Golf Die Hard

Junior Golf Parents

2010-03-07T19:32:00Z

How do you tell a parent they need to relax when it comes to their junior golfer? I spent 4 years working with a junior golf program and continue to stay involved as I try to give back to the game which has given me so much. The one single thing which drove us crazy was a small group of the over-bearing and relentless parents. They went to great lengths to show how great their child was and will be. It should be noted the vast majority of parents are well mannered and have their priorities in line with their child's best interest.

Many years ago while working a junior golf competition event, a parent came up to me and ask how his child was fairing in the competition so far. We weren't more than half way through and scores wouldn't be tabulated until all events were completed. I assured the parent, let's call him Bill, the scores will be announced at the end. Not giving up, Bill pushed the issue further and asked if I could make an exception, considering his child will be the next Tiger Woods of Golf. Bill even suggested his family fortunes where riding on the back of his 7 year old and the world would know who he was some day. I wish I could say Bill's views were an isolated occurrence, but not so. It saddens me to hear parents bear onto their kids, their thirst for fortune and success. Most kids that age are really just looking to have fun and hopefully continue to explore and find their passions in life.

On occasion other parents I encountered would have a look of disgust if their child didn't succeed to their expectations. It was extremely dis-hearting to watch a child, who is trying their best, look as if they have let down their family. If this article inspires one parent to change course and be supportive no matter the outcome for their child, the world of golf will have taken one more step forward.

To be fair, by far, parents of junior golfers are some of the most dedicated, supportive parents you'll ever encounter. And to those people, those of us who've worked in junior golf, salute you.

Tees to Greens and All that's Between!

Chicago Golf Show 2010

2010-02-28T23:18:00Z

I attended the Chicago Show this past weekend. It felt smaller than in years past which would make sense as the economy continues to struggle. Interestingly the most foot traffic was located at the hitting stations to test clubs and where the bargains were to be had at various booths offering cheap deals on clubs, clothes and balls. One could sense these weary, winter hibernators were ready for spring and the first round of the year.

I attended a couple of seminars on Saturday afternoon which were hosted by the IJGA (Illinois Junior Golf Association). The first speaker was Kevin Weeks, Director of Instruction from Cog Hill Golf Club. He discussed how many juniors have a path for success and he went into detail on how they could achieve great things in golf. What I found most profound was he insisted the younger the child is the more they should just play. Focus on the fun part of the game and not get too technical. He also suggested parents shouldn't be teaching golf to their kids. And not for the reason you may think. Kids tend to blame the teacher when they don't get the results they want. Have the kids blame the instructor, not the parent.

The second seminar focused on equipment. The interesting fact I learned here was if you're a sweeper type player and attack the golf ball almost on the upswing, you should be playing more of a cavity back club. A club with its weighting towards the bottom of the club. If you've got a steep attack and hit down on the ball, you should be playing a middle weighted club. One last note was the speaker insisted the player chooses the clubs. When you find a comfortable club that allows you to hit the ball the way you want to with ease, stick with it.

Sadly, with all this great information, there were only 20 - 30 people present to listen to the seminars. The long putt was a big fan favorite. It was truly amazing to watch person after person spend $3-5 a piece, to make a 100 foot putt, in the oft chance they could win an official Chicago Golf Show Umbrella. Amazing indeed.

Tees to Greens and All that's Between

eGolfScore.com - Real Time Wireless Golf Scoring

2010-02-22T00:36:00Z

eGolfScore.com is an innovative solution many of us Tournament Directors have been searching for to make our amateur events more tour like. Their three main services include an event scoring program, an individual scoring program and view events live.

The Event Scoring Program includes hand held wireless scoring devices, TV leaderboards and live internet updates. It's instant scoring as if you were stalking the fairways like a pro, getting updates on your competition as you play. Some courses have carts fitted with GPS on-course scoring, but that's where eGolfScore takes it up a few notches. The TV leaderboards and internet updates allows anyone to follow the action. That's not possible with the cart fitted variety.

The Individual Scoring Program includes using your own internet accessible phone as a scorecard. This system also allows others to track your scores as they happen. Plus, for the mathletes out there, you can analyze your stats and view your history. You can even get a personalized website.

Check out eGolfScoring to see golf innovation at work.

Tees to Greens and All that's Between!

5th Annual Emma's Miracle Golf Invitational

2010-02-14T19:09:00Z

Emma was born in January of 2005. She was diagnosed with a heart defect which required multiple open-heart surgeries. Her last surgery was in July 2008 and now is a normal little girl able in mind and body to pursue her dreams. Without the great staff at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Emma may not have been able to recover.

This golf event benefits the Children's Miracle Network. If you can attend, please help support this charity where the next Emma may get the same care and be given the chance to pursue his or her dreams as well.

The information below is taken from their web site:

Event Date:

Sunday, April 25, 2010 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The 5th Annual Emma's Miracle Golf Invitational to benefit Children's Miracle Network at

Hawk's Landing Golf Club at the
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive, Orlando

Registration: noon
Your registration includes boxed lunch, green fees and cart, practice balls, course contests and buffet reception.

Shotgun Start: 1:00 p.m.
Dinner reception, silent auction, raffle prizes and trophy presentation immediately following the tournament.

Individual player $150

Deadline to register: Monday, April 13, 2010

For more information or to register, call Shannon Provenzano at (407) 761-7531 or EmmasMiracle@gmail.com

New Grooves Rule Simplified

2010-02-07T16:02:00Z

This new rule has been implemented as January 1, 2010. This new rule, for those not familiar, is designed to make hitting out of the rough more difficult for the expert players. In essence, grooves on new clubs allowed players to hit greens fairly easily from the rough which has lessened the importance of driving accuracy. Let's breakdown the new grooves rule and what it means to us amateurs.

According to the USGA.org web site:
1) "The volume of grooves is reduced."
2) "Groove edge sharpness is reduced for clubs with lofts greater than or equal to 25 degrees."

"A common misconception is that “V” shaped grooves will be required under the new specifications and that “U” shaped grooves will no longer be allowed. This is not the case. However, any “U” shaped groove must conform to the new specifications for both cross sectional area/spacing and edge radius."

In amateur golf speak:
1) 5 irons through wedges will be affected.
2) The groove edges are not as sharp, and the grooves themselves are not as deep, all of which reduces the spin of the golf ball.

What does the change mean to amateurs? It means basically nothing. Studies suggest amateurs don't have the skills to take advantage of deeper grooves. Thus, we won't have to buy new clubs. We can continue to play our golf clubs in our amateur tournaments or whenever. This new rule is in place for professional tournaments and qualifying tournaments for pro events. There is a grace period for some qualifying tournaments but the entire professional golf world will be following the new rules by 2014.

Tees to Greens and All that's Between!

USGA Rules App and the iPhone

2010-01-31T15:39:00Z

The USGA has launched a new rules of golf application for the iPhone and iTouch for the low, low price of $3.99. Normally we can get a rules book for free, but hey, even the USGA needs to make a buck these days. Amazing how modern technology can solve some of societies ills. Yes, no more bending the rules on the course. No more illegal drops on the fairways. No more mysterious scores from playing partners. No more gimmies. Alright, we won't take away the last one. Gimmies for all!

Humor aside, this app is a fantastic new resource for the USGA, golfers and courses alike. It should cut down on the 15,000 rules questions the USGA gets a year. It will be a great teaching tool for new players, especially the one's uneasy about playing for fear of rules illiteracy. Plus, rules questions can be handled on the course at the moment there is a question instead of hours, day or weeks after the round. And, it has the potential to speed up play which helps courses. There are many, many other advantages but reading my ohs and ahs will bore.

As a Tournament Director, this application will provide me instant answers to some of the most bizarre circumstances which seem to happen at every tournament. One issue with this app, which can be resolved, is many courses won't allow cell phones on the course. It's hard to use this app with your smart phone stashed in your car for fear of retribution from the course 'management'. The resolution is to have those courses integrate this app into their cart GPS units. Certainly this would require an upgrade to existing units, but it's an added value to players. It's a logical solution if courses won't trust players to keep their phones on vibrate and maintain pace of play. Another idea is for hand held GPS units such as the uPro to be integrated with this feature. Players could check distances and rules with one device. With tough economic times, I have other ideas but most courses wouldn't want to pay for it, at least for now.

This is the dawn of a new era for amateur golfers everywhere. Please use this new app for the sake of humanity and most importantly for the groups behind you.

Tees to Greens and All that's Between!

Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships

2010-01-24T17:48:00Z

The Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships have a long tradition of great competition for kids of all ages but its focus on the kids experience and sportsmanship that make this tournament so special. With any organization, the energy and spirit flows from the top and Nan Ryan, Founder and Executive Director, supplies that passion every year.

The championships are open to boys and girls 3 through 17. Plus, a collegiate level is open to men and women 18-21. All ages will play June 21-23, 2010, on six golf courses in the Quincy, IL area, and Macomb IL. Entry forms for both events will be available on the Little People's web site in February 2010.

Nan started this tournament in 1974 with 174 players. Today, more than 800 compete traveling in from every state in the US and some even from foreign countries. It's become the 3rd largest junior golf tournament in the world. Even with this success, Nan's focus remains staunchly with the kids' experience and providing a positive atmosphere allowing the little people memorable moments for a lifetime.

Life experiences like these help shape lives, foster friendships and brings a community together. If you have haven't participated yet, you're missing a fantastic tournament. If you're a parent and you're thinking of entering your child or children, get in touch with Nan. It's an experience your child shouldn't miss.

Tees to Greens and All that's Between!

All Golf Clubs - 1 Length

2010-01-17T17:07:00Z

We stumbled upon a company which makes golf clubs where the shafts are all 1 length. The concept challenges golf's conventional wisdom where each club's shaft has a different length. The company suggests golfers perform better when they repeat the same swing, set-up and ball position. This company has been around for over 10 years, but we haven't come across this concept before.

In thinking about the theory, it does make sense. Repetition along with muscle memory help golfers hit consistent shots. How many times have we chunked a wedge coming into a green? Is it lack of focus or maybe the change in shaft length causes the mis-hit? If you believe this concept, 1 shaft length will help tremendously.

Their web site showcases testimonials, but we all know those are not always accurate. We are wondering if any of the Golf Die Hard readers have played these clubs before. It's an interesting concept and as with anything in golf, if something can help the average players out there cut strokes to enjoy the game that much more, we're all for it.

Tees To Greens and All That's Between!

1PageGolf.com Has Balls

2010-01-10T16:21:00Z

1PageGolf.com is a new web site designed for golf consumers and businesses to find each other in one place on one page. Interestingly, the site is guaranteed to be up for 4 years and the countdown is on. They actually have a counter, to the second, at the top of each page. There are news links and also embedded golf games to play in case you're looking to get your golf fix at work or just in general.

For golf related businesses looking to spread the word on the cheap and reach customers, here's the skinny:

1-time $40 payment secures an ad spot until 12/31/2013.
2 photos (40x40 pixel and pop up 200x208 pixel) are posted on the home page.
One-way link to your web site.
A text link with description on their links page (who's on 1page section).
Twitter mention

Golf Die Hard has signed on as one of the first advertisers. We wish them well and would love to see this new, creative endeavor be successful.

Visit their web site and for information on how you can "Buy a Ball", click this link:
http://www.1pagegolf.com/buy.htm

Tees to Greens and All That's Between!

2010 Yahoo Fantasy Golf Begins

2010-01-05T18:17:00Z

For those of you looking to compete in the fantasy world, Yahoo.com begins its fantasy season starting January 7th. They've made some changes but not the one I was hoping to see. Namely, points for majors should be doubled. It would make the season a lot more interesting and put a premium on majors, as it should.

Overall, it's a lot of fun and competitive. You can create your own private league or join a public league. The skinny is it's free to play. Pick 8 PGA Tour players each week of which 4 play on any given day. You only get 10 starts per player for the year, choose wisely. Bonus points are given if your players finish in the top 3. Points accumulate during the whole year, but 3 segments (Winter, Spring and Summer) break up the year and prizes are awarded for overall segment winners.

Think you know who'll win better than the rest of us? Sign up and prove it. Here's a link:
http://golf.fantasysports.yahoo.com/

Tees to Greens and all that's between!

New Year..Same O, Same O?

2010-01-03T16:12:00Z

Happy New Year to all the faithful readers of Golf Die Hard. What do we have in store for you? A bit of the same old, as we discuss the current affairs of the golf world, amateur and pro alike.

For the pros, what will be the big topics this year keeping us glued to our TV's, computers and magazines? Tiger will of course be the center of attention whether he's playing or not. Will we have a breakout season by someone? Who will collapse? Will we get new major winners? Will some young gun get his first win?

The best part about these questions is they are basically the same ones asked every year. Does it make the game we love boring? Is a five foot putt every boring? Not the way I play. Sure, we'll get a dose of the same old, same old with many of the same cast of characters winning tournaments, but the combination of thrilling moments and how they play out, make great theater.

For us amateurs, we will be chasing the same dreams we always do. Will we score a new low? Get hole-in-one number 1, 2 or more? Beat our friendly nemesis? Win the Club Championship? The list goes on and on.

Yes, 2010 will bring a heavy dose of the same o, same o, but I think that's the way we like it. And, why Golf Die Hard will continue to dissect the golf world because that's the way our readers like it done.

Cheers to All and here's to a great 2010!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-20T17:20:00Z

Happy holidays from Golf Die Hard. We will be taking a holiday break from the cyber world but will return after the New Year. Thank you to all whom have visited and contributed to this blog.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

The Tiger Woods Hiatus

2009-12-13T15:55:00Z

For the third week in a row, we have to talk about Tiger and for the third week in a row, not in a good way. This week Tiger decided to an "indefinite" leave from pro golf. What does this mean? Well, my guess is Tiger will be getting some counseling. Hopefully the family will spend a lot of time together, reconnect, and start the healing process.

My bet is Tiger will be back playing by the Masters. Money doesn't compete when it comes to family, but (and this is a big but) Tiger has a lot of contractual obligations worth tens of millions. Without going to court, he will have to start walking some fairways within a reasonable time frame. The business world won't turn a blind eye for long and will want to start the money machine again. Plus, Tiger's competitive streak won't rest too well either.

Maybe the best question to ask is how much time any of us would need if we were in his Nike's? Months for sure. Years? Not likely. This is a smart move I'm sure he was advised to do. It will be interesting to see if he can continue to make smart moves with his personal life. With fame and fortune come temptations that can be hard to pass up. Will Tiger be able to tell the next woman who offers him an extra-marital transgression, one of the most spoken words in the English language, NO? Odds are his family life and marriage are riding on it.

See you at the Masters Tiger! I'll be there expecting to see you. I'll be the one in the Masters hat wearing khaki shorts and a polo shirt. I'll be what Tiger wishes he could be right now, just another face in a crowd.

Tees to Greens and All That's Between.

Pro Golfers Beware

2009-12-08T22:47:00Z

Just when you thought is was safe to mess around, Tiger proved that no one is above the fray. Pro golfers better keep their off-course lives in order since we've entered a new era of scrutiny. Will the National Inquirer care about a Jim Furyk, Phil Michelson or any other player with a squeaky clean image? We're not saying anyone else has done something morally wrong or even close to the level El Tigre is approaching. For Tiger, when it rains, it pours!

The common perception is that pro golfers are fairly well behaved. Such scandals are not as common in golf as they are in other sports. That's not to say the eyes of golfers haven't wandered. It's known back in the 60's and 70's, tour pros were having a little extra fun, but that was in a time when the eyes of the media, fans and the internet were not on 24 hours a day, thirsty for some drama.

What is apparent from Tiger's self-inflicted wounds is that Golf will now receive more attention and more people will be looking for some juicy, salacious news to break. That is why if any tour pros are wandering, they better get their lives in order. Hopefully Tiger is an isolated philanderer. However, egos can grow large and the idea that Tiger is the only one on tour messing around is a bit hard to believe.

Tees to Greens and All That's Between!

Tiger Woods Car Chaos

2009-11-30T02:37:00Z

For a guy whom rarely makes mistakes on the golf course, with his marketable image, or personal life, Tiger has had a tough few days. Tiger updates have been fast and furious as the media chases down the big story. The details are sketchy as Tiger tries to shield and protect his personal life.

It begs the question, should we be so nosy? Celebrities and athletes use their fans fascination with them to make millions as well they should. What a great country! It's only when the public life blends with the private life, do these people complain about all the attention they get. They can't have it both ways. Tiger has been making tons of money marketing himself. I say congrats and he should thank the fans for lining his pockets. But, if he thinks his fans and detractors will look the other way while rumors of infidelity and this car incident are at the forefront, he's foolish.

As we know, we may never fully understand what transpired. But because Tiger captures our attention on and off the golf course, it's apparent the public will continue to pursue the truth or until it's zest for closure is satisfied.

Best of luck Tiger, you'll need it!

DVD Release of Handicapped: A Documentary About Bad Golf

2009-11-22T20:35:00Z

To the faithful readers of the Golf Die Hard blog, we are announcing the DVD release of the golf movie, "Handicapped." It's an independently produced film by West Town Productions right here in Chicago. The DVD release is set for November
24th and will be available for purchase at IndieFlix.com. View the trailer of a truly unique and inspiring story of one man's mission to level the playing field, for himself.

Watch the trailer

The movie is about 30 average competitors getting a chance to win a prize of $250,000. Yes, there's no typo in the figure. A self-made millionaire, Al Doermaet, decided he wanted to create a golf tournament where a select few golfers will play 9-holes of elimination golf. He is putting up the majority of the prize payout himself. At the end, one competitor will remain and take home the entire prize and beer-filled trophy. No consolation prize for 2nd place. His tournament, his rules. The most important rule is you must have a handicap higher than his to play. You'll see some poor play and plenty of surprises along the way. It will be an uplifting, ego-stroking journey as you watch the events unfold.

If all of this gets your competitive juices flowing, check out the tournament web site, where Al continues his quest to find bad golfers to compete against.

(All pictures and information were provided by the web site: www.badgolfmovie.com)

Tees to Greens and All That's Between!

Holiday Golf Gift Guide

2009-11-15T16:29:00Z

The season of giving is upon us. Here are some thoughts from a golfer to the gifters out there looking for a great golf gift for a family member or friend. Here's a quick list of do's and don'ts:

Skip the golf ties.
Stay away from apparel, instead get a gift card.
If we have a favorite golf ball, buy those, we always need more.
Our clubs need re-gripping usually, offer to get them done.
A new golf bag can be a good idea but tends to be a personal choice like apparel. Maybe have our name stitched on.
Avoid buying new equipment unless you've been told specifically what they want.
Golf signs and golf decor are great gifts as we always will find space in the office or home to remind us about our beloved game.

**The above banner includes a 10% off holiday discount code at check out - GDH10**

Our friends at ThePerfectSign.com have some great golf gift signs. Some can be personalized. If you get a personalized sign, know they are made to order and can take weeks to receive. They have many non-personalized signs which can be shipped much quicker.

If you decide to get a golf gift for the BIG golfer in your life, just know we golfers can act a little like a high school girl looking for a prom dress when deciding what we want to play the game. Stick to this guide and you'll get great kudos for a great gift.

Tees to Greens and All That's Between!

Learn To Play Golf

2009-11-09T02:13:00Z

Are you thinking about taking up golf? As easy as it looks on TV, it's infinitely more complicated and frustrating to play. I'm not trying to persuade you not to play, but here are some tips if you do decide to chase the white nugget around some manicured pastures.

Please go to a local golf professional and learn the golf swing properly. Bad habits in a golf swing happen to the best players and you don't want to start with bad habits. Bad habits can be very difficult to undue. Starting out, you are a blank canvas. Do you want Picasso painting your portrait or some hack starving artist? Going to someone whom is professionally trained in teaching the golf swing will save you years of frustration. And, please don't listen to any golf advice from a relative, friend or acquaintance who doesn't score in the 70's or lower.

While you work to perfect your swing, learn the little nuances of playing the game. Like when it's your turn to tee off (lowest score on the previous hole hits first, highest goes last). Or, who should get the flag stick when everyone is on the green (the player whose ball is closest to the hole). There are many written and unwritten rules to the game. Visit USGA.org and get to know them.

The thought of playing on a course for the first time can be intimidating. The reason I hear most from potential new players in not taking the first step is not wanting to hold up other golfers. Got it and understand it. But, it's ok to suck. Every golfer has stunk in the beginning. Tell other players it's your first time or you're just learning. They will have sympathy. Keep in mind while playing as a novice, it's ok to pick up the ball if you feel frustrated or if you feel you're holding up play behind you. It's that easy. Grab the ball and walk to the next tee box.

Finally, do some research on the history of the game. Sure it might be a little time consuming, but the history lesson will provide perspective on golf, a game rich in glorious moments. The appreciation for the players of yore will deepen your fervor for the game. Beware, it can be addicting, in a good way.

Tees to Greens and All That's Between!

How To Get Cheap Golf Tee Times

2009-11-02T13:17:00Z

Getting cheaper tee times is simple if you know how golf courses work. As in any business, if they can sell in bulk, they will sell at a cheaper price. Here are simple ways to save your hard-earned cash-ola on tee times:

Get a group together and have an outing. An outing can be 2 foursomes or more. Most courses have an outing coordinator. Call and negotiate a rate and know the more players, typically the cheaper the rate. It can be 10 to 20% off regular tee times.
Play during the week, work permitting of course. Week rates are usually cheaper.
Play during twilight hours, typically 3 PM or later. Usually 10% - 30% savings and sometimes more.
Look to see if you qualify as resident. Sometimes courses have cheaper rates for players who live in the area.
Play more off-season golf. Courses cut fees in the spring and fall months to boost business.
Look to see if a course has senior or youth discounts.
Get to know the starter or people who work at a course. If a friendship is created, you may even get on the course for free or for just the cart fee.
Golf Tee Time web sites are plentiful and promise discounted rates. They work out deals with courses.
Some areas have tee time brokers who, if given a day or two, can get you discounted tee times of 20% or more. Brokers are plentiful in golf destination states like Florida and Arizona.

http://www.golfdiehard.com/Golf_Course_Guide.html

Tees To Greens and All That's Between!

Is Your Golf Ball Hurting Your Game?

2009-10-26T15:11:00Z

I've been hearing an interesting question from fellow hackers about the Pro-V1. Do you notice with your irons a distance problem? I've heard this from a few people.  I have seen my beloved Pro-V1 come up 5-10 yards short more times than I can count when hitting into greens.

I stopped into my local Golf Galaxy store and started asking some questions of my own. In talking with a few of the specialists there, it turns out many of the top end golf balls are made for the top end players. Duh, right! Well, why are we hack-jobs trying to play with these top end balls? The Pro-V's distance and top end performance comes from tour-esque club head speed. Let's say 110 mph or higher. If you don't swing that hard, you won't get the distance performance you're looking to get and if your swing is much slower, say under 90 mph, it could be costing you distance if you were hitting a ball designed for slower swing speeds. I initially found this all a bit hard to believe. But, taking a step back, it does make sense.

I tend to swing very hard with the driver and probably get enough club head speed to make the Pro-V worth playing. But, I swing slower with my irons and I'm not getting the distance I expect because the ball isn't designed for my type of play. Boo-hoo! What makes up for it is the way the Pro-V plays around the green. Putting and chipping are a dream with it. I decided to make a change from the V that I've been playing for years.

I'm now giving the Bridgestone B330-RX a shot since it's designed for solid amateurs whose swing speed is 100 mph or lower. I've played one round so far with this ball and was pretty impressed. It doesn't feel quite as soft around or on the green as the Pro-V1 but I did feel the distance was similar. My iron distance did improve a bit and the ball seemed to carry a bit more.  Time will tell if this will lead to more consistency or merely a decent ball striking round.

The moral of this story is take a closer look at your golf ball and make sure it's right for you and not right for the top pros. They play a game we hacksters aren't familiar with and we need a ball suited more for our specific game. It's hard not to get lured in by the sexy name, great marketing and performances by tour pros. We all want to play our best.   Just make sure you play with a ball that will give you the best chance.

Tees to Greens and All That's Between!