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46 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 21, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Pre-game warm up key to enjoying first round of the season Golf season is just around the corner and whether you're a veteran to the game or stepping up to the tee for the first time, pre-game preparation is the key to a solid ­ and safe ­ season-opening round. "People are so anxious to get out on the course, they often don't take the time beforehand to properly prepare themselves," says Barry Wallis, on-staff golf professional with Callaway Golf Canada. "Suddenly, a strained muscle or sore back keeps them off the course for weeks afterward." Before playing your first full round, Wallis suggests hitting the range with a bucket of balls ­ but just one bucket. "The last thing you want to do is hit three buckets of balls (with 80 balls in the average bucket)," he says. "I'm as anxious as anyone to get out there, but a slow start is a good start to the golf season." Wallis also warns against grabbing the driver first, no matter how tempting it may be. Instead, the long-time professional recommends leading off with half wedges, then full wedges, then work your way up from a nineiron to driver. Once you've made it to the first tee, be sure to stretch ­ good advice for every round and not just your first of the year, says Wallis. Pre-game stretching helps loosen muscles to prepare your body for the task at hand; it improves your driving distance and swing power, and will help to minimize any stiffness you might experience the next day. Here are three easy, on-the-course stretches to get you game ready. Back Rotation Standing with your golf club behind your back and across your shoulders, slowly rotate your upper body to one side as far as comfortably able, keeping your hips square and feet flat on the ground. Hold for 10 seconds then slowly rotate in the opposite direction and hold for another 10 seconds. Repeat three to five times. Trunk Side Bend Holding your golf club at each end, above your head, slowly lean to one side. Hold for 10 seconds, then slowly lean to the other side and hold for another 10 seconds. Repeat three to five times. Hip Abduction Holding onto a golf cart, cross the leg closest to the cart behind you. Keeping your back leg straight, slowing lean hip toward cart. Hold for 10 seconds, switch sides and hold for another 10 seconds. Repeat three to five times. - News Canada "Golf's More Fun When You Play It Right!" We have a Money-saving Membership Program! · · · · · "Family Golf Learning Centre, A new, creative way to improve your golf swing Golfers are constantly looking for ways to improve their game. They may hire instructors or pour over endless videos by golf masters. Some spend hours at the driving range hoping practice will be what it takes. Other golfers are turning to Pilates when traditional methods don't yield the desired results. Pilates (puh-LAH-teez) is a method of strength training that was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. Pilates found that you could strengthen the core body muscles, the "powerhouse," encompassing the abdomen, lower back, hips, and buttocks, for overall health. His is a total body conditioning program that emphasizes proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement. Today Pilates is one of the fastest-growing fitness activities in America. Since the cost of a private Pilates session with a properly licensed instructor is comparable to or only slightly more expensive than a personal training session, it is something anyone can try. Because of these points, Pilates has grown outside the world of strictly fitness into the realm of rehabilitation, sports and improving day-to-day activities. Your golf instructor can tell you how to change and improve your swing, but sometimes your body just won't move that way. Pilates techniques develop a solid core of strength with flexibility, stability, balance, alignment, and posture - all of the body requirements for the golf swing. Golfers like Tiger Woods and Butch Harmon, "Golf Digest's" #1 golf instructor, aren't the only sports figures adding Pilates to their routines. The NBA's New Jersey Nets now have Pilates equipment in their weight room and frequently have equipment shipped to hotels when the team is on the road. Additionally, everyone from football stars to baseball pitchers are incorporating Pilates training into their workouts to improve performance or prevent injury. Some players once made fun of their wives and girlfriends for doing Pilates, but quickly have learned the benefits Pilates provides.(MS) Can Help You!" We are a unique centre challenging the most serious golfer, but catering to family fun & enjoyment ms for everyone from , new golfers to experts onals on Staff overed and heated; s ns & Short Wedge Greens Game Practice Area o outstanding golf thing like it in Ontario! erpiece" by one of Golf Writers Selected as one of the "Top 100 Ranges in America" Last 9 Years in a row (1997-2006) · TURNED 80? 1455 Joshuas Creek Drive ville Oakville.com (905) 842-6120