Playing in The Rain (with or without singing)

Here's what you need if you find yourself playing golf in the rain :

1. A hat, preferably a bucket hat that is rain resistant
2. An umbrella - it's a pain to carry, but will give you needed protection
3. A towel - hang this over a few of the spines under your umbrella
4. Capris or shorts - long pants will work like the "quicker picker upper" absorbing the water from the grass
5. The cover for your golf bag - should have an opening to sneak the clubs out from under it
6. To lose your glove, or keep it in a pocket and hang it under the umbrella with the towel when not in use.
7. To relish the mental challenge - concentrate on every shot, even though you are in taxing conditions
8. To enjoy the heightened hue of green that rain accentuates around the golf course.
9. To know you are going to get wet (and bring a change of clothes if you did this on purpose!) 
10. To enjoy your adventure!

Fore you, Sue

What Not To Wear

Today I will provide a simple list, from experience, of what NOT to wear when you play golf :

1. New shoes that give you blisters. (ouch!)
2. New underwear that gives you wedgies. (the only wedgie you want, is the one in your baggie :))
3. Shorts or skirts with no pockets. (can I borrow a tee?)
4. A visor that's too tight on your head (anybody have advil?)
5. A glove with a hole in it. (is that a gardening glove you're wearing?)
6. Your purse (hit the ball, pick up the purse, hit the ball, pick up the purse)
7. Jeans at a private club (excuse me ma'am, you'll have to leave)
8. Bifocals (which ball should I hit?)
9. Strong perfume (why are all of these bees following me?)
10. Knee socks (just because)

Note: I did not personally experience #6, but did play with someone who felt this was a vital accessory. 

These tips are Fore you, Sue :) 

BASICS 1 : Greens, Holes and Cups

In my BASICS posts, I will assume that golf has never been explained to you.  And just like the fundamentals of a golf swing are built layer by layer, brick by brick, so it will be with your understanding of the game of golf.  I will begin with the description of the basic physical structure of the grounds on which golf is played - a golf course.  A golf course is basically a field with varying lengths of grass, some kidney shaped areas of sand, often a few ponds or lakes and 9 or 18 little holes in the ground. The goal of the game is to hit a golf ball into each of these holes. The "field" can be flat, hilly, tree filled, or open. Each hole is found where the grass is cut the shortest, so much so, that a ball can roll on it like on a carpet.  This is called the GREEN.  Now most of the field is green, so I don't know why this area gets this special description! Each hole in the ground is a little over 4 inches in diameter and is at least 4 inches deep.  Now 4 feet in diameter would make the game a lot easier!  There is a little white plastic lining in the hole, called the "cup," and it is placed one inch below the surface of the ground. The cup is one of my favorite things because the ball makes a great sound when it drops in and rattles against the lining. In the bottom of the cup, there is a smaller hole in which a tall flagstick rests. The players are able to find the "holes," because the flagsticks are easy to see from a distance. Next time you drive past a golf course, see how many flagsticks you can see!

In our next BASICS post, we'll look at how you get from hole to hole on the course.

Fore you, Sue         

Bandaid or Surgery?

Which is quicker?  Placing a band-aid on a wound or having surgery?  Which one is more costly? How about putting up a tent versus building a house?  If you just had a heart attack, would you want a little strip of rubber with a square of gauze applied to your chest?  Or if a storm was coming, would you want to be hunkered down in a tent?  I love asking questions! How does this apply to golf? It applies because a reliable golf swing takes time to build. It costs you something, but it is SO worth it.  Golf is hard.  Remember? "The hard is what makes it great?," a la Tom Hanks in "A League of Their Own." Take time to build your swing well. Be patient with yourself and with the process. You are not building something that can "go up" in a day, and last a lifetime.  You are building for a lifetime of enjoyment and challenge playing this addictive game.  Find someone who will teach you patiently, clearly, and with genuine care.

Fore you, Sue   

Why Do People Play Golf?

This question has been asked by those who have graced driving ranges and fairways, as well as by those who have never touched a club.  For some, golf is best enjoyed as a sleep aid on Sunday afternoons, with whispering commentators, ushering them into peaceful slumber.  I can enjoy it in that form myself.  :) But one secret to golf's appeal, is the joy of hitting a shot well.  I liken it to moments in life when everything feels right. These are far and few between in life and sometimes even "farther and fewer" between in golf!  Strangely, this distance between favorable occurrences, makes each one that much more enjoyable. One of my favorite movie quotes is from "A League of Their Own." Actress Gina Davis is a star baseball player, who is choosing to retire early from the game.  Tom Hanks plays her coach, who is puzzled by her choice, knowing how much she loves to play. She tells him, "It just got too hard."  He responds through clenched teeth, "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard, is what makes it great." Not everything that is hard, is great.  But this "hard" game, is worth a try. Many give up too soon, or think it too hard for them.  I believe that anyone can "get acquainted with golf," and learn to play the game. Hang around for a while.  I hope to encourage you to enter into your own unique relationship with this great game! 

Fore you, Sue        

What Do You Want To Know About Golf?

There is so much that I want to tell you about "GOLF."  Maybe you have observed golf, like seeing someone "across the room," and have wondered a thing or two.  Maybe you have been introduced, but have some mixed first impressions. Maybe it was "love at first swing," and you can't wait to get a club back in your hand. Please ask me your questions!  I would like you to help shape this verbal golf adventure, so that when you take your game "on the grassy road," you'll be increasingly equipped for what awaits you!

Fore you, Sue :)   

Let's Get Acquainted!

Good Morning!  Let me acquaint you with me, before I begin acquainting you with GOLF!  My name is Sue Anderson and I have been a golf professional for 27 years.  Wow!  I must be old.  :)  I played on the Futures Golf Tour in the mid 1980s and have taught golf professionally since 1988.  Since then, I have entered marriage, motherhood and menopause.  This is the killer 3M!  However, each "M" has had its affect on me, and hopefully, I have something to offer those who are interested in learning about, growing in, or improving their golf.  I have been a beginner (as an adult-started when I was 22 years old), a fearful club event player, a growing amateur player, a tour player, and a passionate teacher/coach of the game. I've been in the postition of most people who play golf.  I know what fear is, what pressure is, what joy is and what fun a well struck golf shot brings.  I have loved and hated this game.  But I will never leave it.  Come with me, and enter into this relationship with a game that will never cease to provide you with challenge and reward.