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C-Thru and See Through

As I was getting ready for work one day a couple of weeks ago, I had the TV on and the "Today" show was talking about the "next fashion trend; see through handbags".  My immediate reaction was "boy, great idea...let's let everyone in the world see my personal stuff and how thick my wallet is" (or in my case isn't!).  Fashion, shmashion...let's talk practicality.  I like the color green, let's make a green golf ball!  In fact, we should make all different colored balls so they could become the hottest new golf wardrobe accessory.  Lost balls be damned; "I totally and completely MATCH!"

There is a company in the golf industry called C-Thru Grips.  They make grips that you can see through.  (Pause for laughter)  They are cool and they reveal a little bit of insight to your personal feelings like who your favorite college team is or who your favorite football or baseball team is.  But they don't let anyone know about your prescription drug medication or erectile dysfunction. 

C-Thru is a bit of a fashion trend in this quirky golf industry.  They sponsor John Daly...one of golf's most charismatic figures now-adays.  I don't even have the grips but I think it's cool and I'm a JD fan and I think anyone would be hard pressed to say he's sexy.  I'm not as fat as he is, but I can relate and his life has been an open book.

On another see through front, if my brother had his way, the LPGA Tour would adopt a rule allowing slightly see through tops and shorter skirts.  I don't mean to sound crass...it's my brother's belief anyway.  But, our society has become extremely voyeuristic and the golf course is not immune to that.  Sex sells.  Peeking into people's personal lives sells (John Daly).  Whether these two principles offend you or not, they work in the business world.

If anyone knows how to get a hold of Natalie Gulbis (sex sells), I'd like her to be the SwingStation spokesperson.  Let her know I'm a huge JD fan (they play a lot together in Vegas), I have a new line of clothing coming out and I'm considering a 24 hour a day, dedicated TV channel in her honor.  I'll even throw in a new handbag if it helps!!

More on Zach--better late than later

I get an email newsletter from TravelGolf.com; most of the time I just skim it and delete it.  I was drawn to Chris Baldwin's column on Zach's Masters win:  Johnson Sanctifies Masters (I'm the Iowa brother; uprooted from New York 13 years ago and moved to Des Moines, home to one of the oldest clubs west of the Mississippi, The Wakonda Club.)  Here's my comment:

Baldwin you need to get out more.  As a transplanted Jersey boy living in Iowa (and no I am not in the witness protection program) I can attest to the rich life out here, spiritually and golfly (?!).  There are 80 golf courses within 50 miles of Des Moines, the capital.  Zach is well known around here; he has been accessible to the media and supportive of small businesses.  That he thanked God in an unscripted moment just reinforces his "Everyman" demeanor and appeal.  Now I don't believe Jesus was on his bag, but if he does and that helped him to a final round 69, more power to him.  If he had thanked Bob Rotella or Jim Flick you wouldn't be bashing him.  And by the way, the personal attacks on his dad and Iowans in general are starting to sound a little Imus-like, but I reckon you do not generate the kind of money that old codger does. [This was written right before the I-man was canned.]  Come on out to Iowa; bring your sticks and your wallet; then write about us.

Golf & Bosu Training...a Great Combination

An funny thing has happend while conducting our first SwingStation Systems At-School Golf Program. I was introduced to physical fitness trainer by the name of Mike Westhead who owns Gallery Fitness in New Vernon, NJ. Mike then introduced a training regimine called Bosu (pronounced "Bo-sue" and stands for bottom side up) Fitness. I immediately (and Mike will vouch for that) incorporated the Bosu Fitness training idea into our clinics for kids and it has been a tremendous success.

The great thing about the program is the kids do not even realize they are strengthening their "golf" muscles while they are having fun with the various Bosu products that Mike has incorporated into his workout drills and programs. Further, we were able to blend the golf principles the kids were learning; balance, core strength, hip turn, follow through, etc., into the core muscle training drills using the Bosu Balance Trainer and different weighted medicine balls. Kids who were not turning and swinging properly suddenly started to get a nice fluid turn and swing.

Mike happens to know the person who invented the Bosu Balance Trainer David Weck and in fact he grew up with him in New Jersey. I did just a few things on the Bosu Ball the other day during our clinic and I could really feel the benefits almost immediately especially as it pertained to the golf muscles. Now listen, I'm quite far away from being a fitness person, but I'm willing to bet the program surrounding this Bosu idea is going to be big...really BIG!

Okay, so what's the funny thing that happened?

Well, a few of the parents were watching during the clinic for kids and you could see them start talking almost feverishly with each other about what they were watching. A few of them had already inquired if SwingStation Systems was going to offer a clinic for adults. After they witnessed the Bosu Balance Trainer in action, they almost demanded it! Fliers, bulletins and other information have been sent out to parents announcing our first Golf & Fitness Training for adults! The program starts in 2 weeks and we think these type of opportunities are only going to multiply thanks to Danny Dolan of the Active Golf Network (and also a close friend of mine), Bill & AJ Spicer our PGA Professionals, Mike Westhead and the Bosu Balance Trainer.

Do you Bosu?...............if you're serious about your golf game then you should!!

Zach's Win Good For Golf

After a few days away with my family and the in-laws...we're back! Although it's a little late; how about that Iowa Boy Zach Johnson winning this year's Masters? I'm sure the casual golf fan knew of Zach as he was a member of the US Ryder Cup team this past September and he has been in contention since his arrival on tour just a short time ago, but by no means was he a household name.

I think Zach's victory tells a great story of what golf is all about. Just about everyone in the world, except for Frank Nobilo of the Golf Channel picked Tiger Woods to win on Saturday night. And why not? Tiger hadn't played great yet and he stumbled his way home two rounds in a row...the tournament was his for the taking. Golf is a funny game. Some will say the golf gods got to Tiger...in fact most would say that. I say Zach Johnson got to Tiger. He had a game plan and he stuck to it. He didn't go for a single par 5 in two all week! He kept the ball on the correct sides of the fairways and the greens and limited his mistakes. Most importantly, he made the 5-8 footers when he had to. Tiger didn't and Retief Goosen didn't.

This win is good for golf. I know our friends at Iowa Sports Connection are happy (and Iowans in general!) Tiger has been so incredible we forget that he is human...and he is. Zach ignored the reporters saying short-knockers can't win at Augusta; ignored the roar he heard standing over his 3rd shot at 15 and calmly went on to do what everyone else thought Tiger would do.

Zach Johnson won the Masters and he did it with the world's greatest golfer right there with him. That should help everyone else out when facing similar circumstances with Mr. Woods and make the ending of major tournaments more interesting; there may be a slight chink in the armor now...only time will tell.  Zach Johnson may never be a household name, but he gave a little hope to everyone else on tour that's for sure.

Tiger & Phil...love 'em or hate 'em

Tiger vs. Phil. With these two golfers there are two sets of people and ME. The first set of people is the "love 'em" set and the second is the "hate 'em" set. There is no in between except for ME. However I can see the argument on both sides.

Let's compare the two: They both have beautiful wives to go with their beautiful swings; a strong commitment to family; they value their privacy; they can hit the golf ball very far and they lead an extremely comfortable lifestyle due to their incredible golfing ability.

The differences are more glaring and are the source of the love 'em/hate 'em mentality. Tiger is in excellent physical condition and let's just say Phil isn't. Phil is as waspy as they get and Tiger is descending from many ethnicities. Tiger is righty and Phil is lefty. Phil graciously answers the media's questions for the most part and Tiger storms off the grounds like a spoiled brat who didn't get the GI Joe when the round didn't go his way. Tiger has 12 major championships and Phil has 3. There are many more differences no doubt. However, the most profound difference is their demeanor the golf course.

While watching yesterday's broadcast of the Masters, you could see exactly the difference I am referring to. Phil struggled early and often and showed angst but with respect and as I read in the Newark Star Ledger, after the 7th hole, his wife went over and gave him a hug. Sounds corny absolutely, but it worked for him as he went 1 under the rest of the way birdieing two of the last four holes to gain some momentum for today possibly. Tiger on the other hand, started off cautiously and seemed in control. However, every time he missed a putt or hit a slightly wayward shot, you could read his lips (not appropriate for this blog by the way) or see him toss his club in disgust. Tiger's angst tends to annoy me but I understand that he expects to hit every shot perfectly. I don't know where Elin was but I'm pretty sure Tiger didn't want a hug. Tiger bogied two of his last 4 holes and that may motivate him.

I am one of the few people who happen to like both Phil and Tiger. I think Phil's attitude is great and I probably associate myself more with him than Tiger. I mean, I can picture Phil strolling down the fairway sucking on a popsicle, waving with that "aw shucks" look on his face and at the same time picture Tiger stalking the fairway turning spectators into icecles with that "if I don't make this triple breaking 65 foot downhill sidehill putt for birdie i'm gonna kill someone" look on his face. I can appreciate both modes of operation. I think Tiger's intensity is intimidating and it works for him and aside from his pure golfing talent, it's the only reason I like him. Phil and his "Golly-Gee-I'm so happy to be where I am" attitude endears him to many slightly overweight golfers who wish they could trade places with him. But I get it on both ends and I wouldn't try and sway anyone one from one belief to the other.

Any golfer knows, you try to do the things that make you play the game better and enjoy it more. Different strokes for different folks.  I don't think anyone would argue that both Phil and Tiger always give it their "all" and they do not leave much in the bag.  They always play to win and we love second guessing them when things don't go their way.

Personally, when you boil it right down, I prefer to operate what little golf game I have somewhere in between the attitudes of Phil and Tiger's. Hopefully my 9 year old son will too...but throw in the hot wife just for good measure!

The Masters, the Robin & Little League

When I was a little kid it used to be the sighting of a Red Breasted Robin; when I was an older kid it was the start of little league baseball; now that I'm an adult (according to my age anyway), The Masters golf tournament signals the true beginning of Spring. Ironically, in this part of the country, the weather is anything but springlike. But that doesn't change anything for me and it shouldn't for you. The Masters is one of my favorite tournaments (if not my absolute favorite) and watching the drama unfold year in and year out gets my juices flowin'. Everything about the Masters signals spring: Golf, Easter time, the Azaleas that dominate the surroundings; the winner's Jacket is green as green can be for crying out loud!

Anyway...I got out and played this past weekend with some of my usual suspects and we had a great time. We actually played in a six-some and for the most part we were the only ones on the golf course. Everyone hit the ball "okay", but we all need to bang the rust off...something the SwingStation System can help you do! It felt good to tee it up in good old New Jersey again.

As good as it felt to play, I'm looking forward to watching the Masters unfold. The nice thing about the four majors is they all have their differences. To me, for the Masters and because it's always played on the same golf course, this major is provides for great TV. I mean even if you have never played the golf course, you know what you're going to get...almost like you are there. We can identify with the course so to speak.

It's supposed to be cold in this neck of the woods this weekend, so that will make staying inside to watch a little easier. Between you and me, even if it was sunny and warm over the weekend with the narly flower beds looming in the backyard,...I'd STILL plunk down in front of the television.

Kind of funny how one of the first passages of Spring involves sitting your butt down on the couch inside isn't?