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Hillgrovian Golf
The Hillgrovian Golfer Instruction Manual
by David P. Hillgrove
- Copyright DP Hillgrove 2022
· Intro
o This is the most complete golf instruction manual, where you will learn nothing about swinging the club, if I do this right. This instruction manual will teach you nothing about the actual skill of hitting a golf ball properly. But, it will teach you all about Golf, it’s idiosyncrasies, its nuances and perhaps some panache.
o This manual is about how to arrive, how to prepare, how to organize, how to think like a golfer. This manual will teach you the back story, the front line and the middle components of how to set up for this game. This will fill in the gaps that take many golfers years to learn.
o You want to learn how to fit in? This is your baby. You want to NOT stand out on the tee box—you’ve come to the right place. You want to learn the shicksa? Perhaps you’ll learn how to spell it. This is the behind-the-scenes, behind the curtain, and above all other instruction manuals.
· Givens
o It is assumed that you have golf clubs, or that you know where to get them.
o It is assumed you have someone to play golf with—probably someone who knows all the secrets contained within here.
o It is assumed you have a place to play.
o It is assumed you want a shortcut to learn the back end of this game; you do not want to spend years learning this game when you can plug in right here and learn to understand this game. You want action now.
· Golf To Life
o It may sound crazy to equate golf to life or life to golf. It seems ridiculous to compare something as complex as LIFE, to something as simple as golf. Well . . golf is not simple!
§ Every tee box represents every new day, new challenge, new opportunity or new crisis. Everyone starts off on the same, flat piece of land . . . and every day we have the same, uniform start of our morning.
§ Every issue that can cause us an errant shot is mental, it’s the thoughts running around in our head. It’s forgetting the lessons you’ve learned heretofore. It’s one’s inability to execute that which you’ve learned before. It’s forgetting fundamentals. It’s poor execution.
§ I’d suggest that in life, we sometimes get caught up in the bitterness of the past and the worry of the future. In Golf, the simplest way to screw up your next tee shot is to focus mentally on the missed putt on the previous green—or . . . bask in the glory of a marvelous shot/score on the previous hole, and learn all about ABFU’s.
§ In golf, we have fourteen clubs—all different—to move the ball forward and get us closer to completion of the task. In life, we wish we had this many options to implore, but perhaps we aren’t looking at all of our talents? Perhaps there are new ways to succeed at our given tasks.
§ On every tee box, we all start the same. We have a map of the hole; we can see the obstacles and hinderances. We’ve played this hole before; insanity is when we try the same thing that has failed us before, and expecting different reults. We know what’s out there, in golf, but especially in life.
§ We need to evaluate our own skills as we prepare for a tee shot. Can we hit it past the bunker out there? Should I lay up before the dogleg’s “elbow”, or the troublesome lake out there? In life, we have similar “swing thoughts”, that can help us approach work issues, family matters, and relationship woes.
· The Goddess of Golf
o Golf involves a deity, a monotheistic Goddess who controls the mood, the hubris, the Quan, the joy and beauty, the frightening bad karma, and She does not play around.
o She is unpredictable, and that’s not unlike life, especially with women. (That’s a joke). She shows up at times when we need her and times when we least expect her impact. She is all that is good about this great game. And she is behind all displays of temper associated with shot results that we feel we were cheated.
o The Goddess is behind every ball that travels through tree branches or through a forest of threatening trees.
o The Goddess is in play every time a low liner shot skips across the water, or ball hits the cart path or a sprinkler head in just the “right way”.
o The Goddess is fair. She doles out justice in matters in an arbitrary manner. The Goddess never punishes you without reason. She can often bring you joy when you don’t know you deserve it. She is the Higher Power of the Links.
o You want to question the Goddesses’ results? Look deeply into your own past foibles.
o One pleases the Goddess when you cheer for a partner or competitor. She grows joyous when you hold your tongue at a time when vitriol seems to be the proper reaction. The Goddess loves restraint, good sportsmanship, good thoughts, and proper etiquette.
o The Goddess abhors cheating. Of any kind. Big or Small.
o The Goddess is present at every story you tell, every tale you share, and every joke you disclose. She monitors your gossip. She is present in your delivery.
o The Goddess doesn’t forget.
o The Goddess metes out the success in bounces, ricochets, wind gusts, and recoils around a green. She addresses all backspin and roll outs. She IS the bad bump in your putting line and the accidental holing out when you scuff your putt.
o The Goddess is not to be messed with. She has a good memory. And she never loses.
· Things They Never Tell You
This section addresses . . . well, things they never tell you. They being the Golf bullies, or the Golf teachers, or the Golf authors, of course.
o Let’s begin with your bag, your pockets and your clubs.
§ You need clubs. You need pretty good clubs. You don’t need $4000 clubs, but you don’t want to use your grandfather’s hickory shafts with the micro-dot-sized-sweet-spot.
§ Be reasonable, and stay within your budget.
But get some decent clubs, preferably some fitted for you if you’re serious about this sport. Most major golf retail outlets, or golf pro shops with fit you up with a purchase, and frankly, Pro shops prices are within a few dollars of internet purchases.They check the Internet too.
§ Don’t you dare go get fitted by that hard-working pro and then purchase online; the Goddess of golf will haunt you for a minimum of two dozen rounds.
o So you have your clubs.
§ You need a bag; it’s important. You need a big that is either a carry bag (with dual shoulder straps AND a stand-alone feature) OR a cart bag (push cart or golf cart). One is bigger than the other.
§ The bag should have 14 or 15 compartments for clubs, and ample zippered pockets for storage and carry.
§ How many pockets or how big a bag? I’d suggest room for some or all of these:
· Golf balls
· Organized Tees and ball marker compartment
· Storage tees and balls (excess, for future use)
· Pocket to hold your wallet and keys and ALWAYS use this for that and NEVER forget where you put them.
· Umbrella (external) holster
· Ball retriever pocket.
· Compartment for rain jacket/pants, perhaps extra socks.
· Storage pocket for food storage: Nabs, mints, protein bars. Food that can be left in the bag when not playing. Food for blood sugar changes. Food for starvation on the 14th hole. Shrimp or salmon is not recommended.
· Compartment for long-term needs:
o extra cleats for golf shoes;
o golfer swag that you picked up at a charity tournament but might never utilize;
o a pocket knife;
o ball marking Sharpies (pretty important?);
o band aids, skin lotion, SUN BLOCK, athletic tape. Perhaps those ice packs that get cold when you pop the middle?
o extra sunglasses, toenail clipper (don’t use the pocket knife),
o memorabilia you’ve picked up somewhere,
o loose change and spare $$’s should you lose your wallet, and other ideas.
o Next up: Your pockets
§ Nobody ever tells you about organizing your pockets. But you will never see an experienced golfer who doesn’t have a system for one’s pockets.
§ Here’s some ideas:
· Most important: a kerchief/bandana/hanky/hand towel of sorts. I cannot stress this enough. You need something to wipe off balls, clubs, and your face (after those shots which explode dirt or sand all up in your face).
o If you play early in the morning, there’s either dew or sprinkler water on the ground. Freshly mowed grass also sticks to your clubs. When you pick up or mark a partner’s ball and bring it to them, you can wipe it off and appear to be kind. When you pick up a partner’s club after they’ve putted, you can wipe down their club face and appear kind. You need it for your clubs after a bunker shot. You should mark your ball and wipe it every time you approach your first putt; you’ll need that doo-rag for this. It’s vital to a good game, and for appearing to be nice (you don’t actually have to BE nice).
o Never putt with an unclean ball; never take a shot with a dirty club, because you are a serious golfer. It does matter.
· Balls, tees and green repair tool. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS have two golf balls on you. Always! You need a reasonable number of tees (five to eight) to include a shorter, Par 3 tee for lower heights on shorter tee shots. You should have ball markers easily accessible, both the poker chip variety and the ones that push flush to the ground. You always need to carry a ball mark repair kit and YOU must know how to properly use it. (I find that golfers who’ve been playing the game for 40 years might have learned the improper, more damaging method for repairing ball marks; learn the proper method).
· You need to have a pocket to put your phone (that’d better be shut off). You can leave it in your golf cart or on your push cart, but you won’t. You know you won’t. Have a pocket for the phone as you can use Apps for course yardage, keeping score, or news outlets. If you wear hearing aids (I do!) you can Bluetooth music to your ears from your phone and you won’t have to listen to your Cart-ner’s moaning.
· You need a pocket to put your golf glove, if you take it off for short shots and putting (to improve your “feel”).
· If you keep a putter cover, you can throw it on the ground along your return path to your clubs, or you can have a pocket to methodically put your putter cover.
· If you use a range finder, have a simple place to store it.
· Believe this: this kind of organization and method-driven habits will support an enormous portion of your positive mentality.
o Your clubs
§ Your arrows, in your quiver. Your weaponry. Your craft tools. Your magic wands. They need a home. They need a consistent home. They need method and organization. Let’s get started.
· Sort out what is your front and the back of your bag. That means the side of the bag that sits closer to you, whether you’re in a golf cart, or your bag is on a push cart.
· I suggest that your putter be located on the front part of your bag. Between 30%-50% of your shots will be with your putter. You use it more than any other club. Give it easy access.
· You’re allowed 14 clubs, although you should stop playing with those partners who “call you” on the excess club rule. But you only need 14:
o You need a driver
o You need at least one fairway club (3-wood e.g.)
o In today’s environs and technology, you need the “rescue clubs”, a.k.a. hybrids, other names. They have tremendous strategic and technique value. I’d suggest at least two, which will represent irons #3-#5’s.
o You need wedges. Your “P” wedge is not going to support your scoring needs across 18 holes. You can look up the angles of each of your wedges, and that helps, but they’re really more about the “feel” of the club for the shot.
Pitching wedge, sand wedge, Gap wedge, Attack wedge, 60-degree (or lower angle) wedge. You cannot read (here) the perfect advice for you. Check with friends, better players, the retail golf pro, your club pro, and YouTube videos to decide the number of clubs and their particular angle needed for your wedge collection.
o You need a huge, fat grip on that short game-savior club. Big and huge and fat. It’ll help your game.
o After doing the arithmetic, you have so many clubs left in availability. I use clubs #5 through #9, because I can’t hit long irons. I have a friend who carries on from his #2 down to his #9. It’s up to you. Remember: your rescue clubs will help you out on long distance needs.
o 14 clubs. Put them in an order that makes sense to you. Always put them back where you organize the. Always. Be careful when you angrily slam your clubs into its compartment—you’ll damage the grips. Take good care of your arrows.
o Be mindful of, and keep current with your grip maintenance. Depending on how often you do or do not play, you should likely switch out your grips every 2-5 years. It does matter.
o Clean them, regularly. Most practice ranges have a wet-option cleaning station, where you can dunk your clubs and “scrub” them against brushes. When you practice on plastic mats, you’re going to get a build up of plastic or a film that needs to be cleaned and removed, because you are a serious golfer.
o So:
§ A driver and a putter
§ Your wedges, from the pitching wedge down to the highest angled club you need for your shortest game. Some players use two of these clubs, other have as many as five of these specialty clubs. You’ll sort it out.
§ Your irons: numbers 3 though 9, as you have decided you’ll need.
§ Fourteen clubs
· Set-up
o I need to repeat the mantra of this instruction manual:
§ I teach no golf here. Not really. Oh . . . general concepts. Thirty-thousand feet perspective. Ideas, not specifics. Big item things, not small details
§ To that end: here’s what I can tell you about your set-up, when you address your ball (stand over it, with one million swing thoughts, and the understanding that everyone in your area code is watching you):
· PGA
o Posture
o Grip
o Alignment
§ Posture is shoulders back, tight core, butt at a height and angle that you have learned (on the practice range) what is right for you, and shoulders back and square with your line of swing. Good posture, not slumped shoulders.
§ Grip.
· I see more bad grips that just about any bad golf setups. Your grip is the only contact you have with the club. The grip is vital. Read or listen to how to properly grip the club
§ Alignment
· The second worst flaw I observe on the tee box is improper alignment. Read or listen (check YouTube on all of these components!) to properly align your stance.
§ The Swing
· This is the simplest concept I can share:
o One needs a full “C” on your backswing, sweeping the club on the ground as long as possible, a proper stopping place (Look it up!), and a full “C” on your downswing, and a full “C” on your follow-through (some disagree with this part).
o One needs to “feel” the distance between chest/sternum as you address the ball, and keep that distance consistent all the way through all of your “C’s”. It cannot be shortened. It must remain constant. This is the key to a straight shot.
o It is in “cutting the corner”, “casting (look it up)” and shortening this distance that one hits foul shots (not the kind in basketball).
o Nice, easy, consistent swings, maintaining that distance between sternum and the ball at rest
o Repeatable swing
§ Good golfers have a repeatable swing
§ It’s not “hit and hope”. It’s not wishing. It’s not “trying”. It’s maintaining a repeatable swing. One you can execute time and time again, all across the golf course, on every swing, especially on the tee box. Repeatable.
§ Your body will try to compensate for your hands getting out of whack with your inconsistent, non-repeatable swing. They will try to correct your mistake on your downswing. And it will suck. You will suck. And you will mishit the ball.
§ Repeatable swing. With a constant measurement and distance between your sternum and the ball at rest. The same space from backswing to ball contact.
§ That is why one is told to keep your elbow straight, without collapsing it.
§ That is why one is told to avoid the “chicken wing” (look it up) in your backswing.
§ This simple concept is absolutely key to a good repeatable swing.
§ Learn it by taking the swing back to the “7:30” position (think of a clock face) and maintaining that gap.
· Then perfect it at the 9:00 position
· Then perfect it at the 10:30 position
· Then perfect it at your full backswing
§ Bad shot? You probably violated this simple concept. You need constancy in your swing, and that means consistent distance from chest to ball, all the way through your swing. Make sure you find this in your practice swing, pre-shot.
§ Repeatable swing
§ A pause at the top of your swing will do wonders for your success and distance. He with fast backswing needs fat wallet
§ Endurance
· Golf seems like the kind of sport that fat people, weak people, poorly fit people, and non-athletes can find success? You can’t.
o You need to have a strong and enduring swing. You need the proper muscle fitness to swing over 200 times a round. (Think practice swings.) By the way: when you take your practice swing, no sissy swings. Full swings. With focus. And proper application of good swing theory. Take full practice swings.
o One develops those muscles through non-golf fitness exercises. Or . . .
o One develops those muscles by hitting the practice range and hitting 150 balls each time one goes out. Not pre-match, but on non-match days. Days and days with this regimen in mind.
o The practice range will get you in shape but it takes time. Days. Weeks. Months.
o If you are fat, weak, in a poor fitness level, or in insufficient muscle fitness level, you’ve got to hit the range on your off-match days. Repeatable swing. You CAN get into golf shape by practicing golf. Swinging the club and hitting practice ranger balls. But it takes 100’s and 1000’s of swings to get the non-fit golfer into golf shape.
o The Goddess will reward those who strive for proper golf fitness
§ The Social Element
· Every golf match is a competition. It’s not a cutthroat match with your partners necessarily. It’s a competition between:
o Your partners (come on! You eventually want to beat your best friend on the course. You want to score lower than your playing partners!)
o The golf course itself, with its hills, and moguls, and slopes and doglegs. Think about the tricks on any green. You’re competing with that. This includes weather elements.
o Yourself. Your mentality. Your attitude. Your positive mental attitude. Your ability to forget the last shot and focus on the current one. Your history on this course. Staying in the moment. Your willingness to try to score the best you can on the next three holes, regardless of how poorly you’ve played on the last three holes. Your bounce-back effort. Your mindset for the full 18 holes..
o Your best scoring round, ever. Your personal record-low score. You and the game. Your game today as you see Life these days. The best version of you on the course and “inside” of this game. Your PR. The best you can be. Focus.
· The golf course can be divided into three sets of six holes (rather than the front nine and the back nine). Approach these divisions mentally, fundamentally.
· You want to score well? When you get to hole #15, bear down. Double your focus. Your opponents may be giving into fatigue or loss of their mentality. Bear down and work hard on these holes and finish with pars or bogeys. Your score will reflect the renewed approach. Golf fitness will assist you in this endeavor.
· It has been said that one can learn more about a person on the golf course (today, and over time) than working with them day in and day out for years.
· You want to make friends on the golf course. You don’t want to be an ass during your round. You don’t want to be that player that no one wants to play with. You want to be the guy everyone loves to play with.
· Hold your tongue. Don’t talk constantly. Don’t criticize. Never complain, never explain. Stop with the excuses. Stop with the dialog that suggests you’re not playing as well as you can. Play as well as you can. And stand up with your score. It’s what you earned today. It’s not you. It’s your score. You’re okay.
· Never cheat. If your partners are not rolling the balls in the fairways, if they’re not moving them from behind trees, if they’re not doing anything other than playing it straight up, then don’t do so. Don’t cut corners, or find shortcuts to a better score. Play the way your foursome is playing, rules and all.
· Take all of the penalty strokes you deserve. You’ll live. Goddess is watching you . . .
· Old trick: drop a pocket ball near when your (now) lost ball might be, and play on. That’s cheating. You know that. Think Goddess . . .
· Report the score you earned. Absent that, you’ll piss off the Goddess. And she can be a heartless bitch, but usually because you deserve it. THAT’s why you hit the tree instead of flying through the branches. That’s why the gust of wind kept your approach shot from landing on the green in regulation. It’s karma, eventually. It all evens out.
· Be honest.
· Alcohol. You can enjoy it. You deserve it. Drink away. But don’t let your stupor interrupt your respect for your partners or the game. Be in control. Save it for the 19th hole (the clubhouse),
· Cheer for your partners. Keep your smart aleckness in check. Don’t berate. Never challenge another golfer about their reported score. That’s how they choose to play today. That’s their game. The Goddess will straight things out, perhaps on another day. Worry about you.
· Never, ever, ever, ever suggest swing corrections or golf tips unless you are asked. The exact time that you should never listen to another golfer is when they offer unsolicited advice. And that goes for you. Lock it down. Keep your ideas on their game to yourself. That’s not your job.
· Try this: Go out to the course by yourself and ask, or let the Starter set you up with other golfers. Play a round with two or three other golfers you’ve never met. It’s exhilarating. It’s why this game is so marvelous.
· Always play out. Even if your next shot is for a 12. Don’t be the whiny kid. Finish the hole unless the pace of play dictates that you put the ball in your pocket.
· If you’re a terrible golfer, the highest score you should card is double the par. If you’re average, you should only card three strokes above par. This keeps golfers from “sandbagging” to earn a higher handicap. That’s an unfair advantage in a tournament.
· Post scores in order to learn your handicap and index. It’s a semi-confusing process, so let the website figure it out. If you don’t have one at your club, utilize Yahoo.com. You need a handicap if you’re serious about the game.
· A missed swing after you address the ball counts as a stroke.
· Stroke and Distance is a penalty off of the tee box. Learn it, love it, and determine how your foursome is playing it. Provisional balls become a necessity.
· Lost balls count as a stroke.
· How do you figure your penalties? Let’s say your second shot goes into the water. Remember this saying: “In the water in 2, out in 3, hitting 4”. That works for your fifth and sixth shot too.
· Have some fun with the game. I play with many of the same folks. We have nuances that include:
o $1 from everyone to the first guy who birdies. You can continue that reward for all birdies if you like.
o If a putt hits the hole, the stick or the edge of the hole, the next one is good. Hillgrovian rule.
o If it’s appropriate, bet a reasonable amount on similar putts with your good friends. Both of you are approaching from the same distance? Bet a reasonable amount for closest to the hole (a.k.a. “inside” of your opponent).
o Keep your betting sane. Betting on the course for the entire round may help your focus? Bet within your means. Be careful and sensible.
· Gimmes
o Those are the putts that you are given and don’t have to putt out. Don’t take your own gimmes. Wait for them to be given to you. If you’re betting as partners. Don’t give your partner a gimme; it has to come from your opponents.
o A gimme is theoretically supposed to be the distance “inside the grip”. Ergo, if one was to lay one’s putter down from the hole to the ball, the distance should be below the grip, on the shaft.
o Folks can be liberal with gimmes. That’s good. Be nice. Help a brother. If their missed putt means the next one is for a six on a par four, give it to them. They might return the favor.
o If you putt your ball after being awarded a gimme and you miss the putt, the stroke counts. You should have taken the gimme.
· Bubba, or Juan, or Your Second shot
o This falls into the category of mulligans. If you are awarded a mulligan, you will see that your second “guy” hits the ball much better. If you simply drop a second ball for a do-over to learn and get better, you will find “he” usually does better. This is good for your game, good for learning. But don’t play that second ball without permission.
o When playing by yourself, solo, play two or three balls at a time. But don’t hold up the players behind you.
· Lost balls
o Technically, you have five minutes to find a ball. That’s ridiculous. Look for it promptly, and be reasonable. After two or three minutes, take your stroke and drop another one.
o Always help others with lost balls. It’s empowering. It helps their attitude. It helps yours. Yet, be reasonable on that length of time.
o It’s just a ball. If it’s a four-dollar Titleist, that’s a shame. But it’s only a ball. Buy balls much cheaper on Amazon.
o When you rescue lost balls in the lake, or in a flooded area, or even in the woods, and it’s springtime or late in the autumn, remember those balls have likely been exposed to freezing temps. They’re worthless, and you’re wasting time. Leave ‘em.
o Do not play golf in running shoes, with the padded, elevated heel. That throws off your swing. Play in literal tennis shoes, or “flats”, and know that golf shoes—while cool—are not necessary on a golf course (Hillgrovian suggest).
§ Etiquette
· Never run on the golf course
· However, when you are exiting the green, and the group behind you is waiting for you before they can hit, show effort on your exit. If you’re perpendicular to their line of play, hoof it off the green, don’t lollygag. Moving swiftly on your exit shows the guys behind you that you care and that you want them to enjoy their game. Show respect.
· Repair ball marks
· NEVER walk to your ball without a club. Never go searching for a golf ball in the woods or high grass without a long club for moving grass and leaves.
· If you play in the Western US, or down South, there will be snakes. Always hold your club out in front of you as you walk; they will grab that club first, rather than your leg.
· Gators. That’s right; alligators. Be alert around water. Don’t mess with them. They’ve been around for thousands of years. They don’t care about your golf game. Respect their power.
· Everyone replaces their divot after a good shot. Replace yours after you chunk, chilli-dip, or blade the ball all the way over the green.
· Never walk in anyone’s line. Always walk behind their ball.
· Play “ready golf” (the next guy ready takes his shot), but don’t be selfish. Sure, don’t wait for the guy to walk forty yards to his ball that is “away” from the hole the farthest, but don’t be rude. Show respect and courtesy.
· Take your practice swings before it’s your time to hit. Be ready to go when it’s your time. Line up your ball before it’s your time to putt. Be ready and keep the game going.
· Be ready on the tee box.
· Lowest score on the last hole has honors. Unless “ready golf” is the standard with your partners, let the guy who has earned it hit first off the tee. Don’t dwaddle either.
· Keep your anger to yourself, but better yet: don’t get angry. It’s a beautiful game, meant to be a game, only. It’s not Life. How you play, react to your shot, deal with bad luck and apply manners to your game is how you will be judged. Stay away from playing partners who bring negativity to the day.
· In general, it’s a glorious day on the golf course. It’s nature. It’s nearby animals. It’s zephyrs and sunshine and outdoorsmanship. There are friends of yours sitting in cubicles right now, while you’re playing. Enjoy the entire day, from meeting up with your partners pre-round, to the butterflys on the first tee, to cheering for your partners, to the conversations with your Cart-ner on the way to your ball or between one green and the next tee box.
· It’s about the Zen. It’s about the Peace. It’s about Joy. It’s about the Beautiful Game (with apologies to Soccer/Football). Remember this. Live this. Love this.
o Humor
§ It’s easier to get up at the crack of dawn to play golf than it is to wake up at 10am to mow the lawn.
§ I didn’t miss the putt, the ball just missed the hole
§ What do most golfers have to shoot to win their tournament? The rest of the field…
§ What’s the difference between a golf ball and directions? A man will always look for a golf ball.
§ It’s not whether you win or lose that counts, it’s whether I win or lose..
§ A pretty pathetic golfer was getting frustrated with his lousy game and began blaming his mistakes on his experienced caddie. As the round came to an end, the golfer said, “You have to be the worst caddie in the whole wide world.” To which the caddie replied, “I don’t think so, sir. That would be too much of a coincidence.”
§ What do you call a golfer who has recorded a fantastic score? A liar
§ Golf is just another four letter word that where golfers say four letter words.
§ What do a golfer and a very young child have in common? They can’t count past five.
· In closing
o Rain
§ It is very hard to hit a golf ball off of a wet surface. It is very hard to keep your feet set when standing on a wet surface. You MUST keep a towel with you when you walk out to your ball on the fairway; it is vital that you keep your hands and your golf club grips dry. Playing golf in the rain, or in a rain mist is proof that you love the game. Absent that, stay home or inside. It ain’t that much fun, perhaps.
§ Also, your drive plops upon landing you get very little roll-out. Ergo, club up at least a full club on most shots.
§ Short range flop and chip shots don’t bode well from a wet surface. Your club slides and misses.
o Cold temps
§ Low air temps rob you of serious distance. Club up.
§ A friend recently told me that I needed to get a golf cart cover and a heater for inside the now-covered cart. I replied that I don’t need one because if I need that, perhaps I shouldn’t be out on the course.
§ There are very good winter gloves out there. Wear both of them.
o Wind
§ Lee Trevino wrote that wind gusts impact putting more than most other shots.
§ Play the wind on your tee shots!
o Lightning
§ Get the hell out of there, and away from trees.
o Etiquette
- § Again, learn the codes of etiquette. They are more important than the Rules of the Game. You can inquire about the rules at any time from your learned partners.