Importance of Course Decisions Unknowable – Not All Relax There The claim is everywhere that we take up the game of golf in order to relax. We go to the course to chill out, only to agonize over what happens there. If I had stayed home, one might think, I wouldn’t have torn myself up …
Category: Forum
Nov 03
What’s Behind Mental Aspect of Putting?
Logistically, Putting is Microcosm of Driving, but Different for Mind From the tee, the basic requirement is that you place the ball somewhere out there in the vast expanse where the grass is still green, short, and from which you can see the green. The result shouldn’t be wet, sandy, or hidden in tall grass. …
Oct 30
The Winter Masters – Catchy?
Like a Ghost Tournament, Masters Strives for Semblance of Tradition Those of us who are tuned into the traditional aspects of the Masters at Augusta have some adjusting to do. We’ve known that for a while now, and our adaptive brains have had time to think of solutions, however separate from reality. I, for instance, …
Oct 27
Marriage between LPGA Golfer and Caddie – Tricky Stuff
LPGA Caddy Relationships Already Hard – But a Marriage? Eleanor Roosevelt let fly with a clever quip in her day, although it has a ring of incorrectness for the modern day that I can’t precisely put my finger on. She suggested that women are like teabags – you never know how strong they are until …
Oct 24
Late Bloomer Who Wins Older, Can Diversify-Why?
What Is It That Makes a Multi-talented Late Bloomer? The most common story is that a player picks up his or her first club in childhood, hits a natural 100 yard drive, sinks a 15-footer, and is off to fame and fortune as a touring player. For the early starter, there are many inherent advantages, …
Oct 21
Phil Mickelson in New Prime – Doesn’t Know It
With 44 Wins, Phil Mickelson at That Awkward Age Phil Mickelson is entering his second Champions Tour event this week. He won the first one, and for a time it may begin to look as though the fox has gained admission to the hen house. Mickelson has turned the magical age of 50. Actually, I’m …
Oct 17
The Golf Course as a Shared Space?
Golf Course Opting for Multiple Use – How Will That Work? Yes, it is a shrinking world, and perhaps we all have to do our part to make public spaces healthy and efficient. It is, however, an odd concept for a golf course. The tennis courts in my home have half converted to pickleball, a …
Oct 14
Two Faces of Washington State Golf
Visually, Washington State a Split Personality, Both Beautiful For years, I’ve put up with “Now let’s see, where’s Washington State? – Is that Up around Utah somewhere?” “You folks drive cars yet?” “Y’all still wear coonskin caps?” and the like. It is among the most beautiful and misunderstood part of the North American continent, albeit …
Oct 11
The DeChambeau “Thing” Starting to Rankle
Fellow Pros Exasperated at DeChambeau Repeat Performance in Vegas A lot of people dared to hope that the DeChambeau phenomenon would not become a “thing”…but it did. There was no getting around it. It was inevitably going to become a “thing,” and a big one. What is now called “smash and bash golf” is becoming …
Oct 07
Ireland – Wonderful and Brutal
Who Has Courses Like This? Welcome to the Wild Side I direct everyone’s attention to an article in Golfweek by Jason Lusk. It is an account of a visit to several northern Irish golf courses, some off the beaten track, some of enormous prestige. I have been to Ireland on a number of occasions, and …