Divot Mix

“There are certain things you don't do in public, and for me it's playing golf.” -- NFL analyst John Madden at Pebble Beach

Pinehurst No. 2 gets time to "heal"

A story published in the Raleigh News & Observer says the golf course hosting this year's United States Open is now officially closed to the public. It will reopen for practice rounds June 13, with the tournament starting June 16.

The two-week closure, according to Paul Jett, CGCS, will allow the course to recover from the traffic of resort golf. " This gives us time for all the ball marks on the greens to heal over and most of the fairway divots to heal in," Jett said. "It's a pretty pristine golf course by the time they get out here on Monday."

According to Lane Tredway, an assistant N.C. State professor who specializes in turf grass management, closing the course is key to ensuring that it is in the best possible shape. One of the worst things for a golf course's condition, he said, is golf.

For the complete story visit http://newsobserver.com . (Free registration required)

Specific Exercise May Help Golfers

A study that could help golfers maximize performance is being presented this week by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Nashville.

Most golfers who want to improve their performance use the expertise of teaching professionals to modify swing mechanics. Yet, sports medicine professionals also may have the ability to help maximize performance through an eight-week golf-specific exercise program, as proven by a University of Pittsburgh Neuromuscular Research Laboratory study.

In the study, 15 average recreational golfers completed the eight-week golf conditioning and training program and were given pre- and post-training assessments of hip, torso and shoulder strength, flexibility and balance, swing mechanics and golf performance.

Strength was measured with a dynamometer. A standard goniometer was used to look at flexibility. Single-leg standing balance was assessed using a force plate. Swing mechanics were studied with a three-dimensional motion analysis system, and golf performance was evaluated with a launch monitor system.

After eight weeks, shoulder, hip and trunk flexibility improved significantly in 22 of the 26 flexibility measurements taken. Hip and torso rotational strength also were improved. Golf performance improved, including an average carry distance increase of about 18.5 yards, and an average total driving distance increase of about 17.5 yards. Average ball speed increased about 6.5 miles per hour with average club head speed improving about 4.5 miles per hour. Upper rotational velocity of the golf swing increased by about 31.7 degrees per second.

“A clinician-prescribed, golf-specific exercise program like the one we've validated in our current study would complement the instruction provided by a teaching professional in order to more effectively improve performance in golfers,” said Yung-Shen Tsai, Ph.D., P.T., who led the study.

Other investigators include James Smoliga, D.V.M.; Timothy Sell, Ph.D., P.T.; Joseph Myers, Ph.D., A.T.C.; and Scott Lephart, Ph.D., A.T.C.

The University of Pittsburgh Neuromuscular Research Laboratory is housed within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Sports Performance Complex. Expansions to the laboratory in the past year have included Cycling Services and the Golf Fitness Laboratory. For more, visit: http://www.pitt.edu/~neurolab.

Committed to Green launches golf project

Committed to Green Foundation has launched a new initiative to support European golf in the field of environment and sustainable development.

The Foundation's new flagship project will be to create and facilitate the European Forum for Sustainable Golf. It will enable a ‘community' of stakeholders to participate in discussion and information exchange on environmental and sustainable development issues facing golf across Europe.

The Foundation's main objectives are to:

• Assist golfing organizations to set out and promote their own environmental policies and programs

• Provide golf facilities with environmental information and mechanisms which enable the better uptake of environmental best practice, and facilitates the promotion of credible achievement

• Provide a credible industry framework through the Forum for Sustainable Golf, which enables a productive interface between golfing and environmental organizations

• Where necessary, contribute to the improvement of standards of environmental education in green-keeping and architecture

• Seek opportunities to raise the profile of sustainably managed and developed golf courses

• Provide an independent, cohesive overview of golf's environmental initiatives

• Support existing national golf/environment initiatives and promote their establishment

The Forum will be formally launched by the European Commission in Brussels June 27, 2005. Greg Lyman, GCSAA director of environmental programs, said he will attend the formal launch to offer support from GCSAA and the Environmental Institute for Golf, as well as discuss ideas for future collaboration.

The Foundation will also review and promote the Committed to Green Accreditation Program. Contact http://www.committedtogreen.org .

California launches online endangered species tool

The Department of Pesticide Regulation has created a new, online resource to help protect endangered species in California. It is the first interactive, public database of its kind in the nation.

The free, Web-based resource allows pesticide applicators and others to quickly and easily identify local habitat for endangered animals and plants, and advises applicators on required precautions. The system is called PRESCRIBE , for "Pesticide Regulation Endangered Species Custom Real-time Internet Bulletin Engine."

"PRESCRIBE represents a major advance for information on endangered species," said Mary-Ann Warmerdam, DPR director. "It also makes life easier for businesses that must comply with complex regulations."

The database replaces more than 2,500 pages of endangered species protection bulletins for 56 of the state's 58 counties.

The system uses a search engine to deliver custom data reports through common Web browsers. A user begins by selecting the county desired, then the township, range, and section where a pesticide application is anticipated. PRESCRIBE then identifies the listed species that may be present, down to a one-square-mile area.

In addition, it can search for 30,000 pesticides by brand name, as opposed to paper bulletins that listed only the name of an active ingredient.

Once species and pesticides have been identified, the system lists protective measures for each species and pesticide combination. The measures were developed from biological studies of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and adapted to California uses. The custom instructions are brief enough to be attached to pesticide user permits, sales receipts and work orders.