The Uncle Dennis Rule

We've been working hard lately to get our game going, or at least going in the right direction. Time for a little break, because golf is not just about making good shots and playing great, it's also about the stories. Golf, like hunting and fishing, create so many memorable moments. Plus, you can drink beer and not risk drowning or falling out of a tree...really?! your game it THAT bad...well, we can keep working on that. I am a professional I'm just not a professional golfer...or instructor. However, I have been paid to write, on occasion, so we'll go there for a bit. In fact, many writers have enjoyed the game. Harper Lee ( To Kill a Mockingbird ) noted that it was a place to get away from the distractions: Well, they're Southern people, and if they know you are working at home they think nothing of walking right in for coffee. But they wouldn't dream of interrupting you at golf. Henry David Thoreau enjoyed the natural beauty of a golf course as wel...

It's time to get your bag ready and prepare for some golf. Just one more quick tip regarding clubs before we move on, although we could talk about equipment until one of us shoots par... Shaft selection for your clubs There are two basic types of shafts, steel and graphite. Steel shafts have less flexibility, but that means less twisting of the club during the golf swing, which impacts your ability to get the club face square at contact for a straight hit. For more consistency go with steel. Graphite shafts are more flexible and can be an advantage if you need to create clubhead speed. They are beneficial when you chunk, or hit the ground behind the ball...badly, so it won't feel like you've hit a fire hydrant with a crowbar. There are also two basic flex types for shafts, regular and stiff. Regular flex (R) would be the recommended flex for a beginner. If you have a more athletic swing or fast hands, go with stiff (S) flex. Both require a range of swing speeds, so if ...

The right tool for the right job You're not Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) in Caddyshack. There's no need to have clubs jettisoned from your bag, a stereo built in, the laser grid on the putting green might be helpful but leave that for video games. You'd do better to be Ty Webb, but that's another story for another day... So leave that egg making thing in the kitchen, that robot vacuum on the living room floor. Here's some more things to leave out of your bag. Let sleeping balls lie Nothing screams amateur like a ball retriever. If you're playing alone on a quiet course, by all means, go for it.If you're worried about losing that $4 ball in water, rethink your shot or spend less. You need to play "Ready Golf," take your penalty, drop one and swing again. Less than $2 per ball should be your goal, until you start losing less and can splurge. Walmart and Target have the name brands and they're cheaper than the sporting goods stores an...