The Cellophane Bridge

Almost every golfer knows about the "triangle". Maintaining the triangle formed by the shoulders and hands while accelerating the putter head through the ball usually results in a putt that has a good chance of finding the cup. This fundamental has always worked for me, at least until the start of last season when my hands decided to take control.

After struggling on the greens for a few weeks I made a small change in my focus that really turned things around. When I set up to putt, I envisioned the sides on my triangle now running from my shoulders to the putter head, not to my hands on the grip. This new mind-picture helped me take my hands out of the moment and enabled me to hit my putts with a much smoother stroke.

During the next couple of weeks I focused on my new triangle when I practiced my putting. My confidence and feel returned, along with my distance control. Business and family kept me from playing a lot last year, but when I did my putting was usually pretty good.

Birdie Byte: When you're on the practice green, spend some time putting to a tee or a coin. This will make the hole look huge and increase your confidence with the flatstick. More confidence equals more birdies and pars. Have fun!

A businessman was attending a conference in Africa. He had a free day and wanted to play golf. He was directed to a course in the nearby jungle. After a short journey, he arrived at the course and asked the pro if he could get on.

"Sure," said the Pro, "What's your handicap?"

Not wanting to admit that he had an 18 handicap, he decided to cut it a bit. "Well, its 16," said the businessman, "But why does it matter since I'll be playing alone?"

"It's very important for us to know," said the pro, who then called a caddy. "Go out with this gentleman," said the pro, "his handicap is 16."

The businessman was very surprised at this constant reference to his handicap. The caddy picked up the businessman's bag and a large rifle; again the businessman was surprised but decided to ask no questions.

They arrived on the 1st hole, a par 4. "Please avoid those trees on the left," said the caddy. Needless to say, the businessman duck- hooked his ball into the trees. He found his ball and was about to punch it out when he heard the loud crack of the rifle and a large snake fell dead from a tree above his head.

The caddy stood next to him with the rifle smoking in his hand. "That's the mamba, the most poisonous snake in all Africa. You're lucky I was here with you."

After taking a bogey, they moved to the 2nd hole, a par 5. "Avoid those bushes on the right," says the caddy. Of course, the businessman's ball went straight into the bushes. As he went to pick up his ball, he heard the loud crack of the caddy's rifle once more and a huge lion fell dead at his feet. "I've saved your life again," said the caddy.

The 3rd hole was a short par 3 with a lake in front of the green. The businessman's ball came up just short of the green and rolled back to the edge of the water. To take a shot, he had to stand with one foot in the lake. As he was about to swing, a large crocodile emerged from the water and bit off much of his right leg.

As he fell to the ground bleeding and in great pain, he saw the caddy with the rifle propped at his side, looking on without concern.

"Why didn't you kill it?" asked the man incredulously.

"I'm sorry, sir," said the caddy, "This is the 17th handicap hole. You don't get a shot here."

Props to 4Checker at The Golf Space

From all the way back, the par three 9th hole of the Yale University Golf Course measures 235 yards. The carry is more than most golfers can handle, even from the forward tees. If you are good or lucky enough to hit the green with your tee shot, you still might be in big trouble. An eight foot deep "valley" divides the green in two. Landing in the valley or on the wrong section of the green makes par almost impossible. This is certainly one of the toughest par three holes I have ever played.











The Course at Yale

I saw Arnold Palmer at Hilton Head in 1980. It was my first PGA tournament. "Arnie" was 50 years old and playing with Rex Caldwell, one of the hottest players on Tour that year.

The connection between Arnie and the fans was electric. The difference between Arnie and Tiger is that the current flows both ways between the "The King" and his followers. On one hole Arnie stiffed an approach and the crowd erupted. As Caldwell prepared to play his shot Arnie turned to the crowd, smiled, and put his finger to his lips. Silence. Arnie thanked the gallery with another smile.

He made me and everyone standing behind the gallery ropes that day feel like we "knew" him. We loved him for it and sent our positive energy back to him. I wish I could shake his hand someday.

An 8oz. bottle of CherryPharm juice each morning helps me work out and play golf on consecutive days.

I look forward to kicking the ibuprofen habit this summer when I hit the links for two-day tournaments and member-guest events.

Made from tart Michigan cherries, CherryPharm is a tasty, all-natural juice that reduces inflammation and speeds muscle recovery after exercise. It is also packed with antioxidants.

To learn how CherryPharm is better than a recovery drink, click on the link below. You will receive a 5% discount when you order.

CherryPharm - Harnessing the Natural Power of Cherries

I've had lots of great times on the golf course with my family and friends, but one of my favorite golf moments occurred while I was in Salt Lake City on a business trip about 10 years ago. Before a flight home I decided to play 18 at Wingpointe Golf Course, which is an outstanding links layout on the grounds of the SLC airport. From some of the holes you can see the passengers in the planes waving to you as they take off and land.

It was a beautiful morning. I had a great warm-up on the range and expected to post a good score, but I started bogey, bogey, double bogey. I wasn't rushing. I had plenty of time before my flight and the course was wide open. After a couple of pars I got back on the bogey train and stumbled my way to a front side 44. I was steamed and considered quitting. I would have rather sat in the airport terminal and finished my sales reports than played like that.

But I decided not to quit. As I stood on the tenth tee and looked back at the inspiring mountains that frame Salt Lake City I took some deep breaths. One of my playing partners shared a good joke and another encouraged us to "relax and have some fun." I told myself to forget about the scorecard and be grateful for the bright blue sky and the company of my foursome.

After three solid pars I made a 30-foot putt for a birdie on the 13th hole. After another par I made three birdies in a row. Somehow I had slipped into "the zone". On the final hole I made an up-and-down for a par that gave me a 32 for the back side, the best nine-hole score of my unheralded golf career. By the time I finished it seemed so easy and effortless. Go figure. I felt defeated and was ready to walk off after the front nine. I'll admit to doing that a few times when I played poorly. I'm glad I didn't that day. Just by turning my attention away from my score, I "stayed in the game" and shot one of my most satisfying rounds ever.

For more visit Life in the Trap

Tony Korologos reviews the new Puma InvisiBonding Polo shirt and other interesting golf products at one of my favorite social networking sites, The Golf Space. There are lively forum and blog sections, along with plenty of opportunities to make new friends and business connections. Tony also runs contests with prizes donated by many up-and-coming golf companies.

"They say 'practice" makes perfect.' Of course, it doesn't. For the vast majority of golfers it merely consolidates imperfection."
Henry Longhurst

"Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing."
Ben Hogan

"I never threw a club that didn't deserve it." Tommy Bolt

"Putting is like wisdom. Partly a natural gift and partly the accumulation of experience."
Arnold Palmer

"Courage is being willing to lay up on a par three."
Tom Watson

"There are two things that won't last long in this world, and that's dogs chasing cars and pros putting for pars."
Lee Trevino

"These greens are so fast I have to hold my putter over the ball and hit it with the shadow."
Sam Snead

"I was just going to putt it if I had a regular lie, but I figured with so much grass between the ball and the blade, a three-wood was the only safe shot. Gave it the old whiskey flick with a three-wood."
Carl Petterson, winner of the 2006 Memorial Tournament

For almost 25 years I have relied on "Stripes", my battle-scarred Ram Zebra putter to turn my bad rounds into decent ones and my good rounds into great ones. My lovely and understanding wife accepts the fact that "Stripes" has more frequent flier miles than her.

I finally decided to embrace modern flatstick design and technology by ordering the B3-M from Heavy Putter. I have been a fan of the Heavy Putter since I tried it at the 2005 PGA Show. Its increased weight quiets your hands and forces you to make a smooth stroke with your chest and shoulder muscles. So long "Stripes", old friend.



Visit Heavy Putter for more info.

Update: I'm still diggin' it. I played around with the weight kit and tuned my B3-M, which I affectionately call "The Bomber", into a certified WMD. I never miss inside four feet and my percentage inside 15 feet has gone up. Developing good feel on long range putts takes a bit of practice, but on the hole, it's all good.

With one small exception... If the War Department (that's Mrs. Ready Golfer for those of you under 40 years old) ever finds out what I paid for "The Bomber" she'll bury me deep in a bunker somewhere in the Middle East.