Another love of mine is fly fishing.

Much like golf, it’s peaceful (except when it’s not), and fun (except when it’s not), and challenging.

And much like golf, flyfishing is an art learned over time.

And much like golf, flyfishing is about choosing your weapon, and placing it appropriately.

Working your way up a river is a lot like working your way through a golf course. Sometimes you let out a lot of line, and sometimes you let out a little. Sometimes you work it left/right, or leave a little slack.

There is strategy involved…

In flyfishing, you usually must make the fly look like it’s naturally floating down the river. Like it’s a bug that fell into the river. This sometimes requires a little creativity and a different approach to each fishing hole. (Funny that it’s called a hole in golf and a hole in flyfishing…)

If you have faster water between the hole you’re trying to reach, you need to keep some slack in the line to allow your fly to float naturally for as long as possible before the faster current takes it away.

You must make the determination of how the hole will be fished BEFORE you cast out your fly, or you’ll drag the fly and line across the hole and scare all the fish out of it.

And it’s exactly the same thing in golf, too.

Every single hole on a golf course needs a point-by-point analysis prior to playing:

* Can it be reached easily in regulation?

* Which way is the wind blowing?

* Where is the trouble, and which side of the fairway is it safest to err on?

* Where on the green is the hole cut?

* Is the best club a driver or something less?

* Does it fit my strengths or tempt my weaknesses?

* When I miss, what is the pattern of my misses?

The analysis of a hole must be completely made BEFORE you play it. Otherwise, you’ll scare the par right out of it.

And speaking of planning a hole, the Swing by Swing PRO Membership will include a feature you’ll find nowhere else.

Using our website, you’ll have the ability to map out each shot of your upcoming round using your club tracker information. When you get on the course, you’ll already have an idea of what club to hit, and where you want to hit it. (At first you’ll print it out to take on the course, but when we finish the technology you’ll see your plan right on the phone.)

This functionality will work better with a course you know, and won’t subsitute for on-course conditions, but…

Just like flyfishing, when you have a plan on how to approach a hole, you have a much better chance of a desirable outcome.

In this case, you’re catching birdies instead of fish!

To get on the launch day notification list, and get first crack at golf technology you won’t find anywhere else, just click here:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification/

Travis Giggy

Do you love golf but hate your slice?

You are not alone!

I know the feeling, and so do thousands of SbS’ers:

It seems no matter what you do, a temporary fix might occasionally help, but the damn thing rears it’s ugly head again the next time out.

Today, a story from Papa Gig, and another kick-bootay lesson from rock star Shawn Clement.

This time, let’s get rid of your slice permanently!

To skip the story and go straight to the lesson, click here:
http://www.chucktheputter.com/golf-tips/grip-it-and-rip-it/

Can’t get rid of your slice?

It is so frustrating.

I would venture to guess it causes more players to give up the game than anything else. (Other than slow play, high greens fees, slow beverage carts and your playing partner, who is well versed in the art of the pocket change jingle at the most inopportune time.)

I personally have fought a slice for years and could only overcome it by trying to snap the club face shut at just the right time in my swing. If I practiced 4 or 5 hours a week I could accomplish this maybe 50 to 60 percent of the time. The rest of the time, I would still slice or (even worse) pull hook.

Now, I just want to go out and play golf! I don’t want to beat myself up at the range any more than what is needed for a little tuneup or a pre round warmup.

So now what?

I have a great personal friend who is also a PGA teaching pro. (You may re-call an article he wrote for his e-zine last week)

You might say “So what the hell is your excuse?”

Well being the best of friends that we are, has made it very easy for him to make a great scotch drinker out of me. But, friends aren’t always the best for teaching you. (Ever try helping your spouse with their swing?)

After the 3rd scotch he calls me a mental midget. I tell him he couldn’t teach a monkey to peel a banana.

Then we go play golf. He shoots par from the tips. I shoot 89 from some teebox up in front of him. And I lose money to him. (I secretly think he likes taking my money and doesn’t want me to get any better.)

One day before the libations started flowing too freely, I said, “Rick, you gotta help me hit the ball straighter.”

His response was, “OK but I am going to tell you for the 27th and last time that you have to strengthen your left hand grip.”

I thought “27th time? Maybe I AM a mental midget, but I can only remember 14 of em.”

I start wrapping my left hand around the grip and he says, “That ain’t a freakin strong grip, keep going.”

Now I have my left hand rolled around so far that my forearm hurts and he says “perfect, swing like that”.

It was about the most awkward and uncomfortable thing I had tried to do, (since the moments leading up to my first kiss with someone not called mom), but I took a hack at it and here came a big old snap hook.

Rick said, “Well we fixed your open clubface. Now, for another 50 bucks, I’ll help you with your swing path”.

What an asshole.

He informed me I would soon get very tired of hitting a snap hook, and would fix my swing path by myself. Which he was right about once again.

I have been playing with a strong grip most of this summer, and have been shooting some of the best scores and having the most fun on the course that I have had in a long time.

Of course, Rick has cut way down on the strokes he gives me, too… he has to get money for years of free scotch drinking lessons somehow. I still lose money to him but it is with a smile on my face.

I will tell you this change made swinging the club very uncomfortable for a while, but it’s probably the best game changing advice I ever had.

So, what exactly is a strong grip?

Here is a link to a video which explains what I’m talking about very well. (The strong grip, not the scotch drinking)

http://www.chucktheputter.com/golf-tips/grip-it-and-rip-it/

Fairways and Greens my Friends,

Bryan aka Papa Gig

Wow, yesterday’s post struck a chord!

Today’s post is a little longer than usual, but I wanted to share some of the responses I got back from yesterday. (Be careful reading below, some folks get a little heated and use words unfit for a little old lady or a child.)

—-

Alex said: “You are an idiot if you think that was a bunker.”

Me: It was laying in a patch of sand. Couldn’t very well have been the fairway! The rules (posted in the locker room and handouts given to the golfers prior to the round) stated that bunkers were all over the place, and even areas that have footprints and tire tracks may be bunkers.

Anyway, since the guy below says it was a bunker… I say IT WAS A BUNKER!

Josh S, who is a caddy at Whistling Straights when the tournaments aren’t playing said:

“Hey Travis,
Good to hear somebody with some common sense. I am a caddy at Whistling Straits when the major tournaments aren’t being held. I walk by that bunker everyday. It is a bunker, its always been a bunker, and will continue to be a bunker. That bunker was a good 40 yards behind the ropes and should not have even come in to play. The fault does not lie with the PGA or Whistling Straits. Only Dustin Johnson and his caddy are at fault. What I don’t understand is why they never asked for a ruling before playing the shot. This never would have been an issue. Love the Swing by Swing.”

Tigergrouper: “Well rules are/rules dustin should know the rules and his caddy should have ask the line keeper”

Jill: “Thank you thank you thank you. I couldn’t agree with you more. While I feel sorry for the kid, the players were warned over and over about the bunkers. We seem to be in the minority on this issue. My friends say I’m cold hearted about it, but “thems the rules” as my daddy would say.”

Duane: “You are an idiot. You could not have possibly watched the footage of this incident. What a lousy excuse to send spam.”

James: “So yes the bottom line is they were aware of the (dumb) rule and they should pay the price. Thank God he didn’t make that putt.”

Me: Wow, to even think of all the hootin’ and hollerin’ and celebration… only to have it ripped away. You couldn’t have said it better: Thank God he didn’t make that putt…

JB: “You are correct. The rules are the rules. But to allow public access to a hazard and then not allow relief from a footprint/etc means the patrons can destroy the course before a player has a chance to play a hole. That’s too much participation from fans. Why not allow yelling in the backswing??”

David: “You’re full of crap. That’s the problem with our society. People take common sense out of everything. Are you not smart enough to figure out the intent of the law?!?! He gained no advantage, please stop hiding behind “that’s the way it’s been for 500 years” just because you are not smart enough to use your God given common sense. Your argument puts you next in line for a Supreme Court Justice position…so I guess maybe you are the smart one. Intent, intent, intent.”

Chas: “It was a bunker and he got robbed. They let him hit it…Then called that BS. He was ripped…”

Me: I agree. Kinda…

He was ripped of a chance to win his Championship. How many times can a guy come back from gut wrentching circumstances in a game as high-stakes and intense as golf? (Remember, Dustin imploded on the final day of the US Open at Pebble Beach)

He seems like a super guy. Even his depressing post-round interview was humble and real.

Only somebody with a stone heart couldn’t feel for this guy…

And, perhaps my favorite response of all came from Beau in Canada. (Beau is a genius)

“Hey Travis,

Would the Swing by Swing app have shown Dustin that he was in a bunker, assuming Whistling Straights was properly mapped ahead of time by the course officials? If so, maybe you could provide poor Dustin with an honorary lifetime Pro membership so he won’t make the same mistake ever again!”

I think it’s a fantastic idea. Dustin gets an honorary lifetime SbS PRO Membership.

When YOU get on the launch day notification list, you get a lifetime discount to the upcoming club. The club will include 3D course flyovers, pre-round planning tools, club tracker module for your phone, post-game analysis, and more.

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification

You’ll also gain access to a few launch day bonuses which will not be available to anybody else.

As time goes on, we’ll be focusing heavily on the development of these technology tools for golfers, and with your lifetime membership… you’ll be getting it all for a song.

Get on the list here:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification

Did you hear about Bunkergate 2010?

Dustin Johnson missed a playoff for the PGA Championship because it was ruled he grounded his club in a bunker before his approach at 18.

Ridiculous?

A LOT OF PLAYERS think it is…

Trevor Immelman (Masters champ in 2008) said, “That is ridiculous. Since when can 1,000 spectators walk through a bunker? Stupid.”

2009 British Open champ Stewart Cink said “Maybe Whistling Straights should rethink some of those obscure bunker-ish features.”

A LOT OF WRITERS think it is, too…

James Achenback of Golfweek.com wrote, “Plain and simple, there should be no such thing as a bunker or a hazard in an area where fans and vehicles have trampled the ground and left it looking like a cow pasture or goat playground.”

A LOT OF FANS are outraged.

In a vote of over 30,000 people on USA Today, the most popular answer is, by far, “Who would ever think that was bunker?”

Well, you know what… IT WAS a bunker, because the rules said it was a bunker. It’s not like they changed the rules during the round – the rules were the rules before the tournament started, and they’re still the rules today. One cool thing about golf is that they will still be the rules in 500 years!

However, you and I don’t have 500 years to learn how to hit a bunker shot like Dustin Johnson.

So, let’s get reacquainted with the fairway bunker shot, shall we?

Click here to learn how to escape trouble and hit your green in regulation out of a fairway bunker:

http://www.chucktheputter.com/golf-tips/fairway-bunker/

Travis Giggy

PS. When the Swing by Swing PRO Membership is re-released to the public, you’ll gain access to 3D course flyovers, pre-round planning tools, club tracker module for your phone, and in-depth post-game analysis.

Those on the launch day notification list will get a lifetime discount, and first crack at launch day bonuses which will not be available to anybody else.

Getting on the list is free, and you can do it here:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification/

Howdy Golfers!

Most of the PGA Pros I know are delinquents.

I mean, they couldn’t get a real job doing regular stuff because they like to drink and gamble and be lazy. So, they found a job as a PGA Pro.

Rick Price is no exception.

When Papa Gig (my Dad and alter ego of Chuck the Putter) asked Rick to write a couple of articles for SbS’ers, we didn’t expect him to actually come through…

But he did. And it rocks.

If he keeps this up, I may have to change my opinion of him (and Pros in general) before too long…

The sitiuation: You have just made a 20 ft. birdie putt on hole #1. On hole #2 you tee your ball up in the teeing ground and prepare to hit. As you are waggling before you swing you accidently knock the ball off of the tee.

The question: Does that count as your first stroke?

Rule 1-1 of “The Rules of Golf” states; The game of golf consists of playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.

The meaning of rule 1-1 is this: From the time you ATTEMPT to hit the ball from the teeing ground (whether you succeed or not) until you get the ball into the hole your ball is IN PLAY.

When your ball is IN PLAY you don’t touch it unless the rules of play allow you to touch it. (95% of the time the Rules allow you to touch your ball you have done something bad)

Since you have not made an attempt to hit the ball your ball is not IN PLAY.

The answer to the above question is: NO. Put your ball back on the tee and proceed without penalty.

However, if you ATTEMPT and miss the ball completly that counts as your first stroke. Now your ball is IN PLAY and if you accidently knock your ball off the tee again you must replace the ball and add a penalty stroke.

(All bold terms can be found listed alphabetically in the DEFINITIONS section of the rule book)

I’m just kidding about Rick – he’s a stand-up guy, and an excellent teacher. If you’re in the market for golf lessons, and live in the Northern Colorado area – he’s your guy!

Rick Price-PGA
Director of Instruction
Bella Rosa Golf Course
Frederick, Colorado
(303)-678-2940

There is no replacement for a Pro when it comes to golf lessons. They’re standing right there with you – watching your swing, and making suggestions on how to improve.

But… it’s expensive, too.

With the upcoming Swing by Swing PRO Membership, you’ll get custom tailored golf instruction (based upon your actual game and tendencies) delivered to you automatically.

It will be WAAY less than a Pro, and those on the the launch notification list will get a lifetime discount.

Check it out here:
http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification/

Travis Giggy

Howdy Golfer,

I’m taking Graeme McDowell to win the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights this weekend…

Not because I think he’s better than everybody else…

I just like his accent. I’d like to hear more of him on TV.

But just maybe, it will be Oosthuizzenhizen.

After all, he has the coolest name. (Or maybe because he just won the British Open on a similar course and grew up playing these kinds of courses in South Africa.)

Maybe Lee Westwood?

He’s apparently the best golfer to never win a major. (The new “Phil”)

Oh, wait. He’s not playing.

For some crazy reason… lot’s of people like Steve Stricker.

The only thing pretty much everybody agrees upon is Tiger will NOT win. (But then he goes out today and kills it during the first round. As I write this, he’s thru 11 holes, shooting -1 – only 3 strokes behind the leader.)

All sorts of questions, aren’t there!?

Ohhh boy… the drama! It’s time for the big boys to step on the course and play smart golf.

And speaking of smart, strategic golf…

I watched a segment on the Golf Channel last night about how a Pro’s game changes during Majors. Especially this Major, when driving accuracy is the number one challenge.

When they stray into trouble (as all golfers will from time-to-time), they play to take away the big number. As opposed to shooting a small number.

For example, when a drive goes into the rough and drops out of sight, it’s sometimes impossible to shoot for the green. All of a sudden, the pro is thinking about the 3rd shot, not the second. If he tries to hit his second shot into the green (like he would if sitting pretty on the fairway), problems will only escalate.

When it comes to amateurs – It’s this kind of smart play that generally separates the really good players from mediocre or high handicap players. High handicappers will shoot for the green no matter what the lie or distance… they make bad choices and it results in “blow up” holes.

It’s all about course management – playing to your strengths, the hole’s weaknesses, and your lie – on every hole and every shot.

That’s what today’s video is all about:

Eliminate the BIG Score to Shoot a Lower Score

http://www.chucktheputter.com/golf-tips/eliminate-the-big-score/

Enjoy!

Travis

PS. When I ask golfers what they want out of their game, most will mention CONSISTENCY.

What most amateurs don’t know is that they are already very consistent…

They need a wake up call! Something like, “HEY DUDE – you keep underclubbing, so… uh… why not put your 7 iron away and swing an easy 6? Or a 5!!”

When you know your distances, and you know your game, you’ll shoot lower scores.

When we re-launch our SbS PRO Membership, you’ll be “in the know” because you’ll be able to track your shots and get instant feedback from your phone.

Get on the launch notification list here, and get access to a lifetime discount when the club re-launches:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification/

Howdy fellow golfer,

Today, an off-the-wall golf tip for ya.

I’m going to show you how to get a little extra mileage out of your hybrids, and take a couple strokes off the round as well.

But first, I have a favor to ask. (With 200,000 members, a little request can generate a BIG response!)

Do you know of (or even better, OWN) an ad agency with experience selling sponsorship to big industry players?

We’re looking for a sponsor for our app, and currently interviewing firms to help us find the right partner. (We trashed the idea of in-app ads because the very last thing we want to do is annoy you while on the course! Even more, we NEVER want to make you leave the app while playing a round – so passive sponsorship is the best solution.)

If so, just comment on this post and we’ll start a dialogue…

OK, on to the tip!

How is your short game?

I always thought mine was pretty good. I thought I had pretty decent touch around the greens.

Weeellll, once I started using the SbS Scorecard (http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/blog/scorecard-highlights/) to keep track of stats like GIR, Recovery Scrambling, and Average Putts… I learned that I was NOT SO GOOD AROUND THE GREEN after all…

Around the green, no matter if I am chipping with a lob wedge or trying to bump and run it with a 7 iron, I still on occassion chunk it, top it, or just slide under the ball. All of a sudden, I’m working to save bogey instead of a makeable putt for par.

So, in an effort to kick my little brother’s ass on the course (he beat me by 1 stroke on Friday), I’ve been researching chipping info lately.

You’ve heard of Chuck the Putter?

Well, let me introduce “Chip the Hybrid” – who is not actually a fictional character, but instead, a sweet golf tip to help you put those runners from the short grass a little closer to the pin:

http://www.chucktheputter.com/golf-tips/chip-the-hybrid/

Here’s to an amazing game!

Travis

PS. The greatest thing about Swing by Swing is the ability to get a handle on your game. Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest through the trees – hard to see the “low hanging fruit” in your own game to help you shoot lower scores…

When we re-launch the Swing by Swing PRO membership, you’ll have access to customized golf instruction, based upon YOUR game. If you’re having problems with the mid-range irons, we’ll send you info on better iron play. If you’re having problems keeping it in the fairway, we’ll send you driving tips. If you’re having problems with putting… well, you get the idea!

To get on the pre-notification list for when we re-launch, just click here:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification/

Howdy fellow golfer,

The response to yesterday’s post was INCREDIBLE. Thanks to everybody who wrote back in with words of wisdom! (Some of this crew of golfers are hilarious! I’m gonna put some of them on the blog and will share with you tomorrow or Monday.)

Yesterday I was going through the supermarket aisle, and thinking about all the different kinds of golfers out there. I have the extreme pleasure to be getting to know many of you!

As usual, the tabloids caught my eye.

I saw Mel Gibson on the front cover of some magazine, and I wondered if he’s a golfer. And if so… what kind of golfer would he be?

So I did a little research and found out, in fact, Mel is a golfer. So are a lot of other Hollywood celebrities…

But these aren’t normal golfers. They’re more like Golfing Monsters. These Hollywood Celebs might sound like other people you’ve golfed with:

Mel Gibson

…has a nice swing, but he hits down “at” the ball instead of swinging through it. He has a hard time controlling his temper on the course. Especially after a terrible shot…

It can be tremendous fun to play with a guy like Mel Gibson – as long as you stay out of his way, and hope his game doesn’t go too bad… because he can ruin the round for everybody else.

Lindsay Lohan

…stumbles around the course with no playing plan. It’s almost as if she doesn’t realize it’s golf. Her swing looks like she’s trying to hit a baseball.

Lindsay needs to determine if she really wants to be a golfer, or if she’s just there for the beer… She really just needs to sit down with an older, more established golfer and have a heart-to-heart.

She’s like the person you played with who can’t hit farther than 22 yards (always a shank or worm burner), loses the ball anyway (but not until 10 minutes of searching for it), and _should_ card a 12 on every hole… but takes a 5 instead.

If you know somebody like this, you probably only invited them to the course because they’re a friend. Otherwise, this type of golfer is a nightmare to play with.

Paris Hilton

…just wants to look good on the course. Nevermind actually being a golfer! It would take too much work for Paris to head to the range every once in a while…

You know the type… all the newest equipment. Designer pants, shirt, shoes. Plays a Pro V1, but hits the nastiest slice of the group.

She’s just there for the scene! (Know anybody like that?)

Martha Stewart

…always wants to bet. And stacks the odds in her favor.

Martha lies about her handicap, and feels the need to gamble every hole of every round. Since she lies about her handicap, she’ll probably win. She walks away from the course with a few bucks… but nobody ever wants to play with her again.

Colin Farrell

…is always cussing and drinking and telling off-color jokes. He stumbles off the course in a drunken stupor.

Actually, I’d probably like to play a round with this guy.

Kim Kardashian

…just wants to be like Paris. A copy of a copy is never quite as good as the original.

(Actually, I can’t say anything too mean about Kim because I have a friend who is a business partner with her… But I HAD to include her in the list because of this awesome picture I found of her on a golf course. PLEASE don’t click the link if you’re easily offended…)

Britney Spears

…WAS like the “too young” kid on the course with obvious golfing skills, but lacking any social skills.

NOW, Britney is like the burned out pro who drinks too much, smokes too much, and pretty much hates the game (but has to continue golfing because it’s the only way she knows to cheat people out of money.)

Anyway, those are a few of Hollywood’s golfing celebrities… don’t be like them!

Instead, be a smart golfer, who makes all the right decisions on the golf course.

The Swing by Swing PRO membership will give you all the tools to make the right decision on the golf course – every shot of every round. Raymond Floyd (my invisible mentor) says that good golf isn’t necessarily about making incredible shots, but NOT MAKING BAD SHOTS.

And, knowing your own game is the key to it.

Get on our VIP launch notification list here:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification/

Keep it in the short stuff!

Travis

OK, I stirred up a little controversy yesterday.

I got several emails and a blog post with objections to what I said in yesterday’s email… so,

I have a couple of apologies to make (I’ll probably offend somebody else in the process). If you want to join the conversation, you can do so here:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/blog/5-unwritten-golf-rules/

FIRST apology

Yep, it was totally inappropriate to say “does your husband play golf”. This is the stupid mindless chatter of over-stressed, under-xxxed, small-richard, machisimo males on the golf course.

(There, now I’ve equally offended everybody!)

I would never say something like that on the course when a female was around. I shouldn’t have said it in a public forum like my emails.

SECOND apology

I never throw my clubs. It was said totally toungue-in-cheek.

Yes, it’s quite dangerous. Yes, it’s completely irresponsible and childish. I DO have a deep respect for this game – it’s history – it’s ritual – it’s etiquette. I am myself offended when other golfers act like jerks.

However, I also like to have fun on the course. I am not above a dirty joke or a few beers (when in the appropriate company).

And you know what?

It’s not fun to hang on the course with some jerk who is mad enough to be throwing clubs around…

After all, golf is about having fun. Getting on the course and shedding the problems of the world for a few hours. It’s nice to beat the heck out of your buddies, too. (For some lucky golfers, it’s also about high performance and making money – but that’s a major minority!)

If you’re an average Joe, and you take golf too seriously… you’re defeating the purpose. (Which is – to have FUN)

Perhaps the greatest thing about golf is that it is what each individual golfer wants it to be…

That is also the greatest thing about the upcoming Swing by Swing PRO membership. You’ll be able to cater your golf game to YOUR style. You’ll be able to get in-depth information about YOUR golf game, and YOUR courses.

You get to make golf YOURS. In your way.

People on the pro-notification list will get a charter member discount, locked in for life:

http://clubhouse.swingbyswing.com/pro-notification/

To sum everything up – please don’t be a jerk! And, please don’t take everything I say too seriously… I’m just here to have some fun!

Travis

1. Don’t be a wussy

Don’t leave your putt short… not only do you miss 100% of putts you leave short, but you’re inviting a bunch of jokes from your friends… (You know, stuff like “does your husband play golf too”, “your skirt must have got in the way”, …)

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and when you’re playing a tournament with fast greens and a pin placement on the ridge of a severe downhill… you might want to hit it short. But most generally…

Don’t be a wussy.

2. Never talk about how good you are, or some shot you’ve got in the bag

The instant you tell somebody that you’re a pretty good golfer… you’ll shank one out of bounds.

The moment you brag about some shot you’ve got in the bag… you’ll shank it out of bounds.

As soon as you VERBALIZE a gimmee putt…

You know what happens… you’ll be embarrassed.

Now, it’s perfectly fine to keep those thoughts internal – because golf is a game of confidence and momentum.

Just don’t say it out loud!

3. Sometimes it’s best to just not look for the ball

Have you ever been stuck behind some cowboy who hits a 20 foot worm burner on every shot, but still manages to lose the ball?

It’s not fun to play WITH OR BEHIND that person.

If you’re playing with pretty good golfers, or if folks behind you are waiting (and you’re not in a tournament situation), sometimes it’s best to just take your medicine and drop a new one.

In other words – don’t piss people off…

4. Always have a joke handy

Unless you’re playing the Country Club, you’ll probably have plenty of company on the golf course. And chances are, you’ll get stacked up with another foursome at the tee box while you wait for the slow-pokes in front of you to clear out.

In this case: Always have a good golf joke handy.

Everybody wants to have a good time – and even though you’re sitting around waiting to play golf (instead of actually playing golf), it’s always a perfect time to have a good time!

Good golf jokes seem to start with: “A priest, a rabbi, a Monk, and a golfer walk into a bar…”

5. A good day golfing is when your ball travels farther through the air than your clubs

Hey, golf can be a frustrating game.

I’ve given up the game of golf at least once a week since I was 13.

As you get older, you learn to simmer down a little and throw the clubs a little less.

(But… I still like to throw my clubs every once in a while, just to make sure they don’t forget who’s boss.)

Any day my clubs don’t go for a ride is a good day!

You got any other unwritten golf rules?

If so, leave a comment below!

Travis