Golfers give suggestions to new players
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Norm Wagner tries to sink his ball during the recent Oakmont Booster Club's recent golf tournament at Westminster Country Club. JOURNAL PHOTO/CAITLYN KELLEHER

Following the rules and playing to get better are the two recommendations that longtime golfers give to those just starting out in the sport.

"It's not bad to have a high score when you are beginning," said Ron Cessmann, a long-time golfer. "Golf is an individual game. Golf is a sport where you are always trying to better yourself."

He said the basic rules of the game are simple: take care of the golf course, take care of the people on the golf course and treat others how you want to be treated.

"It's a gentlemen's game and it's a ladies' game with competition," Cessmann said

The game that is all about improvement is addicting for many.

"It's a love-hate relationship," said Michael Leblanc, a PGA golf professional at the Westminster Country Club golf course. "It looks so easy when you watch but it's not."

Westminster Country Club is a semi-private course off Ellis Road. Leblanc says this means members get first picks on start times and other perks, but anyone can play on the course.

The other golf course in Westminster is the Woods of Westminster off of Bean Porridge Hill Road, which is a public course.

Cessmann and Leblanc said the game appeals to many people, at many levels for many reasons. First because it can appeal to variety of age levels.

"It's a great retirement thing," said Cessmann. "You meet a lot of nice people."

He adds playing a round of golf good exercise and is low impact.

The pair adds a lot of business is done on the golf course these days. For that reason they suggest lessons for everybody.

"No matter what you do in life you should take a couple of lessons," Leblanc said. "It's almost like taking algebra in high school."

Leblanc said lessons and club fittings should be done by people with experience in the field. One way to know if a person is experienced is if they have received training from the PGA (the Professional Golf Association).

He offers a few hints for the person whose boss or client suggests a golf game at the last minute.

"If you didn't take a lesson before it happens, have fun with it," he said.

Timing and tempo are the two key phrases when playing golf, Cessmann said. Timing is ensuring that the club hits the ball at the peek speed of the downward swing, while tempo is the smoothness of the swing.

Leblanc suggests practicing occasionally at driving range and the putting green. He said the goal is to be able to move the ball along the green before getting out on the course.

But he adds, "you have to get out on the course and experience real life."