Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Monday, March 21, 2016
What is an Elephant's Ass?
In golf terms an "Elephant's Ass" is a poorly struck shot that is "high and stinky." Usually applied to a popped-up drive that is higher than it is long. An elephant's ass might also prompt a comment such as, "Except for distance and direction, that was a great shot."
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Down Under Trip by the numbers
Yesterday, I played the last round of my dream trip at the historic Kingston Heath GC in Melbourne. Hoping I was saving the best for last, I have no doubt that I did just that. All together I experienced 21 courses from 2/7-3/5, photographing all but one. All except two were seaside courses with 14 being considered True Links plus 6 that would be on most peoples Top 100 list. After playing 1000 courses, my real passion is Links courses which I am now at 76 of the nearly 250 in the world according to the book, True Links.
After landing in Sydney from the USA, I spent a couple of days sight seeing before I headed to Christchurch in the South Island of NZ for eight rounds. The scenery was spectacular from the Fjords to the shores of the west coast and back around through the vineyards of the NE to Christchurch. While I was there they had another earthquake of 5.4 magnitude. They have had over 5,000 shakes in the past 5 years. Next was the North Island arriving in Auckland to my only rainy day. Took in some great courses there with designs by MacKenzie, Russell, Doak, and Harmon. Flew back to Australia into Tasmania to play in Hobart and at Barnbougle, which is very reminiscent of Bandon Dunes Resort. Lastly, I had a few days left to fly back into Melbourne for my final three rounds.
The weather was great with only one wash out, which I was able to make up at Titirangi on my last day in Auckland. The first round in Dunedin, NZ was the coolest in the low 60's and the last round at Kingston Heath by far the warmest as it was 99 as I walked to my car. I got to see a great amount of New Zealand and a bit of Tasmania and Victoria states in Australia. I probably drove over 4,000 miles total in four different rental cars, stayed in 20 different hotels, and logged over 50 hours of flying time in 11 flight segments. All in all I probably traveled close to a total of 35,000 miles round trip. Complete photo tours of 20 courses/2500 photo's will begin around the middle of March with all hopefully posted by the 1st of May.
After landing in Sydney from the USA, I spent a couple of days sight seeing before I headed to Christchurch in the South Island of NZ for eight rounds. The scenery was spectacular from the Fjords to the shores of the west coast and back around through the vineyards of the NE to Christchurch. While I was there they had another earthquake of 5.4 magnitude. They have had over 5,000 shakes in the past 5 years. Next was the North Island arriving in Auckland to my only rainy day. Took in some great courses there with designs by MacKenzie, Russell, Doak, and Harmon. Flew back to Australia into Tasmania to play in Hobart and at Barnbougle, which is very reminiscent of Bandon Dunes Resort. Lastly, I had a few days left to fly back into Melbourne for my final three rounds.
The weather was great with only one wash out, which I was able to make up at Titirangi on my last day in Auckland. The first round in Dunedin, NZ was the coolest in the low 60's and the last round at Kingston Heath by far the warmest as it was 99 as I walked to my car. I got to see a great amount of New Zealand and a bit of Tasmania and Victoria states in Australia. I probably drove over 4,000 miles total in four different rental cars, stayed in 20 different hotels, and logged over 50 hours of flying time in 11 flight segments. All in all I probably traveled close to a total of 35,000 miles round trip. Complete photo tours of 20 courses/2500 photo's will begin around the middle of March with all hopefully posted by the 1st of May.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
New Golf Shoes
Bert, at 85 years old, always wanted a pair of soft spike golf shoes like Freddie Couples, so seeing them on sale after his round, he bought a pair and he was so delighted with his purchase he decided to wear them home to show the misses.
Walking proudly into the house, he sauntered into the kitchen and said to his wife, "Notice anything different about me?"
Margaret at age 83, looked him over and replied, "Nope."
Frustrated as all get out, Bert stormed off into the bedroom, undressed, and walked back into the kitchen completely naked except for his new golf shoes. Again he asked Margaret, a little louder this time, "Notice anything different NOW?"
Margaret looked up again and said in her best deadpan response, "Bert, what's different? It's hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, and it'll be hanging down again tomorrow."
Furious, Bert yells out, "AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT'S HANGING DOWN, MARGARET?" "Nope. Not a clue", she replied.
Bert yelled, "IT'S HANGING DOWN BECAUSE IT'S LOOKING AT MY NEW GOLF SHOES!!!
Without missing a beat old Margaret replies, "Shoulda bought a new golf hat, Bert."
Walking proudly into the house, he sauntered into the kitchen and said to his wife, "Notice anything different about me?"
Margaret at age 83, looked him over and replied, "Nope."
Frustrated as all get out, Bert stormed off into the bedroom, undressed, and walked back into the kitchen completely naked except for his new golf shoes. Again he asked Margaret, a little louder this time, "Notice anything different NOW?"
Margaret looked up again and said in her best deadpan response, "Bert, what's different? It's hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, and it'll be hanging down again tomorrow."
Furious, Bert yells out, "AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT'S HANGING DOWN, MARGARET?" "Nope. Not a clue", she replied.
Bert yelled, "IT'S HANGING DOWN BECAUSE IT'S LOOKING AT MY NEW GOLF SHOES!!!
Without missing a beat old Margaret replies, "Shoulda bought a new golf hat, Bert."
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
2016 Trip Down Under
The last item on my Golf Bucket List is being able to photograph and experience golf in New Zealand, Melbourne, and Tasmania. I will be leaving on February 2 and returning March 7th for my trip of a lifetime. I have been thinking about this for almost 20 years.
I have divided the trip into 4 sub regions:
1. South Island of New Zealand. 2/6-2/16. True Links courses are one of my passions, there are EIGHT on this island- Chisholm Links, Otakou (9), Oreti Sands, Hokitka, Westport, Karamea (9), Nelson, Takaka (9). Playing all of these will pretty much take me around the whole island. Flying in and out of Christchurch.
2. North Island of New Zealand. Flying into Auckland on the 16th until the 25th. True Links course-Paraparaumu Beach, Titirangi a Mackenzie course, two Doak courses at Cape Kidnappers and Tara It (links) and Kauri Cliffs are the five courses I am focusing on here. This will take me on a figure 8 loop of the island providing a nice overview. Also, played the back 9 at Mangawhai GC.
3. Tasmania 2/25-3/1. Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farms are two great courses by my favorite architects that I will experience plus take a drive down to Hobart and play Tasmania and Royal Hobart.
4. Melbourne 3/1-3/7. So many great courses in this region I will only be able to see a handful. Kingston Heath course will be a great experience. There are two True Links courses- Barwon Heads and Port Fairy I am also going to play. Maybe, I will have to make a return trip just to play Melbourne area golf in the future.
I have contacted all the above courses and have them all scheduled. I will probably end up photographing around 20 courses on this trip so you all will be able to enjoy about another 2500 photos.
I have divided the trip into 4 sub regions:
1. South Island of New Zealand. 2/6-2/16. True Links courses are one of my passions, there are EIGHT on this island- Chisholm Links, Otakou (9), Oreti Sands, Hokitka, Westport, Karamea (9), Nelson, Takaka (9). Playing all of these will pretty much take me around the whole island. Flying in and out of Christchurch.
2. North Island of New Zealand. Flying into Auckland on the 16th until the 25th. True Links course-Paraparaumu Beach, Titirangi a Mackenzie course, two Doak courses at Cape Kidnappers and Tara It (links) and Kauri Cliffs are the five courses I am focusing on here. This will take me on a figure 8 loop of the island providing a nice overview. Also, played the back 9 at Mangawhai GC.
3. Tasmania 2/25-3/1. Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farms are two great courses by my favorite architects that I will experience plus take a drive down to Hobart and play Tasmania and Royal Hobart.
4. Melbourne 3/1-3/7. So many great courses in this region I will only be able to see a handful. Kingston Heath course will be a great experience. There are two True Links courses- Barwon Heads and Port Fairy I am also going to play. Maybe, I will have to make a return trip just to play Melbourne area golf in the future.
I have contacted all the above courses and have them all scheduled. I will probably end up photographing around 20 courses on this trip so you all will be able to enjoy about another 2500 photos.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Friday, September 11, 2015
Growing Older
I recently came to realize that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everyone off is a piece of cake.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Charles Barkley has Golf Demons
"You know I got some mental things going on and I can't get them out of my head. There are worse things in life other than sucking at golf." Quote from Charles, after his round at the American Century Celebrity event, where he had resorted to only using one arm to swing the club.
For those who have never seen Charles swing, he almost comes to a complete stop just before striking the ball. Hank Haney worked with him on a Golf Channel series and still could not exorcise his demons. Charles used to shoot in the 80's and looks decent hitting balls on the range, but like many his game doesn't transfer to the course.
For those who have never seen Charles swing, he almost comes to a complete stop just before striking the ball. Hank Haney worked with him on a Golf Channel series and still could not exorcise his demons. Charles used to shoot in the 80's and looks decent hitting balls on the range, but like many his game doesn't transfer to the course.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
2015 US Open Chambers Bay Pictorial Tour
In July of 2011, I had one of the best days of my golf life at Chambers Bay Golf Links. It was a picture perfect day, I had the course to myself, and an experienced caddie. The time of day and lighting produced some of my most spectacular photo's ever. Please click on link below for all 160 pictures.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/ChambersBay?authuser=0&feat=directlink
By being able to play several shots and putts from different locations on each hole I really got to know the course. I can still vividly recall most all of the holes. The stretch starting with the drivable Par 4 #12 through the Par 3 #15 is one of the most enjoyable string of holes I have played. What great fun I had hitting shots off the banks and putting the giant punchbowl 12th. At the 15th the pin was placed near the left quadrant of the green. My caddie told me to hit if off the left slope and he said the ball would funnel down onto the green and I would have a good chance at making an ACE. I hit a half dozen tee shots and was able to get three of them in the vicinity he wanted and all of those came within an inch of going in the hole!!! Please click on link of those four holes below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/ChambersBay1215?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Chambers Bay certainly plays like a True Links course but due to a couple of criteria it can not be officially classified as one. Too much elevation change on the property and the fact that it is on the Puget Sound and not directly located on the ocean prevents it from being considered by golf purists.
Update: Jordan Spieth wins his second Major in a row in one of the most exciting finishes in U.S. Open history. Defeating Dustin Johnson who 3 putted on the final hole, and Louis Oosthuizen, who made six birdies on the back nine.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/ChambersBay?authuser=0&feat=directlink
By being able to play several shots and putts from different locations on each hole I really got to know the course. I can still vividly recall most all of the holes. The stretch starting with the drivable Par 4 #12 through the Par 3 #15 is one of the most enjoyable string of holes I have played. What great fun I had hitting shots off the banks and putting the giant punchbowl 12th. At the 15th the pin was placed near the left quadrant of the green. My caddie told me to hit if off the left slope and he said the ball would funnel down onto the green and I would have a good chance at making an ACE. I hit a half dozen tee shots and was able to get three of them in the vicinity he wanted and all of those came within an inch of going in the hole!!! Please click on link of those four holes below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/ChambersBay1215?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Chambers Bay certainly plays like a True Links course but due to a couple of criteria it can not be officially classified as one. Too much elevation change on the property and the fact that it is on the Puget Sound and not directly located on the ocean prevents it from being considered by golf purists.
Update: Jordan Spieth wins his second Major in a row in one of the most exciting finishes in U.S. Open history. Defeating Dustin Johnson who 3 putted on the final hole, and Louis Oosthuizen, who made six birdies on the back nine.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Moe & Me by Lorne Rubenstein
Moe Norman (1929-2004). Probably the greatest ball striker and most misunderstood golfer in the history of golf. Having wintered in Daytona Beach for several years I had seen Moe at the LPGA golf complex many times, so this book was really enlightening for me.
After reading 'Moe and Me' I had a better understanding of what made Moe special. The biggest revelation in the book was that Moe sustained a head injury while a young lad in Ontario but never went to the doctor for treatment. In later years it was suspected that the injury affected the frontal lobe of his brain. Moe was one of the fastest players ever. People with damage to this region of the brain only have 1-2 seconds of working memory. So he had to pull the trigger fast or the image in his brain would disappear. Blind shots totally messed him up because he could not focus on any target. Most people thought he was very strange but few ever realized that his behavior was caused by the brain damage. Would he have been as great a golfer without the accident?
I will not give away all the details of 'Moe and Me' but will post some his most interesting quotes below:
"Hope and fear, hope and fear, that's how most people play golf. Not me. No, not me. I see happiness, I see happiness."
"Winners play golf automatically. Winners see what they want. Losers see what they don't want."
"One look and I swing, one look and I swing" Moe turned golf into a reaction sport. He routinely would hit 800 balls a day and estimated he had hit 4 million balls by age 65.
He never practiced hitting out of bunkers. "Why would I? I hit the ball in the fairway." During his playing days he said he only hit one ball OB in seven years.
" A bad shot was not in my mind. Every time I got over the ball I wondered how good it was going to be."
Winner of 55 events in Canada, 17 holes in one, with numerous rounds in the 50's. I think he should be in the World Golf Hall of Fame but due to his unorthodox swing, different mannerisms and behavior he was run out of the PGA at an early age and returned to Canada to compete for the rest of his career. In 1995 Titleist provided him $5,000 a month for the rest of his life.
Top 100 instructor, Craig Shankland did a wonderful 45 minute video presentation at the PGA meeting in 1994 interviewing Moe and showing the different elements of his swing. This two part series can be found on You Tube.
After reading 'Moe and Me' I had a better understanding of what made Moe special. The biggest revelation in the book was that Moe sustained a head injury while a young lad in Ontario but never went to the doctor for treatment. In later years it was suspected that the injury affected the frontal lobe of his brain. Moe was one of the fastest players ever. People with damage to this region of the brain only have 1-2 seconds of working memory. So he had to pull the trigger fast or the image in his brain would disappear. Blind shots totally messed him up because he could not focus on any target. Most people thought he was very strange but few ever realized that his behavior was caused by the brain damage. Would he have been as great a golfer without the accident?
I will not give away all the details of 'Moe and Me' but will post some his most interesting quotes below:
"Hope and fear, hope and fear, that's how most people play golf. Not me. No, not me. I see happiness, I see happiness."
"Winners play golf automatically. Winners see what they want. Losers see what they don't want."
"One look and I swing, one look and I swing" Moe turned golf into a reaction sport. He routinely would hit 800 balls a day and estimated he had hit 4 million balls by age 65.
He never practiced hitting out of bunkers. "Why would I? I hit the ball in the fairway." During his playing days he said he only hit one ball OB in seven years.
" A bad shot was not in my mind. Every time I got over the ball I wondered how good it was going to be."
Winner of 55 events in Canada, 17 holes in one, with numerous rounds in the 50's. I think he should be in the World Golf Hall of Fame but due to his unorthodox swing, different mannerisms and behavior he was run out of the PGA at an early age and returned to Canada to compete for the rest of his career. In 1995 Titleist provided him $5,000 a month for the rest of his life.
Top 100 instructor, Craig Shankland did a wonderful 45 minute video presentation at the PGA meeting in 1994 interviewing Moe and showing the different elements of his swing. This two part series can be found on You Tube.
Monday, February 23, 2015
No such thing as a perfect round- Hagen
"I have never played a perfect round of golf. There is no such thing. I expect to make at least seven mistakes per round. There-fore, when I make a bad shot I don't worry about it because it is just one of the seven".... ~Walter Hagen
Monday, February 2, 2015
Moe and Ben, the best ball strikers ever?
Moe Norman said, "Me and Hogan, we hated 36 holes in one day events because in the afternoon, we were in our morning divots!"
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Homeless Golfer
I'm reaching out on behalf of a friend of mine who needs some help, he wishes to remain anonymous.
His wife told him to go out and get some of those pills that would help get an erection.
When he came back, he handed her diet pills.
Anyway, he is looking for a place to live.
CAN YOU HELP HIM?
His wife told him to go out and get some of those pills that would help get an erection.
When he came back, he handed her diet pills.
Anyway, he is looking for a place to live.
CAN YOU HELP HIM?
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Golf Confessions
Keith and Brenda met while on a singles cruise and Keith fell head over heels
for her. When they discovered they lived in the same city only a few miles
apart Keith was ecstatic. He immediately started asking her out when
they got home. Within a couple of weeks, Keith had taken Brenda to dance clubs,
restaurants, concerts, movies, and museums. Keith became convinced that Brenda
was indeed his soul mate...and true love. Every date seemed better than the last.
On the one-month anniversary of their first dinner on the cruise ship, Keith
took Brenda to a fine restaurant. While having cocktails and waiting for their
salad, Keith said, "I guess you can tell I'm very much in love with you.
I'd like a little serious talk before our relationship continues to the next
stage. So, before I get a box out of my jacket and ask you a life changing
question, it's only fair to warn you, I'm a total golf nut. I play golf, I read
about golf, I watch golf on TV. In short, I eat, sleep, and breathe golf. If
that's going to be a problem for us, you'd better say so now!"
Brenda took a deep breath and responded, "Keith that certainly won't be a
problem. I love you as you are and I love golf too. But since we're being totally
honest with each other, you need to know that for the past several years I've been
a HOOKER."
Keith said,"I bet it's because you're not keeping your wrists straight when you hit the ball."
for her. When they discovered they lived in the same city only a few miles
apart Keith was ecstatic. He immediately started asking her out when
they got home. Within a couple of weeks, Keith had taken Brenda to dance clubs,
restaurants, concerts, movies, and museums. Keith became convinced that Brenda
was indeed his soul mate...and true love. Every date seemed better than the last.
On the one-month anniversary of their first dinner on the cruise ship, Keith
took Brenda to a fine restaurant. While having cocktails and waiting for their
salad, Keith said, "I guess you can tell I'm very much in love with you.
I'd like a little serious talk before our relationship continues to the next
stage. So, before I get a box out of my jacket and ask you a life changing
question, it's only fair to warn you, I'm a total golf nut. I play golf, I read
about golf, I watch golf on TV. In short, I eat, sleep, and breathe golf. If
that's going to be a problem for us, you'd better say so now!"
Brenda took a deep breath and responded, "Keith that certainly won't be a
problem. I love you as you are and I love golf too. But since we're being totally
honest with each other, you need to know that for the past several years I've been
a HOOKER."
Keith said,"I bet it's because you're not keeping your wrists straight when you hit the ball."
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Photo Highlights of 2014 Scotland triip
Below is a condensed version of the hundreds of photos I posted from my recent trip. They are organized in chronological order starting in Edinburgh and ending in the Dundee region. Just click on the direct links below to view.
Part 3- Edinburgh to St Andrews.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/Scotland3?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Part 4- Aberdeen to Cruden Bay to Dundee
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/Scotland4?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Old Course
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/OldCourse?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Parts 1 and 2 condensed version from last years trip can be found under the Slideshow section of the blog, as can photo's of every individual Scottish course.
Part 3- Edinburgh to St Andrews.
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/Scotland3?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Part 4- Aberdeen to Cruden Bay to Dundee
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/Scotland4?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Old Course
https://picasaweb.google.com/112550382821723214790/OldCourse?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Parts 1 and 2 condensed version from last years trip can be found under the Slideshow section of the blog, as can photo's of every individual Scottish course.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
After golf stop at Hooter's
After a long day on the golf course, I stopped in at Hooter's with some friends to have some hot Wings and a "soda pop". After being there for a while, one of my buddies asked me which waitress I would like to be stuck in an elevator with.
I told him, "The one who knows how to fix elevators."
I'm old, tired, and pee often!
I told him, "The one who knows how to fix elevators."
I'm old, tired, and pee often!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Play golf your way
"Play golf to please YOU. Make yourself happy; happy to be playing the greatest game, happy with occasional greatness, and happy to be with golfing friends in a great environment away from the pressure of life. Relax and enjoy the four hour experience while being thankful for the opportunity and thankful for the challenge. Life is too short to worry about score or performance. Keep it simple, enjoy golfing your ball, and have fun." -Craig Shankland
I interpret what Craig is saying above as if you want to play winter rules year round, drop another ball and play it after a bad shot, or not keep score at all, go right ahead if this is what gives you enjoyment. Hundreds of thousands of people are leaving the game every year because golf isn't fun to them anymore due to its difficulty. If you are not playing in a competition or have a wager on the line, do what you dam please on the course to keep it fun. One of the fun games I play is a one man 2 ball scramble, providing there aren't any players pressuring me from behind. Supposedly, this game will show you your true scoring potential. Birdies to me equal FUN! A variation of this is to allow only one mulligan per hole, which puts a bit of strategy into the game.
One thing to keep golf fun is to be fortunate enough to find interesting courses to play. Links style golf has become my latest passion. Pacific Dunes was the first course that really liberated me from the doldrums of tree lined RTJ style target courses. I am up to around 100 rounds of golf on links courses and have found the vast majority of those to be great fun.
So, if golf is getting stale for you don't feel compelled to always play by the rules and seek out some links style courses to play. Cherish the pure shot you hit on the sweet spot that flies over the green, don't curse it.
I interpret what Craig is saying above as if you want to play winter rules year round, drop another ball and play it after a bad shot, or not keep score at all, go right ahead if this is what gives you enjoyment. Hundreds of thousands of people are leaving the game every year because golf isn't fun to them anymore due to its difficulty. If you are not playing in a competition or have a wager on the line, do what you dam please on the course to keep it fun. One of the fun games I play is a one man 2 ball scramble, providing there aren't any players pressuring me from behind. Supposedly, this game will show you your true scoring potential. Birdies to me equal FUN! A variation of this is to allow only one mulligan per hole, which puts a bit of strategy into the game.
One thing to keep golf fun is to be fortunate enough to find interesting courses to play. Links style golf has become my latest passion. Pacific Dunes was the first course that really liberated me from the doldrums of tree lined RTJ style target courses. I am up to around 100 rounds of golf on links courses and have found the vast majority of those to be great fun.
So, if golf is getting stale for you don't feel compelled to always play by the rules and seek out some links style courses to play. Cherish the pure shot you hit on the sweet spot that flies over the green, don't curse it.
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