Month: August 2022

Because I did not play, practice, or buy anything GOLF this week;  I am going to make a COMMENT on the above mentioned subject. First let’s agree that MOST of the LIV Golfers have played in and made their name either in the PGA or one of it’s affiliates.  Thus making them owing some kind of allegiance to those identities. Let’s also agree those groups do not have a contract guaranteeing  them a set salary or benefits. (LIV Does pretty much guarantee them “X” amount of money, $120,000.oo per appearance in an event; I believe.  PLUS a “signing bonus to play in all events). By not having an “EMPLOYER”, all Pro Golfers must be considered as “INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS’.  Now, I don’t mean to confuse anyone.  Being an independent contractor gives them the right to choose what events, except in the LIV,  (where they HAVE CONTRACTED to play in all events).  Even by PGA standards the can opt what events, they play in.  (I really don’t know, but, I think they are required to play in a minimum of events to maintain membership). PGA, being an a NON-profit organization, ORGANIZES most of the events known as the PGA TOUR in the U.S.A.  The PGA TOUR has a Board of Directors, who have the ability to admit or not admit players into the organization.  (As I understand it).  Which would mean they have the right to accept or deny INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, as they see fit.  They have the right to suspend players for JUST CAUSE.  That being said.  IF a member chooses to not play in an event does that constitute, JUST CAUSE.  If it does, all player members could be ousted or suspended, for missing any event.  As I understand it members who play in the LIV schedule, are merely suspended at this time, except the ones who resigned. Wrapping things up.  I am not an attorney, so I can’t say what the legalities are.  I believe it would be to the PGA’s advantage to have these players we all know the names of, and, associate with the PGA at their events.  Face it! if you were offered more money to play a few games of golf a year, than you had made in 30 years, YOU think you would turn it down.  Forget the rhetoric of “Saudi Blood Money.”   I don’t know what their reason for starting LIV is. Maybe they really do want to paint a new picture of a new Saudi.  Right or wrong I seem to always give someone a second chance. I don’t even know how many chances they have been given. The thing is….they have a very good product.  I like the 54 hole idea.  It gives the  players more family time.  As you get older family time means more.  I like the team aspect.  I like the more relaxed atmosphere presented at events.  (Although I don’t know that as a player,  in the last event, on the final hole knowing that one putt could be worth a half a million dollars)! Thanks, Oly P.S. Don’t forget Wayne’s NFL Confidence Picks coming up next month. Views: 73

Ist Wayne wanted me to apologize for the problems he has been experiencing since upgrading to WP 6.0.1.  He said his Technician has spent many hours trying to figure a way around the problems and wants to thank him for ALL those hours spent. Hey it’s been awhile since I last posted.  I has been a long time since I have been anywhere except the Driving Range.  Still not showing much improvement.  BUT I have never been much for practice.  I know i need to practice.  But I have a hard time getting into it.   I have come to the conclusion I need to make myself a list of things to follow for practice.   Without a list I just hit the balls, trying to get through the bucket.  A bucket is 40 balls.  I hit so rapidly,  my back begins to hurt after 20 balls I have to stop. Recently my best half and I did tackle, a course which when I stopped playing  years ago was a nice little par 3 course,  NOW it is a full 18 hole par 72 course.  It has changed so much we skipped a tee and was playing the wrong hole.  I had my best drive this drive this year.  A par 4,  I hit to about 25-30 yards short of the hole. THEN:  The course ranger rode up and informed us we were playing the wrong hole.  Back to the correct tee to start again.  Seems the the tee we were supposed to play was moved forward of the natural tee box placement,  so we had moved directly to the tee box to our left. Some of the greens must have been artificial.  When chipping on the ball might land just off the green then run all the way across to the second cut around.  I hit a high approach to the green.   NO BALL mark.   When putting you had to strike the ball very hard.  I putted a ball that should have went a couple of feet past the hole.  It moved less than half the the distance to the hole.  In the parking lot,  after we finished I was talking to a regular there.  He called those greens, “asphalt greens”, and stated “No one should have to hit a ball that hard on a green.” The thing, I am ashamed to admit.  My best half stands less than 5 feet tall.  Enjoys playing golf, but unfortunately we only get out for 9 every 2 or 3 holes.  But after all this time I just noticed how far away she was standing from the ball at her address.  All this time she has been struggling with regular length clubs.  Then it hit me.  Doing a little investigating I found “JUNIOR  Clubs” , might be the answer.   I looked at pro shops, and sporting good stores, their inventory of Junior clubs was very small.  Also her being left handed did not help.  None carried left handed in stock.  The sporting good stores weren’t even sure they could order them.   However on sports store had some single right hand junior clubs.  I grabbed a couple down and had her try them.  Finally one of them felt good to her and looked like it fit her height.  I made  a note of the driver length. I checked on EBAY for a set.  They had some but looked very beaten up.  Although I went to to my last hope.  I checked AMAZON.com  Surprise they had a 7 piece set of Spalding Molitor.  9-12 year old set, left handed,(right handed available), that fit her height.  No one will pay attention to the fact that they are Junior clubs.  I ordered her a set.  It is a nice looking set. She wanted to try them out.  It was rainy that day,  just sprinkles.  We went to the driving lane and split a bucket of balls.  It was amazing.  Before she was using a 4 wood to drive with.  Usually a “worm burner”.   But with the new driver she started hitting the majority in the air and getting more distance.  Like me; she has some work to do, but things are looking better.  At 78 she continues to work.  So now it’s back to work.  but she has evenings, (if she isn’t too tired after work),  Maybes she and I can get in a few 9 rounds. As for me I was talking to some other senior golfers, and found the majority of them don’t hit the ball much farther than I do.  Gave me a boost, as I have been disgusted because I couldn’t hit the ball as far as I used to.  I still see me going out there and hitting it like I did before my HIATUS.  I know physically I can’t so I will have to make up that difference with my short game. Until next time. OLY Thanks Views: 88