GolfStinks

A Golf Blog for the Rest of Us!

What Keeps Me Off The Course.

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Rain – the killer of many golf rounds…

Inclement weather and prior obligations, unless there is a way to avoid them. Speaking of inclement weather, this morning I woke up to the sounds of winds whipping around my house. It gave me flashbacks of last year’s super storm Sandy and Irene the year before. Considering this is the anniversary of Sandy, I did not embrace the unseasonably warm tropical weather today.

Here’s why; it’s November 1st and it’s almost 70 degrees here in the New England. Golf right? Not so fast, how about some 50 mph winds and a little rain? I swear someone is messing with us. I guess it could be worse. We could be in a deep freeze and windy. It’s time to look at some indoor activities.

Let’s see, we can surf the net, maybe some golf betting if that’s your cup of tea. Break out the golf video games and play every top 10 course in the world, twice. Cook up some hot dogs and burgers just like the 19th hole. Crack open a couple brews and voilà, you got your own golf course and club house.

Sounds like a plan to me. All I have to do is adjust this job schedule thing to better suit my new position as golf club owner and we’ll be golden! First order of business, hire the Mrs. as a groundskeeper…hmmm…maybe not so much groundskeeper. I got it! Director of Organization and Floriculture. Sweet, it’s starting to come together…

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Post-Golf Season…Season.

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golfbag sledFear not my lost and wandering golf souls for this great game has not completely migrated to the warmer climates. The golf gods have brought forth desirable news that can lift the heaviest of hearts. This winter when the greens beckon us like moths to a street light we can respond “Hell mother***in’ yeah, I’m playing! I don’t care if it’s only 15 degrees outside…”  Well, maybe not so enthusiastically but you get the point.

Through this wonderful research tool called Google, I was able to find some local tracks that will be open in the winter. A couple courses feature an “inside nine”, which are the nine closest holes to the clubhouse and some are wide open. How cool is that? The downside…be prepared to walk and yes it will be cold. That being said, you should probably avoid being on the very short list of people that have been frostbitten playing golf.

What to wear, what to wear…The whole layer thing might be the way to go if you don’t mind lugging around extra stuff. Maybe some warm golfing jumpers ideal for winter. We might want to stay away from that goose down parka. Yes they are quite toasty, but if you want to be able to grip the club with both hands – leave it home. Oh, don’t forget proper footwear and this includes socks. Remember…frostbite bad.

So, this post-golf season season will be a chance for me to make good on my pre-golf season plan to play more this year. Hopefully, the weather will permit a few outings. However it goes down, I’m glad to know that my golf season isn’t entirely over. There’s still a chance to get out there and play. Now where’s my ball warmer…?

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Slow Down And Savor The Moment.

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Lyman Orchards (Player Course) - CT
Our view from the tee-box this past weekend (photo by Pete Girotto).

For the last few weeks we have mentioned how our season in the Northeast is wrapping up. We have also discussed the scenic views, perfect weather and overall enjoyment of golfing in the fall. As much as we wrote about this, it still hasn’t sunken in personally until this past weekend when the guys at Golfstinks got together for a quick 9 holes. Funny, a few years back this would have been 18 holes and a pit stop at the 19th.

As we were finishing up, Greg noted how it’s times like this we need to savor. How often do we get the opportunity to shoot a round in perfect weather, with great views, amongst friends and on a course in great condition (for the most part)? In my case, not often enough. I guess if it was often it wouldn’t be as special and probably taken for granted.

This also reminds me of an older gentleman that ran a local driving range I used to go to. When I first started golfing, I would hit up this range and try to smash the dimples off countless buckets of balls. He eventually took notice, came up to me and his first words were “What the heck are you doing?!?! Slow down…it’s about balance.” And he proceeded to show me.

His few impromptu lessons changed my swing and approach to golf. I’ll never forget him telling me about the “best seat in the house”. When you hit the ball and it is a perfectly pure golf shot and does what you intended, watching that ball from where you are is the best seat in the house. Savor the moment.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Golf Club Grips, Gloves & Gripes.

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worn golf gloveAfter years of playing with a glove I decided to stop using one and play au naturel. The decision was made mostly because my glove had ripped to the point of uselessness. I do have a “wet weather” glove but that tends to work better in dry conditions and it doesn’t fit properly. Oddly enough, it’s the right length but whomever’s hand they used as a pattern had the narrowest palm in the world. I actually got a cramp from it.

Now that I’m glove-less I noticed my grips suck. These rubbery sleeves are quite important and are often taken for granted. In essence they are what connect you to the club. Recently at a family friend’s house, who I like to refer to as a band-aid golfer, I saw a set of clubs with new grips. If you’re wondering why I call him a band-aid golfer, it’s because he always try to compensate and patch up his slice with all these little weird stances and adjustments instead of fixing the problem properly.

You know, he faces the rough along the left side in hopes his ball will land on the fairway or rough on the right side. On top of that, he likes to offer swing advice. Yep…that guy. Anyway, his new grips were tremendous and what a difference they make. I wish I never said so because he went on for an hour and a half about them.

New grips might not necessarily help lower my score but I felt more confident swinging his clubs. I can’t wait to get re-gripped! Spring 2014 better watch out because my new grips and I will be out in full force hacking away…confidently. The confident hacker if you will.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Bienvenu Golfers…

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normandy golfLately, I have been finding myself glued to the Military Channel more than usual. From the secret Special Ops classified missions that are now well…declassified, to the battle at Gettysburg. There’s some interesting stuff I learned that was never taught in any of my history lessons. In fact, if they would have gone over some of these things I’m sure the interest level would have gone from snoozing with my eyes open to listening with my ears open. I’ll tell you, the eyes open thing took practice.

One of the shows was about the D-Day invasion during World War II. For the most part, the U.S. did a great job tricking the Germans into thinking the invasion was at Calais and not so much the Normandy coast. We all know the story and how it ended but what caught my attention was when one of the scenes had a birds eye view of Normandy from a plane. As it passed over the land I could have sworn I saw a golf course. I thought to myself  “A golf course? In France? During World War II?” Thanks to modern technology, I was able to rewind and replay live TV a few times but still couldn’t really make it out. It looked like a golf course but from that altitude and it was black and white I couldn’t really say.

This further brings the use of more modern technology – google! I tried researching golf courses in France during WWII but to no avail. However I did come across sites with modern day courses. The more I think about it the more I think it would pretty cool to visit Normandy and see where it all went down and while I’m out there why not squeeze in a round or two. Companies like Brittany Ferries have some great holiday packages if you’re thinking about it.

I never thought visiting France would make me feel patriotic. Even moreso, I can play golf where the Allied forces commenced pushing back the evil Axis and began its assault to rid Europe of Nazi rule. I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it, I could only imagine the emotion when I’m actually there! So,if there are any willing to donate to the “Golfstinks Invades Normandy” fund please let me know.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

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