NationStates Jolt Archive


Golf - is it important?

Deep Kimchi
21-09-2006, 15:18
To your career? It seems to be that way in the US - male or female, if you get into upper management, you have to play golf (even if you hate it or suck at it).

Me, I like to shoot rifles, and can offer advice and range time, but that's not a popular activity for upper management. More's the pity.

"Be The Ball, Danny. Be The Ball."

If there is a 4th member of "The Trifecta of Masculine Narcotics", alcohol, tobacco and firearms; arguably it could be Golf. I refrain from none of those, but as regards the latter, I am a overzealous user. :D But this fourth potential member has snuck up on me like a raiding buccaneer crew, and given me a full broadside.

Honestly, Golf has been a recent development; but I am determined to learn it and enjoy it. I have refrained for too long due to so many I know who are way way over the edge, and I don't mean just mere passion or addiction. I mean angst and frustration, throwing clubs at missed shots, needing to drink to calm DOWN from playing. My grandfather told me that golf was God's way for men to not need a shrink.

Now, I am a probbie, a neophyte, a padawan learner if you will, in this sport. So this thread is intended to help myself and any other NSers share good intel on gaining early advantages by steering clear of pitfalls and contaminating influences. I want to assemble a primer, something along the same lines as the info I got from my uncle on how to shoot firearms. I remember my uncle stressing the basics, and learning to shoot your irons well. He also said get a carbine, and shoot it stock. Get good magazines, a sling, and good training before you go slappin' every bit of tom-foolery on your weapon that will only aggravate your education. Seems to be the case for golf as well.

Info along the lines of the following headings will greatly add to your Non-Controversial Posting Points Tally, and will be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry I don't have much to offer in this "Golf Primer" (I will post what little I have learned that has helped me next), but please jump in and share your pearls of wisdom.


Getting Started
Swing Basics
Equipment Essentials
Great Deals
Good Instructors/ Teaching Tools (DVDs, shows, websites- there's gotta be alot of good stuff online, right?)
What to Avoid
Tips to Enjoying The Game
*and any other topic a beginner should know.


Many thanks!
Khadgar
21-09-2006, 15:20
Golf? Stupid "sport", you hit a little white ball which you then get into a small electric car and begin a slow speed chase of, only to upon catching said ball whack it again aiming for an improbably small target.
Deep Kimchi
21-09-2006, 15:20
Golf? Stupid "sport", you hit a little white ball which you then get into a small electric car and begin a slow speed chase of, only to upon catching said ball whack it again aiming for an improbably small target.

Yes, and you get to schmooze with the upper management, and they learn to like you, and you get promoted...
Templa
21-09-2006, 15:22
Yes, and you get to schmooze with the upper management, and they learn to like you, and you get promoted...

In that case, the only hole that matters is the nineteenth hole.
Cabra West
21-09-2006, 15:24
Nope. And to be honest, I wouldn't want a career that involved me dressing up in silly clothes, spending a fortune on equipment and spend my precious free time standing in the rain with people from work...
Deep Kimchi
21-09-2006, 15:24
In that case, the only hole that matters is the nineteenth hole.

The problem at hand is doing a passable job of playing the first 18, so as to have "street cred" when you get to the clubhouse for martinis.
Deep Kimchi
21-09-2006, 15:25
Nope. And to be honest, I wouldn't want a career that involved me dressing up in silly clothes, spending a fortune on equipment and spend my precious free time standing in the rain with people from work...

No matter how much money it might involve...
Deep Kimchi
21-09-2006, 15:25
Nope. And to be honest, I wouldn't want a career that involved me dressing up in silly clothes, spending a fortune on equipment and spend my precious free time standing in the rain with people from work...

What, the infantry?
Cabra West
21-09-2006, 15:26
No matter how much money it might involve...

No amount of money is worth THAT. :p
Cabra West
21-09-2006, 15:27
What, the infantry?

:eek:
You stay away from me!!! Uniforms!! Worse even that those clown outfits that pass for golf fashion...
Templa
21-09-2006, 15:30
The problem at hand is doing a passable job of playing the first 18, so as to have "street cred" when you get to the clubhouse for martinis.

Well...you know why it's called "golf", right? All the other four letter words were taken. It can be a very stressful and, in my opinion, unrewarding sport. Besides, there's no contact. It can only be counted as a real sport under at least one of two conditions: Absurd-looking uniforms displaying oversized numbers and/or logos must be worn; or an equally absurd-looking set of protective equipment must be worn [pads, helmet(barring NASCAR, there's no way that can possibly be a real sport)].
Slartiblartfast
21-09-2006, 15:32
Golf? Stupid "sport", you hit a little white ball which you then get into a small electric car and begin a slow speed chase of, only to upon catching said ball whack it again aiming for an improbably small target.

Only lazy or old people use a buggy.

Poor old DK has been bitten by the bug. Kiss goodbye to any spare time or cash - they are now a thing of the past.
Templa
21-09-2006, 15:33
:eek:
You stay away from me!!! Uniforms!! Worse even that those clown outfits that pass for golf fashion...

Hey! I'm military, you know! And uniforms have advantages. They're next to impossible to rip or tear and you get instant respect from civilians. Not bad for a college dropout.
Deep Kimchi
21-09-2006, 15:35
Only lazy or old people use a buggy.

Poor old DK has been bitten by the bug. Kiss goodbye to any spare time or cash - they are now a thing of the past.

Some advice I got from my boss:

Take up drinking if you dont already.

A cigar makes a bad shot look better.

No such thing as honesty amongst thieves
Khadgar
21-09-2006, 15:36
Only lazy or old people use a buggy.

Poor old DK has been bitten by the bug. Kiss goodbye to any spare time or cash - they are now a thing of the past.

He's talking about corporate types, they'll use the "buggy".

Also, buggy? It's not a buggy, it's a very slow electric car. A buggy would be like a dune buggy, or the Moon Buggy. Something that screams badass. Not some pompous ass' excuse for not walking.
Carnivorous Lickers
21-09-2006, 15:39
Golf? Stupid "sport", you hit a little white ball which you then get into a small electric car and begin a slow speed chase of, only to upon catching said ball whack it again aiming for an improbably small target.

I stopped renting the cart a long time ago-you walk just as much.

Golf is something for me to do, while having several hours alone with some buddies-or clients that are about to be buddies.

We usually stop keeping score halfway through. We'll bet on longest drive,closest to the pin or a hole in one. We'll smoke cigars and bring beers and/or a flask of scotch. We let others play through.
Carnivorous Lickers
21-09-2006, 15:48
Some advice I got from my boss:

Take up drinking if you dont already.

A cigar makes a bad shot look better.

No such thing as honesty amongst thieves

Go to a driving range and get a large bucket of balls. Be friendly with other guys there. When they see you are a begginer, a friendly guy will give you pointers on your swing. (Like a guy in a hardware store used to help you with advice years ago).
Most driving ranges will have a golf pro available for lessons-they arent terribly expensive.
Get a decent used set of clubs on Ebay.

Hitting a bucket of golf balls is a great stress reducer. I do it in my backyard at my new house now. I'll knock 20 or so into the backyard with a driver, then take an iron and a wedge and start pitching them back toward the front, ultimately trying to chip them into a 5 gallon bucket.

I rarely see guys dressed in colorful clothes at the range or on the course.
They usually wear Docker type twills in khaki, grey, etc and a polo type shirt.

Dont listen to people in here that dont know what they are talking about.


Note: playing golf is also a good networking function- you will meet people of a different caliber there. There are an awful lot of managers, execs ,etc... even on public courses. And its a much more friendly environment-people speak more plainly.
Cabra West
21-09-2006, 15:53
Hey! I'm military, you know! And uniforms have advantages. They're next to impossible to rip or tear and you get instant respect from civilians. Not bad for a college dropout.

I know, you seem to point it out in every single post. :p

Nope, I hate and detest all kind of uniforms (military, civilian or clerical), and the concept behind them. And, no, no additional respect whatsoever from this civilian.
Templa
21-09-2006, 15:54
I'll knock 20 or so into the backyard with a driver, then take an iron and a wedge and start pitching them back toward the front, ultimately trying to chip them into a 5 gallon bucket.


Just how big is your backyard?
Vetalia
21-09-2006, 15:55
.
Hitting a bucket of golf balls is a great stress reducer. I do it in my backyard at my new house now. I'll knock 20 or so into the backyard with a driver, then take an iron and a wedge and start pitching them back toward the front, ultimately trying to chip them into a 5 gallon bucket.

I agree 100%. Actually, I've really improved my short game by practicing in the back yard with my pitching wedge and 9 iron; I'll set up a target and practice hitting the target. I've probably shaved a stroke or two off my game; I'm still getting an 8 on a par-5 and a 4 or 5 on a par-3 but it's an improvement nonetheless.

Be sure to remember one thing: Always, always, pick up the balls before you mow the grass. I screwed up our mower bigtime when I ran over a ball that I had hit under a tree and forgot to pick up.

I rarely see guys dressed in colorful clothes at the range or on the course. They usually wear Docker type twills in khaki, grey, etc and a polo type shirt..

Yeah, that's true; that's usually what I wear in the spring and autumn. If I'm just there and it's pretty casual, I'll usually wear a pair of shorts and a t-shirt...that's a lifesaver if you're playing in 90 degree heat with humidity.
Templa
21-09-2006, 15:55
I know, you seem to point it out in every single post. :p


Hmm. I didn't realize I was that...self-promoting. I'll attempt to curb such excesses in the future.
Vetalia
21-09-2006, 15:56
Just how big is your backyard?

Mine's a half acre; I'd say that's enough for practicing your short game. It's about 100 yards from the front to back yard so that's a little better for longer shots.
Slartiblartfast
21-09-2006, 15:58
I stopped renting the cart a long time ago-you walk just as much.

Golf is something for me to do, while having several hours alone with some buddies-or clients that are about to be buddies.

We usually stop keeping score halfway through. We'll bet on longest drive,closest to the pin or a hole in one. We'll smoke cigars and bring beers and/or a flask of scotch. We let others play through.

A man after my own heart - alcohol, nicotine and golf is fairly close to my idea of heaven.

PS - come on Europe tomorrow!!:D
Carnivorous Lickers
21-09-2006, 15:58
Just how big is your backyard?

Several acres. A 200 yard drive is in the treeline. Beyond my property line is state land.

I want to eventually hang large bullseyes on the trees with the distance on them.
Carnivorous Lickers
21-09-2006, 16:04
I agree 100%. Actually, I've really improved my short game by practicing in the back yard with my pitching wedge and 9 iron; I'll set up a target and practice hitting the target. I've probably shaved a stroke or two off my game; I'm still getting an 8 on a par-5 and a 4 or 5 on a par-3 but it's an improvement nonetheless.

Be sure to remember one thing: Always, always, pick up the balls before you mow the grass. I screwed up our mower bigtime when I ran over a ball that I had hit under a tree and forgot to pick up.



Yeah, that's true; that's usually what I wear in the spring and autumn. If I'm just there and it's pretty casual, I'll usually wear a pair of shorts and a t-shirt...that's a lifesaver if you're playing in 90 degree heat with humidity.

I never find all the balls-they're seconds and range balls and a load I bought from a guy in Myrtle Beach-200 for $20.00.
I dont mow that far back as in this community, they want the natural non landscaped look-I can live with that. Just immediately around the house is trimmed and manicured.
I would hate to think of a ball exiting the mower though.

I'm not anal about golf- My goal is to socialize with buddies and try to be consistant. I found that I am never more than a few strokes over my friend's game and he is usually pretty serious about his game.
Templa
21-09-2006, 16:06
Several acres. A 200 yard drive is in the treeline. Beyond my property line is state land.

I want to eventually hang large bullseyes on the trees with the distance on them.

*Whistles* Silly rich people and your massive everythings. *Goes off to sulk*
Carnivorous Lickers
21-09-2006, 16:08
A man after my own heart - alcohol, nicotine and golf is fairly close to my idea of heaven.

PS - come on Europe tomorrow!!:D

It can and should be very relaxing and rewarding. We solve the problems of the world, tell jokes. We even help each other sort out problems if someone's got them and brings them up.

And too me, a good sized double churchill and then a nip of single malt after each hole-yeah-close to heaven.
Vetalia
21-09-2006, 16:09
I would hate to think of a ball exiting the mower though.

It's not fun...I was lucky it didn't hit me coming out.

I'm not anal about golf- My goal is to socialize with buddies and try to be consistant. I found that I am never more than a few strokes over my friend's game and he is usually pretty serious about his game.

Me too. I'm pretty consistent and I don't really worry about my score. Personally, I think it's better to have a shitty game and a great time than to have a great game and have a lousy time.
Daistallia 2104
21-09-2006, 16:16
Golf - is it important?

FUCK NO!

To your career? It seems to be that way in the US - male or female, if you get into upper management, you have to play golf (even if you hate it or suck at it).

Me, I like to shoot rifles, and can offer advice and range time, but that's not a popular activity for upper management. More's the pity.

"Be The Ball, Danny. Be The Ball."

If there is a 4th member of "The Trifecta of Masculine Narcotics", alcohol, tobacco and firearms; arguably it could be Golf. I refrain from none of those, but as regards the latter, I am a overzealous user. :D But this fourth potential member has snuck up on me like a raiding buccaneer crew, and given me a full broadside.

Honestly, Golf has been a recent development; but I am determined to learn it and enjoy it. I have refrained for too long due to so many I know who are way way over the edge, and I don't mean just mere passion or addiction. I mean angst and frustration, throwing clubs at missed shots, needing to drink to calm DOWN from playing. My grandfather told me that golf was God's way for men to not need a shrink.

Now, I am a probbie, a neophyte, a padawan learner if you will, in this sport. So this thread is intended to help myself and any other NSers share good intel on gaining early advantages by steering clear of pitfalls and contaminating influences. I want to assemble a primer, something along the same lines as the info I got from my uncle on how to shoot firearms. I remember my uncle stressing the basics, and learning to shoot your irons well. He also said get a carbine, and shoot it stock. Get good magazines, a sling, and good training before you go slappin' every bit of tom-foolery on your weapon that will only aggravate your education. Seems to be the case for golf as well.

Info along the lines of the following headings will greatly add to your Non-Controversial Posting Points Tally, and will be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry I don't have much to offer in this "Golf Primer" (I will post what little I have learned that has helped me next), but please jump in and share your pearls of wisdom.


Getting Started
Swing Basics
Equipment Essentials
Great Deals
Good Instructors/ Teaching Tools (DVDs, shows, websites- there's gotta be alot of good stuff online, right?)
What to Avoid
Tips to Enjoying The Game
*and any other topic a beginner should know.


Many thanks!

It seems to have turned into something that is important to you.

Fair enough.

But I seriously doubt you'll get much help here...
Carnivorous Lickers
21-09-2006, 16:37
*Whistles* Silly rich people and your massive everythings. *Goes off to sulk*

I'm by no means rich. I was just lucky enough to have the opporotunity to make a few good decisions.

I love what I have now and make an effort to keep it.
LiberationFrequency
21-09-2006, 16:45
Down at the arsenal they keep the nerve gasses
Guarded day and night by caged white rabbits
Been sitting there for years
I'm gonna have at it
I cut through the fence, run right in, and grab it
Go crazy crazy crazy crazy...

Now I got my own mustard gas in my pocket
Climb on a tree on a branch and drop it
On a country club full of Saturday golfers
So I can watch them die
Chokin' shakin'in convulsions
Go crazy crazy crazy crazy
Crazy crazy crazy crazy...


Chemical Warfare Chemical Warfare
Chemical Warfare Warfare Warfare


Panic in the air
See the headless chickens runnin'
Golf carts head on crashin'
Crackin'heads wide open
Scratch the grass, mister, you can't breath
And roll and writhe
In a sandtrap
Starting to heave
Claw those clubs, lemme see you seethe
Crazy Crazy Crazy Crazy Crazy Crazy


Chemical Warfare Chemical Warfare
Chemical Warfare Warfare Warfare


Yellow air
Yellow clouds
Blowin' down down down the fairway
Sensitive to the touch
Mowin' down the putting green
Heading straight for the big clubhouse
Where the stuffed country club
Effervescnet ladies, so carefree
Relax, pose by the pool
Limber limp with a dry martini
Until....
Carnivorous Lickers
21-09-2006, 16:47
It's not fun...I was lucky it didn't hit me coming out.



Me too. I'm pretty consistent and I don't really worry about my score. Personally, I think it's better to have a shitty game and a great time than to have a great game and have a lousy time.


Or someone else. Ever see someone get nailed with a ball? Its horrible. My friend got hit in the thigh by a 150 yrad drive by the impatient douche behind us. I didnt see it hit, but I heard it. It was disgusting. So was the scene that ensued.

You hit the nail on the head-you're exactly right. Its a little ritual that goes along with the comraderie and friendship. It gives you a venue and privacy to get on with the business of life with no distractions.