g-funk13

Ah, now I see. . .

amen. . . what do we make it for anyway?

http://www.tigerwoods.com/defaultflash.sps Go to story about knee progress. . .

I have made this migration: First 7 years of play, tons of mulligans. Next 2 years, 1 a round. Then I started tracking my handicap the last two years, so I switched from mulligans to giving myself penalty strokes. That really sucked: like learning about income tax the first time after leaving home.

Sending out good thoughts and vibes for a fellow golfer going under the knife.

Clair de Lune--Debussy I expect to hear this going to Heaven, if there is one and I make it. (nice as closer to Ocean's 11 by Bellagio Fountains)

Perhaps you want her all for yourself??? Just kidding. Nietzshe was right by the way. . .

This is it exactly, except the other piece is culture and socialization. You want it, great go get it. But black youth don't want golf. That's the whole answer. Just because ONE did, and became the greatest ever, doesn't mean that all of the sudden there will be all of these support structures in American culture for young black golfers. What? compete against decades of NBA shoe marketing (for one example?) But your story is a microcosm of American racial landscape. Things really have changed so much since the 1950's but the problem is, old stereotypes lag behind. Black people are poor: old stereotype and statistically untrue. Black people can't afford golf: old stereotype and statistically untrue. If Ledbetter said that then he got it wrong. Even black people will tell you its money, but they haven't looked closely. I CAN'T AFFORD GOLF. But I find a way. I love it. I learned to play with my dad. I want to share it with my sons. That sentiment is echoed by thousands of white guys. And a few black guys. That's it.

People need to stop using cash demographics to answer this question. The answer to this question is socialization. There are cultural rewards that we all feed on, whatever our race or culture is. Players like Tiger and Vijay used their anti social behaviour (playing golf) and the reactions that it engendered (ridicule, close examination, INTIMIDATION) as fuel to continue, to work hard--to beat those guys. Sure there are "inner-city" black kids that don't have tons of cash. BUT there are plenty of black folks with money. But is it rewarded to be out there busting your ass? Do they come home to friends and famliy that reinforce that? I think the number of black golfers answers that question. Vijay's dad was a mechanic and Tiger's a Vet. I don't know how much $$ that brought, but it wasn't "Different Strokes" was it? There' s so much more than money that goes into what choices people make. Its just an EASY answer. White golfer: does ANYONE EVERY look at you sideways when you say "I was just out on the driving range. . . " Now imagine a young black man at Jr. High or High School. "I was just out at the driving range. . . " Hell, there isn't even SLANG for it. But if you are shootin hoops, or whatever else for football. . . society says YES! Same thing for whites in the NBA. It is socially positive for a white kid to play NCAA ball. But the NBA. . . well--shouldn't he be some corporate guy who parleyed the NCAA cache into some sweet managerial position? Meanwhile for black kids NBA/NFL is a way for black kids to "make it out"? These mores are tired. Opportunities are out there for anyone. But they can't make it alone. . . Tiger has amazing parents who socialized him right into golf dominance. Live by the culture and make choices by it too--whether white or black.

Hold up, there Valsalva. . . take it from the great existentialist: "There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness." - Nietzsche.

Unbeknownst to me, you took this whole Ochoa thing to the next level. That is AWESOME!! Nice move with the @pga.com. . . did you say anything in Spanish? If you tried and failed it could be, uh, adorable. They say falling in love is the best way to become bilingual. . . Yo quiero Lorena!!

Sadly I never got out any further than Wildcat Highlands. The greens got faster and faster as my stay went on, and I kept coming back for more. Great fun, but I never got that round in the 70's like I wanted. Also nice that they detailed the car while I played for $25 and did a great job too. And then there was the Playboy tourney day. . . nice scenery! Looking forward to coming back to Houston to work. River Oaks sounds like a hit, and Augusta Pines ($395/month for a family membership?? if its as good as ya'll say--a GREAT deal!)

What did you say in your email? Did I miss that? Or is it PRIVATE

He just didn't putt. All week. No big mystery.

That's interesting--Having lived in NYC for 7 years, I would NEVER choose USPS over "Brown" USPS has many MANY problems in a big city. Theft --"loss" happens constantly. Reporting problems is impossible, and complaining gets you singled out for worse treatment in the future! I am really excited to get settled into new digs in KY and experience USPS customer svc once again! ??

Perhaps you could present the UPS driver with a little gift that redefines "BROWN" for UPS?? Perhaps it could be on fire, adding festivity to the occasion?

Lately, I have found OB or lost ball holes and DOWNHILL putts to be killing me. If I can get the ball below the hole on my approach, I will not 3-putt, and have a good shot at a 1-putt.

EXACTLY: if the golf is gonna be better than average, but less than pros, I would much rather have nice scenery than a sausage-fest: I am watching.

so I'm guessing he throws his shoulders around about 95% of his max, and the legs press him fwd and down in a "jumping fwd" way to counter the huge shoulder torque/momentum. . . is that it? I am amazed at what he does.

Yeah, but Tiger would be MORE interesting to watch, and have a MUCH better celebration (what was with that psuedo muscle flex thing Immelman did?) Trevor looked like he just graduated from High School: calm, short hugs to all the fam, wierd Glenn Close smile in the Butler Cabin ceremony. . . At least Zach showed some emotion while he thumped his Bible (gag).

I still don't know how my brother in law did this: He had an 160 yd approach on a dead straight 575 yd par 5. No wind, but AMAZING Texas roll. I still don't understand it.

It has been very educational to read the comments on the LPGA course conditions. I was VERY surprised at Annika's results on PGA courses--I thought she would do better. The apparent difference in course setup explains a lot. Next time I watch the LPGA, I am going to give the pin placements and rough a closer look.

HA Jeep, like your Avatar subtitle--glad you are back on the green stuff. As I have stated clearly, I think Immelman is BORING! However, he is tough--perhaps from beating down cancer and tapeworms, perhaps he was just born like that. Combine that with his talent, and I see him as Furyk-esque without the loop, in other words lots and lots of top tens and $$$$

Full Swing: 60 Deg--85 58 Deg--95 52 Deg--110 PW 125 9i--135 8i--145 7i--155 6i--165 5i--180 4i--195 3i--210 Here's and OVERSIMPLIFICATION that may help. Your distance with the long irons would suggest to me that you are a natural sweeper of the ball, taking shallower swing plane and perhaps a smaller divot. Your swing tendency may not be suited for distance on the short irons, which require a more upright swing plane (much less sweep). Or I could be totally off.

Congratulations Trevor Immelman who somehow managed to make Zach Johnson seem interesting. FOR THE LOVE that guy is boring as bats%@t! Here's a question: did Gary Player suck up ALL the personality of EVERY South African golfer? Ernie Els: BORING. Goosen: snooze-ola! COME ONE COME ALL: Watch South African golfers not smile for 4 hours. Later, we will watch GRASS GROW! I think if Immelman stared at his line any more before his shots he could have given JB Holmes a run for his money. Meanwhile Sirjohn and the rest of you Tiger haters are complaining about too much Tiger. I would rather watch him miss putts anytime than this golf coma. As far as I am concerned, Augusta National got what they deserved for creating an over-difficult course: a BORING Sunday. Thank goodness this Masters is OVER!