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Dummies For Golf

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untitledLast week I was at a friends house.  On our way out, I notice a pile of books.  Right on top is a copy of Golf For Dummies.  I know my friend doesn’t golf, but the roommate does.  So I jokingly announce they should stop reading that book, to which “Why?” is the reply.  I said, “if he’s reading that book, then he must stink at golf.  And the sooner he comes to grips with the fact that he, along with everyone else out on the course, stinks….the more fun he’ll have out there.”  Not being a golfer, that statement was a bit lost on my friend.

But seeing that For Dummies book makes me think about all of the golf self-help books out there…and there are plenty!  I guess until then, I never really realized how many people read these books.  But being that there are so many, I guess there must be a pretty decent sized market for them.  Being that I have never picked up any of these books for myself, I wonder what people are looking to gain from them.

I learned the game from my current golfing buddies.  We went to the range, I borrowed some of their clubs and they taught me the basics of the swing.  After a couple of trips and when they felt I was ready, they took me out to an inexpensive, local nine-hole course.  I’ve been enjoying the game ever since.  I’ve never taken a formal lesson and never picked up a self-help book.  And I honestly feel I enjoy the game more because of it.

I’ve seen many people spend countless dollars on lessons and absurd amounts on clubs and equipment that will supposedly improve their games.  However, I’ve seen very few that have turned any of this into significantly better play.  Many are not much better than me, if at all…and I stink!

But most importantly, I can’t help but notice that these very same people are simply not having as much fun out there as I am.  Once you start sinking too much money into the game, you start to expect something more from it.  Thus, you become more easily frustrated and begin to have less fun.  For me, on the other hand, it’s just plain fun from start to finish.

If you feel you need to buy books and get magazine subscriptions to help you become a better golfer, then go for it!  I only ask that you take all of these with a grain of salt.  The sooner you come to grips with the fact that you will never be on a pro tour, the sooner you will have more fun out on the course.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

The Contradictions of Golf

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thBF407J5ZNext to a chess match, golf just might be the slowest moving sport going.  Or maybe it just feels that way when you’re watching or playing it.  But the funny thing about that is, every golfer is in such a hurry to get their round finished!  I hate playing with people who are in a rush.  I just want to scream my head off at them – What’s your rush?  Aren’t you enjoying yourself?  Don’t you want to spend some time out here with your buddies?  Did you make other plans?  You know we were golfing today and we always grab a bite to eat after the round…did you really make other plans so now you’re going to bitch and moan the whole round about how you need to leave?  You know what…next time just stay home!

But golf is full of this type of behavior.  If it’s not the speed of the game, it’s the level of play or the cost of everything associated with it.  What do I mean?  Here….let me explain.

1. The speed of the game.  As explained above, golf is a slow moving sport.  We are all aware of that going in.  So why in the hell is every golfer in such a hurry to finish?  Why do you make a 9am tee-time and then make plans for the early afternoon?  You know there’s a good chance you won’t be done in time.  And if you are done, you’ll be cutting it awfully close.  Everyone understands there is no rule saying your round must be completed in four hours, right?  You all know that time was just made up by courses so they can squeeze in as much golf as possible in order to make as much money as possible, right?  Obviously, no one wants to be stuck behind someone who is just so deliberately and unnecessarily slow – bad golf is tolerable, slow golf is not.  But as long as that person has the common courtesy to let a faster group play through, then what’s the issue?  We need to go into these rounds with a more relaxed, laid back attitude.  It will make your round so much more fun.  If you’re in that big a hurry, play nine or play an executive/par=-3 course.

2. The competition in the game.  Most of us golfers are just out there for fun.  The majority just plays for no reason other than they simply enjoy playing.  We’re not pros, we’re never going to be pros and we accept that.  We don’t care.  The game is more fun when that reality is accepted.  But it bothers me when I hear the people who claim this mindset, but in the next breath they are going on about how their lessons have helped lower their handicap to a level better than the next guys.  Seriously?  I thought you were out here for fun.  Why do you care if you have a better handicap than your buddy?  I’ve made the comparison before, but it still rings true – I didn’t hire a batting coach when I played beer league softball.  But I played softball for the same reason I play golf – for fun.  So why would I spend a stupid amount of money for lessons in something I’m never going to take any further than my local track?

3. The cost of the game.  Unless you’re rich or incredibly well-off, the cost of this sport is something all of us take into account.  We all know by now that you can take a $50 pair of shoes, slap some spikes on the bottom, and now they’re $100 golf shoes.  Many of us will not treat ourselves to a nicer course because of the price.  Some golfers feel like they don’t belong there because they’re not good enough to play a course like that (which is a ridiculous way of thinking by the way).  OK, I understand that.  But don’t complain about the cost of the game when you show up in your $60 polo shirt, using your $120 putter to tap around a ball that came out of a package which cost you $40 for a dozen.  You can spend one-third of that on all of those things, and next thing you know you will have the money to play that nicer course!

I’m not saying all golfers act in this manner, and I get why some do.  I understand why someone’s handicap means something to them.  I get that people feel like anything more than four hours is too long to be golfing.  And I understand that people have places they would rather spend their money than on a golf course.  I just find the contradictions amusing.  Oh well…one more thing I love about this sport!

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Golf Stinks When Your Equipment Stinks

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th9Y615RPZThere once was a point when I thought the phrase “You get what you pay for” was true.  For a while, I thought just because something was more expensive, it must be better.  Well, all these years later, I now know better.  Sometimes the phrase does hold true.  However, it seems more often it doesn’t.  And now that I’ve had the experience over the years in golf, I’m going to say that this especially holds true in golf.

I probably don’t need to even mention the courses themselves.  How many times have you dropped $60 or so, only to find that the $35 course you played two weeks ago blew it away?  Happens all the time friends.  So, if I may plug ourselves here – that’s why we can all help each other out by signing up for a free Golfstinks account and posting some reviews of the courses you play.  Help out the next guy before he wastes his money.

But the courses themselves are not really the concern for me.  My concern today is more along the lines of the golf equipment we use.  Many of us pay more for certain equipment because we expect we’re getting something superior.  I’ve fallen victim to the game myself.  Let me give you three specific examples.  I’ll start by saying that I will not name the brand, however I will say that all three examples were from the same maker.

I’ll start with a simple golf umbrella.  Normally, I won’t play in the rain, which makes this even more stupid on my end.  But, I paid a little more to get the brand name rather than settle for a “lesser” brand anyway.  However, upon the second use…it ripped.  You know, it’s not like I was playing in gale-force winds or hurricane conditions.  So two uses?  I have since purchased a lesser brand and have had no issues.

Moving on to something more important…my golf shoes.  The tough part about buying a pair of shoes, not just golf shoes, is simply that you never really know until you try them for an extended period of time.  I can put them on and walk around the store for a bit.  But until I’m out walking the course…who knows?  So once again, I went with the bigger name.  Horrible mistake.  The first time I got these shoes out on the course, my feet hurt by the 11th hole.  And by the time I hit 16, I was ready to finish up the round barefoot.  Once again, I dumped one pair, spent $20 less on the next at the advice of the guy who worked at the store, and was satisfied.  I bought the same brand the next time.

But most importantly, obviously, is the golf clubs themselves.  For roughly the first twelve years of my golfing life, I played with the same inexpensive, off-the-shelf clubs I purchased from Sports Authority.  After I was done with them, I passed them along to one of my kids who is currently using them until he decides he wants to play more often and will then purchase a “better” set.  But my issue was, as much as I didn’t want to go ahead with the purchase of that same brand, I was encouraged by the pro who fitted me, plus, the price was just too good to beat.  All was good until just a couple of weeks ago.  Now, I’m down a club.  Hitting my approach shot on the final hole, I watched my ball sail beautifully toward the pin, but the head of my pitching wedge sailing about 15-20 yards out was more important at the time.  Yup, the head of the club snapped clean off the shaft.  Needless to say, I have now decided that I am done with this brand.

So what I’m saying is, shop around, do your research and ask questions before spending your money on anything. Just because the product comes from a big name doesn’t necessarily make it better.  Yeah, you get what you pay for…except when you don’t.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Golf & Marriage.

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GolfCake_1As I prepare to take the plunge, I’ve noticed how marriage and golf share some similarities. Not only that, there is also a love-hate relationship too…I love it, she hates it. This contrast is good though, it allows the emotions to surface.

Speaking to a couple of older married golfers, they pointed out how selecting golf clubs is like selecting your spouse. First, it will catch your eye then the flirting process begins. You look at it a little closer maybe caress it gently and finally, you fall in love and end up together.

Now, I purposely left out one part that these married golfers I spoke to also had mentioned would have been great in the courting stages. One  said, “Before you buy clubs you get a chance to try them out first…you know what I mean?” Interesting point. I’m sure that would require a rather delicate approach, nonetheless point taken.

I mentioned to my spouse-to-be, the part about trying out the clubs first and to my surprise she was accepting. She said “No problem, I’ll start…the attic needs to be cleaned and reinsulated. The basement needs to be refinished. That enchanted forest you call a garage needs to be organized. Looks like we could use a new roof while you’re at it…and when you’re done you can try out the golf clubs.”

Mars and Venus, man…Mars and Venus.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!

Golf Gifts For Christmas?

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I’m very appreciative of anything I get as a Christmas gift.  I don’t care if it was expensive or cheap.  I don’t care if it’s big or small.  I don’t care if it’s beautiful or ugly as sin.  It’s the thought that counts, and the fact that someone took the time to get me anything at all is good enough for me.  As a matter of fact, when someone asks me what I want for Christmas, I normally just say “Nothing.  You don’t have to get me anything.”  Because I really don’t expect anything.  I truly am one of those people who would rather give than receive.

Now, on that note, I want to put in a request to anyone who does in fact want to buy me a gift for Christmas.  But it’s not a request for something.  Instead, it’s a request to not buy me something.  My only request is that you do not buy me anything golf related.  I know that sounds funny coming from a golfer, but it’s strange…when it comes to golf equipment, I would rather just purchase it myself.

It’s not that I think someone will do a poor job getting me a gift.  And it’s not that it won’t be appreciated.  It’s just with a lot of golf equipment, it’s not easy to pick out for someone else.  Like clubs for instance.  You can’t just give someone a set of clubs.  There’s so much that goes into it that can’t be just picked off of a shelf.  Same goes for a pair of golf shoes.  There have been times when I haven’t even been able to pick out a good pair of shoes.  I mean, you can try them on and walk around the store, but you really don’t know if your feet are going to be killing you by the 8th hole until you get out there and try them out.

But on the other hand, things like balls and tees are always good.  I mean, for the most part…a tee is a tee.  Some people will argue that they can’t just use any balls and they need to use specific ones.  Not me.  I have tried all different kinds and they don’t seem to make a difference to me.  I stink.  What ball I use is not going to change that.  Gift certificates are another good idea.  This way, I can get the golf accessories that I want and still pick them out myself.

So keep these things in mind if you’re looking for some last minute gifts for the golfer, or golfers, in your life.  The big ticket items are not the ones you want to purchase on your own for someone else.  Go for the accessories or the gift certificates.  When it comes to purchasing golf gifts, like a golf score, less is more.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

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