Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/130253
iG1304--proof 5/9/13 9:35 AM Page 1 THE SITE FOR THE NEW CABOT CLIFFS Cabot Links -Cont'd gentleman. His son was on his bag and it would be his first of two rounds that day, the dream job. My caddie was the retired high school principal in the area and was delightful. The early morning light made for a magnificent first tee shot. Course architect Rod Whitman who has also designed gems Sagebrush, Wolf Creek and Blackhawk truly kept the natural sea side rugged landscape as authentic as possible. Every single hole is in sight and sound of the sea and five are adjacent to the beach offering phenomenal vistas. I was fortunate to not have to battle typical links style winds that day which made me focus on being creative with my shot making. Cabot Links is made to be a hard fast course and the undulating greens and fairways make you play more of a ground game versus high towering shots suited for courses with lush thick rough and carpet like fairways. These fairways will dole out bumps and bounces that are least expected. A caddy is well worth its weight in gold. The first hole is capped off with an infinity green that appears to disappear into the ocean and slopes front to back with a stunning view in the background. Bump and run shots and putting from off the green are well advised around this whole track. As you play through the holes you feel like you have been transported to Scotland or Ireland. The fescue rough, pot and rough edged bunkers all reminiscent of courses where the game was first played. The landing areas seem generous in spots but it is imperative to be on the right side of the fairway as many of the approach shots are death with wellguarded highly contoured greens. The second hole plays out to 620 yards from the tips and can be a beast. The 4th hole, a seemingly easy tee shot will lull you into submission but you face a double green that boasts the most severe contours on the course. The 8th is a drivable par 4 with many options and a tough long uphill par 4 caps off the front nine. The back is kick started with a beautiful downhill par 3 that is birdie-able. This is followed up by one of my favorite holes on the course #11. It is a dog leg left , level with the water that wraps around the harbour with lobster boats bobbing in the back ground. It is hole after hole of a true test of golf and mettle. If you let your guard down, even for a second, you can double bogey in a hurry. The 16th hole is a picturesque par 4 that is one of the best on property. Even if you are a manly man, you will find yourself pulling out your cell phone taking a picture on this hole like a teenage girl. Finally, the 18th hole will bring out the show boat in you. The green is set in view of the restaurant and club house creating an ever present gallery. You will find yourself tipping your hat if you hole a good putt. Cabot Links is one of the best courses I have ever played. I believe it may even be better than its sister courses at Bandon Dunes, and believe me that is a bold statement. I also would hazard to guess that it will be a 'top 25 in the World' course very shortly. It is bucket list worthy and it is Canadian! Lisa is a 7-Time Canadian Long Drive Champion for women and is currently ranked top 5 in the World. Lisa is a Golf Entertainer at corporate and charity events and Keynote Speaker at conferences and meetings. Lisa can be reached through her website at lisalongball.com IMAGE CREDIT: MIKE ROSSI INSTRUCTION WITH BRENT MORRISON BY BRENT MORRISON Playing with Perspective Typically as golfers we have always been told that we should play away from trouble on our lay up shots to have a clear shot into the green. Depending on whether the golfer is right- or left-handed, this may not always be the case, as our mind and More water than green will be visible; a situation which typically complicates many golfers' swing thoughts and erodes confidence. In this case, visually it may be better for the left hander to come in from the left side of the fairway. Next time you are out golfing, in Left Handed G ol fe r Right Handed Golfer FROM THE SAME POSITION IN THE FAIRWAY THE RIGHT-HANDED GOLFER WILL BE GRACED WITH A VISUALLY PLEASING AND NONTHREATENING VIEW OF THE GREEN. THE LEFT HANDED GOLFER ON THE OTHER HAND WILL SEE MORE WATER THAN GREEN, A SITUATION WHICH TYPICALLY COMPLICATES MANY GOLFERS' SWING THOUGHTS AND ERODES CONFIDENCE. eyes will work together toward a conviction of confidence – or doubt in our ability to execute the shot. Let's look at an example: On this hole we have a deep, narrow green with bunkers on the back and right as well as water on the left guarding the green. As the last thing we see is the first thing we remember, right-handed golfers will want to be on the right side of the fairway to keep their backs to the water. Glancing over the left shoulder at the target before swinging, the right-handed golfer will be graced with a visually pleasing and non-threatening view of the green. But what about the plight of the lefthanded golfer in the same position? addition to thinking about your course management strategy at the start of a new hole, also try to visualize playing the hole with your opposite hand. How will your perspective be for different shots and placements? If you have never done this, I guarantee you will be amazed and it may even open up other options for your shot selection. As with all sports, skill acquisition will ultimately make you better; however, playing golf with confidence and emotional control will allow you to play to the best of your ability. Remember, our perception helps create our reality. By being aware of how to minimize potential visual distractions and working on visualization as you play your reality will be lower scores! Brent Morrison is the Director of the Brent Morrison Golf Academy, located at 1025 Qualicum Road, Qualicum Beach, B.C., V9K 1M5. For information on the BMGA Collegiate Golf Preparatory Program, call (250) 752-8786; Toll Free 1-877-407-4653 or email info@brentmorrisongolf.com. 61