GolfStinks

A Golf Blog for the Rest of Us!

Know The Next Golf Tournament Winner? Wanna Bet?

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I like betting.  I can’t help it.., it’s just fun for me.  I’m not an addict.  I’m not at the casino every other night.  I haven’t lost my house or my car.  Maybe my shirt, but that’s about it.  I’ll bet on individual games, drop money into fantasy sports and, of course, the brackets going on this time of year.     

The thing about betting is, it just makes the game, or whatever you’re betting on, that much more interesting.  Whether you’re betting on the NCAA Championship game, or the day your co-worker’s baby is born – it makes you care that much more about the result. 

We here at golfstinks have touched on different kinds of betting in the past.  Be it betting while out on the course or creating a bracket in the hopes for a real PGA championship, we’re always looking for a way to put our hard-earned greenbacks on the line.  But let’s be honest, golf isn’t exactly a big-time sport for betting. 

Now we’ve all seen the odds posted for the favorites in golf tournaments – especially the majors.  But golf doesn’t get nearly the betting action that most major sports get, be it legal or illegal.  I think a lot of that has to do with the relative anonymity of the players on the tour.  But what if you found yourself in a golf pool?  What if you were in a Vegas sports book and you saw the odds pop up for The Masters?  What would you do?  Who would you choose?  How much would you bet?

See, you can check just about anywhere for betting assistance on football or basketball – the internet, the newspaper, even the phone!  But golf?  Not so much.  However, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.  Sites such as Golf Picks are out there to help you. 

Now, if there was only a way to raise golf into the ranks of the top wager-worthy sports, we could put all of this to better use.  But I guess until the PGA recognizes the opportunity it has at a gold-mine with an actual PGA Championship, the world of golf betting will remain a lesser interesting option. 

But let it be known, golfstinks will do what it can to raise interest in all things golf, including the occasional wager – on-course or off.  You can bet on it.

Swing ’til you’re happy!            

Golf: A Human Sport…

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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

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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.

The Golf Tour of The Average Hack’s Dreams

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It’s an idea that’s crossed all of our minds numerous times.  It’s an idea we’ve tackled here at Golfstinks on more than one occasion.  It’s something of which many of us have thought we’d like to be a part.  It’s a golf tour for the regular guy.  Yes, it turns out, they do exist after all! 

This past weekend, I attended the Connecticut Golf Show.  It was here, among the rows of reps from resorts, club manufacturers and apparel companies, that we came across a little organization called The Tour of Western New England.  It’s this tour, and others around the country like it, that is the answer to many golfers prayers – the opportunity for the average hack to play, and compete, in an actual tour. 

No, you don’t travel all around the country playing the top courses with the stars of the PGA Tour.  Instead, you play courses in your general area, competing against other golfers like you.  And let’s say they’re not so much like you – maybe they’re golfing prowess is far superior to your meager skills.  No worries, handicaps are involved.  So the playing field can truly be about as level as possible. 

So what does it take to join?  Well, it’s $90 up front to join the tour.  What does that $90 get you? Tee times, access to private courses if they’re a tour stop, guest privileges at most events, handicap tracking and access to other local tours.  Not bad for only $90.  From there, you pay for your golf at each tour stop, and that’s it…you’re in.  You can play in as many of the 20-25 events as you’d like, you’re eligible for prizes, carts and meals are included and with the private course stops along the way, you have the opportunity to play some courses you normally would not.  Again…not bad for $90.

So who does this tour fit?  Well, just about anyone who has the time to play often and enjoys playing different courses week after week.  If you’re the kind of player who has to play the same course or two over and over, then this isn’t for you.  However, if you are that type of player, you’re truly missing out on the beauty of the sport. 

As I think about it, I see that a tour like this is right up my alley, as well as the alleys of most of my golfing buddies.  We like playing as many different courses as possible.  We’ll get competitive at times.  And hey, if prizes and meals are included…there’s a strong possibility you can lure me in.

Swing ’til you’re happy!                

A Perception of Golf by Age Groups

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Occasionally, while I’m driving to and from work or out on my lunch break, I listen to sports talk radio.  And it was just this past Friday when I tuned in mid-day for a couple of minutes and caught an interesting golf conversation.

I’m tuned into The Fan (WFAN – New York) listening to their mid-day show.  This particular show is hosted by kind of an odd pair due to their age.  While one guy, Evan Roberts, is in his late-20’s, his co-host, Joe Beningo, is in his late 50’s.  As you could imagine, the age difference makes for good conversation on multiple sports topics and all-around good sports radio. 

But on Friday I tuned in just in time to catch part of a conversation about golf and golf tournaments.  I missed the beginning, but I got the general idea – the way a younger guy looks at golf vs. the way an older guy does.

A caller was trying to talk up how much fun it is to go to a golf tournament, but Evan just wasn’t really down with it.  Joe on the other hand was in agreement with the caller, trying to express how incredible some of the shots and putts the pros make truly are.  But what it came down to were the two overall opinions.  Evan’s was that he will probably take up golf later in life.  But for the time being, while he’s still got his legs, he’s going to participate in more active sports.  Joe on the other hand, wishes he took up golf earlier in life.  This conversation got me wondering how many golfers and non-golfers perceive the sport this way.  Using myself as an example, I can see where both guys are coming from.      
          
I spent most of my early life living practically right around the corner from a golf course, but never had any interest in playing the sport.  I was younger, and interested in the more active sports.  I wanted to play basketball, football and softball.  Not golf.  So for that reason, I understand where Evan is coming from.  As you get older, the active sports are going to be gone and you’ll be relegated to either watching them on TV or watching your kids play.  So get the time in when you can.  Soon, golf will be your only option.

But on the other hand, I certainly see Joe’s view.  Once I began playing relatively regularly, I too had wished I had taken up the game sooner than I did.  I didn’t realize until I began playing, just because it’s not an “active” sport doesn’t mean it’s not fun.  The key is to play the game as you would a pickup basketball game, or a softball game – don’t take it too serious.  Just have fun with your buddies, relax and play a game.  I wonder now what took me so long to take it up, and I’m glad my friends introduced it to me when they did.

So is it the Evan-type perception that is keeping the younger generation from taking the sport up as much as in the past?  I can see how it would be.  Watch it on TV and it looks relatively boring.  But it’s a different story out on the course.  It can be competitive if you want it to be.  Or, like my golfing buddies and I, it can just be a relaxing day out with your buddies.  Either way, it’s a sport that deserves a chance from everyone, young or old.  And bearing in mind the opinions of the two hosts, there’s going to come a point in time when golf will be your only realistic sports option.  So the sooner you take it up, the better you’re likely to be and the more appreciation you’ll have for it in the future.

So Evan (and those with his thought process), if this reaches you somehow, let Joe take you on the course once or twice.  Give it a round or two now and you’ll appreciate it more later.  And hey, if you don’t like it, at least you gave it a chance.  But trust me, ten years from now (maybe less) you’ll be looking for a sport you can participate in without having an oxygen tank in tow.

Swing ’til you’re happy!   

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