Important Question

     This post will be short and simple.  I have to pose a very important question, given the extreme sacrifice I am about to make on Monday.  The temperature is supposed to soar above the 110 degree mark and my group is planning to tee off at 1:00.  As I have said, I am going to play but the important question is...At what point do golf balls melt?

Something cool and refreshing on this hot day.

I WILL do my duty!

     During the summer, most sane people play golf in the early morning in Fresno before it gets to the normal daily heat.  Temperatures this time of year soar into the mid 100's, so you want to get your round in as early as you can.  Most tee off before 9 A.M., and I prefer dawn patrol and teeing off as the sun is rising.  This means at the golf course with coffee and breakfast in the clubhouse at about 5:45 or earlier.
     I have a solunm (dikshunary time, solemn) duty to you as my readers to bring to you the stories that make golf fun and interesting.  I will go to any and all lengths and risk to get that story or tidbit that I know I should share with you. It takes a lot of courage, but it has to be done. Monday, I will sacrifice myself to you and the gods of golf and play in the oppressive heat of midday. Temperatures are supposed to soar to around 111, so this may turn out to be the supreme sacrifice.  It is after all a selfless act of giving, and all for you.
     Three of us are going to brave the intense heat of day and play a wonderful course in Dinuba, Ca.  I like the course and plan to do a spotlight on it next week with pictures should I survive the ordeal.  As you know, Denise plays golf as well, but she is the sensible one in the group--actually the one who has half a brain--and thinks it is going to be too hot. She refuses to play in such stifling heat--wimp.  I have written the burial instruction and funeral requests should I expire on the heated plain of battle--uh course.  Sorry, I'm getting a bit too carried away.
     I pan to drink a lot of water between then and now and hydrate myself.  I know that there is the possibility of heat stroke, so I will be very careful. I still have some gift certificate money left over from the wedding so I plan to go to Home Depot and buy one of those cool towels and see if they work.  I will let you know.  Maybe this is a good opening to the company to seek an endorsement for the product.  I do need sponsors if I am going to make the rent.
     Wish me luck---I'm going in!

I will have this on my mind on Monday as I play in the 111 degree heat  Monday.  Oh,  I forgot it was hot there too.

   
       

Quick Post Today...Got To Go To Court

     Can't write much today as I am on my way to Merced with Denise.  Her son's dog ate a chihuahua and she is being sued for the damages.  It wasn't ever her dog.
     There is a fine golf course near Merced in the town of Atwater.  It is called Rancho Del Rey and I have played it.  Hopefully, I will get up there soon and have a review with pictures.  Stay tuned, I have to run. Enjoy today's picture, which has absolutely nothing to do with today's post.

No golf course or dog picture, but you can enjoy these wild turkeys.  The shot was taken on a golf course, if that counts. 

 

I Miss It A Lot!

     Today is Monday.  I am really sad because I miss playing with my normal group on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  I really miss these guys.
     I want everyone to know that I am not playing because I have got married two weeks ago and my new bride is taking up all my time.  In fact, she wants to play more than I do.  That is not it.  It seems as though life is just not going in the direction I want it to.  I take that back, it is going in a way I want it too, its just that I may have to take care of business and work on that business instead of having fun.
     You may say that golf is my business.  That isn't exactly true.  Writing is my business and I write about golf.  Right now, golf is not paying the bills, writing is. I have been blessed with picking up a couple of new clients, which is great.  I must also do the business of getting business. That takes up a lot of time as well.
     Here's to the Monday, Wednesday, Friday Seniors skins group.  I have had many a fun time playing with you guys and I miss you a lot.  Don't worry, I will be back and hopefully soon.

I really miss this.

It's Sunday...

Hi everyone.  Thanks you for tuning into my blog on golf.  Today is Sunday and tomorrow I have a very busy writing day ahead, so I am taking today off.  Tonight I going to a B.B.Q. and am watching the Giants on T.V. right now. This is relaxation!. I will have a post tomorrow.

Time for a little libation.  

Saturday

     It is Saturday and should be a day off.  I should be out chasing the little white ball around the course.  That is not to be today as I have a lot to do.  At some point, soon I hope, things will get back to some state of normalcy and I will be able to play golf once a gain on a regular basis.
     I miss playing golf. Denise misses playing golf.  There is nothing better to do than to chase that little white ball around a grassy field.  It is not to be right now. Maybe when the house is put together as we want it and there is nothing else to move or place in that special spot.  Oh well, life goes on.

Maybe I'll take up wing walking.

Small Ball v. The Home Run

     Yes, I do know that my title is a baseball reference.  Some of my readers in other countries probably won't understand what I am trying to compare here.  Bear with me on this and I hope that I can make it clear.
     In baseball, and most baseball fans know this, there are two ways to score.  The first way is what is called "small ball" where you try to get as many base runners on the bases and move them over with small hits.  You score by moving runners in small increments, not all i one fell swoop.  Then there is "The Home Run", where you score a run in one swing of the bat by hitting the ball a long way and out of the ball park. Either method scores runs.  "Small Ball" uses strategy and finesse where as the "Home Run" in baseball is nothing but brute strength. Which is better? It depends.
     What does this have to do with golf.  Funny you should ask. The same principles apply in golf as to how the sport is played.  You have the long hitters and you have the short hitters.  Among amateurs at least, most long hitters don't have a great short game and most short hitters don't hit the ball far but they score using a fantastic short game.  You have to remember now that this is a generalization and I have seen long hitters with great short games, and I have seen short hitter who couldn't putt. But in most cases, the generalization holds true.
     I am a bit prejudicial toward  "small ball".  I am a short hitter.  In fact, I have trounced many a long hitter by having a great short game as my weapon of choice.  I love to have a long hitter go driver wedge on a long  par four and get on in two. I may use driver three wood and be off the green, but recover with a great chip shot close to the hole and make my putt for par.  The long hitter on the other hand three putts and I win the hole.  I am in awe though of that long hitter and wish I could hit the ball further.
    I suppose with some lessons and some conditioning, I could hit the ball further, but my question would be "Why"?  I shoot in the middle 80's to low 90's and I am happy with that, so why work on it?  I am happy with it and I do chip and putt well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I am almost sixty years old and enjoy the game. Why cause disruption to my well-being.  I have all the frustration in my life so don't add to it by messing up my golf game.
     Golf courses are meant to be played, not brought to their knees by going past all the interesting parts of the course.  They were designed to be enjoyed and to be a challenge.  The game is supposed to be fun and a challenge.  Length is a good thing, but it isn't everything. Even if you do hit it far, you still must do the little things well in order to score. I like a good baseball game where there are a lot of walks and singles and strategy is used to get the runners to score.  I also like a game with a lot of home runs.
     At 6996 yards, Merion is a short course. It took its toll on the long ball hitters.  The short game was a premium. Golf is a skill game as well as a power game.  You could have the strength, but you also must have the skill as well. Merion showed us that.  To me, skill wins.

Don't drive the ball far, but I can putt!