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A Golfing Misadventure: Four Guys, One Wild Saturday Afternoon

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2023

This story is mainly true, well kinda…only all the events and names have been changed to protect the golfer’s identities – BUT, You know who you are – Mike!

INTRODUCTION

Ah, the perfect Saturday afternoon: sunny skies, a gentle breeze, and the promise of a relaxing round of golf. Little did our fearless foursome know, their golfing escapade would soon turn into a hilarious series of misadventures. Join me as we dive into the timeless tale of four guys who set out for a leisurely golfing expedition, only to find themselves knee-deep in the rough, a little bit of laughter, and one of them drenched in pond water and out of golf balls by the 9th hole…

TIMELINE

Tee Time Troubles: Our adventure begins at the local golf course, where our four heroes—Bill, Tom, Jerry, and Mike (The dentist sandbagger who claims he has played all of 2 rounds of golf in the last year but you know he is on the range every week). They arrived bright and early, armed with their golf clubs and a pocketful of dreams. As they approach the first tee, a chorus of squawks echoes through the air. Turns out, they’ve accidentally stumbled upon a pigeon convention! Chaos ensues as they dodge the frantic birds, their white rain and feathers dropping like hail in a Michigan winter, and a starter who is calling them to the box for the final time…

Ahhh, they survived, and manage to tee off amidst the chaos. Now we are not sure if Tom actually got covid or the Avian flu that day, but that story is for another day…

Bill: “Well, it appears pigeons around here are avid golf spectators. Should we offer them a handicap?” Jerry: “Well, at least they don’t charge greens fees and who knew freckin birds could read!”

The Caddy Conundrum: To make things more interesting, our band of merry golfers decides to pony up and hire a caddie for the first time.

Enter Dotty, a witty caddy with a penchant for sarcasm. As they make their way through the course, Dotty can’t help but poke fun at their golfing skills (or lack thereof).Dotty: “Gentlemen, I must say, your swings are a work of art—abstract art, that is!” Tom: “Hey now, Picasso had to start somewhere right?” Everyone laughs except Mike…

Mike: “Seriously guys, Maybe we should just stick to mini-golf next time. I told you I haven’t been playing much! (We all know that guy – am I right?)

The Water Hazard Incident: Every weekend warrior’s nightmare…the dreaded water hazard. Our heroes are no exception. As they approach a treacherous pond that stretches the entire left-hand side of the hole, they swap stories and golf balls, reaching into their bags and trading their Pro V1’s for Pinnacles – you know just in case. They reminisce about their most embarrassing golf moments, trying to calm their nerves.

Bill, is on the edge of the water on a par 4. He has 147 yards into the green but also a very precarious stance and a lie that would make even Jordan Speith scared (Think the ledge at Pebble – in case you need reminding – we have the video below) Bill, however, decides to tempt fate with a mighty swing, only to send his ball flying into the water and literally soaking himself in the process.

Jerry: “Bill, that was quite the water ballet you just performed!” Bill (drenched): “Well, I thought it was time to take the ‘splash’ shot to a whole new level!” Here is the video Tom took of Bill – valiant effort old chap…

Lost in the Rough: Navigating the thick stuff is never easy, and our golfers soon find themselves in a maze of USGA-style tall grass and lost golf balls. Their futile attempts to find their way back to the fairway become a comedy of errors, with exaggerated gestures and absurd claims of spotting elusive golf and pop culture legends hidden in the shrubbery.

Bill: “I swear, I just saw Bigfoot caddying for Elvis in there!” Tom: “Boys, I think we’ve officially entered the Bermuda Triangle of golf courses.”

CONCLUSION

As the sun begins to set, our fearsome foursome finally makes their way back to the clubhouse. Despite the countless mishaps, a soaked Bill, and belly-busting laughter-inducing moments, they realize that their expedition was not about skill or score at all. It was about the camaraderie and the shared joy of experiencing life’s absurdities together. Also about the 6 shots of fireball they each had on the front 9. That will leave a mark, buy hey – at least they have all Sunday to recover.

MORAL OF THE STORY

So, the next time you find yourself on the golf course with a group of friends, remember to embrace the unexpected, laugh at your misfortunes, don’t be afraid to get a little wet and savor the moments that turn a regular Saturday afternoon into an unforgettable comedy of errors. In simpler terms…Make a memory!

As our four friends bid adieu to the golf course, they couldn’t help but reflect on the day’s events at the 19th hole.

Jerry: “Well, boys, that was certainly a round we’ll never forget.” Bill: “Indeed! Let’s raise our clubs to the unpredictable nature of golf and the laughter it brings.” Tom: “And to doing it again, I mean like literally all of it, next week! Cheers boys. Oh yeah, one last thing…ahh Bill, how’s the pond water taste my friend? Tom laughs, but the rest know Billy Boy has a few tricks of his own up his sleeve, so they just sit back and wait for the real show to begin.

Bill smiles and looks at the others for approval. They all knew what was coming and each one nodded as to say – its a go…he earned it! Bill then promptly flags down the waitress, and says – Would you believe it – our Tommy boy right here hit a hole-in-one today and would like to buy the whole bar a round. The waitress excited at the prospect of getting a huge tip – stands up on the bar, loudly rings the bell, and says – “Excuse me, we had an ace on the course today and he would like to buy you all a drink!” The bar erupts in cheers. Tom, locks eyes with Bill and says- “Well Played Bagger Vance… I will get you back for this.”

So in honor of their little family feud and Tom’s $1100 bar tab, we decided to close out this tale of tragedy and triumph as we humbly present to you – The actual footage of the water shot – Bills drenching if you will – Happy Monday – Hit ’em straight…and remember the worst day on the course is better than the best day in the office.

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One of the Greatest Putts in U.S. Open History?

JJ Spaun’s 64-Foot Walk-Off

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2025

James Fairway

When JJ Spaun stood over a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, few could have predicted what would come next. The ball meandered across the slick green, trickling over every contour, picking up speed at the crest, and then—like it had GPS—dropped center cup. Spaun dropped his putter, raised his arms, and the crowd erupted. With that single stroke, he claimed his first major title in one of the most dramatic finishes in U.S. Open history.

But how does Spaun’s putt stack up against other legendary finishes in the tournament’s storied past? Let’s break down some of the most iconic moments and see where this one lands.

1. Payne Stewart – 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst

Perhaps the most iconic putt in U.S. Open history came from Payne Stewart, who nailed a 15-footer for par on the 18th to win by one over Phil Mickelson. The pose—fist pump and outstretched leg—has since been immortalized in a statue at Pinehurst. What made it legendary wasn’t just the putt—it was the context: Stewart’s final major before his tragic death just months later.

Verdict: Iconic and emotional. Spaun’s putt was longer, but Stewart’s was more poetic.

2. Tiger Woods – 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines

Woods drained a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate—while basically playing on one leg. That tournament went to sudden death after an 18-hole playoff, and Tiger prevailed. This was peak Tiger drama, pain and all.

Verdict: Spaun’s putt was longer, but Tiger’s win was sheer willpower and mystique.

3. Jack Nicklaus – 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

With a 1-iron shot that hit the flagstick on 17 and a crucial birdie putt on 18, Jack sealed a dominant win. His precision and timing under pressure showed why he’s the GOAT.

Verdict: Not a putt for the win, but a signature finishing statement from Jack. Spaun’s was more electric in terms of pure putter drama.

4. Ben Hogan – 1950 U.S. Open at Merion

Hogan’s 1-iron into the 18th fairway and the par to force a playoff—just 16 months after a near-fatal car crash—remain legendary. He won the playoff and completed one of golf’s great comeback stories.

Verdict: Larger-than-life comeback. Spaun’s putt had more flair, but Hogan’s win was heroic.

5. JJ Spaun – 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont

Let’s not underestimate what Spaun accomplished. The pressure was immense. He wasn’t the favorite. And on the most treacherous greens in golf, he buried a 64-foot bomb—a putt most players would be happy to lag to within 5 feet—to win the U.S. Open outright.

Verdict: For distance, surprise, and drama, Spaun’s putt may be the most shocking winning stroke in U.S. Open history.

Final Thoughts

JJ Spaun may not have the résumé of a Nicklaus or Woods, but for one Sunday afternoon in June 2025, he created a moment that will live in golf lore forever. Spaun’s putt was longer than Stewart’s, more unexpected than Tiger’s, and more dramatic than any final-hole finish in recent memory.

In terms of pure clutch putting? It might just be the greatest walk-off in U.S. Open history.

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The Zen of the Shank: Finding Inner Peace in Your Worst Shots

Find your inner peace even when you aren’t playing well.

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2025

Ty Webb

Ah, the shank. That glorious, unpredictable misfire that sends your pristine golf ball screaming sideways, often directly into the unsuspecting shins of your playing partner, or perhaps, with a touch of poetic irony, into the very lake you’ve been trying to avoid all day. Most golfers, bless their earnest little hearts, view the shank as a catastrophic failure, a blight upon their scorecard, a testament to their inherent lack of coordination. They curse, they throw clubs, they contemplate a career in competitive thumb-wrestling. But not I. No, my friends, for I, Ty Webb, have found enlightenment in the humble shank.

You see, the shank is not a mistake; it’s a revelation. It’s the universe’s way of reminding you that control is an illusion, that perfection is a myth, and that sometimes, the most direct path to your goal is, in fact, a wildly indirect one. Think of it as a philosophical detour, a sudden, unexpected journey into the unknown. One moment, you’re aiming for the green, a paragon of precision and intent. The next, your ball is ricocheting off a tree, narrowly missing a squirrel, and landing, by some divine comedic intervention, closer to the hole than your perfectly struck drive ever would have. Is that not a miracle? Is that not a sign that the golf gods, much like life itself, have a wicked sense of humor?

The key, my dear apprentices of the links, is acceptance. Embrace the shank. Welcome it with open arms, like a long-lost, slightly inebriated relative. When that familiar, sickening thwack echoes through the air, do not despair. Instead, take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Feel the gentle breeze on your face. And then, with a knowing smile, open them and observe the chaos you have wrought. Is it not beautiful in its own chaotic way? Is there not a certain freedom in relinquishing control, in allowing the ball to choose its own destiny, however bizarre that destiny may be?

Some say the shank is a sign of poor technique. I say it’s a sign of a vibrant, untamed spirit. A golfer who never shanks is a golfer who has never truly lived, never truly explored the outer limits of their own golfing absurdity. They are content with mediocrity, with predictable trajectories and mundane outcomes. But you, my enlightened few, you understand that the true joy of golf lies not in the score, but in the story. And what a story a good shank can tell.

So, the next time you feel that familiar tremor of a shank brewing, don’t fight it. Let it flow. Let it be. For in the heart of every shank lies a lesson, a laugh, and perhaps, just perhaps, a path to a lower score you never saw coming. After all, as the great philosopher Basho once said, “A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a Danish.” And a golf game without a shank? Well, that’s just not golf, is it?