Why do they refer to someone who can work magic around the greens with their wedges as having “soft hands”? Now I know for a fact that it’s not because they use hand lotion on a regular basis. I have never seen anyone with the touch that Mickelson has and the shots he comes up with and executes inspire awe. It’s one thing to envision a shot but to consistently execute that shot is plain unbelievable. Or how about John Daly. Wish that he could get rid of the demons in his life and return his concentration to the game cause the man is a joy to watch. But you constantly hear announcers making comments about Daly’s soft hands around the greens. I must admit that I occasionally execute one of those shots and let me tell ya … It feels great. The imagination is there, the body is willing but the talent doesn’t always keep pace with my visions. One of my favorite wedges is the lob wedge and many of my fellow Duffers are often asking me how I could swing that hard and create such a nice soft touch with the ball. I just say that it’s the technology but in reality it’s the practice, practice, and more practice. Now that the weather is changing and the nights are getting longer – what kind of a statement is that? Nights don’t get any longer, daylight does. Anyway, I need to get back to hitting 75 to 100 balls every night with each of the 4 wedges I carry. Pitching, gap, sand, and lob wedges is what helps define your game. That and putting. The flat stick and pitching is probably some of the most overlooked parts of a game when you visit the driving range. You know the old saying – “you drive for show and you putt for dough”. There’s a lot to be said for that.
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April 25, 2009 - 4:13 pm
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duffer
Been on the road for about 2 weeks and of course I have my golf clubs with me just in case I need a fix. Right now is one of those times. Been traveling up the Oregon coast and passing up some of the more beautiful courses around. Right now, we’ve parked our 5th wheel in our son’s driveway in Port Orchard, Washington and playing peek-a-boo with the sun. It seems that no matter where you are, the local weather forecasters are all the same – wrong … Rain or shine, we get to visit with our twin grandsons. Haven’t seen them since last September when they turned 4. What a nice innocent age.
Last time we were up here I had a chance to play Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Washington. They have 2 courses – the Olympic and Cascade. I think the Olympic course was closed for NCAA practice but the Cascade was more than fulfilling. Very hilly links with beautifully manicured greens and fairways. Had the opportunity to play a round with some locals and I highly recommend sharing your experience with knowledgeable duffers. Even with a GPS, there’s no substitute for local knowledge.
The sun is out now but around here if you don’t like the weather just wait an hour. Don’t just sit there – Get out on the links and let me know how you do …
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April 23, 2009 - 1:08 pm
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duffer
For you loyal readers, I bet you’re wondering where I’ve disappeared to and why I have not posted anything for quite a while. To be honest, I have no excuses and will not try to give any. Being retired, I am spending more time with my grandchildren, traveling, getting caught up on neglected chores and enjoying life. I actually have not played much golf in the last month or so. I did play a round at Green Tree Golf Course in Victorville, CA and shot a nice round of 82 which shocked me cause that was my first round in a month. Victorville is over 3,000 feet in elevation and the ball probably traveled a bit more for me but mostly I slowed down and my concentration appeared to be more intense. Could be that playing 2 to 3 time a week made me complacent with my game. I am getting withdrawal symptoms these days but it’s amazing just how busy you can be without work interfering with my life. I often wonder how I ever found the time to work … Hopefully, everyone will have an opportunity to bask in the sunshine of retirement while they’re still young enough to enjoy it. Life really is too short and many friends that retired kept telling me that you don’t really need as much money as you think you need but I for one never really believed them until I found out that they were right. Don’t get me wrong, social security was never meant to be a retirement but as a supplement, it won’t hurt to get a pay raise when I turn 62 and a half.
Nowadays, it doesn’t bother me anymore that a year ago my index was 11.2 and now it’s 16. I consider myself a bogey golfer and a Duffer. So what if I use a six iron and my friend uses an eight iron for the same shot. I’m not here to prove anything anymore. I’ll never hit a five iron 210, heck I’m lucky if I hit my 3 wood 200. As long as I know what to use for what distances and as long as I play smart golf. But the most important thing is that I have the opportunity to play golf if and when I want to and within reason I can afford to play. I enjoy the game so much more now that I am enjoying the game of golf and the environment that comes with it. It’s not about being stressed about my score, game, a shot, a few bucks here or there on some side bet – it’s about getting out there and playing the game for the sake of playing the game. So many golf courses and so little time. Even a course known as a “cow pasture” can be fun if you let it …
For all you loyal readers out there, let me know what you think.
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April 10, 2009 - 10:22 am
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duffer
Wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve said “all you need now is a chip & a putt” to one of my playing partners or myself! I usually tell myself that after a poor tee shot or second shot and given the amount of bad tee shots or second shots in my playing days it amounts to humongous times. Wish that it were not but like I said, the first liar doesn’t stand a chance. It helps to takes my mind off that last ugly shot and moves me forward to visualize my next shot and place me in the right frame of mind. Course, I’m not going to say how many times I have proceeded to execute that chip & a putt to perfection but the thought was there.
I need to get back to practicing my short game. I used to hit each of my four wedges (pitching, gap, sand, and lob) about 70 times every 2 to 3 days at Jack Tone Golf Course. Living about 200 yards from the club house makes it easy. Now that I don’t lose balls like I used to I have 70 Pinnacle Exception balls that are scuffed, etc. to use for my chipping drills. Course, like anything else that you perfect, you tend to take it for granted. That’s what I’ve done with my chipping game and I tend to rely on past performances rather that fine tuned swings. Used to pitch and run or chip with the best of them and even made friends shake their heads in disbelief with some of my executions. I’ve always admired the surgeon precision of Phil Mickelson’s short game and have been known to now and then try to emulate Lefty. I’ve also admire the soft hand that John Daly displays and big like John, people don’t expect me to pull off some of the shots I try.
Like I said, … all I need now is a chip & a putt … it’s just that if I don’t get back to the driving range and hit ball after ball then those words will just become an empty saying. We all know what we need to do, it’s just making or finding the time to do it.
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February 16, 2009 - 4:32 pm
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duffer
What did you do with “The” Ball? For me it’s easy. I’ve never had “The” Ball to do anything with it. What is “The” Ball you ask? It’s the ball you used to make a hole-in-one. I’ve been playing for a zillion years now and have never had a hole-in-one. I’ve been close many times but have never been lucky and/or good enough to make one. Is it really talent that helps one to make a hole-in-one? I can remember a couple of years ago during a monthly Jack Tone Golf Club Tournament in Ripon, Ca (a par 62 executive golf course) when one of our duffers made a hole-in-one on number 15. No 15 is a par 3 117 yard hole that is completely guarded by a sand trap in front. This guy, about a 20 something handicap, blades the ball and hits it into the sand trap. The ball proceeds right through the trap, hits the lip at the back of the trap, jumps up to the green and one hops into the hole! Now tell me, is that luck or talent? I think we know the answer to that one. Or during another tournament at Jack Tone Golf, we had a hole-in-one on the par 4 254 yard number 5 hole. The guy drove the green and it found it’s way into the hole. Not only was that a hole-in-one but I guess some would call it an Albatross. Never heard of an Albatross? It’s an old British name for a double eagle. What’s that you say, two eagles? No, it means you scored 3 under par on a single hole! In other words, you scored a 2 on a par 5 hole or a 1 on a par 4. Needless to say, it doesn’t happen very often.
So, what did these guys do with “The” ball? The tournament director and Jack Tone Golf contacted the local newspapers and reported the event. The duffers probably had the ball mounted on a plaque and it now hangs in their office, den, or garage depending on many factors. I know where mine would be. It would be prominantly displayed in my office along with my logo ball collection of all the courses I have played. I hope I wouldn’t do what my buddy Johnny Salami did. After playing 30+ years, he finally made his first hole-in-one at Jack Tone Golf on number 11 a par 3 142 yard hole. I was home at the time and another friend playing with Johnny calls me up and they’re whooping and howling in my ear. I was jealous and happy for Johnny. I later learned that Johnny then proceeded to tee up the ball on number 12, a par 5 90 degree dog leg left and duck hooked the ball into the Stanislaus River. Turns out Johnny was so jubiliant over the hole-in-one that he used “The” Ball on number 12!!
Bummer man … Now we’ll never know what Johnny would have done with “The” Ball. What have you done? What will you do? I’ll just have to wait and see.
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February 12, 2009 - 8:34 am
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duffer
Ah, the purists. Don’t you just hate them … I mean love them? Here’s an example that a golf nazi (gz) did to one of my friends when it appeared that he may have hit a ball out of bounds. My fellow duffer declared that he would hit another ball just in case and he proceeded. The original ball was not found and the other ball was played as per Rule 27-2 Provisional Ball. When the hole was completed the gz then told my friend that he was assessed a one stroke penalty cause he did not declare that he was hitting a “provisional ball”. My friend said he declared and then hit an other ball just in case but the gz was adamant that since he did not say the word “provisional” that he wound up hitting the wrong ball and therefore was to be penalized. Pleeeeeaaaase … can you believe some people? We’ve all run across these guys now and then. One of my sayings is “we’re not playing the US Open” and in most cases it does not greatly insult the golfgods and/or impact The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews that was established in 1754.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not advocating the skirting of any rules but some golfers need to lighten up now and then. We all do our best to adhere to the rules and if a duffer choses not to abide by said rules then he/she is only hurting themselves. I keep saying that it’s only a game because for 99% of us it will never be anything more. We’ll never be scratch golfers and we’ll never be on any tour unless we choose to buy a ticket to watch the pros. Yes, there is The Golf Channel Amateur Tour but that doesn’t count.
So who’s your worst golf nazi or what’s your worst story about one of these demons of the links?
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February 11, 2009 - 10:52 am
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duffer
Back to the Future – I remember watching that movie when it first came out and it was entertaining until they chose to make about 10 sequels. I was thinking about that movie as my return to reality became clearer yesterday. You see, the golfgods decided to shine on me and show me what could be. My previous 4 rounds were in the 80s. I shot an 85, 82, 84, and 83 at Manteca Park Golf Course and starting to think that just maybe I’ve turned the corner to the promise land. I was driving the ball in the fairways, getting on or close in regulation, chipping well, and putting lights out. Life was good. Alas, we can’t all continue to live in the promise land. I fell back to some of my old habits – missing fairways, swinging too hard, no concentration, blah, blah, blah … Back to the 90s! Not that there’s anything wrong with the 90s. There was a time, not that long ago, when I would have given my left you know what to shoot a round in the 90s. Life is funny that way.
What’s important for me to remember is that it’s only a game which should be enjoyed. Don’t let an obsession with scoring, playing for greenies, quarters, etc. ruin a day on the links. Days on the links can be so few and far apart these days and need to be cherished. Getting a par now and then with a birdie thrown in, or snaking that putt in will always bring you Back to the Future.
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February 6, 2009 - 10:34 am
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duffer
I was golfing yesterday and one of my friends kept saying “I can’t even buy a putt”. If you could buy a putt who or where would you buy it from? And if you could buy a putt what would you do with it? Interesting little saying don’t you think? I wonder who the first golfer was that came up with that? Do you think it was good old David Mulligan? Nah … he wouldn’t buy anything, he would just take another shot and not count it.
We’ve all been there. No matter what we try we just can’t sink a putt from any length. Short, long, lip jobs, in and out, and even toilet ringers. That little white ball just won’t drop in that hole. The hole shrinks up too. Ever notice how small that hole gets sometime? Once the confidence goes so does the flat stick. Some days you just can’t miss a putt. Other days, you can’t even buy a putt …
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January 31, 2009 - 9:09 am
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duffer
Turns out that many duffers are breaking golf rule 4-4a by actually carrying 15 clubs instead of the stipulated 14 clubs. I have witnesses these rule breakers for years but never accessed them the two stroke penalty for each hole at which the breach occurred; maximum penalty per round: Four strokes. What, you say you’ve never witnessed one of these rule breakers? Course you have, it’s just that you chose not to count the “foot wedge” as a club. Take a normal bag and when you add the foot wedge it adds up to “15″.
Oh we’ve all seen the infamous stroke now and then and some of us may even have been known to use it occasionally but that doesn’t make it right. It usually occurs in the rough, trees, or hazards. The culprit nonchalantly looks around to make sure no one is paying close attention and then uses his/her foot to give themselves a better lie. Isn’t it weird that the term for how your ball is laying on the ground is “lie” which is appropriate in some cases. Better lie, you gotta love it. I’ve often said that the first liar doesn’t stand a chance.
But let’s face it – When you’re out there enjoying a relaxing round with friends and new acquaintances then where is the harm? This isn’t the US Open !! Many duffers don’t break a 100 on a regular basis and using their foot wedge now and then is not going to end the free world as we know it. Is it wrong? Yes. Does it really harm anyone? Not really. Golf is a game and should be used for the most part for enjoyment. Of course there is no room for the foot wedge in any type of tournament or other play in which there might be some monetary rewards based on scores. Not that anyone ever wages on a round of golf and/or occurances during that round. Nooooo, not us poor old duffers …
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January 23, 2009 - 10:25 am
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duffer
We play from the white tees at the Valley Golfers Club and Manteca Park Golf Course gives you plenty of challenges from that venue. Problem is that some of our members don’t enjoy playing from the whites as much as others. Why? Cause they don’t stand a chance of reaching most greens in regulation and are usually putting for bogeys or worse. After all, just like bowling and other sports, handicap systems were established to equal the playing fields for all. In golf, most of us are familiar with the black, blue, white, red, and gold tees. Many of us now play from the white tees while women normally play from the reds. Even in the Wendy’s three tour challenge they play from different tees and, lo and behold!, the play becomes even for all and everyone is able to enjoy the game equally.
So why would anyone be against 80+ year old golfers playing from the reds while everyone else plays from the whites? I have some thoughts but I’ll keep them to myself for now. Allowing 80+ members to play from the reds would give them a better chance to reach the green in regulation and enjoy the challenges of putting for a birdie now and then. Some say that it wouldn’t be fair to have them play from the reds but their handicaps would be lowered accordingly and therefore equalize the playing field. If we were to adopt playing from the reds for elder members that doesn’t mean that you have to. Those that choose not to could still play from the whites. Heck, for those fighting this logical idea – Why don’t you play from the blues? If you’re in your 60s and 70s and can still hit the ball far enough, then play from the blues and let those that still want to play and enjoy the game play from the whites and/or reds if they want to. There’s enough distance separating the whites and blues that maybe those of you fighting to prevent others from playing from the reds should find out what it’s like to minimize your ability to reach the greens in regulation. Then maybe you’ll see the light and opt for fairness.
The least thing we can do is bring it to the membership for a vote. After all, the Valley Golfers Club is governed by bylaws and a majority vote rule, not by the will of one of two individuals. If I’m still able to play golf at 80 it would be nice to be able to enjoy the game as much as others and play from a distance that is more manageable. Course, a lot can and will happen in the next 21 years but by then the will of the people should have prevailed against the opposition of a few. One can only hope.
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January 19, 2009 - 8:55 am
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duffer
