Just Awesome
July 22, 2011
Certainly worthy of a POTW. However, this is in a different category. Enjoy PF readers.
-JK
Feeling it
July 22, 2011
A fortunate development at work occurred on Tuesday that allowed me to focus my energy on golf for essentially the rest of this week. I took my new found freedom to the valley course at coyote creek. Maybe it was just the sheer joy of being outside in summer time california weather instead of in an air conditioned office, or maybe it was all the Bob Rotella audiobooks I’ve been listening to, but it felt like something clicked. I played extremely well and felt as though I thought my way around a new course in a way that I have never done before. I’ve shot 80 on more than one occasion, but this time didn’t feel like it was an accomplishment.
Today, in extremely windy conditions, I managed to put together an 83 on “less than stellar” greens at my usual course.
I wanted to try to capture the feeling I had on the course during these two rounds for our readers, but honestly, the feeling is nothing. Though I’ve hit some of the best drives I’ve ever hit this week, my only thought has been to keep my head still and visualize a target. To hit a draw, I think “draw,” to hit a fade, I think “fade.” Pitching, chipping, and putting are all exercises in focusing on a target and visualizing a result. If I don’t hit the fairway, it’s no big deal, I’ll still have a shot. If I miss the green, I’m going to get up and down. If I have an 8 footer, well, that putt’s breaking 4.5 inches straight down.
My problem in the past was not enjoying it. I’d take the feeling as a sign I need to practice really hard so I didn’t lose it. While that’s not untrue, I never took the time to enjoy it. It’s fun to hit the ball long distances into the wind. It’s fun to feel like I can make any putt I look at. I hope it lasts, but the old saying is true: you can’t own golf, you just get to borrow it sometimes. At least I can appreciate it right now. Hopefully I can hang on to it long enough to break through the 80s and down into the single digits.
What’s in the Bag? – LG Edition
July 1, 2011
It may come as a surprise to our readers, but I often spend some of the quiet time of my day reading golf magazines. One feature that tends to draw my attention is the “what’s in the bag” piece that invariably makes its way into every issue. This page tends to turn into an ad for whatever label happened to be sponsoring the winner from the previous week. Occasionally though, these segments provide a little nugget of information about the player that you would otherwise never come across. Some pros only play a certain number golf ball. Some throw out a ball after it makes a bogey. Some only mark their ball with a certain color pen. These little nuggets help us learn a little more about the pro behind the brand and makes them appear more human.
Occasionally there is an equipment note that changes the way that I play the game. For example, one pro said that he carries a couple of extra pairs of socks with him. When he’s having a bad day he’ll switch his socks at the turn. This tip blew my mind because I never thought that something that simple could impact the way that I was playing on a given day. I tried this tip the very next I went out and let me tell you. It’s awesome. Whenever I play I always throw an extra pair of socks in the bag now to switch even if I’m having a good day.
With that background, I hope you find something interesting or useful as we look through all the junk that’s in my golf bag.
Let’s start with the clubs:
My putter is a 35″ Scotty Cameron California Series (Monterey). All standard specs with a pingman grip. I bought this headcover during my first trip to Pebble with JK. We played Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay when we were working together as summer associates. Though we didn’t end up playing Pebble then, we did talk about when we’d finally make it out there during a little lunch at the Tap Room. I’d highly recommend their house ale. (tastes like Bass).
My wedges are two of my favorite eBay purchases. I won’t tell you how good a deal these were, but suffice it to say, I’ll never see another one like it. All of my irons are 1.25″ over standard length (including wedges) with jumbo Lamkin tortion control grips. These wedges meet the condition of competition requirement and are two of the best clubs I’ve ever owned. Nothing beats a well-made forged wedge. I built these myself with old S300 shafts from my previous iron set.
My irons are Mizuno MP-57s. These were actually the first set of Mizuno irons I ever purchased. I bought a set of MP-32s from JK that were an inch over standard to try out, but decided I’d like to rebuild these 57s after having played the 32s for a few months. My main reason for the switch back was that these irons were in such good condition that it felt like a waste to have them in the closet. The 32s had enough wear on them to justify getting rid of them before they got any worse. I ended up purchasing some X-200 shafts on eBay for about $40 and rebuilding these to my exact specifications. I also purchased some custom Navy and White ferrules to spruce up my irons. Go Eagles!
My Titleist 904F 3 and 5 woods are two of the best clubs I’ve ever owned. It is a testament to how great these clubs are that they came out in 2004 and still find homes in the bags of several professionals. Fairway woods tend draw emotional attachment for golfers more than any other club, and these make me understand why. If I must find the fairway, I grab my 15* 3W and swing as hard as I can. Both of these have X-100 steel shafts.
My driver is a 9.5* Titleist 909D2 with an extra stiff UST ProForce v2 shaft. This is a relatively new addition to my bag, but the headcover has been around since my second year of law school. Steve the beaver has probably seen more rounds of golf with me than any other piece of equipment I’ve owned. People often tell me they think he’s a gopher. Nope. Sorry, Steve’s a beaver. I recall liberating Steve from the pro shop at Bartley Cavanaugh golf course in Sacramento, CA after a particularly windy round on an interesting course. The last two holes are (near) replicas of 17 and 18 at TPC Sawgrass. The 17th played quite a bit shorter than the actual 17th, but that was no reason for me not to fist pump after hitting the green in 1. (the three putt after deflated me a little though…)
As far as balls, I currently have TaylorMade Penta and Titleist Pro V1x. Like certain pros, there are numbers that I prefer to play to others. When I have balls with less than favorable numbers, I’ll mark them out. I also put a line around the ball to help out with my putting. This little device has probably saved me more strokes than any piece of equipment. For those of you having putting issues, I recommend at least trying this on the practice green as it will give you instant feedback on the quality of your contact with the flat stick. Thoughts, JK?
Now, for the rest of the bag!
At the moment, I have a Navy and White Ping Hoofer Voyage (likely to change soon) with the following items:
Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 Tournament
Alignment Rod (getting this was a story in-and-of itself)
Scorecard wallet
Protein Bars (gotta eat! – I also occasionally bring fruit or PB&J)
Sunflower seeds (gotta spit!)
Chapstick
Rubber tee
Athletic tape
Hand warmers/Waterproofs
The rules of Golf (mainly because I don’t know them, not to throw them at anyone)
Towel
Rainhood
And…
The tools of the trade:
Camera – Unfortunately I couldn’t take a picture of my digital camera (obviously), but this little puppy goes with me whenever I go to a new course so I can do my best to report my thoughts in pictures to the fine people that read thepowerfade. I am occasionally so lucky as to have a travelling photographer join me to take pictures on these golf related excursions.
Tees – the red one has actually been in my bag for quite some time. For some reason I refuse to use this tee. It may or may not bring me good luck, but mostly I think I’m just used to seeing it in the box of tees.
Pencils from my two courses in Davis: The Davis Municipal and Wildhorse. These two courses are where I learned the game and have had the vast majority of my golf milestones. I still remember my first birdie at the 7th hole at Davis Muni. a 101-yard nine iron to 12 feet followed by a smoothly struck putt right into the center of the cup. I still have that rock flight lying around somewhere as well..
Divot tools – one from Mauna Kea that was a very special present, and the other was the first item I ever found on a golf course. I found this Lake Merced divot tool on the 18th hole at Davis muni while I was playing my first tournament – the Yolo County open. I still remember shooting a 78-88 in the third flight on the par 67 layout.
Ball mark – a 50 pence piece that I picked up on my trip to the UK with my little brother. Its always nice to have a positive thought while you’re putting, and that trip is one of my better ones.
I used to think I kept things simple, but now that I’ve had a little time to reflect on what I chose to carry with me on every round, I’m amazed by how much each item reflects some part of my personality. JK, what’s in your bag?
The Woes of Golf and a Letter to Tiger
June 17, 2011
The Grantland, a compendium of sports knowledge and humor started by the Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, recently ran an article that got me thinking about the sad state of golf today:
“3. The U.S. Open, Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Md.
You know what’s fascinating about Lee Westwood? Nothing is fascinating about Lee Westwood. According to this profile, Lee Westwood is proud to declare that he has never read a book in his entire life. He may be the most boring man alive, and he is the no. 2 golfer in the world. Good luck in your new Tiger-less paradigm, golf.”
Really, Lee? You’ve never read a book? Come on, guy. No wonder people hate golf and think of it as an elitist, bland, mayonnaise flavored “game.”
I was recently visiting one of my favorite watering holes in Palo Alto with a golfer and two non-golfers. After having a few adult beverages, we got into a discussion about who was the most famous athlete to attend Stanford. The two non-golfers were adamant that it was John Elway while the golfer and I were equally adamant that it was Tiger Woods. The two non-golfers did not dispute that Tiger made more money, is/was more dominant, or is more decorated in his game. Their dispute was that golf is not a sport. Now, my guess is that neither of these clowns had ever tried to hit a golf ball, but their argument becomes more tenable when players like Tiger are laid up with injuries and we are left with Phil’s “golf” handles to fill up the 55″ widescreen.
I guess my point is, Tiger, the game needs you back. Rory’s looking good this week, but its still not that compelling. He (literally) just tied your record for most strokes under par at the U.S. Open, but I’m still not riveted. From us at the PF, we wish you a speedy recovery, Tiger. Make golf interesting again.
Aside: I don’t mean to diminish Rory’s achievement. Tying any one of Tiger’s records is a feat that any golfer should be so lucky to achieve. -12 in a U.S. Open is phenomenal. Rory has played beautiful (and as of this writing) bogey free golf. I hope you keep it up, sir. Tiger shot -12 at Pebble, with second place at +3. Your work is cut out for you, sir. I take my hat off to you.
(Click here for the full article from Grantland)
Tip of the Cap
May 7, 2011
Today, the Power Fade mourns the loss of one of the greatest short game artists of all time, Seve Ballesteros. Seve, you could do more with a 3-iron than any of us could hope to do with a sand wedge. You were one of the greats. You did more to bring European golf to the prominence it enjoys today than any modern player. You, sir, were a great champion.
“El Momento” – Seve wins the 1984 Open Championship at St. Andrews.
For more details:
Perhaps the Scariest Hazard in Golf
April 20, 2011
Next to 17 at Sawgrass, the Devil’s A**hole at Pine Valley, and the Road Hole Bunker, this might be the scariest hazard in all of golf…
The Gift of Tiger Woods
April 13, 2011
LG and I agree–this is some incredible writing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy Bill Simmons of ESPN in one of the best pieces on this year’s Masters tournament.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/110411
Play of the DAY!
April 8, 2011
Here’s a virtual high-five for my partner in crime, JK.
He’s currently tied for 1st with 5 other people in ESPN’s Masters Best Ball Challenge! Get’em JK!!
(For a frame of reference, I’m currently tied for about 20,000th at -22)
The First Tee – A Mental Process
October 24, 2010
The following is a posting string found at http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/418293-thoughts-for-the-first-tee. This is one approach that you can take, and, ultimately, you have to find a mental game that works for you, but, hopefully the interaction will give you a good start on finding a thought process for your golf round
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Original Post:
Whilst the Mrs was shopping today I popped into a bookshop for a coffee and flicked through a copy of ‘Zen Golf’ by Dr Joe Parent.
The following passage caught my eye, I’m going from memory here so it’s not word for word but I hope the message is clear.
I thought it was good.
Congratulations on your perfect swing.
Sure, with practice and learning you might improve it, but for today’s round it’s the only swing you’ve got and if you allow it, it will get you round in the lowest possible number of shots.
Picture the scene, you hit a poor shot, so after thinking about your swing you come up with a ‘fix’, you hit a couple of decent shots and then another bad one, you come up with another ‘fix’, so you’ve a ‘fix’ sat on a ‘fix’. So on and so forth until you end up with a ‘fix’ on a ‘fix’ on a ‘fix’ on a ‘fix’ and you’ve completely forgotten how to ‘swing’ the golf club.
You get to the 16th tee so fed up you forget everything and just swing the club, you play your best golf for the remaining holes and think “if only I could start all over again playing like that!”
So, what if, after that first poor shot instead of thinking ‘what was wrong with my swing?’ you think ‘what in my mind prevented me from making my perfect swing’ and fix your head not your swing.
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Response:
Not a bad thought. For me, it’s a slight variation. I work on my swing in practice. I spend time trying to get it as good as it can be. I know it has flaws, but knowing those flaws helps me play better golf. Instead of fighting them, I embrace them. I know when I should back off a shot because, if I make my usual miss, it’s a lost ball. I know when I should go for a shot because my usual miss will be OK. I don’t fight myself when playing golf–there’s enough other things out there to fight against.
More importantly, the first tee has to be a positive thing. If I know where my swing faults are, I can walk up to the first tee and “see the shot” that I’m going to hit. I know what a good one would be, I know what a bad one would be, and I see the good one. Even if I miss a little bit, I’m still OK. I don’t go for too much, and I don’t play it too safe.
Thinking about my game this way has helped me tremendously. I used to go out on the golf course and assume that if I didn’t hit every shot dead at the pin or straight down the fairway, I was terrible at golf. Now, I accept my flaws and use them to my advantage, helping me form a strategy that works for me. It helps me score better, and it makes the game more fun, because I’m not hating myself during the round.
I hope that helps someone out there. BTW, in the past two years I’ve gone from 4.5 hdcp to 1.1.
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