Greg D'Andrea

Black Girls Can Golf

July 10, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | 1 Comment

We all know the USGA wants to grow the game of golf – especially when that growth includes women and minorities. But as I’ve mentioned before, that’s going to be a hard sell as long as venues like Augusta National (which are steeped in a history of racism, sexism and exclusivity) continue to be poster children for the game.

In essence, the stereotype of golf is it’s a white man’s game (Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden). And that stereotype is pretty much a reality out on the links. We recently posted about the number of women that play golf – the statistic said 25% but that seemed awfully high to us (we figured more like 10% based on the frequency of seeing a female out on the course).

Why aren’t more women playing? Could part of it be this “gentleman only” aspect to the game? Now consider the number of African-American females who play golf. We’re talking about a very low statistic indeed. So low, in fact, that Tiffany Mack Fitzgerald decided to do something about it.

Ms. Fitzgerald was in the corporate world for a decade and noticed “how many [business] opportunities were available to people who played golf.” She also noticed how very few golfers were black females. It was with this in mind that she founded BlackGirlsGolf.net, with the goal being to grow the game of golf to include more women and minorities.

But she also recognized that golf is its own worst enemy when it comes to keeping these women golfing for a lifetime. After all, the game is rather exclusive and unquestionably male dominated – which is a big turn-off for many women. And the fact that most golfers (in the U.S. anyway) are white males may not be the biggest draw for those who are neither white nor male.

Golf has been late to evolve. The exclusivity that once attracted people to the sport, is now one of the things that keeps new golfers from participating. It wasn’t until 1990 that Augusta National invited African-American’s into their club and it would take another 22 years before America’s most prestigious course would allow women. It’s time to shake things up. – Black Girls Golf website

Instead, what Ms. Fitzgerald wanted to create was a “low pressure” and “inviting environment” to introduce the game of golf to women – and more specifically, to black women. To this end, Ms. Fitzgerald began with her website and blog – where she was able to communicate her ethos. More recently, she’s partnered with a golf pro to provide group golf clinics in the Atlanta, Georgia area. These clinics have been so successful at retaining new golfers, she is now looking to expand outside Atlanta to grow the game to women and minorities across the United States.

“Some of these women were so new to the game, they didn’t even know which end of the club to hold,” said Ms. Fitzgerald in a recent phone interview. “But they were able to learn about this game in an inviting environment that made them want to keep playing.”

Unlike recent efforts from the powers that be in the golf industry, here is a grassroots organization that is not only introducing new people to the game, but also making them golfers for life. This is ultimately what the USGA needs to grow the game…but you couldn’t tell based on the so-called initiatives they have currently in place.

Rather, the golf industry needs organizations like this to grow along with it. From the Black Girls Golf website:

It has been our experience that when women have a positive introduction to golf they are more likely to become ‘golfers’. Women who are brand new to the sport tend to make golf clothing and equipment purchases within three to six months of their introduction to the game.

As Ms. Fitzgerald seeks partners to help grow her organization, she is extremely wise to point out the benefits to the industry as a whole should she become successful in her efforts. After all, we all know golf’s core demographics are white men ages 25-64. To which she quips:

When African-American women show up on a golf course we get a lot of attention. Guess who is looking at us….White men, between the ages of 25 and 64.

For more information or to connect with the Black Girls Golf organization, please see:
Website – http://www.blackgirlsgolf.net
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BlackGirlsGolf.Net
Twitter – https://twitter.com/BlackGirlsGolf

Golf Shopping on the Toilet

July 3, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | 2 Comments

So I received my Heartland America catalog in the mail recently. You know, the magazine that sells all the infomercial stuff that sounds like a good idea at 3AM?

It’s basically the SkyMall catalog for people on a budget – but not as cool. And while I have never placed an order with Heartland America, it makes things move along a bit quicker while I’m on the porcelain throne.

Anyway, as I was flipping through the catalog the other day, I noticed there were a few choice golf items to be had at discount prices! Items from popular name brands like Nike and Adidas Golf you won’t find. But you will find…

On page 10, right below the lizard- and eel-skin dress shoes and just to the left of the geriatric walker on wheels (complete with storage basket under the seat), you’ll find an amazing deal on a 460cc head driver!

Just $39.99 each and from a respected company like PowerBilt to boot! According to the product description, the company was (incredibly) overstocked on these babies and now they can be yours on the cheap! Sorry – no lefties.

Moving along to Page 39, to the right of the “Gold Digger” metal detector and below the leather belt with concealed weapon gun holster, is another fine gem from PowerBilt: The One Putt belly putter!

The caption says it all:

Belly putters are so effective, there’s talk that someday they’ll be illegal for tournament play – Don’t miss you chance to play this! [“someday” – I love that!]

Touting “unbelievable savings” (and the unfortunate luck of being a tad tardy) this belly putter (now completely illegal) can be yours for only $29.99! Don’t wait – buy now!

Finally, on page 15 – opposite the page with the 5-in-1 inflatable lounge chair and a few pages before the fanny pack that also “packs heat” is our favorite illegal golf ball – the Polara!

For just $24.99 a dozen, you can now cheat your way to a better score and none of your sucker golf buddies will be the wiser! Say goodbye to that slice, hook and any respectability you might have because you’re playing for ~~keeps~~ cheats now!

In all seriousness though, I think I might order the gauge that tells me when the propane in my grill is about to run out (page 11). I really could have used that last Fourth of July! Enjoy the holiday everyone!

5 Signs You’re in the “Tennis Shoe Crowd”

June 26, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | Leave a Comment

There are many different characters you have the opportunity to meet when you play golf at a public course, but perhaps none are more interesting than those we refer to as “The Tennis Shoe Crowd” (see link for definition and photo at left for visual).

Recently, I wrote about how I haven’t played a round of golf yet this year. As I was penning that post, the thought occurred to me that I, myself, might be joining the ranks of The Tennis Shoe Crowd for sheer lack of playing time! But fortunately, this past weekend (my first round of the season) I was reminded that it takes much more to join this special group than just golfing infrequently.

That being said, don’t let this affliction catch you off guard…Instead, be on the lookout for the following 5 symptoms – any one of them could be a sign you’re on your way to joining that misguided bunch affectionately known as The Tennis Shoe Crowd:

#1: You’re wearing tennis shoes or sneakers instead of golf shoes on the course (and other non-golf attire). While waiting in the course parking lot for my golf buddy to arrive this past weekend, I snapped the picture above. This guy is immediately recognizable as a member of The Tennis Shoe Crowd. The first obvious sign is he’s wearing tennis shoes instead of golf shoes. But there are other obvious signs too: He’s not only not wearing a collared shirt*, but it’s a sleeveless shirt! And jean shorts? I love the keys hanging off his belt too. This guy is wearing what he would wear any-other weekend when he’s not on the course – which is fine, but in doing so, it makes him our poster boy for The Tennis Shoe Crowd.

#2: You’re golfing frequency slows to once or twice a year. While I don’t anticipate golfing only once this season, it’s a possibility. But it takes more than just one year of playing once or twice. In general, members of The Tennis Shoe Crowd golf once or twice every year. Sometimes they even skip a year or two altogether. If it’s been a few years and you’ve only played a couple times, consider selling your clubs and golfing attire; purchasing used clubs at a garage sale (see #3 below) and adopting The Tennis Shoe Crowd way of golfing.

#3: Your clubs (and balls) are at least a decade old. Did you have to remember where your clubs were before playing the last time? Is your golf bag a hodge-podge collection of clubs from different golf sets? Are you carrying range balls in your bag with the intent of playing them? While having old, mix-matched clubs and balls doesn’t make you a Tennis Shoe Crowd member in and of itself, it could be a sign you’re eligible for membership. Now, there’s nothing wrong with garage sale clubs, but keep in mind it does make you appear Tennis Shoe Crowd-ish.

#4: The rules and golf etiquette are lost on you. Did the ranger (or your playing partner) have to tell you to not leave your golf bag on the green while putting? Are you using your ball-retriever to retrieve balls that aren’t yours? Actually, having a ball-retriever in the first place could be a sign. If you’re aimlessly wandering through the round hitting the wrong ball; stepping in someone else’s line; and holding up 6 foursomes behind you, chances are you don’t play too often (see #2 above). And meeting two of the criteria on this list is a pretty good sign you’re a full-fledged member of The Tennis Shoe Crowd.

#5: You take more care securing the cooler of beer to the cart than you do your clubs. In other words, if your clubs fall off the back of the cart, it’s not as big of a problem for you than if the cooler fell out. Even if you don’t meet any of the other criteria on this list but insist on getting wasted to enjoy golf, you’re probably in denial of being a member of the Tennis Shoe Crowd.

So be warned! If you or someone you know meets any of the criteria above, it could be a sign of membership in The Tennis Shoe Crowd. And if you are either paired up with, or are set to play behind someone that is dressed similar to the guy in the photo above who also happens to be in a cart with a cooler of beer strapped to it – go home and play another day. Trust me – mowing your lawn will be far preferable to 18 (or even 9) behind that guy.

*Should note the course “waived” their collared shirt rule for both the gentleman pictured and his collarless companion – times must be tough in the golf industry indeed.

Back When I Used To Play Golf

June 19, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | 3 Comments

Empty Golf Range (*Photo by Greg D’Andrea*)

Back when I used to play golf, I would play roughly 30 to 40 times a year. That’s not too shabby considering I was married; owned a home; wasn’t retired; and lived in a state that was covered in snow a good portion of the winter.

Every spring (from roughly 2001 – 2009), I would create a schedule that would be passed around to my foursome (and one or two subs that would fill in from time to time). The schedule would include dates and locations of each course we would play.

And we would play a lot: 18 holes every other weekend and 9 holes on the weekends that we didn’t play 18. From April through most of November, my Saturdays (or Sundays) were spent on a different golf course within 1-2 hours driving distance from my house.

Since 2010 though, things have changed. That year, I played 15 times. 2011 was just 8 times. Last year, 14 times. And so far this year, I have yet to step foot on a tee-box (yes, I realize it’s already well into June).

So what happened? Well, the wife and I (a kid-free couple of 10 years) decided to, well…have kids. My son was born in 2010 and my daughter this past March…and I love them both to the moon and back.

But adding just one kid cuts into a good chunk of your leisure time. Adding a second (as I’m finding out) seems to cut into a much larger chunk than the first did!

The funny thing is I didn’t even really think about not playing until now. Seriously – so far this spring and summer we’ve been to an amusement park; a baseball game; two strawberry festivals; the zoo; the beach (twice); and the local natural history museum (twice). Golf? Not one thought.

Actually I take that back. I did text a buddy to play 9 one Sunday morning about a month ago. What happened? Woke up that Sunday to rain…go figure.

But I guess I really didn’t realize until now that I hadn’t played yet this season, which is strange considering I write for a golf blog. You would think it would always be in the back of my mind. But having kids has a way of changing you.

Now don’t get me wrong – I’m itching to get out on the links. This is the longest I’ve gone into a season without playing.

Yes, back when I used to play golf, I loved every minute of it. And the next time I play, I will love every minute of that too. It might be next weekend, or next April – who knows? But the bottom line is you never stop loving this game – whether you play once or 100 times a year, golf has a way of endearing itself to you.

In the meantime, I’ll settle for swinging at a practice golf ball with a plastic 7-iron a foot too short for me. Though it’s not too short for my 2 year old – it seems golf has already endeared itself on him. And that my friends, is the light at the end of the tunnel – soon enough (probably too soon), spending time with my kids will include spending time on the golf course.

How great is that?

Variations on the Game of Golf – FootGolf

June 12, 2013 | By Greg D'Andrea | 4 Comments

It’s been a while since we’ve added to this series of posts (see related posts at bottom), but finding an interesting take on the game of golf isn’t something you happen across every day. FootGolf, however, is a worthy golf variation to write about.

“…Combining the distinction, elegance and precision of golf with the passion, energy and fun of soccer in a marvelous sport full of life…” is how the American FootGolf League (AFGL) website (footgolf.net) describes this twist on two world-renownoud sports.

Founded in 2011, the AFGL is associated with the larger Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG). The AFGL represented the U.S. in FIFG’s first FootGolf World Cup in Budapest last summer (there were 12 countries represented in total). So as you can see, the folks who play FootGolf take it very seriously (and it seems to be growing in interest). But what really is this game about that boasts “our balls are bigger” as their slogan? Well, according to footgolf.net:

“FootGolf is a combination of the popular sports of soccer and golf. The game is played with a regulation #5 soccer ball at a golf course facility on shortened holes with 21 inch diameter cups. The rules largely correspond to the rules of golf. FootGolf as a game is played throughout the world in many different forms, but as a sport it is regulated by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG). The American FootGolf League (AFGL) is the exclusive member of the FIFG and governing body for the sport of FootGolf in the United States. The AFGL is organizing tournaments throughout the U.S. We are working with golf courses to bring FootGolf to their clubs as another avenue for revenue and to develop the game further.”

As much as the image above might seem photoshopped, it’s not. Make no mistake – the powers that be in FootGolf are specifically targeting regular golf courses in this tough economy. A quote on the site makes the comparison to skiing – when the sport was struggling and snowboarding came along. Ski resorts carved-out a section of the slopes for snowboarders and subsequently added another revenue stream.

It’s in this vein advocates for FootGolf want to see normal golf courses accommodate their hybrid sport. And it’s hard to argue with their logic – everyone in the golf industry is aware of the current economic environment – anything that could help would be beneficial.

I have to admit – while I’m not a big fan of soccer, there’s something about FootGolf that entices me. I’ve never played, but I wouldn’t mind giving a shot. If you watch the video below, you’ll see that there’s no extended running involved – it really is in the style of traditional golf, but instead of using clubs you use your foot (it gives a whole new meaning to the toe iron)!

But can it help the traditional golf economy? That depends on how quickly it can grow – but if the snowboarding analogy holds true, this may not be the last time you hear about FootGolf.