No Longer An Arizona Virgin by George Kotsenas

                First things first.  When we got to our hotel in Phoenix on Thursday morning, my wife and I went straight to the rooftop pool where I promptly texted some pictures to my poor, cold and wet coworkers back in Seattle. With this priority order of business finished, my thoughts drifted over to baseball, golf and a neon peach bikini. 

                I took my place two rows behind the visitors’ dugout at Peoria Stadium on Friday afternoon, slow roasting in the glorious Arizona sunshine, cold beverage in hand ….yes Jack, I was wearing  SPF 30.  The flags on top of the batter’s eye stood starched ripping toward right field.  I could have spit and hit Dusty Baker in the back of his cap if I aimed about three feet to the left but hawking is only allowed on the field of play.  Besides, Dusty seemed like a congenial guy, first one out of the dugout to congratulate run number one for the Reds.  I chatted with the fellow next to me, “here with wife, staying downtown, she has school, I’m having fun, beer’s not too expensive, it’s a dry heat, blah, blah, and blah.”   “I’m playing golf at Trilogy tomorrow,” I say.   “Never played out there,” says he.   “It’s supposed to be even windier tomorrow.”   “Great,” I thought

                I was an Arizona Golf Virgin.   After plunking down about 130 bucks, green fee and cart for Saturday was $90 and a set of Nike Slingshot irons made up the difference, I drove my rented clubs out to the range where ball pyramids awaited deconstruction. I was happy to see a cooler of ice on the cart because I stopped at the local Safeway and got two warm bottles of XXX Vitamin Water with acai juice. According to Cindy, this would remove about five strokes from my total score.  Nice range, grass hitting area, clearly marked distances, and love those pyramids.  I started as usual with wedges, what the hell is an A wedge?  Same distance as the pitching wedge, less bounce so I didn’t think I’d be using it on the course.  I was also a  SHDV (Square Head Driver Virgin).  The Nike SQ sounded funny, dinky, like hitting rocks with a metal baseball bat.  Forget about the sound, I really liked the results so I figured to hit it every chance I had. 

                The starter warned us about rattlesnakes on the front nine, I met my playing partners, Jim a local resident familiar with the course and Frank, a younger looking guy from Massachusetts whose son played second base for the Arizona State Sun Devils.  Jim said he couldn’t wear his cowboy hat today because it was too windy.  Local knowledge…Ha.  I was glad I didn’t bring a hat or fork over twenty five more for one at the Pro Shop.

                I pushed my first drive to where I considered rattlesnake territory over to the right.  I found it near the cart path and played an acceptable shot up to the elevated green.  Mainly due to my virginal status, the acceptable shot bounded all the way to the fringe and beyond.  Hard fast greens plus impossible to read subtle breaks plus the reduced circumference of the holes in Arizona plus three dollar Bloody Mary plus dry heat equals a double bogey six.  Frank and Jim struggled on the first few holes as well with a variety of triples and doubles.  Did I mention they were playing with good clean familiar equipment while I had to use dirty old rental clubs? 

                About three holes into it I’m hanging on to respectability and self-esteem, I fairly managed to avoid the rattlesnake trail and also to hit zero human dwellings even though there were many within striking range.  I felt good.  I parred seven and eight.  Down wind at the ninth green which Frank and I reached in two, Frank said “eagle putts eh?”  I didn’t realize it was a par five.  We both had 50 foot putts.  I went to school on Frank but I should have been expelled after I rolled mine eight feet to the right.  I wanted to stay on the high side.  I did not leave it short and was proud of myself for keeping that thought in mind instead of the other less positive one.  Missed the birdie too.  Such is life for the Arizona Golf Virgin. 

                A little note about the fairways of Trilogy at Vistancia in Peoria Arizona…….awesome!  Mysteriously, there were no divot marks.  The luscious turf made the ball sit up just enough to fit the sole of my club underneath, a pure pleasure as long as you keep it the short grass.  I didn’t find a bad lie all day out in the fairway.

                A six dollar hot dog at the turn, but it comes with chips I was told.  Frank’s daughter was working the grill right there between ten and eleven.  It did come with a toasted bun. 

                On eleven I unexpectedly lost my first ball into the brush on the right side.  What made it worse is that the shot from a fairway bunker only traveled about 30 yards.   Why did that shot mess with my mind?  Thirteen called for a drive to carry 220 yards into the wind over Rattler City.  Jim said, “See those two cactus?  Those are the goal posts.  Just have to go right between them.”  Scary.  So I teed it up, looked at my ball, looked at the goal posts, ball, goalposts, back, DINK, stop.   Best drive of the day, it split the uprights and the sidewinders all looked up in wonder as it passed over and landed it about 100 yards out.  I don’t even remember what I made on the hole.  This was the shot that keeps you coming back.

                Eighteen, a long par five, my second shot trickled into the bunker on the left about  120 yards short of putting surface.  With wind in my face, I picked it clean with my seven and it was tracking dead at the flag.  I knew it was going to be good.  As I was watching this shot I was walking backwards because I sure didn’t want to miss the result.  Just as it landed I contacted the edge of the hazard and fell backwards on my ass and lay down on my back.  It was very peaceful down there.  I said it was windy didn’t I?  Short by about 6 inches and rolled innocently into the green side bunker. It took two shots to escape from there and I was picking sand out of my hair all the way down Highway 101.  

        Golf is all about sharing our experiences and I love listening to George.   We are truly a family and I can relate to almost every experience he writes about.  Join our golf forum and share your experiences at www.askcindycarpenter.com and yes every golfer needs to check out the juice!

See You On The Links,

Cindy

Letting Go, Is It Ever Easy?

   So I have four great kids of my own and three great step children. My oldest will be 29 this year so it’s not like I’m new at parenting  but some days it feels that way.  My youngest is 13 and I just put him on the Greyound Bus bound for Portland to spend spring break with his older brother.  I had his older brother from LA talk to him about being safe.  Oh and he is 6 feet tall so it’s not like he’s a little guy that people will pick on.  It was 2:30 in the morning so I may not have been thinking clearly, but here was  my conversation with him on the way to the bus station:

•  I told him sit in the front.   
•  I told him not to get off the bus for any reason. 
•  Never sit in the back of the bus because the creepy people sit there. 
•  I told him not to talk to anyone, just listen to his music. 
• I made sure he had his hand sanitizer and his phone. 
• I reminded him never to leave his backpack unattended. 
•  The gal at the ticket counter helped me out letting him know not to leave the bus station in Seattle.  She explained to my son that there were gigolos, prostitutes, cross dressers, druggies and people who just got out of jail and would take him and we would never see him again.  I laughed as I thought I was being overprotective and then after the ticket gal got done talking to him I chuckled to myself thinking that I didn’t need to add any more.  

   What were we thinking, he’s in 8th grade and does it get any more dangerous than that?  I did ask the bus driver not to lose him because today I liked him.  I walked on the bus and checked on him one last time as he gave me that look that it was time for me to go.  I suddenly remembered how independent I was when I was his age.  I’ve been through this with his three older siblings and thought I had it figured out.   Letting Go, Is it ever easy?

  So here’s my thoughts.  My oldest has travelled around and been places I probably don’t want to know about and has so far survived.  My Second oldest is in the Marines and just got back from Iraq and has so far survived.  My daughter is in the Navy to become a pilot  and has so far survived. Two of my step children live in Los Angeles and have so far survived.   And my youngest, who I just put on the bus,  goes to middle school. Does it get any more dangerous than schools.  What am I doing talking to him about how scary this world is?  He deals with all those things every day. 

   Have a great time with your brother and be safe. Isn’t it sad we have to teach our children not to trust anyone.  I promise to only text you every 30 minutes!!!!

Love, Mom

Hot Spring Golf Tips

At least in Moses Lake the weather has been amazing and everyone is getting the golf itch. Here’s some Golf Tips to get your golf season off on the right foot!

Clean your clubs before you go out for the first time this year. Most people don’t think about how much some dirt on the club face or in the grooves of your clubs can affect the ball. A little bit of dirt (or a lot) will change the flight of the ball. Don’t think you’re hitting bad shots when instead your clubs just need cleaning. Use a toothbrush or other brush and get those clubs clean. Clean your clubs after each shot, it makes a difference.

Grips! Check the grips on your clubs to see if they are slick and need replaced. You can soak your grips in a bucket of hot soapy water to soften them. Use some kind of rough scouring pad or brush to rough up the grips. If this does not change the texture of your grips then go talk to your golf shop and have them put new grips on.

For your first time out make sure you are at the course early enough to stretch and warm up at the range and putting/chipping green area.
Here’s a great video with some stretches you can do at the course before your round.

You can also get golf tips at my blog posting on Warming Up Before Your Round! for tips on how to use your warm up time wisely.

You might need a spring tune up so talk to your local golf professional and have them take a look. No need in struggling all year with something that could be easily fixed early on.

Take some mental notes so you know what to practice on the next time you go out to play.

Good luck with your game this year and don’t forget to practice!

Do you need more energy, clarity or joint relief?  Every golfer should be drinking MonaVie.  Ask me how you can buy it wholesale.

See You On The Links!
Cindy

How I Learned To Love Golf by George J.Kostenas

How I Learned To Love Golf by George J. Kotsenas

    I’m not sure when I first held a golf club, I must have been about eight years old.  I probably used an awkward grip, more suited for a baseball bat than a golf club.  I remember an old set of hickory shafted clubs in a brown, musty, cob web infested bag.  My friends and I dragged that bag of antiques up a steep hill to the school yard to “play a round” with make shift holes and imaginary fairways.  The first good shot of my life was a seven iron over the roof of the school and, I swear, into the hole for my only double eagle to this day.  That’s how I remember it.

    I don’t remember where I first had the privilege to step onto a real course.  I recall thinking, “man, the grass on these greens is just about perfect.  So perfect, it didn’t seem like real grass.  How did I become one of the chosen?”   I was almost afraid to walk so as not to disturb the magnificence

Thanks my friend for sharing!  See You On The Links,

Cindy

Junior Golf! Golf Tips To Help Them Be A Great Golfer?

   Does you son or daughter have an interest in trying out for the golf team?  I want to give you some golf tips to help them.  What a great sport for anyone.  This is a sport where your child does not have to be the biggest, the fastest, the tallest or any other gift that many sports require.  Especially for girls. the opportunities for college scholarships are tremendous.  If your kids are going to golf practice Great!!  My question is, are they getting better and are they getting better fast enough to be successful at this sport?   How can you help, let’s talk about that.  

   If you have a young child golf is about having them swing away.  This is your opportunity to teach them good etiquette and learn basic rules.  They will imitate the people they play with naturally.  Until they are at least ten or older most young kids do not have the ability to learn perfect skills.  If they seem to have the ability to pay attention then take advantage of this.  If you get them hooked young they’ll be hooked forever.

   First let’s talk about being a teenager.   For most of us, remember how hard it was.  You are trying to find your identity, deal with peer pressure, adjust to growing faster than your coordination and all the other emotions that come along with being a kid.  I wouldn’t want to go through that again.  With your kids you have a window and many times it is a small one.  So many times we can’t help them at school but in golf you do have the opportunity to help them be better.  

   Next let’s talk about your golf coach.  Some coaches are good and experienced golfers.  Some of them are not so experienced and are trying to develop a successful program with limited resources.  Whatever their experience, you have to understand that they are there to build a winning team.    The other thing to remember is they cannot develop top-level golfers in a couple of months and a couple of hours a day.  Being a good golf instructor is a skill you learn over years of experience.  If you want your kids to have an edge then I encourage you to get them some private lessons from your local professional.  Until or during this time here are some Golf Tips to help your Junior Golfer get better.

   Basic Golf Skills:  If your Junior Golfer is not making good contact with the golf ball talk to their coach and see if they can give them a few private minutes or get them a private lesson from your local professional.  If you help them early they will improve.  If they don’t have the correct basics they will perfect that bad shot and very likely get frustrated with golf and quit.  Nobody wants to be bad at anything and it is so important that Junior Golf builds their self-esteem.  Not make good contact is many times not watching the back of the golf ball.  Put the range stripes or logo at the back and have them keep their eye on that mark until after contact is made.  The other main cause is not getting the club down to the ground.  They seem to be afraid to hurt the grass but if they are not making a clean divot they will most likely top the ball.  Seed and sand is available for repair the tee area so no worries.  If getting the club to the ground is hard start with a short swing, brushing the grass and get bigger and bigger until they find that spot.  If you need more explanation email me at cindy@askcindycarpenter.com and I’ll try to help a little more. 

   Practice:  There is not one skill that we can improve at if we don’t practice.  For more golf tips read my article on Warming Up At The Range through my Home Page.  Even learning to ride a bike, you kept trying until you got your balance.  Someone helped you at the beginning and you kept trying until you got it!  There are so many parts to the golf game and they all require practice.  Our kids may be involved in one or more sports and of course their school work so practicing smart is important.  The biggest mistake all golfers make is they practice with the club that they hit the best.  It makes them feel good and this is important to practice here.  It is, however, more important to practice with the club or clubs that you struggle with the most.  Also, make sure they spend some time on their short game too.  Because many juniors get bored fast and are pretty concerned about people watching them I encourage them to listen to music while practicing.  If they have ear headphones they can run their headphones down the back of their shirt without them getting in the way of their swing.  I do it!  Makes it easier for me to stay out there longer and to stay in my own little world of practice.

Remember being a kid is hard.  Find a course with a good junior program.  If there isn’t one then start one, you can do it.  Praise them for their good shots, forget about the bad ones and teach them good practice habits.  It’s just like study habits! 

See You On The Links,

Cindy

What is Course Management And How Do You Master It?

    In my opinion course management is all about ball placement, minimizing damage but most important control of your mind and emotions.

BALL PLACEMENT

    Do you know exactly how far you hit each of your clubs.  My next question is, no matter how long the hole, do you (except for par 3′s) always pull out your driver 

    Know your strongest yardage!  Are you are deadly at 150 yards?  Great, then off the tee box choose the club that puts you at 150 yards.  This may mean pulling out a 5 iron or whatever club places you to that perfect yardage that keeps you out of trouble. This is difficult for men because testosterone says “hit the longest drive”.  Truly, if your drive will place your ball at a yardage that is not so great for you – rethink your club selection.  This is also true on a par 5 where your second shot may place you at a yardage that is not your strongest.  Pretty hard to pull out a 9 iron on your second shot but if you don’t feel 100% about getting there, play smart.  This course management will place you in a position for birdies more frequently by swinging from a smoother and create a more confident golf swing.

MINIMIZING DAMAGE

    We’ve all done it!  You hit a poor shot and end up in a difficult position or lie.  You want you make up for the loss of yardage.  I’m not saying you should always lay up but I am saying you need to look at the possible result should you miss.  Don’t be in trouble twice is my point.  Your parents hopefully taught you this.  Learn from previous mistakes.  If you can confidently advance the ball to your desired position then by all means, GO FOR IT!!!!  If you are unsure, please consider getting that ball into a solid position for finishing the hole with success or at least, minimal damage.

    The last and probably most important part of course management!

CONTROL OF YOUR MIND AND EMOTIONS

    A great golf swing just happens.  You think more about where that ball is going then the mechanics of the swing to get it there.  That doesn’t mean you’re thinking about your next shot it just means the swing is automatic and your focus is your target. Just trust your swing and let it happen.  It really works!  When in your zone, you know without a doubt that the ball will go where you want.  You just do it!

    The best results come from lots of practice and confidence.  How do you develop confidence?  Practice bringing positive results, followed by practice bring positive results and finally more practice bringing positive results!

    For questions or comments please feel free to email me or join our golf forum!  Start your own forum group talking about these issues.

Do you have comments or suggestions for future articles?  Email me at cindy@askcindycarpenter.com or visit our golf forum page at www.askcindycarpenter.com.  Bragging about your golf game is strictly encouraged.

See You On The Links!
Cindy

What is an Entrepreneur and Why Didn’t I Take That Class?

I’m just a golf pro people. I know lots about golf and other stuff but I’m not a “know it all”. I do, however, know that I have been blessed and need to be a blessing so I hope this motivates you to look at your options. You have them you just need to look at them.

 Well I didn’t take that class because they never offered it and as far I can tell still don’t. I am going to date myself here so don’t laugh but, when I was growing up my parents taught me to get an education and get a job. I was still in the era that I should get a high school education, find a man and have a family plus get a job. This was in the 70′s so some of you understand. I did go to the career class in high school and looked at my options. I was really tall, 5 ft 11 in, and I expressed an interest in being an airline stewardess. I was told that there was a height limit and I was too tall. I looked at a couple of other options but really walked out of the class with no enthusiasm. Nobody told me that I had an option to be an entrepreneur and how I would even go about looking into that as an option. Heck, I couldn’t even spell it, lol. Well, I probably could have sold Avon but that was was for older ladies and back then they did not call it being an entrepreneur. Boy, have times changed thank goodness.

An entrepreneur is defined as a person who has possession or develops a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome.

I finished high school, got married and had four incredible children. Love them all and am so proud of each of them. I did teach them as small children that they could be and do whatever they wanted. They have made incredible career choices and although none of them currently own their own business they know that they can and would be very successful if that is what they chose.

A couple of years ago I was fortunate to be introduced to a product called MonaVie. I Had the friend who introduced me to this business.  Had she not been an extremely successful entrepreneur I would have again passed on the opportunity. I would still be one of the 80% of the W-2 workers. I would still be worried about my retirement, complaining about how much money I was making and mostly complaining that my time was not my own. I also don’t know how many years I paid taxes with not enough, if any,  tax write offs. I had  no idea of the benefits to owning your own business or a home business. My husband and I are now looking at being able to retire in the next year to two years. I would never have thought that was possible this early. Now I’m excited about enjoying my life and having the income to do the things in life that we love.

There are so many options for all of you. My choice is MonaVie. I am extremely passionate about this incredible nutritional product and it is my pleasure to help others with better health and the opportunity for financial freedom. The start up cost is nothing but your juice and the income potential is unlimited. This may not be your vehicle to freedom but all I’m saying is find one! Find the right product with the right company and build your future. Quit letting those around you tell you that you have to work your entire life for someone else, only to wonder if you have enough money or your retirement age is farther than you want. Maybe you have money and retirement but how much time do you have? 

Take a step and take a look. It doesn’t cost you anything to look into your options. I promise there is one just right for you! You can do it. You are all entrepreneurs. You promote products every day for other businesses. Whether it is your favorite restaurant, your favorite golf course or the new car you are sporting. Just find the right product and take the risk. Take control of your future and have fun at it. Tell yourself every day that your are a winner!

I Love Anthony Robbins and how I feel when I listen to him. Find a mentor and change your future. I did with MonaVie!! A future is much more exciting when there is hope and fun on the horizon! 

 Join our golf forum at www.askcindycarpenter.com and yes bragging about your best shots is allowed!

See You On The Links,

Cindy