The times they are a changin'

I bleed Golf is changing. Some of you may have noticed this week I've been changing our artwork and logos on Facebook and this blog. Change is essential, inevitable and in this case a great thing for everyone who's visited and supported this site over the past year and a bit. If that's you, you should know that for the most part, you have inspired the change. More about what's to come in a minute.

I'm not sure if 'sadness' is the right word, perhaps it's got something to do with nostalgia. In a sense it's like saying goodbye to an old friend (cliché, I know). For example, the simple headline banner was very personal to me, I created it and it truly represented what I wanted to do with this blog. 


Here's a reminder (and an excuse to stop me from having to delete it completely!)

By the way, if you haven't read \ heard the '4 iron up a tree' story that the above graphic refers to, let me know and I'll gladly share it.

The new artwork is amazing. Graphic designer Herb McNally (@McTwentyTwo) and I have been brainstorming for weeks, toing and froing with JPEG packed emails and Twitter DM's. You may have seen the image below on Facebook recently, we've been asking people to choose their favourite / least favourite images and tell us their reasons. The idea is to capture a person's passion for amateur golf whilst keeping it within the 'I bleed Golf' philosophy. Admittedly some of the images are a little gory. You should see the ones that ended up on the cutting room floor! 

Please stay tuned for more cool graphics as we develop the idea further. If you'd like to comment on the images you can do so in the comment section below or on the IBG Facebook page post.

So where are we going with all of this? Good question! We're building a new website. The blog will continue to thrive but it will become a component part of the overall website plan, as opposed to the center of it all. The website is going to be aimed at people who are extremely passionate about the game of golf and like to have a laugh along the way. 

We're going to try make next years #showusyournumber even bigger and better for Open Championship week. More news on that to come.

There's a whole load of other stuff I can't talk about right now but trust me, it's going to be something unique, media rich, rewarding and fun packed! There'll be a charitable aspect to it too. I'll be posting development updates on the blog as we go along. It's going to be a cool journey!

Thanks everyone for reading and thanks for your support to date. See you in the next chapter ;)

#lovegolf
#laughalot

Steve

The Sapp factor - Part 1

'There's a fine line between trying to be funny and being a cynical, sad grump'. 

(Me, 5 minutes ago).

Golf can be a lot more difficult than I'd previously accounted for. It's next to impossible for me most of the time even without the added frustrations I'm going to focus on here. I'm sure a majority of mere mortal amateurs would agree.

I've been so preoccupied on 'internal' challenges. Shot techniques, swing mechanics and the psychology behind achieving a Buddha-like focus (and a winning mentality), to mention a few. With such a heavy workload, I neglected to consider what 'external' obstacles one might encounter on course to becoming a single figure player and / or champion in a major club event.

I'm talking about Stupendously Annoying Playing Partners. SAPPS, for convenience. You've probably got your own name for them. If it's rude, keep it to yourself. We're not here to offend anyone.

Oh go on, send me a private email ;)

The sight or sound of news that you've been drawn with a sapp brings hyperactivity to your adrenal gland. Perhaps this is how you feel every time you learn you've been drawn with me. Just ask @mattholbrook86

Many lists have been made to label and categorise the many sapp subtypes but I'm going to share my experiences with you in story form. Of course, this list is not exhaustive but I can assure you, all the experiences described below (and in Part 2) were exhausting.

1) Rules were meant to be broken (the same can be said for my sanity):

I'm no cheat. Golf has many rules, some of them ridiculous. We need only think back to what happened to Carl Pettersson in the PGA Championship recently when he moved a leaf / blade of grass / gnats whisker or some other inconsequential object on his backswing when his ball was inside the hazard lines.

I'm keen to learn but realise the only way to do so is to educate myself, make mistakes and be corrected. But please, break it to me gently. I'm of a delicate composition.

I've played with a few rules freaks over the years, it's nerve wracking. In their company, I struggle to make a swing at the ball  for fear of violating one rule or another and being subjected to a right old telling off and the humiliation that comes with it. Thereafter it's shank o' clock.

I've become better at dealing with this particular sapp subtype. As soon as I learn I've been drawn with one, I feign injury and then go home to Mum for a hug.

2) Cheats never prosper (yeah right)

Cheating sapps are on the other end of the spectrum. I've seen people cheat at golf without hestitation right in front of my eyes. One particular experience made me very sad. You can read about that here.

Let's not devote too much more space to them. Onwards and downwards...

3) It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing (54 handicappers)

A few weeks ago in our club Thursday swindle on a medal day, I got drawn out with a 28 handicapper. No problem, I'm not a snob. I've said it before, I put people before the golf. He's a nice guy. Very annoying (laughs at everything, even unfunny things, nervous chap), but a good human being. Did I mention he was annoying?

Anyway,  it was a good day for him - he had 16 points off his 28 handicap. He says things like:

'I remember when I was golfing in Vegas.' (I'm thinking, 'they must have had the Golden Tee video game in the casino.')

'I used to be able to play this game!' (I'm thinking, 'Not even in a past life could you do that')

'I'm just standing close to you to see if I can pick up on a few things' (I'm thinking, if you don't move NOW I'll decapitate you on my backswing'.)

'Thanks, for the game - enjoyed your company.' (I'm thinking, PLEASE GO AWAY AND DIE SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY!!!)

After our game, I was in a bit of a mood because I'd allowed him to steer the ship into an iceberg and I went down with it, as did the other two in our group. I had a 'quiet' word with the organiser. To summarise, his reply was:

'I know he's a pain in the arse but it was your turn today to carry the load. If you want to tell him that he's not welcome back, please feel free but you need to learn how to deal with people like that.'

Wise words from a wise man, a great golfer and someone I respect very much. Is there such a thing as a Sapp victims rehab clinic?

4. Over competitive underachievers (Chew on them, spit them out)

It's happened to me twice in a matter of weeks. I've been paired with guys who are so focused on beating everyone else in their 3/4 ball, they get sucked into a high blood pressure inducing space/time distorting vortex. It's fun to watch. But the game is a hard enough battle without having to battle a thwarted ego.

These are two things I recall hearing, one from each Sapp.

'Every time I try to beat you, you just pull away on points' (I'm thinking, 'Focus more on your game and less on mine and you might have a chance.)

On the 18th tee; 'We're level, if I get a par on this hole and you get a bogey - I win'. (I'm thinking, 'That's the first time in this round I thought about beating you because I'm trying to do my best / win a competition here.')

I think I'll wrap up this part of the post here, but hope you come back to read part 2 when I'll talk about:

Chatterboxes (Please shut it!)
Self destructors (They might kill you too.)
Snails (How to grow a full beard over 18 holes.)
Beginners (We were all there once, but would we go back?)
Golf bloggers (The most evil sapps of all, they kiss and tell).
Any others that you'd like to suggest?

Until then, it's farewell.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING.

See you around!