Greg D'Andrea

Measure Quality not Quantity for your Golf Season

December 18, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | Leave a Comment

A rare moment out on the links; The GolfStinks crew from left: Stinky Golfers Pete, Chris, Tom & Greg — *A rare moment on the links; The GolfStinks crew from left: Stinky Golfers Pete, Chris, Tom & Greg*

As I watch the snow falling outside my window, it’s becoming clear that my 2013 golfing season is over. But I’m OK with that. After all, I felt I had quality time out on the course this year.

Of course, if I told you I only played five rounds (all 9-holes each), you might think; “How can it be quality time for only five, nine-hole rounds?” But the reality is, I’m completely satisfied with the golf I played in 2013.

For starters, my wife and I welcomed our second child (a girl) in March. I knew months in advance that the timing of baby number two (right before the start of the season) would greatly hinder my number of rounds this year. So on that front, five rounds (even if they were only 9-holes each) doesn’t seem too bad.

Secondly, I played a different course for each of my rounds. I’m not one for redundancy (after all, I went on a quest to play every 18-hole public course in my state a few years back). So playing a different course each time out was a small victory for me (even if two of the rounds were the front and back of one course, played a couple months apart).

Thirdly, I was able to play with all my golfing buddies (which is easier said than done). I played a round with my dad (who rarely gets out on the course anymore); a round with the GolfStinks crew (a feat in and of itself); and a cold and blustery (yet satisfying) round at the end of the season, where one in our foursome included a former co-worker whom I hadn’t seen in a while (not to mention the course was right on the ocean).

And finally, I actually played pretty well (at least for my standards) – shooting right around my average. While my scores are the least important things on this list, they do add to the satisfaction I have with this past season. I think I was comfortable out on the course this year – probably due to the fact that I was appreciative to just be out playing. And my comfort level helped me relax, which helped me to play decently.

So what has this season taught me? Well, that it’s not about how many times you play, but rather what you make of your time out on the course. And I’m not just talking about playing well. What’s most important (at least to me) seems to be who I play with and then, to a lesser degree, where I play (followed lastly by how I play). Sprinkle in the fact that I played at all, and you can understand why I’m pretty smitten with the way my season turned out.

Sure, I’m looking forward to playing more in 2014. But I’m also looking forward to more quality time out on the course – the camaraderie and the scenery…the experience in general. And indeed that, is what this game is all about.

Film Review: The Short Game

December 11, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | Leave a Comment

Perhaps I’m a bit late to the party, but over the past year I’ve come to really appreciate my Netflix subscription. The company is producing quality original programming these days – from the rebirth of the somewhat legendary sitcom “Arrested Development” to the awesome new comedy/drama, “Orange Is The New Black” – Netflix is challenging the likes of HBO and Showtime.

Now the folks at the subscription TV service have decided to produce their first original documentary…and they’ve chosen golf as their topic. But what really got my attention is this documentary doesn’t focus on the PGA Tour or any of the paid tours for that matter (which, let’s face it, would be an utter snore). Instead, it focuses on kids. The appropriately titled documentary “The Short Game” is set to debut tomorrow on Netflix and GolfStinks was given an advanced screening last week.

The story centers around eight of the most competitive golfers from around the world. The only catch? They’re 7 years old. These kids are the best golfers in their respective corners of the globe (amongst their age group) and are followed as they train for and compete in the World Championship of Junior Golf (which happens to take place at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina – lucky little tykes).

The kids are silly; a bit shy; sometimes awkward; and absolutely charming in the presence of the cameras. They all have great swings and a raw talent for the game. But to see a 7-year-old girl weight training because she’s getting out-driven on the tee by her peers is a bit shocking. Or the boy who’s up at the crack of dawn to run with his workout coach (who also happens to be wearing a CrossFit T-shirt). It is obvious from the very beginning: This is a serious competition.

Though as with any organized competition amongst youngsters, the storyline is also about the parents. To be sure, the parents are going to do whatever it takes to ensure their child does his or her best.

And this is where The Short Game becomes exemplary. It highlights the vast difference in parenting styles – from those that feel their child’s experience is more important than the final score; to those that feel the only important thing is the final score.

There’s a father from South Africa whose son is trying his hardest to break into the top 20. He wants his son to accomplish this goal, but more so, he wants his son to enjoy the experience. Meanwhile, there’s a dad from California who wants his daughter to be the next Tiger Woods. By the end of the documentary, we learn both father and daughter are in anger management counseling (Tiger would be proud).

There’s the mom that teaches her son how to play with dignity (regardless of the outcome); and the superstitious dad that changes his daughter’s entire routine (much to her chagrin) after her poor first round – from switching seats at breakfast to not taking a drink from a particular water jug.

There are wonderful moments in this documentary – many kids (it appears) are truly able to balance the competitive side with the fun side. But there are some alarming moments too. The pressures of wanting to be the best in the world would take its toll on anyone – especially a child.

Having two young kids myself, The Short Game really made me think about what golf is meant to be. Sure, being the best is great. But shouldn’t it be mostly about having fun – especially when you’re young? And if this is what it takes to produce the next PGA or LPGA player (or next professional athlete in general), is it worth it? My son is 3 – should I get him a golf coach and CrossFit trainer starting now? Perhaps a counselor to boot? Or is that overkill? After all, serious competition is just a few years away.

Regardless of the mixed-emotions I felt while watching this film, The Short Game is a fascinating look at where competitive golf begins. And to go a bit further: It is quite possibly the most telling and frank documentary ever made about this game. The film is directed by Emmy award-winner Josh Greenbaum (executive producers include Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake) and has already taken home the 2013 Audience Award at this year’s South by Southwest.

The Short Game premiers on Netflix Thursday, December 12th at 12:01 AM PT.

My Top 5 Favorite Golf Course Photos

December 4, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | 1 Comment

Nowadays, pretty much everyone carries a camera with them out on the golf course – even if it’s just the one on their phone. But I would carry a camera with me on the course long before cell phones became a standard accessory.

Early on, I realized that golf was much more than just a game – it’s a hike through some of the most beautiful surroundings nature has to offer.

And so I sought to capture those surroundings, with camera (and clubs) in hand. While I hardly consider myself a talented (or even good) photographer, below are some of my favorite shots…

Sleeping Giant Golf Course – Connecticut, USA
I snapped this photo from behind the 9th green one afternoon late in October. I liked it so much, it was the wallpaper on my computer for about three years. Perhaps the closest thing to my “home” course, Native American folklore said the hills (in the background of the photo) resembled a giant man sleeping – hence this little 9-holer’s name.

Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club – New Mexico, USA
I consider Paa-Ko Ridge one of my favorite golf courses. To take this photo of the par 4, 15th, I had to stand on the championship tee-box of hole 17. Though I was playing a few tee-boxes up, the walk back was well worth it. If you ever get the chance to play golf in New Mexico, do not pass it up – the courses there are simply amazing (see my review HERE).

The Golf Club at Moon Palace – Cancun, Mexico
My first round outside the United States came at this Jack Nicklaus Signature course. While the photo features a great golf hole, what I love the most about this image is you can see (if you look hard enough) a few of the staff actually diving (in their work clothes) to retrieve balls from the pond – a normal part of their daily job responsibilities.

Kapalua (The Bay Course) – Hawaii, USA
The signature hole on The Bay Course at Kapalua plays over the Pacific Ocean – complete with strong winds and waves crashing up against the cliffs below. The whole thing is very surreal and the photo I snapped doesn’t do it justice. Needless to say, I plunked two tee-shots into the abyss before making it across safely (see my review HERE).

Okemo Valley Golf Club – Vermont, USA
Okemo is widely known as a winter ski resort, but it features one heck of a golf course in the summertime too. I don’t even remember what hole I took this photo on, but I like it because it expresses the serenity and tranquility of golf. My friend Tom had hit a good approach shot and was walking to mark his ball. While I was watching him, I got the urge to take this photo – the atmosphere was just perfect; it was eerily quiet with a warm breeze from right to left. The image really does capture the mood at the time – calm and peaceful.

Keep in mind, these are not necessarily my favorite golf courses, but rather my favorite memories from golf courses. These photos remind me that playing golf is secondary to the experience golf has to offer. Slow down and enjoy – after all, golf is a game; you should have fun playing it.

Have You Ever Seen A Trick Golf Show?

November 27, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | Leave a Comment

So, have you ever been to a trick golf show? I, for one, have not. At least not live anyway. I have seen a few clips on TV but that’s about it.

Well, we were recently contacted by Karsten Maas (a Danish golfer that tours the world preforming a trick golf show) who informed us of his world record. We’ve been connected via LinkedIn with Mr. Maas for a while, but didn’t really check him out until now (I guess the world record grabbed our attention)!

So what does he hold the record in? For hitting a golf ball with the world’s longest golf club (nearly 14 and a half feet long)! See video below:

Mr. Maas set the record this past April and to be honest, I think I’d pay to see him swing that club (even though the ball only went about 150 yards)! But the world record is just the icing on the cake – I would love to see the rest of his show too.

Mr. Maas takes shots from his knees; hits them on a bounce; uses this whacky bending club; and even has this three-headed iron to hit three balls at once! According to his website (www.trickgolf.dk), Mr. Maas is typically featured at new course grand openings; junior golf clinics; and even European Tour events!

Unfortunately for me, it seems he rarely (despite speaking English) appears here in the United States (perhaps this post will convince him there’s an audience in America)!

Research Shows “Frustration” Contributes to Quitting Golf

November 20, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | 7 Comments

We’ve written before about why people quit the game of golf – from the obvious time and money to suffering an injury to simply hating the game, there are plenty of reasons.

But now, a study conducted by the National Golf Foundation (NGF) has put some primary research behind it. Atop the list were the aforementioned time and money. But for one particular group of golfers (those NGF identifies as “never-committed”), “frustration” ranks near the top.

According to NGF, “never-committed” golfers are people who play golf, but either don’t consider themselves golfers or typically have more fun doing other recreational activities. These folks also comprise around two-thirds of the 21 million golfers who quit the game within the last two years. So the question then becomes; Why aren’t these people having any fun playing golf?

Well, frustration seems to be one big answer. It’s interesting that research would reveal “frustration” as a key reason for quitting golf. The GolfStinks slogan (“taking the frustration out of golf”) implies that most golfers are frustrated with their game. But now, it seems, we have empirical evidence to support this notion!

And NGF’s analysis makes a good point:

“Improving retention will help golf’s participation problem tremendously. Making golfers feel more comfortable on the course is paramount to retention, as is helping beginners feel good enough about their skills to lessen frustrations and eliminate embarrassment. All of this will contribute to making golf more FUN, and build a larger base of committed players.”

So how do we do this? Do we, as some have proposed, change the rules to make the game easier? Use illegal equipment to hit balls straighter and farther? Maybe we triple the size of the hole!

Or perhaps we don’t change anything with golf – perhaps we just change our attitudes instead? Instead of the bottom line always being about what you write down on your scorecard, maybe we can take a different approach to teaching golf? Sure, teach them the fundamentals of the grip and swing and the basic rules and etiquette. But we need to also keep in mind that the main point is to not create the next tour member (raw talent will always dictate that). But rather, the focus should be on providing someone with an activity they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.

With this in mind, we should focus our teaching efforts on the other aspects of the game – like camaraderie and being out in nature. And let’s not overlook the importance of challenging themselves to play better (rather than just competing against their golf buddies).

We need to show new golfers that this game is so much more than just how good you can play. And if we can be successful in doing that, we can also be successful in creating new, lifetime golfers…with less frustration.

Measure Quality not Quantity for your Golf Season

Film Review: The Short Game

My Top 5 Favorite Golf Course Photos

Early on, I realized that golf was much more than just a game – it’s a hike through some of the most beautiful surroundings nature has to offer.

Have You Ever Seen A Trick Golf Show?

Research Shows “Frustration” Contributes to Quitting Golf

Questions / Advertise

Disclaimers

Privacy Policy