Pipe Dream - Can Golf Be an Addiction that Ruins Lives?

I don't seem to be getting a lot of hits on the blog when I just write about myself - so, I thought I would throw a little opinion at you. I have some personal updates, but I will save those for next time.

Has anyone started watching the show Pipe Dream on the golf channel. It is about a man with a priveleged life who was striving for a pro career , and through many twists and turns in his journey, he ended up homeless. He lives in large pipes in or around Palm Springs. He has basically nothing, and even his golf clubs are in hock at the beginning of the show.

I think that it is meant to be an inspirational story about a man who has hit the bottom, and he is using his dream of golf success as a way to inspire himself back to the life that he once had. I have to question though - is his golf really part of what put him where he is? Is he really still falling and the bottom has not been hit?

I have to say that I have been playing golf for just two years, and I am hopelessly addicted to this game. I go to the golf range and practice. My bucket of balls is gone, but yet I look around for a ball or two within reach that I can grab to take another swing. If my last ball is a bad shot, then I look for another ball to hit, so I may leave on a high note. I shoot 120 in a tournament, but my drive on 18 is 240 down the middle and I leave thinking every shot will be that way in the future. I am dissappointed with a bad round, but I have to get back sooner to wipe that out. I just know my next round will be my personal best. When it isn't - I book my next round.

There is nothing like the rush of holing out from the fairway, or when I hit one 2 inches from the cup on a par 3. It just wipes out all the bad shots from my memory. I can't dunk a ball, or throw a 50 yard pass, but I can chip one in from off the green, and I feel just like Tiger Woods or Tom Watson. I cannot get enough of this game.

Does this sound familiar? Anyone every go to the casino and play the slots? The high you feel when you set off the bonus and you're up a hundred bucks. You start playing with their money, and then all of a sudden yours is gone. You put in another 20 because you know you can get it back on the next pull, and finally you walk away out of money. If you set a limit for yourself, hopefully, you walk away before it hurts you. If not, then you are addicted and it spins out of control - next thing you know your life is a mess. You lose your house, your family, friends, and end up on the street?

We could do the same scenario for alcohol or drugs right? Many of us can control those things before they get out of hand, but many people cannot.

I saw Charlie Rymer from the Golf Channel speak one night recently. My interpretation was he made a decision to stop playing golf when he realized he needed to make a more significant living. How hard must that decision have been? however, if you don't win or place high on the list - you don't keep much after expenses to pay the bill and feed the family.

I follow many aspiring golfers on Twitter. They are looking for sponsors, so they can continue to play and compete. They do it in hopes that one day they will make the tour and feel the rush - maybe the riches. Imagine the decision that most of them will one day have to face. Give up on their dream, and earn a living in another way. If they can't make that decision, and they don't make the tour - life could be tough and frustrating.

Big Break Disney Golf, Being John Daly - fighting for that break - trying to make it back. John Daly is lucky that he is a bigger than life personality and can find other sources of income from his glory days. Wasn't John Daly a gambler too?

I have to wonder if the Champion's Tour is what this man on Pipe Dream needs. I think he may be better served with a rehab center specializing in breaking a golf addiction. Living life one day at a time for him might be realizing that he needs to move on from this game that we all love. Find a life that allows him the means to support himself and play recreationally(hmm...but, I can have just one drink, right?). Some of us might see that as settling for second best - others may see it as surviving.

I wish this man well, and I will be riveted to the television each week as the story unfolds. I am pulling for him to make it, as I did for John Daly all last year. I love an underdog. Pulling for John this year too, but, alas, he is not starting on my fantasy team. Maybe if he sucked it up and went to Q school, he might get more sponsor exemptions - whoops, I digress.

Whatever the outcome - I hope that this man is taken care of at the end - whether it be a sponsor exemption on the Champion's Tour - or a spot in rehab.

Love to hear your thoughts on this one.

Till next time - hit 'em long and straight.

The New Year

Golf
Goals for the Year

• 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 this year
• Place in the Top 3 at a GCAT Major Championship
• Improve physical flexibility for better execution of golf swing
• Improve nutrition and lose 35 lbs 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 :-)

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

Blog about it all as it happens.

I have started off the year injured. I am working with my doctor to heal as quickly as possible, so I do not miss any tournaments. The first tournament of the year is next Saturday, and I am working very hard to recover enough to participate.

I currently work with two instructors. I expect my lessons to occur every other week this year.

I am searching for a local trainer that specializes in golf fitness. I will keep you posted on how this search goes. I have contacted one trainer; however, there has been no response. If anyone knows of one in the Orlando area, then let me know.

Looking for a Golf mind coach in the Orlando area. I am getting some great information from twitter. If anyone is interested they can follow Andy Morrison - @golferblueprint or Adam Sprackling Golf @AdamSMG. They both have great blogs that are very thought provoking - and amazingly helpful. I wish they were in the United States.

Grapes and Grub
Not much movement in this area lately. I did try a bottle of Rockaway from Rodney Strong Vineyards for the new year. I was a bit disappointed and didn't find it worth the money. Really couldn't taste much of anything - may not have had the right food to go with it -big fan of Rodney Strong Wines though. If you are looking for a good cab that you can pick up at the Grocery Store - Grab a Rodney Strong Cab - 13-14 bucks.

The good thing is that I get to choose the vacation this year - so rest assured there will be lots of Greens, Grapes and Grub involved.

GCAT and the Pro Tour Season start next week - so till then - Hit em long and str8!