A special set of Ten Commandments
October 2, 2015
In 1988 an American minister named Robert Fulghum published a famous and hugely popular short essay called “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”
That same flair for brevity is on fine display in a new book, aimed at beginning golfers and, perhaps especially, those who could do with a little refresher course
Roland Merullo’s Ten Commandments of Golf Etiquette uses only 52 pages, liberally illustrated by John Recco, to outline in highly readable entertaining prose the basics of good golfing behavior (PFP Publishing; $12.00 paperback, $3.58 on Amazon Kindle).
The short essays on each commandment describe what’s expected of golfers, as well as the rules that help provide much of the game’s inherent appeal. None of it should be news to anyone who’s played more than a few rounds of golf, but as a primer for those just taking up the sport this is a very good introduction.
“Thou Shalt be Quiet”, “Thou Shalt Manage Your Mood”, and “Thou Shalt Learn the Rules” are three of the ten rules for gracious golf, and are among my favorites in this tiny little treatise.
The one about managing one’s mood is the one for which I could use some additional study. As Merullo says, “If you hit a bad shot, made one comment, then shake it off.”
Very good commandment, and one I try to follow. On the other hand, I think that the “one comment” should be thought, and not necessarily said out loud, or at least muttered to oneself. No one needs to hear a “[blank] Me!” immediately after one of my errant drives–other than myself.
I can easily see this slim volume bought in mass quantities for use by forward-thinking golf pros, or perhaps for high school golf team members in the first week of each season.
A bit of putting practice
Just before teeing off in the Saturday round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open, LPGA golfer Kim Kaufman hit the putting green and kept to a single practice regimen.
She placed a single tee about 10 feet below a hole, and then set two more tees next to each other about 9 feet from the hole. The two tees were about 2 inches apart.
Kaufman putted ball after ball from the single tee spot, through the “gate” and toward the hole, adjusting slightly for those veering right or left. Most went straight in.
If you are having alignment, stroke, or aiming issues with your putting, you might consider the same practice method. I’d suggest setting the tees a few inches apart at first, moving them closer together as your skills and confidence grow.
Patriot Golf Day Fundraisers Do Just Fine at Peninsula Golf & Country Club
Peninsula Golf & Country Club raised over $41,500 during the Labor Day holiday weekend celebrating Patriot Golf Day, benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation.
The club donated $1 from each of the 470 weekend rounds played, and encouraged Individual donations throughout the three day event.
The Folds of Honor Foundation provides scholarships to families of soldiers and military personnel who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty. In the last eight years, Patriot Golf Day raised more than $27 million, supporting more than 7,500 educational scholarships for military families.
“It is an honor to be able to help the families of those heroes who have fallen or been injured in the line of duty,” said Donald DeMasters, Peninsula Club General Manager. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our Club and Community to give back to those who have given everything.”
Additional funds were raised through hole sponsorships, free rounds of golf raffle drawings, a “Beat the Pro” contest with head golf professional Michael Neider, and a happy hour wine raffle. The weekend’s most successful effort, a silent auction, netted $18,410.
Dover AFB Honor Guard Airmen also tended the pin flags on the 9th and 18th greens during that weekend, and their presence was enjoyed by staff, members, and participants. The club highlighted the presence of SrA Ramon Garcia-Flores, SrA Jonathan Brown, SrA Steven McElmury, SrA Christopher Hernandez, and A1C Brandon Willen-Nelson.
Local Club Competition Results
The Kings Creek Country Club 18 Hole Ladies Golf League played their Tee to Green game September 24. Katie Heintz won first place in the first flight, with Atom Irwin taking second and Karen Harrington finishing third. Barbara Hines took first in the second flight, followed by Yona Zucker in second and Brenda Butterfield in third. Cory Warther won the closest to the pin contest.
Sussex Pines Country Club held its Couples Tournament Sept. 19-20. Alan and JoAnn Foster won first place, with John and Nancy Terranova taking second and Ron & Brenda Lewes, the 2014 champions, coming in third. Gary Allison won the closest to the pin contest for the men on both days. Kathy Hudak won the contest on Saturday for the ladies, while Jenifer Hagy won the Sunday contest.