Bill Bath's Golf Blog

What is so great about summer?

2007-03-26T20:11:00.000-04:00

I consider winter over once I have taken my Christmas lights down outside. I did that today. So winter is over according to me.I don't like winter and I want to point out why. Before I do, I know the winter is a great season for many. I am going to make a list of why I like winter. Then I am going to make a list of why I like summer. For those who want to disagree with me please use the comment option. Maybe you can reform me.

I like winter because:

1. I play hockey and enjoy watching hockey.
2. ...........I'm thinking........ahhh..mmm
Well that list is done.

I like summer because:

1. I don't have to get into a freezing car.
2. My car is cleaner and I don't get my black pants dirty everytime I get in and out of my car.
3. When I am really hot I get instantly refreshed walking into a cool room as opposed to being freezing in the winter and taking hours to warm up.
4. I love teaching golf outdoors and playing golf outdoors without getting in a plane.
5. BBQ's are much more social in the summer.
6. The days are longer.
7. Do any animals hibernate in the summer? I didn't think so.
8. I don't need socks most of the time.
9. YOUR CAR GETS BETTER MILEAGE.
10. I don't have to wait for the ice to thaw off the newspaper so I can read it.
11. Fresh strawberries!!
12. Fresh Tomatoes!!
13. Fresh air!!
14. I don't need to scrape the car windows.
15. Thunderstorms and rainbows.
16. Nature is alive in all forms.

As you see, summer is better. Hope to see you this summer. Socks are optional.

Role Models

2007-02-26T07:07:00.000-05:00

"You just wait."
That is a quote I heard from my mother when I was younger, then I started hearing it from everyone who had experience in something I would eventually be doing. Examples of this:

Getting my first car. "You just wait", you will have to pay insurance and your own gas blah, blah. Yeah they were right. I thought it was included!!!!! ( Sarcasm for those of you who always think I am serious)

Then I got a house. "You just wait" Yeah I am still waiting. For the next 5 years to go by when I am debt free.

Now I have a child. "You just wait" Well I know there will be surprises that no one will be able to predict. But my expectations of my child will be mine. If I show my child the proper path through my examples I can't wait to see how he turns out.Being a critic as a parent is easy. The two most important role models for your children are you and the mother or father of that child. Take a look at yourself and tell me if your child has traits that you do not really like. Where do they get it from?

This blog is not Dr Phils. But I want to use the previous examples of parenting to make people aware of why kids play sports. I have heard "You just wait" again regarding this topic. While I am "waiting" why don't you read this.

Kids play sports because:
1. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and active people tend to be healthier.

2. It teaches them skills they will need and may use in the future.

3. It teaches them how to handle situations which can create great character.

4. It socializes them.

5. It may give them a passion which they have for life and makes life very joyful and gives them something to look forward to which creates a great attitude on life as opposed to being in the dumps all the time because there is nothing to look forward to. Not all kids will consider playing a passion but it gives them a chance.

Notice I do not list that children play so their parents can live through their children or that parents can benefit socially. The playing for parents can be with their children or in adult activies in the community. A perfect example of playing is when I see fathers playing road hockey with their children and friends. Why can't organized sports for children have the same level of fun with the competition level increased. When kids are playing with kids it is up to the parents the coaches the teachers to be role models. If the parents say negative things towards the coaches and officials the parents will have a tougher time getting respect from their children. Screaming at the referees or complaining that the coach gives little Jimmy too much playing time is not teaching the children anything that they can use in the future to better their lives. Parents can give advice that the coach may not have time for. I have no beefs about that. As long as it is done in a positive way. The politics in sport will always be there. Adults are the blame not the children. Let the children play and compete. The parents should not be upset the children lost. They can be upset for the child but don't get involved in a negative way. Losing is a fact of life. Tootie lost to Blair. ( bad joke)

Every sport has it. I am aware of it. I am "waiting" for my turn to control my own competitive urges and use them to be a role model and teach my child what will benefit him in life as well as in sport. This is why I love golf for children. For the most part you are on your own. If you want to play for fun that is what you do without anybody worrying about how the neighbours kid plays AAA baseball and yours only plays house league and you feel like a failure because of it. ( this is generalizing but you all know somebody that feels this way). Sure if your child does well it makes you proud. Control your pride as well, as it can turn into something negative. If your child is enjoying a sport but doesn't have a gift don't take it personally they may be making you proud when they are 30 years old running a large firm. Or they may make you proud raising 3 great children. Sport is sport leave it at that and let the children get out of it what they will.

I wished I had golf when I was younger. For many reasons. Golf when played at a high level teaches the individual so many things that other sports don't. Golf is a sport that you can call penalties on yourself and accept failures were yours and so were the achievments. I love alot of sports but nothing gives back and teaches roles as golf does. An 8 year old can play golf with his best friend, his mother, father or grandmother all at the same time. At a high level or out for a pleasure round it is a game I hope my child enjoys. Other than bowling I can't think of too many sports that keep family , friends and fun at the top of the list. If bowling is what my child decides to like then the time we spend together will be great. You just wait.

Golf Equipment: Facts & Fiction

2007-01-27T15:56:00.000-05:00

Fact: PGA Tour Pros get big bucks to use the equipment they do.

Fact: They also spend hours getting fitted with the watchful eye of an expert fitter.

Fact: There are 1000's of shafts to put in your clubs that will improve your game.

Fiction: The golf companies will not try to find it for you.

Fact: They will offer you 3 shafts in most cases.

Fact: A good repeatable golf swing is what makes you a good golfer.

Fiction: "Natural Golfer"

Fact: Natural golfers spent alot of time and effort to getting a natural swing.

Fact: The golf swing is a motor skill. The only way to get good at it is to repeat the proper motion many times. The only way.

Fact: The $500 club you buy today will be substantially less 6 months from now when the companies promise you the NEW club is better. Better for who?

Fact: To get a good golf game you must really want to be good.

Fact: All of us enjoy our golf game most when it is played above our capabilities.

Fact: Golf is enjoyed most when played in great weather.

Fiction: Bill Bath plays well in the rain.

Fact: Bill Bath does not sell golf clubs. He does want to offer any advice on your next purchase.

It Is A Fact That We Are All Competitive

2006-12-20T18:11:00.000-05:00

Playing golf is the best way to be social. If you take it too seriously around the wrong people it can ruin relationships. I like to play my best. I want to play my best game everytime I tee it up. I know when I haven't played in a week or two those expectations change. I always try to play against the golf course. I let my emotions slip time to time and worry about the 10$ I may lose because of a bad swing. I get back on track when I refocus on playing the golf course not my opponent. The golf course is my opponent. The person who plays the golf course the best is the winner. Our competitive juices that we all have need to be channeled in a way that it makes us focus on playing a golf hole the best to our ability. I am personally very intense with everything I take on. This should never be mistaken for not enjoying my day. I just enjoy some days more than others.

My recommondation for all golfers is that each person tracks their performance and improvement with a handicap. You may not understand what that is. Call me I can explain it. You may use the Scoregolf.com tracker for free to track your handicap. I can run you through it in 2 minutes. Put it on your desktop and each time you play enter your score and it will calculate your progression with each game.

Golf is truly enjoyed and understood when taken seriously. The etiquette and history of the game are very neat and unique. Ladies and gentlemen play golf. Any child who is taught the game properly and is around good golf people learn things about life that no dressing room or gymnasium will teach them.

We all have different personalities but we all want to do the same thing and that is to play our best or at least to a level we know we can play at. Be competitive. Just try not to focus your energy on beating a particular person. Try your best to improve with each swing and you will see why they call golf "The game of a lifetime."Play the golf course the best you can.This golf season try to understand what makes golf so different.

My Bold Predictions For The 2007 PGA Tour

2006-11-25T15:50:00.000-05:00

When you look back on 2007 I won't be saying, "I told you so". You will have this sent to you instead. If I am wrong you will all forget. That is what I am betting on. May I announce before I move on that I have seeked help and I will no longer be hustling my friends on the golf course. If I hustle you in the future draw your own conclusions Einstein. Notice I have my predictions in bold. I figured with you guys I would need to once again explain why I am so funny.

Prediction #1
Tiger wins 0 majors. He comes close, but no cigar.

Prediction #2
Mike Weir has a worse year than this year. I hope I am wrong. I rarely am.

Prediction #3
Jim Rutledge finishes 127th on Money List making him the toipc of discussion near the end of season.

Prediction #4
Stephen Ames becomes first Canuck in years to win Canadian Open.

Prediction #5
If Phil Mickelson wins one Major he wins another. It will be either 2 or 0.

If I could predict that everyone thinks I am out of mind I would. That is why you love me.