing to develop playing ability quickly and effectively. SNAG® Golf incorporates developmentally appropriate equipment that will allow golf to be learned and played in non-traditional venues, such as on a soccer field, in a gym, or on the beach. It can be taught and played almost anywhere in the world with immediate, positive results. This instant success keeps new learners wanting to be further involved with golf.
SNAG® is the skills-acquisition program used in the national school golf program headed by the World Golf Foundation’s First Tee Program. There are more than 5,000 schools that are successfully introducing children to golf in the U.S. and over 8,000 worldwide. Professionals, please visit our SNAG® Pros website www.snagpros.com for more information on our Coaching System used to instruct new learners. For individuals and groups that want to have fun learning golf visit www.snaggolf.com. About The New Jersey PGA Section:
The New Jersey PGA Section is one of 41 sections of the PGA of America. The NJPGA has a membership of 370 professionals and includes 175 facilities. This Section also services the New Jersey Golf Foundation with a mission to promote and advance the game of golf in New Jersey as an amateur sport. This foundation will allow the NJPGA to provide tax deductibility for monies raised to support their growth of the game initiatives. This simple mission statement will focus on a few key areas: youth and junior golf, new golfers and ladies. For more information on the NJGF, please visit the websitewww.njgolffoundation.com
Media Contact: Jane Dally/Pat Norton 203-454-0232 Jane@oncoursegolf-pr.com, Pat@oncoursegolf-pr.com Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookPress Release: Northern Texas PGA & SNAG® Golf Announce Partnership To Grow GolfJanuary 10th, 2012 2:06pm - Posted By: On Course Strategies
PRESS RELEASE: January 6, 2012
The Northern Texas PGA Section (NTPGA) has announced a new partnership with SNAG® Golf (‘Starting New At Golf’), a proven first touch player development program designed for new learners of all ages. “SNAG® Golf is a great addition to the NTPGA as a partner in 2012,” said Mark Harrison, NTPGA executive director. “SNAG® Golf promotes the game in a practical and exciting way and is well aligned with the goals of Golf 2.0. The NTPGA looks forward to helping introduce SNAG® to its members and the community in an effort to grow the game and develop new players.” “We admire the Northern Texas PGA Section’s commitment and look forward to a long term partnership toward bringing new golfers to the game in the State of Texas,” said Terry Anton, Owner & CEO of SNAG® Golf. In addition to exposing the game of golf to hundreds of children in Northern Texas through the dedicated work of the golf professionals, SNAG® also will be assisting this PGA Section by sponsoring the NTPGA Pro-Assistant Championship on March 5, and conducting a two-hour educational training event for members to earn points. About SNAG® Golf: SNAG® Golf (‘Starting New at Golf’) is a proven first touch development program designed for new learners of all ages. It is an easy and fun way to learn and play golf. SNAG® contains all the elements of golf but in a modified form. It builds on strong fundamentals of putting, chipping, pitching and full swing to develop playing ability quickly and effectively. SNAG® Golf incorporates developmentally appropriate equipment that will allow golf to be learned and played in non-traditional venues, such as on a soccer field, in a gym, or on the beach. It can be taught and played almost anywhere in the world with immediate, positive results. This instant success keeps new learners wanting to be further involved with golf.
SNAG® is the skills-acquisition program used in the national school golf program headed by the World Golf Foundation’s First Tee Program. There are more than 5,000 schools that are successfully introducing children to golf in the U.S. and over 8,000 worldwide. Professionals, please visit our SNAG® Pros website www.snagpros.com for more information on our Coaching System used to instruct new learners. For individuals and groups that want to have fun learning golf visit www.snaggolf.com. About The Northern Texas PGA Section: The Northern Texas PGA Section is one of 41 sections of the PGA of America. The NTPGA is comprised of three chapters (West Texas, Metro Texas and East Texas), has a professional membership of more than 725 professionals, includes 393 facilities, and services a Junior Tour and Junior Golf Foundation with over 2,800 members – the largest of its kind. In addition to managing the day-to-day affairs of the Section, the headquarters operates the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation is committed to its mission of introducing the game of golf to children of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds throughout northern Texas and instilling in them the positive, character developing traits for which the game is so well known. Each year with a full circle of programs and services, close to 15,000 children and their parents are introduced to the game.
Media Contact: Jane Dally/Pat Norton 203-454-0232 Jane@oncoursegolf-pr.com, Pat@oncoursegolf-pr.com Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookWe are having an exclusive HOLIDAY SALE just in time for the holidays!December 5th, 2011 12:39pm - Posted By: Tiffanie
We are having an exclusive HOLIDAY SALE just in time for the holidays! Hold on to your reindeer! Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookSpringfield School SNAG ProgramNovember 29th, 2011 11:14am - Posted By: Tiffanie/Rick Grayson
WATCH THIS VIDEO to learn more about the Springfield School SNAG Program: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2476699367064 Rick Grayson is a highly respected golf coach in the Midwest. He has been voted Midwest Section PGA Teacher of the Year five times and recently received the PGA Junior Golf Leader Award! To put it mildly, Rick knows his stuff. He also knows the golf industry, and he is very concerned.Along with being an excellent teaching professional, Rick is also the president of the Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Association. It is in this role that he has made considerable strides to expose thousands of kids to the great game of golf. Over the past 10 years the association has raised more than a million dollars for junior golf. Rick uses SNAG Golf along with other tools to teach juniors, but he states, "SNAG is THE BEST WAY to expose kids to golf". He feels that SNAG has the greatest ability impact on the golf community by growing the game for future generations. The Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Association has worked very hard to raise funds to get SNAG into the hands of kids in the 36 Springfield elementary schools. There are more than 7,000 children in these schools that now have access to a proven method to learn golf while being active and having fun. Through SNAG thousand of kids (and adults) are being exposed to golf that otherwise wouldn't be. Rick continues to provide individual consulting and follow up with each school to ensure continued success. Rick poses this question to the golf industry, "What else can you do to have such a large impact to reach thousands of kids with such a small investment?" This month, Rick coordinated the “Springfield School SNAG Program” Tournament where each of the 36 elementary schools had the opportunity send a team to compete in a SNAG Tournament for prizes. The Tournament was held at the Betty Allison Junior Golf Course. There were 220 spectators that came to cheer the kids on! The prizes were all tied to the schools receiving money to purchase sports activity equipment. The school that took first prize received $500 for equipment, second prize was $300, third prize was $200 and ALL of the remaining teams got $100 each thanks to the money raised by the Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Association. Springfield is a great example of how the community can work together to grow the game. Rick urges other Golf Professionals to do something similar in their community. Most golf courses host a tournament every year to raise awareness or funding for a charity or cause. Rick wants to know why the golf industry won't take the time to help itself. He feels that most courses aren't thinking hard enough about the future of the game. Rick passionately states, "If we don't change we won't have any golfers left as we are losing them all to other activities!!" Rick says, "SNAG gives kids a high success rate when starting out which encourages them to come back to play more. Any playground is turned into a golf course. This is a huge hurdle SNAG has jumped over." He remembers back 30 years ago when soccer was virtually an unknown sport for most in America, now it is mainstream and gaining more and more ground. Rick asks, "Why can't that be golf?" We could use this to golf's advantage by utilizing unused soccer fields to grow the game of golf with SNAG. Although he wishes SNAG was around many years ago so we "wouldn't have lost a generation of potential players", he urges Golf Pros to focus on moving forward. Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookAnton's Outlook: Time For Change!November 29th, 2011 10:24am - Posted By: Terry Anton
Our CEO, Terry Anton, was featured in the November Asian Golf Monthly magazine with the following article titled "Time for Change"...the text is below.
Link to article: http://tinyurl.com/42b8eox
Page: 46 This month the Asia Pacific Group is hosting the Asian Golf Summit in Pattaya, Thailand. The focus of this summit being to bring together some of the best minds in golf to identify the current challenges facing our industry and to bring about new ideas and solutions. With the heavy weight list of attendees and speakers, it is evident that Mike Sebastian and his crew have done an excellent job in assembling this exceptional group. It will be important that these key industry leaders step up and initiate the necessary changes needed for the industry to expand and continue on towards a healthy future.
As SNAG continues to grow in successfully introducing new players to the game globally, others will need to join our efforts to help move these new players into ranges and courses with sustainable programs. This in itself will be a new page in golf programming, as most existing programs do not focus on retention but rather introduction.
The golf course architects must stop designing and building courses that beg the need for the ball to travel beyond its current bounds. As the ball is capable of going further straight, it can go even further off line slowing play and devastating scores. The golf associations must look to embrace better ways to keep new and existing golfers as well as being more inviting for the longevity of their own organizations. The golf professional groups will need to embrace and develop ways to teach all golfers better so that everyone can enjoy the game for a lifetime. No group is exempt from creating a paradigm shift from the status quo. What we have now is not working towards a healthy future.
SNAG®has been very successful in developing programming for children being introduced and taught in schools. This is where they congregate with the costs for having them in this collective born by national governments. Golf’s lowest cost to bring new young players will always begin in schools. For our company, we only have to provide the appropriate curriculum, specialized equipment and training for the teachers. With our specific methods, difference in languages has been of no consequence. It is our intent to contact all of the Asean golf associations and assist them in accomplishing this task. Everyone reading this can help. Contact your local golf association and ask how.
I will also ask each of these organizations to greatly expand their women’s programming. As a percentage of current participants, women are poised to expand their numbers by the highest margin of any demographic. Women are great for our game. I attended the Solheim Cup in Ireland and watched the best women golfers from the U.S. and Europe fight it out to the last hour. It showed the immense talent that all of these women possess and how far European women’s golf has advanced in the last decade. My hearty congratulations to the European women on their hard fought victory. Asian women are now dominating on the U.S. LPGA Tour with a level of excellence that has made everyone take notice. Their talent and work ethic is much admired and their lead has grown from the early efforts of Chako Higuchi, Si Ri Pak and others. Now is the time to invest in feeder systems that will populate a never-ending pipeline of future superstars and avid players. Everything needed is already present except for the golf organizations embracing the new ideas and efforts that will make this happen.
A decade ago Asian men in multiple numbers would not have been present on the President’s Cup team. Now, there are four that have earned the right to play. Asian men’s golf has a lot to be proud of. We need to develop thousands of young admiring fans wanting to be the next K.J. Choi, Y.E. Yang or Rio Ishikawa. Each country has both interest in golf from the population and the existing golf infrastructure to maximize its current potential and create growth. The new have to have ingredient is “FUN”! Its only cost is attitude and smiles!
The last topic for thought this month is how are the golf associations going to handle technology and the use of it by Generation Y. If you think a young person in their twenties is going to turn off their mobile phones for 5 hours while they play, you would be completely wrong. Mobile devices are how young people communicate with each other. Either we accept this or we die a slow painful death as an industry. We have to create programming that will insure that the current generation will want to inherit the cost of the existing golf infrastructure, We have to shape golf for how they see their futures, not ours. See you next month!
SNAGDADDY Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookSimon Sinek: How great leaders inspire actionNovember 22nd, 2011 4:32pm - Posted By: TED
Fantastic TED talk! I like the line, "The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have, but the goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe." Our mission is to "To get people physically active by introducing them to golf in a fun and easy way that encourages a lifetime of positive experiences and relationships. To address the demographic, geographic, economic, and educational barriers that prevent the masses from participating in this lifetime sport." We try very hard to incorporate "why" we do what we do into every aspect of our company...we hope it shows... :) Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookThoughts from the 2011 Japan SNAG Golf National TournamentNovember 18th, 2011 9:55am - Posted By: Tiffanie/Dennis
The Japan National SNAG Golf Tournament is an annual event meant to bring more kids to the game of golf in a fun and easy way to create life time golfers (and champions). This annual tournament is televised on their prime time television network and it highly regarded in the golf industry. The third and fourth graders compete regionally and each region sends a team to compete. The SNAG Tournament is held alongside a Pro Tournament so the kids really feel like they are a future Golf Pro, complete with getting autographs from Pros and being on TV! Both boys and girls compete in teams of 4 on a 9-hole SNAG course. The 2011 Japan SNAG Golf National Tournament was held in Ibaraki Prefecture Saturday, November 5, 2011. Our SNAG distributor in Canada passed on this commentary from his contact, Dennis. Dennis attended the tournament in Japan…Here are his thoughts: “As you may know, golf is HUGE in Japan (and Southeast Asia), and they take the game very seriously. SNAG is growing by leaps and bounds and it has become the “standard” of teaching golf to new learners, specifically children. There are now SNAG teams everywhere. Ryo Ishikawa is very popular with the media and the country at large. The Japanese female golfers are also known, on sight, by everyone. Six of the top Japanese professional male golfers attended AND participated in the SNAG Tournament. Our SNAG competitions are INTENSE and the kids really do put in a LOT of time for practicing and going to tournaments. A Canadian SNAG golfer, John-Paul Doucet, (age 9), won the "Best Score Award". He shot a 12 under score of 24 (9 holes) and was crowned the Number One SNAG golfer in Japan! John and his team members are all members of the JPGA (Japan Professional Golfers Association) and the tournaments are sponsored by the Japan Golf Tour Organization and we have large corporate sponsors for the larger events (this National tourney was co-sponsored by: Citibank, All Nippon Airlines, GMA (golf apparel company), and others. You will notice 6 men standing behind the kids on the stage--they are six of the top, professional golfers in Japan. They came to this event to give their support to the young golfers and also to the SNAG program. While at the event, the six of them formed what they (jokingly) called "The Dream Team", to compete not only against the kids' teams, but also to compete against themselves. They rotated through all of the foursomes to play at least one hole with each group. I was told that, because of the appearance of the six pro golfers at this tournament, Japan put off ALL major (men's) golf tournaments, for the past week, so that these golfers could come and lend their support for this event! THAT shows the respect and importance that they are giving the SNAG program in this country! Highlights and interviews will be shown on Japanese TV for the entire month of December, including NHK (the national broadcasting company), a few of the cable golf channels, and The Kid's Station (the number one kids' TV cable station.) Many of the local and national newspapers have and/or will print highlights of the event, also.”
Dennis, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience at the Tournament! Go SNAG Japan!!
To view more pictures of the Tournament, visit our SNAG Facebook page. Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookFive Highlights From PGA Conference Of AsiaNovember 10th, 2011 10:40am - Posted By: Andrew Knott, PGA Professional
Picture: Brian Mogg (left) and Terry Anton were among the high-profile speakers at the PGA Conference of Asia.
Pattaya, Thailand (November 9): With the backdrop of Bangkok floods, the Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) opened the 2011 PGA Conference of Asia. It was a brief message at the start of what was to prove an excellent and enlightening two days. It highlighted the importance golf plays to economies the world over. As the SAT Governor departed, the stage was left for some of the leading speakers in golf to take to the podium. It was a mixture of coaching theories/stories, business/personal development and awareness and technological advancements. But the message I walked away from it with is: Performance is everything; results are everything; whether it be lowering scores, making the game easier for beginners so they stay in the game or running a profitable operation. If you don’t you won’t be able to deliver the former! Delivery of performance and results requires a plan; we must keep records on all action enabling us to measure how the plan is progressing. It’s the only way. This isn’t something new to me – anyone who has experienced my coaching will know I focus more on performance and results than technique. But it did reinforce these principals, I realised I need to take this to the next level, both to reach my goals and deliver on the promises to inspire everyone who comes into contact with perfect Swing Asia to the ‘Golf of their Dreams’. Five major highlights: (1) Brian Mogg, coach to several Tour players but with the focus of the conference being on how to develop the game and level of coaching in Asia, YE Yang was the star client! An inspirational way to kick things off, Brian’s opening was ‘getting an Asian world number one in the next 10 years is what we all aspire to achieve’. What was the story of YE’s success? Work ethic and more importantly desire to be great rather than good. Other clients provided the backdrop for lessons such as the need to not be intimidated, feel like you belong at the top, realise how good you are. I would like to add, I feel aspiring players need to have a deeper knowledge of the tournaments, the history and the players. They need to know exactly what it is they are aspiring to achieve – wanting to play on the PGA Tour in my opinion is not enough. (2) Terrence Anton, founder and president of SNAG Golf: Again SNAG is not something that was new to me; I have been researching the product and idea, along with other technologies, for the development of my work with juniors, schools and beginners of all ages. This is the way forward! Golf needs to bring more people in and more importantly retain them. Terry’s ambition for the amount of players he wants to introduce to the game with SNAG is an inspiration. Once I have secured a permanent base for Perfect Swing Asia, SNAG will be my first investment. If you know anyone starting out in the game or maybe worried it is just too difficult, send him or her to check it out. (3) David Milne and Lawrie Montague: Two renowned Australian PGA coaches who have put in a tremendous amount of hours and effort to understand why some elite players get stuck at a certain point. The result of their effort, the ultimate programme for elite players. Both distinguished coaches having already worked with elite players for more than 20 years, they started back at the beginning to create a programme based on all of their combined experience. David has been awarded Australian coach of the year on two occasions and if you want to know what Lawrie has done just Google his name because the list is far too long to put down in this blog! The programme is not for the faint hearted, hard work is definitely required, it is all based on performance over technique. Analyse, record and develop but if you really want to get to the top start here. (4) Ever wonder how to read a green? I mean to know exactly how much break to read, Mark Sweeney at AimPoint does! Have you ever watched golf on TV in the past couple of years and seen a line drawn on the green showing you how the ball is going to curve before the player has hit it. Mark is the guy who designed the programme. He has calculated a formula so that golfers of all levels can determine exactly how much break to allow for. Some learning is required but he suggests it can be done in between three-five hours, and he is backed up by some pretty impressive stats from Tour Players’ who have adopted the system. My current personal development has me taking a diploma in sports NLP Hypnosis, but when completed this is the next on my list of skills to learn for the benefit of all my students. (5) Finally for this blog a focus on technology and the technique Blaik Shew, a US PGA member who worked with David Leadbetter at his academy, showed the latest in software and technology with the Swing Catalyst. This really is the one stop shop when it comes to game analysis! It has the capability to be used as video analysis software; in conjunction with feedback from launch monitors; but its key analysis function and what had me excited was the weight platform and force platform information; and all of this was on one screen! What’s more the screen is directly in front of the golfer allowing the player to see, in real time, how their movements affect their weight distribution as they try to find the new improved movement. Unfortunately I have to add that I don’t expect to see this piece of equipment at Perfect Swing Asia anytime soon, unless someone reading this is feeling particularly generous! I have no idea of the cost – was too scared to ask! But you need the Swing Catalyst with monitors, cameras, video analysis software licenses, a launch monitor and both the weight and force platform. Maybe this is what Perfect Swing Asia is all about … Golfing Dreams for All, even me! The fact that I picked these five is in no way detrimental to the other speakers; in all there were 14 presentations along with a question and answer panel session. A couple of the business ones really ranked up there but I have kept this blog purely golf. All that leaves is for me to thank the hosts Mike Sebastian and Spencer Robinson at the Asia Pacific Golf Group for putting on such an elite level of presenters. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was certainly worth the effort. If you take lessons or are coached by a professional in the Southeast Asia region, I strongly recommend you ask them to attend next year, I promise you it will benefit your game.
*By Andrew Knott, PGA Professional. For details on Perfect Swing Asia please visit www.perfectswingasia.com
Article: http://www.asiapacificgolfgroup.com/2011/11/five-highlights-from-pga-conference-of-asia/ Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, FacebookSNAG Golf introduced at Camp Soaring EagleNovember 8th, 2011 2:33pm
During a recent campers session at Camp Soaring Eagle SNAG golf was included as one of the many activities that the children participated in over the weekend. Gary Pearce, Head Golf Professional, at Sedona Golf Resort, spent an afternoon with 25 children giving them a very brief introduction in how to hold the golf club and then how to swing the club. After that Pearce stepped aside and just let the kids experience the fun of hitting a ball. “With SNAG Golf it was so easy, the kids were swinging and hitting shot after shot into the air and with each swing you could see their enthusiasm and confidence grow and they just couldn’t wait to send another ball out into the field,” commented Pearce.
After their practice session, the children were paired into 4-person teams and they played a 6-hole golf course that was set-up by Pearce. “The kids had a blast and some of them actually got a little competitive. It was so fun to watch the kids react to this experience and we hope that SNAG Golf becomes a regular activity for Camp Soaring Eagle.”
Camp Soaring Eagle provides medically based camping programs for children with serious and life threatening diseases. Over the past two years Camp Soaring Eagle has served over 825 campers and family members affected by these serious illnesses. These programs are completely free of charge and are funded through charitable donations. To learn more about the Camp go to www.campsoaringeagle.org Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 1 Comment(s) | Rating: 5 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook |
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