Bird Homestead Golf Report: Rain and smoke don't deter Bird Homestead golfers

We want to thank all who showed up for last week's wet and smoky Ladies and Men's Nights.

When Marilyn Eskelin and Jackie Risch showed up on last Monday night, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but that soon changed by the time they reached hole No. 8. It got so bad that that I sent Jackie's daughter, Megan Risch, out to get them. Megan came back empty handed. When the round was over, the ladies were wet and tired. They never did tell me what they shot, but I think they had a great time.

Men's night consisted of Jerry Cox and Gary Effenbeck on one team, Mark Hordeman and Roy Bird on the other. They played a wet, nine-hole, two-man, best ball scramble. The winning team after a one-hole playoff was Mark Hordeman and Roy Bird. Closest to the pin on hole No. 8 was won by Roy Bird, who also won long drive that night. Closest to the pin money on No. 6 is still up for grabs tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Golf Tip Of The Week

Uphill — When hitting from an uphill lie, you need to match your shoulders to the slope. That also places your weight on your downhill foot. Keep your weight on your downhill foot throughout your swing and make sure that your right shoulder stays lower than your left. Your swing should match the slope going from low to high. This lie adds loft to your shot so the ball will fly higher and depending on how severe the slope is, you might have to take more club.

Downhill — You also need to match your shoulders to the slope on Downhill lies. With this type of lie, it is even more important to keep your weight on the down hill foot throughout the swing. If your weight transfers back, your club will slam into the hill. This swing should also match the slope going from high to low. Downhill lies de-loft your club and the ball will fly very low and roll. It's best to hit this shot with a more lofted club.

Ball above your feet — When the ball is higher than your feet, stand much taller than usual. This will allow you to swing more around your body like a baseball swing. A lie like this tends to produce a hook, so aim right of your target to allow for it.

Ball below your feet — When the ball is below your feet, you need to bend more at your waist to get to the ball. Doing so will set you into a position where your swing plane is more upright than usual (arms more in front of body throughout swing). It also restricts your body turn, so your swing becomes predominantly a hands and arms swing. The steepness of this swing can lead to a slice, so aim left of target to allow for it.