Golf Thoughts - Perspective

We have been in business a very long time and talked with hundreds of golfers over the years. The following is a letter I rec'd and forwarded to our e-mail customers. Below is one of the comments I rec'd back from a customer.

You don't know me. I am just a customer who ordered something from your store. But, this email that you sent hit me, and I want to thank you for it. I am not a good golfer; I didn't take up the sport until my mid-40's. I will never be a great golfer. And, I am so hard on myself--I want so badly to score well. But, this email puts it into perspective. It doesn't matter what I shoot. It doesn't matter what my handicap is. It DOES matter whether or not I enjoy being out there, and more importantly, whether others enjoy being out there with me. So, thank you. Really, thank you.
Hope you all enjoy as I have.
Lou 
VegasGolfPros.com

Golf Thoughts - Perspective

If most golfers were able to somehow miraculously take a trip into the future and write a letter to their younger self as a golfer, I imagine that it would likely sound a little something like this…

SEND A SELF-ADDRESSED LETTER TO:

Dear Younger Me,

I can’t play golf anymore. I tried to swing the club the other day, but my body wouldn't cooperate. The best I can do now is sometimes take walks on the course, but my eyes aren't as good as they used to be so I don’t see much. I have a lot of time to sit and think now, and I often think about the game.

It was my favorite game. I played most of my adult life. Thousands of rounds, thousands of hours practicing. As I look back, I guess I had a pretty good time at it. But now that I can’t do it anymore, I wish I had done it differently.

It’s funny, but with all the time I spent playing golf, I never thought I was a real golfer. I never felt good enough to really belong out there. It doesn't make much sense, since I scored better than average and a lot of people envied my game, but I always felt that if I was just a little better or a little more consistent, then I’d feel really good. I’d be satisfied with my game. But I never was. It was always “One of these days I’ll get it” or “One day I’ll get there” and now here I am. I can’t play anymore, and I never got there.

I met a whole lot of different people out on the course. That was one of the best things about the game. But aside from my regular partners and a few others, I don’t feel like I got to know many of those people very well. I know they didn't really get to know me. At times they probably didn't want to. I was pretty occupied with my own game most of the time and didn't have much time for anyone else, especially if I wasn't playing well.

So why am I writing you this letter anyway, just to complain? Not really. Like I said, my golfing experience wasn't that bad. But it could have been so much better, and I see that so clearly now. I want to tell you, so you can learn from it. I don’t want you to getting to my age and feel the same regrets I’m feeling now.

I wish, I wish. Sad words, I suppose, but necessary. I wish I could have played the game with more joy, more freedom. I was always so concerned with “doing it right” that I never seemed to be able to enjoy just doing it at all. I was so hard on myself, never satisfied, always expecting more. Who was I trying to please? Certainly not myself, because I never did. If there were people whose opinions were important enough to justify all that self-criticism, I never met them.

I wish I could have been a better playing partner. I wasn't a bad person to be with, really, but I wish I had been friendlier and gotten to know people better. I wish I could have laughed and joked more and given people more encouragement. I probably would have gotten more from them, and I would have loved that. There were a few bad apples over the years, but most of the people I played with were friendly, polite, and sincere. They really just wanted to make friends and have a good time. I wish I could have made more friends and had a better time.

I’m inside a lot now and I miss the beauty of the outdoors. For years when I was golfing I walked through some of the most beautiful places on earth, and yet I don’t feel I really saw them. Beautiful landscapes, trees, flowers, animals, the sky, and the ocean – how could I have missed so much? What was I thinking of that was so important – my grip, my backswing, my stance? Sure, I needed to think about those sometimes, but so often as to be oblivious to so much beauty? And all the green – the wonderful, deep, lush color of green! My eyes are starting to fail. I wish I had used them better so I would have more vivid memories now.

So what is it that I’m trying to say? I played the type of game that I thought I should play, to please the type of people that I thought I should please. But it didn't work. My game was mine to play, but I gave it away. It’s a wonderful game. Please, don’t lose yours. Play a game that you want to play. Play a game that gives you joy and satisfaction and makes you a better person to your family and friends. Play with enthusiasm, play with freedom. Appreciate the beauty of nature and the people around you. Realize how lucky you are to be able to do it. All too soon your time will be up, and you won’t be able to play anymore. Play a game that enriches your life.

That’s all I have to say. I don’t really know how this letter will get to you, but I hope that it reaches you in time.

Enjoy your time(s) on the course,

The Holes are Still There

The CHRISTMAS Season Is here and are you wondering if you have been naughty or nice? This could help! My Uncle wrote this in 1978 and I think it is a good read and a great lesson in life. If you like it, pass it on.


“Please, dad, what can I do
To stop being bad and benefit you?”
“Hang up a board, my little lad,
Drive in a nail whenever you’re bad.
In time, you’ll see the wrongs you do
And start behaving if your effort’s true.”
The boy did this and as time went by,
A bright little twinkle came to his eye,
The nails had stopped going into the board.
He bowed his head and thanked the Lord,
Then rushed to his dad, who followed him back,
To see the good news, no good did he lack.
“Now what can I do to right all the bad?”
The little boy asked, as he turned to his dad.
“Remove one nail for each good deed,
Like helping others when they’re in need.”
Again the boy did just as told
And before long was on the right road.
When from the board the nails disappeared,
He called to his dad who beside him appeared.
“See, dad, the nails are all gone,”
The little boy said, his heart was a song.
“Yes, my son, the board is bare,
“But always remember. . .
The Holes Are Still There! “

Richard Cangey


By Lance Cangey  
www.VegasGolfPros.com
For all your golf equipment, irons, woods and footwear.

Callaway Golfs' New Apex Forged Golf Clubs

Callaway Golfs' New Apex Forged Golf Clubs

Wow, well it took basically 10 years for Callaway Golf to use something from the company they purchased - Ben Hogan. At VegasGolfPros.com we have been asking our Callaway Representative when Callaway was going to come out with a new line for their newly acquired company and every year I would hear, "next year".

Well that "next year" is finally here with the new introduction of the Callaway Golf Apex Forged golf clubs. I know it is not a Hogan it just bears the name of one of Ben Hogans most popular selling sets of irons. Today December 6th is the official release date of the clubs and we are now allowed to unveil and sell them to the public.

I must admit I was very excited when I learn of this set coming out. I have always been a fan of Hogan clubs and I wanted Callaway do something awesome with the line, to remake the iconic golf clubs of the past into something new and innovative.  I must say I think they have. I was disappointed the clubs were not under the Ben Hogan name, but the clubs are extra special. 

I have hit the clubs (Only in our net so far) but I must say they have hit the mark. (pun intended) I love the look of this new iron and the forging makes it feel smooth off the face. The golf club feels soft, almost pliable in a way that it makes you feel like the golf club is wrapping itself around the ball. The shaft they use is a True Temper XP 95 which in my opinion is one of the better steel shafts that has become available in recent years. I love it! I can't wait to take it out on the golf course for the true test.

All in all I think Callaway has done a great job with this new offering and Ben himself would have been proud. You can check out the irons on our website at http://www.vegasgolfpros.com/Callaway_Apex_Mens_forged_Golf_Clubs and maybe Santa Clause will think you have been nice this year.

Merry Christmas!