From the President:

Hello Fellow Mashies,

First of all, our Club Championship is less than a week away, and we are hoping for a full field. Desert Mashie has the largest membership in the

Western States Golf Association, but in order for our club to continue to grow and put on successful events, we need your participation and

support.

After the Club Championship, we are looking forward to the Desert Mashie bus trip to Las Vegas to help Valley View Golf Club celebrate their 55th

Annual Invitational Golf Tournament. You have probably seen e-mails

about this trip, so again, I urge you to support your club as we support the Valley View club as they have supported us for many years. This trip

allows you a little get-away for the weekend. I have gone on this trip before, and can personally attest to what a fun trip this is. So, if you

haven’t signed up yet for this trip, there is still time to do so. Also, we were treated very well by the Valley View club when we went to Las Vegas.

For your non-golfer family members and friends, there will always be

something to do, i.e.,

So you see, there is something for everybody. Aren’t you now ready to go

with us to Las Vegas?

Betty Shelton, our Social Chair, has locked in on a bus for us for this trip, and is now taking reservations. The round trip fare is only $50.00. You

can sign up for the bus trip on the website (www.desertmashie.org) and can use your credit or debit card to pay the bus fare. So come on and

“let’s get on the bus”

July / August 2013 DESERT MASHIE NEWS

“5 Iron”

www.desertmashie.

org

and go support Valley View. Several of our members who went last year have already signed up to do it again this year.

On September 6th - 40 Desert Mashie members, family members and friends traveled

to Tucson to help the Desert Trails Golf Club celebrate their 42nd Annual, and 25 Desert Mashie members and guests played in the 2-day tournament. The Omni

Tucson National Golf Resort & Spa was the host hotel and also housed the home courses of the tournament. The accommodations were outstanding, and the golf

course was in great shape. Of course, it was the middle of Monsoon season, so we got a little rain on Friday afternoon, Saturday, and on Sunday during the Awards

luncheon. The rain we saw for those 3 days was nothing compared to the rain storm that rolled in on us Sunday night and continued until Monday afternoon.

Oh, by the way, we exceeded our participation rate from last year – WE DOUBLED

IT!

This year is quickly coming to an end, but we still have some more events for your

participation and enjoyment. We are planning a club picnic/outing

following our November (Turkey Shoot) tournament. Also, we will continue our tradition of a New Year’s Eve dinner/dance during which the winners of

the Club Championship will be acknowledged and the awards will be distributed. I will keep you posted when plans have been finalized for these two events. I have

included a copy of the Desert Mashie calendar of events for the remainder of this year so you can calendar these two events in your schedule.

Just a reminder, this is election year for Desert Mashie officers for January 2014 thru December 2015. You should have by now received the Nomination Forms. Please

ensure you submit your nominations to Kaye France by October 5 as requested by the Nominating Committee.

Leroy H. James President

===========================================================================

42nd Annual Invitational Golf Tournament Results - Sept 7th & 8th 2013

MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

FLIGHT MEN'S A FLIGHT MEN'S B FLIGHT MEN'S C FLIGHT SENIOR FLIGHT

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

FLIGHT

First Low Gross Hubert Chaffold James Lewis Al Avery George C. Brown Chuck Taylor Margie Bentley

First Low Net Cordell Kelly Bill Bailey Myron Kimberling Joe Robinson Don Mathews Audrey Jordan

Second Low Gross Jon Ruiz Charles McKinley John Williams Ricardo Riley Ernie Horton Jackie Jordan

Second Low Net Cookie Fields Horace Stevenson LC Kennedy Rodney Suttles Ray Atkinson Emma Mosley

BELOW IS OUR TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE REMAINDER

OF THIS YEAR:

Desert Mashie Tournament Schedule for 2013

Date Course Time Price

Sat/Sun - Sept 21-22

* Pebble Creek 8:00 am Shotgun $100.00

(Club Championship)

Sun - Oct 20 Sun City 8:00 am Shotgun $40.00

Sun - Nov 17 * Aguila Golf Course 8:00 a.m. Shotgun TBD

(Turkey Shoot)

Tue - Dec 31 * Tuscany Falls GC 8:00 am Shotgun $65.00

(New Year's Tournament)

* - Register on line at www.desertmashie.org

Please keep Gloria and Larnce Shelton in your thoughts and

Prayers as they mourn the loss of their Grandson Tyre Larnce Butler who perished in an auto accident on Friday of last week. Also their Daughter and Granddaughter, Genise and Anaya, are still in the hospital and are in ICU. Our prayers go out to the Shelton and Butler families.

Desert Mashie Duel in the Desert

Robson Ranch Golf Resort July 14, 2014

Although these results were reported in our previous newsletter, they are posted

again since the tournament was in July.

Unfortunately, Desert Mashie did not bring the trophy home this time, but our well

wishes and Congratulations go to Desert Trails on their win this year. Below are the results.

1st Flight

1st Low Gross Joe Battle 72 $50 1st Low Net Danny Johnson 64 $50

2nd Low Gross Bonzi Wells 76 $30 2nd Low Net Leon Lightning 69 $30

2nd Flight 1st Low Net John Breland 64 $60

2nd Low Net William Cotton 67 $40 3rd Low Net James Jones 69 $30

4th Low Net Reggie Browning 71 $20

5th Low Net Bobby Daye 71 $15

3rd Flight 1st Low Net Maurice Cotton 68 $60

2nd Low Net Eric Neal 70 $40 3rd Low Net Joseph Robinson 70 $30

4th Low Net Gary Robinson 70 $20 5th Low Net Leroy James 71 $15

50/50 Par 3 #13 Partnership Winners

Cecil Mosley - $100 1st Bobby Daye/Ruben Rucker $484 2nd John Breland/Inman Whitten $363

CTP Hole #1 3rd Eric Neal/Bonzi Wells $242

Reggie Browning –Doz. Pro V

Duel in the Desert Match:

Desert Mashie – 6 ½ Desert Trails – 8 ½

WOMEN IN GOLF

Pat Crawford Women In Golf Coordinator 480-272-6469

Women in Golf are on the move:

September 6-7, 2013

Several ladies from Arizona WIG participated and placed in the Desert Trails Golf Tournament in Tuscon, AZ.

Congratulations to:

JoJo Edmonds – 1st Low gross – Flight A

Emma Mosley – 2nd

Low Net – Championship Flight

Pat Crawford – 2nd

Low Gross – Championship Flight

September 14, 2013

Barbara Davis Hines, Pat Crawford, JoJo Edmonds, and Emma Mosley played in the Dr. George M. Greene

Memorial Golf Tournament at Pebble Creek Golf Course. This event helps raise funds for their flagship

program, a youth mentoring and scholarship program for young men 8 – 18 years old, encouraging community

service and artistic creativity.

WOMEN IN GOLF

Women in Golf are on the move:

October 6 – 7, 2013

The WSGA North/South Shootout, will be in Vallejo, CA.

Several women from Arizona WIG will be attending. We wish them safe travels and great golf.

Please mark your calendars now for October 17.....the next WIG meeting and golf outing. If anyone has played

a great new course over the summer that we might all enjoy, let me know.

Patricia Crawford

AZ/CO WIG Representative

Emma Mosley got a HOLE-IN-ONE on August 6th on Hole # 4 at Eagles Nest Golf Course! It was a rainy day, but that didn’t stop Emma. She was using a Pitching Wedge. Just to show that she didn't lose her cool on that hole-in-one, Emma birdied the very next hole.

Ask Linda: Golf Rules You Can Understand In the "Ask Linda" columns I answer questions from my readers about golf rules. No names are used - all

questioners are referred to as Lulu (or Lou Lou, in the case of male writers), in honor of the smart and

sassy comic character. In the "Rules Explained" section I will endeavor to explain the most common golf

rules and situations in plain English. Please send your golf questions to llmillergolf@gmail.com.

Ask Linda 266-Ball marker sticks to putter Linda, I have often seen people use their putter to tap down their marker after marking a ball on the green.

I've also seen cases where the marker stuck to the sole of the putter and was accidentally lifted from its

original spot. In view of the recent ruling in the Dubai championship, I am now wondering if the person

who accidentally moved his marker while tapping it down should have been penalized.

Thank you,

Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

When a ball or ball marker is accidentally moved in the process of marking and lifting a ball, there is no

penalty as long as the movement is directly attributable to that specific act. The key to this rule is the

meaning of the words "directly attributable."

When a player marks and lifts a ball and then taps down the marker with the sole of his putter, that tapping

down is considered to be part of the process of marking the ball. Therefore, there is no penalty if the

marker is moved by the putter [Decision 20-1/6]. The player must replace the marker. If he cannot

determine the exact spot, he must use his best judgment to place the marker at the closest spot to where it

originally lay, taking care to place it no closer to the hole.

Any accidental movement of the ball or ball marker, which may occur, for example, if a player drops a

ball on his marker (your Dubai reference), is not considered to be "directly attributable" and results in a

penalty [Decision 20-1/15]. I suspect Ian Poulter was more chagrined at his carelessness than surprised by

his penalty.

Linda

Copyright © 2010 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.

Desert Mashie May Tournament

Wigwam Golf Course

MAY 5, 2013

1st Flight

1st Low Gross Jerry Hill

71 $50

1st Low Net Tomas Macedo

68 $50

2nd Low Gross Sean Colebrook

75 $40

2nd Low Net Nate Mathis 69 $40

2nd Flight

1st Low Net Scott Edmonds

65 $50

2nd Low Net Anthony Bolden

69 $40

3rd Low Net Cecil Mosley

70 $30

4th Low Net Bobby Daye 71 $20

Ladies Flight

1st Low Net Griffith Hall

67 $50

2nd Low Net Elbert Parker

68 $40

3rd Low Net Pam Hill

70 $30

4th Low Net Eric Neal 72 $20

50/50 Par 3 #12 CTP Hole #2

Jay Colebrook $135 Ladies – Kaye France $30

Men -

Gary

Robinson $30

Partnership Winners

1st Sean Colebrook/ Grif Hall $748

2nd Cecil Mosley/Wes Baker

$560

3rd Anthony Bolden/Zeke Witherspoon $373

Alan Bennett Memorial Junior Golf Tournament AUGUST 1 & AUGUST 2, 2013 -- LOS ANGELES, CA

BOYS 7 - 8

MAGGIE HATHAWAY -- PAR 3 GOLF

COURSE

BOYS 9 - 10

MAGGIE HATHAWAY -- 18 HOLE

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

1 Nuez, Nico 35 30 65

1 Nuez, Noah 56 59 115

2 Roque, Bennett 38 33 71

2 Quezada, Alan 63 62 125

3 Medina, Nico 33 40 73

3 Delizo, Matthew 70 75 145

4 Gastelum, Joshua 40 44 84

4 Collins, Dylan 85 76 161

5 Kilgore, Nicolas 43 42 85

5 Bryant, Tracy 80 90 170

6 Post, Lucas 46 47 93

6 Williams, Kovel 82 110 192

7 Turner, Brejon 51 44 95

7

Thompson, Constantino 96 99 195

T8 Flournoy, Miles 55 46 101

8 Reed, Jemikeann 101

T8 Morris, Aydn 48 53 101

9 Reed, Michael 104

10 Rineau, Million 75 57 132

11 Williams, Anthony 80 54 134

BOYS 13 - 14

CHESTER WASHINGTON GOLF

COURSE

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

BOYS 11 - 12

WESTCHESTER GOLF COURSE

1 Proctor, Andrew 74 77 151

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

2 Hodges, Kendel 80 80 160

1 Farr, Jackson 75 74 149

3 Zilles, Justin 99

2 Williams, Ahmen 82 78 160

4 Peros, Zachary 82 91 173

3 Hope, Waymon 92 85 177

5 Jones, Tyler 93 81 174

4 Speiser, Jaden 89 91 180

6 Taylor, Ja'Shawn 107

5 Elmore, Andrew 94 92 186

7 Carter, Demorea 78 100 178

6

Ravi, Abhishek(Abby) 90 98 188

8 Cook, Donald 109

7 Reed, Namon 99 99 198

9 Roque, Ahren 110

8 Flournoy, Noah 109 113 222

10 Mingo-Long, Qays 115

9 Mingo-Long, Qailen 131 119 250

11 Harris, Isiah 118

10 Williams, Vada 148 120 268

12 Smith, Solomon 120

13 Collette, Xavier 84 127 211

14 Starks, Donovan 94 94

T15 Wang, Eric 96 96

T15 Harper, Seven 96 96

The Western State Golf Association (WSGA) Alan Bennett

Junior Golf Championship was held in Los Angeles, CA on August 1 & August 2. Below is a list of the Junior Golfers who

participated in this tournament. The Desert Mashie Junior participants are hi-lited in purple.

Alan Bennett Memorial Junior Golf Tournament AUGUST 1 & AUGUST 2, 2013 -- LOS ANGELES, CA

BOYS 15 - 17

CHESTER WASHINGTON GOLF

COURSE

BOYS 18 +

CHESTER WASHINGTON GOLF

COURSE

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

1

Melton, Robert(Robby) 77 76 153

1

Woods, Herbert (Trey) Woods 82 77 159

2 Standberry, Harry K 81 76 157

2 Wilborn, John 81 80 161

3 Hobson, Christian 77 81 158

3 Guardiola, Michael 84 84 168

4 Sanderson, Andrew 83 78 161

4 Body Jr, Anthony 86 85 171

5 Davis, Donovan 82 84 166

5 Alvarez, David 92 80 172

T6 Medina, Tyler 87 81 168

6 Ravi, Adityaa 86 88 174

T6 Manganello, Ryan 82 86 168

7 Ribeiro, Matthew 88 87 175

T8 Torres, Armando 87 83 170

8 Drake, Danny 94 86 180

T8 Rodriguez, Dimitri 82 88 170

9 Carline Jr, Dennis 88 97 185

10 Flowlers, Keith 88 83 171

10 Sparrow, Xavier 115 100 215

11

Oliver-Robinson, Kiante 103

11 Kearney, William 112 116 228

T12 Crittenden, Calvin 93 87 180

T12 Streinz, Michael 110

14 Wilbore, Maalik 93 89 182

15 Hudson, Blake 99 84 183

16 Pacheco, Jerry 88 97 185

T17 Howell, Bryce 94 93 187

T17 Campbell, Lionel 90 97 187

19 Smith Jr, Aaron 118

20 Denning, Connor 94 94

21 Yusuf, Saeed 84 WD

22 Falkenstein, Raymond 88 WD

Tyler Medina

Alan Bennett Memorial Junior Golf Tournament AUGUST 1 & AUGUST 2, 2013 -- LOS ANGELES, CA

GIRLS 7 - 8

MAGGIE HATHAWAY -- PAR 3 GOLF COURSE

GIRLS 9 - 10

MAGGIE HATHAWAY -- 18 HOLE

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

1 Delizo, Anne 49 55 104

1 Mission, Riana 80 63 143

2 Thompson, Alexis 62 63 125

2 Reynolds, Zoe 116 128 244

GIRLS 11 - 12

WESTCHESTER GOLF COURSE

GIRLS 13 -

14

CHESTER WASHINGTON GOLF

COURSE

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

1 Waite, Shani 80 74 154

1 Davis, Maria 79 79 158

2 Graham, Skylar 82 81 163

2 Jones, Catherine 111

3 Mosquera, Carla 78 89 167

3 Bradley, Aleimah 100 89 189

4 Walker, Tyler 115 111 226

T4 Rendon, Julieta 98 93 191

5 McKinney, Faith 131 112 243

T4 Bryant, Dana 117

6 Harris, Jacquelyn 130 128 258

T6 Wilson, Haley 98 96 194

T6 Mouton, Miah 120 GIRLS 15 - 17

CHESTER WASHINGTON GOLF

COURSE

8 Mission, Marisa 100 102 202

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

9 Freeman, Canaan 100 105 205

T1 Blumears, Lauren 96 89 185

10 Jones, Maryanna 97 109 206

T1 Browning, Victoria 93 92 185

11 Phillips, Hannah 160

3 Guthrie, Megan 112

12 Melwood, Chayanne 105 WD

4 Brown, Mercedes 94 93 187

Maryanna Jones

5 Bengson, Yazmin 115

6 Goodman, Arian 117

GIRLS 18

+

CHESTER WASHINGTON GOLF

COURSE

7 Moore, Jasmine 100 94 194

Pos. Player R1 R2 Total

T8 Thomas, Katie 103 93 196

1 Kenney, Portia 82 83 165

T8 Streinz, Angie 122

T2 Moore, Lolita 87 80 167

10 Bryant, Remy 123

T2 Bennett, Nea Nicole 86 81 167

T11 Jordan, Aubrianna 100 98 198

4 Williams, Lolita

T11 Moore, Shayna 124

13 Pierce, Sharia 137

To Post, Or Not To Post

To Post Here are the basic guidelines. Generally, you should post all scores no matter where you play. But there are a few specific rules to follow in particular cases:

Post your score when you play at least 7 holes. On the holes you didn't play, record a par plus any handicap strokes you would have received. For example, Uncle Snoopy joins his group on the second tee. The first hole, a par 4, is allocated as the llth stroke hole. Uncle Snoopy writes down a 5 (4 plus 1 handicap stroke) on the first hole as his posted score on that hole.

Post a score if you play two nines even if it's the same nine, or nines from different days. Simply combine the nines into an 18-hole score. Add the nine-hole Course Ratings together and average the Slopes.

When you pick up on a hole, jot down the score you most likely would have

made. If this score is higher than the maximum number you are allowed under the ESC system, then you need to adjust your score to this maximum.

You must play by the principles of the Rules of Golf in order to post your score. For instance, if you use a mulligan, you aren't playing a hole under the Rules of Golf, so treat it as a hole not played and record par plus any handicap strokes you would have received.

Not to Post

When don't you post scores?

When fewer than seven holes are played; When made on a golf course in an area in which an inactive season established by the

authorized golf association is in effect; When a majority of the holes are not played in accordance with the principles of the Rules

of Golf; When the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes; When, as a condition of the competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than

14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs; When scores are made on a course with no USGA Course or Slope Rating;

To post, or not to post that is the question. Which

scores do you have to post for your USGA Handicap Index and which scores are you not allowed to post?

It's certainly not as big a dilemma as Shakespeare's Hamlet faced, but it's still an important question that

you must answer.

When a player carries or uses non-conforming clubs or uses non-conforming balls; When artificial devices (as defined under Rule 14-3) are used during the execution of a

stroke. Uncle Snoopy has just completed a round from the back tees at one of his favorite courses, Beagle Haven Country Club. It is a pretty difficult course, with a Course Rating of 70.2 and a Slope of 125. Uncle Snoopy shoots a 92. His USGA Handicap Index of 11.6 translates into a Course Handicap of 13; under the Equitable Stroke Control system, he is allowed a maximum of seven strokes on any hole. He scans his scorecard and finds three holes where he made 8, so he adjusts these hole scores to 7s, and posts an adjusted score of 89 for his 18--hole round. To post, or not to post? It's an easy decision for Uncle Snoopy - and for you - when you follow these USGA guidelines.

FROM: www.usga.org/handicapping/publications/To-Post-Or-Not-To-Post/

The most common saying in golf is "keep your head down." The question

is, are you actually picking your head up? When you hit a thin shot that

dribbles along the ground, it would seem that a player must have picked

their head up. My experience is that most player's don't pick their head

up at all, what they do is pull their arms and hands up toward their body

causing the club to hit the ball low on the clubface producing a skull

shot. To fix the problem, hit balls focusing on brushing grass ahead of the

ball and going to a three quarter, fully extended finish. This will help

keep your arms extended producing more consistency and power.

Golf Tip of the Day byTrevor Gliwski

NOW FOR A LITTLE BIT OF FUN:

The True Rules Of Golf - Part 1 of 4

The game of golf is 90% mental and 10% mental.

If you want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.

Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of

the next group of three.

When you look up and cause an awful shot, you will always look down again at

exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it

again.

Any change works for a maximum of three holes and a minimum of not at all.

No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse

Never keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.

When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or

two more balls.

GHIN Internet POSTING The following instructions are how to post your score online at home (not the golf course): Go to: www.ghin.com

Go to: “Post on Line”

Input your GHIN # and Last Name 1. Select the date you played

2. Enter the course rating

3. Enter the slope

4. Enter your score

5. Enter the Name of the course

6. Hit “Post Score”

When Posting scores remember to adjust your score in accordance with the equitable stroke control (ESC).

POST ALL Your SCORES! You know who you are…. and so do we!!

Famous Golf

Quotes:

Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad

breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots - but you have to play the ball

where it lies. - Bobby Jones

Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the

rest of your life not to let bad shots ruin a game you're

supposed to enjoy. - Amy Alcott

Hole—In—One POT

The club has initiated a

$500

Hole-in-One Pot.

Any paid member who gets a hole-in-one during

a Desert Mashie sponsored event will receive the

$500. If there is more than one hole-in-one during the same event, the prize fund will be divided.

People, places and things!

People - Have a story to tell about yourself, a friend, or loved one? Do you have a birth announcement or want us to pray for an ailing family member or friend? Got an anniversary or birthday coming up? Places - Have you recently discovered a great new course that you want to share with us? Discovered a good deal somewhere? Or maybe you’re going on vacation and want to know if anyone knows of a great course to golf at your destination.

Things - How about all that golf equipment you keep buying to improve your game, but alas, you realize it’s really operator error so you now want to unload it?

Well, drop Just drop me a note with the details, and I will put it in the monthly newsletter. Just get me your information at least 7 days prior to the first of each month and we’ll publish it on this page!

HEARD A GOOD ONE…. The Lords name in vain "My friend," said St. Peter to the recently deceased, "you did lead an exemplary life on earth--but there is one instance of your taking the name of The Lord in vain. Would you care to tell us about it?" "I recall," replied the new applicant, "it was in 1965 on the last hole at Pinehurst. I only needed a par four to break 70 for the first time in my life." "Was your drive good?" asked St. Peter, with increasing interest. "Right down the middle. But when I got to my ball, it was plugged deep in a wet rut made by a drunk's golf cart." "Oh dear," said St. Peter, "A real sucker! Is that when you..." "No. I'm pretty good with a 3-iron. I played the ball close to my feet, caught the sweet spot and moved it right onto the green. But it bounced on a twig or something--it was a very windy day--and slid off the apron right under the steepest lip of the trap." "What a pity!" said St. Peter consolingly, "Then that must have been when..." "No. I gritted my teeth, dug in with and open stance, swung a smooth outside arc, and backspun a bucket's worth of sand up onto the green. When everything settled down, there was my ball, only ten inches off into the cup." "JESUS CHRIST!" shrieked St. Peter, "Don't tell me you choked the putt!"

DESERT MASHIE GOLF CLUB

2013 DUES APPLICATION

July - December

Golfers $75.00

Non Golfers $55.00

Name__________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________

City____________________ State____________ Zip____________

Home Phone_______________ Work/Cell Phone _______________

Employer_______________________________________________

Occupation______________________________________________

Spouse’s Name (if applicable)_______________________________

Date of Birth (optional)____________________________________

E-Mail Address __________________________________________

Shirt: Yes: ___ No: ___ Color: Purple ___ White ___ Size: ____

GHIN #: ___________________

Current member New member

Make check payable to: Desert Mashie Golf Club

MAIL TO: Leroy James

4421 E. Chuckwalla Cyn.

Phoenix AZ 85044-6049

We are in the desert – don’t forget …….

Hydration on the Course

“Stay hydrated” is a common phrase you often hear from playing sports and on

the golf course. Optimal hydration can improve your golf game mentally and

physically. Since the brain is made up of 85% of water and is water inefficient, it

has top priority in regards to blood circulation. Drinking the correct amount of

water will ensure optimal blood flow to the brain which will enable you to focus

on the golf course.

The human body is composed of 25% solid matter (solute) and 75% water

(solvent). For instance, the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is

composed mostly of water. The majority of the weight of the upper body is

supported by this water volume in the disc; therefore proper hydration can be a

preventative measure against low back pain. Water also acts as a lubricating

agent for joints which can relieve pain from chronic joint pathologies.

Now that you know the importance of proper hydration, the amount of

water consumed per day is critical to reach this goal. Some people say “drink

lots of water”. But what is a lot of water? Other say “drink 8 glasses of water per

day.” This is not an accurate way to determine the amount of water to drink

each day. For example if a female golfer weighs 100 pounds. 8 glasses of water

may cause over hydration. On the other hand if a male golfer weighs 200

pounds, 8 glasses of water falls far below the correct amount of water.

The optimal amount of water to drink is ½ your body weight (pounds) in ounces

per day. For example, a 200 lb. person will need to drink 100 ounces of water

per day. A key point to remember is that other fluids do not count toward your

goal of ½ your bodyweight in ounces. Those fluids include: coffee, tea, juices,

soda, milk, sports drinks, and flavored water. In fact, other fluids like sports drinks

and juices can actually dehydrate the body because it takes water to actually

dilute these high sugar drinks before it is assimilated in the body.

Timing of water consumption is important to optimal hydration. Drinking water

first thing in the morning is critical because during sleep the body becomes

dehydrated. Therefore drinking water first thing in the morning is the first step to

optimal hydration. Start with 25% of your total water intake in the morning. If

your water intake for the day is 100 ounces, you would consume 25 ounces in

the morning. During a golf round you should consume 40% - 50% of your total

daily intake of water. If your water intake for the day is 100 ounces, you would

consume 40-50 ounces of water on the golf course. The remaining water should

be consumed throughout the day.

The type of water you drink is important to achieving optimal hydration. 80% of

bottled waters are filtered tap waters. Choose a bottled water that has

approximately 200-300 parts per million (mg/L) of dissolved solids. This ensures a

proper amount of dissolved solids in the water to maintain proper hydration.

High quality water sources include Evian, Fiji, and Trinity. Water from Reverse

Osmosis units can be used but the dissolved solids can be quite low. A great

way to remedy this situation is to add a small pinch of Celtic Sea Salt to every

liter of water.

Celtic Sea Salt is an organic, unrefined sea salt that has over 80 trace minerals

that will help replenish the body with electrolytes. Not only does it replenish the

electrolytes in the body, it is a great way to prevent muscle cramps. Another

great benefit of using Celtic Sea Salt is the reduction of allergic tendencies. I

have had great results with golfers that have allergic symptoms due to pollen

and grass. Many have reported reduced symptoms of allergic reactions with

the proper amount of water and the addition of Celtic Sea Salt. Please do not

consume regular salt in the place of Celtic Sea Salt. Regular salt is just sodium

chloride which can be quite toxic when consumed on its own without the other

trace minerals.

Drinking the proper amount and correct type of water may be the missing link

to improving your golf game mentally and physically. So, here’s drinking to your

golf game and health.