“Under God” Left out of Pledge of Allegiance

photo credit: Edgar Zuniga Jr.   NBC issued a public apology during the 2011 US Open broadcast.  They did not give their reason for the apology although everyone knew why it was given.  It was given because during the opening of the broadcast the Pledge of Allegiance was given and the words “under God” were purposely left out.  NBC received so many emails and text messages of complaint that they were forced to apologize.

Everyone should keep in mind that the USGA should also take blame for what happened.  It should be presumed that the USGA and NBC are under contract together.   After all, there are plenty of networks that would just love to carry the US OPEN Championship but the USGA chose NBC didn’t they.

By not recognizing that the United States of America was founded under the guidance of Christianity, NBC showed that it does not believe in supporting those very principles.  It would also be safe to include the USGA because it can be presumed to have some control over the tournament broadcast content.

What can the average American do to show their distaste?  Stop watching NBC programming and/or cancel your membership with the USGA.  This kind of thing may have happened in the old Soviet Union but we cannot tolerate it in America and it’s time to let them (NBC/USGA) know that we will not tolerate this kind of purposeful nonsense!  America is not about to allow a news organization or golf association to re-write our founding principles or our history.

Competition

photo credit: Jorge Franganillo   Playing golf alone is like fishing alone.  If you hit a good shot there are no witnesses.  Do you play golf alone?  Most players find it very boring.

On the other hand, when practicing,  it’s best to play alone.  The practice range will only take you so far but the “proof of the pudding,” lies on the golf course.  A practice round is void of competition because of the need to experiment with different shots, lies and situations you might expect during a typical round of golf.  This “on the job training” so to speak is invaluable in developing the confidence required to be a good golfer.

There is nothing like playing the game to win.  The thrill of golf comes from making good shots, making bets and winning.  You can’t win when playing alone, you can’t have much fun either!

Thanksgiving Gratitude

photo credit: slgckgc   It’s time to give thanks.  I am thankful for each and every one of you that have made this one of the most successful golf web-sites on the world-wide web.  I am grateful to you  for helping make this site (and our sister-site www.golfinstructionblog.com) as popular as it is.  I am grateful to be able to help you enjoy and play the game of golf.  I am grateful to the wonderful folks that have given me the opportunity to do this – with no constraints - they have been just fantastic to work with.  I am thankful for the freedom to express myself to the world with no fear of reprisal.  I am thankful for my family and friends and to live in a wonderful country called The United States of America.  I am grateful to God for my health and the ability to convey my knowledge to others.  To everyone reading this - My Sincere thanks.

Transportation Safety Administration (TSA)

photo credit: wseltzer   As you know, our website is devoted exclusively to everything golf.  We don’t get political but in light of the newest so called “security measure” issued by the TSA it’s time to speak up.

Last summer, when returning home from a golf vacation in Ohio,  my golf bag had been opened and searched by the TSA.  I had no objections, even if I had to buy a new lock.  Flying safe  is my primary concern but it’s gone too far.

Going on a golf vacation?   You will be subjected to unnecessary radiation and/or a groping by the TSA.  It matters not that hundreds of thousands of people die on our highways each year, that thousands of people are murdered and our youth are sacrificing their lives in needless wars;  we are being abused because of a few terrorists.  We have allowed the “boogie-man” to hold us hostage in our own country.  It’s time to wake up and stop the destruction of our most precious document, the U.S. Constitution.

The State of the Game

photo credit: familymwr   For most, the 2010 season was a real disappointment.  With Tiger Woods’ career in shambles, the 2010 season was a big let-down.  Phil Mickelson, in spite of his Masters victory, failed to be the front-man on tour and carry the “kings torch.”  I think fans now realize that Mickelson is just too erratic to get into the league of Palmer, Nicklaus or Watson.

Looking back, there just weren’t any players that gave us much reason to be thrilled.  The four majors were unexciting and essentially a huge let-down, no matter how the press or commentators tried to “puff” them.

Like him or not, perhaps Tiger had more of an impact on the game than any of us realized.  Will he make a comeback and turn the enthusiasm for the sport around in 2011?  We’ll have to wait and see.

Should Prices be Reduced?

photo credit: danperry.com   For the life of me, in this kind of economic climate, I cannot understand why courses have not substantially lowered their greens fees.  It seems that course managers seems to feel that lowering their prices will somehow demean their course in the eyes of the public.  They could not be more mistaken.

With players cutting back on their recreational time, courses find themselves struggling to make ends meet.  The only real way to generate more play is to lower the fees they charge for playing.  Charging $7.00 for a hot dog is also way over the top.

Just like every other business, courses have to lower their prices in order to generate more business.  Wouldn’t it be better to lower prices than to close the doors?  It’s time for course management to wake up before it’s too late.

Golf – For Men Only

photo credit: Mikael Miettinen   It’s uncanny how golf is portrayed as a man’s sport.  If that isn’t bad enough, at one time, women were also not allowed to cast their vote in this country.

One good way to popularize women’s golf is to televise more LPGA events.  How could it be that here was never a big deal made out of the likes of Annika Sorenstam or Lorena Ochoa, two of the greatest LPGA players ever?  Compared to the Tiger Woods media frenzy,  why did the news-media all but ignore Sorenstam and Ochoa? 

It’s a mind-set that the LPGA just “isnt’ interesting enough.”  I happen to think that the LPGA is very interesting.  More media coverage would be good for the LPGA and good for the sport in general!

Is Tiger Woods Finished?

photo credit: Stefano A   Compared to previous years, 2010 has been a disaster for Tiger Woods, not only personaly but also on the PGA Tour.  As everyone knows, his personal troubles began in November 2009 and ended with his wife filing for a 650 million dollar divorce settlement.

I  believe that the career of Tiger Woods has gone down in flames.  Before the sex scandal broke, Woods was squeaky clean, he played with a defiant demeanor, he intimidated his opponents.  After the scandal, Woods is a broken man.  Everyone knows now that it was all just an act.  Tiger Woods will no longer be able to live up to the set of standards, that he himself created.  I believe,  he will shock the world of sports and quit the game for good.

Control Freak

photo credit: nsaplayer   Tiger Woods is at it again.  He’s doing something he has done throughout his entire career, he’s manipulating his fans, his fellow players and the media.  He is the consummate control freak. 

He’s hired Pres. Clinton’s white house communications director to oversee his re-entry into the real world.  The events he has chosen for his so called “comeback,” are relatively closed to the media.  His real target is the Masters where eternal reverence for the game is present.  In other words, there won’t be any whistling or “cat calls” from golf fans.  Now we wouldn’t want to irritate Tiger now would we?

Woods is a man-child who has the press and his fans still ”eating out of his hands.”   He’s  proven he hasn’t learned a thing. . . his wife certainly has. . .

Golf Doldrums

photo credit: eric.acevedo   Since the “Tiger’s” exit stage left, the golf industry has suffered measurably.  The deflation of fan interest and support is a testimony to how building an image, entirely on one person, can be devastating. 

The media deserves exactly what it’s getting, from the Golf Channel to every monthly publication.  To base  your coverage solely on one person (Woods), precisely what they have done, is foolhardy at best.  Can’t blame them, they were just doing what every good capitalist should do. . . following the cash flow !  Well, now what? 

Facing a collapsing economy, deteriorating fan participation and their missing “hero,” where do they go from here?  They are hoping for Woods’ early return to regenerate the game, but guess what?  I don’t think he will, he’s now damaged goods !

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