Golfer Newbies

Archive for February, 2010

This week at the driving range I hit the most amazing tee shot ever – that is, I hit the tee about 30 yards and the ball just plopped down on the ground where it had been sitting on the tee. I'm thinking I used too high a tee for the club.

If you've got any trick shots (accidental or otherwise) add them to the comments – we'd love to hear about them!

Mostly, books and magazines an golf cause me to glaze over. I rarely find myself able to study through the detailed and annoying pictures and illustrations of golf swings, and beyond that there's not usually anything much more fun than the advertisements. However, this week I am reading a book that I am thoroughly enjoying, The Downhill Lie by Carl Hiaasen. The book is a kind of chronicle or diary about his return to golf after a 32-year hiatus. If you're not familiar with his writing, Carl can be a very funny and interesting writer, and this book lives up to his reputation. I don't want to give away his stories here, but if you want a lively and entertaining golf read without the dull and boring golf swing pictures, this is it.

See larger image The Downhill Lie: A Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport (Vintage) (Paperback) By (author) Carl Hiaasen List Price: $14.00 USD New From: $7.74 In Stock Used from: $1.74 In Stock Release date May 5, 2009.

Guys, when you're on the golf course or at the driving range with or near a woman, before you give her advice about her playing consider the following:

1. If it were another guy, would you voluntarily step up and tell him what he's doing wrong?
2. Has she explicitly asked you for advice?
3. Has she just hit herself in the head with her golf club and you need to do something for her own safety?

If those things aren't true, then refrain. You'd be surprised how many guys find it necessary to help out the "little lady" whether she wants it or not. And, how much advice from guy to guy differs, making it all utterly confusing. Most likely she is or has taken lessons from a pro and doesn't need you to muck it up, no matter how good your intentions are.

This week I have been watching some golf tournaments on TV – the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera course in Los Angeles. I've been trying to pay attention to what the pros do and learn from them. I found this article – Learn to Play Golf by watching Golf on TV – that I thought was very helpful. In addition to the points made in that article, I also try to watch how the players use their balance, shift their weight on their feet and rotate around their torso. This is because I just finished reading an excellent book – The Natural Golf Swing by George Knudson. In this book George dispels the notion that we need to concentrate on a million different actions in our swing and focus on our balance and the target, not the swing and the ball. Learn to relax! I have found this advice very helpful and highly recommend the book.

See larger image Natural Golf Swing (Paperback) By (author) George Knudson, Lorne Rubenstein List Price: $16.95 USD New From: $10.00 In Stock Used from: $7.37 In Stock Release date April 22, 1989.

Yesterday, I was watching Amazing Golf Videos on the golf channel. They had a segment on which they showed all these famous golfers getting frustrated and angry and throwing their clubs, smashing them against trees, pitching them into the water, bending them over their heads, as well as cursing and generally putting on a lousy display. Now, I'm really not a fan of this kind of behavior. The other day I also saw an interview with Tom Watson about Tiger Woods and his predicament. He wasn't so concerned about Tiger's personal life as he was about his angry behavior on the golf course, exhibiting the kinds of activities I just mentioned. I agree with Tom. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter.

1. These kinds of actions make people around you feel uncomfortable. It's just rude and self-centered to do this to the people who are playing with you or have paid good money to see you play.
2. Golf clubs are expensive. There are lots and lots of people out there who would like to have such a nice club as the one you are willing to toss away. It's just privileged behavior to do this – better to give the offending club to your caddy and have him or her donate it somewhere. There are good school programs for high school students learning to play golf that I'm sure would love to have them.
3. Tantrums are very childish and make you look bad. Mature people control these kinds of emotions in public at least.
4. Anger is bad for you and affects your physical health as well as produces stress that gets in the way of your game.

In the book I referred to in a previous post, Every Shot Must Have a Purpose, the authors have an entire chapter addressing this issue. This chapter, called "Anger Makes You Stupid" provides a lot of information about the negative effect anger has on your game, as well as some good advice on how to deal with it.

My advice: get your anger under control. You, and everyone around you, will have a better time on the course.

So, today it's 24 degrees out with a chance of snow, but I discovered a golf dome! This dome, located at the White Pines Golf Course in Bensenville, IL is a great place to go practice in the winter. It has a terrific driving range, with about 30 sites for the driving range, as well as a very nice putting practice green. It is nicely equipped with a lounge, food and beverages, restrooms, etc., and the staff are very friendly and helpful. So now, no matter what the weather, I can go out and get my golf "fix." It's not the same as playing on a course, but it sure beats sitting at home and thinking about golf. Maybe there's a golf dome near you as well.