The Golfchick

That chick blabbing about anything golf related.

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My new inspiration!

January 12, 2006 / / 6 Comments

I got it! I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world. The only gift I wanted and asked for was an item that didn’t exist and I got it anyway! How awesome is my mom?

In an earlier post, I made a plea for a unique clubhead cover. My mom would probably call that another kind of guilty plea – when she gave it to me and I was shocked and surprised, she said “how could I not after that blog post?” I posted a picture of a fawn colored Great Dane by Daphne’s Headcovers. My thinking was that if my mom didn’t crochet me a replacement for her earlier attempt, I might check with Daphne’s to see if they made custom covers. Turns out my mom had the same idea, but she found out that they do not make custom orders. But she’s no dummy and she didn’t stop there. She went ahead and ordered the light colored one and customized it herself. We finally got together on Saturday to celebrate the holidays and all the birthdays (we’re all in December and January) and I got this for my birthday. Check it out!

One of a kind. See this on the course and you know Golfchick is near.

How perfect is that? It makes me so happy! It’s huge, so even though my five wood has already been dubbed my “goose” and will probably continue to be called that on the fairway when the situation calls for it, this cover goes on my driver. Normally, I take my cover off my driver on the first tee and leave it off for the entire round. Not anymore! That old Taylor Made cover wasn’t as easy to slip on and off as this goose cover.

I already played with her on my bag and it just tickled me every time I took it off and put it back on. Even after hitting a “less-than-great” drive, I’d return to my bag irritated and it all just washed away when I saw the goose there waiting. I just smiled and moved on. She may not have helped my score, but she certainly didn’t hurt it. I shot an 89 at Mountain View, which isn’t great, but for a Sunday-bloody mary-Sunday round, it’s not bad at all.

Just look at the resemblance. I’m so glad the goose will have a physical presence on the course with me now. Greg thinks we should put a white visor on her and the words “The Goose” in white across the back of her neck. I think I like her just the way she is. Maybe we can do that when they’re mass produced for sale. :)

On Saturday, I’ll find out what kind of an effect she has during competition. We have our first tournament with the Treehouse. As club champ, I’m prepared for everyone to be after my hide. Last year, people didn’t mind seeing me win so much and I might have even had some rooters, especially in A-flight where they didn’t have to compete with me until the end. This year I expect they’ll be gunning for me, especially considering that I have moved up to A-flight with them. Another woman joined the club this year, too. I wonder if she’ll be playing from the whites or reds. Last season they had me play from the red tees during fun stroke-play tournaments but from the whites for the match play eliminations for club championship. This year, the board gave me my choice of which tees to play for the entire season and I chose to play from where everyone else plays (whites). With the goose on my driver, how can I go wrong?

Thanks again, mom! You’re the best!

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My first press coverage!

January 10, 2006 / / 6 Comments

The new phone book’s here, the new phone book’s here!

Okay, it’s not, but I feel a little like Navin R. Johnson in one of my favorite movies, The Jerk, when the new phone book arrived. I’m somebody now!

this is an audio post - click to play

I haven’t received my actual copy in the mail yet, but the online version is up of the latest Fore magazine, the SCGA‘s bi-monthly publication. All members of this regional association receive the magazine as part of their membership fees.

This issue features yours truly because of my recent performance at the SCGA Tournament of Club Champions. That’s right! My name appears several times starting on page 10 and my picture even shows up on page 12. They might have had a more interesting story if they’d have known I only started playing golf a little over a year before that tournament. Okay, if you want to get technical, it was more of a mention than a story anyway. It’s not like they interviewed me or did any research.

My aces also made the book in the section called “sweet shots” on page 45. I don’t know why there’s a separate section for Lady Aces. Do we play a different sport?

So there it is. I’ve gotten my first press coverage in the golf world, or at least the golf region. Is that as far as I can go or will there be more in the future? I definitely don’t want to stop there. Stay tuned… :) Well, now that I’m “somebody,” at least I know better than to hide behind soda machines (there’s cans in there, too!)

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A Funny Caddie

January 9, 2006 / / 1 Comment

I don’t know why I haven’t put it up as a link sooner. The Reluctant Jam Boy is one of the funniest golf blogs out there. I really enjoy reading it. The self-proclaimed “Jam Boy” explains in his first post back when he became a caddie in March of ’05:

“For those of you who don’t know, a “Jam Boy” is–or was–an actual title at one point in history. In the early 1920s, when the wealthy went golfing, they hired two men. A caddy, and a “Jam Boy.” The Jam Boy had one job: keep the mosquitoes away from the golfer. To do this, the Jam Boy would cover himself in jelly to attract the bugs. Sounds like an amazing job.”

Having never used a caddie myself, this blog isn’t just a fun read, but informative as well. While being entertained, I also get some insight as to what to expect when I do get the opportunity to have a caddie, and what they will expect of me as well.

The Jam Boy was recently promoted to Caddie Master and has a new angle for more funny stories in his foray into management. Keep up the good work, Jam Boy!

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Being “eyed” at the range

January 6, 2006 / / 11 Comments

The pressure was on at the range yesterday. Not in the form of a teacher or any other pro or anything. No, the eyes that were on me were those of a six year old girl.

I finally felt comfortable leaving the Goose alone for a little while and really needed to get out and swing a little. I had another errand to run and didn’t want to be gone too long, so I only got one bucket at the range. My swing felt good and every club I picked up was doing what it was supposed to. I was even using the 25-35 mph wind to land some shots on a couple of the greens at different distances. Not every shot was spot on, of course, but every shot was clean. I worked my way up to my driver and was having fun showing off to the teenaged boys who were trying to outdo me a couple stalls down (not a problem, only one of the three could even hit the ball).

I had just finished with my driver and was starting to cool down with my 7 iron when the “eyes” came my way. A little girl in all pink shorts and top – couldn’t be cuter – was walking with a man, probably her grandfather, on their way to the lower portion of the range. They were coming from behind me so I hadn’t seen them yet, but I heard something to the effect of “well, you can hit it like that when you get older and have more muscles” as they were approaching. I didn’t know he was talking about me. As they were passing, I turned my head and saw them. She practically giggled when I looked at her and I smiled and went back to my business. The man then stopped, and sat her down on the bench right there to just watch me. He made comments like “see how smooth she swings” and “just like that” and “doesn’t her swing look smooth and easy.”

First, I’ve never had anyone point to my swing as the right way to do things. That was cool. Even better than that, though, was the look of awe on this little girl’s face. When I waved to her as they walked away, she waved back and grabbed her grandpa and giggled into him.

I switched to my sand wedge and my lefty club to finish out the last few balls and proceeded to dunk the 50 yard basket in a final hoorah. Good outing all around I’d say. Good outing. Thanks, little girl.

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A little miffed at TravelGolf

January 5, 2006 / / 2 Comments

Around six months ago I asked for, and was told I would receive, pictures of the space shuttle that Tim McDonald took of the Discovery launch from the Duran Golf Club. I’m a geek for space stuff and combining it with golf just made me a little … tingly.

I received an e-mail from Travel Golf’s Mark Nessmith (maybe he moderates the posts or something) that he indeed passed along my e-mail address to Tim in order for him to send the photos. A while later I e-mailed back that I never got them and Mark said he’d try to make it happen.

Still nothing. What’s the matter, Tim? Have I offended you in some way? Is it my appreciation of Jennifer Mario? Or did you simply forget? A few times. You’re so busy. And important. And powerful. That’s all I’ve got. Will you send them now?

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Am I Taylor Made for golf?

January 4, 2006 / / 3 Comments

I’ve mentioned before how all my clubs are TaylorMade. I recently put up an entry about my super-comfy new Adidas shoes, which I now know are TaylorMade merchandise, or at least associated through some kind of partnership.

I also posted lately about my awards, and the only prize that day I received but didn’t earn was my raffle prize, a box of MaxFli balls. I’ve only played them once or twice so far so I don’t really have a feel for them. I am somewhat partial to the lady Precept, since I got two aces using them. I won the Tournament of Club Champions with a lady Nike, and I’ve mentioned that I’m superstitious, so why would I change balls again? Hmm… because they were free!

Now I come to find out that TaylorMade recently acquired MaxFli. So if I take to these balls, I will be completely TaylorMaded out with golf equipment. They’re not even paying me for all this endorsement. Not yet, anyway. :)

TaylorMade, if you’re listening, I’ll tell you right now that I am for sale if you’re looking to make more acquisitions. Oh, and I come complete with development and marketing ideas just dripping with positive publicity opportunities. Have your people call my people.

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Too much information? Know your learning style.

January 3, 2006 / / 3 Comments

I’ve been cooped up at home for several days now and, consequently, have watched a lot more television than usual. Mostly I’ve been watching movies, but today I had the golf channel on for awhile. I’ve never really watched much golf on television, particularly non-competition events. After what I saw today, I’m glad I haven’t. Sure, some of the information I learned by watching these instructional-type programs will possibly prove useful at some point in some game for me. However, if I had watched these programs when I first started golfing, I think it would have really messed me up! I would have tried to get too tricky too soon with all these shot-making tips. And with all that information in my head, I would have been thinking too much and not getting a feel for the golf swing. Now that I have somewhat of an idea what a swing should be, I could probably take these tips one at a time, understand and apply them in situations because they make sense. Of course, there’s another problem: they already make sense. I am probably already applying these concepts to a certain extent; I just couldn’t have described it. I don’t plan on teaching golf, so is that really important to me?

Then again, I am a big fan of learning and knowing things. Maybe if I better understand what I’m already doing, I’ll be able to execute it more consistently. And of course, I did pick up a few tidbits in those shows. Plus, since one golf tip can make a big difference, if I even learn one thing, I’m ahead of the game. One tip I learned today: If you’re putting towards the shine of the grass, you’re going with the grain, if you’re putting towards the shadow, you’re going against it. If you can’t see the shine, look at the cup. The grass will grow towards the deader-looking side. Thanks, Jim Furyk (Playing Lessons from the Pros). Of course, I’m not good enough at controlling my putting speed yet to worry about grass grain, but when I am, I’ll know. For now, it might come in handy when calculating amount of break, though. *Author’s note: the sun doesn’t just highlight the grain, it also affects it. Grain can be different on the same green at different times during the day so don’t think once you’ve read it one time you know for good.*

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’M GOING STIR CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even in my first few months of playing, I would read the United Airlines’ copy of Golf Digest every month. There’s a lot of information in there. I particularly liked the “Breaking 100,” “Breaking 90,” and “Breaking 80” sections for their little Cliffs’ Notes type of tips. I think I paid more attention to the Breaking 80 section than anything, even when I was still shooting well over 100. Why focus on something that will only take you part way there? So it’s not like I was against having any technical information in my head.

And I read and loved Ben Hogan’s book, “Five Lessons,” and didn’t think that was too much information. I guess it’s just a matter of what can be stripped down to the vital information that I can keep clear in my head without overwhelming me. From what I saw on the golf channel today, I would have had way too many swing thoughts to actually strike the ball if I had watched back then. Maybe my learning style is just more geared towards reading and doing than watching and listening. That being the case, I guess it’s good I didn’t have a live instructor at the beginning, either. I can probably handle one now, though. If I get one, I’ll try to make sure he or she sums up each lesson to a few important points on which to focus. Then I’ll go home and take copious notes that I’ll never read but will remember better for even having written them.

You can learn a lot about yourself in the process of learning to play golf. You can also learn a lot about life, but that’s another entry altogether. Time to go pull my hair out.

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The Goose is home

December 30, 2005 / / 0 Comments

After playing a round at Westlake yesterday, we went straight to the hospital to visit the Goose. Her surgeon gave his permission for her discharge but said she could stay as long as I wanted or needed. She’s not standing on her own, and as you might imagine, that makes things difficult with a Great Dane. Even though they were treating her royally there, it’s still a hospital and not home. She whined and whined in the visiting room and we just knew she had to come home. Plus, I missed her terribly. If it was just me, I couldn’t have done it. Thankfully, I have Greg who is enthusiastically helping. I certainly couldn’t have brought her home by myself. I couldn’t even have gotten her out of the car and into the house.

Most dogs’ lives are all about the basic needs (eating, drinking, sleeping, going potty). Add to that four times daily medication and near non-stop affection and you have the needs of the Goose right now. And all of those from the lie-down position for the most part. We rotate the goose and try to get her moving and take care of her like a baby (Desitin and all). She requires pretty much constant supervision and she’s uncomfortable a lot of the time. It’s stressful and my emotions are raw, which is why I’m glad I got some golf in yesterday.

Oh yeah, the golf

Speaking of that, I wore my new rides and tested them out with a nice 18-hole walk. The cushy feeling never went away and my feet still felt good after the round. So there’s your answer, Jen. Oh, and speaking of Jennifer Mario, her resolution to break 80 next year inspired me to put that on my own list, although I intend to do more than that with my game. :) Anyway, I shot a 40 on the front nine and really thought I might pull it off in 2005. And even if it happened on this short par 67 course, I’d have counted it. Alas, it wasn’t to be. I shot a disappointing 44 on the back for a grand total of 84. I did play from the blue tees, but I doubt playing from different tees would have made a five stroke difference. Ah well, I’ll get it next year!

More importantly, the Goose will be out of diapers, up from her wheelchair (the two of us lifting her in a sling), playing like a puppy and good as new. So much to look forward to in 2006!

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Here’s to the original gray Goose

December 28, 2005 / / 2 Comments

My goose (Kess) is in the hospital recovering from back surgery that she had on Monday.

Look at those sad, gooey eyes. This was on Tuesday. I’ll spare you the close-up
of the incision. At least she has her “recovery cow” there with her.


I’ve been allowed to visit her yesterday and today and her surgeon is hopeful that she’ll be able to come home soon (maybe Friday). Since she’s a goose and she’s gone gray…

This was today. Her eyes are clear and bright but she still wasn’t up and moving.
Poor goose. With her is her oldest surviving toy, “Snort.”

I thought it only fitting that I come home straight away and toast to her recovery with a proper Grey Goose martini (extra dry, of course), complete with my own hand-stuffed bleu cheese olives. My favorite libation! I wonder why?

My goose was gray before grey goose became popular as a vodka.

Notice the olives stuffed with care. Also, grey goose is French
and Kess speaks French (okay, she only knows the words
“oeuf” and “beuf” – big surprise). The coincidences keep on coming!

To end this on a golf-ish note since this is a golf blog (flog), I’ll be going straight to the hospital for visiting hours from the golf course after my round tomorrow. It’ll be difficult to concentrate and the first time I’ve played in two weeks. I took two weeks off so I could be home for her during this procedure and the recovery and I can’t just sit around worrying anymore. Kess is my first priority over everything else, but golf does go on.

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Comment situation

December 26, 2005 / / 0 Comments

All this time I thought people just didn’t care enough to comment. Turns out I’m a moron and had some selection in my blog that makes me “moderate” comments. I just selected them all for publishing. Sorry to all of you who posted comments and they didn’t come up. They’re there now and I will turn that silly feature off!
Thanks for commenting!

-Kristen

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