the Legend of Bagger Vance

The question for today and the post will be, how many movies have you watch after you started playing golf. Hmm..too broad. How many golf movies have you watch ever since you started playing golf.

I've watched plenty whether it is comedy, real life, or just stories that can actually inspire you. You know when you watch TV series like Grey's Anatomy, House or Prison Break, it somewhere somehow inspire you to be a better person or to be a greater professional depending on what you do.

I have watched Tiger Woods story (i forget the actual name already), comedies like Caddy Shack and a couple which I also forgot already, Happy Gilmore, The US Open something the movie about Bobby Jones want..haha..I'm really getting old forgetting those movies. I'll update with you all soon. But there is one that I never forget, maybe you can say because of the actors, but NO, it's because of the content of the movie.

The movie name is The Legend of Bagger Vance. It is not about the player, but about the caddie name Bagger Vance (Will Smith) and caddying for a golf prodigy(Captain Rannulph) during that time but due to war, went missing and never play golf again. Role is played by Matt Damon (one of my favorites too). So the movie set in where Damon wanted to get back to his game to play for his homeground, after a kid reflect that their small town did have a great player. So Will Smith, as the caddy did help him out, which he came like from Heaven or sort, and there are very interesting phrase in the movies that inspire us to be a better golfer. Sort of like CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM by a caddie to players like us. Because if you are in the golf course, if your caddy commented that way on you, I think he better off run away from you, if not, it might be a murder case already..hehe.

So this movie tells us about a lot of things in golf. The nature of golf, the swing, the feelings of golf and most important thing, THE MENTAL when you are playing golf. There are couple of funny words if you actually go and watch it, look out for the scenes that Bagger Vance said.


1) When Rannulph was practising his golf shots(after a long break and finding his swing) in the middle of the night, Bagger Vance walk up straight to him from far. And Rannulph goes, " Hey man, why are you walking there, be careful I might hit you!
Bagger Vance replied, 'I'm alright, but you can't hit me cause I'm walking straight to you'. ( this shows that Damon shots is bad that he can't hit it straight)



2) Bagger Vance in that scene also advised Damon that you got your swing already, everybody got their own AUTHENTIC SWING, is just how you want to find it. Do listen carefully to what Bagger Vance said throughout the whole movie, and you will find a better way to play your game of golf. Trust me!

Head Movement

It's been quite a big problems for most golfers whether they realised or not. Thus, this makes them unintentionally or intentionally have make a few mistakes in golf which cause a big difference in their game.

One of the biggest problems in golf may occur is the head movement before, during and after our swing. The critical period will be upon contacting the golf balls. So I'll break this my content into three categories. Before, During and After

BEFORE- So the thing goes like this. Before part is mostly focused during your upper swing. The reason behind the problems is a lot of people tend to be rigid afraid that may make mistake in their swing, simply by, NOT MOVING THEIR HEADS IN THEIR BACKSWING. This may not be critical as they are still players who can play with it, BUT, you have to treat a golf swing like a living thing. You need to be alive swinging a great swing, so the point is, when you move up your swing, your head will definitely moves along. Try to move the head along with swing probably around less than 2.5inches of your original address. This will make you feel more comfortable swinging(of course prone to more mistakes, but it's just the same if you do not move it). Try to move your head effortlessly and not too much, feel like you are moving with the wave. This will probably help two points in your game,
1) the ease in your swing
2) the better distance

DURING- In the during part of your game, which sounds a little funny but it's easier for me to explain. What my terms means is contacting point time or the middle part of your swing. A lot of things can happen, even the slightest thing. The important thing about contacting point is that, when upon contact, your head should lie the same as how you address it. That is objectively speaking, but it should be around that alignment. Thus, any movement, back or front, too right or too left means deadly. Thus, you have to be sure, that upon hitting the ball you head should lie nicely approximate +/- less than 5% of default address. So be very sure about it. And very important point is this, a lot of people may have not move their head and stay according to line, but ball didn't went right. This is because..very important. PLEASE JOLT DOWN IN YOUR GOLF PRACTISE BOOK. That even when you did not move your head, YOUR BODY MAY LIFT UP OR YOUR COORDINATION MAY HAVE MISALIGNED YOUR HEAD. So becareful at this point.

AFTER- The AFTER part is after you have contact your ball. This part may seem irrelevant, but it is more important than the backswing especially for people at the handicap below 14. This is because of the maturity in your swing and game. The contacting point may vary among several people. Usually people will move their heads with their follow through around 1.5 secs later. Which will produce a very significant great results already. However, they are a few players in the tour like David Duval and Annika Sorenstam, they have their swings being able to move their heads alongside with their follow through. This is not an impossible feat but it is a wonderful and great thing if you can do it. The results produce more consistent, more clean and more greater executed shots. But it's not that easy. Back to the normal 1.5 secs or lower head turner, a very important key point for players is that, if you move slow and just remain your head there, chances is you might get a hook shot. Also hitting the ball at the back of it instead of front of it. Moving too fast, will cause you to topped the ball or hitting too front causing a slice. Thus, if you can make it according to your clubhead speed, to move your swing and head correctly, a good timing will produce a better results of the game. This may seem very small, but this is perhaps one of the most made mistakes in amateur. So brush up your games..and if you have any enquiries just let me know.

Golf Swing Review

I'll add another column in my golf blog. And this is nonetheless that is the golf swing review. I'll always love to see swing sequence here and there and analyse them. Of course, in the movie called The Legend of Bagger Vance once quoted by the Caddie named Bagger Vance (Will Smith), he said, "Everyone had his own authentic swing, it's just how we going to find it".

It is very true, that all of us have the greatest swing in the history of golf, just that do we make it popular in the whole world. And in fact, just like sitting for final examination, you are given 100% marks, it's just that how you seized it and maintain that 100% compare to just getting less than that. It's the simple truth that all of us are constantly being distracted.


A very good example and will definitely be in my collection will be Jim Furyk Golf Sequence. Jim may have the swing that a lot of people might giggle or think, 'How he swing that'. But behind the analysis of his swing, do you all know something? He had the greatest club squaring upon contact of the balls. And some of his arm sequence are nothing but the best..so what do you say? Do you want to swing like Tiger with lots of problems (after trying hard to imitate his swing) or following your own swing but coordinating it with much ease. The right swing and rhymtn is what we aim to achieve, so why do we need to study other people swings.

The main purpose is to analyse and study what is the right fundamentals and the best thing to do. So let's enjoy it then..

Knowledge in Golf

In everything we do, we need knowledge. Even when we play golf, if you do not have knowledge, do you know how to whack a 30 yards further from how you usually teed off? Will you know how to chip near the pin? Or do you know how to play a better game?

Is it all based on instincts? NO..seriously NO! I mean a N and a O = NO.

Game of golf as mentioned is used to compensate and minimize our losses. Some people may fared well after getting a professional and learn fast. However, even with or without your coach, you still need to do a lot of homework. Because, golf is never like studying. You study in the middle of the nite, burning up midnight oil hoping for a better game tomorrow?? That can never happen.

Golf involve plenty of patience and perseverance. You need knowledge and a lot of extra knowledge. And a very important key reminder is that, ALWAYS GIVE CHANCE TO EVERYONE TO GIVE YOU THE KNOWLEDGE YOU WANT. In other words, doesn't mean all branded stuffs are good, some cheaper brands serve the same purpose. Or Specifically, doesn't mean you are taught by David Leadbetter or Butch Harmon, you will be the world greatest player (take Tiger changing his coach to Hank Haney, I'm not saying Hank is not good, he is very great, but changing from world number one coach to Hank, what he did that??). Just like getting tips from Golf Channel, some tips can be pretty accurate and correct and it may apply to you. Doesn't mean all the tips that is given can correctly fit everyone, but somehow it may serve as a precaution or reminder. Thus, what's the next best thing to gain this knowledge??

READDDDDDDDDD!!!!!
That's what always happen to a lot of people who did not gain enough knowledge. You have to read a lot to know a lot. Example, reading from magazines giving you all tips and tricks. However, those may not be sustainable sometimes for future reference. So I suggest, getting books. I've tonnes of books and magazines. If to take it professionally, when I was young I take golf like my profession. I read everyday, while going for tuition, while relaxing, come back home. I've read from successful people's books like Tiger to normal players who share their tips. There are a lot of knowledge being put in. And that's good. When you know more, you get to explore and understand more of the complexity of the game of golf. I've read popular books like How I Train a Tiger, How Do I Play Golf (recommended) all by Tiger. And I've read a book talking about the legends of golf from Sam Snead to Bobby Jones, Harry Vardon. Understanding them like a Historian makes you different and better of course. As a favourite Historian George Santayana quoted, ' Those who don't remember their history, will repeat the same mistakes again'. So do grab some of the books either is E-books or physical books. It serve a good purpose. You can ask which book are good when you want to purchase them. I'll let you know. I have links at the side bar of HOT PRODUCTS..where you can buy those books too..hehe

Golf Technology

In anything that we do nowadays, technology had worked their way up to make things beyond imagination. You seen car being improved from normal to hybrid and many more. Golf is just about the same.

But what I can ask now is, how many of you all know about golf technology? Let's see..probably 30% of my readers. Anyway, I need contribution or comments about technology that you all guys know. We can have a forum some time later..but I need people to contribute ideas for me. Let's improve tech golf into more comprehensive and detail part of the story..

Legend..

To be a legend in golf..the very most important thing is your TRUE SELF.. It's hard to judge and to see how one can be a legend..but there is always the believe that a legend lives in within us. And in Golf..we got great players from Bobby, Sam, Jack, Arnold, Gary to Seve, Nick, Nick again and to the era of Tiger, Ernie, David, Davis, Sergio and many more.

What is so unique about them that makes them so special in the PGA Tour. Is it they are born to be special? Or WHAT? The truth is, everybody is special in God's Eyes, they may be faster learner and slow learner, but always it's how we captivate the opportunity and make it our own. I have experienced what I have to experienced, but I did not captivate it well. I did not do that well..and all I hope is the chance to stand on the field back. To be back where I were..how is that seriously possible, I don't know. Just hope to make the living with it..

Anyway..catch up with more of my blog updates..hehe..

Golf Online Shopping

Everyone enjoy buying things especially golfers with golf products right. I always spend a long time with my buddies, Jeff and my dad, shopping on golf products. Because, guys don't really enjoy shopping other stuff other than what they have interest in it. So for golfers, and for all girls and ladies out there if your bf or hubby is a golfer, throw them in golf shops or exhibition, they can stuck there for hours. Believe me in golf there are so many things to see and always, just like any other things, you always wanted it cheap and you wish that you can own a golf shop, to be able to used all those things. But that seem ridiculously hard for us as sometimes, exhibition only promote cheap stuff and not totally all stuff (you sometimes got frustrated with all those cheap products that the offer, come on give me Nike or Callaway or something).




And another thing about golfer, especially back when I was playing my school (collegiate) half-touring golf events, I always wish to buy something for myself or at least get some products conveniently. However, those local pro-shops offered products is sometimes just as disappointing as well and in normal business, they are expensive. And back then, online shopping seem not that popular in my country and recently, with the rapid growth of Information Technology. Golf products can be sold even through online.




However, there is still some problems, that people are scare to swap their credit cards and delivering their PayPal to such products. But I was wrong just like anybody else, I have buy so many products whether is golf or not on this with some of the webpage, and their services was great. And to further improvise their services, they have McAfee Software to take care of their websites alongside with BBB Online for online shoppers. Ain't a bad thing right?

AND wait..the best part is, through online shopping , you usually get the LATEST PROMOTIONS, LATEST UPDATES AND THE CHEAPEST PRICE..because in local pro-shops or golf shops ( they have to pay their taxes to the governments and rental), thus they have to increment the price. It's not their fault, it's normal business practise. And thus, I not change, but try out online shopping for golf products. And I'm just as satisfy as ever, so do try it out just like me in one of the place that I always go for shopping that is InTheHoleGolf.com. hehe..enjoy!!!

p/s: Even looking at those products is enjoying enough, as it is quick, self explanatory and you can even compare prices and products..hehe..