In the mid 1990's, I played in my first three day Member/Guest at my home club (Conestoga Country Club), with my brother as my horse. Having been beaten badly in our first nine hole match (which by no means is unusual), with renewed enthusiasm we approached the first hole of our second nine-hole match. There were the customary introductions and salutations; .good luck, have fun, etc. We were playing against a private banker and his guest, an attorney. (I feel like there should be a joke there ... continue reading...
Found & Lost
There is a better than average chance I am a bit of a ball snob. I have played Titleist Pro V’s for a number of years. I do not know the science behind the technology, I just know I am comfortable in my little world. As I attempt to sort out my logic, a few reasons for my commitment come to mind: Reputation Touring pro’s acceptance Sound (a bit better than a Top-Flite) Advertising I have recently researched a few major golf ball manufacturers’ websites (Taylor Made, Bridgestone, Calloway, ... continue reading...
A Small Dog
Some twenty years ago, I had a business appointment in Richmond, Virginia. My client was kind enough to schedule an afternoon golf outing at his local club. Somewhere on the back nine (in wet conditions), I took a significant divot. Fine, it was a really significant divot. Moments later, on my return trip to the scene of the crime, pelt in hand, my host sauntered over to take a closer look. In a slow, southern drawl, he simply said "you could bury a small dog in that thing". Through the years I ... continue reading...
Swing Thoughts (Paralysis by Analysis)
When things aren’t going well, multiple swing thoughts only serve to make things so much worse. One thing is for certain, performance is affected by confidence. When there is little, or no, confidence there is an all-consuming search to find an answer(s) to the problem(s). When things are going well, there are fewer questions thus less emphasis on swing thoughts. Seems simple enough; have confidence in your swing and think less. RIGHT! I keep a notebook in my car and a small pad in my golf bag. ... continue reading...
Golf’s Greatest Mystery
Every now and again, we stumble upon something that is so unusual, so unexplainable that it can only be compared to the greatest mysteries of all time: Stonehenge, the Nazca Geoglyphs, the Bermuda Triangle, the Shroud of Turin, Atlantis... Such is the case with the following photographs. Does the rake go HALF-IN/HALF-OUT of the trap? NEXT TO the trap? Or IN the trap? Will we ever truly know? Your thoughts are welcome! Thank you for following Bad Golf Guy. The back nine can only get better! ... continue reading...
Inflationary Impact on Caddie Compensation
In 1968 at Baltusrol Golf Club, the going caddie rate was $6-/bag for eighteen holes of golf (typically carried two bags). On occasion, when I found the errant shot and did a marginal job reading the greens, I might earn $1- tip (16.67%). This week I have been invited to play a “high-end” golf course about an hour from my home, where the going caddie rate is $60-/bag for eighteen holes of golf with a $10- tip (16.67%) for an “A” caddie...total of $70-/bag. This got me thinking. Being a ... continue reading...
Baltusrol
I grew up in Springfield, New Jersey, home of Baltusrol Golf Club. The Course is meaningful to my family’s history/experiences: Our parents first date was at Baltusrol in the late 1940’s (Not sure how that happened. The location, not the date). My brother, John, caddied for four years between 1964-1968. I caddied for five years between 1968-1972. A few brief Brother John stories: John shares the story of shagging balls on the first hole of the Upper Course for Johnny Farrell (legendary ... continue reading...