Tuesday, July 28, 2015

LIKE A WOMAN

It is a curious fact that the human brain has both the capacity to remember and the capacity to forget. Having confessed my putting woes publicly and received  a number of sympathetic notes of encouragement and advice, I awoke this morning in the arms of an epiphany.

Now I remember what it was that I forgot. I have been spouting sage advice about putting and putters for years and years. Anyone who has shared a foursome with me has heard my tale, doubtlessly more than once, since repetition is the talisman of old age.

So at six A.M. I was in the garage rescuing an old brass-headed putter with the trade name “Sharpro” on the grip. Thirty minutes of practice on the carpet was enough to convince me – again – of what I have always known.

A putter is like a woman.

You look around until you find one you like, then you stick with her. She will give you a lifetime of irritation and a few moments of ecstasy.

When you see those fellows putting left hand low, or using one of those monster weapons with a shaft as long as a broom, you’re looking at a guy who probably isn’t happy at home either.

And the fellow with a garage full of assorted putters has obviously been looking for happiness in all the wrong places.

Loyalty matters. It is the bond that gives us security and confidence. She was there yesterday. She is there today. She will be there tomorrow. There will be good days and bad days. Together the good days will be great and the bad days not so bad.

There is one thing you can always count on. She will do exactly what she is supposed to do. Like a woman, a putter never makes a mistake. If the ball doesn’t go into the hole, it is not her fault. It’s yours.

There is nothing sadder than to see an angry golfer throwing his putter into the pond or bashing it against a tree. The beauty of the game is that it is all about personal responsibility. She may miss some short putts. But she will make a man of you, and that’s a blessing no trophy can equal.
Like a woman, a putter demands that you give her lots of time. You can’t expect success without practice. Lots and lots of practice. Lots and lots of time spent together, just the two of you. No big agenda. No deadlines. Nobody keeping score.

Sometimes what you do with your putter will make you laugh. Sometimes what you do with your putter will make you want to cry. Laughing and crying are all about being truly alive. It’s how you learn to take the good with the bad, and vice versa.

At the Greenbrier Classic a few weeks ago, PGA professional Robert Streb missed a putt on the ninth green and dejectedly tossed his putter toward his caddy. It took an odd bounce off the bag and the shaft broke just above the head.

Streb finished the round putting with his 56-degree wedge in masterful fashion, shooting a four under par 32 on the back nine. He rolled in five birdies including one from 26 feet on number 13 and a tense six footer on the 72nd hole of the tournament to earn a berth in a four man playoff for the trophy.

He was allowed to replace the broken putter for the playoff. Perhaps he should have stuck with the wedge. He was eliminated on the first extra hole.

So, yes, you can putt with a wedge, or a driver, or a seven iron. It’s possible, and sometimes – just sometimes – it works pretty well.

But wedges aren’t made for putting. Putters are made for putting. That’s what they do. That’s what you are supposed to do with them. A golfer with no putter in his bag is an oddity. Strange. Unusual. Not in the mainstream.

I suppose there will be some young golfers who will try putting with their wedges after reading about Robert Streb. Maybe some day there will be enough of them so that putters won’t be very special or important.

Then perhaps the Supreme Court will tell us that it doesn’t matter what you putt with and the White House will be lit up like a Christmas tree.

Won’t that be just dandy?


3 comments:

  1. Your Honour, ConventionUSA TX Delegate 005 here. Been joyfully following you and your valiant efforts from the beginning. Paying close attention, reading all including your Book knowing you have much wisdom and knowledge to share. Please continue. Sharing my understanding of St Augustine's musings and mine as well,,,Why do I do what I don't want to do and don't do what I want?!!! Ole good and evil, right and wrong. Apostle Paul spoke before in Bible ◄ Romans 7:15 ►
    Parallel Verses
    New International Version
    I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
    New Living Translation
    I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
    English Standard Version
    For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
    New American Standard Bible
    For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
    King James Bible
    For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
    Have previously written with questions but not received reply? Perhaps 'lost in the mail'? Would you please clarify.?Review Congress Act 1871 Feb 21 shifted United States from Organic Constitution, Common Law to Roman Civil Law, Admiralty Maritime Law of the Seas a Corporation.Enclosed a concise YouTube video Thanks We are not operating under the original Organic Constitution with sovereign unalienable rights. . Check out the The Feb 21, 1871 Act 1871 Congress created Corporation..no people rights. Operate not Common Law but Roman Civil Law Admiralty Maritime Law of the Seas. Easily restore to Constitution and Rights. Abolish this Act.. Good Youtube info https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-mghZ4oyxI
    America Is A Corporation/Government Lies & Deception/The Act Of 1871
    Another reason need our ConventionUSA Congress..Article III......As the Congress may from time to time ordain (decree, constitute, set in order) and establish. There is a universal force that compels response to a call for help. It taps the fundamental social dimension of the human survival instinct. A distress signal has the same physical effect as directly perceived personal danger. Adrenalin flow jumps. The heart races. The senses become more acute. Run, don’t walk. Step up. Stand up. Critical Mass Time!! Americans HELP Stand Up with US!! My email is auntieging@gmailcom Looking forward to your response. Ever Gratefully, Ginger Schaefer
    PS Would you please tell your Wife, as a wife myself I recognize the Love that you have for her has endured through the ages and your pages. How blessed you folks are! This comment is not necessarily to be published just a way to notify you.

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  2. Your Honour,

    Please accept my humblest and deepest apology for my horrendous error of omitting credit to you in my former comments for your eloquent and heartfelt words of wisdom that have so encouraged me through this process of restoring our beloved America to a Representative Republic via www.conventionusa.org.

    Please correct for me. Here is the excerpt I had taken from my Document Download Hope that I am not sending something that would put me in 'Publishing Pokey' as I am just speeching my peace.

    Judge Brennan’s Book

    Admittedly the untraveled road to constitutional reform via an Article V convention traverses uncharted terrain. Pockmarked with pitfalls and obstacles, it presents a daunting prospect for those who would answer the call for first responders.

    And yet…

    And yet it is an adventure of the heart for those who love the United States of America and revere her unique place in the history of human civilization.

    It may just be our last chance to save the Republic.

    There is a universal force that compels response to a call for help. It taps the fundamental social dimension of the human survival instinct. A distress signal has the same physical effect as directly perceived personal danger. Adrenalin flow jumps. The heart races. The senses become more acute. Run, don’t walk. Step up. Stand up.

    Ever Gratefully,
    Standing Up First Responder Convention USA TX005 Delegate

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  3. I never thought as comparing myself to a putter or if someone would to ask me to compare myself to a putter I would honestly have no response and I would think that would be a ridiculous question. But, you make some good points here. Very interesting how you connected them!

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