The “Long” Ball

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf     Why do most golfers make such a fuss about hitting the “long” ball (long drive)?   There is something in  a golfer's psyche that makes him think that “longer” is always better, it couldn't be farther from the truth.

Smashing your drives can lead to miss-hits with your drive ending up in deep rough, thick woods or the desert.    Hitting the ball  longer and harder creates a greater likelihood of getting in trouble.

Don't try to drive  the bal  like Bubba Watson unless your landing area is wide and open.   Otherwise on narrow fairways, play conservatively.   This method is difficult to execute because of the natural instict to hit the ball a long way with the driver.   No one ever said golf was easy !

The Pin

photo credit: foxypar4     The pin's primary purpose  is to designate where the hole (cup) is located.   From any distance, the pin allows the  golfer to get a  visual idea of just where to hit  an  approach shot.   Since range-finders have become popular, pins have built-in reflectors in them  that reflect  the beam from the range-finding for an accurate yardage reading.

The pin can also be used as a “stopper” when making an approach shot.   If you are hitting an approach shot from off the green and your ball hits the pin and goes in the cup, there is no penalty.   If your ball is on the green and hits the green, there  will be a  penalty.

As you can see, the pin plays an important role in the game of golf.

Tallest Tour Champion

In 1961 Charlie Sifford played the Greater Greensboro Open at Sedgefield Country Club.   It was the very first time that an Afro-American golfer was permitted to play in a PGA Tour event in the southern part of the United States.   Sifford  impressed everyone  by playing well enough to finish in fourth place against some of the greatest players in history.

Phil Blackmar, was the tallest man to ever win a PGA Tour event.   Blackmar, at six feet, seven inches in his socks and a full inch taller than former pro, George Archer,  won the 1977 Shell Houston Open on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.   Blackmar  took home  a cool $288,000 which is more money than he won in any of his previous 13 seasons.

Is Golf Still Just a Game?

photo credit: nsaplayer     In a recent interview, Billy Casper, one of the greatest putters of all time, made the following statement, “I think most of today's players have made the game too technical.”   Many would agree with Casper.   The game of golf has turned into a millionaire”s sport.   You've got to be rich to compete and you will get rich when you do compete. even if you don't finish first.

Players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and many other's, have made it a point to have their swing coach's present through the duration of any given tournament.    Golf has become  big business where companies pay $50,000 just to wear their logo on a hat.   Winning a tour event today means making more money than most people make in an entire lifetime.

Of Historical Significance

photo credit: Danny Nicholson     The use of the word “birdie” originated in 1899 at the Atlanta City Country Club.   It seems George Crump, the famed architect of the infamous Pine Valley Golf Club, was playing the 350-yard 2nd hole with Ab and William Smith.   Ab's second shot stopped six inches from the pin.   “That was a bird of a shot,” Ab cried.   One-under on a hole has been called a birdie ever since.

The earliest mention of golf in Scotland – the birthplace of the game – was a pronouncement by the Scottish Parliament in 1457.   It decreed that golf “be utterly cryit doune and not usit” (rejected and ignored) because it was keeping young soldiers away from archery practice.   The game was extremely popular even in it's infancy!

Dress in Layers

photo credit: dan taylor     Golf is a game where freedom of movement is critical.   Warm weather golf does not present a problem but playing golf in cold  or inclement weather  is another matter.   The key is to dress in layers instead of “bulking-up.”   Layers allow the body to “breath” more efficiently.   Layers will also dissipate moisture which, when present, can worsen the cold conditions.

Foot Joy introduced what the company calls the FJ Layering System.   Developed for comfort and body temperature regulation, the new system includes thinner, stretchable, breathable materials that allows the full range of motion throughout the golf swing.   The system includes:

1)   The Base Layer > pullover inner Prodry base layer.   2)   Mid Layer > half zip pullover.   3)   Outer Layer > Dry-joys tour collection pullover

The Grand Slam

photo credit: D.Hilgart     It was 1930 when the term “Grand Slam”  was coined by sports-writer O.B. Keeler.   The term  described winning  the British Amateur, British Open, U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur Championship by Bobby Jones in the same year.

Bob Drum, another sports-writer, revived the term to include the PGA Tournament and the Masters Championship.   The U.S. Amateur and the British Amateur tournaments were excluded.

Since Bobby Jones, there have only been five players to achieve the slam, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.   None have done it in a single season.

Winning  these four prestigious tournaments in the same year is a monumental feat that may very well be the epitome of  achievement in  all of sports.

Synthetic Putting Green

photo credit: VividImageInc     The synthetic putting green craze is stronger than ever.   In the sun-belt,  sales of these wonderful  practice aids are booming.   The manufacturers of these greens can install very sophisticated greens with breaks and contours and  with grass texture  that mimics the real thing.  

Most golfers cannot afford the installation and up-keep of a real green and that makes a synthetic putting green ideal.   They require practically no maintenance other than a once-over with a vacum cleaner.  

Also available are synthetic practice putting mats.   They come in various lengths from 6 to 20 feet.   They are especially suitable for indoor use in the home or office.   Considering that nearly half of all strokes are putts,  Synthetic putting greens  are a must.   Kids love them too!

Penalties vs. Rules

photo credit: dcbprime     Mac O'Grady is reputed to be the world's worst scorekeeper.   Just ask Paul Azinger about Mac?   It seems that during the 1997 Buick Classic O'Grady, Azinger's playing partner, made  too many mistakes on Azingers scorecard.   Azinger was totally distracted after he  found 6 inexcusable mistakes, he forgot to sign his own card and was immediately disqualified.

Lee Janzen was disqualified from the 1998 World Series of Golf.   During the first round Janzen waited 20 seconds before his ball, which was on the side of the cup,  fell into the hole.   A TV viewer called the tournament and noted that Janzen took more than twice the allotted 10 seconds to wait for the ball to drop.   Janzen was disqualified because he failed to call a one-stroke penalty on himself.

Woods Hits Rock-Bottom

photo credit: cliff1066â„¢     Tiger Woods hit rock bottom at the Firestone Country Club during the Bridgestone Invitational Tournament in Akron, Ohio.   Woods had a final round of 77 finishing 18-over par on a course he dominated in the past.

Woods 18-over-par sets a new mark for his highest 72-hole score in relation to par.   Woods had twice previously finished with a score of 10-over-par through 54 holes.   His score of 298 for the event was the highest of his PGA Tour career.   “It's been a long year,” Woods said, as he choked up in front of reporters.   In reference to the Ryder Cup Team Woods also said, “I wouldn't help the team if I'm playing like this.   I think I can turn it around.”

Next Page »