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Golf Dude In The Basement

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Let Golf Dude in the Basement help you!
Let Golf Dude in the Basement help you!

In my pursuit to find anything unorthodox and interesting in the golf world, I’ve come across something that normally we do not write about – swing/golf lessons.

You see, Golfstinks‘ mission is to unite the average golfer and provide a community for them, not necessarily tell them how to play better. In this instance though, Golf Dude In The Basement presents helpful insight to improving your golf game without really telling you what to do. Weird, I know.

GDIB’s approach to game improvement takes a different angle than the keep your back straight-shoulder facing the target- knees slightly bent- BLAH BLAH BLAH generic formula to play better golf. One of the Dude’s (as he refers to himself) theories is to hit the ball the way you want to hit it. In one of his episodes he talks about Ben Hogan and his swing. He said Ben Hogan swung the way he did out of motivation…he had to make a living. Hogan didn’t work on his swing for hours and hours. He hit balls for hours and hours with his swing because that’s what worked for him.

Very interesting, just get out there and play. I can dig that! If Ben Hogan supposedly had the perfect swing than how does someone like Jim Furyk with his funky swing play on the tour and win? Because Furyk’s swing works for Jim Furyk. He hits the ball the way he wants to hit it. The more I think about it the more I like the concept. A simple no BS way to attack the game.

When you get a chance, head on over to Golf Dude In The Basement and check him out for yourself. As always, hit’em long…yell FORE!

Custom Fitting Golf Clubs: Worth It?

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golfstinks, golf stinksI’m approaching a very special time in the career of a golfer, and I want to share it with everyone. It wouldn’t be fair to keep such a joyous occasion to myself. I need to tell everyone about the next step in my golfing life.

You see, I’m finally putting down my off-the-shelf clubs (the same set I’ve been playing with since I took up the game), and getting myself fitted for a new set!

Once again, I have my wife to thank. For the umpteenth time, via the benefits of her place of employment, she has come through with something to benefit me. You see, I’ve mentioned previously that she works for a company that manages or owns several golf courses throughout the state. So I’ll be headed to their top course to meet up with the pro who will promptly measure me up! It’s a combination Fathers Day/Birthday gift…and a damn good one at that!

Now, as excited as I am for this, I also have no idea what to expect or what to look for. I’m sure the pro is going to help me understand those things, but it’s still a funny feeling. So I have a few questions with which some of you in the golf blogosphere may be able to help me out?

1. What exactly am I looking for? What I mean by this is, how do I want to feel with these clubs in hand? Should I feel like I’m holding something as light as a feather or something of significant mass? Should I feel like I’m holding anything at all or should I feel as if it’s simply an extension of my arms?

2. In my club shopping, swinging and testing-out of clubs, I’ve become a bit partial to a brand or two. But what happens if I’ve tried out a few and decide on one, but once it’s custom fit to my specs, I no longer like the feel of it? Is there a possibility of that happening? One would have to think so. It’s like if I was to test-drive a new car, decide I like it, and have something on it customized. Then, once I get it out on the road, it feels different due to the customization and I don’t like it as much. Has anyone ever heard of this happening or experienced it for themselves?

3. Is it worth it to do this at all? I mean, I’m getting a relatively large break on the cost of all of this, but it’s still not going to be cheap. Is a nice set of custom-fit clubs that much better than a nice set of off-the-shelf clubs? Especially considering I’m a stinky golfer? It’s something to think about.

Keep in mind, if not for my wife’s connection, this is something I likely would never do. I honestly never really cared about getting custom-fit clubs. As a matter of fact, I find it quite humorous that so many people who are not professional players, and never will be, spend the money to do this. So for a player of my caliber…I find it to be absolutely absurd!

I suppose I don’t understand it because I don’t take the game as seriously as many others do. Now don’t take that statement the wrong way. I very much enjoy playing the game. I also very much enjoy playing softball every Tuesday night, but I’m not about to go spend several hundred dollars on a custom bat, or have a custom glove tailored to my hand! So why do it for golf?

Well, the answer is, I wouldn’t. But I have the chance to do it now for less than what I was planning on paying for a nice set of off-the-shelf clubs. So that puts me in a different position. I would almost be foolish to NOT do this, right?

So next weekend holds the big day. Provided I can find a bit of free time, I’ll be in the pro shop, likely asking these same questions. If anyone can give me any insight before going in, it would be very much appreciated!

Afterward, give me some time with the new clubs and give me a chance to see how much difference they make and if they are, in fact, worth it. I’m sure I’ll then follow up with my verdict.

Caddyshack turns 30! Enter to Win it on Blu-ray DVD!

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I don’t know about you and your foursome, but ours can’t go a few holes without someone inevitably quoting something from Caddyshack. If a player is taking too long to hit: “Let’s go, while we’re young!” or “100 bucks you slice it into the woods!” Which, without fail, leads to: “Gambling is illegal at [insert name of course here] sir, and I never slice!”

Without a doubt, Caddyshack is one of the most quotable movies ever and when you’re on the golf course, it’s hard to resist bringing it up. On an important putt: “Oh Billy, Billy, Billy. This is a biggie…” Walking to the snack shack at the turn: “I’ll have a Hamburger, no…a cheeseburger…[interrupted by another player]…You’ll get nothing and like it!”

Heck, even off the course the quotes make their way into the conversation; Fiddling with my bow-tie along with the other groomsmen before a friend’s wedding: “Mind if I tie you up with some of your ties, Ty?” At the reception during dinner: “Are you gonna eat your fat?” At the hotel vending machine the next morning: “I ain’t payin’ no 2 dollars for no Coke!…[another groomsmen looking on]…Oh, ooooh! Then you ain’t get ‘a no Coke!”

It’s hard to believe Caddyshack is turning 30 this year – that’s three decades of laughs and shenanigans on the course! So to kick-off the big birthday celebration, we here at Golfstinks are giving away 5 copies of the movie on Blu-ray DVD (see the 30th Anniversary site HERE)! The disc also includes the following special features: Caddyshack: The 19th Hole (37 min), a retrospective documentary featuring hilarious outtakes, rare footage and interviews with the stars, cast and creative team members recalling their on-set experiences; and the theatrical trailer.

Here’s how to enter and win your copy:

Simply “Like” our Facebook page and then post your favorite Caddyshack quote on our wall (you may use the quotes above too)! We’ll then select 5 random winners over the next 10 days to receive a free copy of Caddyshack on Blu-ray DVD! We’ll post the winners on our Facebook page after the contest so you can contact us and collect your prize! You must be 18 or older to enter.

Good luck!

Golf Genie is Genius

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GolfGenieTeetoGreenPocketGuide

We here at Golfstinks don’t typically review golf products – in fact, we tend to poke fun at all the crazy gadgets out there. So when we post a review of something, it’s because we feel it can serve some use to the average weekend golf hack.

That being said, a few weeks ago I was contacted by someone over at Golf Genie who asked me if I would be interested in receiving their product – the Tee to Green Pocket Guide. Not being able to pass up something for free, I decided to see what this pocket golf guide had to offer.

First, let me tell you this is no zany golf gadget – it’s a practical, quick reference guide to pulling-off all the different golf shots you may encounter out on the course.

A few years ago, I read a tip in a golf magazine that actually helped me (I think it may have been the only time that’s happened)! Anyway, Nick Faldo recommended creating a tiny spreadsheet listing all your club distances (along with your half-swing distances). Then print it out, laminate it and keep in your golf bag. You have no idea how much that little paper has helped me decide which club to use while out on the course – it was the best thing I ever did to improve my game.

First section of Golf Genie? Same thing. It shows the average distance for each club for both men and women (perfect for beginners), but then gives you space to write in your own distances (once you get those down to a science). Golf Genie then proceeds to breakdown the grip, swing, shot-making, chipping, putting and even bunker play and advanced shots – all neatly and clearly explained while using graphics to enhance your understanding.

I pointed out in a post recently one of the major problems with reading swing tips in a magazine: How are you supposed to remember all the stuff you read once you’re out on the golf course? Well, Golf Genie solves this problem by packing all the swing info you’ll ever need into one pocket-sized guide – each section conveniently tabbed for easy reference. What I like though is they don’t try and get too fancy on you – they just show you the basics – which are usually what you need when you’re a beginner or have been struggling with a slice or hook (it sort of clears your head, you know? Gets you thinking straight again – back to the basics).

OK, I know this is starting to sound like an infomercial now, but Golf Genie has already shaved a few stokes off my last round – seriously. I corrected my grip mid-round based on a diagram in the guide and subsequently my shots straightened out over the last few holes.

Golf Genie has found permanent residence in my golf bag – had I not received my copy gratis, I would have gladly forked-over the $15 for it. Even more affordable is the app version, which is only $5 on the Apple app store.

So yeah, Golfstinks typically avoids telling people how they can improve their game. I mean, it’s your game, who are we to audaciously think it needs improvement? But when something affordable, practical and truly helpful actually comes along, trust us…we’ll let you know.

Golf, You & Friggin’ Murphy’s Law

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Who is this Murphy guy? Try to find out the origin of this “law.” It seems like it’s been covered up by the government or some secret organization. No one really knows how it became an adage, it just did. The most common belief ties into some highly classified government project testing rockets back in the late 40’s and 50’s. Well, whatever, whoever or wherever this came from, I’ll tell you what, it doesn’t affect any other sport as much as golf.

The following are some examples of how Murphy’s Law is truly embedded in golf.
1. All balls from the same sleeve have a very tight bond with each other and will follow one another into the woods.
2. Waiting for the group ahead of you on the green to clear because “you can reach” is also a silent invitation for all those around to watch as your approach shot becomes shots…because you can reach.
3. Speaking of approaches, a divot only gets replaced properly after a great approach shot.
4. The ball you find just off the fairway that is right where you just smashed a monster drive ends up not being yours.
5. Your golf clubs have their own weather system. When it’s hot up by the driver…yep, it’s cold down by the wedges. Hey, it’s a system that has to balance itself.
6. When you finally make the green on 9; that 40 foot putt can be made blindfolded and with the sand trap rake.
7. Four letter words, except for golf, will be utilized quite excessively once the glove has been put on.
8. Only when you are shooting your best round ever will the air horn blow to warn of a storm.
9. Amnesia is quite common with the others in your foursome when counting their strokes.
10. Those that are not as good or lack any skill in golf will feel it’s their duty to give swing advice.
What can you do? We still go out there and play regardless. Hit’em straight!

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