Which way is due West?

photo credit: Sandy Austin   During a charity match in Austin, Texas, Ben Hogan was heard asking his caddie, “which way is due west?”  Hogan believed he knew his own abilities better than any caddie since he always pulled his own clubs and judged his own distance.  He rarely asked his caddies any questions during play. 

After the round someone who overheard the question asked him about it, he said “All other things being equal, greens always break to the west.”

The next time you are in doubt about which way your putt will break, think of Ben Hogan’s question to his caddie and remember that all greens break to the west.  This obviously holds true except for sloping putts, which are going to break regardless of the direction of the grain.

Thunder Bolt

photo credit: ab9kt   Tommy Bolt was known for his fierce, quick temper.  During the 1959 Memphis Open, Bolt was standing on the side of a green while his opponent was putting.  The gallery fell silent because of a loud sound of rolling thunder, the spectators began to laugh loudly.  They realized the “explosion” came from the pocket area of Bolt’s pants.

Bob Rossburg, players Committee Chairman tells it this way:  “As judge and jury of player behavior, I was obliged to defend the game’s honor.”  “Tom, you and I are good friends,” he said, “but we’ve had this report that you farted on the green.”  “Oh yeah,” Bolt said, “I just had to do it.”  “Tom, you can’t do that, not while a man is putting, you’re going to be fined.”  “Damn it!” Bolt said.  “You guys are trying to take all the color out of the game.”

President Kennedy

photo credit: cliff1066™From the pages of GOLF DIGEST:  President Kennedy invited Abraham Ribicoff to play 9 holes while his Cabinet was being picked for his first term in office as President.  The press asked Ribicoff what he shot, “Forty-three, and Mr. Kennedy beat me by one stroke.”  he said.  Ribicoff actually had shot 38 to Kennedy’s 42.  JFK had a wire sent to him quickly:  “President deeply disturbed at newspaper report of your golf score, insists that anyone connected with his (Kennedy’s) administration be as clean as a hounds tooth.  Please wire me if you get work.” 

Kennedy eventually appointed him Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.  President John F. Kennedy was typically a very accomplished golfer.  Some say, if not for his war injury he could have been a “scratch” player.

The Stimpmeter

photo credit: rioncm   The Stimpmeter is a device used to measure the speed of greens.  Edward Stimpson, a Massachusetts golfer and winner of the state’s amateur championship in 1935, became interested in the subject of green speeds after the 1935 U.S. Open at Oakmont C.C., notorious for it’s lightning fast greens.

Stimpson invented a device using a simple wooden shaft, along which a ball would roll after the shaft was raised at a certain angle.  With the shaft’s open end placed on the green; the distance it traveled over the grass would reflect the green’s speed. 

It was not until the 1970s that Frank Thomas, a USGA technical director, modified the design to ensure consistent operation of the device.  With Stimpson’s permission, it was christened the Stimpmeter.  This useful tool is used prior to every major golf event.

Famous Golf Foods

photo credit: vm2827   Pimento Cheese Sandwiches:  A staple at the Masters from it’s beginning.  Snapper Soup:  Served at Pine Valley CC. (GOLF DIGEST’S No. 1 in their top 100 courses) since 1936.  Olympic’s Hamburgers:   Served on a hot-dog bun and available at the stand behind the sixth green of the Lake Course at the Olympic course in San Fransisco.  Ginger Snaps:  Served at the Seminole Golf Club, Juno Beach, Florida.  Pretzels:  Baked after your round at Whisper Rock in Scottsdale, Arizona; sliders are also offered.  Peanut Butter Sandwich:  a staple with nearly all PGA Pros.  Arnold Palmer:  Developed by Arnold Palmer, who gave the drink it’s name – half iced tea, half lemonade.  Champagne:  Tony Lema provided free champagne to news reporters after every win.

A Golfer’s Vocabulary

photo credit: Dan Harrelson   In golf there are more descriptive words used than in any other sport.  Here are some examples:  Banana Ball – Blade – Block – Blue Darter – Chunk-Chili-Dip – Cold-Top – Dub – Duck Hook – Duff – Fat – Flub – Fluff – Hack – Heel-Job – Lateral – Quacker – Scuff – Shank – Skank – Skull – Sky – Smother – Snap-Hook – Socket – Thin – Top – Whiff – Yip.

There are other phrases that golfers use which include:  Sit-Sit – Get Down – Hit a House – Go Ball – Stop Ball – Run-Run – On the Beach – Sands of Iwo Jima – Bite-Bite – In The Drink – In-The-Hole and many more.

If you can think of phrases or words not listed here please let us know?

World’s Worst Golf Shots

photo credit: nsaplayer   During the 1954 Masters, Jack Nicklaus hit a shank which flew directly over the heads of Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, who were watching Nicklaus.  Embarrassed,  Nicklaus finished the hole with a par.  

Another bad shot occurred at Kingsmill G.C., when Kenny Perry, with his ball resting in the rough next to the green, cold shanked a chip shot which hit someone in the gallery standing to his right.  “You don’t ever imagine doing that,” Perry said afterwards.

In his first World Series of Golf appearance, Jeff Sluman topped his opening tee shot.  “There was a fly on the ball and I stayed too long over it, I don’t know how I even made contact.”  The ball rolled only forty yards.  “I hit the next one on the run, I was so embarrassed.

Golfer/Caddie Exchanges

photo credit: nsaplayer   Golfer:  “I think I’m going to throw myself in the lake.” > Caddie:  “Do you think you can keep your head down that long?”  Golfer:  ”Do you think my game is improving?”> Caddie:  ”Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now.”  Golfer:  ”Do you think I can get there with a five-iron?”> Caddie:  “Eventually!”  Golfer:  “Please stop checking your watch all the time, it’s too much of a distraction.” > Caddie:  “It’s not a watch, it’s a compass.”  Golfer:  “How do you like my game?” > Caddie:  “Very good sir, but personally I prefer golf.”  Golfer:  “Do you think it’s a sin to play on Sunday?” >  Caddie:   ”The way you play sir, it’s a sin on any day.”

Willie’s Rules

photo credit: ..:::KB:::..   Every course has local rules.  At Pedernales Cut-N-Putt in Spicewood, Texas – better known as Willie Nelson’s course, the rules are somewhat unusual:  Rule No. 1)  When another is shooting, no player should talk, whistle, hum, or pass gas.  No.2)  Replace divots, smooth footprints in bunkers, brush backtrail with branches, park car under brush and have the office tell your spouse you’re in conference.  No. 3)  No more than 12 in your foursome.  No. 4)  No bikinis, miniskirts, or skimpy see-through attire.  Except on women.  No. 5)  Excessive displays of affection are discouraged.  Violators must replace divots and will be penalized five strokes.  No. 6)  “Freebies” are not recommended for players with short putts.  No. 7)  Please leave the course in the condition you’d like to be found.

Famous Shots ~ by Club Part IV

photo credit: danperry.com   Nine-Iron, 1972 PGA , Oakland Hills – Gary Player – After wildly slicing his shot on the 16th hole, Player had to stand on a chair to see the flagstick.  He hit his nine-iron over trees and a pond to four feet and won with a birdie putt.  Pitching Wedge, 1995 Ryder Cup, Oak Hill CC., Nick Faldo – hit his 90 yard wedge shot to three feet to win the hole and the match for Europe.  Sand Wedge, 1982 US. Open, Pebble Beach, Tom Watson – in a tie with Nicklaus, Watson, off the green and in deep rough, knocked his shot in the cup from 18 ft. for a birdie and a win.  Putter, 1991 Ryder Cup, Kiawah, Bernhard Langer -  Missed a 6 foot putt on the final hole to lose the match for Europe.

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