It Is The Game of Golf-Darn

 Yes, golf is a game that can humble the heart.  It is also a game that can take you to new heights.  In my case, it can also take you to new lows as well.  These things are very true, especially if you have experienced "the wheels coming off" in a round.  We all know that golf is a game of a collection of shots and sometimes those shots are not our best.  We love the game, it is a challenge and is never the same each time we go out. No matter how great we play or on the other hand how bad we play, we always ask that age old question after our round, When is our next tee time.

I don't know how many of you experienced watching the end of the 2024 Byron Nelson Golf Classic?  It was certainly an exciting finish between the two top competitors in the tournament.  Tyler Pendraith won by one shot over Ben Knowles.  There are a couple of things I have to say about the finish of this tournament. 

First off, congratulations to Tyler Pendraith for winning what I believe was his first PGA tournament. This player from Canada was solid throughout the tournament.  However, I don't know at the end of the day that he didn't win the tournament so much as Knowles lost the tournament on the last hole.  Let me explain. 

Two questions have to be answered. The first question is why did Knowles try to go for the green with a hybrid on hole number 18 which is a short par 5 and supposedly the easiest hole on the course?  Why did you do that when you are leading the tournament by a stroke and all you had to do is lay up, take an easy pitch shot from off the green, make the putt for birdie and walk away with the trophy and  $1.7?  

And that my friend is not the end of it.  How could you chunk a wedge out of that thick rough? All he had to do is get the ball on the green and two putt for at least a par and a share of the lead leading to at least a playoff.  He could have put that wedge shot for a makeable birdie and a win.  For pitty sake, I could have taken out my 60 degree and blasted it out of that rough. I realize that the pressure was on, but come on. Such is the game of golf, I guess.  Disaster was snatched from the jaws of victory.  

I don't feel sorry for Ben Knowles.  That little missed pitch from out of the rough by the green cost him about $700,000.  Oh well, he still pocketed over a cool $1000000 so I don't feel sorry for him.  I have to publish a lot of blog posts and book for a million dollars.  One thing he did prove though.  It is truly a difficult and humbling game. But, we golfers already know that.       

  

Ryder Cup Thoughts--Part 3

     Yet again, my mind reluctantly comes to thoughts of the Ryder Cup.  I wasn't going to comment about the loss to the Europeans as my opinion is that it is what it is. We lost, It's just that plain and simple. I will give you the simple, unabridged version about why we lost.
     The reason we lost has to do with mathematics. Here it is.  The Europeans had 161/2 points and we had 121/2. You can discuss it all you want to, but those are the facts. The U.S. Team got beat, and beat bad. That is the bottom line.
     I do have to ask a question here. How important were statistics to Tom Watson.  What was the criteria that he used to make the pairings? I have to admit that I didn't look at this question very closely, but it did have to come up.  I think that Phil Mickelson's comments at the Ryder Cup news conference may have had a ring of truth to them, but I don't know.
     Maybe Tom Watson should have used the pods system and broke the competition down into segments.  Who knows. Maybe Phil should have played in the afternoon, I don't know. We will never know if this would have changed the outcome. Phil is a tough competitor, and any tough competitor hates to be pulled from the game. Let me share what I do know and that is that Europe is coming over here in 2016, and we will see what happens then.
     Please visit some of my sponsor's websites and see what they have to offer.  There are some great specials running on Golfsmith right now so check them out. In the meantime, hit 'em long and straight. Don't leave that birdie putt short!

Kind of a Scottish feel to it, eh Laddie?

Ryder Cup Thoughts--Part 2

     Again, I will be honest with you.  I have not been following the Ryder Cup matches that closely. The conclusion that I think I am coming to is that the Europeans are handing the Americans another bitter defeat. This seems to be the rule these days in Ryder Cup competition.
    Last night I turned on the Golf Channel to see just what the score was and it wasn't pretty.  I didn't catch the score but what I did catch was that The Americans had to win 8 out of 12 matches in today's single matches. I must say that it is not impossible, but a miracle at best. I hate to be a skeptic, but that is WIN 8 matches.  A halve won't help. I do wish the American team luck and have them start thinking about two years from now when the Ryder Cup Matches return to the U.S.
     I do remember the time when we dominated the Europeans. Our string of Ryder Cup victories was long but so was the America's Cup string of victories which of course was broken. Dominance in sports, any sports is hard to achieve in our times. Eventually, the competition will swing the other way and we Americans will be enjoying a string of Ryder Cup victories.  If not a string of victories then at least achieve a balance of wins between The United States and The European Team.
     Got to run to church now. So, hit 'em long and straight. Don't leave that birdie putt short.

Go out and play golf today.  Good luck USA in the Ryder Cup.

Ryder Cup Thoughts

     I don't know how I feel about this year's Ryder Cup.  I have been incredibly busy with all I am doing right now that I haven't had the time to pay much attention to it even though I call myself a golf writer. Quite frankly, tournament reporting is not my cup of tea.  I write mostly about travel and golf courses and I feel that is where my stories are. I suppose I should pay more attention, but it is more convenient when the venue is here in the United States.  After all, it's 6:00 AM here in California and the coverage is on.
     I'm off to the TV to watch.
     By the way, my video on Catalina Island Golf Course is up on You Tube and on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  Check it out, it is a great course in a unique setting.  The course also has a very important history as it is the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi.  Take a look at the video at http://youtu.be/5QIxV0Oj8dw.  Enjoy the Ryder Cup coverage and don't forget to hit 'em long and straight. Please don't leave that birdie putt short.  I made two at Catalina Island, YAHOO!!!

What a great place for a golf course. The course is located in the canyon above the city of Avalon.

Coke v. Pepsi...The Controversy of the Ages

     As you know, it is always my intention to stay on the cusp of controversy. Today is no different. I am compelled to comment on the Coke vs. Pepsi wars which are dividing our country and the world today. This is serious stuff folks. Families have been torn apart by this war, all because of a couple of stupid soft drinks.
     By the way, to add fuel to the fire, let's get our terminology straight and correct.  It is not soda, soda pop pop or even tonic.  The correct terminology is soft drink, and if you really want to get technical the generic term is flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverage.  So please, if you are going to join this discussion use the correct term of either soft drink or flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverage.
     I will go on record here saying that I prefer Coke, and prefer Coke Zero over the sugar of regular Coke. There can be a controversy over that as well as my wife prefers Diet Coke over Coke Zero.  I think that she's wrong, but that is between us and I would never tell her that as I don't want to anger her. She's still wrong though. I will leave the Coke Zero-Diet Coke controversy alone for the time being.
     Coke has the better flavor.  It is not quite as sweet and the carbonation doesn't hide the flavor of the non-alcoholic beverage.  To me, Pepsi's flavor is not based on the recipe of the syrup, but on the amount of sugar and carbonation that is put into the soft drink. Don't get me wrong, if I were stranded on a desert island and the only thing I had to drink would be an endless supply of Pepsi, I would drink it.  I don't think I would bathe in it though.  That would depend if I was the only one on the island or if Denise were along.  Come to think of it, she would have to drink Pepsi as well. Whether or not she would bathe in it, I will just have to ask her.
     I'm not a big cola drinker anyway.  If I am drinking a caffeinated flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverage, I prefer Dr. Pepper.  I guess Dr.  Pepper is now owned by the 7-up company, which is the old Royal Crown Cola Company. Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse the issue but facts are facts. As a matter of fact, I think I prefer Royal Crown to Coke, but it is almost impossible to get Royal Crown anywhere but a small liquor store in remote Manitoba, Canada.  I guess Coke and Pepsi had a hand in that, and that is too bad. R.C. was one of the first casualties of the cola wars. RIP Royal Crown.
     I have a confession to make.  I really don't drink that many flavored non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, especially after my last surgery. I had a bad case of acid reflux, so I had my DES valve repaired in my stomach.  I don't get the heartburn anymore, but the surgery has caused some unexpected consequences.  If I have gas, that gas has to go somewhere and not up through the esophagus. It goes out the back in the form of a "fart".  Yes, I use the word "fart" even though the correct medical term is flatulence. I thought that I would just give it to you as it is and not pull any punches. Not being able to use the word "fart" really stinks.
The bottom line is, I drink a lot of Crystal Light Fruit Punch now. Denise really appreciates that.
     So, for me it is Coke by a safety--two points.  Excuse me now, I just made a new pitcher of Crystal Light Fruit Punch.

Fruit is better for you than Coke or Pepsi

I have another confession to make.  I posted this to the wrong blog.  This was supposed to go to my DavidRallisWrites blog, but what the heck.













  

All This, and She Plays Golf Too...Wow!

     To many, this may be a touchy subject, but I am going to explore it anyway.  Does your wife, girlfriend or significant other play golf? My wife plays, and I am very happy about that.
     Before I get run out of town on a rail by a lot of women who play golf out there, let me explain.  Most male and female golfers know what I am talking about and understand what I am trying to say, but some don't.  Some will take offense to even asking the question, but I will suck it up and summon the courage to ask the question. Once again does your, girlfriend or significant other play golf? Do you enjoy playing golf together?
     I enjoy playing golf together with my wife.  I also enjoy playing without her as well. The same can be said for her.  Her and I don't always have to play together in order to enjoy the experience of a good, or bad, round of golf.  We do enjoy each other very much and I enjoy watching just how much she gets into the game.  For me, that adds to the fun of it. But, we don't always have to be together to play golf.
     There are times when she wants to play with her friends in a women only outing. I respect that, just as she respects when I go out with my buddies. The bottom line is that we both love the game of golf. Being able to play together and enjoy the game even more is a plus. She's good, too.  I know because I have lost a lot of bets with her. Its still a lot of fun and I don't mind a bit.
     Some men feel that it is an infringement on their space when their wife or significant other wants to come along on the golf outing.  To a certain extent, this may be true but I think that it depends on the context of the situation. A guy, or gal, needs their space.  If that means letting him, or her, off by themselves to go play with their friends so be it. It works both ways.
     Golf is a game that can be played by almost everyone, male or female. Spending time together with your wife, girlfriend or significant other is important as is personal space.  Try playing golf together.  It doesn't have to be all the time or exclusively, but you are spending some quality time together. Its a lot of fun too.

I'm ready for this.  Let's get going!

Yes!  Sunk that birdie putt.

That drive was BIG! It went 20 yards past you, Dave.

 

Dear Johnny Miller

Dear Mr. Miller
     Thank you for providing some of the best moments in golf history, both on the course and in the broadcast booth.  I admire you very much. You are a man of many talents, including designing golf courses.
     I have had the pleasure of playing two of the golf courses that you have designed.  First, I have played your course at what used to be called Brighton Crest, now Eagle Springs, in Friant California.  I live in Fresno, which is close to Friant and get to play the course often. I have also played Eagle Ridge in Gilroy California. Both courses are very beautiful in their settings, but difficult to play for the average golfer.
     As I played the courses, many questions cropped up in my head.  First, what is the foundation for your love of boulders and where they are placed on the course?  Next, it has been said that your putting skills were not as good as they probably could be.  I don't fault you for this, my putting skills are not that good as well.  However, in many cases the greens on the courses you design are undulating and almost impossible to putt.  Is this in retribution and meant as a slap in the face of the golf gods?
    I am going to cut to the bottom line here.  Keep in mind that I have met you a couple of times and have talked to you.  I very much enjoyed those brief talks, even though your end of the conversation most of the time was "I don't have time for you now." You are a multimillionaire with successes in the golf business, including the design of many courses.  I am just a poor, starving writer that plays golf. You have earned the right to design golf courses, even though my opinion is not that high of them. They are in beautiful settings, and it doesn't mean a thing that I never play them well. My opinion of them doesn't count much and is not going to contribute to the  outbreak of  the "Great Apocalypse", otherwise known as the end of the world. Peace in the world is not going to break out, given my opinions on how you design a golf course. I just don't play them well, and truth is I don't care for them much. I still play Eagle Springs occasionally.
     Mr. Miller, I truly admire you.  I still hate number nine at Eagle Springs.  What were you thinking when you designed that hole?

Yours
Dave

This is a real level green.

Number 18 at Eagle Springs.  This green has more ups and downs than the wooden roller coaster at Santa  Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.

Nice hole and I don't have a criticism of it other than the green is a bit  large and  can be tricky.

I actually liked this hole which is very pretty. I wasn't exactly  happy about the placement of the second shot and the narrow slot of trees to go through to get to your approach shot.

   

Get Fit And Play Better Golf--Part 3

     I just got back from the gym a few minutes ago and am now enjoying my first cup of coffee of the day.  I feel great and I have lost four pounds since Monday.  I know the weight loss is prob ably just water, but it feels good.  My blood pressure is also down and I haven't taken my medications this morning.  That will come later after breakfast. Life is good and the quality of my life is getting better. My game should improve.
     My workout routing as I said before includes cardio, a stretching routine which includes loosening my bad back, crunches and leg lifts with the whole thing finishing up with a circuit training weight lifting component. Later, to reward myself for the work that I am doing I will spend some time in the sauna and the jacuzzi. This works very well for me, and the key is being consistent.  I loose weight quickly.  The funny thing is that when I work out, I'm not as hungry either, so I do shed the pounds.
     How does all of this effect my game. I know what the experts would say, but I want to tell it from my point of view but the experts are very much right.  My game improves when I work out.
     In my case, I see a marked improvement in my game in four areas.  Today I will talk briefly about two of those areas.  Remember now, this is a sharing of my experience although I am sure that others have had similar results.  I can generate more club speed and have more strength. These two are related in that I can hit the ball farther. I can also say that my stamina improves and my attitude becomes more positive which I will talk about in a later blog.
     I can tell that I am becoming a bit more flexible.  This translates to swinging the club with more speed without exerting more energy.  As my weight goes down and my muscles tone, I don't have as much bulk to move. The energy that I am expending is more efficient and translates into moving the club, not excess weight. Believe me, taking away thirty pounds of  "dead weight" fat and replacing it with muscle creates a definitely more powerful swing. The ball goes farther because the club is traveling faster with the energy of the swing being more efficient to the task at hand, that of striking the ball, not clumsily moving dead weight in order to swing the club.
     With the toning of muscles comes added strength. The mere fact that you are able to do more because your muscles are working better is very important. You become stronger because you are working your muscles, not sitting at a computer writing a blog or a book all day. I picked up at least 15 yards on my drives and about one club distance in my game after I started working out. You become stronger and the club becomes easier to swing and feels lighter. Since you are stronger and a bit lighter, you can control the club much better. Simple, isn't it?
     In Part 4 I will cover the other two aspects of my quest for conditioning. In the meantime, don't forget to visit the sites of my sponsors, they are all good people. GolfSmith has some great deals going on now and you can't go wrong using TripAdvisor. I you could also click on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com, there is a lot going on there too. I am including one of my videos here http://youtu.be/_Kx3Qrv18IE about Stevinson Ranch in Stevinson, California. It is about the tournament I played in using the TaylorMade 15 inch cups. So, hit 'em long and straight.  Remember that it is embarrassing to leave a perfectly good birdie putt short.  I have on many occasions.

Weight loss, strength and greater flexibility would allow me to have a better follow through and weight transfer to my front foot. Hey, I'm working on it.

Get Fit and Play Better Golf--Part 2

     In yesterday's blog I talked about the importance of improved fitness and how that is important to your golf game.  At this point, I want to make it clear that you don't have to become an Olympic athlete, just take steps to improve your health and physical well being.  As I said before, this is important.  I have taken those steps and even though yesterday was my second workout, I feel great.  Yes, a little sore, but it's a good sore.
     Right now, my game probably won't show signs of improvement because of my working out.  Besides, I'm not playing that much right now, about once or twice a month.  Yes, I know that is not enough golf and especially for a guy that is so involved in golf. I should be out playing, but I'm not. At any rate, back to conditioning in golf and what I did.
     As I said earlier, I lost 60 pounds.  Most of this was done by working out three times a week on a program of stretching, cardio and circuit training.  The great part of this was that I did this gradually and my exercise routine caused me a minimum of sore muscles. The goals I set for myself were tone, flexibility and weight loss. During this time I pretty much ate what I wanted and when I wanted but cut down on the amounts.  I controlled my portions and consciously left food on my plate. I did change my food choices adding more fruits and vegetables.  Sugar was not forbidden, but I made the concerted effort to just not eat sweets and cut down on sugar.
     Diet sodas are a waste to me. I eliminated them for one very important practical reason.  They just didn't quench my thirst.  I would drink one or have a glass of soda, and I was still thirsty. What I would do is make a pitcher of  water and add some crystal light to it.  I know Crystal Light has Asparatame in it as do diet sodas, but I was told that was ok and I also increased my intake of plain water as well--with lemon juice of course.  
    How did all of this and the weight loss change my game.  I will talk about this in my next blog.
Take some time to look at the sponsors I have on this blog. I am really impressed with Luggage Forward. Wouldn't it be great to have your luggage and precious golf clubs delivered directly to your hotel or cabin door wherever you are traveling?  Luggage Forward will do that for you. Take a look at their service as well as the other services.
    That's it for now.  Hit 'em long and straight...don't leave that birdie putt short.

I the short good looking guy on the right, sixty pounds heavier of course.

A Hearty THANK YOU!

     This post will be extremely brief.  I want to thank all of you for reading this blog. We achieved a milestone today in a fairly short time. Today marked my 3,000th visitor and reader.  Again, Thank You very much and I want to say that the best is yet to come.

Thank You! Keep coming back, there's more to come.

Get Fit and Play Better Golf

     I know that I am the last person to preach fitness and its importance in golf.  It's really funny though that I don't take my own advice. You have to tune up your body in order to play good golf.  It is just that simple.  Do I do this, no. I have decided that it is time to return to the gym and work out, not only for my golf game but for my overall health.
     Three years ago I took up the banner and ran with it. It was time to loose weight and get more fit.  Not literally, I am allergic to running and always have been. I'm not built for speed, being a plow horse not a race horse.  My PE coach used to time me with a calendar in the mile. I am bulky and built low to the ground. I don't run. However, I don't mind walking on a treadmill for thirty or forty minutes. As a result of going to the gym and taking care of myself, I lost 60 pounds.
     I'll have more of this story in my next post. In the meantime, don't forget to go to my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and check out the site.  I am going to be playing Catalina Golf Course on Tuesday of next week and will have a video of it up for you to look at the following week. I am excited about playing there, as you know.
     That's it for today.  Remember, hit 'em long and straight. Please don't leave that birdie putt short.

Me at 300 pounds before I lost the 60 pounds. I felt great after the weight loss.

CATALINA!

  It is official! 

Twenty- six miles across the sea
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me
Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance, romance

Actually, romance isn't waiting for me there and it is only 22 miles, but golf is waiting. I am finally going to play Catalina Golf Course.  Thank you Mark!
     You probably didn't know that Catalina Island had a golf course.  It does, and a good one at that.  It is a 9 hole track, 18 from a second set of tees, set in the canyons above Avalon the main town on Catalina. I have been told that it is the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi River that has been in continuous operation since it was opened as a three hole course.  I don't want to totally get into the history of the course, but I do want to let you know that I have been invited to play the course and do a You-Tube video and feature it on my website.  I will also let you know what the course was like here on my blog. 
     Catalina and I go back about 18 years to the first Carnival Cruise I took there in 1996 with my family.  Each time I have been there it has been on a cruise ship as a port of call. I have been there several times and have yet to totally explore the island. I'm told that there is a lot to see, especially the buffalo.  That's another story. Let's face it folks, I am a golfer, not a naturalist.  I tend to focus in on what golf options there are in a location. On this trip we took a golf cart tour and it stopped at the course. at the time I didn't stop in, but I did say, hmmm--I have to play this course some day. 
     I have been to the course several time and have chatted in depth with Mark the pro there.  He is a great guy to talk to. You can tell he really knows his course taking the time to talk about it at great leangth. Every time I go up there, he remembers me and always cordially invites me to experience his course. To this point I have been unable to play the course for a number of reasons while I'm there. I have decided it is time and so in a couple of weeks, again on a cruise I am going to play the course and take pictures.  I only hope that what I produce is as good as it can be. 
    I have some other stories that I will share with you as the time gets closer about my visits to Catalina Golf Course.  I have to run now.  Don't forget to visit my website, http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  If you would also be so kind to take a look at my new video about The Golf Course Travel Bag and myself on You Tube, I would truly appreciate it.  don't make me beg. Here is the URL http://youtu.be/2VSgOYis-M8
 and I hope you will enjoy it as well as my other videos you can find on my website.  Just remember to hit 'em long and straight...don't leave that birdie putt short.  One last thing, it's only 22 miles.

Yes Virgina, there really is a golf course on Catalina Island. Move your finger when you take the picture, will you.  Sorry, I'm not used to taking pictures with a phone.  Isn't that what a camera is for?

Money, Money, Money--Part 3

     Yes, I am a couple of days late with this post.  I took my time and thought about what I was going to write.  Do you believe that?  Actually, I got caught with some personal business that took a bit more time than I thought.  If you can forgive me for that, I would appreciate that. Come on now, I came clean and told the truth.  I could have told you that I was abducted by aliens and was studied and operated on in their mother ship, but I was truthful with you so cut me some slack please. Enough fun for the day, let's cut to the chase.
     The decline in the number of golfers playing golf is simple economics.  Two things have happened.  First, supply had outpaced demand and secondly the economic situation throughout the world has changed. With a shortage of courses and demand high, green fees skyrocketed.  Put very simply, the boom times of a strong economy are over and they built too many golf courses. With demand high, supply low and a booming economy, people were willing to pay the price to play. The economy goes bust people make choices and golf was a luxury that they could cut out. The same is true for overpriced equipment.  To sum it up, not enough money and too many choices for the consumer as to places to play or spend their money on other things in many cases more important.
     Where do we go from here as to growing the game again? First, we have to realize that "water seeks its own level". There has been a downturn and I don't know if we have seen the bottom of it.  However, I am an optimist and it will come back and grow again. I see some changes being made in the industry that will stop the trend.
     Real estate was a problem.  Developers saw the growth of golf and the rosy projection as to how the game and economy were going to grow and built developments around golf courses. The bust of 2008 came and there was no money to invest in lands or upscale homes. Buyers for their homes evaporated because of not having the money to purchase. The courses were private and memberships were not sold to support the course and development. In many cases, the house of cards the developers built fell down and the courses closed. This is sad I have to admit, but it is necessary to return golf to health. Just like you prune a tree of limbs for the good of the tree, some courses that can't make it have to close.
     I am getting a bit wordy and long here so I think I will stop and continue this in my next post. We haven't explored green fees and the cost of equipment so I will leave that to the next post. I do have a lot to say about that.
     One of my favorite things to do is to travel. In most cases, golf is included in those travels. I would like to put together a golf trip to a location in California that is affordable. It won't be Pebble Beach, but it will be a great golf location.  I was thinking perhaps the San Diego area, The Monterey area to play a couple of the little known courses such as DeLaveaga or Crazy Horse. We could even include Bayonet/Blackhorse.  We could also do San Francisco or some other area.  I don't know, what are your thoughts. I would like to center this trip around courses that are not that well known, but are a treat to play. Costs will be kept down. PLEASE give me some feedback on this.  I should have more information on this on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  Check out my You-Tube videos as well. They are on the site as well. I have launched a newsletter to go along with the website so watch out for that.
     Hit 'em long and straight and don't leave that birdie putt short.

The seventh hole at Stevinson Ranch. They have some great par threes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Money, Money, Money--Part 2

     I am a little late with this post.  I know that I said that I would write a companion post the day after I wrote Money, Money, Money Part 1, but things got a little hectic around here. Let's just say I went a little off task.  I didn't get to play golf either. As a golfer/writer I thought that that would be the key to playing more golf, but what happens is that you become a writer first and golfer second. At any rate, I continue with my thoughts on the game and money as it applies to the decline in players.
     In the 90's and early 2000's, golf and the economy was booming. The number of golf courses and the number of new players to the game rose in meteoric fashion. Players were there and money was not an object.  New courses were built and the equipment business took off like a rocket. Demand was high, both for places to play and for the new equipment that the manufacturers were developing and marketing.  A $350 driver was something every golfer wanted to have because it straightened out a slice or generated ten extra yards on the drive.  New balls came out, each with a hefty price tag per ball or dozen.  After all, we did want to play the ball the pros play on tour.  Never mind that it didn't fit our game. Golf marketing was running amok, and as with equipment "If they built it, We would come". Green fees went through the roof as well, because there were not enough courses and money was plentiful. Golfers would pay, and they had money. They spent money on golf like drunken sailors.
     We said hello to 2008.  In essence, we went backward. The financial boon that had brought a huge growth in the world economy went bust and with it the expansion in players of golf came to an abrupt halt.  There just weren't the financial resources. Let's see, if you have to make a choice between living in a house and paying rent as well as eating or playing golf, what responsible choice do you make.  Golf suffered as the result. The money was no longer there. People just didn't have the money for a luxury like golf and left the game. As far as courses and golf real estate, "They did build it, and they didn't come.". They couldn't afford it.
     One more thing that is true about this. The 30 something generation seems not to have time for a four and a half round of golf. My opinion of this is simple, I am not exactly sure of the validity of that argument but I'm not going to cover that here. I may talk about that in another post, we will see.
     What are the solutions to this?  We will talk about this in the next post. The industry is already taking the steps to change this.
     My friends at The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch would really like to share their course with you. The course is in great shape and they would like you to stop by and try the course out. It is a lot of fun to play. You can see a lot of it on my YouTube Video which you will find on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com or go directly to YouTube at http://youtu.be/ZAF3Ve9VH_A to see it.  The course is very green and the greens play fast and true. With its hills and valleys, it is a great layout and challenging to all levels of golfers.
     Hit 'em long and straight, don't leave that birdie putt short.

Crazy Horse Ranch's Signature Fifth Hole. Par Three and downhill, make sure you don't overclub.

     










 

Money, Money, Money--Part 1

     Why the unusual title for this post you may ask?  The reason is simple.  Golf is on the decline as far is play and there are several reasons as I have talked about before. One of the main reasons for this decline is the cost of participating in the sport. Is golf pricing itself out of the market? I kind of think so.
     Golf, as in other things in this world has pretty much forgotten basic economics.  What comes into play here is the basic law of supply and demand. As golfers we would like to think that generally the law of supply and demand do not apply to golf, but it does. When the supply of a product goes up and the demand for that product goes down, what do you do to that product. That product has costs associated with it which must be covered, but the product is not being sold. What you do is to lower the cost to the consumer for that product to stimulate purchase or usage of the product or service. It's just that simple. Sorry I'm bothering you with this.  I'm into this, I used to teach history.
     I used to be in sales. If we had something that wasn't selling, what would we do. Yes, we made a lot of money when we sold a high ticket item with a steep price, but those sales were few and far between. Dollars were not changing hands and we still had the investment of the high priced item. A business is based on cash flow.
     We would call this, "slow dime, fast nickel". What this means is you are making a lot of profit on the expensive item, but unless it sells it is a liability. Something that has less profit built into it makes you less money, but your money is being turned.  You are generating fast revenue or profit. In other words, you don't make money unless it sells. When something wouldn't sell or was priced to high, we would lower the price or put it on what? ON SALE! Stay with me on this one, there will be a prize at the end.
     How does this relate to golf? I will get into that tomorrow. Don't forget to check out my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com. Hit 'em long and straight, don't leave that birdie putt short.

The first tee at Bayonet. This is a great course in the Monterey area and right now are offering some great specials on green fees. 

         

My "Top Ten Favorite Courses I Have Played" List

     You really have backed me into a corner. Many of you have asked me to commit to writing about my favorite ten courses. Let me get one thing straight. All the courses I have played are my favorite. If they have green grass, good greens, a good layout that is fair and some good fairways and I am playing them at the moment, it is my favorite. I know that that is very noncommittal, but sorry I love golf and the courses I play. So, if you ask me what my favorite course is, I would say the one I am playing right now.
     I promised you a list of ten.  Now remember, these are not in any particular order. Please also keep in mind that these are the courses I am thinking about that come to mind off the top of my head. The list is not comprehensive either.  Here  is my list.

1.  Trump National Los Angeles:  The layout of the course and the views of the Pacific Ocean will truly take your breath away. You can see more of this beautiful course by going to my website and reading about it as well as viewing the video. I want to go back and play it, even though the green fee is over $200. Check it out on my website http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.

2.  Pacific Grove, Pacific Grove, Ca.:  Yep, this really is a poor man't Pebble Beach. It is short, but can give you a headache if you can't make some shots. Views of the Pacific from the back nine will make you stop in mid round and take in all the beauty.  The Pacific Ocean is right across the street and you can literally see and hear the waves crashing on the rocks.  The course isn't anything to gripe about as well. It is a lot of fun and challenging.

3.  Bayonet/Blackhorse, Seaside, Ca. (Monterey Area):  It seems as though many of my favorite courses happen to be in Monterey.  I'm sorry for that, but if you have ever been to Monterey and played golf, you know what I'm talking about. These tow courses are located on the former Fort Ord Army Base in the hills above Monterey which has been closed for a long time. The courses are now owned by The City Of Seaside and are open to the public. Both courses have been renovated and offer some great vistas of Monterey Bay.  The courses aren't too shabby as well with some lush fairways which are lined by Monterey Cyprus trees and some great greens.

4.  Monterey Pines, Monterey, Ca.: Shhhhh!!!!!Don't tell anyone about this one. This course is very well known to golfers who live in Monterey. They know this great track as "The Navy Course" as it is owned by The U.S. Navy and is located above the fairgrounds on the grounds of The Naval Post Graduate School. It is a short course, but very well maintained and tricky.  The greens are always in great shape and the fairways are narrow. This course is truly Monterey's best kept golf secret.

5.  Moro Bay Golf Course, Morro Bay, Ca.:  I really love this course, not because of the beautiful views of Morro Bay and the fact that it is a kick to play but because I have decided that I am a very crazy person. With that said, if you are already crazy this case will not take you there because you already are crazy. It is a great layout, set in the pines above Morro Bay and Morro Bay State Park. I am not sure that there is a level lie on the course but the greens are what sets this course apart. You will be saying things like, "I swear that putt was uphill!" as you ball rolls ten feet past the hole on what was originally a two footer. How about, "Did that break right two feet?  There's no way, just look at that.  It has to break left.". Prepare for a lot of fun when you play Morro Bay.

6.  Metro West, Orlando, Florida: I got to play this course when I was on vacation in Florida.  The kids wanted to go to Disney World and I didn't because they wanted to go to a different kingdom than I did. I played golf here instead.  I found it by accident. The course had some great greens, which were Bermuda by the way. It is an adventure putting on Bermuda Grass. I enjoyed this course very much and found out that grass grows very quickly in Florida and 85 degrees isn't necessarily 85 degrees.

7.  Stevinson Ranch, Stevinson, Ca.: Out in what seems to be the middle of nowhere admidst the farmland, dairies and cattle ranches of the western Central Valley of California lies the little town of Stevinson.  Who would of thought one of the best public golf courses in the United States would be located here.  It is. Stevinson Ranch is a "links style" course which is a lot of fun to play. Although it is basically flat, there is a lot of areas you can get yourself into a ton of trouble. The greens here are large and undulating.  What a kick in the pants.  You can see more of Stevinson in pictures and work by going to my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com where you can watch the video I shot there.

8.  Ridge Creek, Dinuba, Ca.:  Many of you will ask where in the world is Dinuba, Ca? It is a few miles south of Reedley out in the peach orchards. Is there a golf course there?  Yes, there is and it is a good wone.  It is owned by the City of Dinuba and you just wouldn't think that a smalltown would have such a great course.  It does.  This is a "links style" course which has the feel of a course in Scotland. Keep the ball on the fairway, and don't get into any of the fairway or greenside bunkers Laddie, or your score will certainly soar. The pro shop staff is very friendly and helpful.  Hi Rosa, I'm going to come and take pictures of your course soon and do a video.

9.  Sherwood Forest, Reedley, Ca.:  Who would of thought that Reedley would have a course, let alone Dinuba. Whereas Ridge Creek is just out side of Dinuba, Sherwood Forest is out of town about 10 miles and set on the Kings River.  The River runs though this course which is one of the most picturesque courses in the Central Valley. They built this course in a grove of 100 plus year old oak trees with the river running through the course and in play on several holes. The fifteenth is my favorite.  What a beautiful and natural place for a golf course not on the ocean.

10.  Riverside Golf Course, Fresno, Ca.:  Home, what can I say. When E.T. says, "E.T. phone home." he means another planet.  When I phone home, I call Riverside for a tee time. That's not true Denise, but it sounded good. At any rate, Riverside has been my home course for a long time except when I had my membership at River Bend in Madera.  I grew up in golf on Riverside, and it is a great "Old Parkland Style Course".  You can see more of Riverside at my website in my U-Tube page.  Yes it was 108 degrees, but we loved every minute of playing this classic course.

     That's basically it for now. You know I can't boil down all the courses I have played to my ten favorite, that is impossible.  I haven't even scratched the surface.  Stay tuned.
     As I have mentioned, these courses are on my website. Some of the courses have videos, so go to my website and take a look.  Got to http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and take a look. Until next time, hit 'em long and straight.  Of course, don't you dare leave that birdie putt short.

The short par four  8th at Stevinson Ranch. And the hits just keep on comin'. 

    


















 

10 Things I Don't Like In Golf

     Yesterday, I wrote about the ten things I like in golf.  As I explained in the post, these were not the things I liked most or least, they were just ten things I like. They were not in any order as well and there are many more and I will share those with you later as I think about them. I hope you enjoyed the list.
     This is a polar world we live in.  The world has its North and South Poles. Good has its opposite, bad. Love has its opposite, hate.  So it is with me.  I have what I love about the game, and I have what I don't exactly like or what strikes me as not exactly good. Yesterday was what I liked about golf and today will be what I think is the negative aspect of the game, at least from my perspective.  Here goes.

1.  Golfers that play once a year can really make a round unbearable, especially if you are playing behind them. I'm not talking about the ones who only play once a year and come out because a good friend has asked them to play.  I'm talking about the "Once A Year, Let's Buy A Lot Of Beer And Tear Up The Place Because A Golf Course Is a Great Place To Get Drunk" group.  You know what I'm talking about. In most cases, they come out with no respect for the course and tear it up.

2.  I don't like idiots, sober or drunk who do not respect the course. These are the guys that don't respect the "Keep Carts On The Cart Path" sign.  Now granted, some of the greens keepers have a tendency to put the "No Carts"  signs a bit too far away from the green, but on a par 3 when it says no carts, that means no carts.  These are also guys that take a huge divot out of the fairway, and laugh about it without pouring sand in the divot.

4.  This one is a two for one, I guess. Speaking of not repairing your divots, that is a pet peeve of mine as well. Don't complain about a fairway or green that is like the surface of the moon and not repair your divots on the green and in the fairway. Courses should make sure that there is turf builder, or at least sand in the container on the cart and everyone should carry a divot repair tool for divots on the green.  I repair mine and one more.

5.  I don't like those people who complain about the condition of a course and do not repair their divots.  Most people when they play a "goat track" should expect "goat track" conditions. The same is true for a great course. Respect the course and help manage it and the course will be in good condition.


6. I hate fivesomes that don't play fast. You can visit and have a great time, but make sure you understand that there are others playing behind you.  I have played behind fivesomes that play faster than a lot of twosomes, but that is rare. The stories I could tell you about on this one. Let's just leave it at I don't like slow fivesomes.

7.  When I hook up with a couple of guys on the first tee, I want guys who will chat between shots.  I am a social kind of guy and like to chat about whatever, and especially about the great game we play. If I get hooked up with someone who is taking their round very seriously and not talking almost to the point of ignoring me, I don't like that.  Yes, you keep silent when someone is hitting but between shots is time to visit. I have to admit that when I do play in a tournament, I get very serious most of the time.  I can be guilty of getting in that zone and not being sociable, but that is a different story. Chatting and cracking jokes loosens me up most of the time.

8.  I don't like "hard" distance golf balls. I am not a distance player, but a finesse player.  I like a golf ball that "dances" around the green. The short game is my friend.  I can't do what I do around the green with a hard distance ball.

9.  I don't like "trash talk" in the game of golf.  This is a gentleman's game.  It is not football, basketball or baseball.  There is no place in the game for a trash mouth and trashing another player. Encouragement should be the rule, not tearing someone down. OK, maybe a little bit.

10.  I hate "lip outs" for whatever score, birdie or quadruple bogey.

     I guess that you could say that these are annoyances in the game of golf.  There are many, and most of them involve golfers themselves. With all the annoyances in the game, I love to play the game and won't let those annoyances bother me to the point that I will leave the game. It is a great game, and I love playing it.
     Don't forget to stop by and visit my website. All the courses that are in the course directory I have played personally. You will also find a lot of other great "golf stuff" there as well including course U-Tube videos and some great U-tube videos on instruction and tips. I didn't do the "Tips" videos of course.  Think about that one for a moment.  Would you really want a golfer like me to give you golf tips?  At any rate, check out the website, http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.
     Until next time, hit 'em long and straight.  Don't you dare leave that birdie putt short.

I would sure like to be playing here.  This is the Ninth Green at Sharp Park. Take a look at my video on Sharp Park.

    

Ten Things I Like In Golf

     I thought about something to write about today in my blog and It was very hard to come up with a subject. I thought and I thought--which as you know if you read my other blog is a very hard thing for me--an mind was blank.  Many of you think this is a common occurrence for me, but actually it isn't.  In fact my mind races all the time.  The problem is I have to focus all those thoughts. Maybe it is time to return to the subject at hand and that is golf. Needless to say, I was having a hard time coming up with something.
    I love the game of golf. What do I like, or should I say love, about the game. If I were to boil it down to ten things I love about the game, what would they be? There are so many things I love about the game, why just ten? I have decided on ten today, because I like that number and I only have limited time and space here to share these with you. In the coming months, you may see more posts about the things I love in golf but today it will be just ten. These are not in any particular order, either and here we go.

1.  I enjoy meeting new people. Many times I will go to the golf course by myself and take pot luck as far as getting up a game. On the first tee, generally I have never met the people I would be playing with. By about the third hole, it is like we have been friends forever. Yes, you do get some guys and galls who are not friendly and don't interact, but generally a good conversation strikes up during the round and by the 18th hole it is like you have known the people you are playing with forever. I like that and golf is the common denominator.

2.  Of course I would have to say the 19th hole. What a lot of people who don't play golf don't understand is that golf is a social game.  Yes, it is fun to play the game but it is also a lot of fun to interact with the people you have played with.  It is fun to hash out the round and to tell some tall golf tales over a soda or lunch at the coffee shop or bar after the round.

3. The sound of a club hitting the ball. There is nothing like it in any other sport.  Baseball has the crack of the bat, but golf has the clunk of the ball hitting the club. That sound, whether it is a good hit or bad miss is still one of the greatest sounds in sport.  It has changed over the years, especially with the woods no longer being made of wood but the sound is still music to my ears.

4.  Sinking a fifty footer on the putting green can make your heart sing. It doesn't matter if it is for birdie or triple bogey, it still is a thrill when it goes in from the cheap seats.

5.  How about taking out a new dozen golf balls and playing them.  It doesn't matter what brand they are and yes I do prefer Titleist but it doesn't matter the brand. When you take that dozen out and open the first sleeve, the newest of the balls and how shiny they are brings a warm and fuzzy feeling. It is too bad they won't stay new for long.

6.  I would have to say that if I did have a most favorite thing, and my mind would change often, is that my wife plays golf.  She is very competitive as well.  Plus, she knows how to play the game. I don't have to baby her around the course, and I wouldn't want too.  She played basketball, volleyball and softball in college as well as almost going pro in softball.  She know her way around sports.  I very much enjoy the time we spend together on the course.

7.  Along those same lines, I am glad that I have two of my children who play golf.  On is actually starting to give lessons and she is going to get her Class A pro degree.  My son plays as well and loves the game.

8.  I like to hit the green in regulation.  I don't very often right now because I am not playing as much.  When I have that six footer for birdie, which I used to make with regularity but since I don't play much I don't, makes me feel giddy.

9.  Which brings me to the next thing, which goes along with number eight. Believe me it is doesn't happen very often, especially now.  That is sinking that putt for birdie. YES!

10.  Taking pictures of golf courses. I really enjoy sharing those courses I have played in pictures and in words. There is nothing like the feeling of setting up a shot--picture--of a green when the sun is low in the sky. The lighting itself makes it all worth the while.

     That's about it for now. Don't forget to check out my website at http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com.  Remember to hit 'em long and straight.  Don't hit that birdie putt short.

What a great game!

Cherry Island--Elverta Clifornia

     When I lived in the Sacramento area in the early 80's the golf options were few. You had to get up very early and wait on hold for a tee time anywhere in the area.  There were only a few courses available to the golfing public. What would happen is, you would wind up at Haggin Oaks to play the red and blue courses, because that was the only choice you had. I'm not saying that Haggin Oaks is not a bad course and I did enjoy playing the MacKenzie course which back then was called The Eighteen Course. Those were your options.
     Things have changed dramatically in Sacramento and the Sacramento area. Just after I left, there was an explosion of  course building, and now Sacramento has a large number of golf options.  As I talked to some of the pros in the area, almost too many. There are some truly great courses in the Sacramento area and I guess I just need to bite the bullet and spend a week playing as many as I can to write about them and photograph them.
     When I was there, Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation was considering building another course somewhere in the north of Sacramento to take off some of the pressure on their other Sacramento course, Ancil Hoffman. They finally decided it was time, and created Cherry Island.
     I finally got to play Cherry Island a couple of weeks ago.  Much had been said to me about the course, all good of course. I wanted to play it, so when I took my wife to the Sacramento airport I decided if  I had to be up there I might as well put the time to good use and work. I am glad that I did.
     When you look up in the dictionary the definition of "target golf"  you will find a picture of Cherry Island. You definitely have to hit your spots on the course to score well. It helps if you know those spots if you have played the course before. yes, It is a "target golf" course, but I did think that it was fair. As the course winds through the oaks and environmental creek areas, you have to hit your spots.  I didn't.
     Speaking of the oaks and the setting of the course, it is very picturesque with two creeks running through the course. The course designer, famous course designer Robert Muir Graves paid very close attention to the environment as he designed the course around the property which was a Cherry Orchard at one time. The fun starts on the first hole which is a dog leg right where you have to carry a creek that runs through the middle of the hole. You must keep your ball in the fairway, because there is the creek to the right and left as well as environmental areas that surround the hole. It's a lot of fun, trust me on this.
     The course was in fantastic shape, with the greens running at about a 9 on the stimp and putting true. I am not going to review the course in depth here, I will do that on my website. What I have done is produced a U-Tube video that you can go to and see the course and some of the pictures that I took while playing the course. Here's the link, I hope you enjoy it. http://youtu.be/8Yv4tgMLZAA
     I enjoyed playing Cherry Island and recommend it highly. The pro shop staff was friendly and helpful, especially when they had to put up with me and my constant batter. That's it for now. Remember to take a look at my website.  If you are out of town and want to find a course to play, take a look.  Someone asked me how many courses I have played and reviewed and I guess it is close to 100. Each course in my directory I have personally played and experienced.  You will also find some helpful golf tip videos and some course videos as well.  Go to http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and take a look. I would appreciate the view. Hit 'em long and sraight, don't leave that birdie putt short.

Women Golfers

     I don't know if I like that term "Woman Golfer" or even "Lady Golfer".  Aren't we who play the sport just that, golfers?  I hope to think so. This should be an egalitarian sport, not one defined by a person's gender. In order to grow the sport, I think that attitudes have to change. Why am I kind of charged up about this?  I saw a U-tube video. Attitudes men have toward women playing the game have to change.
     I have to admit that the video was humorous. I did chuckle.  It shows three guys sitting down in the posh members lounge in an obviously posh English Country Club. They are watching two quite curvaceous, good looking women play golf.  Of course their golf outfits are quite brief, tight and low cut in the bodice. There were the natural snide remarks from the three gentlemen about the ladies, but then they hit some shots. The shots they hit were very good, one going into the cup from off the green.  It was clear that these ladies could play the game.
     My daughter plays golf, as does my wife. Both are very capable of playing from the men's tees and whipping anyone's butt. Both hit long and my daughter played on state championship teams in high school and junior college. My wife played competitive softball and can play any sport with the best of them. You ought to see her play poker. Believe me, they both don't mid beating up on lesser foes, be they male of female.
     I had a family membership at a local golf course and would play often with my daughter. We picked up another twosome one Saturday afternoon and were ready to tee off.  The twosome that joined us would play from the men's back tees and I would on occasion. I stepped up to the back tees as well, and the twosome teed off and then I teed off. My daughter kind of waited until we teed off and then I asked her which set of teed she would like to tee from. She said, "I'll go ahead and play the blues with you guys, if you don't mind."
     She proceeded to go to the back tees with us. One of the guys in the twosome saw this and said,"Are you sure you want to do that, little lady?"
     My daughter's response was, "Yes, I don't want to hold anything up."
     "Are you sure?" was the sort of patronizing reply from the male golfer.
     "I'll be OK." was my daughter's reply.
     These two guys were fairly big hitters who would hit their drives about 240 yards.  My daughter hit her drive and it sailed passed theirs about twenty yards. After she hit her drive, she just picked up her tee, smiled at them and returned to our cart.  I still remember the looks on their faces as the ball flew passed their drives. They could have caught a swarm of flies with the way their jaws dropped. Needless to say, she waxed their tails when the scores were finally tallied at the end of the round.
     Check out some of my U-tube videos on my website.  I am very proud of them. Watch them and enjoy the courses which I hope you get to play some day.  These are some great courses. Go to my website http:the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and take a look.  There is much more on the site as well.  In the meantime, hit 'em long and straight.  And please, don't leave that birdie putt short.

Ho-hum, another 250 yard drive.  I don't think I caught it all. My daughter, I'm proud of her.