Golf Humor on You Tube

If your like me, you can appreciate a good laugh. A good golf related laugh laugh is even better. A recent hit among golfers is the eTrade talking baby commercial. The golf related ad first aired during the Super Bowl in January of 2009.

Another great video (posted below) also available on You Tube is Robin Williams on golf. This video is rated-R for vulgar language.

 

Golf Humor For Your Winter Blues

I enjoy a good laugh as much if not more than the next person. No all of which are worth the 10 – 30 seconds to read. However, just the other day I read one that I wanted to share with you. After first thought, I thought my friend had wrote a book until I busted out in laughter and realized it was a forward. For you avid golfers, feel free to copy and paste the text and send it off to your golf buddies. 

How Many Copies Are You Good For?

Many of you may not know it, but I have been very busy over the last 14 years putting my thoughts and ideas together in a  book.  I am very proud of the results and to assist with the marketing, I am asking friends and family to help me out. 
 
I believe my new book on GOLF gives the reader valuable playing tips and insider information that I have gained through my years of struggle and experience.  I’m hopeful you find this a useful tool to help you enjoy your game that much more as you enjoy the great outdoors. 
 
The cost is only $9.95 and can be ordered by simply sending certified funds to my address.  Don’t wait until they’re all gone !!!! 
 
Chapter 1 – How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt. 
 
Chapter 2 – How to Hit a Nike from the Rough, when you Hit a Titleist from the tee. 
 
Chapter 3 – How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a bunker. 
 
Chapter 4 – How to Get More Distance off the Shank. 
 
Chapter 5 – When to Give the Ranger the Finger. 
 
Chapter 6 – Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings. 
 
Chapter 7 – When to Implement Handicap Management. 
 
Chapter 8 – Proper Excuses for Drinking Beer Before 9:00 a.m. 
 
Chapter 9 – How to Rationalize a 6 Hour Round. 
 
Chapter 10- When Does A Divot become classified as Sod. 
 
Chapter 11 – How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in the water. 
 
Chapter 12 – Why your Spouse Doesn’t Care That You Birdied the 5th.. 
 
Chapter 13- Using Curse words Creatively to Control Ball Flight. 
 
Chapter 14- When to Let a Foursome Play through Your Twosome. 
 
Chapter 15 – How to Relax When You Are Hitting five off the Tee. 
 
Chapter 16 – When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your Opponent. 
 
Chapter 17 – God and the Meaning of the Birdie-to-Bogey Three Putt. 
 
Chapter 18 – When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever. 
 
Chapter 19- Throwing Your Clubs: An Effective stress-Reduction Technique. 
 
Chapter 20 – Can You Purchase a Better Golf Game? 
 
Chapter 21 – Why Male Golfers Will Pay $5.00 a Beer  from the Cart Girl
and Give her a $3 Tip, but will balk at $4.50 at the 19th Hole and stiff the Bartender.

 A friend follow up with this email:

“You forgot about how to 3-putt from 5 feet or why all 20+ handicappers should buy Pro V1’s”

That’s good golf humor.

Enjoy

The (John) Daly News

       

Sydney Australia, John Daly smashed a spectators camera into a tree during a 6-over 78 first round at the Australian Open.

Daly continues to add to his resume of screw-ups and mishaps. Upon finding the ball  he pushed far right on his final hole, he was obviously frustrated. At which point, he was approached by a spectator. According to Daly, he was snapping pictures from within six inches of his face. Daly quickly snatched the spectators’ camera, and threw it against a tree during a 6-over 78 in the first round.

Daly traveled to Australia for a three-tournament trip. All of which he missed the cut.

Daly is having a bad year, in fact, his career quickly on the decline. This is the first of many obstructions in his tenure on the PGA Tour. Just this year, Daly spent the night in jail on October 27th. According to police, he was found intoxicated and uncooperative outside of a Hooters restaurant in North Carolina.

Daly is trying to finish the year on a positive note, which in his career have been few and far between. Daly hasn’t earned a tour card since 2006. In 2008 Daly made only five cuts in 17 tournaments and has earned %56,000 on the PGA Tour .

The two-time major winner, has quickly fallen down the rankings to 719. With a plethora of excuses, mishaps, misfortunes, bad luck, bad attitude, stupid decisions, addictions, a lack of work ethic and self discipline, it looks like Mr. John Daly has a rain cloud over his head. Until some drastic changes are made………………………………..again, golf may not be in his future.

What A-Zinger, Paul

         

It has been announced, Paul Ainger will not return as the U.S. team captain for the 2010 Ryder Cup to be played in Wales.

Azinger told the Associated Press last Monday “It ain’t gonna be me, I am not the captain” Sounds like a disappointed and discouraged Azinger is you ask me.

The announcement comes as a surprise as Azinger lead the American team the their first win in a decade. Labeled as Captain American during the event, Azinger was an innovative captain. When handed control of the team he made immediate plans to make changes. Starting with the player selection process, He approached the PGA and persuaded the board to change the qualification process. Set exclusively on money earnings with more weight on the four majors. Azinger also chose a record high four captain’s picks.

Upon arrival at Valhalla, Azinger divided the team by personality traits into three pods. The three groups played and practiced together including matches. Even without an ailing Tiger Woods, the American team won by a decisive margin in a 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory.

Azinger proved his worth and most believe he deserved to be the 2010 captain. He went above and beyond his expectations which payed off. Truth is, maost American team players such as: Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard have been lobbying for Azinger to return. Lobbying or not, Azinger is out and Corey Pavin is sitting in 2010 Ryder Cup captains chair

Corey Pavin, a playing member of three U.S. Ryder Cup teams with a 8-5-0 overall record. Pavin becomes only the 26Th U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Pavin like Azinger has a brilliant resume. Pavin has 15 PGA tour victories including the 1995 U.S. Open. Although Azinger equally qualified would be a worth second selection, the Americans haven’t had the same captain since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949.

PGA of American president Jim Remy said “We have so many great players who have earned the right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind”

The decision sounds to be based more upon fairness opposed to production. A surprising choice considering we as Americans want to win more than we care about being fair. Although winning is important the PGA cares about the integrity of the game first.

The Big Break – Tiger and GM get divorced

                  

PART II

The divorce between General Motors and Tiger Woods raises many questions. One might wonder what the future of golf and PGA tour endorsements offer.

• How will this affect the Buick Open, Buick Invitational and other GM sponsored events?
• How will the a poor economy affect the PGA Tour over the next several years?
• Is the Buick endorsement the first of many cutbacks for players on tour?
• Whats next for the auto industry?
• More importantly, who will pony up and endorse Tigers staff bag?

Most including myself are uncertain the answer to these questions. However, I do know its going to make for an interesting 2009 season on the PGA Tour.

Equipment Manufacturers & Tour Endorsements

Rumors in the golf industry have been floating around about many major equipment manufacturers possibly cutting their endorsement deals with various tour players. With consumer spending and sales down, there be a reduction the number of endorsements and spending. Although this is unlikely to effect the big names players, those low on the money list and who play on mini-tours will likely feel the effect immediately. The downturn in the economy is widely responsible. Some manufacturers have reported sales down double digits for 2008. Today, nobody is immune to the economic downturn. Now is where manufactureres in all industries are attempting to cut out the fat. Even the big four will soon begin to cut and reduce endorsements. At that point, a trend will be created and followed by many in golf and similar industries.

What about Tigers bag? Some expect to see an American automakers logo on his staff bag. We will find out when he feels ready to make his return. With 2009 likely out for Mr. Woods, there is plenty of time. Dozens of fortune 500 companies are drooling at the opportunity to cook up an endorsement deal. Don’t rule out, foreign automotive companies. One of which could potentially be the Buick replacement. However, any one of his current endorsements could make a push for his staff bag such as:

• E.A. Sports
• Nike
• Tag Heuer

Although it is unlikely a superstar of his caliber not sell the rights to their staff bag, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see Tiger go with the all Black Nike staff bag. Lets face it, Tiger wants to be wanted, what superstar doesn’t. Even in a down economy a Tiger endorsement could be the equivalent to striking gold for another company.

The $6 Million Dollar Man

In his career, Tiger Woods was said to earn over $6 Million in endorsements alone. This more than:

• Wheaties – 10th best selling box overall
• Asahi Coffee – yeah that’s right, just google it
• Golf Digest
• Tag Heuer
• American Express
• Appearence Fees
• The First Tee
• Upper Deck
• Nike Golf
• Net Jets – Aviation Company
• Accenture
• Gillette
• Gatorade
• Tiger Woods Designs – Not an endorsement, just another branch of the Tiger Woods Empire.

The Big Break = Tiger and GM get divorced

         

Many economists have recently classified the current state of our economy as a recession. Many believe that for the auto industry, the recession started more than a year ago. U.S. automaker General Motors has been rumored for several weeks to be dropping their current Tiger Woods endorsement. Today, truth has became reality as GM pulled the plug on the endorsement with 2009 still remaining on the contract. The deal is said to have ended in mutual consent. On the side of Tiger, he has been quoted as wanting more time for himself, his wife and young daughter.

Just days after GM announced the release of Tiger Woods, Fred Couples appears to be the next big name on the chopping block. Couples has been with Cadillac for 16 years. Cadillac a division of GM is currently evaluating the endorsement deal. Although the couples deal is said to be worth less than half the Woods deal, it’s hard to imagine Couples, 49 years of age has more immunity than woods. Even though his best playing days are behind him, his charismatic swagger and silky smooth swing continues to attract galleries.

Most of this should come as no surprise as General Motors is currently facing bankruptcy and lobbying the government for a $25 billion buyout to save the company and jobs of thousands of hardworking Americans. The endorsements of Woods and Couples eclipse only $10 million and although the elimination of both may not be enough to save the company, it is certainly a step in the right direction.

The staff bag of Tiger Woods

THE AGE OF DRUG TESTING IN PROFESSIONAL GOLF -

THE AGE OF DRUG TESTING IN PROFESSIONAL GOLF -

Some tour players were: upset, nervous, and maybe a bit scared. Either way, many of them were deeply concerned about the drug testing and the future of golf. Is it possible that performance enhancing drugs could change the face of the golf the way it has with Major League Baseball. The LPGA tour testing Annika Sorenstam twice this this season upon her final her final tournament before retirement. Can we trust the players of this honorable game.  Or is this the magnitude of what lies ahead.  

We want to know your opinion and thougts on this issue.  Please take a moment and voice your opinion.

In the Hayes of Q-School

JP HAYES

PGA TOUR NEWS – J.P. Hayes: Self disqualification from Q-school

20 Plus Year PGA Tour veteran, J.P. Hayes may have gave himself more 2009 exemptions by his recent voluntary disqualification. Hayes, the Wisconsin native has struggled the last several years on tour. In fact, Hayes hasn’t won a tour event in six years. In 2008 he finished 176Th on the PGA Tour money list. His luck is most recently portrayed while playing in the second stage of Q-school. Here, he found himself playing a USGA non-conforming, prototype ball made by Titleist.

After completing the 12th hold at Deer Wood Country Club, Hayes dedcided to replace his ball. At which point, his caddie tossed him a replacment. When Hayes went to mark the ball on the green, he acknowledged it was not the same model which he started the round with. Immediately, he know this was a violation of the one-ball rule. Hayes called over the rules official who then assessed him a two-stroke penalty. With the penalty, Hayes shot a modest 71 in the second round. Overall, Hayes was T-44 at 1-over 145. The top 20 and ties after 72 holes (4 under or better) all advanced to the final stage of Q-school. If only a penalty, Hayes still had a legitimate chance to advance to the final round.

Hayes may not be the prototypical role model. However, his act was an example for golfers around the world, more importantly young golfers. His words say it best. Hayes was quoted as saying “I hesitate to say it was a good thing” he went on to say “It was either cheat or don’t cheat and I don’t cheat.” His honesty and his quotes made himself tremendous publicity and his actions remind us at to why we call this a gentleman’s game.

Hayes made a mistake, as did his caddie by keeping the ball in the bag and in play. However, on the side of Hayes and his caddie, the mistake was easy. Many might find it hard to believe. However, tour professionals are constantly testing products provided to them by manufactures. Balls, shafts, grips, tees, shoes, clothing and other accessories are items that are provided to these players for free. Endorsements or not, manufacturers want credible players to use their products which also provide valuable feedback. They have an abundence of products and equipment options available at their disposal. Although it may be rare, these mistakes can happen. It makes you wonder how frequently these blunders occur. In the case of J.P. Hayes, his selfless act of self-disqualification, easily sacrificed his 2009 season thousands if not millions of dollars. A true example of what makes golf a terrific and honorable game.

CHRIS BURNS

JP HAYES - Self Disqualification

Get A Grip – PART 2

MYTHS – Smaller Grips Will Prevent Slicing & Larger Grips will promote a fade

 

Question: Will a smaller grip enable me to hook or draw the ball.

Answer: For many, this is incorrect. Although, a small percentage of golfers with appropriate hand size and grip pressure may find this to work. Let’s talk more about why and how.

 

For whatever reason, many golfers have been told that by switching to a small grip, they will reduce their slicing. The opposite has been said about a large grip promoting a fade. Almost always, these myths or fallacies are a last resort for someone seeking a cure for their golfing ailments. Fact is, the size of the grips on a golfer’s clubs should be determined by the size and type of a golfer’s hands. Grip-pressure can also be related to grip-size; and 9 times out of 10, a player who exerts excessive grip-pressure is one whose grip is incorrectly sized in addition to improper hand placement.

 

Fact is, a grip that is too small will make it exceedingly difficult for any golfer to hold a club properly.  With such a grip, a player is likely to manipulate the clubface, which may also cause the clubface to be closed at the top of the swing. The trajectory may also be low, and will tend to go most anywhere but toward the target.

 

Even a seasoned player and or a good ball-striker who uses a grip that is too small (for his or her palms or fingers), will find herself or himself creating excessive grip pressure. Excessive grip-pressure locks up the limbs from the fingertips up through the biceps and throughout the rest of the body. Excessive grip-pressure leads to TENSION, and tension is bad for any golf shot. Even with steady grip-pressure at address and at takeaway, a player may easily re-grip at the top of the backswing, thus engaging the small muscles (hands) creating tension in the downswing. This can lead to a multitude of problems including: an outside-in swing path, casting, slice, inconsistent divot pattern and other problems. If you’re like most that fall into this category, you’ll likely wear a hole in the left-thumb and heel-pad of your golf-glove.  

 

As mentioned, such wear in the glove comes from losing the club at the top of the backswing. At this point, the club separates from the glove-hand heel-pad, at which point the player re-grips to start the forward swing; and the friction of re-gripping gradually wears a hole in both the thumb and heel-pad of the glove.

 

If you feel as though the grips on your clubs may be improperly fitted, or that the positioning of your hands needs some improvement, don’t feel embarrassed. You and well over half the golfing population have the same problems. In fact, tour players are constantly working on their grip. Simply contact you local PGA golf professional for more details, or feel free to drop me a line.  

 

CHRIS BURNS

 

Grip pressure should stay constant

Get A Grip – PART 1

Does the Size or Thickness of a Grip Really Matter ?

Yes, the size or thickness of the grip on your clubs really matters. It can be difficult or nearly impossible to hit decent shots if the grips on your clubs are too large or small for your hands. In this series, we are going to cover almost everything related to the grip-handle on your clubs—from size, to size related to ball-flight-pattern, to type of grip—from grip pressure to hand-types, physical disabilities, and hand-placement—and more.

 

One of the most overlooked aspects of a golfer’s equipment is the grip. Most players are unaware of the various grip sizes available today—from undersized to standard, to midsize, to jumbo—and just about everything in between. The in-between could be that a standard size may vary from company to company.  Over the last 30 plus years we at the Bob Burns Golf Center have fit well over 100,000 golfers. Our statistics show that only 50% of the golfing population is fit for a standard-size grip.

The remaining 50% are, you might say, “abnormal.” Their palms are wider or thinner, or shorter or longer, than “normal.” Their fingers are longer or shorter than normal and even those with physical disabilities.

 

Other things being equal, golfers with short fingers will benefit from an undersized grip, or possibly a Men’s standard grip (one that has taper in the right hand area of the grip); but even a small grip may feel (and be) to large if the type of shaft on the club doesn’t match—no matter your choice of  grips.  Conversely (and again, other things being equal, which they often aren’t), golfers with long fingers will benefit from oversized grips.

 

various grip sizesholding a golf club

Getting fit for a grip -

A large majority of our customers are tradesmen—carpenters, construction workers, mill workers, painters, electricians, etc. After years of fitting clubs and grips, we have found that these golfers, even with standard size paws have a tendency to hold the club with a death grip. Because they work with their hands all day, their hands and forearms are much stronger than the average Joe’s. We know that even with lessons from Butch Harmon or David Leadbetter, they’ll still find themselves giving the golf club the choke hold. The best way to combat excessive grip-pressure is to use a grip one size larger than standard, or even a jumbo grip.  Larger grips tend to reduce grip-pressure, which is the key to a good golf swing in many ways. Lighter grip-pressure encourages more wrist-hinge, which creates a stronger release and increased swing- speed during the downswing.

 

Our philosophy is all about fitting golfers properly and individually, and taking into consideration all the variables. This may also mean making exceptions.  So when you are selecting a new set of grips or clubs, or even a particular club, see a golf professional, and tell him or her all about your game—including your sense of the pressure you apply to your grip, skin type (dry or sensitive), your physical limitations, and generally what your looking for.