Christina Ricci is a marketing executive who took up golf when she turned thirty. Five years later she was a 5 handicap amateur with a unique perspective and a passion to help other women win.
Based on her experiences, and utilizing her skills and connections, Christina decided that there were others out there struggling to do the same so she developed A Girl’s On-Course Survival Guide to Golf. That was 2008.
Today, Christina has expanded her advice to several other formats and products such as DVD, iPhone and a new guide titled Reach Your Goals Survival Guide to Golf.
Click the link to listen to our interview with Christina. She is a fun and engaging personality, and knows a thing or two about the golf game. If you are interested in her marketing and development perspectives we invite you to read her interview on our Sellbox blog.
When it comes to swing flaws, why the primary focus on fitness?
Most players don’t realize a golf swing is an explosive movement that occurs in less than two seconds. Through my work in fitness and golf, it has become apparent that most golfers are also unaware of the direct correlation between a solid fitness regimen and a lower golf score. Through this book I am able to demonstrate to golfers the readily importance of body and swing connection.
How are golfers responding to your book?
The feedback from golfers has been quite positive. Additionally, PGA teaching pros are utilizing the book (and its series of exercises) when working with students on the lesson tee. Just recently, a low-index amateur player shared his “aha moment” with me…that is, to his amazement (after studying and implementing the exercises) he discovered that he could indeed, train his body to hit a golf ball more efficiently, more precisely.
What will readers gleam from your best-selling golf fitness book?
The fitness connection to swing flaw correction is powerful. The book was designed to be an easy and enjoyable read yet filled with plenty of solid swing tips based on inner core fitness and flexibility. There are 65 exercises that will help golfers get to where they need to be to play better, play longer, and have more enjoyment of the game.
Does an aspiring golfer need a golf instructor or would your book suffice?
This book is meant to be a helpful tool in your golf bag, one that will readily assist in increasing stamina and flexibility. This book does not replace your instructor nor your medical advisor. I encourage those in good health, especially beginner and mid-level skilled golfers to work with a PGA or LPGA trained professional. Most advanced players are well aware of the need for a coach when it comes to refining ones swing. The exercises within the book will enhance ones learning experience and especially with swing analysis from top PGA Tour player coach Hank Haney.
What’s one of the most frequent mistakes golfers make when it comes to their golf game?
Lack of pre-game warm-up. Most golfers are so excited about teeing it up, they don’t take the time to properly warm up prior to their round. In Swing Flaws and Fitness Fixes, I make a point to address the various benefits of pre-game warm up and provide a series of practical exercises that are well illustrated and easily adaptable for all skill level of players.
Besides your book Swing Flaws and Fitness Fixes, are there any other published works of yours (books, DVD’s, etc.,) which a golfer can utilize to help improve their game?
Yes, I have a few other tools that golfers will find extremely helpful. For those who favor yoga and recognize its benefit to living a healthier and more vibrant life, my first book Yoga for Golfers can also enhance ones playing ability. I also have a series of nine DVD’s that help golfers stay fit and balanced both on-and-off the course. For anyone looking for fitness tips, they can also visit my web site www.krflexfit.com.
More About Katherine Roberts: She is Founder and President of Katherine Roberts Yoga for Golfers and The Roberts Flex-Fit Method. She is the official yoga instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. An internationally renowned fitness instructor, Roberts has conducted presentations and clinics for businesses and associations including the PGA of America, the largest working sports organization in the world. Besides her best-selling books and DVD’s, Roberts is well known for her work as a golf fitness instructor on The Golf Channel.
How did you come up with the idea for The Ben Hogan Collection?
A few years ago when I decided I would get back into golf I remembered fun days of playing with brand new custom Ben Hogan Golf clubs, my first set of clubs and the instructional books. So I proceeded to go out and start collecting on eBay. I started quite a collection then I saw there were some films on instruction and I began collecting those. At one point I hit upon an eBay sale, an auction going on for a 3-minute video clip of Mr. Hogan on a driving range, the 1967 Masters.
Well I missed out on buying that one but in the process discovered the seller had not only a few more, he had a whole lot more. I think there was 32 film rolls in all between him and his partner. I ended up buying them all.
Fortunately I had gotten to know Jim McLean through his golf school at the Doral Golf Resort here in Miami. I mentioned it to him and so he was waiting for something like six months while I assembled them into a tape. It really was pretty neat. He took a look at it and said to me, I remember the words, “Tom you really need to do something with this.”
Did Mr. Hogan’s family participate?
I contacted the family through their attorney and told him what I wanted to do. I tell you, I was so nervous to do that because I didn’t want to get no for an answer.
So he asked for a written proposal and forwarded it to the family of the estate. They said basically okay so we came up to some terms and an agreement for the rights to use Mr. Hogan’s image and such in all the DVD production and marketing and advertising and went ahead with the written agreement.
What information does it include?
It was originally envisioned as a single DVD but quickly expanded to a three DVD set. Most of the major content was what I received through that original purchase from the videographer; lots of Hogan swinging the club but other segments like him talking to Sam Snead during a practice round and playing with Gardner Dickinson and Jackie Burke at the Masters. I mean there’s all this neat stuff that nobody had ever seen before and I just felt personally that a lot of other people would enjoy watching it.
My main goal was to put this together in such a way that folks would be able to see a lot more of Mr. Hogan in his prime and then during his later years out on the golf course hitting golf balls and learn by watching what he did.
You had other golf greats in the Collection as well, right?
The real help in that regard came from Jim McLean. He knows everybody. We interviewed Jack Nicklaus for 45 minutes and his time is like gold. I mean it’s impossible to do stuff like this and he jumped in there and said, “Oh absolutely, sure. Is his family involved?” That’s all he asked and he said yes.
We also had a chance to interview Butch Harmon, Bob Toski, Jackie Burke, Jimmy Ballard and many others. There is footage of the Ben Hogan room at Golf House as well.
What are you working on now? Is there a follow-up to this?
We have a number of projects planned using our existing footage. A documentary DVD as well as applications on the iPhone, iPod and getting into that market.
What I’m most excited about is that we were granted the extended right with the family to take Five Lessons, The Modern Fundamentals of Golf book that’s been in print for over 50 years to DVD and into the digital domain. Part of that is the creation of a Ben Hogan avatar similar to what you see in the movie Avatar and/or video games of various types.
We’ll create an avatar of Mr. Hogan that has him swinging a golf club with the ability to go in and look at his swing from any angle, top, bottom, side, back, front, close up. What a master to learn from.
More about Tom McCarthy: McCarthy has more than 30 years experience in the human services profession and holds a masters degree in behavior analysis. Most notably, he minored in film studies at Florida State University while majoring in psychology. In 2005 McCarthy established MeTee’s Champions LLC, the publisher of The Ben Hogan Collection, and manages planning, finance, production, marketing and sales of the Collection and related media and accessory products.
Please contact us if you are the author or creator of a golf media product and would like to be profiled on Golf Media Library.
If you are a publisher or developer we also have a blog dedicated to the business of publishing and marketing over at Sellbox.com (our corporate website).
Christina Ricci is a marketing executive who took up golf when she turned thirty. Five years later she was a 5 handicap amateur with a unique perspective and a passion to help other women win.
Click the link to listen to our interview with Christina. She is a fun and engaging personality, and knows a thing or two about the golf game. If you are interested in her marketing and development perspectives we invite you to read her interview on our Sellbox blog.
