Last-minute shopping requests
If Santa Claus hasn’t turned his cell phone off on this, his most busy day of the year, hopefully he’ll get the text I sent him earlier with a few last-minute gift requests.
n I would like him to bestow wisdom and patience on those in the world of golf who will soon begin tackling the very controversial issue of the ball and the distance it travels, especially at the professional level.
This is an issue that has percolated quietly for at least four decades, back to the days of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who were repeatedly quoted as saying the game’s ruling bodies need to roll the ball back before the increasing distances made classic courses obsolete.
Fast forward to today when the ball is traveling great distances thanks to not only the bigger, stronger, more athletic players who are striking it, but the materials that the balls are made of.
As this process begins, it’s a given that lawsuits by the ball manufacturers will happen quickly happen. Those most likely won’t be pretty.
And then there’s this question? If golf balls are rolled back, does that mean ALL of the balls or just those used by professionals? And if that’s the case, how do you think that will play among the recreational golfers who constantly search for a way to hit the ball a few yards longer?
Golf’s next biggest challenge figures to be a dandy.
n For the legions of Tiger Woods fans, a healthy dose of patience as the now 42-year-old takes the next steps on another comeback. Don’t be thinking about him winning a major. Think about him playing four rounds and finishing healthy. Then think about the possibility of getting into contention. And then maybe winning and then, and only then can there be any serious thought about a major.
It’s not going to happen quickly, if it happens at all. Enjoy the ride as it goes along.
n For the owners and operators of golf courses, public and private, throughout our area, a good spring and summer weather-wise. As everyone knows, the golf business has been in struggle mode for an extended time and while there are signs of recovery spouting up here and there, it’s still tough, especially for public layouts.
Courses are, in some cases, hanging on by the barest of threads and when the weather turns against them, as it did for most of June this summer. A nice summer of pleasant weather and full tee sheets would be a well-received gift by those paying the bills at courses throughout the area.
n To the golfers who fervently wait for the next time they tee it up, may Santa bring you the best year you’ve ever had on the course. May your drives be straight and long, your approach shots find many greens and your putting make your playing partners compare you to Jordan Spieth.
For those of you, like me, who are still searching for that elusive hole-in-one, may Santa give you that one really good swing, a good bounce and a sweet roll into the center of the cup.
This game is hard enough, frustrating enough and so supremely satisfying that a hole-in-one seems like it would be the perfect topper to it all. Does that sound like begging? OK, thought so!
n Merry Christmas to all! Enjoy the holiday and cherish the time you get to spend with family and friends.
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If you have an interesting story about your club or course or an individual who has done something special? Let me know. Send your story ideas to mike.dudurich@gmail.com.