GolfStinks

A Golf Blog for the Rest of Us!

OrthoLite Fusion Insoles; Golf Never Felt So Good!

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orthoAs you know, GolfStinks.com is not about giving golf tips or lessons. That would be like taking financial advice from Willie Nelson or MC Hammer. Nor do we sell or promote those golf improvement aids “guaranteed” to lower your score or add distance to your drives. However, we are about providing us hacks with a reliable source for anything golf related that is relevant and free of the b.s.

That said, a few weeks ago we received the Fusion Insoles courtesy of the good folks at OrthoLite. Now, not really knowing much about this company but as a current user of insoles I figured, bring it on…and boy I’m glad I did! At first,  these went into my golf shoes and replaced the ones that came with the shoe. I noticed an improvement immediately. Don’t get me wrong, I still stink but I was a lot more comfortable!

Actually, there were few a shots where I did feel more confident because of how secure my feet felt providing better traction. Sometimes it’s the small things like changing your insoles that help with the confidence. I mean, you are not going from a 20 handicap to a scratch golfer, but feeling good out there is what really counts. Speaking of feeling good, OrthoLite will donate $1 to the Level Field Fund for every pair of Fusion insoles purchased.

I have to say, I am impressed with the insoles. So much so that I also use them in the shoes I wear everyday. It only makes sense now that after researching the company and seeing that their insoles are in almost every major brand shoe out there that they must be doing something right. Also, I didn’t have to trim anything, they came in my size and fit perfectly. I do have to note that they only come in whole sizes so you might have to make some slight modifications but your comfort is worth it. Do your feet a favor and try a pair out.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Hung Up On Teeter Hang Ups

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Stinky Golfer Pete on his Teeter

As the quest for improving our golf game continues, it has led many of us down some strange paths. Almost as if we are forgetting to take the blinders off and look at the big picture. Many hacks have become obsessed with what I refer to as micro segments of the golf game. It’s like we focus on such minute things we think are a problem with our game that we end up getting something like that plastic stick that goes from our wrist to our club and problem solved.  I’d hate to be the bearer of bad news but…well, you know the rest.

So, about that big picture. It’s quite simple, golf requires the use of our whole body. Back, arms, legs, core and even our head (I know, hard to believe). Why not do something that benefits our entire body and in turn helps our entire golf game? That said,  a few weeks ago the good folks over at Teeter Hang Ups set us up with one of their inversion tables. Upon receiving it I couldn’t help but notice its solid build and high quality. Good thing considering I was soon to be suspended upside down.

Luckily, I have not been plagued with chronic back pain. The occasional soreness, tightness or mild temporary pain is pretty much the extent of it for me. However, the Teeter inversion table is not just for those with back pain. In fact, there were studies done (which you can find on their website here) that show the advantages of using a Teeter Hang Ups for overall health. Considering we are golf oriented, improving our overall health can directly help better our game.

When it comes to golf, range of motion is a big factor. Technically, the further back we can load up the more power we generate and so on. That means flexibility. After using the Teeter inversion table for a few weeks there was undoubtedly an improvement in my flexibility and range of motion. Knowing I was getting the Teeter inversion table I hit up a local driving range for a little before and after comparison. Don’t get me wrong I would have preferred to hit the links but in the Northeast the cold weather arrives way before winter’s official first day. Thank goodness for heated driving ranges.

The major differences for me was the increase in flexibility and lack of soreness the next day. Before getting the table, I felt it took me almost a quarter of the bucket to feel “warmed up” whereas after I was good to go after the first few. Another thing I noticed were more consistent fluid swings obviously due to the stretching. Speaking of stretching, it has also helped in everyday life as well. Pretty cool that only after a few short weeks the improvements were noticeable.

If you’re in the market to improve your game and general wellbeing I would highly recommend considering purchasing a Teeter Hang Ups. Not trying to sound like a commercial but a few minutes a day is all it takes. Now, get out there and feel better!

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

5 Ways To Not Stink At Golf

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Winning Putt
One of the most “staged” golf photos ever! (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

At some point every hack has to come to the realization that their golf game could use some help. If you haven’t, you are in denial and that’s ok. We’re here to help! The golf industry is flooded with gadgets, videos, apps and whatever else geared towards improving your game. We’ve all heard the b.s. these golf aids proclaim. ” Gain 50+ yards on your drive!” or “Lower your handicap instantly!”…you know the drill.

I have taken the liberty and put together 5 straight forward ways to help us not stink at golf. It really comes down to common sense and not a plastic contraption made in China. So, no catches and best of all it’s absolutely free because we like to help…here we go!

  1.  Use More Club – If you’re 175 yards out and think you can get there with a pitching wedge, think again. You see, our pride and the fact we want to impress our buddies somehow clouds our logic. Don’t worry, grabbing that 6 or 5 iron won’t make you less of a golfer.
  2. Use Less Club – As we step onto the tee box with driver in hand and all that separates us from the dance floor is 300 yards, we think “I can make it in there in one!” What happens next? 4  strokes later we find ourselves half way to the green and dropping because of the donations we made to the lumberyard. Keep the driver in the bag (or home) and hit something more controllable. It’s ok to get there in 2 or 3. Don’t worry, less club doesn’t make you less of a golfer.
  3. Aim For The Cup – When we do make it to the green and are setting up to putt, aim right for the cup. Again, a little common sense goes a long way. We can leave all the geometry for the pros and their caddies. Don’t worry, getting close to the hole doesn’t make you less of a golfer.
  4. Drink – If you hadn’t noticed, the common sense thing has and will be a common thread through out this post. Be responsible, a pop or two is proven to be effective in relaxing us. When we are relaxed we tend to enjoy ourselves more and have better judgement. Of course, there is a fine line here between relaxed and tanked. Common sense people and don’t worry, drinking responsibly doesn’t make you less of a golfer.
  5. Cheat Like A Motherf***er – just kidding…Have Fun – It’s all about our mindset. Forget about impressing anyone, use the right club not the one we think “should” work, aim for the cup, have a libation and play your game. Dont’ worry…you know the rest.

There you have it. From one hack to another, get out there and enjoy yourself.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Why I Like Walking the Golf Course

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Walking the golf course offers more than just exercise
Walking the golf course offers more than just exercise (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

I’ve been doing allot of walking lately, which was brought on by my car’s transmission deciding to conk-out after 140,000 miles. While we still have my wife’s car in the family, she’s at work during the day (I work from home) so my legs are my primary mode of transportation from 9AM to 5PM, M-F.

So I was walking to the post office on my lunch break yesterday (about a mile) and realized there are details along that route that I had never noticed before – even though I had driven that same route many, many times.

That reminded me about why I like walking the golf course instead of riding. This past season, I rode most of the time. This was a detraction from my normal routine, in which I typically walk the course. But the main reason I kept riding this season was the fact that I wasn’t laboring towards the end of my round – my feet didn’t hurt and I had more energy down the home stretch (16, 17 and 18).

But the interesting thing was despite my lack of fatigue, my scores didn’t really improve. And as I was walking back from the post office, I realized why. When you ride in a golf cart (or “buggy” for my friends in the UK), the time it takes to get to your ball is greatly diminished.

While golf courses like this because you ultimately play faster, it can have an adverse affect on your game. For example, while you’re walking to your ball, you have time to consider your next shot: Which club you will play; where the pin location is; what the wind is doing. Of course, all of these things can be ascertained upon getting out of the cart, but with much more haste – which can lead to a wrong club selection or mis-calculation of the wind.

What’s worse, sometimes your cart-mate will drop you off at your ball so they can go find their own. Now you’re left with a quick decision on which club to grab. Or perhaps you went with them in the cart to play their shot first and then scooted across the fairway for your shot. Mentally, you’ve observed the path to a ball that was not yours and then took an irrelevant path (the cut across the fairway) to your own.

I use the term “irrelevant path” because when you walk the golf course, the path you take to your next shot is usually a direct line between your ball and the flag stick – thus mentally preparing yourself for all aspects of your next stroke. When you ride, that mental aspect has been hindered – either by the quickness it takes to reach your ball or the irrelevant path you take to get there (or both).

But improving my game isn’t the only reason I like to walk: It’s good exercise too. Now I know there are people that will say walking a golf course is not good exercise – in fact, my doctor is one of them. Well, my doctor should read THIS post. In short, a recent study proves that walking the golf course is indeed good exercise (time for a new doctor)!

And there’s one more reason I like to walk the golf course – for that I’ll relay another story from my lunchtime walks in my neighborhood. On the way back from one of my recent walks, I noticed a sign posted a few yards into the woods. It was all about a glacier kettle that was right in front of me through the trees and something that I’d never noticed before.

You see, walking allows you slow down and notice interesting things that you would never see zooming by in a car – and the same is true on the golf course. In addition to improving your game and getting exercise, you have more time on your hands to appreciate nature. After all, the great outdoors is perhaps among the most rewarding aspects of golf.

Swing Advice and a Nervous Breakdown

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Does swing advice only work in person? (photo by Greg D'Andrea)
Does swing advice only work in person? (photo by Greg D’Andrea)

Swing advice and a nervous breakdown can go hand-in-hand. Have you ever tried reading all the advice on how to play better golf? “The Easy Way to Perfect Impact!” “Stop Slicing Now!!” “Never Miss a Shot!!!” These are actual headlines taken from three editions of Golf Magazine (April, May and June, 2010).

In April, I’m thoroughly confused: There’s photos of the pro at impact, with numbers at his shoulder, chest, grip and clubface – all corresponding to some horse race analogy where his shoulder is relabeled as “Pony #1.” The objective is to have Pony #1 beat Pony numbers 2-4 (2=chest; 3=grip; 4=clubface) to the ball. This little imaginary trip to the Derby is expected to cure “The Problem” – which is explained as follows: “Your iron shots are weak. They don’t fly very far, and they spin in different directions from one swing to the next.” OK, if I’m spraying my iron shots all over the course at 10-yard intervals, I’m pretty sure worrying about where my shoulder is will be the least of my problems…

In May, I’m completely dumbfounded: So this one is a quick fix for a slice. It’s elaborately explained that I should take my normal grip, then lift my hands to my waist, loosen my grip and rotate the club counterclockwise and finally readdress the ball with a closed face. One whole page with 5 images, complete with close-ups of the pro’s grip showing arrows indicating a counterclockwise motion – all this and the end result is: Close your face. Thanks! Why not just tell me to aim left instead? I mean, it should have the same effect, no? Seriously, do they really think the people who read Golf Magazine are so new to the game that they wouldn’t understand “close your face?” I guess they felt it necessary to diagram blueprints on the entire process.

In June, I’m checking myself into Trembling Hills: Never Miss a [Freaking] Golf Shot! EVER! This one is a 5-page, pull-out section consisting of 4 steps complete with 10 photos, 2 charts, 1 graph, 9 call-out boxes and a graphic instructing you to go online for videos of the entire section. Just to tell you how visually overwhelming this pull-out section is, I tried to take a photo but needed to set my camera to “panoramic” mode and take three shots in order to get the entire section (and was still left off the first page). How can I possibly ingest such an extravaganza of instruction, let alone implement said instruction the next time I’m on the links? I think the short answer is (and let’s see a show of hands of those that agree with me)…you can’t.

Some may not want to hear this (including some of my fellow golf bloggers), but the reality is reading how to improve my golf swing is no help to me at all. I mean, you have to hand it to these magazines – they’re trying.

But it’s not easy to transfer what’s on the page to what’s reality on the course – especially these glossy articles that combine statistical info with graphics and photos. I look at these pages with a feeling of insurmountable odds…an overwhelming challenge that sucks all the fun out of the game.

Sure, some may argue that golf isn’t any fun when you stink. But if you want to get better, I still think the best advice is go spend money on a lesson or two from your local pro. Or, you can thoroughly enjoy the fact that you stink, like me.

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