– 44 Degrees Celcius

A bit cold here in Calgary today.

The good news is that it means golf season isn’t quite around the corner yet. Why is this good news? Well, I’ve now made it through my second formal lesson and I am definitely going to need some time to right the ship before I actually try and play this game again.

Let’s just say there have been a few necessary adjustments that I am currently working on. Nothing major. Just my grip, posture, and follow through. Well that’s actually just the start, we haven’t gotten to my back swing, transition, or move through the ball yet.

Recent video analysis has revealed me to be the Hunch Back of Calgary a veritable ‘Quasimodo’ of the golf world. How I ‘ever’ managed to hit a golf ball with that posture is beyond me. Add in my faulty grip and poor release and I am apparently in need of a drastic and complete overhaul.

The video analysis has also revealed massive swing faults in my take away (waaaaaay inside) and a 18 inch plus loop on my way back to the ball. It was difficult to watch…I cried a little. My instructor, god bless him, did not cry. I could tell he wanted to. A consummate professional to the end. I salute you Paul.

That said…I am now convinced that I must have incredible hand eye coordination combined with amazing strength and pure athleticism to have overcome such poor fundamentals and actually hit the ball solidly from time to time. I know, what ever gets me through the day.

At some point I may (and I repeat MAY) put a ‘before & after’ video sequence on this web site to show where I started from. At this point it is just too painful for me to share and quite frankly the video would have to be rated ADULT as it truly is obscene.

The weather has driven me to get a minor golf ‘fix’ by playing Tiger Woods PGA 2008 by EA Sports on my Mac. I started as a bogey golfer and within a month I have improved to the point of generally shooting five or six under par. I have shot two rounds in the fifties (58 & 59) and I am now on the verge of moving to the PGA tour where I will chase the big money.

If only ‘real’ life could be so kind.

Happy New Year!

The first day of the year. A time for refection and review. A time for looking forward, dreaming and planning.

My dream as those who follow this blog know is to build my life around the game of golf. To write about the game, travel and play the game, develop business interests within the game, and perhaps even play the game professionally.

I have made some modest steps in this direction in 2007 and look forward to 2008, a year in which I will pursue my dream in earnest.

My first serious step toward game improvement will be top level instruction (see previous post for details) and following that a practice and fitness regimen that will allow me to be the best that I can be.

On the business side…

I will be pursuing sponsorship to help with the financial requirements in terms of the continued cost of instruction, equipment and travel.

I will also be developing a web site that will include this blog and move beyond it in terms of providing and categorizing information focused primarily on instruction and equipment in the form of reports and reviews. I will provide sound bites on other issues such as golf news and travel.

The site will be designed specifically for golfers who are serious about improving their game. The site will be informative, no nonsense, easy to navigate, and fun! All information will be based on my own ‘Golf Experiment’ to go from a double digit handicapper to the Champions Tour over a seven year time frame.

My intention is to build a network of family, friends, business associates and sponsors that will support me in achieving my goals. I learned a long time ago that it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to pursue and realize our dreams on our own.

Here’s to the pursuit!

Have a great 2008 my friends.

All I Want for Christmas

Is a new golf swing.

Well more than just a ‘new’ golf swing I want a ‘great’ golf swing. Unfortunately I don’t think this is achievable over the next six days!

However, I do begin working on achieving the interim goal of a ‘good’ golf swing in mid January of the New Year.

January, 16th 2008 marks the date of my first formal golf lesson (a watershed event no doubt!).

I have secured eight one hour sessons with a very experienced and well respected Canadian PGA Professional.

Obviously further instruction and coaching will be required beyond this but it will serve the purpose of defining a baseline (starting point), setting realistic interim goals, measuring progress (benchmarking), and setting long-term stretch goals based on my ongoing results and improvement curve.

My instructor has the following credits to his name:

2003 Alberta PGA Teacher of the Year
2004 Nominated Top 100 Teacher in America – Golf Magazine
2005 Top 50 Teachers in Canada – National Post

On my side of the equation I feel I am in extremely well qualified hands.

On my instructor’s side of the equation he has no idea what he is getting into.

Let the experiment begin!

The Sand is not The Jungle

Well let’s just say Mexico was fantastic…the golf was not.

Fabulous courses, wonderful people, a great travelling and golfing companion were definitely enough to offset the terrible golf.

I will spare you the gory details of my game but my handicap remains at 11 for the close of the season without a single round in Mexico coming in even remotely close to that.

Now the positives.

The Jack Nicklaus designed course at Moon Palace was beautiful. A challenging but fair layout that I found played very long due to the humidity. In five rounds of golf I don’t think I hit a single drive over 300 yards. According to our cart’s GPS I maxed out around 295.

If you hit a ball wide of the fairway…reload…the jungle takes no prisoners.

On one particular hole on the back nine (after significant losses in terms of golf balls and pride) I managed to hit a solid drive up the left side of the fairway that just caught the last few feet of a fairway bunker about 280 out. My comment? “The sand is not the jungle” I’m not sure why but my playing partner and I found this comment humorous, relevant, appropriate, even somewhat profound. Why? Perhaps it was the state of our game, the heat and possibly the margaritas. It was probably all three.

More positives include the great people we met, the relaxed atmosphere, the pools, the beach, the drinks and the food. All in all a great way to bring the summer to a close.

Next up will be the development of my winter instructional program, new golf equipment and my quest for corporate sponsorship.

Stay tuned.

Is Summer Really Over?!

I suppose it is… a great one at that.

Well I have pretty much gone ‘blogless‘ all summer long so I thought it was time to catch up. I know my blog audience of three or four has been extremely disappointed!

It was an amazing summer on many fronts. My professional and personal life are going great and are at a place I didn’t think was possible a little over a year ago. I am extremely excited about the future.

Now…how about my golf life?

Starting out the year as a 25+ handicap and dropping down to as low as 10 before finishing at 11 makes this season reasonably successful in my eyes. I managed this level of improvement by playing a little more than once a week on average (6 times a month or so) and hitting range balls about twice a week. My pre-season goal was single digits…close…but no cigar. All in all though I am reasonably happy with my results.

I learned to feel at home on the golf course again and my short game improved immensely (it was brutal at the start of the season). I have a long way to go but basically met my objective of reacquainting myself with the game and giving myself a reasonable starting point to make a serious push for improvement.

This push will come early in the new year when I start a customized winter golf improvement and golf fitness program. I have never taken formal lessons before and I am looking forward to working hard on the fundamentals of the game and learning how to ‘practice’. I will be engaging a top instructor and investing in new (properly fitted) golf equipment. I am not sure what to expect in terms of improvement but I am excited about the possibilities. The goal of my winter program will be to lower my handicap to 3 or less by the end of the 2008 golf season.

Is this a reasonable goal? I’m not sure…but who said I’m reasonable. I will be sharing my goals and expectations with my instructor over the next couple of months and will fill you in on what he believes is possible. There will no doubt be a lively debate.

To lessen the pain of withdrawal as the season ends here in Calgary I will be embarking on a trip to Mexico for seven days that will include six rounds of golf at a beautiful Jack Nicklaus designed course. Perhaps the handicap will drop to single digits before I hang them up for good this season after all. Or perhaps the sunshine and margaritas will push it the other way. It will be my pleasure to let you know!

Adiós!

I’m Going Backwards

I am actually managing to go backwards. I wasn’t sure that was possible after starting with a 96. It appears it is more than just a possibility it is now a reality.

At the beautiful Sirocco golf course (great greens) I walked off with a scintillating 97.

Front: 42

Wait for it…

Back: 55

The summary:

• Decent front 9 that included 6 pars, 1 birdie, and two ‘others’ for a reasonable 42
• Horrible back 9 that started poorly and got worse
• Multiple provisionals on multiple holes, I hit it all over the yard off the tee on the back side

Why the collapse on the back side? Could it have been that after shooting 42 on the front with a couple of ‘others’ and knowing full well I should have easily shot in the 30’s that I got a bit ahead of myself? Could it have been that I was banking on shooting at least a 42 on the back and recording an 84 that would better my last round by 12 shots? Could it have been that I was thinking that at this rate of improvement I would be shooting in the 70’s in no time? Would I actually get too good too fast and not have enough material for my book?

It’s okay, I’m laughing too. Apparently the explosive and linear trajectory to the world of professional golf that I momentarily envisioned may play out just a little differently. Surprised?

The best:

A cart path assisted 370 yard drive that left me 160 yards in to a difficult (#1 handicapped) par five that is guarded by water. I carved a hard seven iron out of the first cut of rough and floated it into about 18 feet for eagle. I hit a great eagle putt that burned the edge of the high side before finishing inches behind the hole. Tap in two putt birdie. Sweet.

The worst:

So difficult to come up with just one here! Probably the par 5 13th. In my frustration and effort to turn my fortunes around after a very slow start to the back nine I lashed wildly at the ball on the 13th tee with the intention of trying to get it home in two. Actually, I lashed at it 3 times going five off the tee and ultimately recording…again…wait for it…a ten (10). Yes indeed, the ‘Angry Moose’. I can say no more.

Most poignant moment:

This one is difficult as I was highly engaged with my own inner turmoil as my world collapsed around me and I felt like a black star imploding in on myself. If I dig deep though this moment was once again provided by my wonderful playing partner Marni. After nearly quitting on the front nine she brought the learning’s of the book she is currently reading ‘The Peaceful Warrior’ to the golf course. With her new positive attitude she was actually drinking Coors light on the back nine and laughing as she shanked one hard right into the cabbage. I love her.

This made me contemplate changing the name of this blog to ‘Golf Warrior’ as this round was definitely a battle. There will be countless more to come.

Charge!

Why I Have a Chance

Some of you may be wondering why I think I have any chance in hell of playing professional golf considering my current situation, age and ability.

This is a very good question! I will get to this after a brief explanation of why I am doing this in the first place.

I was looking for a ‘stretch’ goal that I was extremely passionate about. A goal that would be extremely difficult (perhaps impossible) to achieve. A goal that would entirely change my life, in many ways, if it was successfully accomplished.

I am pursuing this goal for three reasons:

1. To re-define for myself what is possible in life
2. To challenge myself to follow my dreams and do what I love
3. To contribute to the success of others by providing an example of what is possible

Now…why do I have any chance at all?

I have always been and believe I still am (even at 43) a talented athlete. Although I have never even sniffed a career as a professional athlete I have played several sports at a high level and received awards such a ‘Top Senior Athlete’ during my amateur sports career. One drawback here is that golf was not one of my sports, although I did pick it up to a degree later in life, I am starting from scratch here. That’s probably not the right terminology given my current 25 handicap but you know what I mean.

I am in very good physical condition and expect to be in as good or better shape at the age of 50. My body type (6’1″, 180lbs) and strength is well suited to golf and I can leverage my ability to play a power game (300+ driving distance). Obviously, control, and my ability to put a great short game together will be fundamental to my success.

I have an enormous capacity for learning and hard work. These elements more than any others will ultimately decide whether I succeed or not. This, and a deep belief in myself. Is the ability to learn, work hard, basic athletic talent and belief enough? I believe it gives me a chance, an outside chance, but a chance nonetheless.

What do you think dear readers?

See the Poll at the top of this blog to cast your vote.

As always, all comments (positive and negative) are welcome.

I’m off to listen to my audio book ‘Zen Golf’ I feel the need for…peace.

Peace Out.

Back on Track

After a brief hiatus to explore my inner game (a week well spent) and confirming that I do indeed want to pursue my goal of playing professional golf (and write about the journey). I am back on track in terms of practice at least.

I have hit over four hundred balls at the practice range in the last three days and hope to ratchet that up to my target of 1000 balls a week by the end of July.

My most recent practice session was fairly promising and I am looking forward to taking it to the course tomorrow. I will be looking to break 90 for the first time this year. This will be six shots lower than my last posted round.

I will be posting the details of this round by the end of the week.

I Have Good News & I Have Bad News

The good news, my inaugural round on my journey to the Champions tour came in under 100.

The bad news, I posted a 96.

Front: 55

Back: 41

The summary:

• Several fairways hit with drives ranging from 280-320 yards
• 23 putts on the front side
• Taking 5 strokes (or more) from within 100 yards several times

The best:

A hard cut off the tee on a longish par 4 (425yds) that swept around the corner of the dog-leg beautifully and left me sitting in the middle of the fairway with less than 100 yards in.

The worst:

Following this magnificent drive I took dead aim at a tucked pin. I waggled the club in a relaxed fashion as I focused on my target. With less than 100 yards in I loaded up my left side and prepared for an arms only shot that would stop quickly. The result? A twelve yard shot (if you can call it that) that plopped weakly ahead of me and slightly to the right. I produced a divot (in this case a toupee) that brought back memories of Bruce Willis in ‘Moonlighting’. I went on to tap in for double.

This shot barely beat out my four putt from 20 feet on the fourth but for some reason was slightly more frustrating (maybe because I like Bruce bald).

Non playing highlight:

Watching the ‘happy dance’ or our petite Asian playing partner as she came incredibly close to holing a 70ft. birdie putt. It was the most amazing dance of joy and excitement I have ever witnessed on a golf course (or perhaps anywhere). While this was very cute, I directed my girlfriend Marni to put me down if I ever did anything remotely similar on the golf course, or for that matter, anywhere else.

Most poignant moment:

As we were walking up the 9th fairway, just after Marni (a sensitive girl) had hit a poor shot, she looked at me and said “I feel like crying”. I could tell by the look on her face and the tone in her voice she was serious. I just looked at her and said “I know hon”. Now be honest, don’t we all?

This feels a bit strange, until someone else posts, is this the literary equivalent of talking to myself? Oh well.

As mentioned yesterday I will tell you a bit more about myself in the near future. For now, I am off to do some work on my ‘inner’ game.

Fore!

Here’s the Deal…Here’s the Rub

Okay…here’s the deal.

As part of a recent ‘Life Review’ and goal setting exercise I have decided I would like to play golf on the Champions Tour.

I know, stand in line with every other pot-bellied (or not) , cigar smoking (or not), single digit handicap (or not), turf bandit that has every played the game!

More specifically, the goal is to embark on a journey, a quest for my Champions Tour Card that culminates with my qualifying for the tour within one year of turning 50. This would fall some where within the calendar year of 2014 (I turn 50 on Dec. 28, 2013). Actually, as you may have noticed, this gives me 3 days grace (sounds like a good name for a book). I may need it, along with other divine interventions along the way.

This is not necessarily a unique or novel goal as many of us have either heard this goal stated, or stated it ourselves, in a half-kidding sort of way. We would all like to ‘Live the Dream’.

The difference is I am serious. Stop laughing. I’m serious.

Why am I different from others that have taken a serious run at the tour? Credentials…I have none.

Here’s the rub,

I am currently 43 years old and have recently had trouble breaking 100 in the few rounds I have played this year.

I have not played golf much at all in the last decade and have never been better than an inconsistent single digit handicapper and that was approximately 15 years ago.

Aside from the fact that I have some obvious ‘skill’ issues and perhaps more importantly underlying ‘talent’ issues I have several other obstacles to overcome.

In the last year I was layed-off from a great job, I underwent orthopedic surgery for a serious leg fracture (steel plate, half a dozen screws, etc.), and I filed for personal bankrupcy due to a failed entrepreneurial venture and will not be free of the last circumstance until August of this year (2007).

In other words I am ‘broke & broken’.

So does this qualify as a ‘stretch’ goal. Ummm…yeah.

I am not some Fat Cat, scratch golfing, globe trotting, not a care in the world millionaire (although I wish I was) that is embarking on some lark. I am starting life over. To quote Tim Ferriss authour of the 4 Hour Work Week, this is my opportunity to ‘unplug and reset’ and I intend to do it on my terms this time.

My goal setting exercise came after much research and study into what the Hell I wanted to do with my life.

One of the questions I asked myself was what would I do if I had $1 million in the bank? This question led me to some relevant conclusions and was somewhat helpful but didn’t provide the clarity I was looking for.

Then I asked myself a similiar but ultimately very different question that did provide the clarity I was looking for. I asked myself what would I do if I had $100 million in the bank? Asking the question this way lead to a radically different and much simpler answer than if I posed the question in a more financially limiting way.

If I had $100 million in the bank, what would I do? What core elements would make up my life? What would make me happy?

The answer:

1. Golf
2. Travel
3. Automobiles
4. Entrepreneurship

These thoughts came to me quickly, easily and in that order. I have great passion for all four and I have decided to pursue all of them in some form or another and build my new life around them.

Important segue:

I must say I am extremely grateful to be in a position to pursue these passions due to some underlying fundamentals that are already in place in my life. I have a wonderful relationship with a wonderful woman. I have an incredible family and support network of friends. I have my health.

As much as I am eager to pursue my passions I will not compromise my relationships or my health to pursue them, everything else is fair game.

To Marni, my immediate family (Fay, Julie, Mark, and of course Tom), my children (Christy, Carter & Thomas), my extended family (1001 cousins or so…yes Andrew you are the 1001st) and my friends “Without you the future is bleak and somewhat daunting…with you everything and anything is possible”.

Life is a short par 5, let’s make eagle. I love you all.

The road back:

A strong underlying theme to these three passions is my desire to write, so I will be writing about my experiences and learning’s along the way.

This blog will deal almost exclusively with the quest, starting today, for my Champions Tour card. Although I may give you the occasional update on my life in general. I promise not to bore you.

My back-up goal if the primary one proves to be somewhat elusive (imagine that) is to at least play in a Champions Tour event, however that might be possible (sponsors exemption, regional qualifying, etc.).

I am playing 18 holes this evening and will be formally recording my score as a starting point.

I will post that score tomorrow and tell you a bit more about myself. I’ll tell you why I think I might have a shot at actually accomplishing this goal or more accurately (you be the judge) why I have completely lost my mind and sense of reality. Either way, delusion is fun!

I welcome your feedback on my chances. I will setup a formal voting process at some point where folks can weigh in on the subject.

I also invite you all to help me devise my strategy. Where should I start, how should I train, who are the best teachers, recommended practice routines, etc., any and all advice is welcome and encouraged. I would love to hear from you.

I am serious and intend to work hard at this, as hard as required to make this a reality or hold my head high in my effort.

I intend to thoroughly chronicle my journey for better or worse, I hope you come back to share the experience with me.

To paraphrase Thoreau (substitute golf for life),

I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion.

Will golf prove to be mean or sublime?