TERRE HAUTE —
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.
Wouldn’t it be much better if the poor golfer knew “the secret” of the game? Then, he or she could go out and smack the little, dimpled ball straight down the middle of the fairway, knock approach shots close to the pin and send those putts straight to the bottom of the cup.
Only one thing is wrong. We don’t know the doggone “secret.” The great Ben Hogan was paid a ton of money by golf publications to expose “the secret.” Ben came out with his expose’ that included terms such as suppination and pronation. If Ben did have the secret he surely would have counted on it to defeat an unheralded and unknown Jack Fleck in a playoff for the U.S. Open. Fleck won handily.
Hogan was no fool. As long as golf magazines were willing to pass out the cash, he was willing to come up with another secret. Perhaps his best was, “I dug it out of the dirt.” And indeed he did. He was willing to practice hour after hour on a daily schedule until he was striking shots to his satisfaction. Ben was definitely a perfectionist. He came back to win a number of tournaments after he had been told by his doctors that he would never walk again after enduring catastrophic injuries to both legs. But “the secret”, this writer believes is still out there.
Back in the 1940s I learned of a secret called “The square to square method.” Another one came along later named “The X factor.” Following that came a succession of methods that countless golfers hoped would transform them into the outstanding players they hoped to become. Some were: The Inside Out Method, The Natural Approach, Self Hypnosis, Swing the Handle, A Left Hander’s Game for Right Handed Players, and Hit It With Your Right Hand. Anyone who pays strict attention to all of golf’s secrets can be assured of one thing, a disease known as “paralysis by analysis.”
Passing along golf instruction is really a slippery slope or perhaps akin to climbing a hill of sand, for every step forward, you slide back two.
Back in 1954, an Indiana State Teachers College golfer went out to qualify for the upcoming season. In mid-March he scored a 67 at the Phoenix Country Club. He went home and wrote the first chapter of what would be his contribution to golf’s literature.
The following day he returned to the same course, used the same woods, irons and putter, and scored a round of 82. Fifteen shots higher than the score he made the previous day. He went home and threw his previous rendition into the wastebasket. He now offers a tip or two, if asked. He forsakes any mention of “a method” or a “secret.”
Is there really a secret to outstanding golf? Possibly! I have a theory that it is hidden away somewhere in the lost continent of Atlantis. Until someone can figure a way to find it, I guess we’ll just have to call it “Lost.”
• If you are genuinely interested in golf’s secrets and methods, I heartily recommend “The Secret of Golf,” edited and annotated by George Peper who for 25 years was editor-in-chief of “Golf Magazine.”
• A trio of Terre Haute seniors have continued to play well in state and regional competition. Dave Brown fired a smooth 76 at the ultra difficult Victoria National Golf Club at Newburgh (IN) which allowed him entry into the U.S. Senior Amateur played at Lake Nona in Florida.
Since many of professional golf’s hierarchy live in that area Dave got to meet several, one of whom was Annika Sorenstam, formerly rated as the No. 1 player on the LPGA Tour.
Tom Jones has qualified for two USGA Mid Amateur tourneys. He qualified for one at Heartland Crossing and again at Otter Creek. He then advanced to tournaments hosted by the National Cash Register Course in Dayton (Ohio) as well as Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis (Mo.). Jones is a seven-time Terre Haute City Champion.
Ted Kaperak has eight Terre Haute city titles as well as four senior city wins. In addition he has finished first, second and third in the Indiana Club Champions Tournament played at Fox Prairie Golf Club each year.
Kaperak also remembers playing in a Society of Seniors event in Arizona when the temperature hit 112 degrees.
• Participating in senior events is not necessarily an unusual occurrence. Bill Doan Sr. is a former Terre Haute City Senior Champion as well as an Indiana Senior Amateur titleholder. Along the way he qualified for a pair of U S. Senior Amateur events. One was held at Dearborn Country Club in Dearborn (Mich.) and the other at Interlaken Country club in Minneapolis, Minn.
• Tip of the week — Although golfers will get many tips in regard to alterations in their respective golfing techniques most will be discarded. The intelligent golfer will adopt what works and discards the rest. The player who is playing well will make a mistake if he or she tries to improve on perfection. Remember: If it works don’t fix it.
Until next season, keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com.
Rub of the Green
RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
- 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
Ed Grayless has assumed the “head man’s” position at the Links after Ryan Klopfenstein resigned as Hulman Links golf professional in order to pursue other interests.
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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.
- Rub of the Green: Course architect Pete Dye has had lasting impression on game It would seem that the more you learn about Pete Dye, the golf course architect, the more there is to admire about the man. It was decades ago when Dye determined that the insurance business was not for him, and he decided to begin designing golf courses. Even Pete, himself, in all likelihood, couldn’t have known the impact he was going to make on the golf world.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: French Lick course a treasure With pristine fairways, greens and bunkers providing a colorful patchwork, the course provides onlookers with the opportunity to witness some of the best experiences Mother Nature can provide.
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Rub of the Green: Bowling or golf? Both provide plenty of challenge
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