The Origins of The Masters Theme Song

Backspin

The Origins of the Masters Theme Song

So where did the Masters theme song come from?  That iconic music you hear every year around Masters time.  So soothing and peaceful. Makes you think of azaleas, beautiful green grass, perfectly manicured fairways and especially springtime.  We did some research into golf’s most famous theme song and below is what we found.

The song is called “Augusta” and was written in and recorded by Dave Loggins in 1981.  Dave Loggins is the third cousin of Kenny Loggins.  We all know Kenny Loggin’s famous song “I’m Alright” the theme song to the most famous golf movie of all time Caddyshack.  Dave Loggins was inspired the year before when he attended the Masters and met up with famed CBS Golf Producer Frank Chirkanian who put the instrumental of “Augusta” into the CBS telecast for 1982.

Did you know there are actually words to the song “Augusta”?  Here they are:

Well, it’s springtime in the valley on Magnolia Lane
It’s the Augusta National and the master of the game
Who’ll wear that green coat on Sunday afternoon?
Who’ll walk the 18th fairway singing this tune?
Augusta, your dogwoods and pines
They play on my mind like a song
Augusta, it’s you that I love
And it’s you that I’ll miss when I’m gone.
It’s Watson, Byron Nelson, Demaret, Player and Snead
It’s Amen Corner and it’s Hogan’s perfect swing
It’s Sarazen’s double eagle at the 15 in ’35
And the spirit of Clifford Roberts that keeps it alive
Augusta, your dogwoods and pines
They play on my mind like a song
Augusta, it’s you that I love
And it’s you that I miss when I’m gone.
It’s the legions of Arnie’s Army and the Golden Bear’s throngs
And the wooden-shafted legend of Bobby Jones.

Loggins’ is now a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.  Although “Augusta” is his most famous track that no one knew he wrote, he did have a 1974 Billboard Top 5 hit with “Please Come to Boston”.   There you have it, the Masters Theme Song.

Credits:

Golf.com

Want to see some of our other pieces on the history of the game?  Check out Backspin.

Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

Backspin Archives

The Origins of The Masters Theme Song

The Origins of the Masters Theme Song So where did the Masters theme song come from?  That iconic music you hear every year around Masters time.  So soothing and peaceful. Makes you think of azaleas, beautiful green grass, perfectly manicured fairways and especially...

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Where Does The Term Birdie Come From?

Where Does The Term Birdie Come From? We all love making birdies.  Who doesn't right?  But did you know the origin of the term?  Well, in golf history standards the term birdie isn't that old at all. Atlantic City Country Club in 1903 and the story goes something like...

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The Masters Green Jacket

The Origins of the Masters Theme Song The Masters Green Jacket has been worn by members of Augusta National since 1937.  That year the members used the jackets to identify themselves from the crowd to assist patrons of the event.  The first Masters Jacket was awarded...

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TEAM MFG BLOG

Mike Fay Named Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional

We are truly honored to announce that Mike Fay has been named a Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional from the Golf Range Association of America and PGA Magazine.  This is the 4th time in Mike's career receiving this national award.  Thank you GRAA and PGA...

Fixing The Hooks

Working on the hooks working both the low point and the path. A former slicer that went a little too far. Looking much better! Please leave your comments below.With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of...

Let Your Shoulder Hit Your Chin On The Backswing

Let Your Shoulder Hit Your Chin On Your Backswing Staying centered in your backswing swing is important. Allowing your left shoulder to hit your chin helps you stay centered and to not sway your chest too much off the golf ball. Please leave your comments below.With...

Just Push, Don’t Slide

Just Push, Don't Slide Getting foot pressure to the lead side is so important. Lead side foot pressure starts with a push and not a slide. Please leave your comments below.With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the...

Feel That Pressure On Your Thumb

Feel That Pressure On Your Thumb Keeping your hands together on the club is super important. If they seperate you lose control. Here we use trail hand thumb pressure to improve impact. Please leave your comments below.With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's...

Move The Handle On The Takeaway

Move The Handle On The Takeaway It's no good when the hands go out and the club goes in on the takeaway. Here we get the feeling of moving the handle without moving the club head so much. #golf #Detroit #golfswing #takeaway Please leave your comments below.With over...

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Wedge Distance Control

Wedge Distance Control

One of the things I am often asked is:  “How do I get better distance control on wedge shots?”

At Boyne Mountain Resort we have installed Northern Michigan’s first Wedge Range.  This area is specifically designed for hitting wedge shots.  There are 8 targets place in the ground spread out every 10 yards in a baseball diamond fashion from 30 up to 100 yards.  It’s a quiet unique place to work on your short game.

Distance control is so important in every faze of golf especially inside of 100 yards.  I often see handicaps drop significantly as I work with players on their short games.  In the video above Mike gives you three tips to help you control your distance:

→Length of the Backswing

→Speed of Your Arms

→Ball Position

Of course these elements must be blended together to produce a shot with the right trajectory, distance, and spin to land on the green and stop quickly.  Really it all comes down to practice.  There’s no doubt, having the Wedge Range has made my players practice more, because it’s fun.

For more information on adding spin to your wedge shots to control your distance please click here.

Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

Play Faster Golf

Play Faster Golf

 

A movement across America in the last several years has been finding ways to play faster golf.  One of the main reasons why golf has been on the decline lately is because people don’t feel they can dedicate the time needed to play the game.  Such programs as “Play It Forward” and “While We Are Young” have been launched.  If you have watched any golf on TV you are sure to see these ads.  Here are a few tips that might help you move it along.  If we want golf to grow, it is up to all of us to speed it up!

In the video above, Mike discusses some of his favorite ways to make your round faster and more enjoyable.

Fay’s Top Tips For Playing Golf Faster

1.  Play Ready Golf-Playing when ready and not “waiting” for others to play will automatically speed up play.

-Who ever is first to the tee, tee off.

-Switch cart drivers-if your cart partner’s ball is not near you, drop your partner off with a couple of clubs.  By the time you reach your ball, your partner should have already hit.

-Lost balls-When looking for lost balls, it should be last all others hit first to keep the game moving.  Note on lost balls:  Allow two minutes to find it.  The rules allow 5 but if it takes you that long, then you probably won’t like your next lie anyway.

-Putt when ready, it’s not necessary to wait until someone who is on the way to the green and furthest away putts.

-Club in hand when it’s your turn.

2.  Pre Shot Routines

-Pre shot routines should not include practice swings.  The only place you should use practice swings is on uneven lies to find the ground or chips and pitches around the green.  Practice swings with all other shots don’t really matter much and can tire you out.

-Get a range/yardage finder.   Don’t waste time looking for sprinkler heads and yardage plates.   In fact, at Boyne Mountain we have an app for your phone that includes a GPS yardage finder.  Use it.

-Read the green before you putt, not when it’s your turn.  It’s a misconception that the players on TV walk around and read the the green when it’s their turn to putt.  You should have already done that before it’s your turn.

3.  In Between Shots

-Mark your scores on the scorecard at the tee while someone else is teeing off not when players behind you are trying to hit the green.

-Make sure you have fueled your body before the round.  Food and liquids should be taken before you tee off and brought with you to be used as the round progresses.   This will keep you from stopping at the turn and holding up play.

-Talk while walking not while stopping.

-During a walking round, place your bag on the side of the green nearest to the next tee.

-Get the rake before you get into the bunker.  Then you hit your shot, rake, and exit.

4.  Play It Forward

The PGA of America’s Play It Forward campaign is excellent and I highly encourage everyone to incorporate it’s ideas.   It encourages players to play the golf course at their level of play.  For instance, if you are a beginner you don’t necessarily have to start at a tee box.  It’s OK to tee up at the 100, 150, or 200 yard markers or closer.  As you progress with your game, move back to those plates.  Essentially, those are your tees.

5.  Big Numbers

If you are about to put up a huge number, pick it up.  The USGA handicap system allows for equitable stroke control.  Unless it’s a stroke play event, take your maximum you can take on that hole and move on.  If you don’t hold a USGA handicap, double the par is a good rule of thumb.

Hope these tips help you speed up your round.  Please leave your comments below.  If you have any tips that you might find useful, please share.  We are all in this together.

Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

How To Repair A Ball Mark

How To Repair A Ball Mark

 

The USGA has released a great video about repairing ball marks we wanted to share with you.  In the following video, find out why it’s important to fix a ball mark and why doing it incorrectly can do more harm than good.

Taking care of the course is our responsibility to the game.  It’s recommended that all players to fix yours and one other.  See if you fix ball marks like this.

Special thanks to the USGA for producing this video.  Thank you for watching and please leave your comments below.

Source:  USGA

Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 25 years of teaching experience, it’s easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Player Performance at the Boyne Golf Academy in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

Factors of Controlling Golf Ball Spin

Factors Of Controlling Golf Ball Spin

 

We all watch the pros on TV and think:  How did they get that golf ball to stop so fast?  How about back up? What makes that golf ball spin so much?

Making the ball spin is cool, but using the spin and knowing how to do it to lower your score is very important.

Spin=Control

Yes, the more you can control the spin, the more you can control your distance, the closer you hit the ball to the target.

So, what influences spin?  A number of factors but mainly:  FRICTION

Friction?  Yes friction created with club to ball contact. Ever wonder why when you are next to the green in the rough and your ball won’t stop on the green?  This is because grass gets trapped between the clubface and the ball and….less friction….less spin….less stopping power.  This is also the reason why a golf ball spins more off a tighter cut of grass.

Another factor effecting spin is speed.  The more speed you can have around the green, typically the more spin you can create.

So now you know the some factors you need to create spin.  The more spin, the more control.

Here’s a video by NBC Learn and the USGA with high speed video of what ball and club contact actually looks like.  Awesome stuff!

 

 
Mike Fay

Mike Fay

PGA Director of Instruction

With over 30 years of teaching experience, it's easy to see why Mike has become a leader in the world of golf instruction. Everything from cutting edge social networking techniques to having his own podcast, Mike has helped to change the face of teaching golf.  He currently is the Director of Instruction at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Michigan.

Email:  [email protected]

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