Golf, US Masters 2009

Funny game golf is. Having played the game I found that the game is very complex to master so the best I can do is “play to muster”. It has so many variables covering your stance, grip, ball placement, lie of the ball (whether sloping, flat, in the sand, plugged), choice of club, natural weather condition (windy, hot, humid, raining, sunny) and everything else that can affect your game – that social golfer like me will never be able to master. However, golf has taught me many things:

• Be Focused. You need tremendous amount of focus to play this game. There are so many distractions that it is very difficult to focus. If you can focus playing golf you can focus on anything.
• Be accurate in counting. Make sure you know how to count from 1 to 10 accurately. Because golf scoring is by number of strokes you need to score accurately by hole, otherwise it’s tantamount to cheating. Since it’s a gentleman’s game you don’t want to be caught cheating (even though accidental). Maximum par score is 5, therefore score up to 10 is most probable. You don’t normally need to go beyond 10.
• See the big picture. Between the tee box and the green there are many obstacles such as hazards, trees and bushes, water, bunker etc that make it difficult for golfer. Therefore you must not only see the fairway and the pin but everything-else in the vicinity as it all adds up to the game.
• Need to plan. Planning is the essential part of golf. If you don’t plan it will hurt your game. To plan for rain, have an umbrella or rain jacket ready. Plan for extra balls so that when on a bad day you have enough balls to play. Plan to have enough $$ in your wallet just in case you have a leaky day.
• Measure your capability, strength and weakness. Don' t try to do what other people do. Most important don't try to do a "Tiger". It's only good on TV.
• Never underrate yourself. I have seen more clowns on golf courses than in anywhere else in sports. The game itself is funny; imagine chasing small white ball all over the 7 KM of the golf course, braving the sun and the rain. Sometimes we have a bad day, so accept it with jest.

I am a 20 handicapper and don’t seem to improve. My main weakness I believed is not having consistent swing and also that my grip is weak. However I got by and on my good day I can be intimidating as well. In most instances I will do well on hole no 1 for someone to start questioning my handicap. But most of the time..ok lahhh

The last lesson is enjoy your game. The day you don’t enjoy your game is the day you should quit. Six hours on the golf course and the clubhouse is a chore if you don’t enjoy yourself.

My prediction for this 2009 US Masters is Anthony Kim...Good Luck AK and hoping to see you donning the green jacket on Sunday.

Johan dari Aber