Richest Deal Ever Made on a Golf Course?

It's probably impossible to prove, but it's entirely likely that a deal spawned at St. Andrew's GC in Hastings may have been the largest ever struck on a golf course. I ran across this interesting tidbit in American Colosus: The Triumph of Capitalism 1865-1900 by H.W. Brands. The club, which celebrated its 125th anniversary this year, played an essential role in the sale of member Andrew Carnegie's steel interests to J.P. Morgan and others in 1901.

The deal was a perfect example of the role golf can play in business--not to mention the value of scoring judiciously when playing against your boss.

Andrew Carnegie playing at St. Andrew’s circa 1899. He enjoyed the game so much, he built a home next to the course // Photograph courtesy of Westchester County Historical Society

Carnegie Steel President Charles M. Schwab was the hero of the piece. Morgan had made it known he and his partners wanted to buy out Carnegie so they could monopolize the steel industry. Schwab saw the value of the deal (he subsequently became President of the company it created, U.S. Steel) but the ultimate decision was Carnegie's, who wasn't particularly interested in selling. His wife, Louise, though, wanted him to retire. Here's how Brands described what happened:

"Louise Carnegie conspired with Schwab against her husband. Shortly after Schwab informed her of the merger scheme, she telephoned to say that Carnegie would be playing golf the next morning at St. Andrew's club in Westchester. He was always more cooperative after winning at the Scottish national sport, she suggested. Schwab took the hint, whiffed a few for the cause, and broached the subject of selling. Carnegie didn't reject the plan outright, which Schwab took to be a good sign."

It was. The next morning, Carnegie named his price--$480 million. Morgan accepted it and a few days later closed the deal personally. As he shook Carnegie's hand, he said, "Mr. Carnegie, I want to congratulate you on being the richest man in the world."

At that point in time, it probably wasn't an exaggeration. The deal would be worth about $13 billion in today's dollars. That has to make it one of the biggest ever born on a 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

Bid To Play For Better Courses

The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association, has created a fabulous way for you to enjoy rounds on some spectacular private (and public) courses while supporting their efforts to help ensure golf's future through turf grass research.  Right now, you can bid to play the courses with the proceeds benefiting the game through the Rounds 4 Research auction.

Some of the local courses participating in the program include Metropolis, Scarsdale, Sunningdale, Trump National Westchester, Brae Burn, and GlenArbor. These are just a few of the 363 opportunities around the country that you can bid on until August 11. For something special, you can also bid on two badges to any day of the 2014 Masters or two Trophy Club passes to any two days of the 2014 US Open at Pinehurst. The US Open package includes hotel, rental car, and a bunch of other goodies.

The real prize, though, is the support your bids will provide for turf grass research. The GCSAA's Environmental Institute for Golf supports applied agronomic and/or environmentally friendly research around the country. Round 4 Research is presented in partnership with Toro.

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

Adams Updates the Original Tight Lies

Adams Golf is bringing back the legendary fairway wood that put the company on the map in the mid-1990s. It's the Tight Lies line updated to incorporate Velocity Slot Technology that makes their current hybrids and fairway woods so hot. It's hard to believe, but I'm still playing (occasionally) a Tight Lies five wood and I'm sure I've got a three- and even a two-wood around here someplace. That was some serious technology at the time! The new Tight Lies has launched initially as a 16 degree three-wood with other loft options available including a 19 degree five-wood and 22-degree seven. Come to think of it, I have one of those in the original version, too.

“In the ever-present pursuit of maximum distance, today’s fairway woods have become mini-drivers – extremely difficult to hit from anywhere other than from a tee,” said Justin Honea, Adams Director of R&D. “The low profile design places the center of gravity (CG) below the CG of the ball, making it easy to hit the ball in the air. The unique tri-sole design makes it easy to hit from a multitude of challenging lies and then we added a refined Cut-Thru Slot design so this new Tight Lies is twice as hot as the original. It’s the perfect blend of playability and performance.”

Tight Lies features redesigned Cut-Thru Slots in the crown and sole to create maximum face deflection. This increased deflection allows for higher ball speeds making the new Tight Lies twice as hot as the original. Another added benefit of this new slot design is the increased forgiveness across the face. I started playing a Speedline Fast 12 three-wood last year and can attest to the distance gained by the slot technology.

A hallmark of the original Tight Lies fairway wood was the revolutionary low-profile, upside-down design, and it is back in the new version. This design feature allows for a very low CG – below the CG of the golf ball, making it extremely easy to hit the ball in the air for more consistent and controllable performance. The unique tri-sole design, which made the original version playable from any lie, will again be a difference maker for golfers playing the new Tight Lies. This sole design reduces turf interaction to increase performance from the fairway, rough, sand - even tight or bare lies.

And here's a kicker: Adams is so confident you will be satisfied with the easy-to-hit performance of the Tight Lies fairway wood, purchasers can return the club to Adams for a full refund within 30 days of purchase if they are not fully satisfied. The offer begins on August 15, 2013 and runs through October 15, 2013. More information is available by visiting www.adamsgolf.com/tightliesguarantee or calling (800)-709-6142.

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

Tee Shots Count at Forsgate CC's Banks Course

Forsgate Banks Course #15 "Chocolate Drop"

The Banks Course at Forsgate CC is justifiably renowned for spectacular greens and bunker complexes shaped by Charles "Steam Shovel" Banks. What's often overlooked, however, is the importance of accurate, thoughtful play from tee to green on the Monroe Township, NJ, course. Hit it wrong off the tee and par becomes much, much harder (if not impossible) on most of the holes.

The need for strategic driving is easily ignored when you see some of the seemingly generous fairways like the one on the first hole. "Preparatory," as it is named, is only 384 yards, but shots to the right half of the fairway will leave you with an approach over the first of many cavernous bunkers you'll face throughout the day.

Another short par four, the 347-yard fourth, demonstrates another Banks design principle. A well-struck tee ball will find a level landing area with a clear shot to the "Hog's Back" green. Anything else--even in the fairway--will have an uneven lie and/or an obstructed approach. You'll see the same design feature on the course's longest hole, the 603-yard eighth, and it's back-to-back par five cousin, the ninth, where two plateaus serve as landing areas. Miss either one and you'll have serious side-hill issues.

Banks also made judicious use of cross bunkers and other fairway features. The tenth hole, a 416-yard tester named "Valley" not only has a namesake ravine to navigate but a series of fescue-fringed cross bunkers to keep long hitters honest. The short (330 yards) confounding fifteenth holes features a narrow fairway that slopes right so that even straight tee shots are pushed into the rough. The answer, to hug the left side of the fairway from the tee, brings the eponymous "Chocolate Drop" bunker into play in the left rough.

None of this is to say that the Banks Course greens can be taken for granted. As I've written before, they are simply spectacular. My point is that you can't take the rest of the course for granted, either. The Banks Course deserves to be cherished as a full test of your game.

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

Grand Slam This Week?

No modern golfer--man or woman--has won more than three major championships in a single season. That record may well fall this week when Inbee Park tees it up in the Ricoh Women's British Open at St. Andrews. It's her chance to make an indelible stamp in the record books.

It's also a good reason for me to offer "Grand Slam" free on Amazon! The offer is good for today only (and you don't need a Kindle to read it!), so order now.

The 24-year-old South Korean won the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Championship, and the US Women's Open, making her only the second woman to have captured three Grand Slam events in the same season--Babe Zaharias is the only other one. But no one has ever won four majors, and that's what will drive the excitement at this week's tournament.

It couldn't happen at a more fitting venue, either.  Her fluid, controlled swing and astounding putting prowess should play well at St. Andrews. And what a boon a Grand Slam would be for the LPGA Tour!

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