The most challenging courses for the brave golfer

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Ask any golfer out there and they’ll tell you that each golf course is unique.  Some courses pose more of a challenge than others.  Here are some of the most difficult golf courses to negotiate in the country.

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Colonial Country Club

The Colonial Country Club is infamous for its difficulty.  For starters, in the Dean & Deluca Invitational, the average score of some of the best golfers in the world was just a smidgen about 71.  Only five eagles were recorded, and only the winner, Kevin Kisner, finished in double digits.

Erin Hills

Erin Hills was the site of the U.S. Open, and boy, did it prove quite a challenge for many pro golfers.  Only 25 eagles were recorded, with 1,493 bogeys for good measure.  Erin Hills will test the patience of almost every golfer who attempts to pass through it.

Oak Hill Country Club

Of all the holes in the Oak Hill Country Club, the most memorable one is the third.  In two PGA Tours, the third hole only allowed 42 birdies.  The trees coupled with the heavy bunker around the green make this hole extremely frustrating for golfers.

There are more courses out there presenting challenges for even the most seasoned of golfers.  Feel free to share them in the comments section below.

Film and fitness buff Bob Mims, CPA promotes the importance of staying active through several physical exercises, such as yoga, P90X, and swimming.  He is also a Star Wars fan.  For similar reads, visit this blog.

Why Athletes Should Consider Doing Yoga

For athletes to reach their peak performance – and do so for a very long period– they need to supplement their training with physical and mental drills. One such activity that has become well-loved by many athletes is yoga, for a variety of reasons, including the following:

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Strength: The common way to improve strength is weightlifting. But yoga can help in this aspect because the consistent practice of the poses, called asanas, requires holding up one’s own weight. These postures can greatly develop core body stability, utilize various muscle groups, and create a more balanced overall strength.

Flexibility: In many sports, flexibility plays a critical role so that there is an increased range of motion and series of movements becomes easier to perform. Injuries can also be minimized with better flexibility. Even in non-sports activities, litheness can be beneficial. By doing yoga, flexibility in joints and muscles are developed.

Balance: Lack of balance has contributed to plenty injuries across various sports and physical exercises. Because yoga helps improve control of the body and coordination of the different body parts, those who seek to develop better balance should consider practicing yoga.

Mental control: Yoga includes rigorous corpse poses, also known as savasana, which are as essential as asanas. These postures require meditation, which can help athletes gain better control of their mental faculties.

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Bob Mims, CPA, promotes the importance of staying active through several physical exercises, such as yoga, P90X, and swimming. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Does P90X really work?

P90X is a product of Beachbody.com that allows people to work out at home with minimal equipment. Workouts for this lineup of routines last around 50 to 70 minutes with warmups and cooldowns. But does the entire program really work? Ideally, it does.

There is a key though to P90X – consistency.

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It’s very easy to start the routine and fall off the wagon after just a week or two. Most of the people who say the program doesn’t work either stopped before the half-way point or never followed the diet plan. Yes, there’s also a diet plan, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone since any workout plan should also come with a nutrition plan.

P90X also comes with a number of schedules depending on one’s health goals. Given the variety of routines in the program, it’s pretty easy to come up with a customized schedule. But this only works if it is balanced with cardio and weights and is followed for 90 days.

Just like any other fitness program, P90X takes discipline and a mindset that doesn’t waiver. Those who don’t succeed usually come up with excuses. They either say they’ve gotten bored with the program or they’ve got too much on their plate and they only have limited time to work out.

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For those who think they don’t have time, they should check out P90X3, which has intense programs that are half as long as P90X’s. If that still doesn’t work, then perhaps fitness isn’t for you.

Bob Mims is from Memphis, TN. He loves coaching kids in basketball, playing golf, and keeping fit and healthy. Learn more about Bob here.

More Stuff That Could Have Made The ‘Star Wars’ Prequels Better

Most of the “Star Wars” fandom is now divided thanks to Rian Johnson’s take on the saga, and some of those with a distaste for it have even stated that the prequels were better. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, the fact remains that the prequels were equally as divisive.

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Truth be told, it’s almost impossible to capture the magic the original trilogy had what with the trio of Luke, Leia, and Han going on the most unforgettable adventures to save the galaxy from the evil Empire. Be that as it may, the prequels could have made it so by adding characters that were wilder and relatable.

Sure, Jedi Knights and Masters and Sith Lords were excellent with their Force powers and lightsaber dueling skills, but an addition of a wildcard rebel would have made the entire story more interesting. And no, Jar Jar doesn’t count.

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While the world-building of the prequels rival (and maybe even best) that of the original trilogy, fans got the feeling that it was too serious and political in tone. It may have been George Lucas’ intention all along. However, if he did cut down on details such as trade embargos, a lot more fans would have appreciated it.

Bob Mims CPA is a former basketball coach and an ardent follower of college football, particularly of Ole Miss. He’s also a fan of blockbuster films. For updates like this, follow this Twitter page.

 

Basketball Critics’ Choice For Top Nba Coaches

Aficionados of the sport of basketball understand that having a great roster of superstars is not enough. It’s the ability of the coach to inculcate teamwork and discipline in the team that leads to winning. Here are the best coaches currently leading teams and changing the coaching landscape of the NBA, according to the top basketball media outlets like ESPN, Grantland, and Sports Illustrated.

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Steve Kerr

The youngish Golden State coach and former Bulls sweet-shooting guard has been hailed as the modern-day Phil Jackson, making small-ball the dominant playstyle of modern professional basketball. He has managed to take the Warriors to the championship in the past three years, working on a team-oriented play that focuses on crisp passing and torrid shooting. He has worked impressively within the strengths of the team’s stars, particularly Durant, Curry, and Thompson.

Gregg Popovich

The feisty San Antonio coach is called by many as the coach’s coach. He manages to instill discipline among his players and have them play in a methodical, scientific way. It’s not surprising that even with an aging roster that includes Ginobili and Parker, the Spurs is still considered the greater threat to the champion Warriors. This is a consensus among many basketball experts, despite the recent resurgence of other Western Conference teams.

Brad Stevens

The 41-year-old Celtics coach is an extraordinary tactician and basketball genius. He is a master of ball rotation and nifty playmaking, especially during crunch time. Stevens is admired in the league by many coaches for his willingness to take risks, bring hustle back into the game, and play to the strength of players. It’s no wonder that Boston is the East’s current top team, despite a drastic pre-season roster change and the injury to Gordon Hayward on opening night.

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Former basketball coach Bob Mims, CPA, is today an avid golfer and fitness enthusiast. He is a firm believer in the importance of physical activity in long-term fitness. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Tips On Being An Effective Basketball Coach

If you’re a fan of basketball and have seen the iconic film Coach Carter then you probably have an idea of what it takes to be a great basketball coach. Among other things, coaching this game takes a lot of dedication, patience, and resourcefulness. Here are some tips on becoming an effective hoops tactician and leader.

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First, the key piece of advice comes from the best line in the movie when Gene Hackman looks at his players after a long season just before the finals and utters “I love you guys”. Instilling confidence in players is the best thing you can do for them and the best way to do that is to “love” them.

Two, you’ve to immerse yourself in the game. Watching tapes and videos of past games is crucial to any would-be coach, as it allows a thorough scouting of the various offensive and defensive setups of coaches as well as the tendencies of players. It allows for good understanding of match-ups, substitution patterns, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of opponent teams. An effective coach would take note of all this, and use them accordingly when planning for future practices and games.

It is important to be aware of the many offensive and defensive sets that coaches throughout history have applied. There are many of these plays available online, and it should be a great place to start your tactician duties. As one learns these tried-and-tested plays, you can now adjust accordingly based on the depth of your team, as well as maximize the strengths of particular player positions.

Don’t forget to ask more seasoned coaches for advice. If you are new to the game, nothing else will be more helpful that personal, experienced advice. Ask your own coaching staff as well as past coaches and advisers for help in your strategy, and take in everything they say. Don’t say no too quickly if you don’t agree, as these pointers may prove useful down the road with the right kind of team.

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Finally, start to develop and design your own plays. Whether they are actually new or modifications from already existing ones, the important thing is that you know your own players best. I usually tell players to play to their strengths and I’ll help them mask any weakness. For offenses to run effectively, each player should be more interested in being a threat to score (look at the goal) than being worried about running the offense correctly. Countless times, I see players simply run the offense because that is what they work on. I have yet to see a well run offense score a point, so don’t miss the big picture. Be patient if your plays don’t immediately translate to victories.

A former basketball coach, Bob Mims CPA is today an avid golfer and fitness enthusiast. He is also an ardent follower of college football and is a dedicated fan of the University of Mississippi Rebels. For similar reads, drop by this blog.