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Stinky Golfer Paradise

The articles in this category are the epitome of the GolfStinks ethos. Here's where you'll learn how to take the frustration out of your golf game!

Golf Club + Titanium = Danger

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sparksCheck out this scenario:

It’s a beautiful dry sunny Southern California day, a group of friends head out to a local golf course. At some point point during the round “John” takes out a titanium iron and takes a swing. Next thing you know, John’s titanium club head strikes a rock and the contact produces 3000 degree sparks igniting some nearby brush causing a massive fire.

Sound preposterous? Think again. Researchers, scientists and some other people smarter than me from UCal Irvine investigated this and found it to be true. After what was first thought to be the result of a lit cigarette butt flicked into the brush, the focus turned to some hack that hit a rock with a titanium iron…yeah , I see the connection.

Unfortunately there is more bad news, a fireman was injured while battling one of these fires. And yes there was more than one fire. I wonder if the hacks that did this are even aware of what happened. Even though this was an accident, I would probably feel extremely guilty if my less than stellar golf game caused this problem.

Knowing that my golf skills are…well…not quite skills and I have a tendency to send balls into or near the lumberyard, you best believe I checked my clubs for titanium. And amidst all this bad press for titanium coated clubs there is some good news. The fire authorities in southern California have granted those with titanium clubs permission to break the rules and improve their lie away from rocks and vegetation. Hey, any little bit helps.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

A Fresh Entry To Golf Video Games

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Until recently, I was still somewhat of a gamer, mainly sports games for the PlayStation.  I always enjoyed the Madden franchise.  My kids got me into the Call of Duty games (MW2 is still the best of them in my opinion).  Even last year I purchased a couple of non-sports games including The Last of Us, which just might be the best video game I’ve ever played.  Golf games were always something I was hot and cold on.  What I mean is, I would buy every Madden that came out, but I wouldn’t do that with any golf games such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf.  But that may be about to change…

The last golf game I purchased was for the Nintendo Wii.  The idea that I can use the controller like it was a golf club rather than just pushing buttons and moving a joystick was a no-brainer to me.  But after that…I saw no real need to purchase any more golf games.  I mean, the next logical step was to simply go to the range or get out on the course.  But in skimming through one of my kids gaming magazines, I came across a small column about a new golf game coming out this spring simply titled The Golf Club from HB Studios.

What interests me about The Golf Club (http://thegolfclubgame.com), besides that it’s visually pretty stunning, is the ability to design your own courses from the ground up.  Modify an existing course or even sculpt the land any way you’d like!  Don’t like where a potential water hazard lies?  Fill it in and add some grass and trees.  And the attention to details is certainly there.  Take a look at the game play video (http://thegolfclubgame.com/2014/01/11/gameplay-video/) to get an idea what I’m talking about.  Even further…the detail that goes into the wildlife is amazing.  And as if that’s not enough, after designing your own course, you can host your own tournaments online!

After reading up and checking out the website, this one may have already won me over.  I’m hoping a release such as this gets the proper marketing that it deserves.  And who knows…a game like this could breathe some new life and renewed interest into the younger generation of potential golfers.  After all, they probably wouldn’t be designing their own courses without getting out an playing a few to start.  Seems like a logical first step.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Golf & March Madness

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basket golfCan you feel it? I can. Golf season is right around the corner. The weather is starting to get a little warmer and with that comes spring fever. Some of the symptoms include March Madness and I-really-can’t-wait-to-get-out-on-the-course…itis.

Speaking of March Madness, we need to figure out a way to get more non-golfers involved in golf. Using the NCAA final four basketball tournament as a model, we see an incredible rise in interest for college basketball from non-basketball fans during this time. Why? Brackets, that’s why.

Now, I’m not 100% sure about the residual effect of how many remain fans of college basketball after the tourney but I’m sure it exists. If we can just bring the March Madness hype to golf tournaments, I’m sure there would be an interest in stuff like the 2014 Ryder Cup odds.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand there is a difference in viewership between golf and basketball in the U.S.. My point is to gain exposure and bring that camaraderie from the course into our workplaces and hangouts.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

The Youth Is Spreading The Word Of Golf

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Between this past Friday and Saturday, we had some unseasonably warm temperatures here in CT – upper 50’s, maybe even hit 60 on Saturday.  So, naturally, it brought up the golf conversation.  Staring outside through the kitchen window, I said to my oldest “If the ground wouldn’t be practically a mud bog, today would be a great day for golf.”  His reply?  “Yeah it would!”  Just as I had hoped.

However, it wasn’t just that reaction that I was excited about.  He had a friend stay the night and then asked him “Have you ever played golf?”  His friend replied that he had never tried.  So my kid starts to go on about how much fun it is, even if you’re not any good.  This is nice…he’s starting to sound like me.  He tells his friend that when the weather gets nicer, we should go to the range and have him try it out, then get him out on a course.

He then proceeds to explain to his friend how he’s gotten better and better over time and gives an example – he can no longer hit balls into the woods in the backyard.  OK, so I’m a little surprised by this…now I know why my golf balls are disappearing.  Curious now, I ask why.  And without hesitation to express concern that I now am aware of why I seem to be losing golf balls at an alarming rate, he answers “Because now I can reach the houses on the next street.  Well, maybe not when there’s leaves on the trees.”  My answer?  “Well, what do you say we don’t find out?”  I can tell from the look on his face that he gets what I’m saying…both about hitting a house and wasting my golf balls.

Despite this, I am encouraged.  I’m encouraged that he is learning to play the game the right way – by having fun.  Even thought he isn’t a great golfer, he has fun getting out there and playing.  I’m also encouraged that he is spreading the game to his friends and trying to get them to give it a shot as well.  This is reassurance that I am leading him down the right path with this sport.  And it also gives me hope that golf is still alive in the youth and may one day soon see a resurgence.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Golf & Marriage.

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GolfCake_1As I prepare to take the plunge, I’ve noticed how marriage and golf share some similarities. Not only that, there is also a love-hate relationship too…I love it, she hates it. This contrast is good though, it allows the emotions to surface.

Speaking to a couple of older married golfers, they pointed out how selecting golf clubs is like selecting your spouse. First, it will catch your eye then the flirting process begins. You look at it a little closer maybe caress it gently and finally, you fall in love and end up together.

Now, I purposely left out one part that these married golfers I spoke to also had mentioned would have been great in the courting stages. One  said, “Before you buy clubs you get a chance to try them out first…you know what I mean?” Interesting point. I’m sure that would require a rather delicate approach, nonetheless point taken.

I mentioned to my spouse-to-be, the part about trying out the clubs first and to my surprise she was accepting. She said “No problem, I’ll start…the attic needs to be cleaned and reinsulated. The basement needs to be refinished. That enchanted forest you call a garage needs to be organized. Looks like we could use a new roof while you’re at it…and when you’re done you can try out the golf clubs.”

Mars and Venus, man…Mars and Venus.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

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