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New Year's Resolutions For The Golf Course

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2008

Inasmuch as the New Year is around the corner, my imagination - running wild as ever - has put together some resolutions that, if put into practice, will make us all happy, wealthy and wise. Or at least moderately so.

To begin with, I swear I will keep my head down and watch the ball as I swing the club. I will also align my body so as to increase to more than 35 percent the chance of hitting the fairway rather than the 65 percent going into sand and/or water.

As to putting, I think a new putter is in order and should eliminate all three-putts forever. If it doesn't, then I'll get another until I find one that works.

Realizing that the professionals who practice all the time on the putting green, the driving range and the faux bunkers only beat me by about one and a half strokes a hole, I promise to practice more. At least 10 minutes a week on the putting green should do it. Maybe 15. My eyes aren't good enough to follow the ball on the driving range without a seeing-eye friend, so forget that. Chipping is a matter of luck, so that's out and sand play is an iffy thing at best.

You need to think these things through, not necessarily get all dirty doing it. I figure this regimen should knock at least 12 strokes off my round. The other 13 strokes I need to play par golf will come as I age and become wiser.

Now it wouldn't be fair to my friends in Sun City Center if I didn't suggest some resolutions for WCI.

First off, WCI should resolve to replace the sand in the bunkers of the North Lakes and Sandpiper courses on those holes where this immense task has yet to be accomplished. Wouldn't it be fun if WCI resolved to keep the North Lakes Course open all year without our worrying about it all the time? (WCI is getting new enrollment on its membership drive, so maybe it shall come to pass.)

Then WCI should resolve to fix the ball-sucking mud piles on the fringe of several holes on Sandpiper. The second on the Oaks, the third on the Lakes, the fourth on the Palms come trippingly to the tongue. There are others. The mud in the bottom of the pit in front of the first on the Lakes likewise. These seem to stem from either overwatering or seepage from pipes.

For the rest of us hackers, pray take Cal Kimura's oft-voiced counsel and resolve to put some sand in your divots and fix the ball marks your beautiful arcing approach shots make in the green.

It may be that some of us are too old to lean down to fix a ball mark or sprinkle sand in the spot where you chunked your five iron. Too ancient? Too weak? Too forgetful?

Getting old ain't for sissies.

Finally, can we all resolve to vote in SCC Community Association elections and referendums this coming year? Stop in at the occasional CA Board meeting (second Wednesday of the month in the Rollins Theatre) and lend your experience and input to the board?

Happy New Year and may you play five strokes better than your handicap throughout 2009!

Bob Black is a longtime journalist and member of the Sun City Center Community Association board of directors.

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