I Am Angry!

     I played terribly yesterday.  The course, DeLaveaga in Santa Cruz, California was in great shape and I enjoyed playing with two new friends Mark and Mike. I don't like being on the not playing for three months program and my game has all but disappeared. That is not what is making me very angry though. I just get tired of how the media is always trying to tear open the scars of racism, most of the time to benefit a political agenda. Much of that agenda is to put golf in the light of being an elitist sport for old rich white men. I totally resent this portrayal of our great game. Come to my home course and see for yourself. True golf is diverse and welcoming to all.
     I saw a post on FaceBook today that was published by the Huffington Post. I don't honestly attach much credibility to the Huffington Post, given its tilt to the political left but this post made me angry.  It was a YouTube interview of Tiger Woods where he was asked if he could feel the racist vibes when he went to a course to play and if it bothered him. Of course his answer was that it did and it does exist. He also said that it did bother him, and rightly so. The problem here is not what Tiger said, and I would agree with him to a certain extent but the problem is the YouTube video the Huffington Post chose to make their point. I feel that it was not a good video to illustrate what golf today is like and the subject of racism.
      The video that Tiger was in was from an interview that he did very early in his career.  In fact, it appears as if it was before his rise to his star career.  It seems as though this is Tiger at maybe eighteen or nineteen BEFORE he turned pro. The interview was probably filmed in 1990. Yes, at that time the color barrier had not been broken and attitudes as far as the professional game was concerned had not changed much. The curtain of racism pulled back just a bit with the careers of such outstanding black golfers such as Calvin Peete, Lee Elder and Charie Sifford but that barrier wasn't broken.
     I have to admit to some degree that curtain is still hanging and golf does have to address this, but it is not because of outright racism. It is hard to get on tour even for a white golfer.  My congratulations to Harold Varner III who just earned his PGA tour card through the Web.com tour. Oh, by the way he is black and did quite well in his first event. But, make no mistake, the PGA tour is not what golf is and is only a small percentage of what our sport truly is. It is the greatest game.

George Lopez

     Please come and visit my course and see for yourself Huffington Post. Come talk to Chuey and Steve  and Joe and Jose and Phil. They are not rich white men. As a matter of fact, I'm not either especially after looking at my recent bank statement. Yes, there are "snooty" country clubs but if they make you feel uncomfortable don't play there.  You probably won't meet a Mark or Mike. Golf is for everyone.

The true faces of golf.  The one on the right needs to lose a few pounds.  That's right, I did.

Pennies For Pebble: Part 2

     As I said in Part 1, playing Pebble Beach is high on my "bucket list".  I wonder how much it costs to play Pebble Beach these days.  I know, Let's find out. Isn't the internet great?
     I normally access websites to golf courses by going on The Northern California Golf Association's website to their course directory. That's a plug for you NCGA.  I hope you appreciate that. OK, here it is and I click on "Course Directory", done. Let's scroll down to Pebble Beach and click.  Here it is with some good general information and I will click on the "visit website" link, done.
    That is a good looking site.  I wish mine looked that good. Let's go to the "golf" tab and click on it. OK, here it has a link to "rates" so I will click on that.
HOLY ESCOMBOLI AND BARLOOVIE!
     That's a lot of money just for a round of golf. Green fees are $495 with cart extra at $40.  I have heard that it is strongly suggested that you take a caddie, and that will set you back another $80 plus tip. That's a whopping $615.  I can just see it now.  Honey, can I have $615 to go play Pebble Beach? No, I'm sorry.  You are not included. I wrote my "bucket list" before we were married.  What about it?  Can I have the $615 buckaroos? So what is your answer? What's that Dear, not only NO, but HECK (my wife doesn't use profanity) NO!  Funny, I got the same answer from my son-in-law when I asked if he could use his PGA influence and get us on for free.
     That answer was a bit final.  What am I going to do to cross this off my "bucket list".  How am I going to pay for it?  What can I do? Let me think on this a bit.
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Still thinking.
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Still thinking.
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    I've got it!  I could rob a bank.  Maybe by the time that they caught me I could pay for the round with the money I stole. No, I don't think that would work. I always get caught when I try something stupid. If you think my wife was mad at me for not taking my high blood pressure medication and I wound up in the hospital for the second time, just think how angry she would get if I was sent to prison. OK, that was just a passing idea, forget I even mentioned it.
    I know, I could put on my best golf togs, golf shoes and hat with my driver or putter in my hand and stand on a busy street corner in Salinas with a cardboard sign saying "Will Blog For You For Cash To Play Pebble Beach".  I would do this in Carmel or Monterey but that would be a little tacky. Salinas is more used to that kind of stuff. It's worth a try.
     How tough could it be to raise $615 especially when I am not using it to buy beer.  I can buy my own beer, even though I don't drink beer--much.  After all, I am already over there and I don't want to embarrass my wife by holding the sign on a street corner here in our town. Besides, that would be a bit beneath me.
    I guess I have to admit it. Scraping up the green fees to play Pebble and fulfil that task on my list may take a miracle, hope you are listening God. I guess I will have to stick to playing the "Poor Man's" Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove Municipal. Hey wait, that's not a bad idea and much cheaper too.

OK, I'll play Pacific Grove if I must.

Heavenly Father,
 Forgive me my sins. Please grant me $1230 so that my wife and I can play Pebble Beach together. You know my wife, she isn't going to let me go by myself even though it is very important that I cross this off my "bucket list". She would like to play too and I would love to have her.
Amen





   
   

Pennies For Pebble: Part1

     Yes, I do have a "bucket list" of things to have done before I die.  The list is long and I am busily crossing off things that are on that list. It's not like I am planning on dying any time soon--I hope.  Just the other day I was able to cross one off the list and that was to go to the city of Gustine, California. What is so special about Gustine, you ask? Absolutely nothing, but I have been there and I can cross that one off my list. At the top of my list is to play Pebble Beach.
     I go to Monterey often and play golf on one of the many fine courses in the Monterey area. In fact, I have been to Pebble many times but have never played it. My trips to Pebble have included walking the tenth and eleventh fairways, going through the pro shop and talking to the staff, jawing with the starter on the first tee and also walking on the seventeenth tee and talking to golfers teeing off. I must say that it is a beautiful place for a golf course.
     My daughter worked at the Pebble Beach Club for a couple of years and I was able to play Spanish Bay on her employee's discount.  My son-in-law and I got to play it for free, which was kind of nice especially being able to save the $225 green fee. I like free, especially when it is Spanish Bay. The course is tough and I didn't play it very well.  I got beat up pretty bad, but how can you feel bad when you are playing the greatest game in such beautiful surroundings? She couldn't get us on to Pebble though.
     My other son-in-law is a golf pro at a local country club. I don't like taking advantage of his status in the golf community so I very rarely ask for any golf related favors.  I did ask in passing if he could use his pro status and get us on Pebble. His answer was quite clear and definite. NO!  There goes that angle.
     By the way, how much is it to play Pebble these days. Just a minute, I will look it up on their website...

Definitely NOT Pebble Beach

   

The Golf Course Travel Bag: Cherry Island

The Jury Is Out

     This is going to be a very short but thought provoking post today.  I am out the door in a few minutes to participate in the Great American Experience.  It is on to the courthouse downtown to fulfil my civic duty as a citizen of the United States of America and the great state of California to report for jury duty.  Today is jury interview day and tomorrow is when the jury will be impaneled. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it.
      Since I have to sit on a jury to potentially come to a verdict in a court case, I thought that I would pose some questions relating to golf that you can deliberate on.  Think about your verdicts very seriously and come to a verdict. Please share those verdicts through the comments page. The verdicts need not be unanimous as this is not a capital or murder case.  Here are the questions:
uck at the courthouse for months
1.  Will Tiger win another major.
2.  Is Phil Michelson really that nice of a guy?
3.  Is Jack Nicklaus the greatest golfer who ever lived?
4.  Is Tiger Woods the greatest golfer ever to play the game?
5.  Is Bobby Jones the greatest player to ever play the game?
6.  Was the R&A and The USGA correct in their ruling to outlaw the "belly putter"?

Here is the biggest question and one for the ages.
7.  Is Pebble Beach too expensive to play? (More about this in a future post.)

   This should be an exciting exercise for you the readers.  You get to be bot the prosecuting and defense attorneys, judge and jury. You are most importantly the jury and your deliberations should be thoughtful and based on the facts. I won't compile the results because I don't have the software to do that and I may get stuck at the courthouse for months as the trial I may get on is a murder trial.   Good luck and may you be impartial.  Remember, justice is blind.

Guilty as charged of having an ugly swing. You could lose a few pound too.  Oh, that's right. I did and it did improve my swing.

   

The Golf Course Travel Bag: Bayonet-- Seaside, California

Happy Camper I Am Not--Rebuttal Or Response Or Something

     Saturday's post seems to have been a bit misunderstood in certain circles of our population. What I was trying to say was that I was unable to play golf that day because the course that is nearest my residence was booked and I would be unable to get on until late in the afternoon and I would not be able to get a full 18 holes in before the sun went down. The same was true with most of the other courses within a years travel of my house. The doors of the golf option were completely closed to me.
     I want to make it abundantly clear as it was pointed out to me by one of my wife's closest friends after she read the piece that the post seemed to be blaming my wife for me not being able to play that day. She informed me that from a women't point of view, the tone of the post could have sent the message that I blamed my wife for me not being able to play golf
. After reading the post, I have no idea how she could have possibly come to that conclusion. Sometimes I just can't fathom the way a women't mind works and that is all I will say on that subject so as not to get too far in trouble.  It is my goal to keep my women readers happy and still reading this blog.
    Let me say this very clearly, if it needs to be said and for those who need to hear it. I do not blame my wife for me not being able to play golf Saturday.  I was a victim of circumstances and cosmic alliance that were totally beyond my control. I was not going to be able to play golf Saturday no matter what my strategy was.  My wife had nothing to do with the whole thing other than going to a women's church conference. She may have been praying for me not to be able to go because she couldn't go and is really wanting to play a round of golf, but that is kind of stretching it a bit.
     Maybe I wasn't a victim.  I hate that victim mentality as things just happen that you can't control.  Let's just say very simply that it wasn't my day to play golf and my wife had nothing to do with the decision not to play golf. It was not to be on Saturday October 24, 2015. I was not to play golf and it was no one's fault.

Nope, this isn't me playing golf on Saturday. I can explain, honey.

Sunday

     Today is Sunday. I like to take Sunday off because it is a busy family day for me. Today's post is a repost from my other blog.  Here it is and I hope you enjoy it. There may be some points that you agree with and maybe some you don't. It is about the things I don't like about golf, but believe me there is more to golf to love than to dislike.  That is why I keep playing the game.

 Yesterday, I wrote about the ten things I like in golf.  As I explained in the post, these were not the things I liked most or least, they were just ten things I like. They were not in any order as well and there are many more and I will share those with you later as I think about them. I hope you enjoyed the list.
     This is a polar world we live in.  The world has its North and South Poles. Good has its opposite, bad. Love has its opposite, hate.  So it is with me.  I have what I love about the game, and I have what I don't exactly like or what strikes me as not exactly good. Yesterday was what I liked about golf and today will be what I think is the negative aspect of the game, at least from my perspective.  Here goes.

1.  Golfers that play once a year can really make a round unbearable, especially if you are playing behind them. I'm not talking about the ones who only play once a year and come out because a good friend has asked them to play.  I'm talking about the "Once A Year, Let's Buy A Lot Of Beer And Tear Up The Place Because A Golf Course Is a Great Place To Get Drunk" group.  You know what I'm talking about. In most cases, they come out with no respect for the course and tear it up.

2.  I don't like idiots, sober or drunk who do not respect the course. These are the guys that don't respect the "Keep Carts On The Cart Path" sign.  Now granted, some of the greens keepers have a tendency to put the "No Carts"  signs a bit too far away from the green, but on a par 3 when it says no carts, that means no carts.  These are also guys that take a huge divot out of the fairway, and laugh about it without pouring sand in the divot.

4.  This one is a two for one, I guess. Speaking of not repairing your divots, that is a pet peeve of mine as well. Don't complain about a fairway or green that is like the surface of the moon and not repair your divots on the green and in the fairway. Courses should make sure that there is turf builder, or at least sand in the container on the cart and everyone should carry a divot repair tool for divots on the green.  I repair mine and one more.

5.  I don't like those people who complain about the condition of a course and do not repair their divots.  Most people when they play a "goat track" should expect "goat track" conditions. The same is true for a great course. Respect the course and help manage it and the course will be in good condition.


6. I hate fivesomes that don't play fast. You can visit and have a great time, but make sure you understand that there are others playing behind you.  I have played behind fivesomes that play faster than a lot of twosomes, but that is rare. The stories I could tell you about on this one. Let's just leave it at I don't like slow fivesomes.

7.  When I hook up with a couple of guys on the first tee, I want guys who will chat between shots.  I am a social kind of guy and like to chat about whatever, and especially about the great game we play. If I get hooked up with someone who is taking their round very seriously and not talking almost to the point of ignoring me, I don't like that.  Yes, you keep silent when someone is hitting but between shots is time to visit. I have to admit that when I do play in a tournament, I get very serious most of the time.  I can be guilty of getting in that zone and not being sociable, but that is a different story. Chatting and cracking jokes loosens me up most of the time.

8.  I don't like "hard" distance golf balls. I am not a distance player, but a finesse player.  I like a golf ball that "dances" around the green. The short game is my friend.  I can't do what I do around the green with a hard distance ball.

9.  I don't like "trash talk" in the game of golf.  This is a gentleman's game.  It is not football, basketball or baseball.  There is no place in the game for a trash mouth and trashing another player. Encouragement should be the rule, not tearing someone down. OK, maybe a little bit.

10.  I hate "lip outs" for whatever score, birdie or quadruple bogey.

     I guess that you could say that these are annoyances in the game of golf.  There are many, and most of them involve golfers themselves. With all the annoyances in the game, I love to play the game and won't let those annoyances bother me to the point that I will leave the game. It is a great game, and I love playing it.
     Don't forget to stop by and visit my website. All the courses that are in the course directory I have played personally. You will also find a lot of other great "golf stuff" there as well including course U-Tube videos and some great U-tube videos on instruction and tips. I didn't do the "Tips" videos of course.  Think about that one for a moment.  Would you really want a golfer like me to give you golf tips?  At any rate, check out the website, http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.
     Until next time, hit 'em long and straight.  Don't you dare leave that birdie putt short.

    Make sure to like us on our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/golfisforeveryone.  By the way, I am mad at work trying to get the website up and running and the prototype should be up and running soon. Look for it and join us.

Come play Pacific Grove with me some time. 

 

Happy Camper I Am Not

     That's the way Yoda would put that I am a little bummed today. That was shameless, I know. Trying to cash in on all the hype built around the new Star Wars movie is kind of stretching it, but who cares? Anything to build the readership of my blog. That's not totally true as I do have some morals and I attend a conservative Presbyterian church. Something still bothers me though. Does Yoda play golf?
      Let's get back on track here. I am a little disappointed today. It is Saturday you know and my wife is at a Church Women's Conference.  She will be gone all day. The weather is fantastic and it is a perfect day to go out and hit the links. I have been thinking about today for about a week and it was supposed to be golf day today. I was excited.
     Yesterday, I called my course to see if I could get on. The conversation with Clarke was very pleasant and we talked about a lot of things.  All was well until I asked the question. "Can I get on as a single tomorrow morning and what time?"
     There was silence for what seemed like the duration of the last ice age. Clarke broke that silence by saying, "Sorry Dave but we have the last tournament of the year tomorrow and we are booked solid until after noon." So much for global warming as the course was booked just like that ice in the last ice age.
     Again, there was silence. I have to play in the morning so that I can be home for my wife. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
     You wouldn't have wanted to see the look on my face when I heard the course was booked. I didn't have a mirror but I can tell you that I haven't made that face since my first wife said she wanted a divorce. It was the look of pure anger. I almost jumped through the phone line to strangle Clarke, but I knew I couldn't because I was talking on a cell phone.  This isn't Star Trek and after all and I can't beam over there. You are still safe, Clarke. Besides, it wasn't his fault. My ex wife is safe too and it was her fault.
    I valiantly tried to get on another course in the area but to no avail. What is this, tournament day?  Don't they know that "Big Dave" wants to play golf.  The nerve of them scheduling tournaments like that. There ought to be a law against that.  I though that since I write a blog, I should have a bit more influence than that. I guess my view of my importance is a bit inflated. Who knows, I'll have to work on that.
    I will just have to work on some of the mundane tasks that I have to complete like doing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen. So be it, I accept my fate. There will be no playing golf today, darn.  All I guess I can say is:

                                           

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.

Something I'm not going to see today. The first tee at RanchoDelRey. 

 

The Golf Course Travel Bag: Catalina Island Golf Course

Golf Goes Hollywood

     I love golf and I am sure that many of you do to. You almost have to, especially if you are reading a blog like this that deals with golf. How many of you love movies.  I am particularly fond of war movies and historical films. Another of my favorite genres--I like that word genre, its pretty cool--is the golf movie. I really don't know the ratio of war pictures released by Hollywood to golf films, but I bet that war movies wins by a landslide. However, there are some great movies that have to deal with golf.
      Here is a short list of the golf movies I have enjoyed,  In case you are wondering, I am going to be non-committal as far as which ones I think are the best because I love them all and have chosen them for different reasons. This is just a list, so don't get mad at me at the order I am presenting them.

1.Caddyshack. What can I say but "Its in the hole" and "Be the ball"?  How about "its your honor your honor". That movie cracks me up and is a classic golf movie. It is still relevant today. Is it wrong that I still watch it whenever it is on, preferably on a station where the original is uncut.  By the way, both of my wives don't think that any of it is funny, although my second wife is an avid golfer.

2.  The Legend Of Baggar Vance.  I am watching this one again.  What a story.  The golf references are timeless and very well said.  I like the concept of the "authentic swing". Also Baggar put it very well when he says, "Golf is a game you can't win, only play. You can never be perfect." How true that is and maybe that is why so many of us play and enjoy the game so much.

3.  The Caddy.  Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were quite the comedy team. I enjoy this film and its comedy. If any of you wondered where the song  "Amore" originated, this movie was it. You remember, don't you? When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore.  Well, maybe you don't.

4. Follow The Sun. This is probably a movie that has been forgotten but I highly recommend it.  It is about Ben Hogan and the tragic accident he had that almost ended his golf career. What a man of courage and determination. It shows the determination and courage to mount an almost miraculous comeback from that accident. That's what our game is all about.

5.  Happy Gilmore. I don't know if I should follow up Follow The Sun with Happy Gilmore, but oh well.  I didn't like Happy Gilmore when it first came out. I thought that it was going to give golfers who don't play the game or those who don't respect the game the wrong idea. But the bottom line on the move was it was funny. I guess I am just a golf purist at heart.

6. Tim Cup. Hasn't every golfer had the dream of playing in a US Open tournament. The closest I got to that  was to play in a tournament paired up the starter for the USGA. No one will remember who won the US Open, but they will remember the 12.  That was a great line, and I think that Rene Russo is hot. Don't tell my wife I said that though.

7. The Greatest Game Ever Played.  Both of the main historical characters in the film had demons to come to grips with. Funny thing is that their demons were very similar. It was great to see golf played as it was in 1912. I recommend highly that you see this movie.

8.  Bobby Jones: Stroke Of Genius.  This was a fascinating movie that brought to life Bobby Jones. I would venture to say that he was the greatest golfer to ever play the game, strictly by his accomplishments. he was quite a man as well, earning several college degrees and earning both a CPA plus a Law degree. By the way, all of his golf accomplishments were done as an amateur.  He never turned pro.

    There are eight of my favorites. I left out a lot of movies simply because I never saw them or just saw parts of them.  If you have a favorite or would like to comment on these, by all means do so in the comments section or email me at golfisforeveryone@gmail.com.  I would love to hear from you.

Trump National Los Angeles has never been used in a movie to my knowledge, but I see it all the time in commercials. No politics intended, its a great course with some great views.

Something Fishy About This Post

      I have an apology to make to you my readers. I am sorry that I haven't posted in the last few days.  It is very important that I post almost daily as I am beginning to realize how much you my readers depend on my humor and comments. You understand how my posts strongly impact your lives. There are no excuses, but I do offer this explanation. Life and jury duty get in the way sometimes of good intentions.  With that in mind, here is today's post.
      Have you ever wondered what life is like for a fish living in a water hazard or pond on a golf course's key hole?  I am not talking about a pond that is there just to beautify the course which doesn't come into play, but one that is crucial to the play of the course and comes very much into play. I always wondered what life is like from the perspective of that great big bass that you see close to the surface and what his view of the game of golf is through a fish eye lens.  Yes, I did have to say that.  So, enter with me if you will the world of a big bass living in a pond on a golf course. Remember, his world is a very small one.
      My name is Big Billy Bass (Ok, so the name isn't original but I'm here at a McDonald's in Wal Mart having my car's oil changed writing this and I couldn't think of anything very original. It is Wal Mart after all.: ed. note) and I live in a great big pond. Every now and then I come up close to the land and surface of the pond to observe the strange behavior of some of the land based animals who live around the pond. They are a strange lot who seem to be made up of two parts. Every now and then they come apart to take a stick out of their back end. They walk up to a small round object, then take that stick and hit the small round object.  They must be a violent animal those land animals. I feel sorry for that small round object.
     I don't know if that small round object is alive or not. Many of them have wound up in our pond, but there were no signs of life when they came to us.  They make a big splash and we always know when one is going to join us with the sound of that splash.  They don't seem to be able to breathe under water here with us. It seems as though they are dead from the severe trauma of being hit by the  land animal's stick. All I know is that there sure are a lot of them here at the bottom of our pond. There is no sign of life among them.
     I have observed that just before one of those small round objects comes splashing down into the pond, the land animal hits it and lets out a loud noise.  That noise is not recognizable and I can't tell what it is because the water muffles the sound.  It kind of looks like from the body language of the animal that what happened was not good. The sound reminds me of the sound that Bobby The Bluegill made just after he bit on that worm with the hook in it and was never seen again. Maybe what the land animal did was not a pleasant thing when he hit the round object and it wound up in the pond. What do Iknow, I'm only a fish.
     Here comes a land animal and he is ready to strike the little round object. INCOMING!
                                            CLUNK............
     Ow, that hit me on the top of my head square between the gills and fins.  What did he want to do that for?  Can't the idiot see that I am swimming right here? Those land animals are not very considerate, are they?
      He's swinging the stick again, only this time not at the small round object. There's that horrible noise again.
LOOK OUT! HERE COMES THE STICK
                                           SPLASH!

I wonder if Billy Bass is watching.

Golf Is For Everyone: RanchoDelRey 0001

I Got My PGA Card Out Of A Box Of Crackerjack

     You really sliced that one into the woods, didn't you Bob.  I can get rid of that slice in a minute. Here's what you do. Try it. Oh, I'm on the tee. Wow, I really hooked that one into the lake.
     How many of you reading this have ever given advice and a quasi lesson to a friend out on the golf course? Are they still your friend or do they not return your phone calls knowing that you are asking them to join you for another lesson--uh game of golf? I see it so many times on the course. A playing partner or friend just can't resist. You have hit some really bad shots and they just can't resist telling you how to correct the problem. Most of time they have some huge holes in their game and really don't know what they are talking about. You have to ask, where did you get your PGA card out of a box of Cracker Jack?
     I admit that I am guilty to a certain extent of this. However, I am a student of the game, and know a lot about the swing plus the game itself. I am not a teaching pro and don't claim to be. My resume does include coaching golf at the high school and middle school level, captaining or club match play team and competing at both the club and state tournament level. I have been studying the game for more than 48 years and have developed a knowledge base of the game. Most of the time, I know what I am doing wrong and it is just a matter of bad execution of the shot on my part.  I am able to correct the mistake. That's just me though.
     If someone asks me what I think is happening in their swing out on the course when we are playing I say what I think but I make sure that information is filed in their "for what it's worth" file. I always say, "Don't take it from me, I'm an 18 handicapper.  What do I know?  Maybe you should see a pro to see exactly what is happening."  I don't say do this to correct that, and I sure as heck don't say, "Hey, you need a lesson from a pro because your game stinks."
     I love it when a fellow hack gives a lesson to another hack out on the course. I just shake my head and chuckle. This is a very good example of the blind leading the blind. Oh, and I didn't get my PGA card out of a box of Cracker Jack. Truth is, inside the Cracker Jack as I finished eating that wonderful mix of peanuts and carmel corn, my prize was a cheap little comic book explaining the finer points of putting. The bottom line is, take a lesson from a trained PGA pro.

See Mark, I have taken a lesson before. I know, that's a terrible finish but I was 70 pounds heavier.

       

Do Computers, Golf and Old Farts Like Me Mix?

     As I was going through my normal my day today, it occurred to me that I hadn't posted. Oh my gosh, what do I write about today. Then it hit me as I was posting on FaceBook and checking my email messages. I was doing this all on a computer. Hey, wait a minute. I come from simpler times. How did I get so dependent on a computer? I was born in the 1950's and am entering the status of "Old Fart". I still like paper and pencil, but I am writing this on a computer. Oh no, I have stumbled into the electronic age.
     There is one thing that I can take comfort in.  The electronic age hasn't crept into the game of golf. There is no way.  It is an ancient game where the object is to hit a white ball over an open patch of turf and get that little white ball into a small four and a half inch hole. You swing at the ball with a stick and and get it into the hole in as few swings as possible.  Nothing technological about that except counting the number of swings with the stick on you fingers. No batteries required for that one.
     Golf is still played over a grassy landscape with hazards placed before the golfer such as bunkers and water. The land is natural and shaped by only the terrain of that land.  There are no computers out here. This is nothing to do with computers. They measure the distances from tee to green by hand, either a tape measure or a walking measure device. What's that you just said?  The distances were measured just last month more accurately using Global Positioning Satellite Measurement.  Is that a computer?
     I don't use a distance measuring device. I still count sprinkler heads and estimate distance from the respective 200/150/100 yard markers.  That's when you are really playing golf. OK, so there are times when you want an accurate distance so I check my phone's GPS distance AP. After all, I need to know the exact distance over that water. A laser rangefinder is not cheating. It is just a beam of light.  I don't want to cheat by using a computer on the course. The game must remain pure as it has for centuries.
     You don't need a computer to build a golf club or a ball either. Give me some rubber, an efficient aerodynamic dimple pattern and I'm set. You don't need to figure out a drag co-efficient or compression ratio when you open a sleeve of Titleists. I am just going to take them out on the course and whack them, that's it.  Who needs a computer?
    Clubs are such a simple thing. They are meant to do one thing, hit the ball.  No computer is necessary.
What is this?  What is the launch angle off a five iron?  What is my swing speed and launch angle?  How is that going to affect my game and why should I know that. What flex is my shaft? It's a standard men's senior flex with a high kick point. What do you mean that is all measured by computer and computer designed?
      Hey wait a minute.  Computers HAVE crept into our game. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I guess I will just go out and find a course to play. As an "Old Fart" I surrender to the electronic age.
Let's see, what's that website so I can find a tee time?
     

Motoring off into the electronic age. the cart is electric by the way. Doesn't have a computer measuring system on board so I'm safe.

            

Yesterday, All My Troubles Seemed So Far Away

     My wife left on a jet plane and I knew when she was getting back again. She got back late last night. I admit that that was kind of a stupid opening to this post but there is a method to my madness. She got in at 11:00 last night at San Francisco International Airport, which is a two hour drive from where we live. As I mentioned yesterday I think, it was a road trip golf day. Monterey was the place I was going to play golf and then drive up and pick her up at the airport later that night.
     It was a tough decision narrowing down the course I was going to play. One thing was for certain, I was going to play in Monterey but I wasn't sure where. A great course that mostly locals know about is Monterey Pines, known to locals as "The Navy Course" as it is owned by the US Navy, located on land that is part of The Naval Post-Graduate School.  I enjoy playing the course, but this time I wanted to play a different course.
     Golf Now had a great rate at Rancho Canada's East Course which I had never played before but I had always wanted to play. This was a course that I had heard about from friends, but had yet to play. I just couldn't pass up the rate and was very happy to get out to play a new course, especially in the Monterey area.
     Generally when I play a course that I haven't played or been to in a long time I bring my camera along and take pictures of the course.  The trip sort of becomes a business trip in that I take the pictures and then create a video with the still pictures set to music and post the video on YouTube. The trip in essence becomes a business trip.  Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy playing and taking the pictures, but it still has the feeling of work--great work at that and I'm not complaining.
      On this trip, I was just going to play golf and nothing else.  This was going to be a day of enjoying the round, the beauty of the course and it was very beautiful, and of course the social aspect of the game by hopefully being paired up with three other golfers who are enjoying the game. Those are three great reasons we enjoy our game so much, aren't they?  Today there was no pressure, just enjoy playing golf and have fun.
      I don't know how many of you have gone to a strange course as a single, especially one far from where you live. You never know who the starter is going to pair you up with.  It can be a delightful day where you meet some great new friends, or it can turn out to be a bummer. I have been fortunate that most of the people I have joined up with we have had a ton of fun playing golf together, including sharing the tall cold one at the 19th hole. But, I have also played with some real doozies as well. These are golfers that are not sociable at all. That kind of makes for a very long and quiet round of golf. I don't like that.
      I struck gold with the three guys I played with yesterday. It is interesting what happens when you make an effort to start up a relationship with guys you haven't ever met and in how short a time you can become friendly. We share a strong bond of almost instantaneous friendship, that of golfers.  Within a short time, we were joking around and having fun. I knew that the day was going well when one of the members of the foursome hit a ball into the river off the tee on a par 3 and took his second shot which landed ten feet from the cup.
      "Why didn't you do that the first time?" the other two said in a good natured chuckle. You knew it had to come, and I was thinking it too. I knew things were going well and I was accepted when I chunked a shot on the next par three and guess what I heard after hitting a beautiful second shot. You can just imagine.  We had a wonderful round together and were sort of sad to see the round end.
     That is the way it is with golf.  We are golfers, and no matter what our backgrounds, jobs, ethnicity or whatever we are still golfers. That is a strong bond. I say this to Dave, Craig and Pierre.  Thank you for the wonderful day I spent with you playing golf.

Good friends, off to play the next hole.

   
     

Road Trip Today

     I am on the road to Monterey today and I have my sticks in the car. My wife is flying back from Texas today, so it is a day for me to play golf. Trying a course in the Monterey area I haven't played yet but has been on my list for a long time.  I will let you know how it goes. In the meantime, enjoy this post I took from another blog I write. See you tomorrow with another post.
     Here it is and I hope you enjoy it.

  I want to start today's entry with a very sincere THANK YOU to all of you who are reading this golf blog.  I passed a milestone today in that I went passed the 2000 view mark. I have had this blog now for a couple of years, but I haven't been posting to it that often, concentrating on my other blog David Rallis Writes.  Now, I am doing both and plan on posting much more on this blog.  Again, THANK YOU, and I hope you will continue to visit and read.  Don't forget to tell three of your friends about this blog, I can use the help.
     My last post was on California golf and I mentioned golf paradise, Monterey.  When people think of Monterey, they generally think of Pebble Beach and the great courses on The Seventeen Mile Drive. These are very beautiful courses, but there is more to the Monterey golf scene than just Pebble Beach, Spyglass or Cyprus Point. Here is a list of ten courses in the area I have played and enjoyed. Most were not that expensive to play and you can play them when and if you go to Monterey.  Be sure to check out their websites andbook your tee time by clicking the advertisement for Tee-Off.com here on my blog.
      These are all course within a ten mile radius of Monterey and I have played them all.. There are many other courses to the east and north of the area, but I am focusing here on just the Monterey area. I have a list of other courses within a 50 mile radius another time.  Here they are and not in any order of favorites, because I loved them all.

1. Bayonet:  I used to really hate this course and always thought that I would beat it some day.  Even though I keep playing it, they have softened it and it is a lot more player friendly and fun but I still haven't beaten it.  It is still a tough course, but I enjoy it more since they redesigned it.  However, in the redesign they retained most of the courses flavor and fun.

2.  Blackhorse:  I used to love to play this course especially after being beaten up by Bayonet. It is Bayonet's sister course and they are located on the same property, the old Fort Ord.  They redesigned Blackhorse as well and made it harder. Life changes I guess, and there is no perfect world. I still like the course though, its still fun to play, but it is a lot harder with more bunkers and undulating greens.

3.  Pacific Grove Golf Course:  When they say that this is "The Poor Man's Pebble Beach" they really mean it.  I recommend this course highly.  The view of The Pacific Ocean from the holes on the ocean are well worth it as you play the back nine in the dunes above the ocean and below the Pt. Pinos lighthouse. My advice for this course is don't underestimate its short length as it can be tough. I was also told of it being unique in that you start with two par threes, then two par fours and then two par fives.

4.  Monterey Pines (Know locally as "The Navy Course"):  I am in the process of writing a book called, "Have You Played...The Hidden Gems of West Coast Golf" and of all the courses I could write about, this is probably the most hidden or at least unknown.  It is on the campus of The Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey and is owned by the Navy so most people think you can't play it. Let me let you in on a little secret.  It is owned by the Navy but is very much open to the public. This is a sporty course and pretty short, but tricky and challenging.  The course is always in great condition and has some nice views of Monterey.

5.  Poppy Hills:  OK, this one is on The Seventeen Mile Drive.  What's wrong with that?  It is the members course of The Northern California Golf Association and I'm not going to explain who they are. The course was in the rotation of courses for The AT&T Pro-Am but was taken out. Recently, it underwent a complete renovation and I haven't played it since the renovation. I like the course, although I never play it well. It is hard to get on because there seems to always be an N.C.G.A. tournament going on, but well worth the effort of trying to get on.  If you can't get on, try Monterey Pines.

6.  Old Del Monte:  This is one of the oldest courses west of the Mississippi in continuous operation.  That fact is debated by several other courses, but does it matter?  I haven't played here in a very long time because I don't think it warrants the expense. The course is a lot of fun and has a few great holes, but it is very similar to Monterey Pines and I would rather spend less money and play Monterey Pines. Don't call me cheap, just value orientated.

7.  Laguna Seca:  Yes, there is a golf course at Laguna Seca, not just a race track.  The course is located about five miles out of Monterey on Highway 68, the road to Salinas.  Generally, when Monterey is foggy, Laguna Seca is warm and sunny. The course is fun to play and has some memorable holes on it, but I would say it is not that exciting. That is not to say that I don't recommend it.  Play it, it is very reasonable as far as green fees, and decide for yourself.

8.  Spanish Bay:  Thank you Tom Watson for taking this old sans quarry and transforming into a golf work of art. My only question is, why did you make it such a hard work of art. This is one tough golf course. It will really beat you up. However, and this is a big however, it is so pretty you don't mind the beating.  There are ocean holes and forest holes, all told a beautiful setting. This is one that you play, do your best and sit back and enjoy. I have played it several times, never scored on it and got beat up each time. It was well worth the experience. Make sure to be here at sunset to hear the piper.  That experience alone soothes the wounds after your round.

9.  Quail Lodge:  This is a resort course located in Carmel Valley.  Like Laguna Seca, the climate here is warmer and most of the time it is sunny here when it is cloudy in Monterey. You won't see any ocean here as you are a few miles inland.  This course is fun to play but tight. The fairways are tight and the greens are small so the course puts a premium on accuracy. The Lodge has golf packages available and it is not hard to get on. Green fees are a bit pricey, but check the internet for specials.

10.  Tehama Country Club:  I confess that I have not played this one.  I was supposed to, but the offer fell through. I know that a journalist's credibility is sacred and if you feel that I have betrayed you, I'm truly sorry. This is Clint Eastwoood's private course and if you are not a member you better know Clint or Dina or Clint's new girlfriend. This course is ultra exclusive and is Clint's private domain.

     Should you travel to Monterey, I highly recommend playing. It truly is golf paradise.  You can get clearer idea of these courses and see some pictures taken on some of them by going to my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.
     Thanks for reading my blog and hit 'em long and straight.  Don't leave that birdie putt short!

     I'm off to Montery.  I will let you know about the course and how I liked it.

Yep, Beautiful Monterey.

     

The Sky Is Falling, The Sky Is Falling

     I totally agree that participation in golf has declined dramatically. How concerned should we be about that? My opinion is that we should be concerned, continue making sensible some changes that will benefit the game and get more people to play our wonderful sport. Without growth, the game dies, its that simple. However, it has been said that the game is dying. I don't believe that for one second.
    Numbers are off from the record 30 million that played the game before 2008. Yes, golf took a severe nosedive, but so did the economy. Since then golf has been making a small, slow but steady recovery. Let's not pronounce the patient dead yet, who yes is in intensive care but not on life support. We can fix this with some sound changes and good business sense. Let's look at this from the perspective of the glass being half full, not half empty.
     Here is a comment I read this morning on my FaceBook page taken form a group I belong to. The group is "Old School Golf-New Tools", and was written by Judge Tinker who is the page moderator.  It caught my eye and has some great thoughts and ideas in it. Here it is, let me know what you think.

Oh no! We have fewer people playing the game of golf today. Golf associations and bloggers are always talking about golfers that have quit playing the game. "We're down 3-million golfers," they say. 
Any math whiz can figure out that number is peanuts as a percentage compared to the 26-million golfers still playing the game. 
I certainly don't want to appear to be a naysayer, so I'll play along and I'll buy into the theory that the sky is falling in golf to support those people that are trying to increase golf participation.
But in reality, I must question a few things in order to convince myself that the golf sky is actually falling.
It is no secret that it takes money to play the game of golf. Do these bloggers truly know the income brackets of the people that have allegedly quit playing the game of golf?
If a person lost his job, or took a pay cut, I assume the first thing he would do to save money is quit playing golf to save money.
It doesn't take a scientist to figure out that golf participation is going decline for twenty-years as the baby boom generation grows in age.
We all should get used to this fact. It's not fun to play golf when you lose your flexibility. Both job losses and aging retirees will affect the number of people playing the sport. Ok, let's except it and roll on.
IMO--It's just not the golfing world, this group of people will not be buying stocks, buying new cars or buying new homes either.
A recent survey said that the average person playing golf has a 92,000 household income and a person belonging to a private club has a $127,000 household income. The last time I checked, social security payments are not in that range.
Most of us know we have fewer courses today then we had decades ago, and we expect fewer for the upcoming decades.
For those people that see the glass as half full, saying the courses are always full when I play golf, do we ever ask ourselves how do we really know people have quit playing the game?
Consider, there is no accurate reporting system that registers the number of rounds that are purchased each year. There is no reporting system where private clubs report their membership levels. There is no association where a person needs to call and register that he is quitting the game of golf.
The only reporting system is the total number of people that track their handicap scores. So, how can bloggers truly say that people are not playing the game just because they quit tracking their handicap scores?
Another thing that is tracked, fan participation, and watching golfing events is up ~~ way up.
Shouldn't bloggers be saying that we should be concerned about the number of golfers that have discontinued paying the annual association fees that track handicap scores?
Wouldn't this be more reality?

    Thank you Judge for that insight. No, the sky is not falling.  A piece of the ceiling may have fallen down, but the sky has not fallen. Judge's article couldn't have put things more into perspective. The game is sound after hitting a bump in the road but it is coming back little by little. However, this doesn't mean that we stop work on growing the game. Our efforts have to continue and strengthen in their resolve. Just remember, golf is for everyone.

Ah, the beauty of it all.

Change Of Hats Today

     Today is Saturday so I am not going to write much. When you are so called retired, there is really now Saturday and it seems that I am busier now after I retired.  Don't worry though, it is a good busy and I am pursuing many of the interests that I couldn't when I was teaching.
      Yesterday I took my wife, her sister, father and mother to the airport at San Francisco, California. After dropping them off I got to connect with a few of my video clients which was a lot of fun. It is interesting that when people say that they have seen my videos, they really haven't. It was great sharing them yesterday with two of the pros which I made the videos for.
      Today is going to interesting, to say the least. I volunteer as a photographer and writer for nearby Castle Air Museum, one of the largest air museums on the West Coast. We are having a "Kids Day" for the first time and I am going to photograph it. So, today I am changing hats from golf writer/photographer/golf website person to Unofficial/Official Air Museum Photographer.
      At any rate, have a great Saturday and Blessed Sunday. I get to play golf next week on Tuesday in the San Francisco area when I pick my wife up so I am excited about that. Take care and remember, golf is for everyone.

Something different.

Dear Johnny Miller

I am away from my desk today, but please enjoy this article from a past post on one of my other blogs. I truly respect what Johnny Miller has accomplished in the world of golf. For what it is worth, here it goes and I don't expect any Christmas cards from the Miller family.

Dear Mr. Miller
     Thank you for providing some of the best moments in golf history, both on the course and in the broadcast booth.  I admire you very much. You are a man of many talents, including designing golf courses.
     I have had the pleasure of playing two of the golf courses that you have designed.  First, I have played your course at what used to be called Brighton Crest, now Eagle Springs, in Friant California.  I live in Fresno, which is close to Friant and get to play the course often. I have also played Eagle Ridge in Gilroy California. Both courses are very beautiful in their settings, but difficult to play for the average golfer.
     As I played the courses, many questions cropped up in my head.  First, what is the foundation for your love of boulders and where they are placed on the course?  Next, it has been said that your putting skills were not as good as they probably could be.  I don't fault you for this, my putting skills are not that good as well.  However, in many cases the greens on the courses you design are undulating and almost impossible to putt.  Is this in retribution and meant as a slap in the face of the golf gods?
    I am going to cut to the bottom line here.  Keep in mind that I have met you a couple of times and have talked to you.  I very much enjoyed those brief talks, even though your end of the conversation most of the time was "I don't have time for you now." You are a multimillionaire with successes in the golf business, including the design of many courses.  I am just a poor, starving writer that plays golf. You have earned the right to design golf courses, even though my opinion is not that high of them. They are in beautiful settings, and it doesn't mean a thing that I never play them well. My opinion of them doesn't count much and is not going to contribute to the  outbreak of  the "Great Apocalypse", otherwise known as the end of the world. Peace in the world is not going to break out, given my opinions on how you design a golf course. I just don't play them well, and truth is I don't care for them much. I still play Eagle Springs occasionally.
     Mr. Miller, I truly admire you.  I still hate number nine at Eagle Springs.  What were you thinking when you designed that hole?

First hole and let the games begin.

Where Do We Grow From Here? Part 1

     I just want to say that golf is very much alive and well, thank you very much. Just because it has seen a bit of a downward trend toward expansion does not mean that we should call the mortuary and plan the sad funeral. The disastrous downward spiral profits reported by high end golf equipment manufacturers doesn't necessarily translate to the death of our sport. Our sport hit a bump in the road, but the road from here is smooth and clear.
     I ask this question, where do we grow from here. What are some things the sport has to do to grow and attract new players and keep those that play on a regular basis. We do have to make some changes, but those changes must keep the integrity of the game and respect its traditions and history. Here is a brief list of some of the things that don't really change the game itself but help it step into the modern era.
     Allow denim on the course. What is wrong with jeans as long as they are not ragged and torn? Many municipal courses allow a relaxed dress code and I say why not. Golf is a recreational game is it not?  Jeans are part of the landscape now, so why not allow them on the course as long as they are tasteful?
     Tee shirts fall into this same category. Why not allow them on the course.  You are already allowing mock turtlenecks as worn by Tiger and other golfers so why not take the next step. I wouldn't allow tee shirts that are inappropriate on the course, but as long as they are tasteful and not splattered with profane messages or artwork on them, why put up this barrier?
    How about cell phones? I am OK with cell phones on the course as long as they are set to vibrate and the owner is respectful of others around him playing the game. Would you really want someone's cell phone going off in your back swing. How about someone carrying on a conversation a few feet from you when you are trying to putt.  It can wait fella. That doesn't mean you can have them and use them during a tournament either. It is too easy to get advice, so leave them in your bag and turn them off.
     How about personal music players like Ipods or using your cell phone for music. I can see that. However, you must also keep your head in the game and play that game. Be ready to hit
when it is your turn, and remember that you still have to think in this game.  It is not just about hitting the ball.
     If I have offended anyone or stepped on their toes here, just remember that this is my opinion. We still must retain the integrity of the game so let's not go off the deep end. However, there are some things that we can do and I will touch on them on future posts. Remember, golf is for everyone.
   

Tradition, TRADITION!

     I don't know how many of you have seen either the musical play or the movie Fiddler On The Roof. It is well worth the time to see it if you haven't. The main character is Tevye the Jewish dairyman who, through the whole story set in pre-revolution Russia, has to deal with the changing modern world around him and the centuries old traditions of Jewish life. He doesn't quite know how to deal with those changes and is not comfortable with them even though those changes are inevitable. Tevye bent and accepted many of those changes, but he didn't break.
      It has been a long time since I have seen the movie and I haven't seen the stage play so forgive me if I am not exactly accurate with this. The play and movie open up to a scene in the village which shows the village and how it runs. Each of the villagers go about their daily lives and how they fit into the society of the old village each having their own job and purpose. This is the way it has been for ages and the thought is it will continue for ages. The camera or action comes to Tevye, the main character who starts to sing a song.  That song is Tradition, Tradition! which he sings very confidently. Tevye's world begins to change as the new ideas and ways begin to creep into and affect his life.
      Right now, golf is at that "Fidler On The Roof" crossroad. It has to deal with the social changes that are taking place around it and learn to adapt to those changes if it is to grow.We play a game that over 400 years old and steeped in tradition. However, we don't play the game the same way it was played when it began. This may be a sacrilegious statement, but changes have been made. By the same token, we don't have to throw the baby out with the bathwater and strip our game of all tradition and rules.
      We play with a very specific set of rules. But those rules have changed and evolved. How many of you remember taking a drop by throwing the ball over your shoulder?  I still do and was amazed when that rule was changed.
      I remember when woods were woods, in fact I still have my old persimmon headed driver. I used to play steel shafts, but now my clubs are graphite. The ball we play is not three piece hard outer shell with rubber bands wrapped around a liquid center. The balls now are solid and layered. These are a far cry from the "featherie" balls or even the rocks that were used when the game was invented.
     I love playing in the warmer weather wearing shorts and a collard shirt. Are my shoes spiked or spikeless?  I prefer spiked and remember the days we played in metal spikes instead of plastic but I also have a pair of spikeless shoes and have played some of my best rounds in them.  I can't imagine playing in knickers, long sleeve shirt and tie.  Yes, things change.
     It is clear that we must make changes in the game as far as attitudes are concerned as well as rules and how the game itself is played. Changes are inevitable and must be made. But change for the sake of change is not good either. The rich history and traditions of the game must be respected and upheld as well.
Golf is for everyone.

Tradition, TRADITION!

You're Darned Right We Do!

     As I was scrolling through my FaceBook page this morning I saw a post that was curious to me. The post was asking the question do we need more women in golf. It struck as kind of an odd question. Of course the answer to this is very obvious. You're darned right we do. I am very glad it was posted because sometimes we don't shed light on the obvious. Women must be encouraged to play and if they haven't already, to take up the game.
     My wife plays golf. She has played softball almost at the professional level and also played basketball and volleyball in college. She was introduced to golf in San Diego when she was a youth minister at a local church.  She got hooked and now is hooked for life. We try to go out together as much as we can and enjoy the game together. We haven't been able to lately because she has had some shoulder and knee problems and I have had health issues as well. Our health problems have pretty much improved so we plan to play soon and play more often.  She is a lot of fun to golf together with as she brings a very competitive attitude to the game. Plus, she is not a bad golfer either.
     My daughter plays golf. In fact, if you see a 5' 3" petite girl walking up to the first tee and she tries to interest you in a friendly money game, think twice. She loves to take money from unsuspecting strangers and she can play. She went to the California State High School Girls Tournament in her freshman year and just missed it in her senior year. After high school she played at a local community college going to the California Junior College Women't State Tournament that year. She hits the ball a mile and is a major contributor to the reason I have back problems today from trying to out drive her.
     I admit to this.  I used to pack up my clubs and toodled off to the golf course for a day of fun on the links leaving wife and family home. I tried to get my first wife into the game, but she never cared for it. I did try, seriously but I did get my son to take up the game and also my youngest daughter that I mentioned. Gentlemen, we have to change our attitudes towards women on the course. We need to encourage those who wish to take up the game to do so. Those who are already playing we need to encourage and make it possible for them to enjoy the game as much as we men do. Guys, it may be time for an attitude adjustment as far as women on the course and include them in the great game we play.
     Please don't call me sexist when I say this. I truly don't intend it to be that way, but when you were born in the 50's you have some conflicting ways of saying things. Why not have daycare at the golf course? Let's free moms up to play. This actually can be beneficial to the game in that it gets more moms out to play and it can be an early introduction to golf with the kids. That may have been stated rather clumsily, but at least I hope I got the point across.
     Yes gentlemen, Eve did give us that apple in the Garden of Eden but it may be time to forgive her for that. As far as golf is concerned, all should be forgiven and she should take her rightful place in the golfing community.

Next time let's have her play from the men's tee if she is going to bomb it 280. That's my girl.

Something Special For You

     Here is a blog that I wrote from about a year ago from one of my other sites. Too many times we forget just how much fun this game of golf is. It is a social game and who better to enjoy the game with than your wife or girlfriend?  My wife loves the game and we enjoy sharing the fun of the game together. At any rate, enjoy this post from last year.

    To many, this may be a touchy subject, but I am going to explore it anyway.  Does your wife, girlfriend or significant other play golf? My wife plays, and I am very happy about that.
     Before I get run out of town on a rail by a lot of women who play golf out there, let me explain.  Most male and female golfers know what I am talking about and understand what I am trying to say, but some don't.  Some will take offense to even asking the question, but I will suck it up and summon the courage to ask the question. Once again, does your, girlfriend or significant other play golf? Do you enjoy playing golf together?
     I enjoy playing golf together with my wife.  I also enjoy playing without her as well. The same can be said for her.  Her and I don't always have to play together in order to enjoy the experience of a good, or bad, round of golf.  We do enjoy each other very much, and I enjoy watching just how much she gets into the game.  For me, that adds to the fun of it. But, we don't always have to be together to play golf.
     There are times when she wants to play with her friends in a women only outing. I respect that, just as she respects when I go out with my buddies. The bottom line is that we both love the game of golf. Being able to play together and enjoy the game even more is a plus. She's good, too.  I know because I have lost a lot of bets with her. Its still a lot of fun and I don't mind a bit.
     Some men feel that it is an infringement on their space when their wife or significant other wants to come along on the golf outing.  To a certain extent, this may be true but I think that it depends on the context of the situation. A guy, or gal, needs their space.  If that means letting him, or her, off by themselves to go play with their friends so be it. It works both ways.
     Golf is a game that can be played by almost everyone, male or female. Spending time together with your wife, girlfriend or significant other is important as is personal space.  Try playing golf together.  It doesn't have to be all the time or exclusively, but you are spending some quality time together. Its a lot of fun too.

BIRDIE!!!!!

If Golf Isn't Exercise, Why am I so Tired After 18 Holes?

   I went to the doctor on Friday because I have been dealing with chronic heart problems. He restricted my physical activity such as working around the house, going to the gym and working out and of course playing golf. My condition has improved dramatically so he lifted the restrictions as long as I watch myself and don't overdue.
    We talked about activities around the house and he said that was OK. I like to go to the gym and workout so we chatted about that which he said was fine but that I should listen to my body and what it was telling me as far as my getting tired. I then asked him specifically about golf. I asked him about getting back to playing golf and his answer kind of caught me by surprise. He obviously doesn't play golf.
     Here's what he said. "Yes David, you can play golf again as long as you take a cart and don't walk the course. Make sure you listen to your body and not get too tired.  Besides, golf isn't exercise anyway."

     SAY WHAT????

     Let's clear something up right now. Golf is a lot of exercise. My doctor obviously hasn't lifted a golf bag out of the trunk of a car before. He hasn't walked and carried that bag over eighteen holes which is about three and a half miles give or take depending on if the course is flat and you hit the ball down the middle of the fairway. Since I payed the green fee, I liked to get the most for my money so I would hit the ball and walk as much of the course as I could, not always intentionally if you get my drift. That white ball has a tendency to go into a lot of strange places and of course I would follow it. Needless to say, that refreshment at the nineteenth hole was very welcomed as I melted into that comfortable chair.
     My days of walking and carrying or even pulling a cart are long gone.  My health is not what it used to be so I have to take a riding cart. It is not as much exercise as you would think riding around in this wonderful speed machine, but wait there is more to the story. You still have to get out and hit the ball where it is.
     At most courses about thirty yards in front of the green you will see a roped off area where you cant take your cart. Should your ball land in there you still have to walk to your ball and hit the shot. There is no getting around this unless you have special permission. You can't drive your cart on the tee and hit your tee shot.  You still have to get out of your cart and walk to the tee.  The same thing goes for the green.  You still have to walk to the green, which can still be a bit of a hike and putt--and putt--and maybe putt again. Then you have to walk back to your cart and on to the next tee.
     Golf is a game of walking and you just can't get away from that.  Walking distances may be less with the use of a cart, but you must still walk unless you can't and special arrangements and aids are used so that you can play the game. Doctor, I hate to tell you this but golf is still a lot of exercise.

Many of us still enjoy the game with the use of a cart. Golf is for everyone.