The O

McCord is a clown, but he doesn't rub wrong the same way that Miller does. Its sportscasting, he takes it lightly. I do like Feherty though. Even when he says something that is stupid/funny, he does it intentionally and it makes it better. I'm thinking of a 230 yard six iron Tiger hit out of the rough to a par 5 and David said something like "This is the greatest shot I have ever seen." It was like 10 feet from the stick, so it was good, but even Tiger, when asked about it in the interview laughed and said something like "he's says that every shot." As for Ceasar and his Miller run-in: I've played lots of golf with lots of now famous golfers or kids of then famous golfers. Ego and unitary focus on self or kid is an unfortunate common trait. I won't name too many names, but I had a parent who was on the Tour walk in my line WHILE CADDYING for his kid. WTF! Playing partner and I looked at each other and rolled eyes, kid and parent were oblivious. Kid never made it, BTW. Not even close.

I generally don't play recycled balls, but I have been known to buy a few dozen for my shag bag. Random tip: I've been told by people who are supposedly in the know (i.e., patent lawyers), that the Bridgestone ball cover actually can absorb water if submerged for a long period. This isn't a problem for rain or a dunking in the ball washer, but can be if say, in the bottom of a lake for awhile. Caveat Emptor on used balls.

Regarding the "shoot a number" theory, I think if you're in a tournament and trying to go nuts, then its ok to come to the course and say I need 70 to have a chance (or whatever). That will dictate how you want to attack, or not. Related, if you've got some match or bet that you're losing, and you're out of holes, then its ok to think that you have to birdie 18 or something. But generally, I'm with you esepcially in normal play or non-terminal rounds of tournaments. Play the shot, go to the ball, play the next shot. There really isn't much global strategy there in a non-tournament round. I can't count the number of times I've finished 9 and looked at the card and said "Hey, I shot even (or 1 under or whatever) on that side." That's how golf is played. For your practice tip, I used to do the "play the course on the range" thing religiously, but now, not so much. It helps to visualize shots, but now I think I get more out of hitting 5 or 6 of the same thing in a row to different targets so that I can recall confidence in that club. "I hit the 4 iron perfectly 10 times in a row yesterday, so taking it over the water on this par 5 shouldn't be a problem...) The one exception is wedges. Wedges tend to be more about distance control than other clubs, so those I will radically alter the distance I want, the clubs, etc., between shots. But, I think that's less about mental side of golf and more about skill and distance control.

I forgot to mention that the Roker/Miller Weather off was GREAT. Nothing against Al, but watching Miller show him up was funny.

Miller does say his share of interesting things, especially when he talks about really subtle things like "When your hitting to an uphill green from a flat lie, you're going scoop it..." that I actually think can be interesting. But, man he needs to lighten up on Tiger's swearing. I know he's a Mormon and all, but man, he almost starts ranting every time Tiger says something. Now, Tiger's outburst at Pebble a few years ago was over the line, but if he pulls a shot and let's out a single four letter word, Jhonny gets his knickers in bunch. The other thing that drives me nuts is that apparently every other commentator on NBC must start every sentence with "Oh, I agree, Johnny."

Johnny Miller is high on my list (his sycophants on NBC aren't high either). But the two things that drive me nuts in golf are 1) people who yell excessively in social rounds and 2) courses that prohibit walking.

I have this problem sometimes too (I have a strong hockey-influenced weight transfer.) Does the range you frequent use mats? If so, avoid it. I find mats (typically over concrete) do more to destroy your shins (and many other body parts and clubs) than almost anything else.