Conference 7.286::golf

For one, I won't play with anyone who throws their clubs. I guess it's because 
I almost got hit by one, although the thrower (not in our foursome) claims he 
knew what he was doing?

Also last year a member of a twosome placed with my partner and I was throwing 
his club on almost every hole for the first seven holes. The last throw was so
hard that the noise was startling. I asked him not to throw the clubs anymore
or I was leaving. Understandably, anyone who throws their clubs is not willing
to think of someone else but rather he was defensive and said I talk too much.

My partner and I bid them goodbye and expained the situation to the pro shop who
refunded our money. I don't know if the pro talked to them as it was at a course
I don't normally play at.

The major points about club throwing is the danger and the unsettling feeling it
gives to other players who don't know what to expect.

Maybe there are some club throwers who could explain the benefits?

    
    I don't believe there are any club throwers in this notes file. 

    RE:                  <<< Note 1272.2 by TOLKIN::HOGAN >>>
                          -< club throwres?? Here?? >-

    
>>    I don't believe there are any club throwers in this notes file. 
    
    
    No but if there are, I can turn around the reshaft in a hurry.
    Of course, I will have to charge a little more. :-)
    
    
    						KO

    Another tale from Fresh Pond....
    
    Foursome is all within 8-12 feet for putts.
    18th hole (9th second time around)
    $15.00 bucks riding on the first to putt to win a total Nassau.
    
    Misses..............whirls the putter to throw.........
    hits HIS PARTNER in forehead with the back of putter trying
    to throw into fresh pond resevoir..
    
    needless to say.. partner in Mt Auburn with major concussion..
    
    I don't think the guy could touch a club for a year..
    
    the partner after a few days was ok... lucky..
    
    Fresh Pond, the golf course with a million stories..
    
      Ang
    

    Anyone who throws a club is a DORK. Period. No discussion.
    
    
    --Jack

    
    
     Now that we are on the subject of club throwing. I mean there are
    club throwers. You know the all out, from the ass with feeling, grunting
    whirlybird I hate this game throw. Then there is the straight up club
    thrower. Personally I think a far more dangerous breed. Hit a bad shot
    and off goes the club straight up in the air. Nasty. Both of these two
    should have sharp sticks in the eyes.
    
    Then there are the more exceptable, well I can't call them club
    throwers, Tossers. They seem to have perfected to art of seperating
    themselves from the club without placing it back in the bag in an
    acceptable manner. It, of course, never goes far enough to cause injury
    to another player but always right on the border line. You notice the
    clud had been thrown or tossed but for some reason it's okay. This
    individual should not be confused with the guy or girl who throws his
    or her club at the bag. I mean if the bag is outside that border line.
    You see some try to pull a fast one by trowing it at the bag. They seem
    to think it's okay because you going to put it in the bag anyway but
    don't be fooled he belongs in the previous paragraph with the lowly
    club throwers.
    
    The one that really cracks me up is the guy or girl who really really
    really wants to throw that club is the worse way. I mean has it in the
    throwing position, lungs full of air, body wound up luck a rubber band
    and the brain screaming throw the sob throw it. But they never make the
    release. But the damange has been done. The fact that they had come so
    close they may have just thrown the stupid thing. 
    
    Dorks. Like Jack said, Dorks.

    Anyone remember the British Open back in 74-ish? The Nicklaus/Watson
    one. 
    
    There's a TV clip that gets shown every now and then of Jack holing
    the winning putt. He throws his putter straight up in the air in
    jubilation, a couple of seconds later you can see Watson and the
    caddies diving for cover as it returns to earth. I don't think he was
    reported to the starter though ;-) They probably put a plaque up to
    mark the hole it made in the green...
                 
    Paul

    
    
     re last
    
     I think the clip in question was from the Open when Nicklaus beat
    Sanders in a play-off at St. Andrews (remember, after Sanders missed
    from 4 feet on the 18th the previous day to win outright). If I'm
    right, it came down from a great height and very nearly done some
    damage.
    
          Danny.

    The discussion about temper reminds me of something I found humorous
    several years ago.  We were looking for a fourth, and we asked one of
    the fellows in the group if he wanted to play (we hadn't played with
    him before).  He said yes, but he also asked in anyone in the group had
    a tendency to lose their temper and throw clubs, etc.
    
    I told him that while we all got a little frustrated or mad
    occassionally, that none of us threw clubs.  
    
    Well, out on the course, he began to have problems.  Wasn't hitting the
    ball well.  At or about the 5th hole, he threw a club.  Again on 6.
    
    I guess he just didn't want to have a longest throw club competition!
    
    John
    

    re:1-9
    
    Nothing wrong with throwing clubs as long as you practice.  You can't
    use the normal grip because it delays the release of the hands.  Some
    driving ranges should set up a club throwing area so this can be
    practiced safely.  The biggest problem with throwing clubs is that you
    have to chase the thing, which makes you madder, then if it ends up in
    an unplayable lie, like a tree or water, add insult to injury.  This of
    course slows play and causes the five hour round.
    
    The incident in Canada involved hitting a club against a tree and the
    result was a sharpened half shaft that struck the fellow.  Safer to use
    the Bo Jackson or Tommy Bolt technique of snapping the shaft over your
    knee, plus you then have two pieces to throw.  If you throw the grip
    end, then it is cheaper to replace.  You can also regrip the head end
    for your toddler.  The benefits are numerous.
    
    The worst people on golf courses are not the club throwers...but the
    "not my ball mark" or "moonwalkers" that screw up greens by not fixing
    their ball marks or do an MC Hammer impression around the cup.  Fix
    three marks per green...including the one made by your putter when it
    comes down.
    
    SoCalDandy

    
    This note just reminded me of the most amazing fit of anger I have ever
    witnessed and also the funniest. PLace, Holden C.C.. I am standing on
    the fairway of the 4th hole waiting for a foursome to clear the green.
    While my partner and I are waiting we notice a guy by himself teeing
    off the fifth. The fifth has a pond right in front. His first ball goes
    into the pond. This pond is only about fifty yards off the tee. His
    second ball goes in the pond and I can hear him swearing and just
    having a fit up there and start to chuckle. Hits his third in the pond
    and now he buries the club to the hozel about three times and has just
    lost it. Now he starts down the hill to the pond, stops yells f*** this
    game and heaves his bag into the pond. Well needless to say I am in
    stitches by now. Now we are standing on the same tee and the foursome
    in front of us are trying to stag his bag but can't get to it so off
    they go. All of a sudden here he comes storming down the fairway. By
    this time we are on our way down the hill along side the pond. I said
    to my partner, " Well atleast he going to get his stuff". Now he rolls
    up his pant leg and walks waist high into the pond and all the time
    never acknowledges we are standing there watching him do all this. Gets
    to his back and hauls it up, unzips the pocket, pulls his car keys out
    and throws the bag deeper into the pond. Last time
    I saw the poor guy he was headed across the fourth fairway soped to the
    bone cursing a blue streak. Funniest thing I ever saw. As far as I know
    the clubs are still there. 

    
    .12 was cancelled, but this better not be the old "car keys in 
    the bag" story!!! ;-)

    
    .12 should have read .11 which at the time I read it, was not complete.
    Now I can read it and sure enough!! I'm not doubting the story but
    I have heard it a thousnad times on a thousand different courses!
    
    Joe
    
    

    
    Joe Joe Joe your not implying that I am not telling the truth are you?
    I obviosly was present at the real thing. I have told this story
    several times and never has anyone said they have seen the same thing
    or even ever heard of it happening.
    
     But once a guy  went parking with his girlfriend and while they
    were in the heat of passion this big hairy......Well you probably will
    tell me you heard this one too so forget it I'm taking my golf ball and
    going home. 

    
    I would never imply that, but I heard that story 15 years ago but
    it was about Jimmy Demearet (sp?). Then someone about 2 years ago
    told it to me at Green Meadows. 
    If people throw there bags in ponds a lot I suppose it only makes 
    sense that that's where their keys would be.
    No offense meant. 
    
    Joe

    
    No offence taken Joe.
    
    Pete

    	A friend of mine had a terrible temper on
    the golf course for many years and was known for
    his superior club throwing, club breaking and bag
    beatings.  This all stopped a few years ago when
    he slammed his club on the top of his bag after
    a less than perfect shot and the club bounced back
    hitting him in the mouth and knocking out his front
    tooth.     
    
    He has'nt thrown a club or beat his bag since.
    
    /Dave

    
     I also have heard the story ,  a million times, BUT
    
        I did see on 14 North, Stow , in that little pond a bag and cart,
    
    just laying there. And in 1978(?)    it was a lot clearer than it is
    now.  In there with a bunch of my balls !!
    
       Which brings up a legal point:
       Can I ask for my balls back when a scuba diver, hired by the course
    to retrieve water balls, ? Or are the balls "course property"  now ?
    
    ASSUMING I can identify.(name ,logo,)
           I saw..and what about my balls?
           Are those clubs and Bag Boy now course property ?
           Who has title ?
    
                             No I'm not a lawyer.
                                  Ang
    
              
     

    re:property
    
    I believe that if it can be identified by you,it is yours.  The legal
    right of golf balls has probably not been tested.  Probably some law
    about abandonment though.  I talked with two guys one day that were
    fishing balls out of a lake using two golf carts, a pulley/winch set up
    and one of those rolers you see on on driving ranges.  They were
    catcing rays watching the winch work and occassionally moving the golf
    cart.  On this course alone they had retrieved 5000 balls the day
    before...at $.05/ball.  Figures out to $500 to$1000 a day for catching
    rays.  With contracts with several courses, these guys were making great
    to obscene money.  Makes the mind wonder...
    
    SCD
    

    As long as we're on the subject of club throwing and bag washing, I can
    share one with you involving a caddie. 
    
    Playing the Rockaway Hunt Club in NY (See Varley's '91 Tour) a caddie
    threw the members bag into the drink after many heated words and the
    usual "no respect for the caddy" story. 
    
    Bottom Line: Caddie walks off never to return and the member is out a
    bag and clubs. I'm sure the rest of the foursome got a kick out of it. 
    
    What giblets the kid had.
    Ken
    

    Re. .4 - Gee, it makes me feel better that I've never been able to get
    onto that course (which is only about 15 minutes from where I live).
    Everytime I've tried, there's been a tournament going on, or a 2-hour
    wait.
    
    As for the general topic of controlling/losing one's temper: I will
    confess to having slamdunked a club back into the bag a few times, but
    have yet to unleash a fullfledged hammer throw, imperiling the health
    of everyone within a 200-yard radius - I'm totally capable of achieving
    that with any number of my golf shots! And ever since I severely
    chastised a friend (who was a complete neophyte at the time) for
    whirly-birding his putter into the woods after missing a 2-footer, I've
    tried to be especially pure in the temper department. Sainthood has
    eluded me so far, and I'm given to uttering the odd profanity from time
    to time (like anytime between sunup and sundown on a weekend). I think
    it's probably unhealthy to try to contain *all* urges to express some
    displeasure.
    
    I have a friend (don't we all?) who swears the following is true (no,
    not the old "bag in the pond with the car keys" gag): For years he was
    in a foursome with a man who was a model of restraint, a living example
    of control under stress, a person who lived by his oft-repeated motto
    "The only shot that counts is the next one. You can't do anything about
    the shot you just hit, so don't let it bother you. Put it out of your
    mind, and only worry about the next shot."
    
    Well, my friend was with this chap when things were going particularly
    poorly for him (the chap...things *always* went poorly for my friend).
    Friend was nothing short of astounded by the saintly comportment he
    witnessed as shot after shot found the woods, the rough, the sand,
    the water, etc. Not one word of anger escaped his partner's lips for a
    full 14 holes; not an inkling of perturbation could be seen in his
    demeanor. Then on 15, he hit his drive into the pond. It was as though
    a long-dormant volcano suddenly came to life: A jet stream of obscenity
    gushed from his mouth - his body went spastic - he picked up his bag,
    rushed toward the pond, screaming like a banshee, and hurled all his
    equipment into the water. Without hesitation, or missing a stride, he
    turned, ran off the course to his car, drove home and never played golf
    again!
    
    I don't know exactly what the moral of the story is, but I for one feel
    a little more relaxed if I pop off a little once or twice in 18 holes.
    It just shouldn't become habitual, and it must be done with the
    safety and comfort of other people in mind. I've also had rounds when I
    would go into a deep blue funk after a bad hole, and never come out
    until a day or so later. This kind of behavior is also not a lot of fun
    to be around, although it's not as hazardous as club-throwing, which I
    agree is totally unacceptable under any circumstances.

    
    RE.6
    
    	I guess that along with Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange, Craig
        Stadler and Ian Woosnam, I am a member of an elite club ?!
    
        That makes us all TOSSERS UNITED. No doubt there are many other
        Founder members to come foward but I am already comfortable to
        be classed a TOSSER in such company.
    
    RE.10
    
        A very amusing article worthy of a place in my top ten !
    
    
    AMBASSADOR MEIKLE

    Well, being born purely of a certain north atlantic extraction that's
    known for producing drinkers and people with tempers, I'd say the last
    thing I really *want* to do is go out and get all stressed out on the
    golf course.
    
    So, I just drink a lot :-)
    
    Brian

    Re. 10: Tommy Bolt, who gave a few clubs some air time in his hey-day,
    used to laugh about Arnold Palmer's "tossing technique": according to
    Bolt, Arnie had it all wrong, because he'd throw his club backwards,
    and then had to walk back to retrieve it. Bolt, of course, knew better,
    and always made sure he threw the club forward, so he could pick it up
    on his way to the next shot.
    
    One of the wittier bumper stickers I've seen lately reads: "Anger is my
    hobby - golf is just a means to an end." And, regarding -1: I've been
    in 4-somes consisting of people named McGowan, Kelly, Hayes and Powers.
    Four short-tempered Irishmen with 14 clubs apiece...a frightening
    thought, that.
    

While I was playing in the club championship at Marlboro, a fellow who 
was walking along with our group told me a story about a guy who used 
to be a perennial competitor in the championship. Apparently he was 
notorious for long drives (he was a big man) and his short temper.
This was back in the days when caddies were plentiful.

Anyway, during one match, when things were going particularly badly, 
he dumped his ball in pond in front of the 15th tee. He couldn't take 
it anymore, so he flung his driver into the pond (which is a pretty 
long toss from the tee, by the way). When he and his caddie reached 
the pond, his caddie asked him if he'd like him to retrieve his club. 
The guy, still fuming, said "Sure!" and picked the caddie up and threw 
him in the pond.

I can just picture the caddies scurrying away the next time he showed 
up for a round...

    
    Hey, maybe that could be come a new Junk-Sport for TV.  Instead
    of Football, and Baseball players running track, climbing over 
    walls, lifting weights, and bowling, they could show pro-golfers;
    
    Throwing clubs, dunking caddies, breaking putters, biting golf 
    balls, and pulling carts.
    
    I can here the interviews now.
    
    Reporter: Well your in first place after the club throwing contest
              how does it feel?
    
    Trevino:  Well it feels great right now, but I'm not looking forward
              to the cassie dunking event.  It's hard on my back to make 
              a full shot with Herman!
    
    

    
      As an update to the base note, the victim of the wayward
    club attack apparently is doing ok, and has decided to not
    press charges against his (former?) friend.   I would doubt
    if either of them stepped foot on a golf course again. they
    probably will take up something less dangerous, like auto
    racing or bungee jumping.  Hey, dead serious after read-
    about this and then the incident at the US open, you got
    to start to wonder!
    
    -rick

    And six folks up here in Maine last week at Augusta Country Club taking
    shelter from the rain/thunder storm in a lean-to.

    Sounds like the only safe place to golf is out here in the west.  The
    only danger is an occassional earthquake, but at least you're out in the
    open away from falling debris.
    
    SoCalDandy

    With all this talk about tempers, swearing, club throwing etc, I would
    like to add the following question.
    
    You know why it's called golf?
    
    All the other four letter words were taken.
    
    
    Dave,

    
    A buddy of mine got a hat as a gift that says:
    
    "I golf therefore I swear!"

    I recall a guy playing at Trull Brook who tossed a club into the swamp
    off the 10th tee.  He forgot that he had borrowed clubs and the last I
    saw that night with dusk settling was he and his buddies searching for
    the club.
    
    Never cured him though, a tosser to the end though I haven't played
    with him in a few years.
    
    Bill

     
    Thank God it dosn't run in the family. My brother calls me the other
    day and he's one of those guys who takes you through his round shot by
    shot. It almost takes him as long to play as it does to tell you about
    it. Anyway, he's on the seventeenth hole at Wachusett after knocking
    two in the woods off the tee he lines a four wood into the pond. He
    lost it. Snap, four wood over the knee. Goes to the bag. Snap, three
    wood over the knee and follows suit with the one wood. I would think
    after snapping a club over your knee you would kinda shock yourself and
    realize what you have done and try to find a rock to crawl under. But
    this nut goes through the entire set of woods. He asked me to build him
    a new set after telling me this. I asked if he was sure golf was the
    sport he should playing.