West Island Golf School Newsletter
Questions? 514-630-GOLF(4653) GOLF AT Golf-o-Max Dorval West Island Golf, in association with Golf-O-Max Dorval, is proud to offer an array of exciting Golf programs.  Designed with every level of golfer in mind, our facility provides Golfers with every tool required to improve their game. Among the services offered: Private, Semi-Private & Group Lessons Beginners Programs Junior Programs Golf Simulator Club Fitting Golf Fitness Corporate Programs Video Software Analysis ("Motion Pro", "Swing Achiever", and "Full Swing") Gift Certificates   Our Golf Simulator at Golf-O-Max Dorval can now be booked up to 7 days in advance: ·     Reservations: 514-633-8881 simulator #8 ·     Open to member’s and non-members ·     Ask about our club fitting services ·     Orientation on our golf simulator… call our assistant pro Ben at 514-516-5550 ·     Join our MatchPlay golf league on the Golf Simulator. Available for Men, Women & Juniors of all levels                                     Free Newsletter info, coupons and discounts on our golf programs.…sign up a friend E-mail: info@westislandgolf.com We’re on the Web!www.westislandgolf.com West Island Golf 212 Dorval Ave. Dorval, Quebec 514-630-GOLF(4653)	How to manage your golf game Welcome to The West Island Golf School Newsletter. West Island Golf offers Golf lessons and much more. Among other things, West Island Golf offers the following: Golf Club Fitting – Many golfers believe that custom fitting is for better players. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Proper fitting of the 21 variables that is part of the golf club, will ensure golfers of all handicap a maximum of performance within their athletic abilities.   Golf Fitness - Golf courses will spend more time preparing the course for play than golfers will spend time shaping up for the new season. A ten week combined strength and flexibility program with a certified personal golf trainer will increase club head speed and reduce the likelihood of injury. Golf Lessons with Technology -  Improve your game with some of the best technology available accompanied by a West Island Golf professional. Evaluation Lessons available with recommended Lesson Plan (software: motionpro, fullswing)   Visit the West Island Golf site and see our golf programs and much more!.     The Team of Professionals at West Island Golf REALLY CAN show you how to improve your game in less than a month - and see results by spring! Review: "The Insider Secrets to Golf with The West Island Golf School” -by Steven O’Rilley Montreal - If you've been searching for information about how to improve your golf game in Montreal, then you've probably come across West Island Golf at least a few times. And, if you're like others, you've probably wondered what the story is behind this golf school. Well, here's the truth: These golf services are the real deal. Listen, I'll be the first to admit that I was hesitant when I first decided to take golf lessons with Director of Golf Rafael Kalamat and his team of golf professionals in golf fitting and golf fitness, but when I started I was literally blown away by what I had learned. The first thing I noticed about the lessons was that I could barely believe what I looked like in my first video evaluation lesson – I knew then that I needed a lot of work! Now, I know that this sounds like an overwhelming amount of golf services, but one of my favourite things about the courses - which you'll discover right away - is that it is laid out in an easy "step-by-step" format. For example, Step 1 is all about deciding what you want to improve in your game with a evaluation lesson. Already know what you want to improve? Skip to Step 2, which will teach you how to practice and build your swing. All the golf programs are set up this way, so you can quickly find the exact exercises and information you're looking for. If this stuff sounds a little basic, don't worry! The courses also walk you through the more advanced topics -- things like golf video software analysis, golf simulator practice, Launch monitor golf club fitting, how to improve putting with The Science and Motion Lab, and so on. And the best part is that you don't need to be some kind of scratch player to understand and use the strategies that are taught in the courses! You'll be amazed at how easy it actually is to do things like practice with a sense of purpose, lower your score, get your clubs fitted and get more strength/flexibility. These golf courses also come with a selection of several golf professionals specializing in there field (golf lessons, golf club fitting, golf fitness, golf psychology, etc.)  that are literally packed with all kinds of great information. These golf teaching professionals contain everything from "fundamentals", to revealing advanced techniques, as well as Rafael’s "Personal Teaching Methodology," which is recognized by the United States Golf Teachers Federation as mentioned in the  “Golf Teaching Pro Magazine’s Summer July Issue.” But what impresses me most about these courses is just how complete it is. I've purchased other golf packages, magazines and resources before, and they all seem to focus on just ONE thing. For example, they'll tell you how to build a great-looking swing, but won't tell you how to get consistency! Or they'll tell you that you need to start going to the practice range and gym at least twice a week -- and then they don't tell you HOW to practice progressively! The West Island Golf School programs and professionals are almost like an encyclopaedia of teaching guides, since they explain in tremendous detail absolutely everything you need to know about how to practice, play, and grow as a player. I give these golf services my absolute highest recommendation. Read more about these amazing courses. Click here __________________________________________________________________   From left to right: Alain Theberge, Guy Godbout, Ben Ribkoff, Rafael Kalamat, John McHugh West Island Golf has a group of Elite professionals in Montreal. Our certification coupled with experience will improve your game and get you on course with the very best in golf fitness, golf club fitting & golf instruction.

Hudson's The Falcon Golf Club a top-notch venue
By Rafael Kalamat

HUDSON - Not too long ago it was difficult for public golfers to be part of social events at a golf course and most of the activities always took place at a private golf club. And so you would have the average golfer always searching for a tee time at a golf course and being quite disappointed in the social and educational value of playing this frustrating game called golf.

Sob stories may be commonplace on golf courses, but two things that are rare in the game are guaranteed at The Falcon Golf Club in Hudson for all and a majestic 18 holes golf experience.  Both can be purchased at the daily-fee facility for $55 Monday through Thursday and $65 Fridays, weekends and holidays. In addition to services such as private lessons, semi-private lessons, jr. lessons, Monday golf leagues, club fitting sessions and group lessons provided by The West Island Golf School. Tee times can be booked seven days in advance at The Falcon Golf Club  (450) 458-1997 and activities with The West Island Golf School at (514) 630-GOLF.

Architect Graham Cooke was given more than 162 acres of pristine property, valleys, ponds and woods, and was charged with designing a course to commensurate with the beauty of the land.  His work was a complete success, good enough to earn national magazine rankings and awards.

The Falcon Golf Club, which opened in 2002, is a strong test from its 7,081-yard par-72 back tees, carrying a 135 slope rating.  The course has hosted numerous events & tournaments, including recent Monday qualifying for the 2007 Montreal Open.

“It’s a traditional tree lined North Carolina layout where you have to use every club in your bag,” says General Manager John McCormick.

Proper tee-ball placement is essential to getting the best angle of approach to greens, many of which are elevated or surrounded by the signature waste bunkers and bent grass ridges.  First-time players need to figure out the best lines on par-four and par-five holes and the ideal club selections on three of the par-threes-the 206-yard, downhill twelfth, with water to the right; the 211-yard, strait-chute ninth; and the picturesque 191-yard, downhill 13th. For more info on tee times and activities, follow these links: www.westislandgolf.com, www.thefalcongolfclub.com. www.westislandgolf.com.

Indoor practice is good for golfer's - fact or fiction?
By Rafael Kalamat

MONTREAL - After playing for 23 years I have come to the conclusion golf was intended to be played outdoors, of course, amongst the wonderful courses in the Quebec region. So there's always been something a little strange about trying to test drive a new driver or getting a lesson at an indoor hitting facility.
It's just not right……...wrong.  Practice and play must be separated at times.

 If you want to improve your game in the off season or even in-season, remember that indoors is sometimes the best place for improving your game because you are not focusing on the ball flight but rather the technique. When it comes to golf lessons or club fitting or fitness for that matter, indoors is often the place to be. You can concentrate on your body and use technology such as video analysis software, a virtual golf simulator or club fitting analysis systems and specific core training for your strength and flexibility. These programs are available at Golf-O-Max Dorval and given by certified professional from The West Island Golf School

 Kinesiology or better known as the study of motion, can be explained to the student under professional analysis at your local golf school. If not, make sure that the individual who is recommending or teaching you has the qualifications to do so. Most golf teaching professionals, coaches and player professionals have a good background in this field. 1.Don’t think that you know enough or have reached your potential. 2. Don’t play enough or your just a beginner. 3. Your too old. As a teaching professional, I’ve heard all the excuses why people do not take the right steps to improve their game. If Tiger has a team behind him, I’m sure you will need assistance as well. Whether it’s psychological, physical, technical or all of the above, one thing for sure, see a specialist in that particular field.

Golf Teaching Professional:

Is there to give you drills and exercises so that you have a sense of purpose and progression when you practice or play. He is also there to be a general mentor on all golf related subjects.

Club Maker:

Is there to be your technical guide. He is there to fit your clubs and help you optimize your ball flight through technology. He should give you all the recommendations necessary so that you may be able to adjust or buy the clubs that best suit your performance needs.

Sport Psychologist:

Can help you get rid of those mental blocks. Do not think of the psychologist in a stereotypical manner. He is there to help you focus, develop and unlock your mind so that you can enjoy and reach goals in the game you love.

Personal Trainer:

Is there to maximize your strength and flexibility through programs such as weight training, aerobic training and cross training. Make sure your trainer is a golfer and has a specific program tailored to golf.

 If you decide to get the assistance of a professional, try to tell yourself that your doing this so that you can enjoy this crazy game called golf. So, the next time you throw your club or your ball goes out of bounds think about getting some professional help.

Keep your golf game in top form all year- round
By Rafael Kalamat

Hudson - Golfers have all types of swings, yet there are only two kinds of golfers: those who live in year round heat which allow year-round golf and those who don't. For those of us must suffer through months of snow-covered greens, watching woods and irons collect dust, I feel your pain. However, there's no reason why you can't use the end–of-season time and between-season time to prepare your game for when the gates of your home course reopen to the rites of spring.

Now that we are coming into fall and you know what that means…it’s time to reflect on your golf performance this past season and maybe even start a new routine. You should be asking yourself if you are content with the current level of play. If you are, you should begin to retain this level of play for next season. If you are not so thrilled with your game, you should be asking yourself what type of things I should change so that I do not repeat the same mistakes so that next year you may have a more progressive season.

What a golfer should be doing is working on their game now, throughout the fall and winter consistently. Why now? Learning the proper swing fundamentals, short game, mental game, and fitness along with understanding club technology is a lot of work so starting now will get every player at any level ready to go full out at the start of the season. If you start in spring, you’ll be using prime golf time to make changes. Why not make your changes and improvements now so that you can perform better next season. It takes a commitment but if you’re someone who really wants to improve you need to act now. Very briefly here are a few tips you should take down: Write down your goals, choose a certified instructor, make a calendar of golf activities that will consistently help your game improve and finally educate yourself through magazines, books and video’s.  

I hope that this will keep you busy and remember, always look for innovative and effective ways to learn and maintain your swing through services such as golf lessons, golf fitness and club fitting with the assistance of technology. Hoping that these few ideas keep your swing warm until the first thaw.

Golf a Hit at Indoor Simulator Facilities | Dorval
 By Rafael Kalamat

As far back as I could remember, golf enthusiasts put away their golf clubs during the off season due to the obvious weather hurtle we face hear in Quebec . The fun restarted in the1990’s when Indoor Golf Simulation took flight.

But in the 1990’s two developments brought bars/sport facilities and golfing closer together. “These facilities realized they were losing potential customers to other indoor recreational sports and activities by not offering indoor golf,” said Daniel Dubois, president of Golf-O-Max, a indoor golf simulator chain in Boucherville, Quebec. Technology came to the rescue, when a San Diego company called Full Swing Golf sold its first golf simulator to Canada.

The computerized simulator has cemented a lasting partnership between indoor entertainment and golf, fitting into the growing array of indoor diversions like hockey, tennis and rock climbing. At the same time, indoor facilities have expanded their indoor golf progressively each season due to the demand.

As a result, places such as Golf-O-Max Dorval are attracting the average golfer and corporate incentive groups by the dozens, with prizes handed out to top sales staff. And it is luring executives who want to talk business in a private lounge and play a world-class golf course on breaks.

“Golf is more than a sport, it’s a passion,” said Wayne Blunt, general manager of Golf-O-Max Dorval, whose golf members enjoy on a daily basis.

Using real balls and clubs, plastic grass, electronic sensors and a video screen, the simulators combine the feel of playing golf with the visuals of a live P.G.A. event. After driving into the screen, players follow a ball’s trajectory as the screen picks up its flight and shows it landing on the fairway or in the rough. The short game near the hole is just as realistic.

These golf simulator’s can start as high as $75,000 a system, which provides some 60 games and tutorials (“closest to the pin,” “longest drive,” “the Old Course at St. Andrews,” “chipping and putting” and “video swing analysis”), is a big draw for beginners to advanced players. Many facilities add golf lessons, leagues and clinics led by certified instructors.

Bryan Fritz, a 18-handicap player who is a member at Como Golf Club in Hudson, and regular simulator player at Golf-O-Max Dorval, recently tried out a simulator and joined a match play league. “We squeezed in a quick nine holes before heading home for supper,” said Bryan. “I won on the last hole and got the bragging right. And it wasn’t a five-hour round — more like an hour or so — which would make the missus happy.

“I’ve played the No. 2 course at Pinehurst, and now I’ve done it on a simulator — it was just like the real thing,” Steve Leroux of Ile Perrot said. “It’s all computer-driven with the weather thrown in … rain, wind, desert and seaside conditions. And you have to deal with different lies from bunkers to water hazards. If you’re a novice, orientation is always available as was provided for my wife Robyn.”

 “With simulators you can play St. Andrews in the morning, Harbour Town at Hilton Head in the afternoon — and still make it to the hockey game,” said John McHugh, of West Island Golf School, a teaching professional that arranges golf lessons.