Bubba Watson At The Memorial

What happened to Bubba Watson at the Memorial Tournament this week? I'm playing fantasy golf for the first time this year and my picks for this week came down to defending champion K.J. Choi and either Bubba Watson or Kenny Perry. I decided to go with Kenny Perry (thank goodness!) but was keeping a close eye on my third choice, Mr. Bubba Watson, all the same. He went out in the morning on Thursday and was 4-under through 7 holes and I was really starting to kick myself for my decision. Later I see he finished the first round at even par and thought maybe I wasn't such a dodo, especially after Kenny Perry birdied 6 holes in a row on his back 9 Thursday afternoon. Friday Bubba shoots an 84 and Perry stays tied for the lead after his 36 holes are in the books--I'm a genius, right? Maybe, maybe not. But still, what happened to Bubba Watson? For a guy that Tiger Woods likes to play practice rounds with because he works the ball more than anyone on the Tour these days, he sure does seem susceptible to huge numbers some days. Does he work the ball too much? Is he a head-case who gives up when the going gets tough (a la John Daly)? I want to know more. I think this guy is an incredible talent and a true throw-back to the days when guys played the game like it was meant to be played. Hit the ball and go find it and hit it again. He's never taken a lesson--in fact he's said that if he ever has to take a lesson he'll quit playing golf. He hits it farther than any human ever should and he does it all with a pink shaft in his driver. So where is he on the weekends? C'mon Bubba, let's get it together. You're great for the game and we need you to be more relevant so people take notice. I'm rooting for you, Mr. Watson.

9-Handicapper With No Arms

I saw a feature on the Golf Channel the other night about a 40-something Guy who was born with no arms who has taken up golf and managed to whittle his handicap down to a 9. I mean nothing disparaging towards this Guy--in fact, after seeing the video of his one-handed swing I am in awe of his ability. But it got me thinking that as a reasonably healthy and coordinated man in my 30's who has two perfectly good arms hanging from his shoulders I have no excuse for not being able to play this game to at least as well as a man with no arms. The birth of my second child last week has me thinking about a lot of things, the very least of which is my golf game. Nonetheless I've still been thinking about my golf game and how much (or how little) I'm going to be able to play in the coming months and years and how I'm going to enjoy this all-consuming game that I've become so fascinated with, especially if I'm not able to let it consume me like it used to. I've decided I'm going to have to be happy just to be able to play and I'm going to play well because I have before and I'm smart enough to know how to keep playing well even if I can't practice/play as much as I'd like. All this because of a man with no arms and his single-digit handicap.

Building A Putting Green In My Backyard?

With the way I putted today don't be surprised if I have a new post in the near future about how I'm building a putting green in my backyard. If I could only afford the mower and figure out a fool-proof way of keeping my wiener dogs from tearing it up, I'd probably have started building one already. I've got to find the center of the putter face soon or I'm in big trouble on the golf course. I've got to, got to, got to.

Building A Bunker In My Backyard, Part II

Last weekend I actually started building (digging, mostly) the bunker I've spent years dreaming about having in my backyard. The hole is big enough, the mounding around it is sufficient enough to require a lofted splash to get out of it, the drain tile and pea pebble rock are in place, and just today I added some fresh topsoil and sod to make it blend in with the rest of the yard. Now all that is left is to cut and place the landscaping fabric (it'll keep the weeds out, I'm told) and order in a yard or two of sand and I'm ready to start hitting it stiff from "the beach". I can't wait! And best of all, my two-and-a-half year-old thinks it's the coolest thing to play in already, and there isn't even any sand in it yet. I love spending time with her--it's been an extra-special treat to the whole bunker-building experience for me.

My First Birdie of the Year

I made my first birdie of the year last night on the 18th hole at my home course (my ninth and final hole of the evening) by curling in a downhill 10-footer. I know, stop the presses--a seven-handicapper makes birdie! But it was important to me so I'm sharing it with you, okay? I've got three full rounds under my belt so far this year and I'm playing like a fifteen so maybe, just maybe, it was what I needed to finally get my game back in the groove. Don't worry, I'll keep you all/both of you posted on the all the gory details to follow.