Latest Posts
Sydney Swans Qualifying Final Victory Report Card
Big congratulations to the Swans for their victory over the Giants at the SCG. It did not look like happening for much of the afternoon, as GWS were on top for three quarters. The Sydney Swans Qualifying Final victory report card must pay the ultimate honours to Isaac Heeney for his enormous four quarter effort. The blonde bombshell is all class and finished with 30 touches, 3 goals, and mark of the year. Heeney was on from the first siren and never stopped lifting his team over the victory line. At times he was a lone hand, however, and there were too many passengers this afternoon.
Sports
Not Been Playing Much Golf Lately
I have a confession to make. It is rather an uncharacteristic sequence of events. A story not in keeping with my behaviour over the last few years. It is not an easy thing to say out loud. Not quite a dirty secret but something I have been keeping under my cap. Well, the long and short of it is that I have not been playing much golf lately. In fact, I have played hardly at all over the last several months, possibly longer. Why? What went wrong I hear you say? I mean a man who played 5, 6 times a week for years, suddenly goes cold turkey. WTF?
Confessional Culture History
Australians Losing Billions Via Gambling & All Those Sports Betting Ads
Australians lose more money gambling per capita than any other nation on earth.
“Gambling is a major public policy issue in Australia, affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in a range of ways. Estimates suggest that Australians lose approximately $25 billion on legal forms of gambling each year, representing the largest per capita losses in the world (Letts 2018; QGSO 2022).”
(https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/gambling)
I watch some of those funny ads promoting gambling on TV and I wonder who their target audience is laughing at? ‘Stupid is as stupid does’, someone in the movies once said. There is public pressure on at the moment to ban gambling ads from our screens. Apparently, plenty of Aussies would like to see them disappear from our screens. The argument from some quarters against their demise is that our TV networks and sporting clubs would disappear along with them because they have become financially dependent upon the revenue from them for their survival. This is poppycock, of course, because they existed prior to the advent of this flood of gambling ads and corporate bookmakers came along. Sporting clubs will adjust, as they always have to whatever the current economic climate is. The demise of free to air TV networks is another matter, as they face obsolescence due to a number of factors. One of which is that people are no longer watching their fare in a changed entertainment space. Technology has passed them by and their business model is out of date.
Mug Punters
Rory McIlroy Used Stoicism To Start Winning Again
It did not surprise me to discover that Rory McIlroy used Stoicism to start winning again. In 2018, apparently Rory consulted this timeless philosophy to overcome his performance slump in golf. I know myself through my research into Marcus Aurelius’ Stoic treatise “Meditations” that it provides a powerful body of knowledge to call upon. In writing, “The Stoic Golfer: Finding Inner Peace & Focus on the Fairway” I was impressed at just how relevant the information was in relation to playing competitive golf. The battlefield and the golf course share distinct characteristics well worth examining in a Stoic light.
News Player Story The Mental Side
Let’s Break Down Stoicism To Find Out More
Some of you may have heard about Stoicism and wondered what’s it all about. So, let’s break down Stoicism to find out more. Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasises the development of a strong and rational mind, the importance of accepting what is beyond our control, and the cultivation of inner peace and tranquility. The Stoics believed that individuals could live in harmony with the universe by following the principles of wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation, and by using reason to guide their thoughts and actions. Despite being an ancient philosophy, Stoicism continues to have a significant impact and influence on contemporary thought and practices.
Health Strategic Golf The Mental SideCONTENT
The Stoic Golfer: Finding Inner Peace & Focus On The Fairway
The game of golf has long been associated with the pursuit of excellence, both physically and mentally. Whether you are an avid golfer, a weekend player, or simply a fan of the sport, you understand the importance of a strong, focused mind on the course. This is why the principles of Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that emphasizes the development of inner peace and resilience, are so applicable to golf.
In “The Stoic Golfer: Finding Inner Peace & Focus On The Fairways,” I explore the intersection of these two seemingly disparate worlds and offer a new perspective on how to approach the game of golf with a Stoic mindset.
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The Ultimate Guide To Golf
Golf, what a game. The small ball, hit with a club that is aerodynamically streamlined, can make your heart sing when it soars through the sky on target to the green. The ultimate guide to golf is designed to assist you with your engagement with the greatest game. Golf, may perchance, be newly on your radar or you might be digging a little deeper into something you already know and love. Whatever your current situation, golf is a portal into another world. A realm of white belts and white shoes. A land of fairways, hazards, and greens. Nature beckons on the course with green grass beneath your feet. Blue skies, on fine days, above you, can make you feel glad to be alive. The crack of a well struck drive down that opening fairway can fill your soul with good cheer. Life is good, golf is good.
Equipment InstructionCONTENT
The Top Ten Tips From The Golfing Greats
I read their books so you didn’t have to. Here are the top ten tips from the golfing greats to help your game. Who are these golfing heavy weights? I chose them in terms of what they have to offer the golfer on the basis of their golfing achievements and/or knowledge. Many were major winners and potentially in the conversation for being the greatest of their generation. Some were lifetime devotees of the game of golf and regarded as the best teachers of all time. Golf is rich in champions and characters deserving of our attention. We have much to learn from those who have graced the fairways with their talent and dedication to the game they loved.
Instruction Swing TipsCONTENT
Understanding The Golfer’s Brain
It will not surprise some to know that a lifetime of golf affects the brain. Understanding the golfer’s brain can illuminate that journey, somewhat like reverse engineering. Particular activities and vocations make lasting impressions upon our mental hardware. A musician’s brain shows:
“Learning to play a musical instrument is a complex task that integrates multiple sensory modalities and higher-order cognitive functions. Therefore, musical training is considered a useful framework for the research on training-induced neuroplasticity.”
– (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.630829/full )
Similarly, a professional dancer’s brain reveals structural changes from the neural processing work demanded of that activity over many years. The region connecting the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex is enlarged in both musicians and dancers. The professional golfer and those who have devoted large chunks of their life to this pursuit will show structural brain changes via neuroplasticity.
CONTENT
I Tried The New PING G430 Driver
I just tried the brand new PING G430 driver and was mightily impressed. I had a one hour session with a visiting PING fitting specialist at my local club on the driving range. My strongest impression was the incredible stability of the head through impact. I currently use the G425 Max and the G430 Max was another step up in terms of solid hits long and straight. It sits lower on the ground than my current PING driver and feels awesome into the back of the ball. The sound of the new G430 Max driver is really good too, lower in pitch than the G425.
Equipment ReviewCONTENT
Becoming Robby The Robot: A Golfer’s Journey
It seems, that I am transitioning from mere human to robotoid – an enhanced version of me. Becoming Robby the Robot: A golfer’s journey from fallible flesh to digital design. My golfing arsenal now contains so many technological devices that I am questioning my humanity. The most recent acquisition is the Shot Scope H4 and it may well have tipped me over the edge. It joins my hand held laser, my Phantom GPS, and the MiScore app on my phone. Some folks might mention the term ‘overkill’ here but I find each of these devices offers something unique, as well as their shared abilities.
Review The Mental SideCONTENT
The Golf Book Hits the Stands
This is a book about golf and in particular why the game of golf is so special. It is a book about why I love the game and why it has captured my passion and imagination. Golf is unlike most other sporting contests in that you play primarily against the course and to a lesser extent against your playing partners and other competing golfers. The lie of the land challenges you from the opening tee shot until the final putt drops.
ReviewCONTENT
Kelly Slater & Adam Scott on Surfing & Golf
Kelly Slater, surfing champion par excellence, finds parallels between surfing and golf. Watching a cool video of Slater and Adam Scott on the practice range together comparisons between the two sports were made. The extremely individual nature of both activities stand out to Slater and […]
Video ReviewCONTENT
The Golfing Gods
We live in a scientific age, where everything is measured and recorded digitally. The idea that there might exist such things as golfing gods is, of course, absurd. But is it? For all those who venture upon the first tee with a golf club in […]
CultureCONTENT
Golf: Strategies to Achieve Single Figure Scores
Many of us who regularly play the game of golf aspire to reach a low handicap by shooting good scores. In this article I want to share some of my golf strategies to achieve single figure scores. To begin with it is immensely useful to […]
The Mental Side
TaylorMade New Driver: Carbon Fibre Faced Stealth
Golf’s ode to high tech continues in 2022 with the TaylorMade new driver Stealth. Boasting a carbon fibre face and crown this new driver goes where many other manufacturers have avoided. Carbon fibre as a material in golf clubs has been tried a couple of […]
NewsCONTENT
Golf is it the Hardest Game of All?
“Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want!” – Randy Pausch The Last Lecture Golf owns this insightful statement, in my opinion. Some say that the game involving the little dimpled white ball is the hardest of them all. It takes […]
CultureCONTENT
Viktor Hovland: Norway’s Best Export
One of the most enjoyable things to watch on the PGA tour of late is Viktor Hovland. This young world class golfer is, obviously, something special. Viktor Hovland: Norway’s best export is thrilling fans all over the globe with his golfing exploits. His most recent […]
Golfer of the Month
100 YO Man Celebrates Milestone with Round of Golf
Achieving a rare marker in becoming a centenarian in human years is no mean feat, yet alone combining that with the fact the gentleman in question is still playing golf. Those of us who regularly play the game of golf understand its difficulties and challenges […]
Culture Golfer of the Month
The Thing About Golf…
The thing about golf is that it frustrates and enchants me in equal measure. In some ways it is like an unreliable lover who only turns up every now and then. Robert Sudha Hamilton, The Golf Book: Green Cathedral Dreams My optimal golfing performance will […]
CultureCONTENT
What I Hate About Golf
First up a confession. I only play golf on days ending in ‘y’. In light of this revelation, what are the things that I hate about golf? Beginning from the external factors and moving inward I would say that I dislike the fact that so […]
CultureCONTENT
Cameron Smith: A Golfer at the Top of His Game
The mullet and wispy moustache belie a beast of an altogether different nature. This youthful Australian golfer is the best we have to offer the world at this point in time. You may have noticed that young Cam has put on a few pounds of […]
Golfer of the MonthCONTENT
Golf Swing Thoughts: What Are You Thinking About?
Golfers are always looking for ways to improve their game. The topic of this article is golf swing thoughts and what a golfer thinks about during a swing. Now, some might say, I don’t think about anything! Well, that is great if it is, indeed, […]
Swing Tips
The Game of Golf is Like Snakes and Ladders
Playing golf is pitting your game against the course in most instances. This is why the game of golf is like snakes and ladders. Many of us know what this board game is all about. Climb a ladder and move ahead toward your goal or […]
The Mental SideCONTENT
Sydney Swans Qualifying Final Victory Report Card
Big congratulations to the Swans for their victory over the Giants at the SCG. It did not look like happening for much of the afternoon, as GWS were on top for three quarters. The Sydney Swans Qualifying Final victory report card must pay the ultimate honours to Isaac Heeney for his enormous four quarter effort. The blonde bombshell is all class and finished with 30 touches, 3 goals, and mark of the year. Heeney was on from the first siren and never stopped lifting his team over the victory line. At times he was a lone hand, however, and there were too many passengers this afternoon.
SportsCONTENT
Not Been Playing Much Golf Lately
I have a confession to make. It is rather an uncharacteristic sequence of events. A story not in keeping with my behaviour over the last few years. It is not an easy thing to say out loud. Not quite a dirty secret but something I have been keeping under my cap. Well, the long and short of it is that I have not been playing much golf lately. In fact, I have played hardly at all over the last several months, possibly longer. Why? What went wrong I hear you say? I mean a man who played 5, 6 times a week for years, suddenly goes cold turkey. WTF?
Confessional Culture HistoryCONTENT
Australians Losing Billions Via Gambling & All Those Sports Betting Ads
Australians lose more money gambling per capita than any other nation on earth.
“Gambling is a major public policy issue in Australia, affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in a range of ways. Estimates suggest that Australians lose approximately $25 billion on legal forms of gambling each year, representing the largest per capita losses in the world (Letts 2018; QGSO 2022).”
(https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/gambling)
I watch some of those funny ads promoting gambling on TV and I wonder who their target audience is laughing at? ‘Stupid is as stupid does’, someone in the movies once said. There is public pressure on at the moment to ban gambling ads from our screens. Apparently, plenty of Aussies would like to see them disappear from our screens. The argument from some quarters against their demise is that our TV networks and sporting clubs would disappear along with them because they have become financially dependent upon the revenue from them for their survival. This is poppycock, of course, because they existed prior to the advent of this flood of gambling ads and corporate bookmakers came along. Sporting clubs will adjust, as they always have to whatever the current economic climate is. The demise of free to air TV networks is another matter, as they face obsolescence due to a number of factors. One of which is that people are no longer watching their fare in a changed entertainment space. Technology has passed them by and their business model is out of date.
Mug Punters
If You Watch LIV Golf You Are Supporting Higher Petrol Prices
The Saudi’s are purposely reducing oil production to drive prices up at the bowser. Of course, the Saudi’s are the backers of LIV Golf and paying all those hundreds of millions of dollars to already highly paid golfers like Jon Rahm. If you watch LIV Golf you are supporting higher petrol prices. Nothing happens in a bubble; everything is linked somehow. The money has to come from somewhere and in this case it comes from the Public Investment Fund (PIF). PIF get its money from oil sales.
Causes NewsCONTENT
Graceful Golf Vs Ungraceful Golf
Just had a golf lesson from a teaching pro at my club. It had been a while since my last series of instructional sessions. Of course, he filmed me on his phone and showed it to me, as they all do these days. First thought, wow, do I look that bad! Graceful golf vs ungraceful golf. The thing about golf is that you can’t see yourself swinging that club and, oftentimes, you are doing stuff that you don’t realise that you are doing. Simultaneously, you are not doing stuff that you thought you are doing or should be doing at any rate.
Club Golfer Player Swing TipsCONTENT
No Point In Playing The Game If People Cheat
Everybody know that Donald Trump is a compulsive liar, even his supporters know that. That Republicans are nominating Trump to be their presidential candidate once again is an indictment on America. It tells the world that a liar, a fraud, and a rapist is OK to be their guy in the White House. These Americans don’t care about truth, character, and accountability – they only care about winning. The loud mouthed Trump wins when the game is rigged. He cheats at golf – which is a sin, if you know anything about the game of golf. There is no point in playing the game if people cheat.
Causes Club GolferCONTENT
Tiger Woods Returns To PGA Tour At Riviera
To see Tiger stalking the fairways once more, this time dressed in white, was like a return to former years in golf. Tiger Woods returns to PGA Tour at Riviera Country Club in LA. Perhaps for a moment we could forget about LIV and the predations forced upon the men’s tour by greed and Saudi Arabian oil money. Hey, Tiger looked in much better shape with the limp barely noticeable. He hot it pretty good too. Sure he shanked one on the 18th but the recovery shot was sublime. For a player who hadn’t played at this level for some time he put in a solid performance.
Club Golfer NewsCONTENT
Golf: A Round-Up Of The Real Story
Hands up who has had embarrassing moments out on the course during a round of golf. Thank you, as expected everyone has raised their hand. Golf the game can be demeaning to the player. It can bite the hand that feeds it. Golf: a round-up of the real story. We stand on that first tee with high hopes and expectations. Many of us are brimming with optimism and this is despite the fact that the majority of competitive rounds have their fair share of low points. It is a tiny bit like the memory of child birth, in that somehow we block out those really awful moments and focus on the overall outcome. Of course, giving birth is a far more miraculous and rewarding experience but you get my analogy with the memory aspect of it.
Club Golfer Confessional The Mental SideCONTENT
Clean Your Clubs: Brush Them Grooves
In another of my roles I get to write about the joys of dentistry. Thinking about it there are parallels between cleaning our teeth and cleaning the grooves on the face of your golf clubs. Most of us have been schooled by our folks on the importance of brushing our teeth at least twice a day – if we want to maintain our ability to chow down on the good stuff for longer. In the same way, any golf pro or teaching instructor will tell you to keep your grooves clean for maximum benefit from your strike. Especially when it comes to your wedges and imparting spin to grab the green upon impact. Clean your clubs: Brush them grooves for best results.
Club Golfer EquipmentCONTENT
The Importance Of Developing A Solid Technique In Golf
One of the clearest challenges in golf I personally find in relation to the mental game is what is going through my mind during the round at key moments. By this I mean we play golf over 18 holes for around 4 to 5 hours and at various times my head makes no sense in golfing terms. It may be standing over a putt or on the tee with club in hand and suddenly there are no constructive thoughts to accompany the production of my stroke. Why is this so? I mean for the majority of these situations I have the appropriate stuff upstairs to make things happen. The importance of developing a solid technique in golf stand out in these moments.
Club Golfer Instruction Player Strategic Golf Swing Tips The Mental SideCONTENT
