TERRE HAUTE —
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
It’s pressure! T.V. watchers who tuned in to The Ryder Cup last weekend got a glimpse of some of the world’s best players dealing with more pressure than most anyone could imagine.
Pity poor Hunter Mahan who was battling to keep the Cup in the U.S. when he had the misfortune to stub a chip shot that helped the Europeans to notch their seventh win in the past nine Ryder Cup meetings.
All in all, it was great theatre with the tournament coming down to the last twosome. Mahan shouldn’t hang his head in despair for the next two years. He simply had the bad luck to be in the deciding match.
Any of his eleven teammates could have played a tad better and brought home an additional half point. That would have denied the Brits a half point and given the U.S. a tie, which in Ryder Cup parlance would have meant the U. S., would have retained the coveted cup.
It has always been difficult to figure out how a tie simply means the Ryder Cup goes to the previous winner. It would appear that sudden death would be a viable alternative.
Although the weatherman threatened to turn the event into a swim meet, everything turned out well except for the final score. I believe that the Americans did well when you consider the match favored the home team. After all, they get many opportunities to become adjusted to the intricacies of their familiar greens.
What is this thing called “pressure?” Well, it certainly translates into something called “nervousness.” And the ability to control those nerves is what separates champions from “also rans.”
Let’s look at some golfers have to say about this situation. No less a sage than Lee Trevino has always declared, “Pressure occurs when you play for $50 a hole with only $5 in your pocket.”
Jack Nicklaus has stated, “All athletes, when they get in pressure situations, don’t revert to mechanics, they revert to feel.”
Trevino says, “There is no such thing as natural touch, it’s something that must be learned by hitting millions of golf balls.”
Others have said that the more you win, the less trouble you will have with your nerves.
• • •
Golf is full of circular reasoning. Want to make more putts? You must have confidence. How do you gain confidence? Go out and make some putts. Want to rid yourself of a bad case of nerves? Go out and win some tournaments.
No one ever said that logic and golf are bedfellows. In fact, you might say that cow pasture pool is one crazy activity. I’d delve deeper into this subject, but I’ve got to make my tee time.
• • •
Congratulations are in order for North junior, Rachel Welker, for a sixth place finish in the IHSAA Girls’ Golf Finals.
Topping that is the fact that Welker is also a talented pole-vaulter for the Patriots. I can’t recall another golfer, male or female, who also excelled as a pole-vaulter. Many golfers of yesteryear would not even pick up a suitcase for fear of losing their “touch” on the golf course. It would seem that participating in a strenuous sport along with golf poses no problem for Rachel. Next year promises to be a banner season for the dedicated young lady.
• Tip of the week — If you are fighting those nerves which manifest themselves with sweaty palms, dry mouth, trembling hands and difficult breathing, you should take deep regular breaths using the diaphragm. Also drink plenty of fluids during your rounds. And don’t gamble for more than you can afford to lose. You might find yourself in a “pressure cooker.”
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Rub of the Green
BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
- Rub of the Green
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Rub of the Green: Bowling or golf? Both provide plenty of challenge
The question has been raised in the past, is it bowling or golf that is the more difficult endeavor?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Sometimes this can be a confounding game
To be sure, the great Sam Snead certainly knew what he was talking about when he delivered his favorite axiom, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog every day.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Grayless takes over as golf professional at Hulman Links
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty’s humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled “Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot,” set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, “You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental.” After a short pause his friend replied, “Well, I think you’re about 10 percent short in your estimation.”
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Golf: ‘The Game You Love to Hate’
Golf has been called “The Game You Love to Hate.” In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It’s been stated more than once that “golf is a microcosm for life itself.”
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called “cow pasture pool” by some of its practitioners. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn’t have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the “old days,” let’s say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car’s bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as “easy”. In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
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BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
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Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn’t win. But he came awfully close.
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Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How’s that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world’s No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour. -
Rub of the Green: Gerstmeyer Tech’s reknown Les Brown made his mark in plethora of sports
Les Brown never had a middle name, not even a middle initial. What he did have was an abundance of athletic ability that he utilized to earn letters in five different sports during his senior year at Gerstmeyer Technical High School.
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Rub of the Green: An inspiring walk of 1,000 miles
Watching the young man on the TV screen move from place to place was like watching the human body battle itself. It seemed as though his arms and legs each wanted to go in separate directions, as he flailed about with only a cane to steady himself.
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Rub of the Green: From fundraiser to reunited, game of golf wears many different ‘hats’
The game of golf can take on many different characteristics, depending on the objectives of those sponsoring the events. Golf may be played as a tribute or a memorial to the deceased. It may be a time of camaraderie that unites old friends.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Excursions are a tradition for many Terre Haute golfers
Many divot diggers enjoy excursions to play golf courses that offer new and different challenges. Terre Haute can certainly testify to the truth of that with some groups having hit the road for many decades.
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Rub of the Green: Was 1960 really the ‘Greatest Year in Golf’?
Listening to Willie Nelson warble the lyrics, “Ain’t it funny how time slips away?” reminds this writer that those words are incorrect on two counts. One, it is not funny to get old. The late Bob Bundy often stated, “Old age is not for sissies.” And two, time doesn’t just slip away, it tends to streak on at a full gallop. At least, that’s the felling you get when you qualify for the Methuselah Flight of your club championship.
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Rub of the Green: Basketball coaching legend Wooden could hold his own on golf course
The name John Wooden doesn’t just “ring a bell” with Indiana basketball aficionados; it resounds like a canon shot. No doubt about it, John Wooden is someone special, and that is a gross understatement.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Can Tiger Woods successfully make over his me-first image?
“Pain, despair and agony on me” are the words of a comical song made popular on an old TV program titled “Hee-Haw.” The refrain might have been heard again if you had occasion to drive by the Tiger Woods residence in the gated community of Isleworth, Fla., as the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday wound down, but this time no one was laughing.
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