Ian Doig

The Golf Lab

Ian Doig — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:52:21 +0000

With the spring weather that we have been experiencing there
has not been much call for lessons as most of us are finding it difficult to
get motivated to play golf let alone stand out in the cold and wet listening to
a teaching pro tell them what is wrong with their golf swing.

The poor weather has allowed me the opportunity to focus on
my own golf game and I have recently embarked on a physical fitness program to
allow me to maximise my ability to play well. Although I have always been able
to play this game at a reasonably high level my fitness and strength may have
been holding me back.

I am very happy to announce that I have partnered with The
Golf Lab to help me bring my game to a new competitive level for 2011. I am
currently working with Heather Tennant on the physical aspect. It was
absolutely amazing to see how poor my body was reacting when put through the
myriad of tests used for golf specific evaluation. Although I was aware of the
extra pounds I have been carrying around I still thought I was in reasonable
shape. Wow, was I in for a surprise.

When Kyle put me through the Titleist Performance Institute
base line evaluation I failed every test he put me through. I am still able to
hit it down the middle and with reasonable length for a 50 year old, but I had
to think to myself if I was in better physical condition could I play better,
hit it farther, putt better and be more refreshed at the end of the round.

The Golf Lab team is going to help me get ready to compete
on the International level again as I prepare for the Champions Tour qualifying
tournament being held in November. We are video taping any tests and
evaluations, doing an analysis of my swing speed with each club and we have
already started working on my putting stroke.

All the information gathered and developments will be posted
here on Ian Doig Golf, so come back often to check out my progress.

I would like to thank Liam, Doug, Heather, Mike, Barb, Jacob
and both Kyle’s at the Golf Lab for there support.

Let’s play well in 2011.

Watch Ian on YouTube

Ian Doig — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:25:56 +0000

Watch this video on YouTube.

Winter Golf Getaway

Ian Doig — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:15:06 +0000

For those of you out there that are looking to get away for a golf trip during the cold winter months up north, it would be worth the trip to Port Saint Lucie and the PGA Center. As I mentioned in an earlier post the Learning Center is one of the finest practice facilities around with numerous hitting areas, a minimum of 4 large putting greens, a chipping area, pitching area and many practice bunkers with different sands to practice from. The golf balls used are Titleist and you can purchase buckets or join for the day and the pricing is very reasonable.

Add to the practice facility 3 Championship golf courses, the Dye and the Wanamaker, the host course for the Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship and the Ryder. I have a special place in my heart for the Ryder; it is where I won the 2004 Canadian PGA CPC. I have been traveling to this area for 12 years now and I absolutely love it.

You can book into one of the many hotels in the area or stay right on the property at the PGA Village in one of the condos. There are some very good restaurants, pubs and fast food choices. I would recommend the West End Grill for at least one meal and if you are a sports fan Duffy’s is the place to go, they will put on any game you want. If you decide to go you just may see me and if you do please say hello.

Have a great trip.

Vacation Time in Key West

Ian Doig — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:13:13 +0000

After a couple of weeks of good solid practice Cathleen and I were able to
spend a few days at the beach. We made the trip to Key West and just hung out on the beach for a few hours, did some sightseeing and had some great meals. I had not been to the Keys since I went there during a rainout during the 1981 or 82 Jackie Gleason Inverary Classic.

We also had time to spend with friends cruising in their boat and just generally hanging out. I am also pleased with the workouts that I have been able to get in. Stretching, medicine ball work, weights and running, we put in a little 7 k one day. Feeling better but lots of work to do. Before heading home we spent a couple of days in Pinehurst North Carolina visiting with friends and getting in one last game of golf. Perfect weather on a very good golf course and with good friends was a great way to finish off the vacation.

Even with a few days off I could see the hard work paying off as I was able to hit every fairway in regulation. The time spent in Florida has me excited for the coming tournament schedule.

Preparing for the 2011 Season

Ian Doig — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:09:12 +0000

I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to spend the last few days working on my own game and I am very pleased with the progress. I have been coming to the PGA Learning Center in Port Saint Lucie Florida for almost a dozen years now and I am never disappointed.

I have spent hours working on my game, specifically addressing maintaining my spine angle throughout the entire swing. The work done so far is good with the result being a more consistent ball flight. I have noticed a tighter ball flight with my driver and this could be a combination of my new spine angle and the new Titleist 910 D3 driver I have in the bag. I am sure the Graphite Design DI6 X shaft has something to do with it.

I can spend hours here at PGA and never get tired of working on my game. I have played a few rounds this week with a couple under par rounds and a couple over par in windy conditions. Although even par golf sounds good, at the level I would like to compete this year I need to sharpen my short game and putting to Champions tour standards. Lots of work to do but I am pleased with the early season progress.

Great Golf School at PGA Village

Ian Doig — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:05:23 +0000

It has been a great week for golf and lessons here in south Florida, albeit very windy. We have spent the last week working on Mary and John’s games and I feel that we have made significant progress. We all have to remember that when trying to become a better golfer the lessons we take are part of a process.

Each day has been hectic with a couple of hours of lessons and a round of golf followed by video swing analysis. It is a pleasure to see improvement in any students’ game and I can see that all the hard work is paying off.

I am a big proponent of practice drills and we used a few for John this week that I think will work well for him for years to come. By the end of the week I was able to see improvement in his motion, especially at impact.

Mary struggled a little more but when analyzing on video we are able to see improvement that will certainly benefit her down the road.

Well done John and Mary.

The Nations Cup

Ian Doig — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:55:38 +0000

It was a great time at the Nations Cup Equestrian event in Wellington Florida last night. I went with my friends John, Mary, Courtney, Pam and Cliff and had front row seating in the Canada section. Absolutely amazing to see these athletes, both horses and riders perform at the highest level.

We were treated as VIP with a tour of the facility and spending time inside the ring before and after the competition. You do not realize how high the jumps are until you are standing beside them.

Had the chance to meet some of the riders, in particular McLain Ward of the U.S. team. What a great guy, he took the time to talk to us before the competition and then went on to lead his team to the win with two clean rides.

Canada finished in second with legend Ian Miller, his son Jonathon, Yann Candele and Eric Lamaze representing the Maple Leaf.