It Doesn't Get Any Better

I have the best dad in the world, he took me out to play when I was 8 or 9, and we have been golfing together ever since. We did have a little rough patch when I was a temperamental teenager, but we won’t talk about that now… Dad was a terrific coach, who taught me the fundamentals, and filled me with confidence as I grew as a girl and as a golfer. Some of my fondest memories as a kid were playing golf with my dad at Fountain Valley Golf Course in Farmington.

Three weeks ago, he introduced my 9 year old daughter, Danee, to the game, and took her out to play a par 3 course in St. Paul. With a pro as a mom, my daughter isn’t entirely a novice, but in years past she never had the interest to last more than 3 or 4 holes. When they returned home later that afternoon, both flushed with excitement from their great time on the course, I heard pride in Grandpa’s voice as he told me how well she did while Danee basked in his praise.

Last week I teed up with them and we had the most enjoyable round of golf I have ever played. What a unique perspective to be able to watch my dad coach her around the course—so patient and encouraging. As I watched my dad and daughter play that afternoon I felt strange, as if I were back in time somehow…what a gift. It really doesn’t get any better than this!

--Dee Forsberg

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