Golf Obsessed?

March 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Oddcast Inc has operators standing by to help YOU with your golf obsession. The company has created a really fun workshop to see how obsessed with golf you really are Ã¢â‚¬â€œ click on the link below to see virtual operators Arnold Palmer, golf pros Ben Crenshaw, Laura Diaz and actor John Barmon (who played Spaulding Smails in the golf movie Caddyshack) and then have a real conversation with the pros!

Just for the record The Aspiring Golfer was diagnosed as averagely obsessed.

www.golf.priceless.com

John Daly - Larger than Life

March 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment

In a sport which in it’s current climate is somewhat bereft of real characters, John Daly remains an enduring icon for the armchair fan. Much like Adam Sandler’s, character, “Happy Gilmore”, Daly remains popular with “average Joes” for his lifestyle and unique philosophy on the game. The rebel Golfer, Daly is the antithesis of Tiger Wood’s studied approach;a free spirit or some might say, “loose cannon”. But as Daly says, in the Maxfli advert, “you can’t make the shot if you don’t have the balls”.

Never very far from the News headlines, on and off the course, Daly recently received more column inches with his withdrawal, after two holes, from the Honda Classic. Daly’s backswing was interrupted by the click of a fan’s camera, and being the athlete that he is, this caused an injury to his ribs and shoulder. Some people have, and perhaps unkindly, suggested that we was hung-over, and just looking for an excuse to take the day off work.

Addicted at various points in his life to gambling, booze, nicotine, fast food and woman (really not sure what the problem is here - why would you waste your money on anything else?), Daly claimed to having shot a 806 yard drive on the runway at LA airport.

No doubt recuperating from his injuries somewhere in Transylvania, the Beast will soon be unleashed from his sarcophagus to “hit it and rip it”, once again. Lets hope it’s soon as he’ll need all the prize money he can muster, to keep his growing harem of ex-wives in the style they’ve become accustomed.

The Dangers of Golf

March 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Is it just me or does the good name of Golf seem to have been tarnished a little lately? At the very upper echelon we have Sergio Garcia expressing his frustration at missing a putt at CA Championship (Doral), by spitting into the cup. I’m sure potential, future father-in-law, Greg Norman would have been very proud, not to mention the unlucky player who had to pick their ball out next.

Also in the news, a man form Michigan was charged with drunken driving in a golf cart. When pulled over by the police the man claimed he did not know that it was illegal - not sure which bit he was confused by though; being drunk in charge or driving a golf cart on the highway.

I’ve noticed as well that there’s been a worrying trend in using golf glubs as offensive weapons, sometimes with fatal consequences. The former gentleman of the Royal and Ancient will be turning in their graves.

If anyone was in any doubt about the destructive power of a wayward swing, see this Heineken commercial.

The Religion of Golf

March 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I’ve been busy this week revamping the website and I feel more like a geek than an Aspiring Golfer. Anway, normal service is now resumed and I can concentrate on posting rather than on my back-end (Website, that is!).

The days are now getting noticeably longer and the first twilight round is not far way. I’m really looking for my game to take off over the next few months and benefit from the first full year of practice.

I’m not a huge fan of televised Golf, but I do like to follow the Majors and I’m particularly looking forward to this year’s US Masters. Seems like not everybody is sharing my enthusiasm this year though, as you’ll see with this exchange

Golf’s Demons

March 19, 2007 | 4 Comments

A number of years ago, before I even began playing, I read a golf instructional book. I remember in the first paragraph the author stated that unless you were reading the book, and you were under the age of ten, then you would never be a world champion. I also remember being disappointed that someone who didn’t even know me should be making such rash judgements before I had even picked up my first club. I certainly didn’t consider being 30 years old as an impediment to future success, on the world’s golfing stage.

The author it turns out was quite right in his prediction, so now having a bit more respect for his judgement I propose to default to his second piece of advice which was, ‘to simply enjoy the game’.

I’m learning that to enjoy the game is as much to do with the’ inner’ game, in your mind, as it is the physical swing. Once you’ve wrestled your inner demons you can begin to appreciate the game more, no matter what stage you’re at.

A good example for me would be to stop worrying about my opponents swing on the first Tee and concentrate on the way I play. I tend to look at other people to validate my own game. If my opponent makes a poor drive at the first tee, I’m engulfed with a wave of Schadenfreude - not in a spiteful way but one that sets me at ease with my own game. I’m not a bad loser but I do worry about the manner of the defeat.

I’m beginning to appreciate those twilight rounds of golf for what they are and to realize that no matter how I play (or my opponent plays), there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Golf Gadgets

March 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment

POPaPUTT for the golfer that can’t golf but still wants to win.

Quite simple really - pop the spring loaded mechanism into the cup and when your oponent sinks one, the ball gets magically regurgitated…oh well, appealed to my sense of humor. Available from all good retailers (and some bad ones!) for $18.

I noticed today that Golf Galaxy has launched a new website at www.ralphmaltby.com Ralph Maltby is founder of GolfWorks, a subsidiary of Golf Galaxy, and the new site offers technical information on Golf design, technology and equipment. I have to say that the site offers far more information than I would ever need. The article on MOI and how it relates to Clubhead Playability is just too much information!….one for the purists then.

Golfing Break

March 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I haven’t played Golf now for about 10 days which could be some sort of record for me. Together with other commitments, the weather has been mostly to blame but the forecast for next week looks encouraging. I’m keen to get back out there because now I’ll be carrying two new clubs in the bag; my Loft Wedge and new Driver.

The Golf Driver from Hell

March 8, 2007 | 3 Comments

Bunker Mentality Mafuta Skull 459 Driver

Mafuta Skull 459 Driver

The word Mafuta is Zulu for ‘the big one’ and this driver is BIG, COOL and definitely not Square!!!

This driver is twice winner of the German Long Drive Championship and has have been designed to add further style to the game of golf. They are hand made in Austria and so will be reassuringly expensive as well as exclusive. Each driver comes with its own numbered certificate and this is the first of several series of limited edition designs that will be produced.

The driver head is a four piece “upside down” construction and made of Beta Titanium and the shafts are Fujikura Vista ProSixty. The very high centre of gravity reduces the backspin of the ball resulting in a very strong and very long flight. “Nuked it” in other words!

Extreamly desirable, collectable, expensive….I want one! Just not sure I’d have the will to take it out and scuff it though. I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has an

item of Golfing equipment so rare or precious, that the last thing they would actually do, is use it for the purpose it was designed.

Back in the real world, I have finally found a replacement Driver but I want to give it a proper test drive before I post.

Golfing Apparel

March 7, 2007 | 2 Comments

I’m always on the look-out for stylish Golfing Apparel, and this time my search has taken me to these elegant T’s, illustrated below. There is a range of 6, described as more ‘street‘ than ‘green‘, and I thought I would show my favorites - ‘Goddamn Mutha Putta’ & ‘Jesus is my Caddy’ - very Golf Punk!

It’s a pity that they don’t make them with collars!! In my opinion these would grace any Bar and can be found at A Golf Deluxe - however, I don’t know if they ship internationally.

Monty’s Stressful Life

March 6, 2007 | 2 Comments

Monty at the Johnnie Walker Classic Colin Montgomerie says that a stress free life has added 10 yards to his drive. Speaking before the Johnnie Walker Classic at the Blue Canyon Country Club on Phuket, Monty explained that a total absence of stress in his life had allowed him to put his back into the swing and turning his shoulders, rather than just tilting. Apparently, in the past stress would manifest itself by physically restricting his mobility. I know that Monty went through a messy divorce but still, I wouldn’t mind swapping my life for his ’stressful’ one. All this was reported as he fed Yum Yum the elephant, another banana - good work if you can get it!