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Preparing for Winter Golf

Monday, September 19th, 2011


Well it’s that time of year again when the evenings are getting shorter and the last strands of summer begin to disappear with that Autumnal chill taking prominence. Autumn gradually leads us into the winter months and often a lot of amateur golfers tend to hibernate their clubs. Depending on your location throughout the globe there comes a time every year when golf stops resembling golf. In Ireland that is usually around November time, when the ball seems to travel about 20 yards shorter than it did in August as a result of too much clothing which inhibits any swing fluidity, also, the fairways become slightly slower while the greens seem to become dead and lifeless.

The enforced hiatus from the game during the winter months can often lead to golfers dreading the ensuing March or April when they take to the fairways once again. The clubs will inevitably feel like foreign objects and it can often take two or three solid months of play to rediscover the form of the previous summer. So the old adage that practise makes perfect is even truer for a game such as golf when the skills involved need to be critically precise. The Golf Academy at Fota Island Resort is an ideal environment to hone your skills especially during the winter months with some enticing membership offers at present.

Winter golf can be a different game than the summer variety particularly when jack frost or a hint of snow begins to cover the landscape. But the cold climate should not be an excuse for you not to enjoy the game. Often there are no lines and slow play may not be an issue if there is no one on the course but you! That water hazard you had trouble carrying in the summer months may be frozen and those flies that plagued you during those long summer evenings are no where to be seen. It may not be exactly the same game you played during the summer but if you prepare correctly, it can be just as, if not more, fun and exhilarating.

Some Winter Golf Tips


In his blog, Gareth McShea provides some insightful tips for the amateur golfer when preparing for winter golf:

  • Check your golf shoes and make sure they are waterproof. If not, you might want to consider buying a new pair. When cold weather comes, it brings frost and moisture on the grass along with it. This can soak your feet which can lead to an overall feeling of discomfort. Also, ensure that you have sufficient waterproofs for the wet months ahead.

  • When dressing for the cold, put on layers of clothing, as opposed to wearing thicker items like a lined sweater. Multi layering will provide more warmth and you’ll be able to easily remove a layer if necessary. Under Armour compression garments are great for these times.

  • Always wear a hat that provides warmth for the head and protects the ears. You may not be nominated for the most fashionable person of the year award, but you’ll never have to worry about frostbite, or a headache from the cold.

  • Performance gloves are an essential piece of kit in the cold. New materials have allowed manufacturers to create pairs of gloves which are highly effective in combating the cold and wet. All of this is achieved without any compromise in feel.

  • During cold weather, the air is denser or heavier, which slows the flight of the ball and the distance it will travel. You might have to use more club than normal for a given distance. For example, a 6-iron might have to be used for a distance that would normally require a 7-iron, and so on.

  • With the ground getting softer it is important to keep the grooves on your clubs clean. Clean grooves impart backspin on the ball which in turn creates flight, so include a dry clean towel and a 3-in-1 multi-club cleaner as part of your kit.

  • Your risk of injury increases with cold stiff muscles, so keep moving. This is not the time of year for reading putts from ten different angles (there is no right time of year for that!). If possible get to the club in time to do some gentle light stretching before launching a missile off the first tee or you could partake in some spinning and core classes, enlist in a boot camp, avail of the swimming lessons or indulge in some Ashtanga yoga classes at the Fota Island Spa.



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    Golf vs Athleticism

    Thursday, July 14th, 2011

    There is no doubt that golf has progressed into an era of power, athleticism and fitness. Golf’s precise synchronized movements, its mental demands and the training required to master repetition under pressure mirror the very essence of athletics. Even athletes of other sports appreciate the athleticism required for golf at the top level.

    Former Wimbledon Champion Boris Becker:

    “Golf is a different kind of sport than tennis if you’re talking about athleticism. I will say that walking four days in a row is exhausting. Not all golfers are athletes, but there are a lot more today than there used to be”.

    Tiger Woods, who was arguably the catalyst of this era, recently said:

    “You’ve got two guys who used to play basketball are now playing golf and that’s what I’ve been alluding to all these years. We are finally going to get athletes. Guys who can dunk. Guys could have played baseball or could have played football at the D1 level, but no, they are playing to play golf instead.”

    Recent US Open Champion Rory McIlroy may not appear to be the most athletic but don’t be fooled.

    “I’ve always been very flexible, which gives me a lot of speed through the ball. That’s where I get all my distance from. But I’ve started working on stability, injury prevention, because it puts so much load on my lower back during my golf swing. So I focus a lot on stability exercises and core stability. I’ve got a lot stronger over the past year. It’s something that I don’t feel as if I need to work out for two or three hours every day. I just have to keep myself in good shape.”

    The Power of Bubba Watson


    Are you looking for more power off the tee box? Or perhaps more distance with your irons? For practical advice, I find that Core Performance provides some interesting articles and tips. You can even have a look at the exact workout of one the best golfers in the world here. In a few weeks you may soon be ‘bombing it’ like Bubba Watson

    At Fota Island Spa, we provide fitness solutions that range from the full-on focus of morning or evening fitness bootcamps and spinning classes to the dynamic posters of the Ashtanga Yoga to the supportive regime of aqua aerobics. Fota Island Resort’s fitness team will motivate and lead you through the exercise that’s right for you. For more details, please click here.

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    Mum’s the word….

    Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

    Mother’s Day is a special occasion and the ideal opportunity for you to show your mum how much you care and appreciate her. What better way to show your thanks than treating her to the luxury she deserves, a Mothers Day Pamper Package at Fota Island Resort.  

    We will ensure that she is pampered from head to toe with 1 night B&B in a classic room, a well deserved trip to the Spa where she can relax & unwind in the amazing hydrotherapy pool & enjoy the honey milk bath that will cleanse, nourish and hydrate the skin. To accent the evening on a perfect note enjoy a sumptuous 3 course meal in the delightful Fota Restaurant.  And as an extra special treat, enjoy a special Mother’s Day Lunch before check out on the 3rd April.

    Please contact the hotel in advance on +353 21 488 3700 to reserve your honey milk bath, dinner in the Fota restaurant and Mother’s day lunch. Alternatively if you would like to purchase a gift voucher for Fota Island Resort please click here.

    Offer Price: € 175.00 EUR total Per Adult – for 1 night(s)  Dates: from: 02-Apr-2011 until: 03-Apr-2011

    We look forward to welcoming her soon

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    Spinning Classes that will really put you through your paces!

    Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

     

    Fota Island Resort’s Spinning Academy, situated at the end of a new purpose-built road and with twenty new spinning bikes, will really put you through your paces. Run daily at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, the spinning classes cost just €8 for a fun and fast-paced 45-minute indoor cycling class, focusing on endurance and strength while ensuring there is minimal impact on your joints. The workout to upbeat tunes on state of the art Keiser spinning bikes will increase your heart and lung capacity and tone up legs and bums, while the fully qualified instructors will help motivate and push you towards improved fitness levels. You can even come just the once to try it out and see if it’s the class for you.

    There’s a fitness solution to suit everyone this winter at Fota Island Resort so get up off that sofa and blow away those cobwebs! For more information visit www.fotaisland.ie or contact the Resort on +353 21 467 3131.

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    Ashtanga Yoga – Classes start Monday 24th January

    Thursday, January 20th, 2011

    New to Fota Island Resort is Ashtanga yoga, an ancient yoga practice as relevant today as it has ever been, which involves synchronising the breath with a progressive series of postures. This process produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light strong body and a calm mind. Ashtanga yoga is dynamic and aerobic, and it strengthens, tones, improves posture and flexibility, and releases tension.

    During an Ashtanga yoga class, you will be guided through breathing exercises, physical yoga postures and a relaxation session, so it can be a challenging workout, but can also help you relax and handle stressful situations more easily, teaching you how to quiet the mind so you can focus your energy usefully. Ashtanga also has excellent benefits as a weight-bearing exercise, boosting bone density, which is of particular importance to women. Ashtanga classes are held on Mondays at 10.15 a.m. with a 6 week course of one class per week costing €70.

    There’s a fitness solution to suit everyone at Fota Island Resort, from the full-on focus of morning or evening fitness bootcamp to the gentler pace of private swimming lessons, the dynamic postures of Ashtanga yoga to the supportive regime of personal training. Invest in something that will repay your investment on a daily basis – your own health and fitness! For more information contact the Resort on +353 21 467 3131.

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    It’s the time of the year to get in gear!

    Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

     

    The New Year calls with its resolutions and good intentions, and Fota Island Resort steps up to the mark with classes for all ages and body types, and for all the fitness levels…including none!

    Fitness Suite at Fota Island Resort

    From the full-on focus of morning or evening fitness bootcamp to the gentler pace of the private swimming lessons, the dynamic posters of the Ashtanga Yoga to the supportive regime of aqua aerobics, Fota Island Resort’s fitness team will motivate and lead you through the exercise that’s right for you.

    Fota Island Resort’s Spinning Academy, situated at the end of a new purpose-built road, will really put you through your paces. Run daily at 7 a.m, 10 a.m, 6 p.m & 7 p.m from Monday to Saturday, the spinning classes cost just €8 for a fun and fast-paced 45-minute indoor cycling class, focusing on endurance and strength while ensuring there is minimal impact on your joints. The workout to upbeat tunes on state of the art Keiser spinning bikes, will increase your heart and lung capacity and tone up legs and bums, while the fully qualified instructors will help motivate and push you towards improved fitness levels. You can even come just the once to try it out and see if it’s the class for you!

    There’s a fitness solution to suit everyone this Winter at Fota Island Resort so get up off that sofa and blow away those cobwebs! For more info visit http://www.fotaisland.ie/Fitness-Classes or contact the Resort on +353 21 4673131.

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    Getting Married?? The Fota Island Resort Wedding Forum takes place this Thursday 9th December. Brides-to-be take note!

    Monday, November 29th, 2010

    The Fota Island Resort Wedding Forum plays host to Ireland’s best and brightest for your wedding, bringing together Ireland’s most sought after Wedding experts for one exclusive evening to answer all your questions and queries.

    With beauty experts, boutique owners, bridal fashions, chef’s expertise, makeup artists, travel information, and glamorous presenter Pamela Flood hosting the evening, Fota Island Resort’s Wedding Forum is an unmissable event & an invaluable resource if you are thinking of tying the knot!

    Phyl Clarke, stylish beauty editor of the Irish Times, will be passing on her extensive knowledge to brides-to-be to ensure their skin looks flawless and picture perfect on the big day. Meanwhile, top Dublin makeup artist Leonard Daly will be demonstrating and revealing his much sought after makeup secrets and tips.

    Sharon Hoey Bridal Boutique will have the new Sharon Hoey collection for 2011 on show as well as that of Olivia Couture, the modern romantic couture gowns exclusive to Sharon in Ireland, and voted by Vogue Brides and Cosmo Brides as some of their favourite wedding designs. For more information on Sharon’s stunning collection you can call 01 676 2772 or email info@sharonhoey.com

    Fionn Davenport will give honeymoon and travel advice on the loveliest locations to unwind after your big day. Fionn reports for leading travel publications such as the Lonely Planet Guides, as well as presenting and contributing to programmes on Newstalk 106.

    Head Chef at Fota Island Resort, Craig Coady, will share his extensive culinary knowledge, assisting you in designing the perfect wedding menu. And Nelius Buckley, the award winning wedding photographer from Kinsale, will advise on how best to capture the day for future reminiscing.

    Super stylish model and TV presenter, and new face of Paco, Pamela Flood will host the evening, which will also include fantastic prizes, great goodie bags and much more!

    All the essentials for making your wedding simple, stylish and stunning are here for you at the one event – the Fota Island Resort Wedding Forum, on Thursday 9th December at Fota Island Resort from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Limited spaces available so please call to book your place on (021) 488 3700.

    To Book your Place:

    Visit www.fotaisland.ie/Wedding-Forum

    Tel 021 488 3700

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    Introducing Lycon Hot Wax

    Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

     

    Fota Island Spa now offers advanced waxing using a new and amazing Hot Wax System for all bikini, facial and underarm treatments. The new Lycon Rosette Hot Wax and Lycojet Lavender Hot Wax aims to bring you total customer satisfaction by leaving you with that smooth flawless finish and silky feeling.

     

    This Australian Wax System has also taken Hollywood by storm and is popular with glamorous stars such as Uma, Demi, Posh and Sienna.

     

    Lycon boasts a list of the finest natural ingredients, resins and aromatherapy oils which allow it to deliver superior performance, removing stubborn and short hair from as short as 1mm. This innovative wax contains various essential oils which nurture and sooth the skin, making it suitable for the most sensitive skin types. Unlike other waxes the Lycon wax requires a low temperature. This low temperature and pliable wax promises to give you a nurturing and skin conditioning treatment.  One last but striking benefit is that Lycon wax can be re-applied on just waxed areas instantly, without causing you any discomfort or skin irritation.

     

     

    Lycon has been featured on Xpose, The Afternoon Show, Off The Rails, Image, Ireland AM, Irish Times, Sunday Independent as well as Marie Claire, Bazar, OK and GQ.

     

     To view our Waxing Treatments please click here

     

    For further information or booking call us on +353 (0)21  476 3131 or E-mail us at spa@fotaisland.ie

     

     

     

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    Spinning has arrived at Fota Island Resort

    Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

    We here at Fota Island Resort are thrilled to announce the launch of our new spinning classes.What exactly is spinning you may ask? Well I am here to explain the new class that will have you in tip top shape this summer. Spinning is a popular group class. According to Ivillage health.com Spinning is an aerobic exercise that takes place on a specially designed stationary bicycle called a spinning bike. As you pedal, motivating music plays and the instructor talks you through a visualization of an outdoor cycling workout.During the class you vary your pace — sometimes pedaling as fast as you can, other times cranking up the tension and pedaling slowly from a standing position. This helps you to focus inwardly and work on your mind as well as your body Spinning helps to increase ones lower body and cardiovascular fitness.Spinning takes place at Fota Island Resort Golf academy every Tuesday morning at 7am & 7pm and Wednesday evening at 7pm sharp. Our spinning classes last for 45mins. To participate in our classes one must bring a towel and plenty of water (you will need it after this intense workout). The cost per class is €8 for non members and €5 for members. Pre booking is essential to reserve your place on our spinning bikes please call the spa on 021 467 3131

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    Spin right round baby right round with a charity spinning class at Fota Island Resort in aid of Childline

    Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

    If you are one of the many people promising to get fit over the summer then this may your chance to take the first step in getting that motivation! On Tuesday 6th of July, Fota Island Resort will host a charity spinning class in aid of Childline, so while you’re benefiting from a great workout children and teenagers all over Ireland will benefit from your personal contribution. (more…)

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