Thursday, March 21, 2019
Monday, March 18, 2019
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Incredible Monday for "The Coach"
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Coach on Monday.
Four incredible birdies—and a score threatening the century mark. You had to be there … It was simply bizarre, but damn fun to watch!
Saturday, March 2, 2019
A Politician’s Disclaimer?
I have decided, before I am exposed for actions I’ve forgotten, been forgiven for, been excused for, and those no one will ever know, I want to apologize for all the shit I’ve ever done that might be offensive today that was clearly unknown to be then.
But I want to go all the way back to when I was ten—no, no, five! I should have played Tonto occasionally instead of always wanting to be the Lone Ranger. And I want to admit now that my hands wandered to places they shouldn’t have while at the drive-in with Kimberly Love, who never actually said “no” until I went for the buttons. I realize I was dumber than a sack of sand, and should have known better when Butch announced that from now on he was “the nigger,” I was the “the wop,” and Eddie Guadalupe was “the speck”—yeah, the speck. We realized later that the word was really “spic,” but we had used “speck” too long to change it—it was the Bronx in the ‘50s, and that’s not an excuse, it’s an explanation. You won’t get it, but I’m not going to spend my life trying to define it for you.
I’m going to run for office and try to drive the car without always looking in the rear-view mirror to see what might catch up to me. You see, it slows the vehicle and delays getting where I would like to go: understanding what’s ahead and listening to those who know about destinations.
So I’m going back to age five, calling, “Ollie ollie oxen free!” I’ve never had body parts in my freezer, and I hope you vote for me!
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
Golf Etiquette as we know it - Please read.
In matters of golf etiquette, I believe this combined group has afforded flexibility and experimentation while maintaining our reputation for playing in a consistent and fluid fashion; we play “ready golf” and pride ourselves on anticipating the next shot with a reasonable attachment to who is “away.” If you’re ready and you can see that the “away” person is going to take a bit more time, it’s a nod and then we hit.
Recently I played with a player who was loyal to a routine past the point of comfort. While I do understand routine and its companion (the hope for consistency and a successful shot), no routine should usurp or disturb the rhythm of the game. Looking at your companions and seeing how swiftly they engage their shots should be an indicator—one everyone should adopt (and normally adopts).
The practice swing (and God knows there should only be one over the ball) is the swing you hope to make. The repetition of swings that don’t relate to your planned swing takes time. I understand that in theory it loosens the swing and encourages a habit you might have had for decades. But more important to your teammates, you are punitively making them watch this “exercise” when you multiply this action on every swing; it can add up and take an enormous amount of time, and it’s exhausting to the onlooker. 137 practice swings by hole 12 are too many. (True story.)
Suggestions: While your teammates are addressing their balls, you should be addressing yours, taking those practice swings, and determining yardage info. And when it’s your turn, you’re already over the ball and prepared to hit it!
You’ve practiced your swings, you’ve aligned your stance, and, most importantly, you’ve kept up and not slowed the pace—and you show your appreciation for the rhythm of the game and your respect for the group.
ONE practice swing should be more than enough, and this includes chips, pitches, irons, woods, and especially putters. Take the glove off on the way to the green and plumb your ball marker so when it’s your turn to putt, the line is already agreed to. Bend over, and if you need to practice a putting stroke … well, if you must, do it and then sink the damn putt! ;-)
Trust what you know, what has been in you for decades. Watching someone take 10 to12 practice swings per hole is a root canal; don’t be a dentist!
Just sayin’ … We are all part of a team!
~ Raggio
Recently I played with a player who was loyal to a routine past the point of comfort. While I do understand routine and its companion (the hope for consistency and a successful shot), no routine should usurp or disturb the rhythm of the game. Looking at your companions and seeing how swiftly they engage their shots should be an indicator—one everyone should adopt (and normally adopts).
The practice swing (and God knows there should only be one over the ball) is the swing you hope to make. The repetition of swings that don’t relate to your planned swing takes time. I understand that in theory it loosens the swing and encourages a habit you might have had for decades. But more important to your teammates, you are punitively making them watch this “exercise” when you multiply this action on every swing; it can add up and take an enormous amount of time, and it’s exhausting to the onlooker. 137 practice swings by hole 12 are too many. (True story.)
Suggestions: While your teammates are addressing their balls, you should be addressing yours, taking those practice swings, and determining yardage info. And when it’s your turn, you’re already over the ball and prepared to hit it!
You’ve practiced your swings, you’ve aligned your stance, and, most importantly, you’ve kept up and not slowed the pace—and you show your appreciation for the rhythm of the game and your respect for the group.
ONE practice swing should be more than enough, and this includes chips, pitches, irons, woods, and especially putters. Take the glove off on the way to the green and plumb your ball marker so when it’s your turn to putt, the line is already agreed to. Bend over, and if you need to practice a putting stroke … well, if you must, do it and then sink the damn putt! ;-)
Trust what you know, what has been in you for decades. Watching someone take 10 to12 practice swings per hole is a root canal; don’t be a dentist!
Just sayin’ … We are all part of a team!
~ Raggio
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