FITNESS NEWS
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!
Here are some fitness-related lifestyle changes for the New Year!
1. Eat healthy – choose whole, unprocessed foods over processed foods, which are often high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. 2. Exercise consistently – any movement counts as physical activity 3. Set small goals – for example, you could try going to the gym two to three times per week and doing home exercise one to two days per week. 4. Track your progress – a wearable fitness tracker can help you stay motivated. 5. Get enough sleep – Try to go to bed and wake up at consistent times each day to keep your circadian rhythm on track. 6. Make realistic goals – if you haven’t exercised in years, don’t try to train for a marathon right away. 7. Celebrate your milestones – break your goals in smaller steps and reward yourself for each one. 8. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good – try making one or two small changes at a time.
THE HALLS HAVE BEEN DECKED…
Here are the real-life elves who did so much work on our clubhouse to make it look so festive and nice. We thank them for their time, their energy, and dedication. They did a specular job and all of our members are raving about it! We want to wish all of you a very happy, healthy Holiday Season.
Director of Racquets at
The Club at Gateway
RACQUET SPORTS NEWS
NINE TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL GAME
– Play loose, relax the arm and body. Be sure to scan the body for tension. When you feel yourself playing tight, try focusing on relaxing the wrist first, that tends to help relax the entire arm, which translates into overall looseness. When you feel particularly nervous or tight, try shrugging your shoulders tensely with a deep breath then drop them and exhale. Remember how much power is generated by swing speed versus when you are attempting to “muscle the ball.”
– Act confident, use positive body language even when you are feeling down on yourself. If you start acting the part even when you’re not feeling great, you are more likely to feel what you’re acting.
– Stay grounded, bend your knees, and play from an athletic position. Nick Bollerteri, the famous former tennis coach of Andre Agassi said, “Good things happen to players who bend their knees!” Remember that power comes from the legs so be sure to “stay with your shot” long enough (think “one thousand one”).
– Keep your head still. Think about Federer or Ben Johns and notice the way their head stays still and relaxed upon impact.
– Keep your racquet or paddle speed up and don’t push the ball. When things aren’t clicking, most people’s tendency is to “push the ball.” Instead, you should think about generating more spin and accelerating through the shot.
– Breathe! Breathing is critical to rhythm and to eliminating tension in the body and mind.
– Embrace the good mistakes. Go easy on yourself (and your partner) when things are not going perfect. Give yourself credit for “good mistakes” that are helping you move in the right direction.
– During points, “Watch the ball, move your feet, and trust your swing.” Focus on intention – where you want to place the ball – not on stroke mechanics.
– Be grateful! Remember to be grateful for your ability to be healthy enough to play the game you love. Put things in perspective and have fun. We encourage you to become a member. Our members get the benefit of learning from a professional staff, building upon their skills while getting to spend quality time with other racquet and paddle enthusiasts. For more information or a tour, please contact Reba at (239) 561-1012.
Director of Golf at
The Club at Gateway
A GOLF TIP
One of the most overlooked aspects of putting is maintaining consistent speed. It’s easy to focus on line and aim, but speed is what ultimately determines whether your putt drops.
When you’re lining up your putt, focus on how fast the ball needs to travel to get to the hole.
Imagine a clock face around the hole. Visualize a line from the hole to your ball, and imagine how fast the ball should roll to get there. Practice that feel in your stroke, aiming for a steady, rhythmic pace—rather than trying to force it. Consistent speed will help you with both short putts and long ones.
Professional golfers often say, “The hole is the target, but the speed is the secret.” Focus on smooth acceleration through the ball, and you’ll notice your consistency improving.
THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
The members at The Club at Gateway have been very generous with providing local children with a wonderful Christmas. The club has partnered with A.N.A.’s Friends, also known as Guardian Ad Litem Foundation for many years. They oversee and collect gifts for the abandoned, abused or neglected children in Lee County.
As always, our members have gone above and beyond for this very special cause and it makes the spirit of the season even brighter. Thanks to all who participated!
GOLF COURSE NEWS
We’re excited to announce the grand reopening of The Club at Gateway! After extensive renovations, our course is better than ever. The newly upgraded greens are smooth and fast, and our fairways are lush and perfectly manicured. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting, you’ll love the changes we’ve made!
We’re thrilled to announce that our Performance Center is officially open and already a hit with our members! If you’re looking to improve your swing or get a custom club fitting, our state-of-the-art facility has everything you need to elevate your game.
We invite you to come experience it for yourself. Book a fitting or lesson today in our pro shop and see how we can help you take your game to the next level.
Join us as we embark on an exciting new chapter at The Club at Gateway. Become a member today and experience all that our club has to offer. We can’t wait to see you out on the course!
See you at the club!
Best, Gyles Robin, Director of Golf
