Private golf clubs in Scottsdale get Practice Park renovation

The entire 11 acres at Private golf clubs in  Scottsdale was scraped to the dirt in June of 2019 and re sprigged with Tif eagle Bermuda on the greens, and all other turf is 328 Bermuda which is a better practicing surface then the 419 variety we removed. The boundaries of the park were enlarged to approximately 14 acres which enabled us to get many of the perimeter Horseshoe holes built.

An 8500 SF putting green was built adjacent to the two greenside bunker/ short game areas on the southwest side of the park.

The practice tees on both the north end and 2/3 of the south tee were enlarged and re –sprigged late in the process and do not have as strong a Bermuda base as we will get with this entire Bermuda growing season in front of us. The dew point will climb as well as the humidity kicks in over the next few months, necessities for Bermuda growth.

A little steady rain during Monsoon season would help starting in late June.

WHAT ARE WE SEEING NOW at Scottsdale private golf courses?
The cool season rye grass is saying I can’t take the heat and I am going away and let the Bermuda take my place until October.

This is what we see all over, some turf areas are a brown color, and some places will fill in with Bermuda sooner than others, as we chemically sprayed out the rye to get rid of it a few weeks ago.

Many of you have not seen this process take place as you have not been here this time of year, but as this is a necessary evil each summer as overseeding is in the fall.

Please know the conditions will get better as the weeks go by.

LOCKER ROOM SERVICE RESUMES JUNE 2ND at Scottsdale private golf courses

The ladies’ and men’s locker room services will resume starting Tuesday June 2nd.

We ask that you bring shoes in to the respective locker room  managers one pair at a time, so Todd and Denise can get everyone one  clean pair of shoes before a few get multiple pairs.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

The showers are available but the steam room is not until further notice.

MONDAY’S CLOSED:

The clubhouse, golf course, Horseshoe, practice areas, bag room and locker rooms will be closed on Monday’s through overseeding and for priority agronomy projects. Aerification week is June 8th through the 12th and the golf course will be closed for a much needed rest after the demanding season.

For those who enjoy numbers, the months of March, April and May accounted for 13,800 rounds against a forecast of 10,500 rounds, oh my!

There was more practicing done off the new practice tees than ever before with some days having as many as 260 people hit balls.

Please keep in mind the proper way to practice is to create a line of divots in front of the last ball you hit.

Please avoid spreading out your divots in your stations as it does not permit others to enjoy good turf to practice from.

Let us know if you need a demonstration.

Lastly, should you need to communicate with us, please contact us in the golf shop at (480) 342-7210.

You are all to be thanked for your cooperation thus far, and into the future.

As for those of you who enjoy the spoken word, please stay tuned.

Stay safe and stay healthy!!

Scottsdale Golf Club Tennis procedures during Stay at Home

As we continue to provide a safe,  fun and welcoming environment at the Scottsdale Golf Club  tennis facility, I want to take a minute to remind everyone of the tennis and pickle-ball guidelines that were set forth and will continue through at least May 31. The guidelines will now include the resumption of lessons and clinics this weekend with Cardio Tennis on Saturday and then private lessons and clinics on Sunday.

The Scottsdale Golf Club tennis department takes the health and safety of all our members and staff seriously and we are taking every precaution to provide a clean environment at the tennis facility so that you can take advantage of the services we are still providing.

Through the end of the month we will continue the following adjustments to the tennis/pickle-ball program and facility:

• Tennis lessons, clinics and drills will continue but are limited to a maximum of 10 members and two (2) pros to comply with the guidelines limiting groups to 10 or less or break groups up into small groups of four or less depending on numbers.
• All organized tennis and pickle-ball play, socials, events have been cancelled through May 31. 
• The May Tennis Camp has been canceled and new exciting drills have taken its place on the schedule.
• No guest play is allowed with the exception of immediate family members (sons and daughters).
• Scottsdale Golf Club Members and staff are asked to follow the national guidelines of social distancing of six feet or more and no handshakes, high fives, etc. If you feel sick at all, please stay home. Wash hands before and after tennis.
• The tennis shop will be officially open every day through May from 7 a.m. to noon.
• We have suspended all food and beverage at the tennis shop with the exception of water bottles in the refrigerator between courts 2 and 5. Members are encouraged to bring their own water from home if possible. For now the water/ice machine has been shut down.
• Towels are no longer available so members must bring their own towels.
• Tuesday Night Pickle-ball has been taken off the event sheet. Members may play pickle-ball but groups must be limited to 10 or less. Please book either court 3 or 4 on the court sheet and specify that you are playing pickle-ball.
• Private Golf Clubs in Scottsdale Members can book courts on their own on Fore-tees but there is a max of two courts per group of players (8 players total).
• The community pickle-ball paddles and balls are no longer available but we do have paddles and balls for sale in the tennis shop. 
• We will be sanitizing equipment regularly throughout the day including ball carts, mowers, hoppers and everything in the tennis shop.
• Junior clinics and lessons will continue going forward but will also have limited participation.
• Participation in any of our drills or clinics is voluntary and anyone who is not comfortable to come is supported 100% by the staff and other members.
• The tennis shop doors will be closed during business hours but we will allow two members max to enter the tennis shop at one time.
• We have many new clothing items and would encourage members to stop in one or two at a time.
• Only the tennis staff at Private Golf Clubs in Scottsdale  will be allowed to touch the tennis balls in the teaching carts before, during and after lessons. 
• Tennis ball cans are for sale to members in the tennis shop but members will not be allowed to borrow tennis balls from the teaching baskets. The tennis shop can order Red, Orange and Green Dot balls for your home if requested.
• We ask that members do not congregate together before and after playing.
• Please sign up in advance on Fore-tees for court time and clinics as space is limited.
• No shows or last minute cancellations for clinics will be billed for the full amount.
• If you cannot make a booked court time reservation, please cancel the reservation or let the tennis shop know so that others can reserve the time.

Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions. This is an unprecedented time and we are doing our best to provide the safest environment for our Private Golf Clubs in Scottsdale members so that you can still enjoy your club if you so choose.

Scottsdale private golf courses and small group lessons will resume on Sunday, May 3rd. Lessons should be booked directly with each staff member.

Cardio Tennis will resume at its new time on Saturday, May 2nd from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Space is limited in all of our clinics so please sign up in advance. Because of limited space, there will be a 100% charge for no shows or last minute cancellations (within four hours).

Junior Clinics will resume at its new time. You can contact Ryan Shomo if you have questions at rshomo@ccdcranch.com

Scottsdale private golf courses offer Putting Advice

Why not start the New Year with a recommendation about the phase of the game which we all know is very important at Scottsdale private golf courses. What I am referring to is putting ; which typically makes up around 36 strokes per round provided we take no more than two putts per green. Seemingly none of us pay enough time to really dedicate the time to work on it. When I ask players how much putting  practice they get in per week I sometimes get the response “I play 3 times per week and practice putting  before I play.” We need to define the difference between “warming up” and “practicing”; which in this scenario, I would call it warming up before you play.

Working on lag putting at Scottsdale golf club,  is the first critical step to get a sense, feel, and to learn how to determine the appropriate amount of break the putt might have, left to right, right to left and whether it is uphill or downhill. I understand there are a few putting  aids like Aim Point and Strackaline which assists on green reading, but I would be careful how much value they add beyond generalities. These aids don’t factor in how hard the players are going to hit their putts, thus whether or not they hit it on the center of the putter face. If you don’t hit a solid putt, both the line and speed will be affected, and there is a component many fail to mention when the talk about efficient putting . So, I know these devices may be helpful, but be careful they will help with basic lines, but not specific ones, so rely on your instincts and talents by working on your game, and really dedicating time and I can assure you it will pay dividends. The fact is there are more initial troubles called THREE PUTTS, by not having the correct speed than not having the correct line. Proper pace will be your best friend in the long run.

My advice when reading greens at Scottsdale golf club is to start backwards from the hole and envision an imaginary line from the cup to your ball. Then find the closest point you can roll over on that line, and then roll your putt over that spot. Frankly, that is all you can control when lagging putts, so hit your spot and then watch is nestle close to the hole. Before your round I would suggest you spend time hitting putt from inside three feet, which is about the length we can reasonably expect to make, so you will go to your starting tee in a good frame of mind and with confidence you will make the little ones. I saw a stat that Tiger Woods holed 2691 putts out of 2700 tries in 2002. That is fabulous and we should take heed it is possible, but it can’t happen without spending the time, and how often do we hear people at Scottsdale private golf courses say they had their best round going, only to be derailed buy a few three putts. I also read a stat the Luke Donald went almost 500 holes in tour events without a three putt, which is unheard of as you might guess. In summary for a putt to go in from any distance, there are actually three variables to making more putts. You must have center face contact, which will determine the line and sped, so pay attention to it. Uphill putts are actually easier than downhill putts, so when in doubt, leave your shots a little short of the hole. You are able to make a more confident stroke this way. For a right handed golfer, right to left  putts are preferable as it matches the preferred arc to your stroke, slightly inside to square at impact to back to the inside on the through stroke. In summary, straight putts have to be hit perfectly to go in. On right to left  putts you can play too much break and still find the bottom of the cup. If you hit the putt softly and play too little break you will never make it. The old cliché’ message is that every putt you leave short will never go in! The worst combination is are the downhill, left  to right putts which requires precise line, speed and plenty of touch. Please, as we get into the new year, make a resolution you will practice your putting  at least one hour per week and it will have positive results. See you on the practice greens at private golf clubs in scottsdale.

Scottsdale Private Golf Courses will open its new Fitness and Performance center in April. There will be an emphasis on Golf Fitness, as physical and mental fitness have become a necessity for golfers, of any age, aspiring to optimize their golf game.

Can you discuss the importance of physical fitness for the golfer at Scottsdale Private Golf Courses? What about mental fitness?

JT:  Developing a golf athlete’s rotational power in one of the most important functions to improving their game. There is a lot that goes into being able to swing with power from a physical stability and mobility aspect. As random fitness provides random results, the opposite is also true. Specific, physical fitness provides specific, physical results. Creating speed and power in the gym has a specific recipe. Physical fitness is not just about burning calories and losing weight. To create strength, cardiovascular, flexibility, speed and power, periodizing workouts is key.

Danielle: We all know the importance of going to the gym to get physically fit, but what we do to get mentally fit matters more! This is true because the body follows the brain, not vice versa. Mindfulness practices are worth investing your time, energy, and resources into. Take your mind to the gym, whether it be a home meditation cushion, writing self-inquiries in a journal, cognitive behavioral therapy, or enrolling in yoga classes that practice conscious breathing along with structural lengthening postures. There are numerous ways to connect, and that is what we are doing for our Members here at The Country Club at DC Ranch.

How does the Scottsdale Private Golf Courses aim to offer Fitness for Golfers?

Danielle: Scottsdale Private Golf Courses aims to offer fitness for golfers with scientifically backed methods of exercises that are specific to golf athletes. Our fitness & performance professionals, along with our golf pro’s, want to improve drive, accuracy, and overall wellness and golf game. In the gym, we are set to offer small group classes that focus on golf specific exercises designed to help increase strength, flexibility, balance, rotary power, core stability, mobility, posture and endurance! We strive to create a golf fitness culture that is consistent with specific training, to maximize game consistency and decrease the risk of injury.

What will set the golf facilities and amenities at The Country Club at DC Ranch apart from other clubs?

JT: We have a lot of plans for Scottsdale Golf Club .  We plan to renovate the practice facility entirely.  This includes increase tee space, enhancing the short game and putting green areas as well as plans for a player development center.  We will add more greens and redesign our practice areas with our performance center in mind. In our Performance Studio we plan to utilize cameras to video players’ swings, Trackman and other technologies to create the most advanced tech center in the area.  We are working hard to develop programs that work well with the new fitness facility and all that it has to offer our golfers

Danielle: As a strength coach, I believe that a variety of equipment brands at our facility creates versatility for the majority, however, my choice of Keiser fitness equipment is my crown jewel. We are the first Country Club in Scottsdale to bring Keiser’s functional trainers, and other Keiser pieces to the private Club setting. What is unique about Keiser is that they use air technology instead of iron to engage the muscles, connective tissue, and joints. This allows for workout regimes necessary for sports specific training, like golf speed and power, to safely improve physical performance in ways not seen with traditional strength training methods.

What are you  most excited about for the Scottsdale Golf Club new fitness facility?  

JT: While the golf renovations at Scottsdale Golf Club are essential to getting our club to the forefront of clubs in the area, I think by having the fitness and sports training aspect that we can tie in to golf and tennis instruction is essential.  The goal is to create better players by improving their movement; and it takes team work.

What sets our Fitness Golf Program apart from other Scottsdale Golf Clubs in the Valley?

Danielle: Our amazing Scottsdale Golf Club Team!  Our team truly loves to work together! We pride ourselves on group minded action plans to get the job done. It takes the Strength Coach, Sports Dietitian, Golf Professional, and other health experts here at our Club to shift the results. Leaning into one another as a group mind, truly gives the member an advantage to facilitate change where desired.

To Learn more about becoming a member at The Country Club at DC Ranch please contact Melanie Halpert, The Club’s Director of Membership and Marketing at info@ccdcranch.com or 480-342-7246

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