El
Capitan Canyon Resort
As we move into spring and then summer, our attention tends to shift to our beautiful coastline. The
Gaviota Coast is a wonderful stretch that we constantly drive by but rarely
experience up-close. If you like the idea of camping out near the beach, but really
don’t want to rough it, there is a place for you. The El Capitan Canyon Resort
offers many of the amenities of a luxury hotel but retains the feel of a more
natural experience.
El Capitan Canyon Resort is located about 10 minutes North of
Goleta and 30 minutes South of Solvang. The Resort has been transformed over
the last several years from a true campground to an eco-resort. Most of the
campsites have been replaced with portable, yet elegant, cabins. These units
offer comfortable bedding as well as a full bathroom, including a Jacuzzi tub.
The units even have a small kitchenette area. The cabins are located along El
Capitan Creek and shaded by the grove of oak and sycamore trees. Elevated
porches allow for late evening chats while enjoying all that nature has to
offer. All units are within a few yards of a barbecue pit for outdoor grilling
or roasting marshmallows.
The El Capitan State Beach is about a 10 minute walk from the
cabins. If you choose to drive, there is a large parking area. The beach offers
great views, both north and south, of the Gaviota Coast. There are also picnic
and barbecue pits set on a grassy area with spectacular views. In the winter
this beach is quite rocky, but as summer approaches it takes on a lot more
sand. Great surfing can be found at the south end of the beach.
El Capitan Canyon guests can enjoy a number of other activities.
There are several hiking trails available. We hiked up to see the llamas being
raised nearby. From here the entire coast was in view. If I had not known
better, I would have thought we were on the Big Island of Hawai’i. The llamas
are passive and receptive to feeding with guidance from their handler. The
resort also offers Canyon Massage treatments, which may come in handy after a
long hike. Other activities available include bike riding, horseback riding and
jeep tours. The El Capitan Market & Deli offers both dining in and
carry-out packages. For more information visit http://www.elcapitancanyon.com
or call (866) 352-2729.
The Private Golf Coach
The dreaded shank, or, as we refer to it, the lateral, is a very
nasty and unnecessary experience for golfers. I recently have corrected this
problem for several students. There seems to be a common theme among those who
suffer from this problem. They have too much grip pressure, especially on the
way through the ball. Also they have a misconception about the angle of
approach. Expert players trap the ball with a slightly descending blow. They
let the clubface square up through impact as the result of proper footwork and
lower body action. Those suffering from the lateral tend to hit at the ball
with their arms and hands using too much of an inside out pattern. This
produces excessive tension and grip pressure.
We have found success in solving this problem by first using
drills to soften up the arms and hands and give the player the proper grip
pressure. Once this is achieved, we then work to change the path. Too many
amateurs try to help the ball up in the air or to add loft. Pros actually swing
in a manner which produces slightly less loft and traps the ball. For a while
this may actually feel over the top to the amateur who has the laterals. A good
drill is to swing with your right hand only, feeling the club head with a slightly
over the top pattern. The player does the drill and then feels the difference
between this drill and his own swing. If you notice the PGA Tour pros on TV you
will see many of them making practice swings that look over the top. They are
trying to pick up this feel, especially in their lower body.
Another way to cure the laterals is too work on how the left arm
releases the club. Those suffering from the laterals will notice a chicken wing
feel with their left elbow through impact.
Pros release the
left arm more like a left handed Frisbee throw. The left arm feels connected
through impact and then extends to the target. For more information contact The
Private Golf Coach at (805) 687-4943.