from playing golf? I think I have learned more in the last few months playing in some amateur tournaments than I have in the 3 years I have been hacking away.
What amazes me most is that I can "learn" some of these things, and yet as soon as I get on the 1st tee in a tournament, my head goes completely blank and I immediately revert back to beginner hack.
So, in no particular order........
You don't always have to hit driver off the tee just because everyone else does.
If you can't hit a particular club on the warm up range, more than likely you won't be able to hit it on the course, either. Especially 240 yards over water from 3" rough. Consider leaving it in your car.
Golf balls disappear more easily into thick grass than they do thin air.
Tempo is more important than strength.
The putting green bears zero resemblance to the actual greens other than possibly being green.
Tension is a game killer. Relax and tell yourself that it is only a stupid game. It means nothing. Even if you need this 5 foot downhill slider to win your flight. It means nothing in the grand scheme of the universe. Even if you miss, your dog will still love you.
If you have recently quit smoking, you are almost gauranteed to be put in the same group as 2 chain smokers. Take plenty of Nicorette.
Always mark your balls. Always mark your provisional ball differently than your first ball. Always mark your second provisional ball differently than both your first ball and first provisional ball. I could go on, but I see no need in further embarassing myself.
When an official tells your group that you are 15 minutes behind, they are not just blowing smoke. Start running between shots.
If you hit your tee shot into the rough, no matter what else you do, make sure your next shot is played from the short grass. The pros can hit a long iron out of that stuff. You are not a pro. Hit a wedge back out onto the fairway, stupid.
It is possible to make a 15 on a par 5. Just ask Gary McCord. And it is possible to make a 10 on a par 3. Just ask me.
I now completely understand how Tiger Woods can say f***!!!! on national TV and not feel bad about it.
I'm sure I will think of more later.
What amazes me most is that I can "learn" some of these things, and yet as soon as I get on the 1st tee in a tournament, my head goes completely blank and I immediately revert back to beginner hack.
So, in no particular order........
You don't always have to hit driver off the tee just because everyone else does.
If you can't hit a particular club on the warm up range, more than likely you won't be able to hit it on the course, either. Especially 240 yards over water from 3" rough. Consider leaving it in your car.
Golf balls disappear more easily into thick grass than they do thin air.
Tempo is more important than strength.
The putting green bears zero resemblance to the actual greens other than possibly being green.
Tension is a game killer. Relax and tell yourself that it is only a stupid game. It means nothing. Even if you need this 5 foot downhill slider to win your flight. It means nothing in the grand scheme of the universe. Even if you miss, your dog will still love you.
If you have recently quit smoking, you are almost gauranteed to be put in the same group as 2 chain smokers. Take plenty of Nicorette.
Always mark your balls. Always mark your provisional ball differently than your first ball. Always mark your second provisional ball differently than both your first ball and first provisional ball. I could go on, but I see no need in further embarassing myself.
When an official tells your group that you are 15 minutes behind, they are not just blowing smoke. Start running between shots.
If you hit your tee shot into the rough, no matter what else you do, make sure your next shot is played from the short grass. The pros can hit a long iron out of that stuff. You are not a pro. Hit a wedge back out onto the fairway, stupid.
It is possible to make a 15 on a par 5. Just ask Gary McCord. And it is possible to make a 10 on a par 3. Just ask me.
I now completely understand how Tiger Woods can say f***!!!! on national TV and not feel bad about it.
I'm sure I will think of more later.