willofgolf

Gary Player, pizza and flat belly golf

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Sun, 07 May 2017 03:08:23 GMT

September 21, 2010 - Ralph Cissne

I hesitate to offer unsolicited advice during a round of golf unless I expect unfolding events may require the Heimlich maneuver. This technique becomes a challenge should a player choke under the pressure of a $10 bet and their girth exceeds your grasp. A casual skins game among my circle of friends is like playing in an amusement park attended by jokers like Silent Slim, Frogman, Willie, Starch and Lucas the Impaler. None of us are saints, but we can play and generally watch what we eat with the exception of Starch whose stomach looks like he’s into his third trimester. It’s a sign of our times that so many bodies could use Haggar Expand-o-Matic slacks.

On the first tee recently Starch rubbed in his Buddha belly and proudly proclaimed, “Look, I’ve lost ten pounds.” There was a moment of silence, but only a moment. “Who are you kidding?” the Impaler countered. “We haven’t seen your belt buckle since the Clinton administration.” Starch did not back down. “My stomach is solid muscle,” he said. “Watch this launch angle.” He gripped and ripped his Pro V1 deep down the fairway. “Don’t you mean ‘lunch’ angle?” The Impaler laughed. “When you speed dial Domino’s tonight lounging in your rusting Ab Rocker, order extra anchovies and tell them to hold the pizza.”

As a teenager I was inspired by the discipline of South African Gary Player who was the first professional golfer committed to proper diet and physical fitness. Gary and I are similar size and I’ve followed his example over the years, especially now that the younger flat bellies crush it 320. But my friend Starch doesn’t want any advice on moderation or the consciousness of caloric restriction. Starch is a good sport and a generous soul who is always eager to treat for the pizzas at a card game. The opportunity, when you’re doing Domino’s, is to refrain from eating an entire 2,500-calorie pizza by yourself. Some things, like a good laugh in a casual round, are most satisfying when they are shared. WOG

Relationships, bachelorhood and golf

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Sun, 07 May 2017 03:07:47 GMT

June 14, 2011 - Ralph Cissne

Many of my closest golf friends are bachelors. The older ones have been married and are compelled to coach the twenty-some-things on the rewards of patience. The few friends who are married don’t seem to play as often as the others. Even if you love golf it is reasonable that you love your family more. Like an effective golf swing, healthy relationships require stability, balance and perspective.

About a year ago I started leaving my sneakers untied. I don’t wear shoes in my place (it’s a yoga thing) so this is convenient for my lifestyle as I live at the beach now. Unless on a long walk the laces hang loose like looping black waves above my arches. Some evenings I roam the strand by the ocean with my shoes untied and consider using the beach as a practice bunker, but haven’t made that happen. You never know when you may need to play a shot from wet packed sand.

During our marriage the wife never complained about my passion for golf, but after our divorce her experience unrolled like a Persian rug. Her voice was calm yet firm and, in that moment, surprisingly attractive. I was completely attentive when she said, “For seven long years all you did was play golf, practice golf, talk about golf and watch golf on television.” A revelation because I never thought that behavior was abnormal. You learn a lot when someone suddenly stops laughing at your jokes.

Several years later, filled with reflection and existential bachelorhood, I wrote this poem: “Fools fall in love and, clutching their remorse, fools fall apart. The wise move into love like a comfortable old home with lots of room to be alone together.” It’s instructive to be clear about what you want and the choices we make. That way you avoid considerable pain, suffering or arguing about how much time you spend watching The Golf Channel.

A woman I met recently listened to a few of my stories and laughed before she said, “My god, I don’t even know you and I already feel like a golf widow.” Not everyone understands the value of self-reliance and the lessons of golf, the challenge the game represents and the opportunity to discover more of who we are. And there are some who do. We move on, raking bunkers whether we stepped in them or not. I wonder how your passion for golf has influenced the quality of your relationships? WOG

A tribute to the memory of Frank Early III

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:42:34 GMT

August 6, 2014 - Ralph Cissne

Frank Early III was a good man who loved golf and my friend for almost twenty years. When I learned of his passing last Saturday I spent most of the balance of the weekend in a state of shock and sadness knowing I would never see his smiling white bearded face again.

Everyone who belongs to a golf club understands the often challenging and thankless task of running tournaments. It is like herding feral cats, but Frank Early made it look easy. He served in a variety of roles for the Woodley Lakes Men’s Golf Club including web master and photographer. He loved the club and the members, something that was obvious to anyone who paid attention.

In 2011 I advised Frank that our club championship would be my last tournament as I was moving to Oklahoma to be close to my family. I had my game face on when the tournament weekend arrived. The morning of the final round Frank approached with a large envelope. “Go on,” he said. “Open it.”

Inside was a portfolio filled with Frank’s tournament photographs and Woodley Wedge newsletter articles that recounted my years in the club. As I turned the pages I was overwhelmed and speechless, a profoundly unusual condition for me, and struggled not to break down. I gathered my emotions yet tears filled my eyes. “This is the most thoughtful gift,” I said. “Anyone has ever given to me.”

Frank smiled. “We wanted you to know how much we enjoyed having you in the club,” he said. “And how much we love you.”

There are the brothers and sisters of birth and the brothers and sisters we choose. Frank was one of the later, an authentic and caring soul who always made my day. A year ago I was visiting Los Angeles and Frank arranged for me to play in a home tournament. It was wonderful to see the familiar faces of my Woodley golf brothers. A few days later I stopped by Golfsmith to see Frank. I thanked him again for the years of friendship and for his thoughtfulness. I recall clearly the smile on his face as we shook hands for what would be the last time.

So I am at a loss. Knowing Frank Early III made a difference in my life. I told him so and am grateful we shared that awareness and understanding. That we did not withhold. I will let that be the legacy of Frank’s gift – to be more patient and thoughtful in everything I do, on the golf course and throughout my life. And to acknowledge the brothers and sisters of choice.

Namaste.

My 50 years of promise and the future of golf

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:41:25 GMT

July 29, 2014 - Ralph Cissne

What has my life become? That’s an existential question my close friends and I may discuss over a proper beverage. For fifty years many of my most memorable moments have involved golf, the great friends I have made and the personal triumphs I have realized. Triumphs? Yes, because golf is a test of will and character. Golf is a play to overcome the self-imposed limitations of the reactive brain. “Whatever you do,” the fearful primitive brain whispers. “Don’t hit it left.” You either commit to play the shot or you don’t. Just like life.

My first hands-on golf instruction was in June of 1964. I recall with reverence that early morning at Lincoln Park Golf Club, remnants of shimmering dew clinging to the practice green, the sun on my face and the smell of fresh cut grass. The junior golfers assembled were attentive as the instructor demonstrated proper etiquette, grip and swing mechanics. I was prepared for this moment as I had taken my share of divots from my mother’s Bermuda grass lawn, deeds that would have extracted severe punishment except she loved golf and understood the promise the game would bring to my life. I recall the clutch of fear on that first tee box and how it evaporated with the sweet and certain satisfaction of a solid strike reverberating in my young hands.

Last weekend, in the second round of the Lake Hefner Club Championship, I stood on the first tee reflecting on my golf life. The attending starter helped a player load his equipment on my cart. When my name was called I hit my drive down the middle. The rest of the group followed. When we reached the fairway my cart mate connected a mini speaker and turned on classic rock loud enough you could hear it a hundred feet away. He was my age and, judging from his game, had played as long. I asked myself: on what parallel universe would 60s pool party music be appropriate in tournament golf? The situation was so absurd I laughed to myself. I tuned it out, hit my approach shot fifteen feet and birdied the hole. The music played. The next hole I hit it twelve feet and made the putt center cut. I had a vision. Now I’m two under.

On the next tee the breeze freshened. The mini speaker belched Kentucky Woman by Neil Diamond – a song I happen to love. I had a 60s flashback and knew I have to say something, but I did not. I blocked my drive, pulled my second shot and missed a putt for par. On the next tee I waited until my musical cart mate hit his drive then asked – politely – to please kill the music. He seemed stunned, but complied. A chill fell over the group. We played on. I made another bogey. On the following hole I settled down and the rocker called the clubhouse to bring a second cart. They did and through the remainder of the round, we went about our business. At the end I removed my cap and shook everyone’s hand. I considered asking the music man, “What were you thinking?” But I let it go. I’m sure there were underlying issues. Everyone has them. All I wanted was quiet.

I share this story because the sanctity and consciousness of the game has shifted. Consciousness? Yes, an awareness of your self and others, and the collective experience we share doing what the anarchists and unenlightened consider too difficult. The equipment has evolved, the balls fly farther and yet I find myself laying up to a comfortable yardage on par fives. The temptation to go for it every time passed years ago. In this my 50th golf anniversary summer I frequently play alone late in the afternoon when shadows grow long. I pause with the Oklahoma sunset understanding that quiet reflective moment is all I have. It is the promise the game held for me fifty years ago, the promise that continues as long as I play. While I have tasted my share of victory and defeat I have also come to know myself, something I am certain my mother wanted most for me.

Results, creativity and the choice to think

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:40:24 GMT

May 4, 2013 - Ralph Cissne

People often say, “I’m not creative. I wish I was, but I’m not.” My inquisitive response, offered with Zen-like compassion, “Have you ever made a sandwich?” With the inevitable affirmation I congratulate them on acknowledging the power of creativity. We easily praise the accomplishments of others, but instructive to realize our creativity is a birthright that must be exercised, like when you choose a spinach salad over pastrami on rye.

Thought is creative. Once you choose to make a salad or a sandwich the process of creating flows from the clear vision of the chosen result. You do not have to analyze the process. Far too often we become confused or trapped in analysis, mechanics and reference books. Focus on the sensory feedback and satisfaction you experience with completion. Taste the result you have chosen.

I met a very bright high school golfer recently. When asked about her game she shared her ball striking was solid, but erratic putting held her back. “Have you tried putting by sense of smell?” I asked. She laughed and we discussed the matrix of choice, creativity and self-confidence. If you take a breath and have a clear vision of the chosen result – making a putt or winning a golf tournament – the mind acknowledges, the result is perceived as accomplished and the body relaxes into alignment. It’s a mature mindset that, with practice, produces results.

I encouraged her to be fearless and recommended she read my book, Will of Golf: Mastering the Mind-Body Connection. A month later the friend who introduced us advised the grateful golfer had read the book and was very excited to report shooting 67 and winning her regional high school tournament.

Golf has been my mind-game laboratory for most of my life as the choices made in a round of golf have immediate results. An essential aspect of the Will of Golf program is The Choice to Think Chapter adapted from Frank Natale’s foundational course Results: The Willingness to Create. I took the instructors training to present this material in 1987 and have since experienced waves of exponential creative energy that I have eagerly shared with friends, clients and though my writing.

“As a species we have evolved to a level of consciousness that challenges us to embrace our responsibility as creators,” Frank Natale writes in the Results course introduction. “With this higher level of awareness we may no longer claim ignorance. Reclaiming and celebrating our creative power is essential to our individual survival and to healing our families, communities and the planet.”

Making the choice to think is fundamental to exercising your creativity, whether you want to improve your sports performance, relationships or make a delicious spinach salad. Think about it and encourage others to do the same.

Occupy golf, the belly putter and Bubba Watson

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:39:33 GMT

May 3, 2012 - Ralph Cissne

Those who live in fear of their own thoughts tend to leave approach shots short. It is doubtful the occupy movement will squat on any golf courses this summer or drive a zero-emission replica of Bo Duke’s General Lee down Magnolia Lane to next year’s Masters. The membership would not have it. The irony of these intersecting considerations is that with the game of golf it is advantageous to occupy your self. I meet many authentic people through golf. The more you relax into who you are the more enjoyable life becomes.

Congratulations to Bubba Watson, though. Frank Sinatra would be proud of him being true to his inner Bubba. There’s no apparent pretense in Watson’s approach to the game and ability to create mind-bending shots. The downside of the post-Masters press coverage was the resurgence of the “The Golf Boys” hip-hop video. Those guys busted moves for all the right reasons, but that ditty is unbearable to watch. I understand because I have committed my share of squirrel-certified acts – like at age 12 when I wore a fedora to a neighborhood teen party. I thought it was cool to impersonate Sinatra. I was wrong. I looked like an idiot. Bubba wears the bill of his visor pointed in the right direction so he has that going for him. And he does not use a belly putter.

If the occupy movement staged a “fair share” golf tournament fundraiser would they all use belly putters? Or mandate that all putts inside three feet be given? Perhaps, in tribute to Karl Marx, they wouldn’t keep score? Without competition would there be any viewers or sponsors? Unlikely when you hate capitalism. Some of my closest friends have used belly putters. I don’t fault them for avoiding the forward bend. When you get older stooping can become a painful affair. But Bubba did not use a belly putter to win the Masters. Or a swing coach. He’s old school authentic and to be applauded. During the last couple of rounds I have often thought, “How would Bubba Watson play this shot?” That brings me into the moment where creativity patiently waits and The Dukes of Hazzard theme song rolls merrily through my mind.

Tribute to Stormy Williams

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:38:45 GMT

February 8, 2012 - Ralph Cissne

My friend and mentor Stormy Williams passed on January 28 after suffering with vascular dementia since 2007. He was 90 years old. At his funeral last Saturday, as was his request, there were many touching and hilarious stories about his character and exploits on and off the golf course. He was a legend in Oklahoma golf and touched the lives of many. Here is what I had to say at the service.

Much of life simply happens. If you take pause and step back you can witness the passing of each moment. And all we have in life are moments.

Then there are those things in life that are within our control. Those of us who play golf understand the difference. You either play it down, and make it happen, or you don’t. And no one in my life understood this more than Stormy Williams.

We first met in 1966. When Stormy walked into the Lake Hefner Golf Club where I worked you knew he was there. He was larger than life and exuded self-confidence, something I instinctively admired and carried with me through the decades that followed.

Jeff and I reconnected in the 90s. Whenever I came to town Jeff, Stormy and I would play a round at Lincoln or have our traditional Luanne Platter at Luby’s Cafeteria. Even when he could no longer play Stormy still offered advice and encouragement. If you asked for it, he would deliver and close with “Tell ‘em where you got it.”

We had moments together just the two of us. After watching the 2007 U.S. Open at his house Stormy shared the story of how he met Pat and how much he loved and missed her. He told me how proud he was of Jeff and Scott, Steve and Debbie. How he thought he’d lived a good life.

There was no doubt about that. I was honored to be his friend. And I told him so every time I saw him.

Hope and change will not improve your golf swing

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:37:41 GMT

July 28, 2011 - Ralph Cissne

Politics aside, “hope and change” are two words you are wise to purge from your golf vocabulary. Consider the shift in consciousness when you replace these vacuous terms with “clarity and commitment.” To create results you must have clear intentions and the ability to remain in the moment. My mentor Frank Natale described hope as “a notch above worry” with no value to anyone but victims who unwittingly cultivate self-imposed limitations. Change is a vicious circle without direction. I improved my game dramatically, and won tournaments, applying the Natale results techniques included in the Will of Golf program.

Like most players, I love new equipment and used to “change” my putter often. The shine on my new magic wand, however, wore off when flawed mechanics manifested the same frustrating outcome. Several years ago I committed to advance my approach, engaged a coach and have used only one putter with great success. Last week Paul Azinger, on his Twitter feed, reminded me of a simple putting tempo drill (one-two or one-two-three) that works wonders for your stroke. In golf we are both the garden and the gardener. We reap what we sow. Guidance from your local PGA grain merchant will make a difference.

“I found something out there today,” is a common refrain from Tour players after a breakthrough round. Consider this whenever you struggle on the course. The perfect golf swing is a myth, but when you manage your mind and emotions you will manage to score. The golf swing is an expression of your willingness to be present. When you commit to a fluid tempo and a balanced finish there is music playing only you can hear. Maybe the Blue Danube Waltz, Om Shanti or Born to Be Wild, but it is yours. Listen.

Golf is a metaphor for life, and certainly for these challenging times. The best we can do is to play the ball down, exercise our freedom and make the most of every situation. Hope has nothing to do with the outcome. When you are on your game the choices are clear and your results are on purpose. Do not hesitate or take yourself too seriously (although, if over forty, you may take ibuprofen). Results have little value unless they are enjoyed. There are moments when nothing is more satisfying than having a close friend, who has witnessed your struggles, shake their head and say, “Nice shot. I shouldn’t have pressed the bet.” Hold that thought. WOG

Independence, self-reliance and the game of golf

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:36:43 GMT

July 5, 2011 - Ralph Cissne

I trust you had an enjoyable Independence Day weekend. Freedom and golf are synonymous for me, manifested by the lightness in my hands and the flow of my swing when mind, body and spirit are aligned. On Saturday I hit 18 greens in regulation, a feat I’ve accomplished before, but this round was particularly satisfying because I finished each swing with confidence and because this day was the 100th anniversary of my father’s birth. I celebrated, quietly, understanding the sacrifices that secure the freedom we all enjoy.

Sunday morning my sister forwarded an email acknowledging the 56 men who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor when they signed the  Declaration of Independence. They were men of means who understood  the penalty would be death if they were captured. Five were captured, branded as traitors and tortured  before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine fought and died from wounds or hardships of  the war.

Twenty-four of the signers were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships  destroyed. He sold his home and properties  to pay his debts and died in rags. Thomas McKeam served in the Congress without pay and kept his family in hiding. His possessions were taken and poverty was his reward. Looters claimed the property of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge and Middleton.

Thomas Nelson, Jr., at the battle of Yorktown, noted that British  General Cornwallis had taken the Nelson home as his headquarters, but he urged General Washington to open fire. The home was  destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and property destroyed. His wife was jailed and died within a few months. Each of the signers made a pledge for independence and self-reliance underscored by Thomas Jefferson’s quote: “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough  to take away everything you have.”

Last night, among a crowd of thousands, I watched fireworks gloriously illuminate the Santa Monica Bay. I considered the patriotic reverence of the onlookers as I recalled my father’s funeral decades ago and the resounding silence that follows a 21-gun salute. I acknowledge and celebrate service to country, the cost of freedom and the grand lessons of self-reliance and self-governance we share in the game of golf. Play it down. WOG

The putting wizard of Rancho Park

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:34:21 GMT

May 26, 2011 - Ralph Cissne

I have not met the wizard of Rancho Park, but there is probably a wizard on most putting greens, silver haired and willing to wager, as the day’s shadows grow long. Rancho Park is one of America’s busiest courses and a cultural crossroads of urban golf. It’s a surreal place that would attract a wizard or two.

On the ninth green in a recent skins game two Rancho regulars watched and gave odds whether we’d make our birdie putts. The Kid, a twenty-something gamer, recommended we ignore them as the odds were against us. The Kid missed his putt and I made mine. No side money changed hands.

While we waited on the next tee, the Kid recounted when the wizard challenged him to a $20-a-hole putting game. After six holes the Kid was four down and lost the seventh. “Five down, pay up,” the wizard demanded. The Kid forked over $100 and asked, “How do you do that?” The wizard chuckled, “If you want to learn, it will cost you.” They went another round. The Kid made some putts and they came to the ninth hole all square. He left the 45-footer short. The wizard calmly surveyed the putt then drained it. “So, what’s the secret?” the Kid asked. And the wizard replied, “You tried to make that putt. I knew I would make it.”

After a moment of reflection I advised the Kid, “The wizard putts by sense of smell. He’s like Yoda. That’s the only explanation.” As Stormy Williams told me, “If you can’t line it up you got no chance.” Alignment is fundamental to the art of putting, but self-confidence is essential. Bobby Hinds, my putting and short game coach, has worked to open my stance, set my eyes over the ball and watch the hole on my practice stroke. Priceless tips he received from Ken Venturi.

I’ve always been a feel putter and adopting these techniques made a huge difference in my scoring game. Recently I had a round with 9 one-putt greens, unfortunately, not all of them were for birdies. When you clank your irons confident putting will save your day. If you want to putt like a wizard, engage your mental clutch, shift your mind into neutral and trust your stroke. Visualize the ball rolling into the cup then let it be. WOG

Focus on the finish

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:33:28 GMT

April 28, 2011 - Ralph Cissne

I recently joined Linked:Golfers on LinkedIn and their lively golf tips discussion. There are hundreds of diverse tips from players and professionals alike, sharing their thoughts, often humorous and inventive, on what’s working for them. These varied opinions, reflected in every golf website, publication or broadcast, are testimony to the challenge golf represents and why people who are willing to challenge themselves love the game so much.

Even though I live in Southern California, I usually don’t play much in the winter months. As a result, each spring I set about sharpening my game by checking fundamentals – grip, stance, alignment, sequence – and focus on what needs the most attention. This year it’s what I call “staying in the saddle” or establishing a solid swing foundation by quieting the lower body. My swing coach Brady Riggs (see WOG links page) has a great video demonstrating the importance of reducing your leg action, which enables you to optimize posture, protect the lower back and create space at the top of your swing to facilitate the desired inside approach to the ball.

I’ve been clanking my irons, which indicates my position at the top of the backswing is off plane and my leading wrist does not match my wrist position at address. Checking it down, I focus on the impact position. If you are squared up at the moment of truth hitting it where you aim is greatly improved. Your mind prefers simple instructions so address these positions individually until you feel confident and then let it go.

At the practice range, in sequence, I set my foundation, feel the shaft light and down the line at the top and square at impact. Then I focus on making a controlled swing through the ball to a balanced finish with my chest square to the target. If you focus on this balanced finish position you’ve probably hit a successful shot. If not, ask your PGA professional to show you the way. WOG

The Big Break, maintaining your momentum

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:32:28 GMT

November 24, 2010 - Ralph Cissne

This season’s Big Break Dominican Republic has been my favorite of the Golf Channel series although the girl’s Glossy Posse would stand a better chance of cashing in our skins game. Last night Brian, a poster child for humility, confessed, “I did not allow myself to succeed.” No kidding. His angst-ridden attitude and self-promotion are momentum killers. Every good player knows you don’t talk smack. That only motivates your competitors.

In a recent game with my misfit crew, Silent Slim, a 24-year-old slayer who won our club championship with a 12 under par 36-hole total, was my partner in a match against Lucas the Impaler and Starch. We’re all scratch players, but after six holes the Impaler demanded we rotate partners (it was that bad). The eighth hole is a reachable par 5 and the others out drove me forty yards. I managed to hit a solid three-metal to 8 feet. The second shots of Silent Slim and Starch were long and short. The Impaler shoved his five-iron on the green fifty feet right of the pin. A loud and ruthless competitor, the Impaler will, if you have the time, recount his conquests dating back to junior golf. He loves to talk smack, but he’s a clutch player who can deliver the goods. I’ve seen him do it many times.

The Impaler surveyed the length of his fifty-foot putt, took one last look and made his play. It was perfect speed. When the ball dropped into the cup a one-man celebration ensued that rivaled the scene when Justin Leonard dropped the 45-footer on Jose Maria Olazabal in the 1999 Ryder Cup. “That’s how you make an eagle,” the Impaler roared. “Let’s see you make that eight footer now.” Players on a nearby tee box turned and stared at the aberrant exhibition. Silent Slim grinned. Starch danced his signature Irish jig and laughed out loud. “Laugh on,” I said to him. “But you’re my partner now.”

I must admit that I laughed, too. It was a hilarious moment common in our games, which can be as outrageous and entertaining as any Big Break episode. After the mayhem I missed my putt, but didn’t waste any energy making excuses. The Impaler enjoyed his moment of glory and there was plenty of golf to be played. I didn’t allow one miss to destroy my momentum. It was done. You have to accept that fact and move on. There will be other moments. As 1999 Ryder Cup captain Ben Crenshaw said, “I have a good feeling…” And that’s what the Will of Golf is all about. WOG

Mother of inspiration

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:30:36 GMT

June 7, 2010 - Ralph Cissne

Englishman Justin Rose’s triumph over rookie Rickie Fowler at the Memorial Tournament represents the tenth 20-something PGA Tour victory this year. Congratulations to Justin and the rest of the young guns. It was quite a show. Last month, during the NBC broadcast of The Players Championship, it was inspiring to hear praise for the mothers that encouraged their sons to play golf. Learning how to win is a process and encouragement from loved ones definitely makes victory, when it comes, a more satisfying and complete experience.

I think of my mother every day and especially when I’m playing golf. She enrolled me in junior golf when I was 14, encouraged me to practice and to always do my best. She played golf and understood it was a game of character, self-reliance and commitment. A competitive spirit, my mother loved gardening, canasta and keeping score. Around our house it was often the girls versus the boys (and the girls usually won) so it was amusing to me when, in a billiard hall several years later, a college date suggested we forgo keeping score. “That way,” she offered. “Everyone wins.” I thought of my mother, smiled and countered, “Who’s your role model, Karl Marx?”

A few years before she passed I gave my mother a set of note cards for Mother’s Day. “And what am I going to do with these?” she asked flatly. “All my friends are dead.” I thought for a moment. “I’m your friend,” I said. “You can send them to me.” And she did. Every couple of weeks they’d arrive, often with a photo or cartoon clipping and a brief note about the weather or her garden, but always with a few words of encouragement. I was blessed to have her in my life and trust that you have a friend or two like that. WOG

Words beyond belief

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:28:56 GMT

April 16, 2010 - Ralph Cissne

Language frames our reality. In grammar school we were taught to think before we speak. If you had siblings like me this was a challenge. On the golf course, players often make statements such as, “I am the worst putter” or “I can’t control my driver.” These negative comments become self-fulfilling prophesy. You would never speak to a close friend this way, so why speak to yourself in ways that are counterproductive?

In the mid-Eighties I coached my son’s baseball team. The boys were nine year olds and full of possibilities (and themselves). At an early batting practice one frustrated player said, “But coach, I’m trying.” I stopped and gathered the team. My son rolled his eyes, knowing what was coming. I gently reminded them what Yoda said to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, “There is no try. There is only do and not do.” Then I demonstrated how to focus their attention and visualize hitting through the ball. Almost immediately they transformed into a wrecking crew. When I said, “Get a hit.” They said, “Will do, coach.” Clearly, “trying” implies the possibility of failure. So what’s the point?

The debate over the nature of consciousness has raged since the last Ice Age. We still don’t know how we know. Truth varies depending on whom you ask, so consider the possibility everyone has a point of view based on a unique set of experiences. With belief there is always a measure of doubt. In golf when you hit a great shot you are having an experience “beyond belief.” Know you can recreate this experience at will.

Our point of view is a matter of choice and knowledge is based on the sum total of direct experience. So, there is really no excuse, is there? When your game is out of sync it is easy to get down, but find the humor in your humanity and watch your language. Take a lesson. Make adjustments. Work it out. You will enjoy your game and your playing companions will enjoy you. WOG

Tiger Woods, Johnny Miller and the Rest of Us

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:27:04 GMT

March 8, 2010 - Ralph Cissne

I was watching Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew the other night and wondered what Tiger Woods must be doing. While I can’t afford a stretch in rehab I’ve always tipped generously at IHOP or the Waffle House. I do my part to square the karma. Given the rate of relapse, rehab doesn’t provide a very good return on investment and it’s unclear if infidelity is a treatable condition. With male pattern baldness at least you can wear a cap.

Years ago a therapist suggested I attend a sex addicts anonymous meeting. “Every man should go,” she said. “Besides, it’s a great place to meet women.” Oh really? I learned in Los Angeles there is a twelve-step program for every compulsive disorder. My therapist was right. The room was filled with attractive women, many of whom were aspiring actors and comedians eager to welcome newcomers, hold hands in the circle and listen as others shared. Afterward there was a distinct shift as the women huddled outside, drinking coffee and chain-smoking Marlboro Lights. It didn’t seem right to interrupt their process and I figured I wouldn’t get very far wearing an Ashworth golf shirt, improper apparel for courtship in progressive Hollywood. I recalled what my elder sister told me when I was twelve, “Never try and guess what a woman is thinking, because you can’t keep up.” With an early tee time the next morning I exercised good judgment and cruised on home, leaving the anonymous women smoking until their hearts were content.

NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller’s comment that Tiger’s actions have “hurt the game” is correct, but I am certain the game can take the punch. Tiger’s February 19 statement appeared heartfelt, it’s obvious he only has himself to blame and the drama will continue to play out. We’ll see if the world’s greatest golfer can overcome the pervasive narcissism, and self-inflicted wounds, that seem to plague the cult of celebrity. We’ll see if Tiger’s fist pumps yield to humility, if he can regain the respect he has lost and what becomes of his family. Golf is the ultimate game of revealing character and that our thoughts and behavior have consequences. We’ll see if Tiger can be as great of a human being as he is a player. WOG

Your breath and being in the moment

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Tue, 02 May 2017 16:14:19 GMT

Each breath is a moment of growth and opportunity. We expand and we contract. Awareness of this pattern is the path to controlling your state of mind and your results. With conscious breathing we access a relaxed yet heightened self-awareness that keeps our emotions in balance and our intentions focused.

Most people don’t think about their breath. As a result, their breathing becomes shallow and incomplete. The flow of oxygen to their brains slows so they may forget to turn off their cell phone on the golf course or chunk a wedge into the water. In yoga practice, we learn to breathe with purpose. We learn to direct the breath and focus attention toward the sensations experienced in each posture. In golf, we need to be aware of maintaining a steady complete rhythm to our breath that, with practice, becomes automatic.

Notice how your energy shifts throughout your day, on the golf course or after watching three hours of cable news. Recognize how outside influences impact your consciousness. Notice how your reactive mind may tend to inject the illusions of negative outcomes when you think of the past or about the future. You can always turn down the static by returning to the rhythm of your breath. You can always change your mind. Take a deep, full breath. Take in whatever you need and let it go. Relax and enjoy being in the moment, especially when the moment matters most.

Impact, the moment of truth

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Mon, 01 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT

There have been thousands of golf swings analyzed on television, online and in magazine articles. While tempo and length of backswings vary, all great players get the clubface square at impact. In the beginning of Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons (a book you must have) there is an iconic illustration by Anthony Ravielli that seared the proper impact position into my consciousness.

The impact position is the moment of truth. Video assisted lessons, which I highly recommend, provide invaluable visual feedback. There are many other factors, of course, but I don’t want to overload the circuits here. Of all of the swing thoughts my teachers have encouraged me to employ, when I focus on the impact position and through the ball to a balanced finish, my results are usually consistent and often remarkable.

Bobby Hinds introduced me to the impact bag. This is a great training aid to facilitate a tactile experience, essential for mind-body integration, of the proper impact position. You can achieve similar feedback in a doorway. Assume the address position with you buttocks against the doorframe. Place the leading edge of an iron against the opposite doorframe. Turn your body and press the clubface against the woodwork. Your left hip (right hip if you are left handed) should maintain contact with the doorframe behind you. Hold the impact position for a few seconds and repeat. Take this experience to the range and watch what happens.

The greatest putter who ever lived

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT

By Ralph Cissne
Southern California Golf, April 2002

Every golfer experiences moments of doubt. No other game provides more opportunities for gut checks and self-evaluation. Who hasn’t been humbled in the following manner? With great skill, you hit an excellent approach shot, bow gracefully to the thunderous applause of your companions and walk triumphantly onto the green. Then you stand over a four-foot birdie putt and feel the cold and certain clutch of fear grip your throat? “What if I miss it?” you ask yourself, initiating the probability of failure. “I will look like a fool.” A better question is, “What are you thinking?”

Whether it is a four-foot birdie putt or a 190-yard carry over water, fear is the beginning of the end of your scoring opportunity. Fear in these situations often rises from reflex reactions to our most negative fundamental thought about ourselves, which for many people is: “I am not good enough.” As a child your family, friends or teachers may have used harsh words to criticize you or your behavior. They may have said you couldn’t do this or that. It is not unusual for a small child to accept such statements as fact. They are not. Such criticism is often intended to protect us; however, these misguided negative offerings can cut deep. Find a way to forgive these detractors, let go of the past and move on. What’s the purpose of holding on to thoughts that bring you down? Better to choose a point of view that serves your objectives now. The world is how you perceive it to be. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to make the most of the opportunities we’ve created, in life and on the golf course.

“Everyone misses four-foot putts,” you hear people say, but there is no logical reason to think about missing them. Golfers frequently make statements like, “I can’t hit a three iron.” Or, “I can’t putt on these greens.” How can promoting incompetence possibly help them improve their scores? The intelligent choice is to focus on the result. On the greens, take a few deep breaths, visualize the ball rolling along your chosen line and dropping into the center of the cup. See this clearly in your mind. Tell yourself you are “the greatest putter who every lived.” Share this affirmation with your regular foursome. Amuse yourself, have some fun with it, knowing when you relax and fill your mind with positive imagery and a sense of accomplishment, there is no room for fear and failure.

Learn to build momentum in your round by feeding off your great shots. When you hit an iron close to the pin, rather than jumping up and down and screaming gratuities to the golf gods, choose to maintain your emotional balance. Smile and politely tip your cap to your companions, but conserve and redirect your energy. Relax and be aware of the profound sense of satisfaction flowing through your body. Be confident and know you may access this heightened state of accomplishment whenever you want. Relax, enjoy the moment and focus your attention on making the putt because you are, after all, “the greatest putter who every lived.”

There is no substitute for good instruction and plenty of practice. Practice with purpose and confidence. Develop a consistent pre-shot routine to align your body and lock in your intended target. If you really want to improve, commit to a teacher and a regular practice schedule with heavy emphasis on wedges, chipping and putting. The more confidence you build into your short game, the more success you will experience overall. And don’t be seduced by the dreaded demons of distance. What’s the point of being long and wrong? Learn to hit it straight first then go for distance.

Most importantly, focus on the finish, on what you truly want to accomplish. Practice visualizing the flight of your shots and, when you complete your swing, holding a balanced finish until our ball lands on the target. Maintaining balance is essential to building a consistent, fluid tempo. Lighten up and loosen your grip on your old bad habits. Think of your swing as an expression of your natural rhythm. Hold that thought and learn to take deep breaths to release the tension in your body. Learn to relax and embrace the possibilities of playing the game of your life. Celebrate your great shots and don’t beat yourself up should something go wrong. Be confident you will recover. The beauty of golf is there is always room for redemption. Remember, you are the greatest… Play well.

Engaging your golf powerhouse

bob@netprollc.co (Bob Peterson) — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT

By Ralph Cissne
Southern California Golf, May 2002

Power has been a raging hot topic in golf for most of my life. We’re all mad with the desire for greater distance, especially off the tee. Everyone wants to generate more power, but our new high-tech alloy equipment only provides the means to transfer energy as the club head strikes the ball. Ultimately, power is something you must find and cultivate within yourself.

I’m a bit of a purist about the game and was slow to surrender my sweet persimmon driver. It’s a beautiful club and has held a special place in my closet for a very long time now. I’m not going to give up thirty yards off the tee. Who would? But once we have all the technology we can handle, then what? If you truly want to improve your game, lessons are always on the agenda. Work with your local golf professional to develop strong fundamentals of grip, stance and alignment. Balance, fluid tempo and bringing the club head down the line with consistency are the keys to success. Learning, and practicing, proper swing mechanics are mandatory if you want to increase your skills and self-confidence. This is also the gateway to your power.

Get Leaner, Longer and Stronger

Physical conditioning is also important. Go to any driving range and notice the people who stretch before they practice. Most people just drop the bucket and start swinging away. True athletes wouldn’t think of practicing or playing without warming up and stretching the muscle groups involved. Virtually every professional athlete works with strength and conditioning coaches and trainers to optimize their performance. This is particularly important if they have injuries. Why should golf be any different? Your local health club most likely has a certified personal trainer who can help you create proper stretches and “core conditioning” exercises based on your level of fitness.

Given the enormous popularity, you probably have a Hatha Yoga studio nearby. Yoga classes are an excellent way to increase your balance, strength, flexibility and range of motion. The stretches you learn from a trainer are almost certainly based on aspects of this five-thousand-year-old science of life. Modern physics theorizes matter and energy are similar manifestations only with varied density. Consider your body and mind in this way. In yoga postures the breath is used to direct attention to the point of the greatest sensation. This process of concentrating energy promotes growth and healing of the muscles and connective tissues. The beauty of yoga, taught by experienced and inspired teachers, is the classes are self-contained. You find everything you need to get leaner, longer and stronger in one place.

The Powerhouse of Conditioning

The purpose of Hatha Yoga is to fuse the body into an instrument of the will, which makes an ideal discipline for golfers. I discovered golf and yoga in my early teens. In my twenties I sustained lower back injuries and quickly learned, if I wanted to continue playing golf, I had to maintain my core strength and flexibility. So, over twenty years later, I practice yoga every morning without fail and hit the golf ball longer than ever. Of course, I’m not using my old persimmon driver anymore.

The Pilates Method is another mind-body discipline, which blends the best of Western and Eastern approaches into exercises performed on mats or special equipment. Pilates exercises are similar to yoga in that they condition the entire body with special emphasis on the specific core muscle groups supporting the spine and pelvis. Called the Powerhouse, this group of muscles includes the rectus abdominis, internal obliques, lower back muscles, transversus abdominis and gluteus maximus. To engage your Powerhouse, pull your navel in toward your spine. Try this, lengthening from the center of your body when you stretch, walk or swing. As a golfer, you should immediately recognize the benefits of conditioning these muscles to help prevent injuries and promote a fluid and powerful golf swing.

Relax and Be in the Moment

Extraordinarily hard swings destroy your accuracy and the rhythm of your round. How can you maintain balance and tempo when you are swinging out of your shoes? Yoga teachers encourage students to “find your center,” the place in your body where you are balanced and complete. In yoga you learn how to breathe and that every breath is a moment of growth followed by a moment of surrender. A heightened state of relaxed self-awareness is a natural result of this process. With yoga practice, your physical and emotional balance is maintained and you enjoy a meditative quality, which is easily accessed on the golf course and throughout your daily life. All that is required is to take a deep, full breath. Take in whatever is necessary. Then relax and enjoy the power of being in the moment.