A Shark's Eye View Of The Average Golfer

I was late-night channel surfing recently and saw one of my favorite golfers on an older edition of Playing Lessons from the Pros on The Golf Channel.

Greg Norman has always been one of my pro golf heros. He's not only had a brilliant professional golfing career, he has also accomplished loads of off-course related successes as well. I am looking forward to the 2011 President's Cup where he'll go head to head with another one my favorite pros, Fred Couples. But I digress.

So I paused channel flipping momentarily to take in a few nuggets of wisdom from the Shark this night. Just maybe there will be something I can take to the course, if the weather ever budges above freezing.

It was a lot of the same old, same old until he mentioned something that peaked my interest as he was preparing for another perfect tee shot. It went something like this...

I see a lot of amateurs step up to the tee and see nothing but hazards. Their thoughts are consumed by how to carry the water or stay left of the bunkers. They never really focus on where they want the ball to go... which should be down the middle of the fairway.

It suddenly occurred to me that I've noticed that too. I've got several friends who actually verbalize a checklist of exactly what they shouldn't do with their drive without any mention of what they can do.

I'm no expert, but I know I've heard lots of golf experts profess the value of fixing your mind on where you want to be instead of where you do not want to be. It's no wonder my friends with the bad tee-ball habits watch a good percentage of their drives go exactly where they focused their mind on ...right in the crapper.

Thanks Greg! I'm storing this little gem away and plan on reviewing it again as the spring season approaches.

Simple Tips For Playing Cold Weather Golf

If you're one of those die-hard golfers suffering from cold-weather golf withdrawal we've prepared a few simple tips to help you brave the cold on the course.

1. Dress for success

Even if your just out for nine holes you'll want to wear warm clothes that minimize swing restriction. Bundling up in heavy winter-wear will surely kill your free flowing swing plane. So plan your garb with lightweight layers underneath finishing with outer layers of wind protection.

That's right... I said layers. Three or more layers can work wonders if they permit a free flowing swing. Don't worry, you can always peel off the outers if the afternoon temperature creeps up to a balmy forty-something degrees.

2. Acclimate before kick off

We've all know the kooky brother-in-law who never wears a coat when the temps fall below freezing. He's nuts! The key to surviving enjoying a cold weather round is to avoid extreme change in temperature.

Take 20-30 minutes for a cold weather pre-game warm up on the practice range. Use the time as you normally would for stretching, hitting balls and swing practice, but most importantly get used to being outside. Use the extra time to fine tune your outerwear and headgear before you step up to the first tee.

Be ever-vigilant with head and hand protection. Although the age old myth that "most body heat is lost through our heads" has been officially debunked, if you're outdoors for an extended period you'll want something to cover your noggin. Even a little wind-chill dip can wreak havoc on unprotected ears.

Gloves are a bit tricky in cold weather. And although there are lots of specialized "golf glove" products out there, the bottom line is this. If you keep your hands warm between shots you'll easily go the distance without discomfort.

So use regular gloves and keep your hands in your pockets in between shots. And if you need a little more insurance against cold hands throw a couple of these into your bag.

3. Club down to go the distance

Let's get real. You can suit up with the best cold weather gear money can buy and you'll still be using an abbreviated swing. Don't expect record breaking distances off the tee or massively long iron play. It's not gonna happen.

Add one to two clubs to your normal shot distances and all will be good with the world. Playing in frigid weather requires a slightly different set of expectations. Think of it as a golf adventure.

4. Have some new golf fun

Don't miss new betting opportunities that may arise, like closest to the pin from the snow-field. Or up and down snowys instead of sandies.

Avoid any temptation to venture out onto a frozen pond because you can see your ball sitting perfectly on the ice surface. Breaking through the ice is an absolute game over scenario.

Our final recommendation for a long and frigid day on the links is to get your head right with the cold weather game. And although your adventure may not require a St Bernard rescue dog complete with a keg barrel collar, you may want to pack a little rescue plan of your own.

Six Happy Thanksgiving Jokes

Here are six awful Turkey Day zingers to tell around the feast tonight.

1. What did the mama turkey say to her naughty son?
If your papa could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!

2. If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?  Pilgrims!

3. Why can't you take a turkey to church? Because they use such FOWL language.

4. What do you get when you cross a turkey with an octopus?  Enough drumsticks for Thanksgiving.

5. What did the turkey say before it was roasted?  Boy! I'm stuffed!

6. What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?  He had an arrow escape!

Share and enjoy!

Winding Down With a Good Book After the Thanksgiving Day Feast

There's a wonderful scent of tasty side dishes in the air today. The first waves of family and in-laws have arrived and with them comes the excitement of the Turkey Day feast. The potatoes are being mashed and the green beans are being casseroled. It's a time of anxious anticipation.

There isn't much about Thanksgiving that doesn't appeal to me. I love the meal with all its elaborate soups, side dishes and desserts. And for the most part I'm sidelined from the kitchen during the preparation ceremonies. My job is to make sure that cocktails and soft-drinks are in plentiful supply. And that I can manage with ease.

After Dinner Entertainment by Bobby Rusher

And this year I have a special treat to share with my soon-to-arrive guests and golf cronies. I'm going to pass around my recently acquired copies of Bobby Rusher's golf humor books. I've had How to Line Up Your Fourth Putt and When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever for a few weeks now and I have not been able to install them on my bookshelf just yet.

If you're looking for a humorous addition to your coffee table collection, Bobby Rusher will fit the bill. The single page chapters give the casual passer-by a quick-witted look at the ridiculous side of golf. A few of my favorite chapter tiles will give you a taste of what's inside. 

Chapter 2: What it means when the only way for you to hit a good ball is to step on a rake.

Chapter 8: What to do if you hit the ground well before you hit the ball poorly.

Chapter 46: Why you should never exaggerate your score more than 10% in either direction.

I know Bobby Rusher's humor will be a big hit with my friends and family this weekend. As a matter of fact, that one special uncle may well burst into a spontaneous session of reading aloud, after the proper social lubrication is applied in sufficient quantity.

And with rave reviews from the likes of Donald Your Fired Trump and former President George H. W. Bush, how can you go wrong.

Bobby Rusher's humor fits with serious golfers as well as not so serious golfers. It's even a hit with non-golfers, golf widows, seniors and kids.

If your ready for a few golf chuckles surf on over to 4 Putt.com and browse the complete Bobby Rusher collection. And if you're racking you brain over the perfect gift for your golf obsessed spouce, look no further. 

Tiger Woods / Tony Parker: Sports superstars that don't play by the rules

What is it about a superstar that entitles him (or her) to step outside the rules of normal life and make a total mess of things? I'm speaking of the fresh new crash and burn between desperate housewife Eva Longoria and San Antonio Spurs' great Tony Parker.

Much like our wayward friend Tiger Woods who slipped from marital harmony, Tony seems to have sexted (sex texted) his way directly to divorce court.

For the record, I'm completely unconcerned with the messy details of the Parker/Longoria split. Nor do I care about Tiger's sorted extra-marital affairs.

What fascinates me is the inner guidance system that so often derails with these high profile celebrities.

Perhaps superstardom's exclusivity serves to somehow poison those who aren't prepared for it. Those lucky few who achieve the pinnacle of success often seem to lose their sense of grounding while awash in the glitz and glamour of their celebrity lifestyle.

I've always wondered what a regular off-tournament day would be like for Tiger. He dare not drive through Starbucks for a half cafe latte. And I can't imagine him dropping by the Home Depot for that pesky toilet repair. I mean... he's got people for all that mundane stuff. He's above all that!

And perhaps therein lies the problem.

For most of us, the simple and mundane rigors of everyday life keep us connected to those around us. And there are many of the rich and famous who marry and successfully raise families while performing at the highest level of their chosen profession. But somehow these seem like the exception as opposed to the rule.

So I call upon you, the smart and gifted readers to weigh in. Is there some identifiable mental malady that superstars possess that us regular folks don't?

What do you think?