Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
A TRIBUTE TO DAPHNE'S
by Doug McAllister
For the uninitiated, Daphne's Headcovers are the finest on the market!
Enjoy them and...
Hit 'em Long and Straight!
For the uninitiated, Daphne's Headcovers are the finest on the market!
Enjoy them and...
Hit 'em Long and Straight!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
"HEADCOVERS" EXPLORED
by Doug McAllister
If you had a look at my latest post, you saw the first installment of my new golf cartoon "strip" Headcovers. Probably need to set the stage a bit for what is coming.
THE
"PLAYERS"
The main players in Headcovers are the main three headcovers in my bag and are featured on the strip's logo. BEAR has been there the longest. He's steadfast and dependable. Truth is, he'll be there until I give up the game. Haven't ever given him a name and doubt I ever will.
Sadly, a few years back, he got his nose caught in the van door, smashing his plastic nose. Instead of replacing him I got some black yarn and whip stitched a new nose in place. It shows a bit in my drawing of him.
Like his pal, Bear, BUFFALO doesn't have a name either. He's more the
brawn with Bear being the brains. Strong and tough and sometimes downright snorting mean. Truth is, he's all bluff.
Buffalo represents my love of Western culture and he'll be a mainstay in the bag as well.
Last, but certainly not least, of my Headcovers triumvirate is FRANCIS, the fox. Francis is immensely proud of his name, named for the immortal Francis Ouimet. He is also very proud of his arms — which Bear, Buffalo and many other headcovers do not have. As with all foxes, Francis is all about mischief and sees it as his personal mission to drive all of the other residents of the "Boss's" golf bag absolutely crazy.
Although certainly not the oldest headcover in the bag, Francis views himself as the self-proclaimed leader and favorite. This is evidenced in his debut in yesterday's strip.
So there they are. Guest appearances will be plenty from the bags of many of the best players in the game, as well as from the other headcovers found in my bag. Truth is, no headcover out there, whether I own them or not, is exempt from showing up in the bag from week to week. So stay tuned and hope it will be fun!
Until the my next post,
Hit 'em Long & Straight!
If you had a look at my latest post, you saw the first installment of my new golf cartoon "strip" Headcovers. Probably need to set the stage a bit for what is coming.
THE
"PLAYERS"The main players in Headcovers are the main three headcovers in my bag and are featured on the strip's logo. BEAR has been there the longest. He's steadfast and dependable. Truth is, he'll be there until I give up the game. Haven't ever given him a name and doubt I ever will.
Sadly, a few years back, he got his nose caught in the van door, smashing his plastic nose. Instead of replacing him I got some black yarn and whip stitched a new nose in place. It shows a bit in my drawing of him.
Like his pal, Bear, BUFFALO doesn't have a name either. He's more the
brawn with Bear being the brains. Strong and tough and sometimes downright snorting mean. Truth is, he's all bluff.Buffalo represents my love of Western culture and he'll be a mainstay in the bag as well.
Last, but certainly not least, of my Headcovers triumvirate is FRANCIS, the fox. Francis is immensely proud of his name, named for the immortal Francis Ouimet. He is also very proud of his arms — which Bear, Buffalo and many other headcovers do not have. As with all foxes, Francis is all about mischief and sees it as his personal mission to drive all of the other residents of the "Boss's" golf bag absolutely crazy.Although certainly not the oldest headcover in the bag, Francis views himself as the self-proclaimed leader and favorite. This is evidenced in his debut in yesterday's strip.
So there they are. Guest appearances will be plenty from the bags of many of the best players in the game, as well as from the other headcovers found in my bag. Truth is, no headcover out there, whether I own them or not, is exempt from showing up in the bag from week to week. So stay tuned and hope it will be fun!
Until the my next post,
Hit 'em Long & Straight!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Saturday, September 10, 2011
OF HORSES & BARNS — THE LONG AND SHORT OF PUTTERS
by Doug McAllister
Much has been said in recent days about long putters. Moreover, a whole lotta rationalizing has been done, on the part of some of the world's best golfers, about how the proverbial "horse has bolted from the barn" and, therefore cannot be brought back to the stable. Makes me wonder whether we're talking more about professional rodeo or horse racing than about golf.
Here's my take on the whole mess. First off, I agree with Tom Watson, one of the greatest putters in the game. Watson observes that anchoring the putter to your body — whether the belly or the chest — creates a stroke that provides an unfair advantage and, therefore, should be prohibited. Watson also states that the stroke used with long putters is not a golf stroke at all.
Interesting!
But, apparently, that is neither here nor there in the minds of the USGA and the R&A, golf's ruling organizations. They are currently spinning their wheels and wasting time trying to look like they are taking action when, actually, they apparently don't want to spoil the current "horse ride!"
But, wait a minute! It's really more simple than anyone wants to admit and I am monumentally surprised that memories in golf circles seem to be so short!
It's been just a few months since the golf world was rocked by the determination to outlaw offending grooves — especially grooves on shorter irons and wedges. I ask you, HOW LONG HAD THAT HORSE BEEN AWAY FROM THE BARN? Way back in 1987, Mark Calcavecchia hit his "shot heard round the world" of golf from deep rough with a Ping Eye 2 iron that feature U-grooves. A shot that screamed to a halt so fast that a collective gasp was heard echoing, not only from the gallery at hand, but also from TV watchers everywhere. Remember? According to the rationale of long putter proponents, the barn door was wide open for golf club technology that would be radically game changing in nature.
So let's add things up. Hmmm. Let's see... 1987 to 2011. 24 some odd years, if my calculation is correct, that the horse was loping all over the place. But after 24 years the USGA and R&A still managed to lasso the elusive equine and bring it back to the so-called barn! The appropriate ban was struck and all of golf is now — albeit grudgingly, in many cases — working to adhere to the new rule.
Which brings us back to the question of long putters. It has certainly NOT been nearly a quarter century — as it was with wedges and short irons — that long putters have been in use. So why is it that so many are vehemently arguing that it is too late to appropriately ban the offending putters?
Resolved! Let's just rein in the out-of-the-barn horse. Time to say no to the long putter and get back to golf as usual. And let's all take a deep breath and recognize that THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BANNING GROOVES AND BANNING LONG PUTTER SHAFTS! PERIOD!
So, go out today to your local putting green and, with a putter of correct length...
Hit 'em (or putt 'em) Long & Straight!
Much has been said in recent days about long putters. Moreover, a whole lotta rationalizing has been done, on the part of some of the world's best golfers, about how the proverbial "horse has bolted from the barn" and, therefore cannot be brought back to the stable. Makes me wonder whether we're talking more about professional rodeo or horse racing than about golf.
Here's my take on the whole mess. First off, I agree with Tom Watson, one of the greatest putters in the game. Watson observes that anchoring the putter to your body — whether the belly or the chest — creates a stroke that provides an unfair advantage and, therefore, should be prohibited. Watson also states that the stroke used with long putters is not a golf stroke at all.
Interesting!
But, apparently, that is neither here nor there in the minds of the USGA and the R&A, golf's ruling organizations. They are currently spinning their wheels and wasting time trying to look like they are taking action when, actually, they apparently don't want to spoil the current "horse ride!"
But, wait a minute! It's really more simple than anyone wants to admit and I am monumentally surprised that memories in golf circles seem to be so short!
It's been just a few months since the golf world was rocked by the determination to outlaw offending grooves — especially grooves on shorter irons and wedges. I ask you, HOW LONG HAD THAT HORSE BEEN AWAY FROM THE BARN? Way back in 1987, Mark Calcavecchia hit his "shot heard round the world" of golf from deep rough with a Ping Eye 2 iron that feature U-grooves. A shot that screamed to a halt so fast that a collective gasp was heard echoing, not only from the gallery at hand, but also from TV watchers everywhere. Remember? According to the rationale of long putter proponents, the barn door was wide open for golf club technology that would be radically game changing in nature.
So let's add things up. Hmmm. Let's see... 1987 to 2011. 24 some odd years, if my calculation is correct, that the horse was loping all over the place. But after 24 years the USGA and R&A still managed to lasso the elusive equine and bring it back to the so-called barn! The appropriate ban was struck and all of golf is now — albeit grudgingly, in many cases — working to adhere to the new rule.
Which brings us back to the question of long putters. It has certainly NOT been nearly a quarter century — as it was with wedges and short irons — that long putters have been in use. So why is it that so many are vehemently arguing that it is too late to appropriately ban the offending putters?
Resolved! Let's just rein in the out-of-the-barn horse. Time to say no to the long putter and get back to golf as usual. And let's all take a deep breath and recognize that THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BANNING GROOVES AND BANNING LONG PUTTER SHAFTS! PERIOD!
So, go out today to your local putting green and, with a putter of correct length...
Hit 'em (or putt 'em) Long & Straight!
Monday, April 25, 2011
THE DOWNSIDE OF THANKSGIVING POINT
by Doug McAllister
When Thanksgiving Point Golf Course first hit the scene it immediately began the process of proclaiming that it was the premier golf course in Utah. Why? Because it was designed by Johnny Miller. Because it offered "resort golf at public prices." Because it was bound to be included as the venue in the near future for a PGA Tour event.
Because. Because. Because! So what's my take on the inimitable Thanksgiving Point? Overrated. Overrated. Overrated!
Let's look at the "becauses" one by one and consider whether each is fact or fiction.
1. BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED BY JOHNNY MILLER
Fiction!
Mind you. Thanksgiving Point was designed by Johnny Miller. The fiction I refer to here is that Thanksgiving Point should be considered as Utah's premier course on the basis of its designer. Thanksgiving Point used to go to ridiculous lengths to brand the course as a Miller course. The course's head pro was featured on TV commercials drooling and gushing about Miller designing the track with the Hall of Famer embarrassingly standing by.
The proof of the pudding is, indeed, in the tasting and, very likely, there are all sorts of golfers who relish rounds at Thanksgiving Point. I just don't happen to be one of them. Give me, rather, Tuhaye, the excellent Mark O'Meara course in Kamas or any of Gene Bates courses, especially Talon's Cove in Saratoga Springs. Any of these course is far superior to Thanksgiving Point.
2. BECAUSE IT OFFERS RESORT GOLF AT PUBLIC PRICES!
Fiction!
Thanksgiving Point is currently priced for 18 holes at $65 during the week (Monday thru Thursday) and $85 for weekend play (Friday thru Sunday). Interesting. Up Provo Canyon and a bit farther in Midway, Utah, is the Homestead Resort. The place boasts a fine 18-hole golf course. Given Thanksgiving Point's claim to offer "resort golf and public course prices," it should stand to reason that its fees, listed above, should be less than those of The Homestead Resort. Not quite. Currently golfers can play the 18 holes, including a cart, at the Homestead for $55 during the week (Monday thru Thursday) and for $60 during weekend play (Friday thru Sunday).
Not convinced. The Homestead not really a resort? Okay. Let's compare Thanksgiving Point to a real resort course that I was privileged to play last summer — Arnold Palmer's Teton Pines in Jackson Hole Wyoming. I'll even compare Teton Pines prices during its prime season schedule. From June 18 thru September 30, Teton Pines charges $160 for 18 holes of golf (before 2:00 p.m.) and all the range balls you care to hit! Sure, that's nearly double Thanksgiving Point's weekend rate. But look here: After 2:00 p.m. the rate falls to $120, or just $35 dollars more than you'd pay at "the Point." And is that added amount worth it? Is an Arnold Palmer designed course worth an additional $35? In my humble opinion it certainly is! And I suspect that most individuals who are familiar with Palmer courses versus Miller courses would heartily agree!
3. BECAUSE IT IS BOUND TO BE INCLUDED AS THE VENUE FOR A FUTURE PGA TOUR EVENT!
Fiction!
Thanksgiving Point opened for play in 1997. Since then, the closest the course has come to hosting a PGA Event has been Johnny Miller's Champions Challenge, an event that really boils down to an exhibition match between Miller and some of his buddies. And that's it! Does it look like the course will succeed in luring the PGA to send an event — even a Champions Tour event — its way? Not hardly! The course is now 14 years old and has lost that "New Course Smell!"
SIMPLY NOT UP TO SNUFF!
The real problem with Thanksgiving Point has always been ego. They've always worked overtime to position themselves as a course that's just too good to be true and, all too often, way too good for you!
I played the course today and was disappointed that things simply haven't changed. From its exorbitant pricing to snooty and condescending pro shop personnel. The place reeks of exclusivity and out-and-out silliness.
On one hole, for example, we were confronted by a snotty, pushy and unfriendly "Player Assistant." Was he really interested in "assisting" us? Not hardly! Rather, his whole goal was to push and enforce his supposed authority. Why? Because we committed the unpardonable sin of driving our cart on a fairway that was supposedly closed for carts! Did we disregard warning signs — that happened to be conspicuously staked on other fairways similarly closed — warning us not to take carts on the forbidden fairway? No! we were supposed to read the minds of groundskeepers who simply picketed off the fairway with temporary ropes! And never mind that there were so many cart tracks on the fairway in question BEFORE our venturing thereon that you could easily have dubbed the place "Indianapolis Speedway!" There he stood as we exited, like an elementary school principal who has just caught some truant third graders hiding in the lunch room! And he was actually shaking his head disapprovingly!
Enough said. By all means, play Thanksgiving Point if you have a free pass or if a friend offers to pick up your greens fees. Otherwise, steer clear of the place. After all, you'd be better served to choose Talon's Cove, Wingpointe, Old Mill or Hobble Creek — all of which feature resort golf experiences with actual public course pricing!
HELAS!
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