Happy New Year -- And Fore!

What Does 2001 Have In Store For Golfers?

Happy New Year!

Finally, all that is Y2K is over. No more computer bugs. No more end of the world and universe, as we know it. Just a New Year with new promise and, of course, those dreaded resolutions.

No moment like the present to spend a minute or two reflecting on the past and dreaming of a future with fewer shots and more enjoyment and relaxation on the golf course. For me that could mean less time begging my partners for a mulligan. For some it means waking up on this side of the grass.

Looking into the future, I believe that we need to find ways to protect the spirit of our game and its traditions. We need to make sure that the skill of the player is always placed ahead of technology. I’m not trying to banish your new $1000 driver, but I would like to see the pros work a little harder to hit the ball 300 yards down the middle of the fairway.

To make our game better in this New Year, we need to make a few promises to ourselves and to the game itself.

Now if you would please place your left hand on the Rules of Golf, raise your right hand and repeat after me, "In 2001 I promise to...

"Arrive at the course early."
Give yourself a chance to stretch, hit a few balls at the range and try out the practice green. There are a couple of benefits to doing this. By stretching and warming up, you reduce your risk of injury. Your golf muscles are ready for action when you get to the first tee. Arriving early also puts your partners at ease. How often have you been on the range or on your way to the first tee and wondered if your playing partner was going to show (or did he/she decided instead to sleep in)?

"Always leave the course in better shape than I find it."
If I stopped to count the number of ball marks that I repair on each green during a round I'd need a calculator. It takes just a moment to repair that nasty little scar that your ball left on the green, and doing so helps the green heal faster. When you take a divot, use your foot to push in the sides and then fill the hole with the sand provided. This action will make it more difficult for someone else's ball to stop in the divot and will help the grass grow back sooner.

“Not spend more that the allotted five minutes looking for a lost ball.”
It kills me to see someone who wouldn't bat an eyelash when writing a $400 check for a new driver, spend 15 minutes looking for the 50-cent golf ball that that new driver just sent into the woods.

“Play ready golf.”
If you arrive at your ball first, grab a couple of clubs and send your cart partner to his or her ball. Save your socializing for when you're riding in the cart between shots or holes, or when you’re waiting your turn to play. I realize proper etiquette calls for letting the person farthest from the hole play first, but most of my friends and I ignore this if that person isn’t ready to hit and someone else is. With golf more popular than ever, courses are very crowded and five-hour rounds are commonplace. With just a little common sense we could cut that time down measurably.

“Learn the rules.”
How often have you hit your ball into a hazard and not been sure where to drop your ball for the next shot? Having an understanding of the rules is quite handy when you play in a tournament and suddenly realize that you may cost yourself more shots by not knowing what the rules allow you to do.

“Play in a charity tournament.”
It's a great way to support a cause important to you. It’s also a great way to play courses that you otherwise wouldn't be allowed to play. You can also make new friends and win some great prizes.

“Play from the forward tees.”
When you're struggling with your game, playing on an unfamiliar course, or the rest of your group plays from the white tees, join them. Take the chance to hit your three-wood or an iron off the tee. You'll swing easier, since distance is no longer a prerequisite, and probably find your game again.

“Turn off my cell phone.”
Why is it that the only time someone’s phone rings on the golf course is during your backswing? I turn my ringer off and just check every couple of holes to see if I missed a call.

“Never again use an old ball to hit over a water hazard. Especially on a par-3.”
Everyone knows that those old banged up balls don't fly as well as shiny new ones do. Besides, how would you like to get that elusive hole-in-one and have to put a beaten-up, five-year-old discolored ball on the plaque?

“Start an exercise regimen.”
This is the hardest one for me. There are at least 32 major muscles involved in the golf swing. The better we learn to strengthen and properly stretch then, the better and longer our golf careers will be. Most of us insist that the answer to hitting it longer is a new hi-tech ball or driver. Truth is, most of us just lack the strength and flexibility to hit those Tiger-like drives.

"Introduce someone new to golf.”
There are a lot of people who would love to try golf, but they either don't have clubs or anyone to play with. Invite one of those people, maybe even your spouse, to join you one day even if it’s only to go to the practice range.

“Take lessons.”
Most of our swing problems cannot be solved with a ‘magic’ club. It simply doesn’t exist. Take a lesson and get yourself on the proper path to good golf.

And finally, “Play every once-in-a-while without keeping score.”
Play just for the pure love, relaxation and enjoyment of the game. Without the pressure and tension to make par or birdie to break 80, 90 or 100, you could be pleasantly surprised at how well you hit the ball. Golf is first and foremost a sport. Enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and a little time spent with friends.

And what first column of the New Year would be complete without a look into the crystal ball? It’s a little fuzzy, but let’s take a quick peek.

This year on the PGA Tour someone other than Tiger Woods will win an event. I promise.

The Ryder Cup will finally get rid of the ugliness that has plagued the event in recent years. Namely, due to Colin Montgomery’s personality transplant. Jose Maria Olazabal and Justin Leonard substitute boxing gloves for head covers when paired against one another.

During Masters week, Vijay Singh will try to convince everyone that Tiger did not win every major last year. Arnold Palmer will enjoy his greatest round in years, thrilling his army and finishing tied for the lead after the first round. Unfortunately, the King forgets to replace his illegal Callaway driver and is disqualified from the event.

Tiger Woods will discover a new marketing tool. After coloring his hair orange for the Orange Bowl game, Woods will take his Dennis Rodman start-up kit on Tour. Tiger will don green hair for the Masters; red, white and blue for the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup; and plaid for the British Open.

On the LPGA Tour Pat Bradley, she of the Solheim Cup incident, will finish just out of the top-300 in the Sportswoman of the year voting.

The Senior PGA Championship will get a breath of new life. Moving its show on the road and away from the heat and humidity of Palm Beach will prove to be a godsend. The 10 people who used to attend the event at PGA Headquarters in Florida watch the event on television and wonder why it is no longer there.

Donald Trump, distraught after $40 million bought him only the fourth best new private course in 2000, will spend $20 million renovating his new Trump International Golf Course.

FACTOID OF THE WEEK: If you think winter here has been tough . . . At the 1973 John Player Classic in Turnberry, Scotland, play was plagued by cold, windy weather. How tough were the conditions? With gusts reaching 100 miles-per-hour, Charles Coody, who was one of only eight golfers to break 300 for 72 holes, shot a final-round 77 and still won by three shots.

Editor's note: James Stammer is a freelance writer living in Florida. He has played golf for better than a quarter-century. To reach James, email him at jstammer@yahoo.com.

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