I've been a teaching pro for close to 18 years. It's been fun, rewarding and scored me a ton of the ladies. But secure it is not. Recessions, weather and now curling (yes, the Olympic sport of curling) have been taking a bite out of my range/student time.

I started "curing slices" in the Spring of '92 at a course not far from my parents' house called Misty Dunes CC. Within a year, I had: 1. A new Camaro 2. 32 steady students 3. A new SUV 4. My own apartment with surround sound 5. A savings account 6. Like a dozen pair of sweet shoes  7. Furniture that WASN'T rented. 

Fast forward to a few years ago and you can pretty much scratch all of those things (except I still kept my Camaro).

What I'm trying to say is you have to diversify! Pick up another side career that you're good at! That you like. That you have passion and drive for. For me, it was residential and commercial realty! 

I took what I learned from my second dad - persistence, enthusiasm and flyer/brochure design - and have turned it into a nice little side gig of late. 

So don't get too comfortable gallivanting from course to course Tiger, because you never know what life is going to throw at you.

I use women's golf balls. So what? Precept Lady iQ's to be exact. And they're pink.

So what?

I hit 'em further, they're easier to see, and most importantly they're a great conversation starter with the ladies at the 19th hole!

I'm pretty sure they go farther because they are smaller and produce lest wind/air drag. I was talking to the one guy from somewhere out east at this tournament, and he told me that because women typically have shorter arms, they demand smaller clubs with smaller club heads, thus demanding a smaller ball. Makes sense, right?

Well not so fast....with a smaller ball that makes the hole bigger and putts easier! Watch any footage of Dottie Pepper or Laura Davies taking on Ben Cranshaw in a co-ed tournament and you'll notice the "cat that ate the canary" look in the ladies eyes.

You've been warned! (And tipped off)

WHERE I GET MY BALLS ON THE INTERNET

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If someone were to told me I could only play with 7 clubs in the bag, I would definitey have to keep my odd numbered clubs!

To start with I'd have my 9-iron, probably my favorite club in the bag since I clinched a 4-hole playoff -round rueben with a chip in on the 18th at Stoneybrooke CC in 2002. I actually mishit, trying to go for the middle of the green, but it went in.

Next is the 7-iron. In my mind the perfect length club. I don't have to lean over or back to far at address. There's no nagging back pain I get from my god damn lob wedge. If I could I'd go through life leaning on a 7-iron when standing I would. Maybe I'll buy a cane or get a walking stick at that length. 

5-iron. Can't really hit it, but it is a odd numbered club so I'd keep it.

3-iron GREAT for punching out of under sappy oak moss trees and elms. I call it my Silver Rescue Stick! Also my favorite number because I've had 3 dads.

1-iron Once again, can't hit it, but it's long enough to scoop balls out of most ponds that others can't reach with there longest clubs. So thanks you very much! I'll keep it! Plus with the small angle I could use it as a putter!

1-WOOD The BIG DOG! I have to keep my driver because off the tees I use it for power and driving!

3-WOOD From the fairway or from the shorter tees, this is the club for me. Long draws, short hooks and even wicked wild runners work with this club. I won this club at my sister's bachlorette party a few years ago. Sure it's a Nancy Lopez Platimum Series, but I scraped it off and it looks like a dudes club now.

So next time you're gofing ask yourself "Odd or Even"?

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Perhaps the easiest way to improve ones game is regripping your clubs after every 4-6 rounds. Ask any pro like Ernie Els or Cory Pavin or Laura Davies and they'll tell you how important the grip is. A lot of them say to "hold it like a dead bird or some toothpaste". The toothpaste is dumb, because all I'd want to do is shake the sticky goo off. but that's beside the point. 

Pros have a lot of dough. They are always buying new grips from Winn and Lamkin. Look in any PGA pro's trash bin and you'll find what appears to be grips in good condition to the naked eye. NOT the case! Over time, every grip loses it's reactive flexibiaty. Ask any scientist!

So next time you're golf shopping do yourself and your golf game a favour and pick up a fresh set!

RUBBER IN PHYSICS

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