Social Networking Doesn't Work Without Internet Access

I am an avid social networker.  My foursquare check-ins are tweeted.  My tweets update my Facebook status.  My 200 twitter followers and 430 Facebook friends do what they will with the information.  For better or worse – I am a walking click away from sharing my take on your business to a minimum of 600 people…and oh by the way…this exposure costs you nothing. 

Let me give you a quick example of what I am talking about:

My friend Becky lives in Clermont, Florida, and she recently posted a picture of Ritter’s Frozen Custard pumpkin cheesecake sundae.  

Becky’s endorsement, combined with the picture, was too much to resist.  I just had to drive 20 miles on my birthday to check this place out with my friend Michael.  Michael liked the sundae so much that he posted the same picture to Facebook that had brought us to the business.  Michael’s friend posted the same picture on Facebook a few days later crediting Michael for the additional calories consumed on his trip to Ritter’s.

This story is an example of how one social networking post can snowball into growing sales.  Who needs direct mail?  It costs a heck of a lot more, and doesn’t have the opportunity for exponential exposure.  Oh..and by the way… there was no discounted offer involved.

You WANT me to come into your store with my I-phone, but the biggest barrier to providing you free advertising is crappy internet access in your location.

I was surprised on my recent trip to California.  Paso Robles and Santa Ynez had the worst cell service I have recently encountered.  This area is a mecca for experiences that you want to share in the moment. 

The most shocking thing was that the majority of tasting rooms that I visited had secure WIFI, but they did not have it open for visitor use.  Many tasting rooms' staff were very aware of the lack of signal, yet it did not seem like they realized what a huge opportunity that was being missed.

Why are “in the moment” shared impressions important?

I changed my cover photo on Facebook to a picture of Wine Barrels at Justin Vineyards prior to leaving on my trip.  I was surprised at the number of friends that commented on their love of Justin Wines. 

I arrived at Justin for my private tour, and I couldn’t wait to live tweet my feelings and experiences as I walked through the doors.  The first five steps inside revealed a number of share-worthy photo opportunities.  

The anticipation suddenly became disappointment when I realized I couldn’t find a cell signal.  It became super disappointment when I discovered a giant padlock associated with the WIFI access.

A number of the wineries seem to understand that social networking is important.

• Saarloos had a photo station set up for posting to twitter or Facebook at a later point in time. 
• Kalyra offered a Facebook check-in special with an after the fact response.
• Firestone Vineyards responded to my foursquare check that I managed to perform after I got down the road a bit.

Imagine how special I would have felt if someone had walked up to me while I was there and said hi to me by name.

Each of these examples show an attempt to embrace social networking, but they all missed the most fundamental piece of social networking:

I NEED INTERNET ACCESS FOR MY SMART PHONE WHEN I AM STANDING IN YOUR BUSINESSS!

Fess Parker Winery might find this example interesting.

A fellow twitter user noticed my trail of tweets in the Santa Ynez area.  He mentioned me and asked if I was in the Buellton area.  Several exchanges later it was discovered that we were in the same place, at the same time, on three different occasions.  Why did we not know it? 

NO INTERNET SERVICE at 2 of them!

I was at Fess Parker Winery and Firestone Winery at the same time as my fellow twitter user who I have never met.  I could not use my social networking apps, so I missed the opportunity to meet him.  Imagine how many times we might tweet about that story if we had met randomly at those establishments via a check in or tweet….and oh by the way…. My fellow twitter user has over 2000 followers!  It was one big missed opportunity for all.

We were also both at the Hitching Post II at the same time with internet service, but we were politely not monitoring our phones while dining.

Fast-forward to the second half of my trip traveling south towards L.A. and Anaheim.

I left my WIFI equipped hotel in the morning and tweeted I was on my way to the Reagan Presidential Library.  I arrived and started my trek through this amazing tribute to President Reagan.  I was still there when the Reagan Foundation sent me a tweet asking me about my experience.  I am rather liberal these days, but I took the time to compliment them and share that my first presidential vote was for Ronald Reagan in 1984. 

We headed to Hilton Universal City.  A place I booked because they had responded to my tweets during my last visit a few years ago.  I had tweeted them earlier in the week that I was looking forward to my stay.  While on my way I received a tweet saying see you soon.  Upon arrival I checked in on foursquare saying I was at my night’s destination.  I received a response saying they were happy to be my home away from home.  I also received a Facebook response from someone I have not seen since high school saying she was nearby.  We weren’t able to meet one another, but this exchange gave us a chance.  She was at a nearby hotel – maybe next time she will use Hilton Universal City.  I checked in on my second day and suggested upgrading to the full buffet.  They responded saying they were happy I enjoyed the buffet.

We spent the day at Universal, and then we headed to Disney to complete our vacation.  Upon arrival I checked in and tweeted I was excited for Cars Land.  Within minutes DCAToday had responded to say they were ready for my arrival.  I responded back with how welcoming they were.  They retweeted me and favorited my tweet.

The big guys seem to get it.  These huge corporations just made an experience seem tailored just for me.  They find it so important that they are paying someone that is actively responding to tweets in an organized and timely manner.

The little guys in Wine Country can get in on this free advertising if they just open up the WIFI that they already record as an expense every month.  Give a smart phone to a taster and let them respond.  Drive that top line with more sales and that internet cost line item gets smaller and smaller every month.

2011 - A Quick Recap

Well folks - 2012 is upon us.

I find myself sitting in front of my computer. I am a bit reflective around the events of the past year, and I am hopeful about what the new year will bring.

The major question I ask myself is, "Why did I stop writing in my blog?" I have to give that one more thought, and then maybe I will write about it in the future. The past year has been full of life lessons, but none that you can really write about until they are in the past, and you have had time to reflect upon them.

I will start out 2012 with a look back at how I performed against the goals I set out for myself at the beginning of the year.

They were:

• Qualify for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour(GCAT) National Championship in my flight.


• Shave 5-7 strokes off my handicap and break 80 at least once in 2011.


• Place in the top 3 in a GCAT Major Championship


• Improve physical flexibility for better execution of the golf swing.


• Improve nutrition and lose 35 pounds for better stamina during rounds.


• Understand how the mind effects your golf game.


• Perform well enough at my job to pay for all of this stuff :-)


• Improve handicap to a level that I can participate in the Children's Miracle Network Golf Classic Pro-Am.


• Blog about it all as it happens

Let's talk about the goals that will need to carry over to this year.

Blog about it all is it happens

Easy to see from the timeline of my blog, that unless time stood still for the past 9 months, then I fell down on this one.

Lose 35 pounds

Good news is that my weight has maintained; however, this will be a major effort for me in 2012.

Break 80 at least once in 2011

This goal was very aggressive, but I felt with my planned approach that I could achieve this one. The closest I got was an 83 on Disney's Magnolia Golf Course. A couple of bad holes mid back 9 made it tough to achieve on that day, but I was proud that I focused and par'd the two tough finishing holes. Many rounds await me this year. More focus on staying in the moment - and executing each shot - will make this happen.

Now Let's Talk about the Achievements

In 2011 I participated in 3 GCAT Majors.

I placed 2nd at TPC Deere Run in May with strong winds, low temps, and elevation changes not found much in Florida. I love the course and planned to return this year, but they have moved the location of the tournament away from TPC Deere Run.

I placed 2nd at the Disney Masters on the Palm and Magnolia courses. A tough day one made victory difficult, but a great showing on Day 2 brought me up a few places into 2nd. I will be participating again this year.

I had a very bad showing on day 2 during the Major at PGA National. I injured myself in a freak accident dropping off my score card on day one. I played on day 2, but a very high score took me out of the running. Part injury and part mind blew up day 2. A little minor surgery in early 2012 will fix the physical issue, and hopefully, prevent this mishap in the future.

My finishes at TPC Deere Run and Disney automatically qualified me for the GCAT National Championship at PGA West. I chose not to attend for reasons I may discuss in later blogs. In hindsight - I should have attended - enough said for now.

My handicap steadily lowered over the year, and I currently sit with a handicap of 16.0. This is two under the 18 needed to participate in the Children's Miracle Network Classic Pro Am. It is also 5 strokes below where I started at the beginning of the year. My tournament index is still above 20. The focus on mind will help here.

My three pronged approach of mind, fitness, and swing coaching paid big dividends this year. I won't go into detail here, but all three legs are equally important.

I am on the right track with fitness and swing. My regular focus with a TPI Certified trainer has me doing things with my golf swing that were not physically possible for me a year ago. Continued focus here will only make things better.

I want to dive deeper into the mind piece this year. This training was hugely enlightening to me; however, I need to find a coach that is local to Orlando. If anyone knows of one, then let me know.

I am currently finalizing my 2012 goals and plan of action, and I hope to get those posted soon.

Until then - long and straight!

Trust Me - Get a Trainer - NOW!

I have never wanted to be good at something more than I want to be good at golf. So - this begs the question - if this statement is true, then how can I suck so bad? I take lessons. I put in the practice time on the range, the chipping area, and the putting green. I have not had the major break through I feel my work deserves...

Until Now!

If you have been following for a little while, then you know I have put a plan in place that I feel will get me where I want to be with golf. How did I arrive at this plan? How else? - following people on twitter.

Rickie Fowler is always with Coach Noss, Justin Rose is flying Justin Buckthorp to the Bahamas for a week of training, Christina Kim seems to be regularly sore from working with Andrea Doddato, and Jon Gidney is doing "the curls for the girls". Must be something to this training thing, or they wouldn't do it, right?

I shared a couple posts ago that I began working with Mark McCoy in Apopka, Florida on both physical and nutritional training. Mark is a former professional hockey player, and he focuses on training your core.

I have been working with Mark for a little over a month. This time and focus has yielded a bigger improvement in my game than anything else to date. If I did not have a great PGA Professional Instructor, then these improvements would not be helping to the extent they are, so I don't want to slight the importance of professional golf instruction; however, my improvements over the past month are nothing less than astounding(to me anyway).

My biggest challenge has been distance. A 180-210 yard driver and a 6 iron that did not go much more than 135-140 yards, made it very difficult to come into a green on the second shot. Forget it if the green was protected by a trap where I had to fly it in and stop it. My short game and putting got decent, because if it didn't, my scores would have been 110-120.

Why am I so excited about the results of this physical training?

I have had to lose 2-3 clubs, due to yardage, in the past 3-4 weeks!

My 7 iron is now going 155-160 yards. 6 weeks ago I would have had to hit a 4 hybrid to achieve the same distance. My drives have ranged from 235 up to 299. I can finally hit it long enough that when I miss - I can actually get into trouble - funny how I see that as a victory. Now I understand why people need different wedges, since the distance on my pitching wedge has jumped 30 yards to 120-125 which used to be a 7 or 8 depending on wind.

I had my best round of golf ever today! It was not my lowest score - but it was my best round. I shot an 89. The score reflects my mental collapse that resulted in triples on both 17 and 18. My mind wandered to the glory of shooting an 82/83 rather than focusing on each shot to get there. I started out the back nine with 4 pars and 3 bogeys.

My game today was a driver and an iron to the green. Made such a difference. By the way - one day does not a pattern make - but this started 2-3 weeks ago. I have played a round of golf for each of the last three days, and I have had the same results. Today was the first day I was able to adjust to the new distances.

Struggling with your distances? Already working with a PGA Professional? - then I highly suggest giving core training a try.

Want to learn more - here are some folks to follow on twitter - they tweet great articles and blogs about physical training:

@JustinBuckthorp
@CoachNoss
@ShapeandSport
@CoachJoeyD

Seems to me the below goals I set forth in January are well on their way to being met for the year:

• Improve physical flexibility for better execution of golf swing
• Improve nutrition and lose 35 lbs for better stamina during rounds (lost 10 pounds so far)

Now - did I mention the mental collapse on 17 and 18 that cost me 5-6 strokes? That's this goal:

• Understand how the mind effects your golf game

Looks like I will be looking into the above goal really soon!

But until then - long and straight!

Twitter - A Golf Fan Generator!

Does anyone else love twitter as much as I do?

There is nothing that has linked my emotions to golf, and golfers, more than this miracle of social networking.

When I bought my first set of golf clubs two years ago at the age of 42 - my knowledge of golf was Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and of course, Tiger Woods. I did check out of a hotel once in Phoenix several years ago, and Arnold Palmer was checking out next to me, but other than that - the closest I got to a golf tournament was carrying my brother's bag once when I was in my early 20's at a local club championship.

I bought my first i-phone at about the same time I bought my first set of golf clubs. I had a friend who was updating his facebook status from twitter, so I decided to give twitter a try. Well, guess what? I quickly figured out that twitter is about as fun as watching paint dry if you don't actually follow anyone.

I saw someone named Rory McIlroy in a footjoy ad, so I decided to see if he was on twitter. The next thing I know I am looking at pictures of Rory sitting in his kitchen showing the world that he had to bandage his fingers. Really? - I just have to follow this golf phenom, and he will let me into his world - his home? Holy crap!

I see an ad in Orlando on tv about a contest to play golf with Ian Poulter - hmmm...wonder if he's on Twitter. Soon after I follow Ian, I am being treated to snapshots of his home, closet organization, his garage, the numerous golf bags he has, and his trips to Starbucks. I tried to convert him to visit the coffee company that employs me, and we have a location near him in Lake Nona, but to no avail - alas, maybe he just didn't tell me he converted :-).

I continued to play golf regularly and talk all the time about what different golfers are doing. Hey - Ian Poulter just got a Labradoodle. John Daly is mad at some reporter and wants me to call the reporter's cell number and tell him to *&^% off. Stewart Cink just had BBQ for dinner and his kid isn't feeling well - but may have outgrown the batman mural at the pediatricians office. The boys from Lake Nona just took a chopper to Isleworth for the Tavistock cup. I know more about what these guys are doing than I do about my own family - with updates in real time!

And then it happened!

I was following a couple guys named Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler - didn't know much about them at the time, so to speak, but I knew Bubba had lobbyed to be on Ellen. After seeing videos of Ricky and Bubba pushing each other around in grocery carts in a parking lot - I sent a tweet "mentioning" them and thanking them for sharing the fun. I had tweeted many times mentioning golfers I followed without any response, so I was not expecting anything. I checked my twitter about five minutes later for anymore Bubba/Ricky videos - and there it was - I had a mention - I clicked on the mention and it was from BUBBA WATSON - it said "ur welcome". Are you kidding me? Bubba Watson had just sent me a message! I'm showing my friends, texting my golf instructor, and bouncing around the house on quite a high. A PGA Tour golfer had just taken the time to respond to my tweet personally. Ian Poulter quickly slid to number 2, as he has never responded to a tweet of mine(of course he has over a million followers and is rather busy, but hey - it's all about me), and Bubba had just taken Ian's place as twitter world number one in my book!

McIlroy was one of my first follows and he had gone rather quiet - when I realized he was no longer tweeting I decided to try to enlist Rickie and Bubba to get him back on. I tweeted to them - hey - if you talk to Rory this week- tell him to get back on twitter. Before the end of the tournament - Rory had opened up a new twitter account and was tweeting again. Not saying it was me that got him back on twitter, but in my mind, I did - hahaha.

I also follow a golfer aspiring to be on the Europen Tour - he was the first person to follow me on twitter that I did not know. He must have gotten my name off Rory's follower list. I gave him a follow back, and if you want to follow a dynamic individual who you will want to route for- follow Jon - @jgidney.

It has been amazingly educational for me, being new to golf, to follow Jon as he turned pro on the mini tours over in Europe. He tweeted about his first year on these tours, and it gave an incredible insight into how much work and perseverance it takes to continue to follow your goal of making the European Tour. I emailed him a few times to ask about things like Q-School, The Challenge Tour,(had no idea what they were), and he graciously answered. He also came up with a great way to earn money to support his quest for a tour card - Club Gidney - Check it out at jonathangidney.com - offers you value in return for a very minimal fee that goes to supporting his upcoming season. I happily opened a paypal account and sent him my 10pound a month for his golf tips.

I also have had the pleasure of watching as the golf press has started to embrace twitter like I have. Saw a tweet once from a golf journalist - can't remember the name -but the jist was - hard to get an original story when you are being scooped by the players themselves on twitter! An example - I saw Lee Westwood's rant about Rory McIlroy not winning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in real time, and later it got lot's of play in the press. I can relate to Lee as I have a filter issue as well :-)

The golf news programs now report on tweets for those who don't follow twitter. This demonstrates that the tweets are quickly becoming a steady source for interesting news. Live accounts with out a publicist filtering.

If you aren't using twitter to follow golf - then I highly suggest it. Here are a few folks that are active "tweeters"/worth a follow(* means they have responded) I'll Bold my favorites:

@jgidney *- @ianjamespoulter - @pga_johndaly - @rickiefowlerpga - @bubbawatson * - @graeme_mcdowell - @krisjonesgolf * - @stu1hemming * - @golfchannel * - @stewartcink - @mcilroyrory - @amgolfmindcoach * - @willfoxgolf * - @johnraser * - @jackawallace * - @scottwalkerontv * - @adamsmg * - @justinrose99 - @thechristinakim * - @westwoodlee - @clubgidney - @kellytilghman - @adampetersgolf *- @jamielovemark *

Let's face it - the PGA Tour, the players, the equipment companies, and golf itself are all in the business of building their brand. Connecting with your customer in a fun and engaging way is a great way to do that. Twitter makes it possible for fans and consumers to feel like they have a personal relationship anyone or company they follow.

I truly believe that Golf owes its' growing ratings - and a big thank you - to Twitter for the loyalty of this consumer - and probably many more.

Love to hear your thoughts - until then - long and straight!

No Deep Thoughts - Just Updates

Greens(Golf)
Earlier in the year I called out several goals for my golf game.

Place Top 3 in a Golf Channel Amateur Tour Major Event
I have planned my schedule for the year. I intend to participate in at least 5 majors this Season:

• December - Winter Championship - Grand Cypress - Orlando, FL - Placed 8th
• April - Midwest Classic - TPC Deere Run - Silvis, IL
• June - Championship at PGA National - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
• July - TPC Sawgrass Open - Ponta Vedra, FL
• August - Greenbrier Open - White Sulphur Springs, WV

If I place top 3 in any of these, or win my flight in Orlando, then I qualify for the National Championship at PGA West in September.

Shave 5-7 Strokes off my game and Break 80 at least once this year

• Practice has been difficult due to work schedule - however, shot a 41 on the back 9 at Black Bear in Eustis, FL this past weekend. One of my lowest 9's. Rolled in a couple birdies from 30 plus feet.
• Handicap has actually jumped up to 20.3 from 20.0. I had a couple bad tournament rounds with 2 blow up holes in each round. Shot a 103 at Juliette Falls while carding a 10 and a 12. Just need to grow from 16 great holes to 18 great holes.

Improve physical flexibility for better execution of golf swing - Improve Nutrition and lose 35 pounds for better stamina during rounds

• I have started working with Mark McCoy. He is a personal trainer in Apopka, FL. Mark is working with me on physical training and nutrition.
• I am 5 sessions in, and I have found that my prior 3 times per week gym visits have been fairly useless with regards to golf. How do I know this - Some of the items he has me doing cause my muscles to seize up instantly. Great to target the correct areas to maximize my range of motion - I see great value in this effort.
• I have started a nutrition regimen that will get my metabolism flying - toughest part - eating enough and drinking enough water. My kidneys are sure getting a workout.

Grapes(Wine) and Grub(Food)
I recently dined at Jack's Steakhouse in Baldwin Park. Baldwin Park is a planned neighborhood on the east side of Orlando - I believe it is the site of a former military base. I could find multiple things to do - including visiting Caddyshanks - which is a golf bar - gotta visit.

Jack's was a good experience in spite of itself. My thought is that they are having a little financial issue - why - the place was not full - and the waiter approached the table to let me know that they were out of filet mignon and lamb - (keep in mind this is a steakhouse). The person I was dining with ordered a beer and the response was, "we do not have much beer tonight" - so - not a lot of seats full and low inventory = concern for viability. Remember - I earn my living as a restaurant consultant.

The server seemed to be pushing us to eat very quickly, and we had to pace him. We were having a business meeting over the course of the evening and had no need to rush. He adapted to our understanding of pace and the evening got better.

I made a great choice with the wine - cabernet - Cult - It was on the list between Frog's Leap and the cheap stuff. I always know when the wine pours and it is a dark red color - that I will enjoy it.

My business associate lives in the area and frequents Jack's, but he usually sits at the bar. He tipped me off to an off the menu steak salad - it was prepared to perfection (normally made with filet(note earlier) - so made with ny strip on this visit- I would order this dish again. I also had a carpaccio appetizer, and it competed with any other carpaccio I have had.

So - to summarize - Great Wine - Good Food - Okay service - earns a repeat visit - I might even make it a destination - but it certainly would not get my veto if someone suggested dining there.

Upcoming Thoughts
I am formulating my thoughts on the recent trend of calling in violations and golfers being dq'd. I am going to provide my opinion on that - I tried to call about Bill Buckner's little mishap in 86 but that decision still stands :-(

I also am going to chime in on this whole twitter thing. The wall street journal and golf channel have done stories on golf and twitter - the great thing is that I have lived it over the past couple years - you will get the thoughts from a fan's perspective.

Did I mention that I am in the 95th percentile for Fantasy Golf - and it seems Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, and Vaughn Taylor need to come through for me this weekend in Phoenix. Troy Merritt looks like he will miss the cut - so - only three going into the weekend for me.

Until next time - long and straight!