Sunday, August 16, 2009

After 5 holes..

I may regret that decision to quit my golf club. It's August and it's hot in Fresno, but not so stifling that golfers were staying inside to watch Tiger struggle down the stretch at the PGA. They were here, right in front of me. Mom, Dad, family and friends smacking that little white ball around, moving forward like an armada of ants on drugs, laughing, cursing, sweating and chasing, always chasing that damnable little white ball. I rented a 3-wheel push cart, caught on as a single and soon caught up to the crowd just before my approach to number one. I looked up the course and took a deep breath, changed my mind set and began practicing my driving and pitching for the next four holes. After hole three I cut over to eighteen and played two balls in to the clubhouse. I was beginning to feel fatigued, (more to come on that later), when I saw a hole in this human golfing train. So I scrambled over to ten and teed it up. Ten sits next to the clubhouse diner with a panoramic view of the San Joaguin river. It's a straight par four with a steep down hill grade all the way to the river bottom. I played my second into a bunker but got up and down, then looked up at the next foursome waiting up ahead for the par three to clear. That was my cue. After almost two hours and five holes I decided to pack it in. I turned around and pushed that puppy back up the hill, all four hundred yards nonstop until I thought my heart was going pound my ear drums into submission. But I made it up and it felt good. I returned the cart to the barn, changed my shoes from the back of the SUV and inspected my ankles. They didn't look too swollen. I still felt good. What had I learned? First I grip the club comfortably under my palm pad with the shaft firmly against my inside palm and resting just between the first and second crease of my curled up little finger. I'm holding the club correctly when I can balance the club perfectly in my left hand with just the thumb pad and little finger. This allows me to hold the club down at my side and "feel" my exact target line.The club is gently pushing up on the pad and down on the little finger forming the perfect line from shoulder to club head. This perfect balance sets the swing plane for address. I move from behind the ball and square myself to the target without unnecessary adjustments or phony modifications. Now this is much better.

My first post

I want to start slow. It's about 2:30 PST and I'm debating with myself. I either finish watching the PGA Championship, or lug myself out of my easy chair and go play nine holes at the local Muni.
So what's my goal? To play in Senior tournaments next season. So what's the answer? Get up, get out and participate. That's why I'm posting. It's a catalyst for action. I wish I didn't need it, but I do. I'm getting up. So the Bear is out.