Millions of Golfthink Newsletter readers just like yourself often ask me what I do in my spare time. Well I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that I've never been one to paint my toenails and they don't have milkmen in Bangkok, but I've finally found something that makes my heart flutter other than birdies, WAP and Ricky Lake.
The bad news is that since this is a Golf newsletter and suspense is what keeps our relationship what it is, the truth will be unveiled next month. I did promise some new golf services, and I'm glad to announce PGA Class A Professional Mr. Derek Schade is now available for golf lessons through Golfthink. Derek is based at Muang Kaew Golf Club, where in his spare time he enjoys checking his loft and lie angles and looking at fold-out swing sequences of Mike Weir late at night.
Thanks for not hitting the delete key...
In This Issue
1. Mobile Golf - Golf Anywhere You Are
2. The Lesson Tee - How To Get More Action (On Your Golf Ball)
3. Golf Holidays - Hot, Hotter and Hottest
4. Equipment Advisor - How To Get More Action (On Your Golf Ball)
5. Mulligans, Shanks and Divots - Why Tiger's Taking More Tylenol
Mobile Golf - SMS To The Rescue
Alright, I've finally got proof that mobile phones are changing the way we live both on and off the golf course.
Two young girls in Bangkok were recently in a taxi when the driver started heading off into the wop wops. Having likely subscribed to this very newsletter, and hence knowing how SMS's have saved golfers,
one of the girls sent an SMS to her father with the taxi's license plate and informing him to call the police. Soon after the boys in brown tracked down the car and the taxi driver, (who just last year was accused of attempted rape by his ex-girlfriend) was arrested.
So you see, mobile phones not only save golf games, but save lives and potential crisis. Remember to SMS me if your golf is need of saving - +66 (0) 1 485 5189.
The Lesson Tee - How To Get More Action (On Your Golf Ball)
One of the most popular questions I get asked is "How do I get backspin?" Sometimes I have to bite my tongue not to ask students why they would want the ball to spin back when their 5 iron only goes 110 yards, but let's not go there.
The main factors required to obtain backspin are: 1/ The quality of contact - You have to hit the ball first, and cleanly, which will allow the grooves on the clubface to do their thing 2/ The type of golf ball you are using - You won't back up your Mega Explosive Distance golf ball no matter how good you hit it. You need a soft ball, usually one of the more expensive ones. 3/ The softness of the green you are approaching - Even the Pro's can't back it up on hard greens.
Most shots that get airborne have some kind of backspin, but to really make that ball suck back, you also need sufficient clubhead speed. So go ahead, swing hard.
Golf Holidays - Hot, Hotter and Hottest
In Thailand we're pretty much in the hottest season and I thought I'd give you some tips if you're golfing here over the next few months.
Firstly, drink lots of water, a bottle a hole, even if you're not thirsty. You'd be surprised at how much better you feel after your round if you drink enough fluids during your round. Secondly, take a cart.
There are those that play for the exercise, but with the amount of weight you'll lose through sweating, you don't have to worry about that.
Carts also provide a nice breeze and some shade, not to mention bring out the boy-racer in all of us.
Lastly, why not enjoy Thailand's main golfing attractions, and get two caddies, one to carry the bag, and one to carry the umbrella to protect you from the sun. Now, I must admit you run the risk of looking a bit like Little Lord Fauntleroy prancing down the fairways with two caddies, but hey, it's hot, you deserve to treat yourself, and it's your chance to get one over the Pro's - Hey, Tiger may get to play at Augusta, but he can only use one caddie.
Equipment Advisor - What The Pro's Use
For those sports fans wanting to play what the Pro's play, and that includes me, here's a summary of what they were playing in 2004:
Drivers - TaylorMade drivers ranked No. 1 at every PGA Tour event in 2004, extending TaylorMade's streak to 156 consecutive events (dating back to 2001) at No. 1. Of the 48 PGA Tour events held in 2004, 50% were won by players using a TaylorMade driver. The nearest competitor accounted for 19%.
Golf Balls - Titleist racked up 36 wins on the PGA Tour, with it's nearest competitor with 5 wins. It's worldwide win count totalled 152 through the Tour Championship, over 100 more than the nearest competitor.
Shafts - True Temper shafts account for over 70% of all iron shafts on the PGA Tour, combining for 25 wins, more than all other iron manufacturers combined. Other highlights include 9 of the top 10 ball strikers, 8 of the top 10 birdie makers, 13 of the top 20 scoring averages and 33 of the top 50 official world rankings.
Irons - Cleveland irons racked up 17 wins, thanks mostly to Vijay, but still 7 more wins than the closest competitor. They had more top ten finishes and also won the most money.
There are no statistics kept for ball retrievers, electronic score counters nor tee holders that attach to your belt. (That's a hint)
Mulligans Shanks and Divots - Why Tiger's Taking More Tylenol
Now, since my newsletter goes out to cloe to a third of the world's population, some of you may have heard this one before, sorry! :Tiger (in his Buick) is racing Phil (in his Ford) on the way to the Players Championsip. Tiger, trying to avoid a Shitzu who had carelessly run across the road trying to attack a Rotweiler, crashes his Buick and was rushed to hospital, where the Doctor had some good news and some bad news. "The bad news is that I have to remove your right arm". "Oh Bejusus!" cries out Tiger, "That's the end of my $3 million appearance fees. What's the good news?" "Well I got another arm for you, but it's a ladies arm and I need your permission before I go ahead and work my magic". "Go for it Doc, I'm sick of hearing You Da Man anyway".
Well the operation is a success and a year passes by before Tiger bumps into the Doc at Prada on Broadway. "Hows the arm" asks the surgeon. "Peach. I'm playing the best golf of my life. My new arm has a much finer touch and my putting has really improved". "Not only that," continued Tiger, "my handwriting has improved, I can remember birthdays and anniversaries without writing them down, and Elin and I snuggle while shedding a lot of tears watching The Titanic on DVD - even after the 37th time" "Unbelievable!" said the surgeon, "I'm so glad to hear the transplant was such a great success. I'm glad you didn't have any side affects." "Well, just a couple of concerns" said Tiger, "Marko's getting a bit sick of me always accompanying him to the washroom when we go out for dinner, and secondly, every time I get an erect!on, I get these terrible headaches!"
Keep your finger on your mouse for the next exciting issue jam-packed with things that make you go hmmm.