GolfStinks

A Golf Blog for the Rest of Us!

Hey! I’m Trying to Relax Over Here!

| By | Leave a Comment

The freaking work week is grueling, isn’t it? Take yesterday for example; I boot up my computer at 9AM and the next thing I know it’s 5:30PM and I haven’t even had lunch yet. Sure, the day goes by fast when you’re busy, but come on!

Like you, I have a regular, 40+ hour a week job in a field unrelated to golf. All day I’m on the phone with internal sales people and external clients talking about statistics, quotes and contract parameters. I’m a public relations consultant at a large media relations firm trying to help corporate communicators do their job better. And, as you may have been able to tell, a good portion of my day is spent trying to win new business.

Not sure how many of you are in sales, but man – it’s hectic. So hectic, in fact, that a Friday evening doesn’t mean it’s time for fun, as much as it means I have two days “off” before I have to work on Monday.

Thus in my world (and probably for many of you too), the weekends are for relaxing. Now, with a family and a home, obviously I can’t relax the entire two days, but I try to unwind whenever I can – and many times this comes in the form of golf.

Out on the course, it’s just me, the ball, my clubs and the course (this is starting to sound like The Legend of Bagger Vance). But seriously, with golf, I can simplify my life. My objective is clear: To relax. And if I don’t play well, it doesn’t matter. Nope – I’m just content to be out on the course. OK, I know what you’re thinking: “Sure, everyone says that after a bad round.” But I really mean it – I want to play well, but if I don’t, it really doesn’t matter – to me, it’s all about relaxing.

But this doesn’t mean I don’t get mad out on the course, no sir. One of my biggest peeves is someone taking themselves way too seriously during a friendly round. Like the guy who swears up and down after an errant shot. Seriously? Or the person who throws their club in frustration after a double bogey. Really? I want to yell out: “Hey! I’m trying to relax over here!”

I love the people who hit one bad shot and it ruins their entire round – I mean, why do they even finish all 18 holes? If these people hit one into the pond on the second hole, they should immediately head back to the parking lot, put their clubs in the trunk and drive home. But do they? Nope. They continue on in misery for the next 16 holes and I have to listen to them complain the entire time. WTF?

Look, all I’m asking is if you’re frustrated about the way you’re playing, please keep it to yourself. I understand some people wear their emotions on their sleeve, but let’s try to show a little self control here folks.

Golf is supposed to be fun and believe it or not, some of us are out there to relax and unwind. We don’t want to play with the guy who thinks he belongs on tour and is irate over not breaking 100 that day (he really expects us to take him seriously after saying: “I don’t know what happened – I usually shoot in the 70’s”).

What ever happened to just enjoying your round? Do we really need to witness you kicking the golf cart’s guts in with your soft spikes just because you left a 3-foot putt short? Talk about giving yourself high blood pressure – you labor all week and then have to deal with this crap on your day off?

Sigh. But I digress. And for good reason too – I’ve got work in the morning!

Golf: A Human Sport…

| By | 1 Comment

I’m stuck in a catch 22. Besides Golfstinks.com, I also work in the semiconductor industry supplying manufacturers with components to make circuit boards. I’m all about electronics and developing new technology but not so much when it comes to golf. As much as these electronic gadgets supposedly make life easier, it can also take from the human aspect of it. I’m submerged knee deep in electronics on a daily basis, golfing is my way to get away from it.

To me, golf is a sport* that relies heavily on human feel, intuition, instinct, some common sense and most importantly – practice. I’m not really sure if electronics should have much play in this game we love. For example, you drop $300 on a golf GPS apparatus another $250 on a rangefinder and what does it tell you? You are 205 yards out from the green. Great, you couldn’t figure that out by looking at the 200 yard marker 5 yards in front you?

Hey, if you are going to drop $500 on some gadgets to tell you where you are on a golf course, I’m sure for another $500 you can hire a pro to take the shot for you too. Just saying. In reality, what device do we need to improve our game? I know, it’s called playing…a lot. Leave the rangefinder’s and GPS stuff for the Navy Seals.

Electronics can be like drugs whereas we develop a dependency for them. Case in point, cellphones. We can leave the house without our wallet and not really care to turn around and go get it. If we leave without our cell…forget it, might as well be naked because that’s how we feel. That being said, let’s keep golf the way it was meant to be – a human sport*.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

*For those that feel golf is a game and not a sport, just replace the word sport with game and we can co-exist peacefully.

EWGA: Give Back, Have Fun, Play Golf

| By | 1 Comment

In a world dominated by male sports, golf these days is typically a game that transcends the sexes. For example, the LPGA has done a somewhat decent job of reminding us that women do indeed play golf. But their not the only organization helping promote the game for ladies – there’s also the EWGA.

The EWGA (Executive Women’s Golf Association) has been connecting business and professional women to golf for over 20 years and has built a vast sisterhood of members across not only the United States, but also Canada and Italy to boot.

And the association knows how to have fun – their biggest event of the year, Golfpalooza, is being held in Vegas this year (former LPGA star Lorena Ochoa will not only be in attendance, but she will also be receiving the EWGA’s leadership award).

But this isn’t just mindless fun – the organization’s charity arm (EWGA Foundation) helps young girls develop their golf skills and aids women over 30 to further their education and careers. In addition, the EWGA Foundation organizes the donation of golf equipment to those less fortunate.

With all this charity, you would think it’s hard for EWGA members to actually be out on the course, but it’s the exact opposite. For example, the EWGA has its own championship tournament. In fact, the EWGA Championship is the largest women’s amateur golf tournament of its kind – it begins through a qualifier in your local chapter and then moving on to the regionals and finally to the championship, featuring women from all over the country (in 2011, it was in Palm Desert, CA).

I actually used to work with Mrs. Lisa Edmonds, who won the low net, 2nd flight championship a couple years ago in Madison, WI. I had a chance to speak with Lisa recently and asked her to sum-up what her experience has been like as an EWGA member:

“I joined the EWGA back in 2003 so I would have the opportunity to play golf with more women [and] my experience has been nothing but positive…Each EWGA chapter is run exclusively by volunteers, and if you join and lend a hand whenever you can, I am sure you will not be disappointed! The companionship, laughter, golf and more golf, lifetime connections and friendship you experience by being an involved member of the EWGA is more than worth the price of membership. As they say – New set of Callaway Irons – $699, Box of Lady Precept Balls – $20, Round of golf at your local golf club – $48, cost of EWGA membership and volunteering at one of our events – PRICELESS!”
– Lisa Edmonds, Secretary – EWGA Fairfield County CT Chapter

The enthuesastic way Lisa speaks about the EWGA inspired me to write this post – after all, here’s a hard-working professional who’s extremely passionate about golf and the EWGA allows her to truly embrace that passion.

And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Being able to embrace the things you’re passionate about – regardless of if you excel at them or not. The EWGA not only helps women do that, but it also lets women discover why golf is one of the greatest games of all time: Camaraderie, competitiveness and a whole lot of fun.

I Might Actually Watch Golf Again…

| By | 2 Comments

A couple weeks back I watched a three way playoff between Haas, Mickelson and Bradley for the Northern Trust Open. This is the first time I watched golf on purpose in a long, long time. And for the first time in a long, long time I was enjoying golf on TV. Fast forward a week or so later and Stinky Golfer Chris posted about the PGA needing their own Jeremy Lin. I agree.

In the meantime, as we wait for a new star to emerge, I’m watching golf to see who will take over the throne. It’s exciting times in the pro golf universe. With all that negative hoopla the media was giving golf because Tiger couldn’t keep it in his pants, it’s actually refreshing to see a clean slate and a top spot yet to be filled. It’s all about turning the negatives into positives, right?

So, who’s it going to be? Let’s take a look at the top 5 in the FedExCup standings.
Rank
This
Week 		Rank
Last
Week 		Player Events Points # of Wins # of Top 10’s Points behind Lead Reset Points
1 1 Kyle Stanley 6 935 1 2

2 2 Johnson Wagner 6 860 1 3 75
3 3 Phil Mickelson 5 807 1 2 128
4 6 Mark Wilson 6 802 1 2 133
5 4 Bill Haas 6 752 1 2 183

Isn’t this a change of pace? Kyle Stanley leading the pack. Wait…who? Kyle Stanley? Not so bad for someone that is ranked 48th in the world. What about the #1 ranked golfer in the world, Luke Donald. Again…who? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking these guys. I find it funny how golf, or the media rather hasn’t found its star in this group of leaders.

What’s the issue? Are they waiting for Tiger to mount his comeback? Come on man! It’s time for new blood. There’s a whole pool of young guns worthy of the limelight. These guys have such a great opportunity right under their noses. As long as they battle it out and vie for that top spot, the tour will make my TV channel rotation on Sunday afternoons. I just hope it stays interesting for a while.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Anxious for the New Season? Attend a Golf Show!

| By | 2 Comments

For many golfers in northern parts of the United States, this time of year can be the most frustrating. You can see the light at the end of a long, cold, off season, but mid-April never seems to arrive fast enough.

So to help cope with that last month or so before the new season starts, I recommend a trip to the closest golf expo. About a year ago, a few golf buddies and I attended the Connecticut Golf Show. This is where Stinky Golf Chris and I were first introduced to holographic balance wristbands.

While the bands were met with mixed reviews (Chris felt his helped, while I felt mine did not), it sure was fun talking (and dreaming) about how a little silicon wristband could help your golf game! That’s the thing with golf shows – there’s a treasure-trove of ideas for the upcoming season.

Let’s take golf balls for example; As you may know, I’m a bit of an eco-friendly guy. So when I spotted the Dr. Mulligan’s booth, I was intrigued. I’ve know about refurbished (or recycled) golf balls, but assumed they were not up to the quality of new balls. No so. I purchased two-dozen Nike One balls just on looks alone. At $20 a dozen, that was a steal. But what about the playability? Yep – that was up-to-snuff too. I couldn’t tell the difference between the used and new ones.

Another golf buddy purchased one of the magnetic wristbands at one booth, while we all stepped into the long-drive simulator. There was a long-putt contest where if you sunk it, you won a free round a golf (this year there’s a marshmallow chip shot contest); a row of hitting bays to test-out the latest gear; and a cigar booth that will supply your next tournament with not only cigars, but pretty ladies to sell them!

Of course, there are tons of golf resorts offering great deals on stay-and-play packages (and many had a raffle going for a free weekend). Even if you don’t win, it gets the travel juices flowing for this summer’s golf trip.

So don’t sit at home anxious to start the season, find a golf show near you to attend. And a show in a big city isn’t necessarily a better show either – for example, I’ve been to the NYC golf show (in Madison Square Garden) and it was rather pathetic compared to the one up here in Connecticut. Even the show up in Boston (New England Golf Expo), was on par with the one here in CT. So no need to travel far – the one closest to you should suffice in scratching that golf itch.

So while I probably won’t be out on the links yet in March, I am excited about attending the golf show – hey, the 30 bucks I save on balls will make up for the $30 I blow on another golf gimmick!

Questions / Advertise

info@golfstinks.com

Disclaimers

See here

Privacy Policy

See here