The Drama of Major Golf

I love the drama of a well-contested championship. The PGA Championship (last major of the season) was no exception, with my hero, Padraig Harrington, nailing his putt on the last hole to clinch the title over Sergio Garcia. Unfortunately, this championship wasn’t on the radar of the average golfer because Tiger wasn’t participating. He is the proven closer for majors and without him we are left with just a few diehards sitting in front of the television.

Back in the day, television coverage of golf championships was less extensive but still conveyed the drama of the event. We were able to watch all the players as they worked their way into the clubhouse, not just the chosen few. The story line seemed more complete back then, without the aid of pre-game and post-game interviews. It seemed that we had more heroes then as well, with players like Sam Snead, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and Calvin Peete. While they didn’t win with the veracity of Tiger, we loved them anyway because we saw their journey on the television. I have watched events this year that didn’t show shots from the leader just because he wasn’t a premier player. Today the media hypes up the pre-round coverage with picks of the usual suspects, but these guys can’t close the deal. With golf, the only player that seems to do this is Tiger, and that is why he is one of the few heroes on the tour today.

Today’s media coverage is focused on the most marketable players, and most of them don’t know how to close the deal. They “choke” down the finish and we viewers are left with a bad taste in our mouths because the winner is perceived as some nobody who comes in through the backdoor. Players like Mickelson and Els should be spending their time on learning how to close the deal. My recommendation is to spend time with Baseball closers who know how to win. They need to quit working on their swings and get back to playing hard and getting it done.

-- Gerald McCullagh

The Master’s and the Ryder Cup don’t need Tiger to improve their ratings. However, we like predictability, the media understands this, and that is why golf is dead without Tiger.

Expectations

August is the season for the should have, would have, could have golf stories at the 19th hole. Many golfers exert a lot of time and energy on their practice and play yet fail to meet their expectations for scoring on the golf course. Hard work should be rewarded, yet with golf the opposite seems to happen. In my opinion this happens because our expectations are too high. We place too much value on the long game and not enough on recovery. If you slice the ball into the trees, quit dwelling on why you hit it there and instead focus on how you can get the ball onto the green and make your par.

Not long ago I took a look at the statistics of the PGA Tour and was quite surprised at the results. I had the expectation that the players at the top of the world rankings would lead each of the categories for scoring. The results were quite the opposite. Only one high ranking player was visible in any stats category. How can you explain this? I think it has to do with consistency and an overall balance within a player’s game. Tiger may not be the best in every category of shot making, but he is the best in bringing it all together to maintain his standing as the best player in the world.

Now, I would like to share with you some very practical advice that will help you score better on the course. With your tee shots you need to stay out of trouble... I know, that's obvious! But ridding yourself of the slice or pull will help you find the fairway more often. Next step is to get the ball on the green when you are within 100 yards every time. In fact, this short shot may even help you with fixing that slice! Your last task is to average fewer than two putts per green. If you stick to these three areas of the game and practice them equally, you will find yourself meeting your expectations on the golf course.

--- Dee Forsberg

The New King of Ireland

In 1014 Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf, Co. Dublin. On a windy day this past July, on the battlefield of the British Open, a new king of Ireland emerged who will go down in the annals of history as Irelands most celebrated golfer. The Irish are proud of Paddy for representing them in an international arena where the bitterness of our war-torn past can be put aside and they can showcase what the New Ireland is about. His victory was well earned and enthralled the world in a way that was reminiscent of the great sports heroes from back in the day. Headlines ranged worldwide from “When Irish eyes are smiling” to “Paddy me boy, you did it again!”

Harrington prepared for the Open the week before at the Irish PGA, which was played at the European Golf Club just outside of Dublin. He was quoted in the British PGA as saying, “I believe that the fantastic challenge provided by the European Club was the ideal links golf preparation for the Open Championship last year, and I hope it proves to be the same in 2008." I like to say that proper preparation leads to proper execution, and Paddy certainly proved this adage to be true. This course is one of the best links courses in the British Isles and should be placed on your wish list of golf courses to play.

Padraig Harrington’s work ethic is second to none. The Sunday that Paddy claimed his victory, I was playing at Hazeltine National Golf Club where I had the chance to speak with head pro Mike Schultze. During the 2002 PGA Championship Harrington had been on the range practicing until dusk, and when Mike walked by he called him over for some conversation by saying, “Hey pro, come on over and talk with me... this is a lonely business.” The work that goes into a world-class player’s game is often overlooked during the glamour of the event. But what one doesn’t realize is the tremendous toll that is taken on a golfer’s body and mind, especially the international players who compete worldwide where the rigors of travel combine with the pains of missing family and friends.

I would love to congratulate Paddy and tell him that he is one of the few Irish heroes’ that I have. In closing I would like to add another footnote about my other Irish hero and good friend Fred Daly. He took the Claret Jug home to Ireland in 1947.

--- Gerald McCullagh

The Daly – Harmon Saga

I make it a point to never criticize fellow golf instructor, but this article needs to be written. The ongoing saga of John Daly and Butch Harmon has been highlighted in the press worldwide. Harmon released a scathing statement to the Golf Channel about firing John Daly as a student because of his erratic behavior on the tour. I always stand on this principle: Take a good look at yourself before you judge others. We all know that John Daly has suffered from the disease of alcoholism for most of his life. The problem with this disease is that it changes ones behavior and affects most of the people around us. Harmon knew about John's drinking long before he took him on as a student. So this might tell me that this relationship wasn’t born out of respect but for the notoriety that it would bring to his lesson tee. Shame on him.

Back in the day it was a great honor to coach a fellow golf professional, but it was a quiet relationship based on respect. In fact the truly great instructor is able to impart life lessons to the player to help them fully develop as a competitive golfer. Today’s instructors are riddled with massive egos as they pontificate on their knowledge of the swing. Having a press release about firing one of your students is one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard. Yes, there are consequences for one’s behavior, but publically airing a private affair is a sign that this pro needs to take his own inventory. He could have done more for John than simply show how offended he is with his behavior.

Looking inward, I ask myself why I feel qualified to offer my public opinion on this topic, and it is because I too suffer from alcoholism. Achieving a contented sobriety is a tough battle for the alcoholic and takes daily reflection and an ongoing commitment to not take that first drink. As I explain to all my students, in order to make progress you must have constructive change, and constructive change is difficult because it is the unknown. But, through the history of time the most courageous people have always conquered change. I hope this article is meaningful to those people who suffer from this disease.

-- Gerald McCullagh

Play and Stay at Fortune Bay

I have been going up to the Iron Range for as long as I can remember.  My earliest memories as a child include sitting in the back seat of the car with my brother and bugging my parents for four hours straight about just how long it would take to get to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Virginia, Minnesota.  As a child, I was always fascinated by the Iron Range cities with their rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, and smell of pine that pervades throughout in the “Northern Woods” of our state.  This past Fourth of July, I took the journey again, only this time it was with Gerald so we could play The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and spend a little time relaxing away from the lesson tee with my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Charlie at their beautiful lake home on Lake Vermillion.

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is a true delight to play.  It has plenty of elevation change, yet the bunker placement and contour of the holes lends itself to shaping shots off the tee and into the greens.  It’s a fun driving course because there is room to let her rip without ending up in a boat to retrieve the errant shots.  Once on the green however, be prepared for three putts because these babies have an incredible amount of undulation that is reminiscent of the coastal links courses of Scotland and Ireland.  The conditions were terrific despite the slow start to our golfing season, and the staff was marvelous.

One reason I enjoy resort golf is the opportunity to meet interesting people.  That day was no exception as we were paired with a fun-loving couple from Shoreview.  They too enjoyed the course and spoke favorably of the resort facilities.  While Brainerd has a long-standing tradition of fabulous golf, I have to say that the Iron Range has courses and resorts that are hard to beat.  The Wilderness has received honors from many top magazines, and its reputation is well earned in my opinion.  If you are looking for a new destination... go play and stay at Fortune Bay!

-- Dee Forsberg