"Fun is good."

--Dr. Seuss

Hey, Spring has to come sooner or later. And that means golf more often than not on the weekends.

I go into every year thinking that with a few more lessons and extra practice, I can become a better golfer. By "better" I mean lowering my middling 13 handicap down to an 11 and taking in money more often than handing out money in the Men's Grill. When the teams are being set on the first tee, I want my teammates smiling, not thinking "Oh, no. Why me?"

Based on my lessons with our head pro, Andy Fisher, last year, I know I have much to work on from a technical standpoint. I need to remember the following:

"Don't slump. Athletic stance."

"If you don't turn away, there's nothing to turn through."

“Turn my whole body, not just my upper body."

"In order to square the clubface, the arms must pass in front of my chest before my head moves forward."

"Think topspin, not drop shot."

Yes, once the season begins, my swing will need lots of TLC, but what is a man supposed to do until the weather becomes reliable? Well, based on numerous conversations with my golf buddies, I need to remember that golf above all else is supposed to be fun, a time to enjoy yourself. In fact, many of the world's most accomplished players and teachers are big believers in fun.

"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way." - Walter Hagen (1892 to 1969), winner of 11 Majors (U.S. Open: 1914, '19; The Open Championship: 1922, '24, '28, '29; PGA Championship: 1921, '24, '25, '26, '27).

"Go out and have fun. Golf is a game for everyone, not just the talented few." - Golf coach and instructor Harvey Penick (1904 to 1995).

"Trouble is bad to get into but fun to get out of. If you're in trouble, eighty percent of the time there's a way out. If you can see the ball, you can probably hit it; and if you can hit it, you can move it; and if you can move it, you might be able to knock it in the hole. At least it's fun to try." -Arnold Palmer (1929 - 2016), winner of seven Majors.

"Oh, golf is for smellin' heather and cut grass and walkin' fast across the countryside and feelin' the wind and watchin' the sun go down and seein' yer friends hit good shots and hittin' some yerself. It's love and it's feelin' the splendor o' this good world." - From the book, Golf in the Kingdom (1972) by Michael Murphy (b. 1930).

"You can tell the character of a person by watching him or her play golf. Egos drive me nuts. I always say, 'Put your ego aside here, bub. You're not as good as you think.' Me, I like to spend time with basic, down-to-earth people, the ones who don't get upset on the course. Just go out have fun." -- Fuzzy Zoeller (b. 1951), 10-time PGA Tour winner, including two Majors, the 1979 Masters and the 1984 U.S. Open.

"Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the rest of your life to let bad shots ruin a game you're supposed to enjoy." - Amy Alcott (b. Feb. 22, 1956), winner of 29 LPGA tournaments, including 5 Majors.

"The game should never be boring, especially when you're working to improve. I have just as much fun on the practice range and green as on the golf course. I love working on shots, carving them this way and that, and proving to myself that I can hit a certain shot on command." -- Tiger Woods (b. 1975), winner of 144 tournaments worldwide, including 82 PGA tournaments, which is tied for first all-time with Sam Snead, and 15 Majors.

"Go play golf. Go to the golf course. Hit the ball. Find the ball. Repeat until the ball is in the hole. Have fun. The end." - Chuck Hogan, PGA teaching professional and author.

Play Away!

Allan (Starting 2020 with a 13 home-course handicap.)