The Big Miss: Update

So I am half way through Hank Haney’s book The Big Miss and I have really enjoyed it.  The level of detail that he goes into not only about Tiger’s swing but also the other people that he has worked with and been around on tour is truly appreciated by someone (like myself) who enjoys the game and works to make theirs that much better.  For someone who is truly a novice or someone who does not have a good basic knowledge of the golf swing and the fundamentals that must exist I think the detail that Hank goes into would be confusing and most likely go over their head. I feel that is a reason why some people are critical of the book, they just might not understand it and only see the behind the scenes info that Hank shares about Tiger.

About that behind the scenes info.. I love getting access to see or hear about something that I would never typically get the chance to, this book gives me some of that access and I appreciate it.  I feel that I can relate to some of the struggles, obviously on a different level, so I find myself very engaged in the technical sections of the book.  Before I began reading I had heard many of the reviews and many commentators on TV talk about how Hank was violating some unwritten rule of the teacher/coach relationship and my first assumption was that they hadn’t read the book and that if done correctly, Hank could share some sensitive stories while still being respectful of Tiger and their relationship.  At the halfway point of the book, I think Hank has done a good job of relating some personal accounts into a story that makes sense to the reader, however, I can definitely see why some people are in a semi-uproar over the contents of this book.  I feel that there are some subtle shots taken at Tiger (and some not so subtle) that just feel out of place and do not add any real value to the topics that he is discussing.  I’m sure some will argue that they provide context, to that I would say, what context does it provide to know that Tiger likes to drive fast and roll through stop signs?

 

That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed the book, I honestly have to this point, it is simply to say that some of the criticisms of the book are not unfounded but may be blown out of proportion.  I don’t feel that the few “shots” Hank takes at Tiger overshadow the true content of the book, which has been honestly informational.  I am excited to finish the book and see if these initial feelings at the halfway point continue to develop or change entirely.

I have lots of opinions.  You may not agree with them, or may want to argue with me about them, and that is perfectly fine!  Even encouraged.  These are thoughts that are "just in my mind" that I have decided to put down in words as well.  Feel free to comment on any post or take it to twitter and follow @JustinRolfes.

Slow Play in Golf and What It Means For Your Local Game

The topic of the day in the golf community is the slow play on tour.  A 5 hour round should be almost unheard of for players of their caliber yet consistently we see rounds in excess of 5 hours.  Watching on TV you get to see a mix of live shots and taped shots so they can keep the action moving and try to keep you from nodding off on the couch (it never works) but I think the more interesting aspect is how slow play in golf at every level is becoming an epidemic.

Growing up playing mostly generic public courses I can remember Saturdays with 6 hour rounds, and even at a young age, being not very good, it was excruciating.   Lately, I have been playing more golf than ever (why not, I enjoy it) and have been fortunate enough to join a local country club where I play most of my golf along with a few other select local courses and have seen this problem encroach on my nice 3-4 hour round afternoons.  I usually play with the same group of guys who I genuinely enjoy being around, even though they are (much, much) older than me ;) their money still spends the same.  We play fast, at times I have to remind myself to take my time, enjoy the round and think through my shots because we can get into a grove where it is almost rapid fire.  However, I also play in leagues and tournaments so I get the opportunity to play with different people quite frequently and some of what I see from these players is astounding.

The league is filled with players of all different abilities and levels of commitment to the game which is great but you have to keep in perspective your abilities and capabilities so that you are ready when it is your turn and you take the right amount of time to prepare for your shot.  I have been standing on the tee box and witnessed 2 players from another team I happened to be playing with arguing over which leaf to aim at!!  Not which branch, or which tree or even the general direction of the shot, which LEAF!  I'm sorry, but you are not good enough to worry about which leaf to aim at.  I've also seen the guy who waits for the green to clear from 280 yards out on a par 5 because he might "get a hold of this one" and then tops it 10 yards.. If you are a 25 handicap, them being on the green is probably the safest place for them to be, just hit your shot.

Now, that's not to say that people should not take their time and think about their shots, everyone is entitled to that, but if you haven't broke 100 in a round yet, you probably don't need to worry if you are 153 yards out or 155 yards out.  I think that is a product of two things.  One, ego, everyone always thinks that they are better than they really are, myself included, some days I think I could take Tiger Woods on and win, but know your ability and prepare for the best shot that you can actually execute.  Secondly, I think this is a product of people watching golf on TV.  Now, don't misunderstand me, I love watching golf on TV but I think the average amateur watches the Tour players and sees them analyze each shot in excruciating detail and thinks, "well, if I want to be good, I guess I have to do that too".  The average amateur misconstrues the concept of analyzing your shot with imitating someone's pre-shot routine.  The player with a 25 handicap should concern himself more with how to cure their slice or hitting the ball more square on the club face rather than 2 mph of wind or hitting the ball out of the rough vs. the fairway.  As you improve and develop your game, your pre-shot analysis should evolve with you and you can begin to dive into more of the details of the shot and prepare for end results.  Until then, help us all out and play a little faster and take a lesson from the immortal Tin Cup, just "grip it and rip it".


I have lots of opinions.  You may not agree with them, or may want to argue with me about them, and that is perfectly fine!  Even encouraged.  These are thoughts that are "just in my mind" that I have decided to put down in words as well.  Feel free to comment on any post or take it to twitter and follow @JustinRolfes.

How Having A Kid Changes Your Mind

As I said in my Welcome, you will get all different types of posts from me other than sports posts, this is one of them.

As many know, my wife Sammie and I are expecting our first child.  We are still at the beginning phases of the pregnancy let alone the wonderful journey of parenthood but it is funny how your mind set changes from the very moment that you learn you are going to have a child.  I have always considered myself a fairly mature person, at least when I want to be, but at the end of the day, I am still a guy so certain conversations or topics were for a lack of a better term, weird.  For example, talking to a woman about breastfeeding or the happenings of the delivery room was not exactly on the top of my "Topics To Be Discussed" list.  But now, only 17 weeks in to this life long journey,  am strangely OK with it.  It is no longer "weird".  Now, I can't begin to explain it if you have never experienced it and if you have been through it then I suspect you know exactly what I am talking about.  It is probably the same thing that allows you to change their diapers or clean up after they have been sick, its just part of becoming a parent.

I think these changes can be nothing but for the good.  I feel like it is not only trying to prepare you to be a good parent but also be a better person in general and I am all for that.  Now believe me, this does not mean that I want to hear everyone's crazy birth stories, frankly, not sure I really care, it just means that if we happen to stumble into that conversation (because I sure as hell still wont be bringing it up) I will be less likely to be laughing on the inside, but then again, who really knows what happens in my mind.


I have lots of opinions.  You may not agree with them, or may want to argue with me about them, and that is perfectly fine!  Even encouraged.  These are thoughts that are "just in my mind" that I have decided to put down in words as well.  Feel free to comment on any post or take it to twitter and follow @JustinRolfes.