The Other Golf Holes We Want To Play

The 7th at Pebble Beach. It's definitely one of the most recognizable holes in golf. Any major golf publication has emblazoned this image into the minds of its readers. Every golfer, stinky or not, would like to play this hole at least once in their golfing lives...hopefully more.

Along with this hole are a few of the others which the golfing media has spotlighted as "legendary." Holes such as the 17th at The Old Course, the 13th at Augusta or the 17th at Sawgrass. All of these holes are famous for one reason or another, and all are holes we want to play someday.

But maybe I look at this a little differently. Don't get me wrong, I would love to play all of these holes. But the way I see it, some of these holes simply have something intangible attached to them rather than actually being a "cool golf hole." The Old Course for instance; I've never played it (would love to though!), but seeing it on TV...I don't find it to be particularly attractive. But I also understand, that's not why people want to play it.

Similar to the Old Course is the 13th at Augusta. While it's a very pretty hole and it, again, has that historical significance, in then end.., it's just a pretty hole.

When I think of some holes I would like to play, I think of the holes I mentioned earlier and a few more that many may or may not be on the list of most golfers. For instance:

This is a hole that's gotten a lot of attention over the past year or so. It's the 19th hole at South Africa's Legend Golf & Safari Resort. While it's more of a gimmick hole, I don't care. It's quite possibly the most unique golf hole on the planet. The green, shaped like the continent on which it lies, is best viewed from the tee box area, which just so happens be located on a cliff, 1,400 feet above. I know what you're thinking - "Who the hell wants to walk all the way up there?" Well, fret not friends...the helicopter ride up and down is included in your $220 greens fee. Now that's cool.

But maybe you're afraid of heights. Maybe you don't like helicopters. Maybe you'd just rather hit at one of those cool-shaped greens from a "normal" tee box. Well, check out this shapely green at Washington's Apple Tree Resort:

Yeah, it's gimmicky also. It's a large island green. It's an apple. But you have to admit...it's pretty cool. I don't believe it's of any historical significance, and I'm sure the only story behind it is to pay tribute to the apple growing regions of Washington, from where 58% of commercially grown apples in the U.S. come. But again, that's not what matters. What matters here is that it's a cool hole to play.

But another hole that's pretty high up on my list resides in the golfing mecca that is...Idaho, home to the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

Now, island greens just don't have the same allure to me that they used to. I live not more than 20 minutes from a pretty average course which features an island green. So seeing that an average course in the area can pull it off, the idea of an island green has lost some of its luster in my mind. Maybe that's part of the reason why I really like the island at Apple Tree mentioned above. But here at Coeur d'Alene, this island green ain't just another island green:

Nope, this is the world's only floating island green. And when they say island, they mean island. See that boat slip to the right? There ain't no land bridge here, friends. But wait, there's more. This par-3 averages 147 yards. I say "averages" because, get this (if you don't already know), the island moves! Everyday, the computer controlled island is in a different place! One day the hole can play 95 yards. Play it again the following day, and it may be 200! Now that...is a cool hole.

It's one of the things I love about this sport - the variety. While the same courses, year after year, magazine issue after magazine issue, are drilled into our heads, there are so many great courses and great holes out there just waiting to be played. Some of them may not be on the Top 100. But that doesn't make these hidden gems any less great. It's just up to us to get out and play them.

So maybe the next golf trip you plan could or should be somewhere other than Florida or Myrtle Beach. Maybe places like Idaho and Washington (among many others) are worth a look. If variety is the spice of life, then it certainly should be the spice of your golfing life as well.

Swing 'til you're happy!

Read more »

Fans Love A Good Rivalry

Ah...the rivalry games. You don't have to be a baseball fan to understand the significance of Red Sox-Yankees. Just the same for Lakers-Celtics, Packers-Bears, North Carolina-Duke, etc... That list can go on and on.

There are the all-time great rivalries like those mentioned above. There are the rivalries that last for a few years while two teams are both hot. There are local or in-state rivalries that may not have a huge national impact, but mean the world to the fans of the two teams. The bottom line is...fans love rivalries.

But I just recently came across an old article (roughly two years old, the article is not dated) touting golf's ten greatest rivalries. When I first came across this article, I felt I stumbled onto something interesting. Something that may help promote the sport to a new generation by focusing on or creating rivalries. Instead, I found the same old golf stuffiness. Seriously now...what is it about golf and golf writers that simply won't allow the sport to advance into the future? What do I mean? Here, I'll show you.

Moving through the list from 10 through 1:

#10 - USA vs. Sergio Garcia. For starters, this is not a rivalry. This is just a golfer who claims to dislike Americans. In return, many American golf fans dislike him. Further,Sergio Garcia is of relative insignificance. He has only two PGA Tour wins in the past five years and hasn't won multiple tourneys since 2004. So who cares about Sergio? But, other than his comments about beating Americans and spitting in the cup...one of the reasons people don't like him is his celebrations. I disagree here. I like the emotion. I would like to see more of it from other golfers. I'm tired of the "tip-of-the-cap." Celebrate a great shot a little. Don't rehearse it. I don't want to see a T.O. But don't be afraid to show a bit of emotion. Make the game more fun.

#9 - Pebble Beach vs. Augusta. Again, this is not a rivalry. This is like saying Yankee Stadium vs. Fenway. It's great for comparisons sake - one is big, extravagant and new, the other quaint, traditional and full of character. But neither has anything to do with the games themselves. It would be Yankees-Red Sox even if the game was on a neutral field. Sure you could make the argument that playing in each other's stadiums adds to the rivalry, but in golf, those two courses have nothing to do with an actual rivalry between players. They are just two courses. Albeit, two dream courses...but just courses nonetheless.

#8 - Robert T. Jones Jr. vs. Rees Jones. Once again...who cares? The average golf fan doesn't give a crap about this. So two brothers don't get along. OK, so it's a family rivalry. But it has nothing to do with the sport itself. They just both happen to be golf course designers. Meaningless.

#7 - Sarazen vs. Hagen - Hey!! We're four in and we actually have a player rivalry! It's what golf fans care about! Although, they do only mention one match and it happens to be almost 80 years old. Otherwise...I'll take it. They are after all, two of the greatest of all time.

#6 - Greg Norman vs. Tim Finchem - One is an all-time great golfer. The other is the commissioner. It's two guys who don't get along...but it's not a rivalry! Not in the sense that I want anyway. Not only that, but it's not exactly Pete Rose vs. Bart Giamatti.

#5 - Tradition vs. Technology - GET OVER IT ALREADY!! The game has advanced. It's going to continue to advance. Just let it happen!! Equipment is going to become easier to use. Technology will make the game easier for some. Does that ruin the game? Of course not! Besides, isn't it fun to think to yourself.."I know Tiger is great...but can you imagine what Bobby Jones would do with a set of Tiger's clubs?" Oh, and by the way, "tradition vs. technology" is, once again, not a rivalry.

#4 - Jack Nicklaus vs. Tom Watson - No argument here.

#3 - Sam Snead vs. Ben Hogan - Ditto.

#2 - Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus - My only issue with this one is, how is it NOT #1?!

#1 - Tiger Woods vs. Old Man Time - Oh...because Tiger had to be involved in the #1 ranking somehow. Sports Illustrated and Golf magazine were, of course, busy kissing Tiger's ass. Tiger vs. Old Man Time? Are you kidding? He injured his knee!! How is that a rivalry???!!! Worse yet...how is that a better rivalry than Arnie vs. Jack?! What a joke.

See, I've mentioned before that I believe the PGA does a crappy job of promoting it's players. No one, save the hardcore golf fans, has any idea who half the players on the tour are. Want to promote these players a little better? Then create some rivalries! Give us a reason to watch! Build up a match! Don't give us a crappy top ten list that shows only four actual rivalries, and none of the current!

The PGA could do so much better...but they don't. In the meantime...fewer and fewer people care. Fewer and fewer people take up the game. Fewer and fewer rounds are played every year. Fewer and fewer members of the younger generations show interest in the game...and #5 on the above list is part of the problem, not one of the "greatest rivalries."

Swing 'til you're happy...and find your own top ten reasons to do so.

Read more »

From St. Andrews to Bob's Pitch 'n Putt, it's Still Golf to Me

This week, golf websites everywhere are splashed with images from the game's most hollowed grounds. The site of this year's British Open is taking center-stage...perhaps more than the tournament itself.

Now I'm not saying St. Andrews doesn't deserve it - ever since the Scots hit stones down rabbit holes, the Old Course has been a monument to the game. But these days the place has become sacred.

Every year golfers make the pilgrimage to Scotland for a chance to play where the game (as far as we know) began. But think about the words we use: A pilgrimage. That's what it is, no? It's a spiritual journey; a religious experience. Let's ponder that for a second. Scotland is golf's Mecca, its Jerusalem. Compare that to your home course, which is just the local congregation.

These local places of worship consist of a plethora of courses all over the world. Some are of championship quality, while some appear better suited for grazing a herd of bison. But golf courses don't have to be legendary for you to remember them, no sir.

I'll bet not many people outside your local area have heard of the course where you scored your first ace or eagle on. But that place, that hole - it means something to you, doesn't it? The track could be a mortar range, but it's still etched into your memory like your first born.

This year, the PGA Tour has really played the historical card well - Pebble hosted the U.S. Open; St. Andrews hosted the British Open; Augusta...well, we have that every year, but you get my point.

The thing is, whether I'm playing at the center of the golf universe or at my local executive 9, it's all hallowed ground to me. The first tee jitters; the being one with nature; the whole nine yards. It doesn't matter if there's a beautiful ocean vista or if a historic tournament was played there...I mean, that would be great but, it's not necessary for me.

So, does this suggest I'm OK with playing the same course all the time? Hell no! I want to experience as many golf courses as possible! But I won't regret it if I never play Pebble or St. Andrews. You see, when I pull those clubs from my trunk and slip on the soft spikes, it doesn't matter where I am - my pilgrimage has begun.

Read more »

U.S. Open...For Business?

O.K., normally I don't write much about what's going on with the pro tours, but after a quick look at the leader board for the U.S. Open, the top five names threw me off a bit. I double-checked and made sure it was the U.S. Open Leader Board, it was, and then it hit me - I know these results were only through the first round, but is this a sign of change?

Don't get me wrong, I know Tiger is very well capable of coming from behind (no pun intended) and winning. And Phil, man what's happening? Here's a quick look of the top five so far:

1. Shaun Micheel USA
2. Paul Casey ENG
3. Brendon de Jonge ZIM
4. Alex Cejka...who? GER
5. Ryo Ishikawa JAP

Does this look like a U.S Open leader board? Will the fave's make the cut? I'm really looking forward to seeing how this plays out. It's a little bit of change from all of this World Cup Soccer (no offense to soccer, I'm also a fan). Not to mention, I wonder how much of an impact either sporting event is having on each other (something tells me the football tourney is having more success - even here in the states)?

Anyway, maybe this U.S. Open will open the doors for some new names (God knows the tour could use them). I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who doesn't recognize some of the players in the lead, but is that good or bad for the PGA? Stinky Golfer Chris posted the other day that the tour is trying to woo more fans - will this no-name leaderboard help it, or will it send it reeling even father than it currently is?

Time will tell, but I for one am more interested than ever! Not-to-mention, they're out there on beautiful Pebble Beach playing golf...it doesn't get much better than that. F@#$in' beautiful!

Good luck no-names - I'm pulling for ya!

Read more »

Children's Miracle Network...A Hole In One!

Every so often an opportunity to help make a difference in a child's life arises. In this case it involved two of my favorite things; golf and eating! A few days ago, Costco Wholesale hosted their annual golf tournament benefitting the Children's Miracle Network. In case you are not familiar with CMN, here's a brief history:

Children�s Miracle Network was founded with two simple goals in mind:

1. Help as many children as possible by raising funds for children�s hospitals.

2. Keep funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children.

The organization was founded by Marie Osmond and her family, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake. Children�s Miracle Network�s most recognizable symbol and greatest fundraising tool is its red and yellow Miracle Balloon icon. As of 2008, Children�s Miracle Network has raised more than $3.4 billion�most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time.

Although the weather was 50 degrees and windy with some rain showers, it definitely did not break any of our spirits...maybe the alcohol helped a little. As a matter of fact, every foursome but one showed up to participate...now that means a lot! It gave me a great feeling inside to see this dedication and everyone coming together to help out.

As for the course, Whitney Farms in Monroe, CT and with those weather conditions, we could have played at Pebble Beach and it wouldn't have mattered. I'll tell you one thing though, Whitney Farms drains incredibly well. Never was there a swampy part of the fairway or even the rough right off the fairway. Even the greens had a good speed to them.

All in all, this wasn't about where we played or who played with us. This was about what we played for! Yeah the weather sucked and the hot dog on the turn could have been better but; how can you honestly complain when you are out there playing?

Read more »