tales from the green :: a golf blog

Review, Reflect and Renew...2011 to 2012

2011-12-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

How was your 2011 season? Hopefully you had some personal highlights and hit your personal goals. It is the perfect time to review, reflect and renew in life and that definitely can carry over to your golf game as well. At Holen1Golf we can't wait to start the new year with you and look forward to serving you and your golf game as best we can. We are gearing up for the PGA kickoff in Hawaii come January and wanted to share this video preview to get you pumped up for the new year. This video is courtesy of the Golf Channel:

What was your biggest highlight of 2011? And what are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Please let us know on our facebook page or on our twitter page.

Thanks and we can't wait to hear from you!

-Eric Holen

www.holen1golf.com

2 Years in a Row...Small Biz Saturday

2011-11-26T11:44:00.000-08:00

We are proud to be participating and supporting Small Business Saturday. What is Small Business Saturday you may ask. Take a look at this video that gives you a glimpse at this clever initiative that was started last year:

You don't have to buy anything from Holen1Golf, all we ask is that you "like" us, "follow" us or just spread the word about the importance of supporting small local businesses that are the life blood of the American Economy.

Here is an article from Mashable that will educate you even more, if you are interested. We would love to hear how or who you supported on Small Biz Saturday.

Our Ebay Store is now Open...

2011-09-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

...check it out here: http://stores.ebay.com/Holen1Golf

We offer the best and most fair prices on golf clubs around. If you don't like our prices we have clubs available with name your own pricing available. We also routinely start off bidding at just $0.99. So check us out and be sure to save us to your favorites.

worth checking out

2011-04-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

well we are in the midst of peak golf selling season so our blog entries have been few and far between. this one focuses in on some other awesome golf blogs that you should be checking out in addition to ours.

1) mybackspin.com bloghttp://mybackspin.com/blog/?p=442

-here is a quote from their latest entry:

"As you may have noticed, the idea behind the blog at MyBackSpin isn’t anything special. We search the “internets” – thank you Mr. Bush – and find the most interesting and relevant golf stories happening in Minnesota, the nation, and even worldwide. We pull from blogs and stories all over the net. Through this we constantly run across posts from Rick Arnett viaMyAvidGolfer.com, a golf media company based out of Dallas, Texas. In fact, I have been to their offices in Dallas and I must say they know their stuff and are great people to know."

2) avid golfer blog

http://www.myavidgolfer.com/blog/

-this one comes recommended by tyler brewton the guy that writes the www.mybackspin.com blog (#1 on our list)

3) golf girl's diary

http://thegolfgirl.blogspot.com/2011/04/green-velvet-majesty-of-augusta.html

-this one is from a facebook friend and is self described as "The fun, flirty, fashionable golf blog"

so if you are looking to stay current on all the latest in the golf world or just looking for a fun read, be sure to check these out.

www.holen1golf.com

www.facebook.com/h1golf

are you watching?

2011-04-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

photo from golf.com

can't get to a tv for "the tradition unlike any other?" no problem here is the link to watch live anywhere in the world:

www.cbssports.com/masterslive

March Madness…Golf Style!

2011-03-05T11:30:00.001-08:00

Tag yourself in this photo for a chance to win a free round of golf

How did you like the Accenture Match Play tournament this past weekend? I think it was awesome, definitely one of my favorite events. I love all the upsets and excitement that the tournament brings - it reminds me of March Madness.

For us Mid-Westerners, this time of year finally gets us back into golf mode. Sure, we've been putting in our living rooms and going to indoor simulators,domes and winter events, but there is nothing quite like days that finally break into golfing temperatures, even if there is still a bit of snow on the ground. We get out our clubs and start swinging outside on our driveways or find a few grass patches where we can practice chipping. We are finally on the verge of the first round of the year! Last year we were quite lucky, in the twin cities area at least, to be able to get out and play as early as March 14th. I don’t think any of us see that happening this year but here is to hoping we can get out sometime before April.

Finally, be sure to connect with us on facebook this month. As part of March Madness, we are giving away free rounds of golf, T-shirts and more! Also, check us out online to sign up for our newsletter; now you'll be able to keep up with all our events - this month and for the upcoming season! You can also take our survey to get all set up with an awesome set of clubs for cheaper than a new driver or iron set in the stores!

going green... to save you green and get you on the green

2011-02-15T04:47:00.000-08:00

H1G is always looking for ways to save you money. Our latest shift has been to go digital with our receipts. From now on, any purchase made at H1G will come with a digital receipt that will be sent directly to your email for your records. We are currently in a transition phase of going all digital. Come to the MN Golf Show to see the ways in which we are incorporating technology into our business, and not only going green, but helping you get on the green faster with great equipment. Besides, what’s more green than re-using awesome name brand equipment that still looks like new? If you can’t make it to the show, get in touch with us to find out how you can get a full set of clubs for less than the price of a new driver or set of irons!

This is YOUR year!
-ACE
www.facebook.com/h1golf
www.holen1golfmn.com

‘Tis the season..

2011-01-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

...to be jolly if you are a golf nut. The PGA has begun their West Coast swing, the Orlando golf show is going strong, and many other golf shows are going to be following suit throughout the country. It’s that time of year where every golfer the world over is thinking about the changes that they are going to make for the new season. From a new driver or bag overhaul, to a new game changing tip, or maybe, even a complete swing overhaul. The swing overhaul thing seems to be working pretty good for Tiger so far this year as it appears that his game is starting to resemble glimpses of the Tiger that we grew to love watching, the Tiger who tore up every course he walked. The debate over who is better is gaining a lot of momentum: the “Old Guys” (yes Tiger has now joined the ranks) vs. the “Young Guns.” The Farmer’s Insurance Open has proved to be a showcase of both sides. How exciting is it to see Daly, Mickelson and Woods all in the hunt? I guess I must be getting old, because to me that is really exciting. Who are you pulling for this year? The old guys or the young guns?

Come and visit us at the Minnesota Golf Show on February 18th-20th and we can discuss the exciting state of golf, and more importantly, your game in 2011. Because, after all, this is YOUR year!

-ACE
www.facebook.com/h1golf
www.holen1golfmn.com

i'd rather be golfing...

2011-01-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

I am generally a positive person and have a positive outlook on life, golf and pretty much everything else. That all goes away in the bitterly cold month of January! Here in Minneapolis, MN (I'm actually in the 'burbs) the month of January just pretty much stinks in my opinion. All the cool things about winter just generally start to annoy me right about now. Case in point the light dusting of snow on my car this morning really ticked me off. I won't go into detail on that but instead I would like to discuss some of the things I do when I am not golfing but wish I was.

Here is my list in no particular order.

Grab random objects to practice my grip (Yard sticks, broom handles, spatulas)
Make slow motion swings in the living room (so far I have had a lamp broken and almost my TV doing this as sometimes my slow mo swings start to speed up for some reason)
Practice my swing out in the garage (There is a hole in my garage door as a result of this
Practice putting on the carpet (pretty harmless so far)Work on my stance using the tiles in the kitchen
Work on my turn / swing in front of the bathroom mirror (My wife finds these motions strange and somewhat annoying but she puts up with me. I mean after all our whole garage has been converted to a golf shop. How many wives would allow that?)
Go out in the driveway and swing the speed stick (Record so far is 115 MPH - not sure how accurate it is, but hey I'll take it!)
Hit birdie balls around in the park across the street
Chip into nets, buckets, and at trees (Try to avoid neighbors houses, cars, kids etc)
Try to do the Tiger Woods golf ball tapping trick (My record is about 50 in a row right now)
Play Tiger Woods golf (Fun but just not the same - I heard he's not on the cover of his newest game but instead a hole from Augusta has replaced him...interesting)
Watch golf on TV (Sometimes makes it worse)
Sell golf clubs for Holen1 Golf (Helps keep me connected to the game and meet lots of other cool golf nut type people)
Try not to think about golf (Doesn’t really work)
Annoy my wife by talking about how much I want to go golfing, or how I can’t wait 'til the snow melts, or how we should move to a warmer climate so I don’t have to annoy her about not being able to golf
Play Fantasy Golf (You should join my league by the way)

What do you do when you can’t get out golfing?

-ACE

www.facebook.com/h1golf

http://www.holen1golfmn.com/

this is YOUR year...

2011-01-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

We would like to devote this blog to you and your game. As the new season is already in swing, I am sure you are starting to dream of all the exciting things that will happen for you out on the fairways and greens this year. As golfers we tend to approach the new golf season with many of the same feelings that we get each time we step up to the first tee before a round of golf. There is a sense of excitement, nervousness, expectation, and wondering if this could be the best one yet. As you step up to the first tee for the first time this year we would like to be there with you providing the best equipment at the best price to make this your best year yet.

Here are several ways that we would like to help you get there. First we would like to get you set up with the proper equipment, which is after all our specialty. We have been in the golf business in some form for the last 7 years as coaches, players and sales reps. We know our stuff when it comes to equipment. With that said, we also know that no one knows your game better than you do. It is our belief that performance is the biggest factor and the key to improved play. If the club works for you and you hit it well, like the feel and look then that is the club for you. So what we offer with every single club or set that we sell is a 30 day guarantee. Try the club out to make sure you like it and, if you do, great (most people do). If not, bring it back and we will get a club that works better for you - if we can’t find something that will be a good fit we will refund your money completely. We are not satisfied until your game is improving.
The second way that we would like to help you improve your game is by posting weekly “play better” tips every Saturday. Think of it as your weekly golf workout. If you follow the majority of these tips throughout 2011 you will see progress in your game. I am going to be following the plan myself and would like to hear about how your workouts are going and will be sure to post my progress as well. You can find these tips on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/h1golf or linked on our website as well.

So there you have it, we are all about you this year because we believe that this is going to be your year. The year you exceed all of your expectations. Together, we can make it the best one yet.

-ACE

www.facbook.com/h1golf
http://www.holen1golfmn.com/

a resolution you will keep

2011-01-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

Do you have a bad track record with New Year's resolutions? I know I did until about 4 years ago when I finally committed to my first successful resolution. It was to start drinking coffee. Guess what? I am still drinking coffee and am up to about 1 pot a day now. Pretty good don't you think? When the next year came along I was still so impressed with myself that I committed to playing more golf for my next resolution. You guessed it, kept that one with the greatest of ease as well. The following year I decided I was going to really buckle down and work a bit harder, so I committed myself to watching more golf on TV. I had now officially 3-peated in New Year's resolutions after going about 0 for 15 in previous years. This year I am fully committing myself to becoming a great Fantasy Golf player. I figure it is important to build upon my prior successes. So with that, I ask you to join me in my pursuit of perfection. Four years straight of keeping my New Year’s resolution. I think we can all manage 30 minutes a week, or even less depending what you put into it, to play a little Fantasy Golf. The other great thing about it is that, at least for those of us stuck in the Midwest, you start to whet your golf appetite a little bit and don’t drive everyone else crazy because you can’t stand not playing 18 holes one day longer. Remember this is your year! So there you have it, thanks to reading this blog you will now have a resolution that you can keep. Guaranteed or your money back…oh wait it’s free so never mind.

Hello ___Insert Your Name Here____,
You have been invited to join Easy E's Private Group in Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf.
In order to join the group, follow the link above, or go to the game front page and click on the "Sign Up" button to create a team. After completing registration, or if you already have a team, click the "Create or Join Group" button and follow the path to join an existing private group. Then, when prompted, enter the following information...

Group ID#: 7031
Password: holen1golf

Step 1: Write down or copy and paste the group ID# and password somewhere
Step 2: Click on one of the links above
Step 3: Enter the ID# 7031 and then type in the password holen1golf
Step 4: Name your team (one of the most important steps in any fantasy league - take your time with this step)
Step 5: Familiarize yourself with some of the pages (just start clicking around)
Step 6: Set your lineup: Choose 8 golfers for the week:
-2 A List Guys (Great Golfers)
-4 B List Guys (Good Golfers)
-2 C List Guys (Above Average Golfers)
-Don’ worry Yahoo will help you with all of this if you don’t know.
Step 7: Tweak your lineup as you see fit (again only have to check 1x per week minimum)
Step 8: Start talking trash when you keep putting all the magical formulas together and can’t stop winning…see aren’t you glad you joined now!

Thanks for playing!

-Ace
www.facebook.com/h1golf
www.holen1golfmn.com

What Gift Should You Buy Your Golfer This Year?

2010-12-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

This holiday season you might be having a hard time deciding what to buy for the golfer in your life. We would like to help you out with a few suggestions that any golfer will absolutely love, along with a few tips on things to avoid buying.

So without further ado here is our list of top 5 gifts. It also includes 3 gifts that you should avoid like the plague (which for a golfer is the slice).

Top 5 Gifts:
1) Golf clubs - Every golfer adores their golf equipment and they are always looking for the next big thing that is going to improve their game. You will want to do a little reconnaissance work and see what they might be in the market for by simply asking, “What do you want to add to your golf bag?” Of course we can help you out on this item, and offer a 30 day money back guarantee in case they don’t like your choice for some reason. Shop now at www.holen1golfmn.com

2) Golf Balls - Next to clubs, this is one of the most popular items because it is a piece of equipment that you use every single round and every single shot. Of course some of us run out of them faster than others. If you want to surprise the person you are giving them to, check out their golf bag and see what they are playing. Otherwise I would recommending going with a nice box of Titleist Pro V1’s or NXT’s. They are the most popular ball in golf.

3) Golf Gift Cards - As you already know, us golfers love to play as much as we can, most of us are borderline addicted to the game (I am not borderline, I admit I have a full fledged golf addiction). So find out what course they like to play and purchase a gift card over the phone or online that they can use to play their favorite track whenever they get the chance.

4) Golf Accessories - As girly as it sounds, us golfers love to “accessorize.” We want to have a great looking bag to store all of our sweet gear in, a nice golf glove, some sharp golf shoes, a great looking towel to go on our bag, a nice hat to help us look like a pro on the course or a name brand golf umbrella to match our favorite clubs. You can’t go wrong with some well thought out golf accessories (again you might want to do a little work by looking at their bag to see what is needed).

5) Coming in at number 5 on our list is a golf magazine subscription - When we are not on the course you have probably observed us gazing off into space or making motions with our arms and hands. We have not gone crazy we are just visualizing and working on the things we need to improve for our next round. So that tells you that we think a lot about golf while we are off the course as well. A magazine subscription is great (I currently subscribe to Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Golfweek) or a book or video can be a great gift as well.

And now for the 3 gifts to avoid buying the golfer in your life:

1) Clothes that look like an outfit John Daly would wear. Yes they bring him a lot of attention and are made for TV, but most of us would not want to look like him on a Saturday morning round.

2) Anything you see on a golf infomercial. What is the last thing you saw that you wanted on an infomercial? Snuggie (yeah we didn’t think so)? The same applies to golf gadgets most golfers are not looking for anything that you can buy on TV after midnight.

3) Golf Lessons. First of all you may be insulting the person you are getting the gift for, not a good idea to give them the impression that their game stinks. Also it is best to let the golfer find a good pro to work with and someone they are comfortable with. If you already know who that is than it might be a good idea, but be careful about the message you are sending. It’s kind of like signing your wife up for Weight Watchers (probably not a good idea)

Disclaimer: we are not responsible for any extreme golf behaviors that may be displayed as a result of the excitement generated by your gifts.

Happy Holidays From Your Friends at Holen1 Golf.

-ACE
www.holen1golfmn.com

good swing tip or a band-aid?

2010-12-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

How many of you have been out on the course or the range and tried a new swing tip that you saw on the golf channel or read in a golf magazine? From time to time this will result in a “breakthrough” simply because we trick our brains into thinking that the tip will make us better. Many times the effects of the tip will wear off and we are left feeling as if we are back at square one or maybe even worse. So what can we as golfers do to make consistent improvements without trying to change our swing with every new tip?

The best thing that you can do to improve your game is to become an expert on your own individual game and start to identify the flaws that you see forming a pattern. It makes sense because you are the person that is going to be most in tune with every part of your game and are going to work hard to get going in the right direction. Think about the golf shows and magazines that we read - they are all designed to hit the large audiences that they have. So it is important to identify the tips that will help your game and not try to apply each one you encounter. Now that you have identified the main flaws it is time to come up with a plan to correct them and start the process of improvement. Next time you go to the range choose an area of the game that you know you need to work on; do a little research from golf TV, magazines, books or videos. Choose one or two tips that apply to the area you are focusing on (for example, your grip) and that really make sense to you and spend 30-40 minutes focusing only on this area. Too often we start a session working on our grip and then start to hit a few bad shots and all of sudden we start trying to fix a different swing flaw. So really focus in on the goal that you set for your practice session and stick to it.

In summary, to begin seeing consistent improvement and to begin playing more effectively, diagnose your game, research some golf tips that make sense to you, come up with a practice plan that has one goal in mind, and stay focused on that one area that you are trying to improve.

-ACE
www.holen1golfmn.com

a year later: what is tiger's deal?

2010-11-28T17:49:00.000-08:00

What is Tiger’s Deal?

As Yogi Berra once famously said, “90% of the game is half mental.” When it comes to golf, I would say that the game is 90% mental. In fact, golf is one of the most mentally stressful sports ever. I will concede that it is nowhere near as physically draining as many “action sports” (although it is a lot more draining then most people think, especially walking 18 holes), but the mental strain on a golfer in real competition (a far cry from a fun round with buddies) is tough to match.

So what can we learn from Tiger’s slump? We can see that in order to play well (whatever that means for you personally), we need to have our mind focused on the task at hand. If our mind is being pulled in all sorts of different directions, it will be very difficult to have a good round of golf. Tiger was a master at going into a ‘zone’ on the golf course and being completely focused on his game, and only his game. Only time will tell if he can get his focus back; in the mean time we can work at being more focused and making sure our mind is not conflicted on the course.

-ACE
www.holen1golfmn.com

winter golf blues?

2010-11-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

As much of the country prepares for cold weather and the golf “offseason”, we would like to take a look at several ways to keep your game sharp in the cooler months. Here are our top 5:

Watch golf on TV – Now, come on, it doesn’t get any easier than that! But the more you watch the pros, the more you’ll soak up the way they play the game. Watch for pre-shot routines, demeanor on the course, swing tempo, grip and more. Watch your golf IQ increase with little to no effort!

Grab your putter – Winter is the perfect time to fine-tune your putting stroke. We all know how important it is, but it often gets neglected when we are in a hurry to get out and play. Now that you are confined to your house, it is a great opportunity to tweak what many feel is the most important part of the game.

Find a dome or simulator – There will most likely be an indoor facility somewhere nearby where you can hit full shots. This is a great way to treat yourself to some more realistic golf and keep the golf bug at bay until you can actually get back on the course.

Drive South – In the late fall and early spring, you can usually drive a few hours south and find a course that is still open late (fall) or open early (spring). Grab a few golf buddies and plan a road trip.

Plan a golf vacation – Now that you have been putting all of these tips to use, you might as well head to a warmer climate and play. Find a great golf package and play at least 36 holes a day!

Have a great winter and be sure to share with us how you plan to keep your game in shape over the upcoming months!

-ACE

http://www.holen1golfmn.com/

What’s the Most Important Club in Your Bag?

2010-10-30T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, let me answer the question with a question. What is the most important shot in golf? Putting…driving…approaches…chips? I always tell my students that it is the “next one.” The next shot is most important because you have to approach each shot with your ultimate focus, especially if you just hit a bad one. It is important to shake it off and move on to the shot at hand. That attitude has some pretty good life applications as well.

Now, when it comes to the most important club in your bag, I would suggest that it is the next one you are going to use. You should only have clubs in your bag that you can trust since you never know when an important round will come down to hitting that particular club. You may need to use your driver to hit it long and keep it in the fairway, or your 7 iron to hit the 18th green in regulation. It could come down to your gap wedge to get it close and save a par, and of course, more often than not, it comes down to sinking that last 4 foot putt to shoot the low round of your life.

Do you trust all the clubs you carry in your bag? Get in touch with your friends at H1G and we’ll provide you with a free consultation on your current setup.

-ACE

www.holen1golfmn.com

Fill in the “Gap” in Your Game

2010-10-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to my favorite club in my bag, and explain why you need to add it to yourbag as well. The club is called the gap wedge because it fills in the “gap” between the pitchingwedge and the sand wedge. A typical pitching wedge has 48 degrees of loft, and the typicalsand wedge has 56 degrees of loft, which leaves a large gap between these two clubs. The gaptypically has 51, 52 (most common) or 53 degrees of loft.
The gap wedge is my “go to” club in almost every short yardage situation from 100 yards andin, and I use it for everything from pitch to chip shots. For the longest time, I didn’t realizethe importance of this club until a friend shared that it was his favorite and most used club – Idecided to give it a try and realized that he was right! The reason that it is a great short gameclub is that it is the perfect 50% club. That means that you can expect 50% carry in the air with50% roll from your golf ball.
When shopping for a gap wedge, look for the following things if it is not marked in degrees ofloft (51, 52 or 53): "G" for gap, "A" for approach, "D" for dual or "U" for utility wedge.
My final recommendation would be to start out by first adding the gap wedge to your set, thena sand wedge. The lob wedge should be left to low handicap and highly skilled players. Be sureto visit the Holen1 Golf Shop to pick one out today.
Fairways and Greens,
-ACE

Finding the Proper Golf Equipment

2010-10-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

Be Honest With Yourself

Check your ego at the door and be honest about your golf ability. Most golfers could use a little help with their game, but are often too proud to take advantage of the new technology that is available to the average golfer. Keep in mind that golf is a challenging sport, so make it more enjoyable by getting some great equipment.

So now that we have determined that your name is not Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Steve Stricker, let’s do a quick assessment of your skill level. There are basically 3 types of golfers: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. Let’s take a look at each level.

The Beginners: This group of golfers needs the most help but can also get away with fewer clubs and spending less . Here is what you need if you fall into this category:

3 Wood (don’t mess with a driver yet – unless you like the look of a banana slice on every shot)
5 Wood/Hybrid (this club will be for longer shots off the fairway)
Irons: 5, 7, 9, PW
Sand Wedge (optional)
Putter (an alignment aid on the putter head is helpful)
Standard off the rack clubs will be absolutely fine at this point, unless you are way above or way below average height (5’9” for men and 5’4” for females).
You will want to buy the most forgiving clubs available – look for key words such as: Oversize, Cavity Back, Perimeter-Weighted, Offset and Forgiving.
At this point you should be able to put together a great set for under $150-$200 and can do so @ http://www.holen1golfmn.com/

The Intermediate Golfer: Most golfers fall into this range and shoot consistently in the 80’s-90’s for 18 holes. This is the range where ego can become a bit of a problem. Golfers in the intermediate level should still look for a forgiving club and accompanying shaft. Even at this level, it is probably not time for a custom fit because the swing is not consistent yet. If you are working with a teaching pro that you trust, ask them if you are ready for a custom fit (most shops will tell you that it will help because they will make some big money off of you, so find someone you trust before you make that leap). Here is what you will need:

Driver: Look for a forgiving option so that your misses don’t land in the next county!
3 Wood (14/15 degrees of loft is standard)
5 Wood (optional)
3 hybrid at minimum and also think about a 4 hybrid (these will replace the hard to hit long irons in your set)
Iron set (Maximum forgiveness or Game Improvement)
Wedges (Gap 52-54 degree and Sand 55-58 degree)
Putter (Mallet or Blade – Your Choice)
At this point you should be able to put together a great set for under $200-$500 and can do so @ http://www.holen1golfmn.com/

The Advanced Golfer: Only 7% of males and 1% of females fall into this category that shoots in the 70’s consistently for 18 holes. At this level you should definitely be looking to get custom fitted as you have grooved your swing into something that you can trust. Still, be careful of falling into the ego trap of playing what the pro’s play. You can still use a bit of forgiveness and should look to some great options that are available that mix forgiveness with shot shaping ability. Here’s what you need:

Driver, 3 Wood, 5 Wood/Hybrid or 2
Irons
Wedges
Putter
An advanced golfer may tend to go more towards high end equipment which can be upwards of $1000, or come to Holen1 Golf and we can hook you up for between $200-$700

Take these items into consideration for your next purchase and be sure to visit us at http://www.holen1golfmn.com/ to make your purchase or discuss options/ best fit for your game.

Come back next week for more golf club advice.

Keeping you in the fairways,

-ACE

Golf is Hard!

2010-05-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

I love to play golf. I used to be a "basketball guy," I couldn't get enough of the sport. I grew up watching MJ perfect every aspect of the game. I also noticed he was pretty passionate about golf. I am ashamed to admit that I tried smoking a cigar on the course solely because "His Airness" did it and looked so cool playing with a nice stogey. Needless to say I didn't look nearly as cool and almost got sick during that round.

At the tender age of 14, after making fun of my friends for playing this silly game and with a little inspiration from some guy nicknamed Tiger, I finally picked up a set of sticks. My grandpa passed on to me my very first set that was made up of woods that were actually wood, irons with a sweet spot the size of a dime, a putter that both lefty and righty's could use with equal success and a bag that was some version of pleather (bright purple if I remember right).

I was hooked after my first trip to the course with my best friend and his dad. The thing that really got me was how easy this game was, I mean the ball is just sitting there. How hard can it be? "Tee-ball was pretty easy, this can't be so bad," I thought to myself over that first shot. SPLASH! First ball in the water. SPLASH! Second ball also in the water. At that point I was informed by my best friend's dad that I was only allowed to use a 9 iron for the rest of the day. So much for being an easy game.

Now after 15 years of playing what I now call "The Greatest Game," I have realized that golf is hard. It is hard for the very same reason that I first thought it was easy. The ball is just sitting there, mocking you, challenging you, getting in your head. But it keeps me coming back for the very same reason I kept coming back in the beginning, the thrill of a great shot, great hole, or great round.

See you on the course!

-ACE