Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Are you a Golfer?

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-10-2007, 10:30 PM:

Do any Film-Tech'ers play the greatest game? Ever had any interest beyond putt-putt?

While on a sojourn to Kentucky last month, my father and brothers took me to their home club and I played my very first round of golf! I was terrible, but I must admit I am hooked. Ever since then, I've been trying to learn as much as I can about the game, the players, and the fundamental skills. Thank goodness for The Golf Channel! [Smile]

I'm watching (or TIVO-ing) a lot of the instructional programs. Beth Daniel is good.

I'd occasionally watched golf on broadcast television over the years, but never imagined I would ever actually get out there and do it. It sure is a lot of fun - and a heck of a lot harder than it looks! There are so many variables. It's very challenging.

So what are some of your golfing experiences? How long have you played? How'd you get started? Who are your favorite players? What are your choice equipment picks?

Check me out... my swing is awful! But I sure had fun. [Smile]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-10-2007, 11:14 PM:

Videogame golf kicks ass. Real golf, not so much.

Posted by Scott McGuire (Member # 4508) on 12-10-2007, 11:36 PM:

I play alot of golf. And now being in the theatre biz and working nights i hope to play alot more. The golf channel is great but i would recomend spending a few bucks and taking a few private lessons from a pro. I think i paid 90 bucks for 3 30 min lessons here. Also if i am looking at your grip on the club right your hands are in the wrong position to grip the club. If you are right handed your left had should be on top and right on the bottom. If you are left handed get left haded clubs, turn around, and use the same grip.
Edit: Alot of my golf expeinces involve alot of drinking if played on weekends. Also as i said about lessons, spend your money on them not equipment yet

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 12-11-2007, 12:50 PM:

Tim; I thank the guy that put me on the booze more,than the one that first took me to the golf course.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 12-11-2007, 07:28 PM:

When you shop for clubs, check out the thrift (second hand) stores. These stores almost always have lots of golf clubs, a lot of individual clubs as well as sets complete with bags. My sister bought a mega hundred dollar set for $35. Everybody I know who plays says it is the most frustrating thing they have ever attempted.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-11-2007, 08:43 PM:

Playing golf during the winter months can be tons of fun, esp, when seeing the ball take a nasty bounce on the frozen ground from a crushing line drive hit from the teebox..and using tripod tees, or even anything that can get the ball high enough for a good 11 degree driver face.

Forget about sinking the putt since the cups are froze over with ice..

Yet, I'm an "iron man." Using a No.'1' Driver Iron seems to work better for me than using woods on the teebox.

Also, what can really bite is when you teach your kids the game and they show you up real bad after one season. Case in point: showed my daughter, who was 12 at the time, the game - the holds, approaches, swings and followthroughs, putting and what have you, and from on til she graduated from high school, she placed in our town's sponsored Youth Golf tournaments, 80's and 90's for 18 holes in 4person best ball...and I'm still a hacker of sorts..

It was back in the early 80's that our theatre boss taught me the game and I was hooked from then on since he was almost pro and took me out many times on the range, then finally on the courses.....and caddied for him on his tournament.

Tim, as you prob noticed, that being out there in the cold and wild swinging that club playing "pasture pool", was the best experience you've ever had - being that you completely forgot about the world around you - it's noises, complications and headaches and just totally enjoyed the game...plus the exersize does wonders as well when you walk that 3.5miles doing 18 holes.

I do much better in bowling though .. having a 186 avg..

-Monte

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 12-11-2007, 09:55 PM:

Sorry Timmy, but to me, playing or watching golf is on *par* with watching paint dry. [Razz]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-11-2007, 10:54 PM:

Strangely, the women in my family almost all play golf, but most of the men don't, except one of my brothers-in-law.

My former business partner (the same bro-in-law) tried to get me interested in it, but somebody had to stay and run the theatre while the other went out and played golf, so I never learned.

Posted by Shane Cooper (Member # 2510) on 12-11-2007, 11:29 PM:

I play regularly and its one of the reasons I am glad that I moved to Little Rock. I can play for the majority of the year!

It is one of the most enjoyable, frustrating and rewarding things I have ever done.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-12-2007, 01:23 AM:

yes, it's like night and day between watching golf (which is horribly boring) and actually playing the game (which make one think on how to place his next shot or putting to the cup).

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 12-12-2007, 01:31 AM:

I like to play and watch sports. But I cant stand golf. I have a lot more fun in a batting cage hitting baseballs instead of golfing away.

And golf on TV... oh god.

Posted by Tim Rectanus (Member # 3282) on 12-12-2007, 08:41 AM:

I love it and play as often as I can which most of the year means once a week or so, vacation weeks that number jumps up to around 4 or 5. Being in North Carolina means that we can play year round and still be able to feel your hands, plus there are golf courses aplenty. And it is unseasonably warm right now, 75-80 today, so that is an added bonus.

Tim, Scott is right on, spend a couple bucks to get a lesson from a local Pro (there is still time to ask for it for Christmas if you want). The grip is the first thing you need to learn, everything stems from your grip, and a bad one can really mess the learning curve up and eventually frustrate the hell out of you. I can't actually tell by the pic if you are playing left or right handed, if you swung and missed the ball or are going to miss the ball in a moment. The clubhead looks Righty but with oversized clubs the way they are, it can be hard to tell.

If you are going to buy clubs, your local sports store will have "beginner set" that will normally contain everything you need for about $150-$300. Those are great b/c you don't have to worry about individual items and the performance is going to be good enough that you couldn't tell a difference right now. After you play a while (a year or two depending on frequency) and figure out that you like it, and get better, you can upgrade then. If you go the used/thrist store/pawn shop route for clubs, remember that the older the clubs the harder they are to hit. Blades (irons where the backs have a similar shape as the face of the club) are impossible for beginners, and most average golfers, because of their very small sweet spots. Cavity backs are the way to go b/c they offer more forgiveness on off-center hits.

A few things every beginner should hear.
1. Learn the basic rules and ettiquete
and probably most importantly
2. Play quickly. You will eventually play with someone you don't know and who is probably better than you and you need to keep it moving. I don't care how bad you are if you keep it moving. Don't stand over the ball for a long time on each shot, you probably aren't going to hit it where you want anyway so just get on with it. We were all there at one point so if the person you are playing with doesn't take kindly to you not playing well, then tell them to, well I better not. But Slow play (taking a lot of time per shot, not hitting a lot of shots) is is really frustrating for the other people in the group (ask Rory Sabatini for those that watch golf).

Golf on TV is much better once you know what is going on and the players involved. Although I am not a big fan of the tv coverage now any way, b/c I am tired of seeing every shot Tiger hits (good, bad, or average) at the expense of seeing what everyone else in the field is doing.

Good luck and welcome to club!

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-12-2007, 10:36 AM:

quote: Pravin Ratnam
I like to play and watch sports. But I cant stand golf.

Maybe because golf is a game, not a sport?

Posted by Mark DeLettera (Member # 125) on 12-12-2007, 12:10 PM:

Since retiring from Kodak in April '04, I say I get out to the Links just a tad..... about 1-3 times a week, 52 weeks a year! [Big Grin]

Got 95 rounds in last year. It's been great living where I have 7 regulation golf courses within a 6 mile radius. [beer]

Post-Kodak life has been very GOOD! [Cool]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-12-2007, 02:46 PM:

Way to go, Mark... excellent!

It's cool there are a few golfers here, I don't believe the subject has come up much on the forum. Thanks for all the tips.

Scott and Tim... you have good eyes. My grip is completely wrong, and my brothers tried all afternoon to get me to correct it, but it just felt right this way - and I couldn't hit anything the other way. I will fix it now, though, and learn the right way as I was just getting acquainted with everything that day.

Mike... you can still start, guy. [Smile]

I'm really loving it.

Bill, I'll definitely look to the thrift shops for bargains, thanks!

Monte, I hear that most of the pros started by playing golf as children, so for your daughter to really take off with it is not surprising. That's the way of the world, I suppose. [Wink]

Phil... you silly. [Razz]

Don't count yourself out, though, you might actually like it once you get out there and start playing. [Smile]

I never thought I would, either - and my family had been trying to get me to go with them for 2 or 3 years.

Joe, what golf videogames do you like? I've been looking at some of those, too. I found a fun Flash golf game online.

Shane... [thumbsup]

Posted by Brian D. Whitish (Member # 825) on 12-13-2007, 01:24 AM:

Count me as a golfer! Unfortunately here in the Northwest from November till late March its pretty bad golfing. Also Golf is a sport baseball, basketball, and football are games. Hemingway said something to the effect that the only real sports are autoracing, golf , and mountain climbing.

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 12-13-2007, 01:30 AM:

I'd like to get into it, but I don't really have friends who are into it. [beer]

My company is doing a golf thing this Saturday and a bunch of people are going... but I'm too chicken to go and make a fool out of myself in front of my boss and everyone I work with. [Eek!]

YAY for 1000 posts! Go me!! [Razz]

Posted by Mark DeLettera (Member # 125) on 12-13-2007, 07:01 PM:

Tim,
One word.... LESSONS! [Wink]

I took both group lessons and individual and they were both great for me, and didn't set me back too much $$$ either. And NO, you're never too old. I took my lessons last year.... at age 54! [Eek!]

Just call any golf pro shop, they can get you set up.

Oh, and best golf video game.... NINTENDO Wii!! [Big Grin]

You actually have to aim (stance), swing, putt, etc. It isn't just a game.... it's PRACTICE! [thumbsup]

Hey JEN....
Good deal on the 1K posts! [beer]

Not to "nose in" on your business, but you should really go to the golf outing. I'm sure that plenty of them will be making asses of themselves as well and it sounds like it would be a ball. Heck.... you live in Arizona for gods sake... that's almost as good of a golf state as Florida! [Cool]

I bet you would surprise yourself and be pretty good, or at least have a lot of fun trying!
GO FOR IT! Who's knows.... I bet you get hooked! [Wink]

Mark D.

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 12-13-2007, 09:44 PM:

We're having the golf/Christmas Party get together at the Shalimar Country Club in Tempe. Shalimar Golf Page

I'm still thinking about the golf thing... I might go early for it. But I'm definitely going to the Christmas party afterwards. [beer]

Posted by Mark DeLettera (Member # 125) on 12-14-2007, 09:12 AM:

Jen....
That is a great beginners course. Nothing difficult about it. Great place to get started into golf. [thumbsup]

Posted by Jim Bedford (Member # 4) on 12-14-2007, 09:45 AM:

I've been hitting and chasing golf balls since I was a teenager almost 50 years ago. (Notice that I did not say I "play" golf.)

At one time, golf to me was a "pleasant walk spoiled," but over the last 10-15 years, since I've stopped keeping score, I've had a much better time on the course.

It may seem simple to get the little ball in the little hole in one less stroke than you did the last time, but it takes an amazing amount of skill, practice and concentration (Oh yes, and sometimes luck) to make that happen.

Like anything one tackles with enthusiasm and effort, you get out of it what you put into it. I'm lucky if I get in 15 rounds per year but those times are as fine to me as when I'm skiing the bumps (like I plan to do this afternoon!)

See you on the slopes but I'm already thinking about golf in March in Moab, Montrose or Farmington! (BTW, the ski area is still open in March so I can ski one day and bike or play golf the next with a one or two hour drive. Is this an amazing planet or what?)

Posted by Tim Rectanus (Member # 3282) on 12-17-2007, 12:03 PM:

Golf courses started by 80's bands are always worth a go. C'mon, make it a Night to Remember. O wait, they spelled it wrong.

Plus, (I will beg for your male coworkers now) golf is fun but like most everything else, more fun with hot chicks (or pretty ladies) involved. And the guys will be trying to impress so why not. Someone may try and teach you how to hold the club and play with the classic golf instructor trying to cop a feel technique, ok that doesn't sound so good but you would probably have fun even without the hands on instruction.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-18-2007, 12:20 PM:

So, Jen... did you go?

Jim, you're funny. I like the way you put things! [Big Grin]

My younger brother is just like you. He plays only for fun and rarely keeps score. I did that, too. There was too much going on for me to keep my score. I have no idea what I shot.

Btw... look what I live close to:

I'll get to check this place out soon. I was out late at one of my theatres yesterday, and got a wild hair to drive by on the way home, just to see where it is...
[thumbsup]

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 12-18-2007, 09:37 PM:

I didn't have a chance to go to golf thing. 9AM on the Saturday, Ouch! They had contests for who did that best at what and who did the worst. So yeah... good thing I didn't do it after all. [Smile]

But I did go to the extremely boring Christmas party. Not really fun to see my co-workers making out, bumping and grinding to hip hop. Also when people are drunk at a party you tend to hear the same stories over and over again. Stories that I seriously didn't want to know about my co-workers!!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-18-2007, 10:02 PM:

Hey Jen, since these other guys are apparently blind, I'll be the one to say it - great pic.

(Or maybe somebody said it before, in which case I'm blind, but whatever.)

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 12-18-2007, 10:59 PM:

Awwww, thanks Mike! [Wink]

You're not blind either. [beer]

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 12-20-2007, 03:38 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Hey Jen, since these other guys are apparently blind, I'll be the one to say it - great pic.

What pic of her hasn't been great. I think most of us have just accepted that it goes with out saying now. [thumbsup]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-30-2008, 01:44 AM:

I couldn't resist dragging up this thread cuz the below pic made me think of Tim even though he doesn't live in Florida. [Smile]

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 01-30-2008, 01:14 PM:

Just announced today that Lexington will be hosting the Hooter's pro golf tour at the Cherry Blossom golf course May 12th to the 18th.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 01-30-2008, 02:00 PM:

I'm not a golfer. I dont watch it on TV.

I just happened to see a live broadcast of Tiger Woods playing when he won, I think, the British Open... just after the death of his father. It was some of the saddest television that I have ever seen!

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 01-30-2008, 06:47 PM:

Regarding sad golf television, Payne Stewart's funeral service in '99 by far takes the cake. The shot of the guy playing the bagpipes, walking across the foggy green...

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 02-01-2008, 11:53 AM:

quote: Phil Hill
the below pic made me think of Tim

HAAAAhahaha! [rofl]

That was good.

You funny, Phil! [Wink]

Thanks.

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 03-08-2009, 01:05 PM:

It has been 401 days since the last post.

Posted by Jim Bedford (Member # 4) on 03-08-2009, 01:05 PM:

It's that time again! When an old man's fancy turns to. . . golf.

Just got back from a golf outing at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale (four days, four golf courses). It will be a month or so before the grass turns green at 5000' and later higher.

I got serious about golf last summer; new clubs, took some lessons, played 30=35 rounds or so and got a new attitude. I knocked 20+ strokes off my long-time score of around 110.

85-90 isn't that impressive but I'm sure having a good time. I'll never be very good, but I look forward to the challenge of getting the ball in the hole with as few strokes as possible every time I play.

The golf industry is taking a hit like almost everywhere else. Fewer people are playing fewer rounds. This means that you can get a tee time in many places where it used to be difficult and you can play for less money than in the past. Seeing there are so many sedentary old (and younger) coots here that look like they could use a pleasant walk in the woods, I recommend the social and often frustrating game of golf.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-08-2009, 05:49 PM:

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 03-08-2009, 08:24 PM:

Jim, Wish I would of known you were in town. We could of done a Film-Tech lunch or something. There are a few of us here in the Valley. You'll have to let me know next time you make it down this way.

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 03-13-2009, 11:48 AM:

My dad, who just turned 92, lives in Arizona and still
manages to occasionally play a few rounds of golf.
I know he's played at Scottsdale, but not recently.

I tried to learn, but I never could get the 'hang' of it.

Since I'm a very analytical person, I was very good at sizing up putts.

But when it came to "driving" or whatever you call it - -
people would run for cover- - if I managed to hit the ball at all.

I didn't dislike the game, I just SUCKED at it!

It's a shame too, since I live within walking distance of
what's probably one of the most scenic courses in the USA.

This is the Lincon Park Golf Course in San Francisco.
They have one of the world's biggest water hazards- SF Bay!

I took this picture on a recent walk.
I've been walking this course a lot lately since I'm recovering
from some surgery and haven't been able to work for the past 3
weeks. The Doc's say walking is best thing for me right now.
And this is a nice, scenic walk & I meet lotsa nice people.
(and the clubhouse isn't a bad place to grab lunch!)