You might be a golf addict if…

With all due respect to Jeff Foxworthy, I am going to borrow his idea about rednecks and apply it to golf, so here goes, with my top 12 red (golf) flags …

You might be a golf addict, if you watch the Golf Channel or worldwide golf tournaments for more than eight hours per week.

You might be a golf addict, if you wash your clubs before and after you use them (take a moment to let that sink in).

You might be a golf addict, if you use a golf tee to pick your teeth.

You might be a golf addict, if you have ever swung your driver or irons in the living room, while wearing your golf shoes.

You might be a golf addict, if you have ever putted on the living room rug or for lag putts, used your carpeted hallway.

You might be a golf addict, if your dog is named Jack or Arnie (for the older golfers) or Jordan or Rory (for the younger golfers).

You might be a golf addict, if you keep your clubs in the bedroom at night or worse, let Jack, Arnie, Jordan or Rory sleep on the end of the bed while guarding your clubs.

You might be a golf addict, if your house numbers are on a reproduction tee box sign from your favorite golf course.

You might be a golf addict, if you warm your golf balls with a hair dryer on a cold day before loading your car.

You might be a golf addict, if your cart has GPS and you carry an extra handheld GPS for hitting out of the woods.

You might be a golf addict, if you re-grip your ball retriever each spring.

You might be a golf addict, if you have a pet name for your bag, such as Bubba or Boo Boo, or worse, your wife’s pet name.

Scoring: If you said yes to any of the red flags.

1-3 total red flags:  You are in that “gray” pre-addict area and you need to store your dirty clubs and shoes in the garage after each round.

3-5 total red flags: You are heading down a slippery slope and if you answered yes to No. 9, you are on the way to real addiction.

5 or more total red flags: It is apparent to your wife or significant other that you have a full addiction, and my recommendation is take up bowling and return to a normal life, where at least the ball returns to you.

Now, the next two golfers had none of my red flags of addiction, but they had both good luck and bad luck on their side during their outstanding careers.

1931 Ryder Cup

Golf legend and hall of famer Gene Sarazen was playing in the Ryder Cup match at Scioto Country Club (Ohio), when his tee shot on a par three went over the green and bounced into a refreshment stand.

When Sarazen found his ball, it was in the middle of the stand and sitting on a crack in the concrete floor. As recalled later by Sarazen, “There were no free drops back then, so I played the ball through an open window facing the green. My shot came to rest about eight feet from the hole. I sank my putt to win the hole, while my opponent Fred Robson three-putted in disbelief.”

2001 British Open

Ian Woosnam was penalized two strokes in the 2001 British Open when his caddie left Woosnam’s practice driver in his bag during the final round. He had 15 clubs, not 14, and ended up in a six-way tie for third place, costing him £312,216. This time a caddie was responsible for “the wheels coming off the cart.” He was fired after the round.

19th Hole Trivia

Arnold Palmer once carded a 12 on a 508-yard par five during play in the 1961 Los Angeles Open. He hit four tee shots out of bounds. The club members of the Rancho Park Golf Course later erected a bronze plaque to commemorate the Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy moment.

In the 1960s, aluminum golf clubs were introduced to the public, but they were soon phased out because the shafts would bend easily (especially around a tree).

In 1502, King James IV of Scotland had his own set of custom carved clubs made for him. King James IV did not tee up his ball or carry his clubs … he had a servant do that for him … what a life! I wonder who kept his score?

Please note: Hooper’s Landing Golf Course is highlighted this week. 

They are currently reseeding fairways, 1, 2, 4, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Please check in the pro shop for cart path only updates.