narrominded
Jake Narro, PGA professional, head golf coach at Southeastern Louisiana University and
Backspin publisher
As I’m sure you know by now I love watching
golf on television. High definition TV is made
for golf as we get to watch the best in the world
play on some of the most beautiful tracks of
land in the world.
Networks are also getting much better
drawing us the picture of the terrain with more
cameras showing more angles. Roger Maltby,
David Feherty and the Dottie Pepper’s of the
world also give great insight as to what the
players are facing shot to shot. And who could
ever forget the blimp? Aerial coverage of other
sports is one thing, but for the blimp to be able
to show the entire property of a beautiful golf
course is awesome. In the last few years,the
introduction of shot tracer technology has
further enhanced the overall viewing experience
of one of my favorite pastimes.
The Farners Insurance Open, played at the
iconic south course at Torrey Pines, is a perfect
example of what I was describing. The aerial
views of the brutally difficult golf course that
borders the Pacific Ocean sure makes me
envious of the residents of San Diego. It’s quite
amazing they can play a course like that for as
little as $38 during the week after 3 p.m. and
only $78 for a prime time weekend morning
tee time. Juniors and senior rates are even
more reasonable which validates the reason it’s
referred to as a “Golfers Paradise.”
The less heralded North course rates are
even lower than its big brother the South, and
the views are just as good. The North also offers
a better chance of posting a good score as it is
not quite as challenging.
I was especially excited about this year’s
edition of the Farmers as the great Tiger Woods
was returning to the PGA Tour. As we all know,
Tiger had not completed a full event on tour
since late in the 2015 season due to his chronic
back issues.
The city of San Diego owns that slice of
heaven, but the Mount Rushmore golfer is as
close to owning the South as any one person.
He has won eight times as a professional there
which includes the 2008 U. S. Open, his last
major win. It only makes sense he would use
such a familiar place to make his return as after
all, he grew up only 40 miles away.
His play was less than impressive from tee to
green and especially off the tee. For the week, he
only hit 58% of the greens and only 30% of the
fairways. Those type of stats would have had
just about any other world class player heading
home for the weekend after missing the cut,
much less a middle of the road professional.
However, Tiger took that erratic ball striking
onto the biggest stage in golf with all eyes on his
return and finished T23. Simply amazing.
I was glued to the screen as he hit it all over
southern California and grinded out pars with
galleries ten deep lining the fairways and greens
to see one the greatest of all time play the game
he loves. How is the world could he not only
have made the cut but finish as high as he did
is a testament to his competitiveness. It’s quite
a lesson to learn for any golfer that may be
trying to become a professional, play high level
amateur events, win a club championship, or
just shoot their personal best score.
For all of Tiger’s enormous talents at
the hardest game in the world, his grit,
determination, and competitiveness is the
reason he has achieved as much as anyone in
the history of the game. Of course, when he
first came on tour, he could hit it further than
anyone else. Of course, he developed one of the
best golf swings ever. Of course, his iron play
was always laser like, and he was a magician
with his chipping and pitching.
And perhaps most important of all, it
seemed as if he could make any crucial putt he
had. Add those physical attributes to the grit,
determination, and competitiveness, and it’s
easy to understand why he is arguably the best
golfer and one of the most popular athletes we
have ever seen.
It may seem as if I’m a big Tiger fan and
I am, but I did not always want him to win.
I’ve always been more of an underdog type
of guy, so I liked it when someone would
challenge him. I am a big fan of golf, and
having Tiger Woods playing great golf is
good for the game. Whether you love him or
hate him, it’s undeniable he moves the needle
in the right direction. Lots more people go to
golf tournaments, watch golf on TV, buy golf
equipment and play golf because of him. I
surely hope he stays healthy and sticks around
for a decade or so as my favorite past time will
be that much more enjoyable if he does.
Jake
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