In the movie Bagger Vance, young Hardy Greaves, played by J. Michael Moncrief, caddies for Matt Damon’s character, Rannulph Junuh. Hardy sums up his view on the game of golf, “Ask anybody. It's fun. It's hard, and you stand out there on that green, green grass, and it's just you and the ball, and there … Continue reading A Gentleman’s Game?
This past week I was invited to play a round of golf at East Lake Golf Club in Decatur, Georgia. East Lake is no ordinary club. It’s the site of the Tour Championship, the culminating event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup. More importantly, it was also the home course for golfing … Continue reading What A Caddie Taught Me About Encouragement
The term “mulligan” has become rather commonplace in our culture. In golfing parlance, it refers to a player being granted a do-over after a less than satisfactory shot. In popular culture, it simply means a person gets a second chance to get something right. I always understood that mulligans in golf were something granted by one … Continue reading The Ultimate Mulligan*
The calendar was full, the East Georgia weather was boiling, and somehow, I wanted to squeeze in a round of golf. It may be Spring in Georgia but sauna-like humidity already envelopes anyone adventurous enough to step outside, much less play 18 holes of golf in the middle of a sun-drenched afternoon. My wife wondered … Continue reading A Man Named Donnie*
The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament starts this week. It is here, at this “tradition like no other” golf tournament, where courtesy and respect permeate the atmosphere. Players, patrons, and even the sports announcers are expected to observe traditional forms of etiquette and display respectful behavior. Rowdiness, in any form, is a big no-no and risks … Continue reading Mastering Sportsmanship
Friends, several years ago I shared the story below with a few friends. I am publishing it now for the first time on TheBuddyBlog.com so that all my blog followers can enjoy how easy and quick a golfer can be humbled by the the game of golf! So while I continue my search for the … Continue reading Outdriven by a Putter
Four-letter words have a bad rap. A synonym for cussing for as long as I can remember, speaking one of these bawdry four-letter words in my youth always resulted in a certain mouth being washed out with a bar of soap. It is only a wicked coincidence that the word “soap” also possesses a mere … Continue reading In Defense of Four-Letter Words
My wife approached with an inspiring grin on her face. “Now that I am retired, I am hoping we could share a tee time soon.” Startled, my only response was an enthusiastic “Sure!” I remembered she does have a pink golf bag stuffed with a complete set of irons and woods adorned with pink headcovers. … Continue reading Tee Time?
It is springtime in Georgia. Yes, the azaleas are blooming and the pine pollen has blanketed Georgia with its powder of a golden hue. Neighborhood lawnmowers are cranking up and I am already wearing shorts and sandals. Yet, the truest indication that Spring has arrived is when a local Augusta furniture store advertises the number … Continue reading Bubba and the Masters
“What’s that noise?” That’s the question my playing partner asked following my 2nd shot on a Par 5 hole. After a good drive off the tee, I had pulled out my 3-Wood to make an earnest attempt to get to the green in two. Don’t laugh. It occasionally happens. My playing partner that day knew … Continue reading The 3-Wood Rattle
