Volcanic Road Rash
Volcano: 2
Me: 0
With the biggest tournament of the year coming up this Saturday and Sunday, the fact that I couldn’t move my right arm yesterday was a bit of a concern. In addition, I have four other big tourneys in June along with a trip to St. Andrews the first week of July. The right arm functioning is a requirement for any of these events to take place as planned.
Holocene Cinder Cone near Veyo, Utah
The big tournament this weekend is the Salt Lake Amateur. The one I look forward to most each year, this event is two intense days at Bonneville Golf Course. While I don’t expect to win it, I do want to perform well and break into the finishing money. I’ve made it as high as 10th place, which for me is great considering I’m playing against the young college scholarship players who hit their 4-irons farther than I hit my driver.
Back to the arm not working. This past weekend I took the family to southern Utah for Memorial Day weekend. We did some fantastic hiking in the Dixie National Forest and some chilling out at the hotel pool. Not far from the Dixie National Forest is the town of Veyo, in the heart of what is called “Volcano Country.” In this area there are dozens of what are called “cinder cones.” Cinder cones are a steep conical hill of tephra (volcanic debris) that accumulates around and downwind from a volcanic vent.
We decided to hike the Holocene Cinder Cone outside the town of Veyo, a popular cone with about a 1.5 mile trail around the back. We didn’t see the trail though, so we went straight up the face, 500 vertical feet. The hike was very difficult as the small and light volcanic rocks would give way under your feet. It was almost like trying to climb a sand hill, but if you fell you’d be chewed up by the sharp volcanic rocks.
We made it to the top and hung around the crater of the volcano, which last erupted roughly 10,000 years ago. On highest tip of the volcano were some flowers which attracted huge and beautiful Swallowtail butterflies (picture below).
Butterflies hanging out atop the volcano!
Heading down the 1.5 mile back trail was difficult. The vertical angle along with the very slick volcanic rocks made keeping solid footing hard. The little rocks work like ball bearings under your feet. My first fall was hard. The trail gave way under my right foot and my left side hit hard on the volcanic rock. I didn’t wipe the dust off my leg or left arm. I figured the dust would keep the blood from my volcanic road rash at bay. Fortunately my Nikon, hanging around my neck, was not injured.
The 2nd fall was even harder. I was going straight down a slope when the ball bearing rocks slid under my right foot. I landed on my back, trying to break my fall with my hands. More concerned for my camera I reached for it to see if it had been damaged. I mounted it on my right side figuring that if I fell on my face or on my back, the camera wouldn’t take a direct hit. The plan worked. Just some dust and a small mark on the lens protector.
Reaching for my camera was a new experience in pain. My right shoulder had taken on some damage. Having separated that shoulder and dislocated my other, I didn’t think I’d done either this time, but it still hurt like a bugger.
During the five hour drive home I iced the shoulder. It stiffened and eventually got to the point where I couldn’t reach for the volume knob on the radio. I’m just thankful that Guns N Roses didn’t come on the radio or I might have driven off the road trying to turn the stereo off with my left arm…
Fortunately this morning the arm is much better. So much better that I put my golf clubs in the car in anticipation of my men’s league tournament this afternoon. I have full rotation of the shoulder and just a tiny bit of stiffness.
Thank goodness the shoulder works. I’m ready to knock ‘em dead this weekend!
Fan Mail Gone Bad – a.k.a. What One Can Tell About a Golfer by the Golf Bag He Uses
What does your golf bag say about you?
It is amazing what factual information one can deduce, simply based on the golf bag another player uses. Based on some “fan mail” I received yesterday from a HOG reader we will call “Eric/Tom” the following facts about a player can be determined by the bag he/she uses:
- If the player is an asshole
- If the player sucks at golf
- If the player can break 100
- If the player can play a round of golf in less then 5 hours
- If the player thinks he/she is good, despite whether or not he/she is
Below is the conversation I had with Eric/Tom. He’s called Eric/Tom because he wrote Tom in the “from” field of my site contact form, but his email said Eric…
Eric/Tom: Love your review on the ogio golf bag. Nice to know what kind of golfer you are. I used to caddie and we would make the rookies take guys with ogio golf bags because they all sucked at golf, thought they we good even though they couldn’t break 100, and were also assholes who played in at least 5 hours. Good luck with your new bag.
Me: Not sure I understand what you’re saying Tom.
Eric/Tom: I was just saying that I have never met a good player who uses an ogio golf bag
Me: So because I reviewed an ogio bag you think I’m an asshole, suck at golf and that I can’t break 100?
Eric/Tom: Yes
Me: Why does your email say Eric but the name you entered on the contact form is Tom?
Eric/Tom: Not sure buddy
Me: This conversation is intriguing. Lets say that this week I’m playing a TaylorMade bag. Does that instantly mean that I’m not an asshole, I don’t suck at golf and that I can break 100?
Eric/Tom: I am sorry it’s been so interesting. It wasn’t meant to be. I was just responding to your review of Ogio bags with memories of my past and the people I associated them with.
For The Record
I play several bags per year, either because of the season (bigger bags in the winter to hold winter gear) or because I’m reviewing bags which are submitted here. Perhaps during weeks that I play bags which Eric/Tom doesn’t like I’m an asshole who can’t break 100 or play a round of golf in less than five hours, and perhaps when I’m playing bags Eric/Tom does like, I’m not an asshole and I can break 100 in less than five hours.
My last round Wednesday from the black tees (tips) at Bonneville Golf Course was a 72. Winds were 15-20 mph from the southwest. Par for the course is 72, slope 125 and rating 71.7. USGA differential for that round was 0.3. That is 28 shots lower than 100 for those of you counting at home.
Holy shiznit wait a second. I wasn’t using an Ogio bag for that round. I was using a TaylorMade Golf bag! Could Eric/Tom be right? Perhaps next Wednesday when I play Bonneville again I’ll grab an Ogio bag from the garage, put it in play and report back my score. Think it will be less than 100?
Related Links
Shaking Off the Spring Rust, Looking Forward to a Big Summer of Golf
Heading to the Home of Golf AGAIN!
It has been a while since I posted an update of my game here. So many reviews and other stuff to write about. But one of the reasons I started this blog was to chronicle my own journey on the course.
Golf here in Utah can be frustrating. Yes this place is beautiful with some of the best golf courses and best pricing of golf anywhere. But we have long winters, forcing us golfers to go into hibernation unless we travel. This winter was tough. Didn’t play more than four rounds, cold ones at that, between December and March. When I don’t play regularly, at least a couple of times per week or more, my game starts to fade away. The first thing that goes is my short game, followed by my irons and ball striking. My driving and putting seem to weather well as those are the two parts of my game which seem to come natural for me.
I’ve got a much busier schedule this year than ever before. Between a new day gig and 3-4 golf writing gigs, finding time to golf or practice is tough. I have been playing quite a bit the last few weeks though and the rust is finally, slowly, coming off. Yesterday I practiced short game for an hour, which was very beneficial. My save percentage, getting up and down for par when not hitting a green in regulation, was awful at the beginning of the year. I’m talking 20% or less. That number is improving. Just yesterday I missed a ton of greens but thanks to decent chipping and great putting I managed an even-par round which included my 2nd eagle of the season via chip-in. That’s evidence right there that when the short game is working, the scores are low.
June
June is going to be a huge golf month for me. As of this moment I count five state sanctioned tournaments on my schedule, along with my regular leagues. One is my favorite, the Salt Lake Amateur, a two-day tourney held at one of my home courses, Bonneville. This tournament is the one I want to perform in the most. The pressure is high. The last two years I’ve made it into the money, which had been a goal for years. Winning the thing is not likely as I’m playing against the college scholarship players, but you never know.
Also in June I’m playing in the Wingpointe Amateur for the 2nd time in my very modest amateur golf career. There are some serious players in this tournament. I usually play that course well so I have high hopes.
Later in June I’m playing with my pops in his club’s father/son tournament. We are defending CHAMPIONS. I’m not planning on giving up that claim this year either.
My pal Boynie (left) and myself at the Home of Golf
July
All the tournaments and golf in June will be a great primer to July. On June 30 my clubs and I jump on a plane to Philadelphia. I have a four hour layover in the Philly airport where I’ll be joined by my best friend in the world. We will be flying to Scotland and making our second trip to the Home of Golf, St. Andrews. We’ll be joined by two other very good pals for a week of golf. Very much looking forward to that. By then my game should be in pretty good shape. I’m looking to better my low score on the Old Course, a 77. I’m also looking forward to catching back up with my good friend and Old Course caddie John Boyne (pictured right).
This summer is going to be a good one. Looking forward to playing some good golf, making a lot of birdies, but most of all enjoying it with the fine gentlemen I share the game with.
Golf on TV This Week
Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • LPGA Tour • PGA Tour • Pro Golf • Rory McIlory
Categories: Champions Tour • European Tour • LPGA Tour • PGA Tour • Pro Golf • Rory McIlory
PGA Tour
Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
Dates: May 23-26
Venue: Colonial Country Club, Ft. Worth, Texas
Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 3-6 p.m. Golf Channel
Friday 3-6 p.m. Golf Channel
Saturday 1-2:30 p.m. Golf Channel – 3-6 p.m. CBS
Sunday 1-2:30 p.m. Golf Channel – 3-6 p.m. CBS
Notables in the Field
Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Angel Cabrera, Zach Johnson, Henrik Stenson, Bo Van Pelt, Vijay Singh, Freddie Jacobson, Tom Lehman, Camilo Villegas, Patrick Cantlay.
European Tour
BMW PGA Championship
Dates: May 23-26
Venue: Wentworth Club, Surrey, England
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 5 a.m.-noon (Live)
Friday 5 a.m.-noon (Live)
Saturday 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Live)
Sunday 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Live)
Notables in the Field
Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Nicolas Colsaerts, Thomas Bjorn, Peter Hanson, Francesco Molinari, Branden Grace, Matteo Manassero, Paul Lawrie, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Chris Wood.
Champions Tour
Senior PGA Championship
Dates: May 23-26
Venue: Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, Mo.
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday Noon-3 p.m.
Friday Noon-3 p.m.
NBC Airtimes (Eastern):
Saturday 3-6 p.m.
Sunday 3-6 p.m.
Notables in the Field
Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, Tom Kite, Curtis Strange and Lanny Wadkins; fellow Ryder Cup Captains Hal Sutton, Mark James and Ian Woosnam; and major champions Mark Brooks, Mark Calcavecchia, Steve Elkington, Larry Mize, Andy North, Mark O’Meara, Jerry Pate, Scott Simpson, Jeff Sluman, Bob Tway and 2012 defending champion Roger Chapman.
LPGA Tour
Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic
Dates: May 23-26
Venue: Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Golf Channel Airtimes (Eastern):
Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Friday 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Saturday 3-6 p.m.
Sunday 3-6 p.m.
Notables in the Field
Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis, Yani Tseng, Lexi Thompson, Paula Creamer, Ai Miyazato, Suzann Pettersen, Morgan Pressel, Azahara Munoz, Na Yeon Choi, Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr, I.K. Kim, Jessica Korda, Lizette Salas, Jiyai Shin.
Bye Bye Belly Putter – Golf Club Anchoring Ban Official
Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Categories: Golf • Golf For Women • Miscellaneous • PGA Tour • Tiger Woods • USGA
Categories: Golf • Golf For Women • Miscellaneous • PGA Tour • Tiger Woods • USGA
As suspected the USGA and R&A ruling on banning anchoring golf clubs has become reality. Starting January 1, 2016 anchoring any kind of golf club to the body, not just putters, will be illegal.
The anchoring ban is fine with me. I’ve always been a good putter with a standard blade style flat stick so I don’t use a belly putter. I tried anchoring a belly putter for about 10 seconds. The club head was all over the place. I had absolutely NO control over it in speed or direction.
PGA Tour
Now what will the PGA Tour do? They’ve come out against the ban on anchoring, though individual players like Tiger Woods are for the ban. Could we see a mexican standoff between the PGA Tour and the USGA? That saga will be interesting to follow.
Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Adam Scott might want to start practicing with a shorter putter just in case!
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