Do You Have a Coach AND/OR a Teacher?

Taking regular lessons from a PGA professional is the single best thing you can do for your game. Once you’ve learned the basics, though, it may be time to change your student/teacher relationship to player/coach. “Teaching and coaching are two different things,”  says GlenArbor GC Director of Golf Rob Labritz. “With a beginner, you teach them the basics of the golf swing. With a more experienced player, coaching how to play the game of golf becomes more important.”

Tom Willson with Rob Labritz
photo by John Fortunato

Labritz, by the way, is speaking as a player, not a coach. The four-time PGA Championship competitor and 2103 Met PGA Player of the Year has worked for thirteen years with Tom Willson, who retired last year as head professional at Bonnie Briar CC. The two met in Florida. During the season, Labritz sees Willson about once a month but frequently sends him videos of his swing for commentary.

“There is no one perfect swing,” Willson points out, “but there is a perfect swing for Rob.”

“We talk about strategies, too,” Labritz says. “We’ll work on different lies and how to get the club on the ball to make it do what we want.”  They have worked tougher enough that they can even talk about course situations over the phone and come to conclusions about what Rob needs to do. At big tournaments like the PGA Championship, Willson will often travel with him and accompany him on practice rounds.

When it comes to the player/coach relationship, Labritz says, “It’s more than the golf swing. You get to know how people think, how they feel, how their emotions act on the golf course. Once you get to that point, the trust grows.”

Trust your coach, trust your swing—your game is bound to get better.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Use the Ground in your Golf Swing

For the golf scientist in all of us, here's a guest post from Dr. David McGhie, the head of research and development for Swing Catalyst. In case you're not familiar with the product, Swing Catalyst is a complete swing analysis system used by instructors, coaches and golfers around the world.

McGhie has a PhD in biomechanics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, where he did research on traction and impact absorption of artificial turf. He's also previously published a paper on muscle activity and force in cycling, and taught biomechanics and data collection/analysis at both undergraduate and graduate level at the university. Here's what he has to say about using the ground in your golf swing:

Body Mass, Weight and Pressure

Weight is often used to describe mass, since it corresponds to the notion of how heavy something is. You would typically say that your weight is 85 kilograms or 187 pounds, although you would actually be describing your body mass. By traditional definitions, weight (measured in newtons) refers to the force of the gravitational pull of the earth, and is defined as mass (in kilograms) multiplied by the acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s²). To illustrate the difference, consider an astronaut who's weightless in space. His body mass is still 85 kilograms (187 pounds), but his weight has changed because of the change in gravity. In short, weight is the force of your body mass caused by gravity.

The Swing Catalyst Balance Plate measures the pressure applied to the ground by the golfer. A common source of confusion in the Swing Catalyst software is the apparent lack of synchronization between pressure and body mass, illustrated here with PGA Tour player Kevin Streelman. Why does the Swing Catalyst software show that most of the pressure is on the trail foot (R) when the video shows that the golfer has most of his body mass placed over his lead foot (L)?

First, it's important to know that pressure is force working over an area. This means that pressure is the result of the force exerted on the ground by the golfer. When standing still at address, the golfer's weight usually causes the pressure to be distributed fairly evenly between the feet, because the body mass is distributed fairly evenly between the feet (the Tour players we've studied normally favor the lead foot slightly at address, typically displaying a 55-45 distribution). However, weight only determines the distribution of pressure in a passive situation, such as when standing still. During the swing, this relationship is not as clear. This is because the golfer can also actively push down, increasing pressure through force produced by the muscles. Note that this force is not the same as the weight, the force caused by gravity alone.

Now consider the transition from backswing to downswing, the point where this confusion often arises. A golfer will push down with the trail foot to initiate the downswing. In the picture, this can be seen in the greater pressure on Kevin's right foot (R). The body mass, on the other hand, will start to move toward the lead foot in the transition. Notice that Kevin's body mass is favoring his lead foot (L), even though the pressure is favoring his trail foot (R). This is because he actively increases pressure on the trail foot (R) through muscle force. From this we can see that the distribution of pressure does not always follow the distribution of body mass. It will quickly "catch up" with the body mass in the downswing, though. Most good players shift their pressure rapidly to the lead foot after the transition, illustrated here by the straight grey line in the center of pressure trace from Kevin's trail foot (R) to his lead foot (L).

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

You'll Never Get Better Unless You Try

Want to step up your game? Check out this guest post from Dan Berger:

Andrew Giuliani, Dan Berger, Peter Goodman, Lokesh Reddy

You may not learn how to drive the ball 300 yards, but you can pick up a host of invaluable information if you play with better golfers from time to time. With that goal in mind, I joined two other amateurs for a round with notable professional Andrew Giuliani at Westchester Hills. Giuliani, winner of the 2009 Met Open and two-time star of the Golf Channel’s Big Break, currently competes on the mini tours and was more than helpful to us all. Here’s what we each learned during the round.

Lokesh Reddy, no handicap: “I’m new to golf and it was fascinating watching how Andrew approached his shots and calmly stepped up to the ball and effortlessly struck shots that made the ball just soar. I learned you have to relax and just hit the ball.”

Peter Goodman, 20 handicap: “Andrew was very accommodating and gave me pointers that seemed to help.  I was jabbing my putter and Andrew explained and demonstrated how I should putt more in a pendulum with an even bringing back of the putter head and then pushing through with the same length through the ball.  It was nice hearing it and watching him do it.”

Dan Berger, 8 handicap: “Andrew’s got game and it takes a ton of hard work and dedication to keep the dream alive.  He works out, keeps physically fit and practices all the time.  He keeps looking to improve his game.  He works with Old Oaks head pro Bobby Heins on his swing and with Darrel Kestner on his putting. While it seems glamorous being a professional golfer, you need great skills and dedication to continuously improving your game.  It’s a grind too.”

Giuliani explained how he approaches rounds with amateurs: “The main thing is to have some fun. Guys get nervous, but they need to remember we hit bad shots too. Sometimes it’s difficult to give advice on the golf course. That’s not the best time for the amateur to try something new or to make a correction. It’s going to feel awkward. I suggest we go to the range after the round and hit a few balls instead.”

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Watson Adds to Excellent DVD Instruction Series

Tom Watson has just released a second DVD in his Lessons of a Lifetime set. This excerpt answers one of the biggest questions I've always had about the short wedge shot:

Simple, isn't it?  That clear, uncomplicated approach to the game is why Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime has become one of the best-selling golf instructional video programs of all time, having sold over 70,000 DVD sets in 5 languages in over 40 countries since its release in 2010.  In extensive surveys conducted with buyers, 88% said the program had improved their game and 79% rated the program as excellent.

"I felt it was time to provide further instruction in areas not just about hitting the shots, but also about the mental approach of playing the game," says Watson. "One of the many great things about golf is that it can never be mastered.  Sure you can have a good run of play, but sooner or later the wheels will come off.  I've been experiencing the game for half a century, and I promise you I'm still learning."

The new lessons cover many advanced topics, including pre-shot routine, the importance of the bottom of the arc, head movement, how to benefit the most with your time on the practice tee, handling pressure, the 40 yard wedge shot, controlling trajectory on chips, chipping with a putting set up, several putting lessons and instruction for kids and seniors.

These new 2014 lessons are being sold separately and also combined with the original 2 disc Lessons of a Lifetime program.

• Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime II With New Advanced Lessons (3 discs and a 20 page booklet) will have a MSRP of $49.95.

• Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime II:  The New Advanced Lessons (1 disc and a 4 page booklet) will have a MSRP of $24.95.

The DVDs are available for sale at TomWatson.com, Amazon and select golf and sporting goods retailers.  

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

A Takeaway on the Takeaway

A straight, consistent golf shot begins with a straight, consistent takeaway. This drill from Sharon McQuillan is a great way to groove the proper club path. It's simple and easy to remember, which means it's something you can take from the range to the course.



Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Brynwood Starts Members Right

Brynwood Golf & Country Club in Armonk introduces an innovative way to kick off the season for its members.  It's the Troon Prive Golf Academy, a two-day program that covers everything from the rules of the game to a healthy lifestyle to help you play even better--with big doses of instruction on all aspects of the game from the full swing to course management.  It's all presented by Brynwood's highly capable teaching pros--and there is no cost to club members.

The idea is to offer new golfers a way to learn the basics of the game in a fun, no-pressure setting while helping experienced players start their year the right way.  Included in the program are not only golf instruction sessions but clinics on eating right, staying fit, and using the right equipment for your individual capabilities. I particularly think it's a great idea to have an on-course playing lesson early in the program.

The Brynwood Troon Prive Golf Academy has something for golfers at all levels--including those who have never picked up a club. Here's the schedule:

Saturday, May 3, 8 AM - 6 PM

• Golf 101 - The history of golf, the basic rules and common etiquette as it applies on the course.
• Course Management - Play holes 14, 15 and 16 from all different locations and scenarios to look at club selection and approach to each hole
• Shot-Specific Clinics - Break down the best approach, mechanics and techniques tailored to every golfer’s individual swing. 
• Club Fitting Experience - Test Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist’s newest equipment while golf pros analyze your swing using FlightScope

Sunday, May 4, 8 AM - 4 PM

• Golf Course Run - Get your heart pumping and clear your mind for golf
• K Vest - Check your swing sequence, speed, and timing with this pro-level instrument
• TPI Fit Golf - Titleist Performance Institute integrates fitness with golf improvement
• Troon Fit Lunch - Take a break and eat right
• Healthy Cooking - Tips from Chef Cesar
• Juicing - Marco explains the hows and whys
• Adult Short Game/Kids Putting - Simultaneous clinics
• Adult Putting/Kids SNAG - Simultaneous clinics
• Awards Ceremony

Participants will also have a chance to win $15,000 in a Par 3 Contest and a Yeti Mountain Bike.

You have to be a member to participate, but Brynwood makes that easy--no initiation fee and membership payment options start as low as $700 per month.  What's more, if you join by April 1 and participate in the Academy May 3-4, Brynwood is offering this money-back guarantee: If immediately after you complete the two-day comprehensive course you feel that golf is just not for you, you can resign your membership for 2014.

Josh Lowney, PGA Professional and Brynwood General Manager, says, "Brynwood is very proud to host this event and is excited to take this proactive teaching approach to improve your swing, body and fitness while helping you realize your full potential on the golf course."

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Simple Chips...No Dips, No Chili...To Cut Your Scores

Keep it simple and chip it close with this review of chip mechanics by Jason Caron from Siwanoy CC, part of the Golf Tips From Around the Met video series by Anthony Renna of Five Iron Fitness.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Jim McLean Helps You Drill Like A Pro

Few instructors have seen more swings and given more solid lessons--to amateurs and top pros alike--than Jim McLean. Now, his decades of experience are distilled into 120 drills that will help every aspect of your game in Golf Digest's Ultimate Drill Book.

The book covers the complete game from stance, grip, alignment, and posture to the full swing with every club from driver to putter. McLean also has some excellent drills to build your stamina and flexibility as well as a few to sharpen your mental game--something many instructors talk about but only a few, like McLean, offer any practical help with.  All the drills are described in a four-part format: Problem, Result, Goal, and Practice Procedure. There are plenty of annotated photos to illustrate each one.

I recognized several of the drills from the time I spent at McLean's school at the Doral, but I also found many fresh ones, too. One of my favorites is the Right-Arm-Only On-Center Drill, which teaches how to co-ordinate body and arm action. It's also one (of several) you can do on the tee while you're awaiting your turn to hit. I also particularly like the Pacific Ocean Drill, where the player imagines hitting balls at a target the size of the ocean in order to encourage a free swing unencumbered by attempts to steer the ball.

McLean is one of the game's greatest teachers. You may not be able to make it to one of his schools, but you can benefit from his wisdom with this simple, thorough instruction book.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Cure My Slice....Please!

The most common problem faced by golfers since the featheries were the ball of choice is the dreaded slice. Mark Braziller from Manhattan's Drive 495 joins Anthony Renna from Five Iron Fitness to explain how to fix it.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Look At the Target for Putting Distance Control

Debbie Jacobs-Dungee from the Round Hill Club offers a great exercise for mastering distance control on your putts in this video with Anthony Renna of Five Iron Fitness.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

The Cure for Too Much Elvis in Your Golf Swing

Somehow, Anthony Renna's Five Iron Fitness video series with pros from around the Met Section always seems to apply to a swing problem I'm facing at the moment. This one, with Fenway Golf Club's Heath Wassem, shows you how a simple drill can get your hips under control.


Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Videos for the Golf Nerd in You

Golf videos abound online. Lessons, tips, bloopers, course tours....the list is endless. Add to that now a series from NBC News' educational arm, NBC Learn, which teamed up with the USGA and Chrvron Corporation to release the “Science of Golf," an informative 10-part video series narrated by NBC Sports’ lead play-by-play anchor Dan Hicks.  The series explores Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) topics through the lens of the game that brings out the nerd in all of us.

The videos were made especially for students and teachers to use in the classroom but are also available to the public cost-free on NBCLearn.com/Golf. In addition, the three organizations announced they are providing the award-winning “NBC Learn K-12” learning resource to more than 500 middle and high schools in 14 districts across the country. The gift grants schools two years’ worth of access to the rich collection of NBC News videos, primary source documents, images, and resources specifically designed for use in the K-12 classroom. Students and teachers will see how the principles of science affect everything about the game—from a player’s golf swing, to the anatomy of a golf ball, the math behind golf scoring, and the evolution of the golf club.

“In partnering with the USGA and NBC Learn we have been able to develop what we think is a truly unique series of videos – taking a peek behind the scenes at the science of golf and hopefully inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists,” said Glenn Weckerlin, Director, Programs and Partnerships of Chevron. “We have made ‘The science of’ videos as well as the entire portfolio of NBC Learn resources available, to provide innovative content that might not otherwise be available to the schools.”

For each piece of the series, an expert from the USGA scientist explains the selected scientific principle, while the golfers describe how these principles apply to their game. The science is broken down by capturing the golfers’ movements with a state-of-the-art, high-speed Phantom camera, which has the ability to capture movement at rates of up to 10,000 frames per second. These dynamic visuals allow for frame-by-frame illustrations of specific scientific principles such as displacement, buoyancy, kinematics, acceleration and velocity. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) will provide lesson plans for teachers that accompany the videos created by NBC Learn.

"We are proud of our collaboration with Chevron and NBC Learn to use golf as a way to bring education to life,” said Sarah Hirshland, the USGA’s Senior Managing Director of Business Affairs. “The new video series showcases the STEM principles that play a key role in a variety of USGA functions, including equipment testing, environmental research, and scoring.  We hope these videos inspire students of all ages, whether they are enjoying the game or learning in the classroom.”

In addition to its subscription resources, NBC Learn also produces original video collections that are made available for free on NBCLearn.com. These include the Emmy Award-winning “Science of NFL Football,” and “Science of the Winter Olympic Games” collections, as well as “Changing Planet” and “Chemistry Now.”

“Building on the innovative ‘Science of Sports’ franchise, we’re thrilled to partner with the USGA and Chevron to expand the series to include golf, as well as create strategic partnerships that enable our award-winning digital learning content to be used free of charge,” said Soraya Gage, General Manager of NBC Learn. “These one-of-a-kind videos have set a new precedent for teaching science in the classroom, by breaking down difficult STEM concepts and illustrating their real-life application through sports.”

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Golf School for Ladies Only

Golf school for women is an idea whose time has definitely come. A great place to experience it is the Troon Golf Academy Lake of Isles, which will be hosting its popular Ladies Golf School on June 22 and 23. The golf school is designed for women looking to learn the game or improve on specific skills. The golf school schedule has four sessions, two each day, and women can select to attend one, two, three of all four sessions.

The Ladies Golf School is conducted by Sue Cart, head teaching professional at Lake of Isles, and Dawn Mercer, director of instruction at Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort, Tarpon Springs, Fla. Class size is limited to five students per instructor to ensure maximum one-on-one time.

Session Schedule

Saturday, June 22
Session I: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Chipping and Putting
Session II: 1 – 4 p.m., Pitching and Full Swing

Sunday, June 23
Session III: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Maximum Distance
Session IV:  1 – 4 p.m., Take It To The Course

The fee per session is $130 or a special price for all four sessions for $430. Lunch at Matches Tavern in Lake of Isles Clubhouse can be added for $20. Hotel accommodations can be made at Foxwoods Resort Casino, located adjacent to Lake of Isles.

To reserve a space in the Ladies Golf School, call (888) 475-3746 or visit lakeofisles.com for information.

Lake of Isles, a 36-hole Rees Jones designed golf club located in North Stonington, Connecticut, opened in May 2005. Owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and located across the street from Foxwoods Resort Casino, the two courses wind their way through 900 acres of wooded Connecticut countryside and around a 90-acre lake. Amenities include a 50,000 square foot clubhouse, and a state of the art indoor and outdoor practice facility.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Simple, Effective Putting Drills

Putting drills...yech! But the next time you wobble a three-footer past the hole instead of into it, you'll wish you'd practiced with this simple, effective putting exercise from Paul Kenney from Rockrimmon CC and Jason Caron, from Siwanoy CC. It's another episode of "Golf Tips from Around the Met" produced by Five Iron Fitness.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Give Dad A Butch Harmon Lesson

In celebration of the first anniversary of the release of his "Butch Harmon About Golf presented byTitleist" DVD -- and as a special tribute to all fathers -- Butch Harmon has announced a special deal on the video set. Now through the conclusion of the U.S. Open, buy one DVD and get a second for only $20. It's a great deal on an ideal gift for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Harmon is the ultimate instructor. His latest student to strike gold is Masters winner Adam Scott, who was Harmon's student for several years beginning at the onset of his professional career. To this day, Scott's swing is considered to be among the PGA Tour's most picture perfect and flawless. He's featured with Harmon on the golf course, in the DVD.

"It doesn't matter if you're Tiger or a high-handicapper, Butch can help you to improve your game," says Scott. "He has the best eye in the game for identifying any faults in your swing and the cures that will fix them. Plus, he has the rare ability to communicate well on how to help you."

Golfers wanting to take advantage of this special should visit the Butch Harmon website: www.butchharmondvd.com.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Maintaining Your Golf Posture

I spotted one of my biggest swing faults in this video from Five Iron Fitness. In Episode 7 of Golf Tips from Around The Met, Eanna Rushe of the Golf Posture POD and Biosport Technologies, talks about loss of posture on either the backswing or the downswing. Paul Kenney from Rockrimmon CC joins Eanna.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Simple, Effective Putting Drills Will Lower Your Scores

Here's one of the best drills you can do to sharpen your putting stroke. Jason Gobleck from Westchester Hills in White Plains demonstrates how to insure a square set-up and an accurate stroke in this video from Five Iron Fitness.

Golf Tips From Around The Met is just one of the many ways Anthony Renna from Five Iron Fitness helps golfers--pros and ams alike--improve their games.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Chipping Close for Lower Scores

If you want to lower your scores, stop pounding your driver and start stroking your chips. That's the advice from Debbie Jacobs-Dungee from The Round Hill Club in Greenwich, CT, in this video from Five Iron Fitness.


Anthony Renna created this video series, Golf Tips From Around The Met, to highlight the many great golf instructors in the region.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

Putt Laser Straight

Think you've got good aim with your putter? You might be shocked to see where you're really going to send the ball, as Heath Wassem of Fenway Golf Club shows Anthony Renna from Five Iron Fitness in White Plains in another of the excellent videos in this series.


Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

The Mental Game and Jim McLean

Jim McLean

Jim McLean paid a visit to a roomful of old friends this year at the Met PGA Educational Forum, spending about two hours on the stage sharing his insights and many tales from his long career in the game and chatting with WNBC Sports Anchor (and McLean pupil) Bruce Beck. It was a fascinating presentation.

McLean is the director of the fabulously successful golf schools bearing his name across the nation. He's headquartered at Doral in Miami, but his roots run deep into Westchester, where he started his club pro career as an assistant at Westchester Country Club. He later served as head pro at Sunningdale, Quaker Ridge, and Sleepy Hollow. One of his greatest contributions to the game is the long trail of pros who worked for him here and in Florida.

Beck, who took many lessons from McLean at Sleepy Hollow, asked him how he manages to switch from coaching standout PGA Tour pros like Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson to teaching rank beginners and duffers like you and me. McLean said, "That's not a problem because you have to focus on every golfer as an individual anyway. Regardless of their skill level, everyone needs help with specific, different parts of their game." He seldom works with Bradley, for example, on swing mechanics but instead concentrates on his mental approach to the game.

Bruce Beck and Jim McLean. Photo courtesy of Met PGA

McLean also pointed out that there is hope for everyone of us, regardless of how poorly we hit the ball. "There really are solution to every problem in golf," he said. "The biggest obstacle is people who won't follow the plan to solve them. He also commented that so-called "feel" players need to use practice drills, too, because, "You need to get the feel for doing it right."

Coaching the mental game was the topic of much of the discussion. McLean said he's worked with all the sports psychologists at one time or another but believes the golf instructor needs to be a psychologist, too. He told a brief story about when Keegan Bradley first hit the Nationwide Tour: "After a few tournaments, Keegan told me how much better he was than most of the other players he was up against. I asked him how many times he had won so far and the answer was none. Then I asked him how many times he had led a tournament at any point and that answer was also 'none.' When that sunk in, Keegan realized that being the best golfer in the field doesn't mean anything unless you put the numbers on the scorecard to prove it."

McLean suggested that most golfers could improve their putting by learning which arm dominates their swing by making a few one-arm putts to get the feel for it. "If you run into trouble," he said, "try the other arm for a while until you get comfortable." He also observed that it's not a good idea to practice putting--or any one thing--for too long at a single session because it will become tedious and the practice will lose its effectiveness.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf