Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
I Must Be Mental
I must be mental because the folks at Golf Mental Mastery have contacted me and are now a (assumedly proud) sponsor of the Bad Golf Blog. Also, the folks at Golf Mental Mastery are so confident in their product they are sending me a copy of the Golf Mental Mastery CD which I will tryout and review in a future article.
Now keep in mind, I'm a bad golfer, and I'm proud of that fact. But that doesn't mean I don't want to get better and this year my game's made big improvements. So far I've focused on clubs and lessons -- physical aspects of the game. I'm excited to take it to the next level and see if some mental conditioning also helps me cut a couple of strokes off my game.
Now here's the caveat, they are a sponsor of this page. So how can I give their product an honest review? Well, it's not like they're Disneyland and I'm ABC for christsake. I write this blog because I enjoy it and I get feedback from my readers which encourages me. This blog is also good for my mental game because if I'm having a crappy day on the course I just think: "Well, at least I'll have something for the blog." So, I'm not in it for the money. They're confident in the product, I want to cut strokes off my game. In a win-win world it will work and I'll love it and it will get a glowing review (which some of you cynics will be skeptical of) and they'll continue to sponsor the site. In the meantime, I think you should support them for no other reason than they're supporting me. So, if you're interested in helping your mental game out and in a round-about way supporting the blog, don't wait for my review, check out Golf Mental Mastery for yourself and let me know what you think. Maybe we'll have different opinions.
Cheers!
Rob
Now keep in mind, I'm a bad golfer, and I'm proud of that fact. But that doesn't mean I don't want to get better and this year my game's made big improvements. So far I've focused on clubs and lessons -- physical aspects of the game. I'm excited to take it to the next level and see if some mental conditioning also helps me cut a couple of strokes off my game.
Now here's the caveat, they are a sponsor of this page. So how can I give their product an honest review? Well, it's not like they're Disneyland and I'm ABC for christsake. I write this blog because I enjoy it and I get feedback from my readers which encourages me. This blog is also good for my mental game because if I'm having a crappy day on the course I just think: "Well, at least I'll have something for the blog." So, I'm not in it for the money. They're confident in the product, I want to cut strokes off my game. In a win-win world it will work and I'll love it and it will get a glowing review (which some of you cynics will be skeptical of) and they'll continue to sponsor the site. In the meantime, I think you should support them for no other reason than they're supporting me. So, if you're interested in helping your mental game out and in a round-about way supporting the blog, don't wait for my review, check out Golf Mental Mastery for yourself and let me know what you think. Maybe we'll have different opinions.
Cheers!
Rob
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Golfing With Children
I was going to comment on TC the Terrible’s comment on my last post, but then reconsidered because what I have to say is worthy of another article (BTW, if you get a chance, check out TC’s blog, it is very good).
This post is about golfing with children. And I don’t mean take them out and show them how to swing and have a great day bonding type of golfing with children; I mean sneaking out of the house to get away from the incessant noise and demands type of golfing with children. That is, how to get out there and golf, even though you have other responsibilities. And this, my friends, has been my problem of late.
Here are the problems I’ve faced in trying to get out to the golf course:
Even with these obstacles (sorry, honey, I didn’t mean to call you an obstacle, but you know what I mean), I’ve found some time to take my clubs out of the trunk, but I’ve had to be creative. I’ve been going to the driving range at lunch but the big bonus was finding an “Executive” course (so called I assume because it has seven par threes, two par fours, and is overpriced) about two miles from my house. This way, I can sneak out of work a little early, play nine holes, and get home before my wife misses me. But here’s the problem:
I’m hitting the ball better than ever!!!
With my new clubs, a few swing adjustments I’ve made from articles I’ve found on the web, and learning how to do a “pitch and run”, my swing is consistent and I’m scoring low. The three times I’ve played this “Executive” course I’ve ended up five over par. For me, that’s fantastic. I was three over the last time I played but I double boogied the ninth after my chip shot from 5 feet off flew over the green. I’ve been hitting better than ever at the driving range as well.
In the past, I might have a good day, but never two in a row. Now I’ve had a half-dozen or more good days in a row without ever stepping on a “real” course. So I’m dying to get out there and see what I can do. I have a feeling that that ninety I’ve been dreaming about is within range.
Cheers!
Rob
This post is about golfing with children. And I don’t mean take them out and show them how to swing and have a great day bonding type of golfing with children; I mean sneaking out of the house to get away from the incessant noise and demands type of golfing with children. That is, how to get out there and golf, even though you have other responsibilities. And this, my friends, has been my problem of late.
Here are the problems I’ve faced in trying to get out to the golf course:
- Work
- Rain
- Football (I’m a Seahawks season ticket holder – even though I’m really a Raider fan – so Sundays have been shot).
- Family (wife and kid) responsibilities
Even with these obstacles (sorry, honey, I didn’t mean to call you an obstacle, but you know what I mean), I’ve found some time to take my clubs out of the trunk, but I’ve had to be creative. I’ve been going to the driving range at lunch but the big bonus was finding an “Executive” course (so called I assume because it has seven par threes, two par fours, and is overpriced) about two miles from my house. This way, I can sneak out of work a little early, play nine holes, and get home before my wife misses me. But here’s the problem:
I’m hitting the ball better than ever!!!
With my new clubs, a few swing adjustments I’ve made from articles I’ve found on the web, and learning how to do a “pitch and run”, my swing is consistent and I’m scoring low. The three times I’ve played this “Executive” course I’ve ended up five over par. For me, that’s fantastic. I was three over the last time I played but I double boogied the ninth after my chip shot from 5 feet off flew over the green. I’ve been hitting better than ever at the driving range as well.
In the past, I might have a good day, but never two in a row. Now I’ve had a half-dozen or more good days in a row without ever stepping on a “real” course. So I’m dying to get out there and see what I can do. I have a feeling that that ninety I’ve been dreaming about is within range.
Cheers!
Rob
Friday, September 15, 2006
Noooooooooooooooo!
It happened already. I had a 5:07 tee-time last night and it got rained out. This will be my second winter after moving to Washington from California and I can't believe the season is almost over. And it will continue to rain until June. I'm going to have to buy some rain gear. So I guess you all are in for a treat -- posts about golfing in the rain.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
An In-Depth Look at Steroid Use on the PGA Tour
I was reading an on-line article by Ron Kroichick in the San Francisco Chronicle the other day on the whole golf/steroids scandal. In the article, Kroichick lambasted PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem for saying the PGA does not plan to drug test golfers. Kroinchick takes exception to this, saying:
Baseball is awash in tainted home-run hitters over the past decade, the NFL might strengthen its testing program in the wake of the Carolina steroids scandal, track and field is littered with fallen stars and the winner of the Tour's premier race, tested positive.
And later in the article he states:
Many, many athletes use performance-enhancing drugs.
Those athletes come from a wide variety of sports.
Fame and wealth are powerful lures.
I couldn't agree more. Steroid use is obviously rampent on the PGA Tour. Let's examine the proof. I have here before and after pictures of the top five golfers in the world.
While the images speak for themselves (and prove the point that the PGA Tour must begin testing immediately) I can't help but add my comments:
First Case - Tiger Woods
Tiger woods before taking steroids responds to a little boy who asked for his autograph.
Tiger woods after taking Steroids reacts to a little boy who asked for his autograph.
Second Case Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk before taking steroids. An easy going smile. A nice man without a care in the world.
Jim Furyk after taking steroids. Notice the hate and anger as he charges into the gallary to punch a photographer for snapping a shot in the middle of his backswing. An obvious response from someone who cannot control himself due to the extended use of steroids.
Third Case - Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson before steroids. A nice slim handsome man.
Phil Mickelson after steroids. Notice the extra bulk. That came from somewhere!!!
Fourth Case - Vijay Singh
Vijay Singh before Steroids. A nice manner, in control of his emotions. Smiling and laughing with the gallery.
Vijay Singh After Steroids. Unable to control his emotions due to excessive use of performace enhancing drugs, Vijay finally breaks down.
And, I present to you the most compelling evidence that steroid use is out of control on the PGA tour, especially among the younger players...
Fifth Case - Adam Scott
Adam Scott in a photo montage of his swing, prior to steroid use.
Adam Scott bulked up on steroids.
Need I say more?
Cheers!
Rob
Baseball is awash in tainted home-run hitters over the past decade, the NFL might strengthen its testing program in the wake of the Carolina steroids scandal, track and field is littered with fallen stars and the winner of the Tour's premier race, tested positive.
And later in the article he states:
Many, many athletes use performance-enhancing drugs.
Those athletes come from a wide variety of sports.
Fame and wealth are powerful lures.
I couldn't agree more. Steroid use is obviously rampent on the PGA Tour. Let's examine the proof. I have here before and after pictures of the top five golfers in the world.
While the images speak for themselves (and prove the point that the PGA Tour must begin testing immediately) I can't help but add my comments:
First Case - Tiger Woods
Tiger woods before taking steroids responds to a little boy who asked for his autograph.
Tiger woods after taking Steroids reacts to a little boy who asked for his autograph.Second Case Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk before taking steroids. An easy going smile. A nice man without a care in the world.
Jim Furyk after taking steroids. Notice the hate and anger as he charges into the gallary to punch a photographer for snapping a shot in the middle of his backswing. An obvious response from someone who cannot control himself due to the extended use of steroids.Third Case - Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson before steroids. A nice slim handsome man.
Phil Mickelson after steroids. Notice the extra bulk. That came from somewhere!!!Fourth Case - Vijay Singh
Vijay Singh before Steroids. A nice manner, in control of his emotions. Smiling and laughing with the gallery.
Vijay Singh After Steroids. Unable to control his emotions due to excessive use of performace enhancing drugs, Vijay finally breaks down.And, I present to you the most compelling evidence that steroid use is out of control on the PGA tour, especially among the younger players...
Fifth Case - Adam Scott
Adam Scott in a photo montage of his swing, prior to steroid use.
Adam Scott bulked up on steroids.Need I say more?
Cheers!
Rob
Monday, September 11, 2006
The Golf Gods Strike Again
I was playing a round with my brother the other day. When my brother and I play against each other it’s very competitive. We’re equally bad at golf and we are competitive by nature so we don’t just want to win, we want to kick each other’s butt.
On the first hole, a par four, I pared and he got a double-bogey. On the second hole, a par five, he pared and I got a double-bogey. So stepping up to the par three third we were both two over. Both of our tee shots landed on the green, about 12 feet from the pin. I two putted, he 3 putted, so again I was winning. Stepping off the green my brother said to me, “You’re short game's getting a lot better.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “Since I got this new putter I haven’t three putted yet.”
And that's when it happened. Somewhere in Golf-God Land, the Golf Gods were minding their own business. I can picture it: There they are, long robes flowing, practicing pitching on some perfect range. When suddenly their peaceful retreat is broken by a loud thunderclap and they hear my voice, like the voice of a baseball announcer over an intercom. “Yeah,” they hear. “Since I got this new putter I haven’t three putted yet.”
I can see them look at each other, rub their hands together, and laugh.
So on the par five fourth, my brother's on the green in four. The green is tiered and the hole is on the upper tier. I'm also laying four, but my ball's on the fringe, also on the upper tier about 10 feet from the hole, so it should be an easy two putt, right? Wrong.
My first putt goes below the hole, catches the slope of the tier, and rolls about fifteen feet down the green. I scorch my second putt about eight feet past the hole. Now I’m above the hole, on a downward slope, and I tap it too hard and it again rolls passed the hole, and continues rolling so my next putt is almost the same as my second. I two putt from there for a total of five putts and a score of nine for the hole.
And the Golf Gods get a belly buster before looking for the next fool to dare challange their domain.
Cheers!
Rob
On the first hole, a par four, I pared and he got a double-bogey. On the second hole, a par five, he pared and I got a double-bogey. So stepping up to the par three third we were both two over. Both of our tee shots landed on the green, about 12 feet from the pin. I two putted, he 3 putted, so again I was winning. Stepping off the green my brother said to me, “You’re short game's getting a lot better.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “Since I got this new putter I haven’t three putted yet.”
And that's when it happened. Somewhere in Golf-God Land, the Golf Gods were minding their own business. I can picture it: There they are, long robes flowing, practicing pitching on some perfect range. When suddenly their peaceful retreat is broken by a loud thunderclap and they hear my voice, like the voice of a baseball announcer over an intercom. “Yeah,” they hear. “Since I got this new putter I haven’t three putted yet.”
I can see them look at each other, rub their hands together, and laugh.
So on the par five fourth, my brother's on the green in four. The green is tiered and the hole is on the upper tier. I'm also laying four, but my ball's on the fringe, also on the upper tier about 10 feet from the hole, so it should be an easy two putt, right? Wrong.
My first putt goes below the hole, catches the slope of the tier, and rolls about fifteen feet down the green. I scorch my second putt about eight feet past the hole. Now I’m above the hole, on a downward slope, and I tap it too hard and it again rolls passed the hole, and continues rolling so my next putt is almost the same as my second. I two putt from there for a total of five putts and a score of nine for the hole.
And the Golf Gods get a belly buster before looking for the next fool to dare challange their domain.
Cheers!
Rob
Join The Bad Golf Mailing List
I receive a number of emails from people asking me when I’m going to post again. I admit my posts are sporadic. I’m going to continue to write articles, but I can’t promise to write one a week. I’ll try to write at least one a month, but this is a hobby of mine – something I do when the mood strikes me.
I appreciate all the interest you’ve shown in my writing. To make things easier for you, I’ve decided to start a mailing list. Whenever I publish a new posting I’ll send a quick email to the mailing list letting you know. Then you won’t have to check the blog until you receive an email. I will not use the email address for any other purpose.
So, if you’re interested in receiving an email when I publish a new post, just send an email to IGolfBad@gmail.com and let me know. I’ll be happy to take you off the list at anytime.
Cheers!
Rob
I appreciate all the interest you’ve shown in my writing. To make things easier for you, I’ve decided to start a mailing list. Whenever I publish a new posting I’ll send a quick email to the mailing list letting you know. Then you won’t have to check the blog until you receive an email. I will not use the email address for any other purpose.
So, if you’re interested in receiving an email when I publish a new post, just send an email to IGolfBad@gmail.com and let me know. I’ll be happy to take you off the list at anytime.
Cheers!
Rob
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