GolfStinks

A Golf Blog for the Rest of Us!

  • Home
  • About
  • Most Popular
  • Categories
    • Stinky Golfer Paradise
    • Golf Life
    • The Pro Tours
    • Reviews
    • The Economics of Golf
    • Golf Growth & Diversity
    • Health & Environment
    • Golf Destinations
  • Golf Terms
  • Newsletter

GolfStinks is Celebrating Our Independence

July 4, 2014 | By Pete Girotto | Leave a Comment

golfcart july 4The 4th of July is upon us and with that we must celebrate! Some of us will go to the beach, some will have cook-outs and some of us will really celebrate Independence Day by getting married (yes, as many of you are reading this, I will be bidding adieu to my own independence – just kidding honey)!

That being said, (and seeing as the entire GolfStinks crew will be attending my ceremony) we’re taking the day off from blogging!

But if you’re still looking for something to read related to both independence and golf, check out Stinky Golfer Greg’s post: The Declaration of Golf Independence (and also the “You Might Also Like…” section below).

Have a great 4th and please be safe!

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Filed Under: Stinky Golfer Paradise Tagged With: 4th of July, fourth of july, Independence day, july 4th

Music To A Golfer’s Ear…

July 5, 2013 | By Pete Girotto | 2 Comments

usa-flag-9Wide open, as in “The course is wide open today.” I’m sure most golfers are always on the look out for the best time to play. Unfortunately, there are some that can only play once in a while and  it’s during peak hours. But, if you are like me, I search for optimal times (and deals) and note them for future use. For example, yesterday, we squeezed in a quick nine between hot dogs, beers and fireworks. Before heading out we called to see if they were open and they were. We proceeded to ask “Are you busy today?” Their reply, just as the title hints, “We are wide open today. Only 2 groups out there.”

Sweet! I think I just found one of those notable times to go golfing. Yeah I know it was the 4th of July but man it was great! We were hitting 2 or 3 balls off every tee…got our money’s worth! It was also a bit weird too. Not a person in sight. It almost felt as if we snuck on when they were closed. Not for nothing, why were they even open?  Three groups all day does not bode well for the bottom line. I’m guessing it would be cheaper to stay closed.

This also makes me wonder about golfing on holidays in general. Come to think of it, in all my years of golfing I might have went out 5 or 6 times on a holiday. And the more I think about it the more I remember the courses were a ghost town every time. Hey now, this could be a new tradition I start. Get a bunch of the guys together for an earlier round, have a holiday celebratory beverage and then everyone does their thing after.

This seems to be getting to the core of what I love about golf. Besides the shot that keeps you coming back and the first eagle and the beers at the turn and the beers after. Did I mention the beer? It’s great to share this time with people you want to be around. The “holidays” aren’t just Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s…there’s a whole other season with a few great opportunities to get together. No gifting either which is a bonus.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Filed Under: Stinky Golfer Paradise Tagged With: 4th of July, christmas, fourth of july, hanukkah, holidays, independence day, july 4th, july fourth, new year's

Are You Golfing on Independence Day?

July 4, 2012 | By Greg D'Andrea | Leave a Comment

I can tell you that on the inaugural Independence Day, the first two US presidents were NOT out on the golf course together. But they should have been.

100_0548
Stinky Golfer Greg with a rare appearance on the links for Independence Day

On July 4, 1776, George Washington was in lower Manhattan. Here he would ponder how to fend-off an unavoidable British invasion of New York City.

Meanwhile, John Adams was in Philadelphia. He recently helped Mr. Jefferson put the finishing touches on the Declaration of Independence. And subsequently boasted in a letter to his wife that July 2nd would be forever marked with great celebrations.

They were both soon to be disappointed. New York inevitably fell to the British later that summer. And July 4th (not the 2nd) was inevitably recognized as America’s Independence Day.

Yet in hindsight, a round of golf would have a been a nice distraction for Washington and Adams on July 4, 1776. They could have met halfway on a farm in New Jersey and made their way through a make-shift course while consuming a few pints of ale.

But, responsibilities would have gotten in the way. Washington, after all, had an army to lead. And Adams was busy trying to form a wartime government.

Sound familiar? I mean, we don’t all have armies to lead or governments to form. But we do have cookouts and family gatherings that get in the way of golf. Perhaps one of the biggest ironies of having a day off to celebrate independence is: You don’t have much independence to choose how you are going to do your celebrating!

With that said, I’d like to know if you are going to play a round of golf today? Much like Washington and Adams, many (including myself) will sadly not be on the links. How about you?

Further Golf Independence Day reading: The Declaration of Golf Independence

Filed Under: Golf Life Tagged With: fourth of july, independence day, july 4th, july fourth

The Independence of Golf

July 4, 2011 | By Chris Chirico | 1 Comment

We should be lighting-off fireworks every time we play golf!
We should be lighting-off fireworks every time we play golf!

Independence Day. Believe it or not, it’s about more than cookouts, the day off from work and driving across state lines to get the “good” fireworks. But this isn’t a history lesson. I think we all know the reason we celebrate on the fourth.

But speaking of that day off from work, one would think that would give us one extra day to golf. But I guess between all of the running around between parties and gatherings, there probably isn’t much time left for golf. But what’s funny is, with all of the time spent with family members you rarely see (some of whom their names you don’t even know), on Independence day, you’re left with very little independence of your own. I guess what makes it even more ironic is, with as little independence as you are getting, all you’re trying to do is get out and play the most independent of all sports.

For the most part, everything about the sport of golf boils down to one person…you. Just about everything involved in the sport requires independence. Golf is not a team sport, you are your team. One person hits the ball. One person is responsible for the result of that swing. And one person is responsible for the final score.

There is no teammate to blame for a bad lie or a missed putt. You are the only person responsible for your ball landing in the drink or out of bounds. And you are the only person who can fix your situation.

But even further, it is you who is expected to keep track of your score. You, and you alone, are expected to be honest about the results of your game. After all, if you shave a stroke here or there, what are you really gaining?

Is it the independence required for this game that attracts players? Or is it the pressure of the independence that forces people to either quit or never take up the game to begin with? Does the independence force more people to feel as if they must be honest with themselves? Or does the independence of the game give too many people free reign to write down a 6, when they know damn well they just picked up a snowman?

For me, the independence of the game is a draw. It’s a challenge to know that I’m responsible for everything I do in this game. Having no one to blame but myself keeps me interested in the game. I can cheat, but why would I? It may make my score look better, but I know that it’s not making me any better.

Hopefully, some of you have better luck this weekend that I do. Unfortunately, it looks like I just have too much going on to get myself out on the course. No independence on Independence Day. But I’ll do my best to get back out there as soon as possible. Even if I have to go by myself.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Filed Under: Stinky Golfer Paradise Tagged With: fireworks, fourth of july, independence day, july 4th, july fourth

The Declaration of Golf Independence

July 4, 2010 | By Golf Stinks | Leave a Comment

When on the golf course, it becomes necessary for average hacks to reject the madness of traditional golf doctrine, and to assume among the powers they have within themselves to cast-off the shackles that cloud their judgement on the first tee, a decent respect to the opinions of fellow golfers requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the rejection.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that not all golfers are created equal, that some are endowed by their Creator with certain unimaginable talents, that among these are scratch handicaps, 300-yard drives and backspin on the greens. Because some golfers were born with these talents, it does not mean anyone can derive awesome golf powers merely on the advice of a superior player. That whenever any golfer (or equally, any golf publication) becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the average hack to ignore it, and to institute his or her own golf philosophies, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety (as well as the safety of those in their foursome) and most importantly, their happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that long established golf traditions should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that average hacks are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the zany golf gadgets which are forced upon them.

But when a long train of tips and swing advice, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a feeling of insurmountable odds, it is the average hack’s right, it is their duty, to throw off such golf rhetoric and confusing nonsense, and to provide new ideals for their future golf contentment.

Such has been the patient sufferance of many average hacks; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to stray from their former sources of golf incertitude in an effort to obtain golfing bliss. The history of traditional golf opinion is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over so many golfers across the globe.

We, therefore, the representatives of average hacks everywhere, appealing to the golf masses of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good golfers of these lands, solemnly publish and declare, that average hacks are, and of right ought to be free to stink if they want to; that they do not always have to keep their heads down; and that they may take as many Mulligan’s as they wish (so long as they do not hold up the group behind them). Thus, average hacks have full power to enjoy golf in whatever form they desire, and to do all other acts and things which independent golfers may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our camaraderie, our greens fees and our sacred honor of hitting it straight when everyone is watching us on the first tee.

Play Golf, Be Happy, Yell Fore.
-Golfstinks Team

Note: Obviously, this is a golf parody of the original Declaration of Independence. We thought it prudent to publish such a parody on this July 4 to help speak for the so many frustrated average golfers out there who are overwhelmed with golfing tips and swing advice. Golf doesn’t have to be frustrating and it’s OK to stink – trust us, you’re not alone. Happy Independence Day.

Filed Under: Stinky Golfer Paradise Tagged With: 4th of July, fourth of july, Independence day, july 4th, july fourth, the Declaration of Independence

Awards

Badges Badges Badges Best Mens Blogs Badges

Advertisements

GPI


 


Archives – Read all 1,000+ GolfStinks Posts!

Blogroll

  • Aussie Golfer
  • Black Girls Golf
  • Devil Ball Golf
  • Front9Back9 Golf Blog
  • Geoff Shackelford
  • Golf Blogger
  • Golf For Beginners
  • Golf Gear Geeks
  • Golf Girl's Diary
  • Golf News Net (GNN)
  • Golf Refugees
  • Golf State of Mind
  • Golfgal
  • My Daily Slice of Golf
  • Pillars of Golf
  • Ruthless Golf
  • The Breakfast Ball
  • The Grateful Golfer
  • UniqueGolfGears.com

Questions / Advertise

info@golfstinks.com

Disclaimers

See here

Privacy Policy

See here

Copyright © 2009-2024 GolfStinks.com - All rights reserved.