Course Management – A View From the Rough
When life is rough, perhaps it is wiser to not take too many chances. So it should be when your golf life is “rough”. So what is the wiser choice to make from the rough?
First, Distance! You are not likely to hit the ball as squarely as you would in the fairway. So don’t expect it to go as far. Whether you take “more club” is going to depend partly on how bad the lie is. The deeper the grass, the more likely you should hit a higher lofted club. A higher lofted club – less distance. So, what’s the distance and how’s the lie?
However, if the ball is “sitting up” in the grass, that can change the choices quite a bit. That kind of a lie presents some different challenges. First, you don’t want to go way under the fall and “fluff” it 
. Or worse yet, “whiff” it 
. Even if you make good contact the choices are different. The ball could “fly” on you and carry farther. Also, if you catch a flier, it is more likely to have topspin than back spin so it will roll farther.
Given all those variables on carry, roll and distance you have to closely assess what hazards, bunkers or sand traps you have between you and the green. What is the safer target area that will allow you the most room for error in distance? If it is not on the green itself, where is the best place to pitch or chip from?
Notice I haven’t said anything about the pin or where it is located on the green. When you are in the rough, should you even be thinking about aiming at the pin? If you are a persistent “pin head”, I’m surprised you have read this far – you already know all this stuff and shoot for the pin every time anyway. OK, back to wiser heads. Rather than be a “pin head”, be a sailor and “tack” your way around the course. Just as in sailing the path to your target (in golf your lowest score) is rarely a straight line.
So bottom line is – when you have A View From the Rough, be a sailor rather than a “pin head”. Leave the attacking to them and “tack” your way to lower scores. Those who never have to label themselves “stupid” will always enjoy golf more.
- – Val Spangler, TOFG
RSS Feed Set Up
With this big orange symbol, visitors can sign up to get The Old Fart Golfer posts sent to their feed reader and even get the news in an email alert. This internet blogging thing is a marvel – but not one that is done right without a fair bit of effort. However, any blogger or website owner who doesn’t put the visitor/customer first should find a new line of work or fun activity. Well, here, you do come first. We thank you for your readership.
–Val Spangler, TOFG
Water on Stone Fitness – A Microwave Moment (or Two)
Good Morning! … drip … drip … drip … “water on stone”.
Whatever time of day it is when you read this, this post is about a “good fitness morning”. PLUS – it is about changing your mind about fitness with a kind of Zen approach (Water on Stone Fitness).
If you are like most golfers (senior or not), you find it challenging to work regular fitness into your schedule. Here’s my suggestion – start your own “program” (change your mind). Whatever fitness experts say about the wisdom or effectiveness of these suggestions – they work for me. Even if there is no study or scientific proof about the effectiveness of this approach, I suggest to you that it will make you feel better about yourself and make your attitude about life more positive. Whether you prefer the “longest journey starts with the first step” or “water on stone” as one of your personal mantras – take a listen and see if you can’t say to yourself, “This is worth a try!”. AND, it doesn’t cost any money either!
Finding the time! My first suggestion: Morning coffee or tea. My morning starts with tea. Water from the tap into a cup and then into the microwave (1 minute 20 seconds on my micro). OK – Are you ready? Here goes my “water on stone” start to my new fitness program. 15 reps of counter-clockwise rotation of my arms at shoulder height. Then reverse and 15 reps of clockwise rotation of my arms – done slowly with rhythm. Time left? – yes – then 15 reps of raising your arms straight above your head (breathing in going up and out coming down). Rhythmically! Time left? Yes, then you have a choice: either spread your feet about shoulder width and see how close you can come to touching the floor – done gently – 15 reps hands above head, knees slightly bent, stomach in, and, again breathing in with arms up and out going down as far as you can comfortably go (the floor is a good stopping point 
. The other choice would be to keep those arms outstretched at your sides and rotate to your right then back to your left then to front (one rep). Breathing comfortably as you do this rhythmically. Time left? Yes. Then congratulate yourself! You have taken your first “drops” of “water on stone” on your way to a more positive attitude, start to your day and better fitness based on this change in your routine.
Enjoy your coffee or tea. 
If you find the floor touching to be a bit out of reach, do as I do and take a couple of moments stretching those hamstrings at the bottom of the stairs. (One foot on floor and other foot on second or third step and gently bend at the waist keeping the knee of your floor foot slightly bent – then reverse your feet.) Of course this can be done at any time of day when you have a nearby stairs, footstool or other stable surface a foot or two off the floor. (Yes, more “water on stone fitness”)
I find this easier for me when I go down stairs in my condo on the way to the kitchen. I don’t know about you and your mornings, but, for me, after getting out of bed, going to the bathroom and going down stairs (slowly, I might add), I find a moment of rest appreciated and I just rest in the described hamstring stretch positions at the bottom of the stairs.
For those of you who are either younger (I’m 69) or in better shape, “water on stone” fitness may be beneath you. But when the time comes, and chances are it will, keep in mind that “water on stone” principle. It will serve you well and applies at any time in life, in any circumstances – better a little “water on stone” than inaction.
- – Val Spangler, The Old Fart Golfer ( Yes, just another old “drip”. )
PS: If you have a different pattern to your morning, you are an intelligent and flexible person, adjust. Be your own “drip” in your “water on stone” fitness program.
… drip … drip … drip … “water on stone”.
Two One Iron Stories
The better known one iron story is the one told by Lee Trevino. Lee and others had taken refuge from lightning during a storm by lying on the ground in a shallow depression when lightning struck a nearby tree. The electicity from the strike traveled down the tree and across the wet ground and gave Lee and his friends a shock that was a very unpleasant experience and one that Lee felt left him with recurring back problems.
However, the inimitable Lee, loves to tell what he learned from his experience. He says his strategy for dealing with the threat of lightning is to immediately grab a one iron. Why a one iron? Well, Lee says, “Even God can’t hit a one iron!”
Even the most powerful of golfers has His (Her?) limitations.
The second story, though not as humerous, is a more personal one. TOFG’s wife Jan, a fine artist, early in her career worked primarily with graphite (pencils) for her exquisite drawings. In the process of creating her drawings she was always concerned with “smudging” her work.
TOFG, being the careful observer and clever adapter he is, suggested she use his one iron to hook over the top or side of her drawing board to then be able to rest her drawing arm on to prevent the “smudging”. Voila! It worked. – - Finally, TOFG had found a way to get some use out of his one iron as well. Another golfer unable to hit a one iron.
PS: One wonders what TOFG was doing with a one iron in the first place. He must be a collector. What do you think?
PS: PS: Visit Jan Spangler’s website to appreciate that she truly is a “fine” artist.
Golf Fitness Resources – Shoulder Focus
Like most aging golfers TOFG has his share of injuries and ailments. Fortunately, the internet provides us with all kinds of information, fitness tips and exercises to prevent or treat them once acquired. I find YouTube to be an excellent resource because I learn better with video demonstrations for both conditioning and injury rehabilitation. Also, as TOFG goes through his daily exercise and fitness routines and periodic rehab efforts, I will share with you both the resources used and my experiences with each.
In this post my focus is on two things the shoulder areas and some available fitness resources to stretch and strengthen them. My primary reference is from Dr. Bob Donatelli and the videos available from his website: www.golfersmd.com and YouTube. You can find them on YouTube using either ” golfersmd ” or ” golf fitness instruction ” as the search terms in your YouTube video search.
If your golf fitness is important to you or if you suffer irritating injuries or physical limitations affecting your golf, I would suggess you go to the diagram male figure from the Interactive Health “symptom checker” (front and back) and do as I did below and indicate your trouble spots and start a personal program using the resources available on the internet – particularly the videos on YouTube.
Hopefully your trouble spots will not be as numerous or chronic as those of this beat up old jock, TOFG. However, as I work through these for myself, you should be able to pick up some valuable search tips as well as exercise and fitness information. Here are my trouble spot diagrams as modified from the Interactive Health “symptom checker”.
Back Trouble Spots Diagram.
Front Trouble Spots Diagram.
Suggestion: Do a self evaluation and use that to begin a fitness improvement program on your way to lower scores and more enjoyable golf. (There are diagrams for the ladies too – fitness is for all who would improve their golf games, enjoyment and long term health.)
Here is a link to get you started: From a YouTube search: ” golf fitness instruction shoulder ” (no quotes).
Why there? I had to start somewhere and that’s presently my most troublesome spot – you pick yours.
More on exercise and fitness to come … What resources have you found to be most beneficial in helping you to improve your health and fitness?
- Val Spangler, The Old Fart Golfer
Personal Golf Journal – Blog Categories List
Hi Golfers! Finally getting organized and feeling good about it. What will my viewers want to see and read about? What do you think? – Here is the first list of my categories for this site/blog:
1. Personal Golf Journal – The day to day efforts of TOFG to improve his golf game, his fitness and his golf websites and blogs. If you think about golf every day? Keep a journal – it may improve your game.
2. TV Viewers Guide – Tournament Schedules, Previews and Reviews as well as special program notes.
3. Know Your Self – Who are you as a person that affects your golf performance and enjoyment?
4. Know Your Game – What are your present capabilities, tendencies, habits and preferences as a golfer?
5. Know Your Course – Know your home course better than the back of your hand because it changes more (day-to-day). How to learn more about unfamiliar courses.
6. Know Your Equipment- Out of the barrel or custom fitting? Matching your equipment to your physical and swing characteristics for best results.
7. Course Management- Planning and decision-making that gives you the most consistent results. Risk vs reward determinations for your specific circumstances at the time.
8. Course Design- Virtual and real course design and what you can learn from each to improve your game and increase your enjoyment.
9. Google Earth Golf Maps- Using Google Earth tools to familiarize your self with available courses and improve your course management and decision-making.
Sometimes after the “first 9″ there is a break for refreshments – in this case, there is an opportunity to view our Adsense ads – TOFG
10. Exercise and Fitness- What exercises you can do within time and space constraints to improve your fitness and golf performance.
11. Pro Stats and Your Stats- Pro stats and your stats – what you can learn from recording and analyzing each regularly.
12. Your Home Course- Know your home course and what you can do to maintain, improve and contribute to its quality as a part of “giving back to the game”.
13. Golf Humor and Stories- Golf is more enjoyable if you have a good sense of humor. There are those days when you just have to laugh to keep from crying … aahh what a game.
14. Golf Technology- Golf tech geek speak- what it all means and what you need to know to fit your equipment to your personal characteristics and game.
15. Golf Business- What’s happening in the golf business and its implications for you as a golfer and your golfing enjoyment.
16. Golf Travel- best destinations, travel packages, and tips.
17. Golf Books, Blogs and Magazines Reviews- TOFG reads a lot and puts you on to the best sources of information and stories.
18. Welcome- TOFG as cartoon figure welcoming his visitors and viewers to this site.
That’s a good enough start and TOFG will await the comments of our viewers to see what needs to be added, modified or deleted. This is just a sample of the sharing about golf and golf blogging that is just the start of some long and lasting relationships and the foundation for a meaningful and beneficial community of golf enthusiasts.
What do you think? What stories or input do you have that you’d like to share. Please do. We welcome your contributions and viewpoints. Another way to enjoy this great game – even when you can’t get on the course.
Play well and enjoy!
- Val Spangler, TOFG
WELCOME!
