Golf tips from a professional

Duncan Simms is Director of Golf at Oak Creek, Irvine’s Tom Fazio designed 18-hole course.

Oak Creek Director of Golf Duncan Simms.

Duncan Simms discovered his passion for golf when he began to work and play at a golf club at age 13.

He eventually turned that passion into a successful career. Simms, 39, is the director of golf at Oak Creek Golf Club, overseeing the golf course, driving range, lessons and retail store.

He offers these five tips for improving your golf game:

1. Update your equipment. If you are borrowing your grandfather’s clubs from 30 years ago, they just don’t work very well. Golf balls and clubs are, for the most part, designed to work together.

2. Take a lesson. A lot of people spend money on equipment but don’t necessarily know how to use it. Just one golf lesson will go a long way to remove the veil of mystery and how things work.

3. Get fitted clubs. If you’re spending $400 to $500 on a driver, make sure it fits your swing.

4. Dress for success. There is some amazing breathable and lightweight apparel to keep you cool when it’s warm. I don’t know if it will make you play better, but you’ll be more comfortable out there.

5. Have fun and don’t over think it. Golf can be extremely confusing, challenging and technical if you allow it to be. If you find one or two things that really help improve your swing, you should focus on only those, and not get distracted with 50 different things from reading books or watching the Golf Channel all day.


Oak Creek Golf Club

Oak Creek Golf Club is 71-par, 6,834-yard golf course designed by world-acclaimed course architect Tom Fazio.

Tapered fairways, scenic greens and lakes make it one of Southern California’s most beautifully balanced courses.

The course also features the Oak Creek Grille, open to golfers and non-golfers, with a patio overlooking the 18th green.