Try this next time you have a chance to work on your putting.  Close your eye closest to the target and hit some putts.  This will be your left eye if you are a right handed golfer.  Think of  yourself as a 'Sharp Shooter' - looking down the barrel of a rifle.  By doing so, you will force your right eye to become 100% dominate and because it is behind the ball, it will be looking more down the line of your putt.  As you look at the hole, your line of sight will naturally stay on the proper line as your chin tilts slightly to the left.  (Reverse the process for lefties)  This will help you aim more efficiently and - in turn - hole more putts. 

Also, don't forget to pay attention to your grip pressure.  Putting well does not require much strength, so instead, focus on generating a smooth controlled delivery with soft hands and forearms leading the way. 

J.Eccleston

We often hear golfers use other famous destinations as examples when they describe what we have to offer in northern Michigan.  Some will call us the ‘Pinehurst of the North’ when comparing our eight courses to theirs.  Others will call us the ‘Myrtle Beach of Michigan’ when referring to the exceptional value of our golf packages.  My favorite is the claim that Bay Harbor Golf Club is the ‘Pebble Beach of the Midwest’, but without those tricky seaside poa greens.   

The truth is, we don’t care what you call us… as long as you do call (800.GO.BOYNE) and answer our one simple question.  What are you up for?

-Jeff Eccleston

Here in the BOYNE Web office we do a lot of traveling, but not in the usual sense. We travel pretty far and wide on the Web researching new trends, seeing what our neighboring resorts are up to and sometimes we stumble upon things too good not to share. The video below is one such example- hot on the heels of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Some of you may have seen the picture to the right before. It's Stein Eriksen, Wayne Wong long-time friend of BOYNE doing one of his famous flips at Boyne Mountain. 

-Dan

(source)

I don't often type while wearing ski boots. But after checking out this aerial photo my friend snapped with her cell phone a few hours ago - and looking at the forecast from Accuweather.com -   I figured I'd better start getting my feet used to the dark.

 Yeah, I'm one of those who might be caught in flip-flops when it's 35° out. In my book, they're three-season footwear. But, no longer – it's WINTER, and baby, it's cold outside!

Notice that beautiful little cloud of a snowstorm hanging over the Mountain? 

 I live five miles from Boyne Mountain and I've heard the guns roaring around the clock for a couple days. Looking at the forecast, I'd say the snowmaking crew will be piling up some serious overtime between now and the holidays. Low to mid twenties in the day and mid-teens at night for a far as the eye can see (or the meteorologist's eye, to be sure). Our patience with Mother Nature in November seems to be paying off . . .

 This will be one of those Decembers not to miss.

 Cary Adgate, BOYNE Ambassador of Skiing

photo credit: Deanne Jackson              pilot: Eric Jarema 

In case you've been thinking that it's too early to start thinking about skiing, take a look at what those of us who live near BOYNE are thinking. First, what we're going to do with all the stuff when it comes. And then about how we're going to play in it.

 And if you need more reasons to start thinking snow, check out what's going on this weekend in the Boyne Mountain Village. The first-ever Skitoberfest is going to be the party of the season - and there are dozens of reasons why you, your family, and your friends shouldn't miss it. For the whole scoop check it out HERE - but here are the top four things that interest me:

1) Fall food and drink. Brats, cider, and, for the adults in the crowd - beer! Some of Michigan's top micro brewers will be showing off their handiwork.

2) Snowsports Summit. Two presentations by recently retired U.S. Ski Team coach Greg Needell. Greg is 'the man' behind 'THE MAN', Olympic Gold medalist Ted Ligety, and Ted's rise to become one of the best technical ski racers in the world - find out how he did it, and what's the next trend in technique at the highest levels. Oh, and then there's this Simon Dumont guy who will be there. I'm told that the kid gets air like Tiger Woods plays a little golf. Find out how he does it. Find out WHY he does it!

3) New gear. This is a rare chance for consumers to be able to meet and talk with the manufacturers reps for the top snow sports equipment companies. Bend the skis, see what's new, and get the straight story on what it can do for you.

4) All the other stuff. OK this is a favorite because it means I don't have to cajole the rest of my family to come and spend the weekend with me. This time, it's the other way around. Artists, dancers, kids, and kids who are artists and dancers. A parade with golf carts that includes secret surprises? Makes me wonder what could be more surprising than a golf cart parade. MSU/UM on the big screen. Four (4), did I say FOUR, bands. Uh, well, so much other stuff that I won't even try to list it.

So pack up the car and come settle in for a fabulous weekend in the Village. Oh, and plan to sign up for your BOYNE Pass now - because a lot of the Skitoberfest offerings are free to passholders! Again, read all about it HERE.

Cary Adgate, BOYNE Ambassador of Skiing

I've always said that BOYNE is in the memory business.  That’s ahead of being snow farmers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, shop keepers, golf professionals, etc.
Nothing proves that more than the thousands of pictures taken by our guests every year. They snap it all into focus so much more clearly than the most painstakenly planned professional marketing pics. Because of that we're throwing a little contest:

Have a great photo of your best times at Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain to share?  If so, enter it in our Facebook Grand Prize photo contest happening now through August 16 on the Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain fan pages!  Simply post your favorite vacation photo on the Wall of our fan pages and be entered to win.

While visiting our Facebook pages, let fans know what you enjoy most about vacationing at BOYNE and checkout our upcoming events, deals, photos and videos.

Not yet a fan?  It’s easy, visit www.facebook.com/BoyneHighlands or www.facebook.com/BoyneMountain and click the green “Sign Up” icon in the upper left corner and away you go.

-JJ

The scene didn't make much sense: a professional skier, and admitted tennis hack speaking to the group at the new Boyne Mountain Tennis Academy. When I was first asked to speak, it didn't make much sense to me either.

At first, I wondered what in the world I might say to help people - some of them expert tennis players -  improve a skill I know little about. After some contemplation, I realized that my lifelong athletic adventures have perhaps qualified me to speak - certainly not about tennis technique - but about effective approaches to learning skills and preparing for competition. And then it hit me that the confidence I have in my approach to sporting success is not as much rooted in my career as an Olympic and World Cup skier, but rather in my experiences as a novice sportsman over the last few years.

During that time, I have undertaken the goal of becoming as proficient as possible at the game of soccer. I also jumped back into the sport of ski racing - a sport which is now far different from the sport I knew decades ago.

My success with learning these sports has made for really fun experiences - and I think the fun is a big part of what has generated some success. I am still far from being an expert, particularly in soccer, where I started from scratch. But regardless of one's proficiency in a discipline, I discovered that certain general strategies are universally effective - like keeping an open mind and a learning attitude, and a willingness to seek out and listen to the experts. A little bit of patience sprinkled in ensures that frustration does not stall the learning or the fun. The formula is really no different from the one that helped me during my professional career, and I have realized that it's virtually the same regardless of the discipline you're trying to master.

As I spoke to the group, it was gratifying for me to see coaches Bill Perlmutter and Larry Stark (former Michigan State University #1 singles player) nodding in agreement from time to time. When it comes to mastering difficult skills, it seems that there are indeed universal paths to success.

If tennis is your thing, you can't do any better than to open your mind to the expert coaches at the BMTA. As they pour in the knowledge, you'll be guaranteed to find a more competitive tennis game and a richer enjoyment of the sport. There are still two sessions with openings.

Boyne Mountain Tennis Academy 

 Cary Adgate - BOYNE SnowSports Ambassador

The second round in the BOYNE Cup featured some classic match ups from our pros and interns!  Here are the results!

Ryan Thompson advances over Mike Fay

Tristan Pitts defeats Austin Pieters

Gaetan Biane over Charlie Henninger

Casey Powers trumped Dan Turcott

Mike Kollett clipped Steve Niezgoda

Ryan Tubbs ousted Gary Day

Brian O'Neill moves on over Ryan Brown

Brad Wancket took down Dave McWorter