Golf is not like hockey

It's hockey playoff season ( and the Canadiens are already gone!) but I'm reminded that golf is not like hockey.

A recently retired hockey player (or one recently knocked out of the playoffs) was quoted as saying, "What I really like about golf is that after I make a great putt, I don't have to worry about somebody rushing across the green and cross-checking me in the head!" Now there's a difference you can appreciate.

Imagine hockey played by the same gentlemanly etiquette that is expected in golf.

• No blocking the shot, let me give you a clear line to the goalie.


• Excuse me, don't count that goal, I accidently kicked it in.


• You're up, so you go first from the face-off.


• Helmets off, shake hands and have a beer together after the game.

Somehow it just wouldn't be hockey.

Tiger's back

Now that he's completed the family foursome and rehabilitated his knee, Tiger has announced he'll be back on tour this week. (Added incentive for Phil Mickelson to win one on the weekend before the Tiger attacks again?)

The happy family-man will, I'm sure, return to competition with his usual Tiger-like determination and talent to put everyone else off their game. He's worth watching anytime.

Also worth mentioning that his class and character show off the course as well. A role model for us all - from his sense of social responsibility to his family values. Much more than just a great golfer.

Welcome back Tiger.

Roller coaster ride

I was reminded while watching the weekend golf that success in business and golf seems to require the tenacity and focus to survive the occasional rides up and down that seem to be out of our control. Hang on and ride it out!

Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Fred Couples battled at Pacific Palisades over four rounds to finish one, two, and three for winnings of $1.1 million, $680,000 and $327,000. Stricker went a very steady and impressive 68-66-69-67. But Mickelson and Couples took the roller coaster rides of 63-72-62-72 and 67-70-65-69. Hole by hole was even more stressful as they went from flying off the fairway into the trees to sticking it by the pin for birdie putts.

A great reminder that success at the end of the day can still follow some pretty discouraging results along the way.

Uncle Ralph's e2e forum Blog by Del Chatterson: Working like a dog?

Uncle Ralph's e2e forum Blog by Del Chatterson: Working like a dog?

7-year old World Champion golfer

In Las Vegas there is a family dedicated to their young golfer and they seem to be getting it right.

Last year at age six, (Yes there is a Kids World Championship for 6-year olds) he won at 7-under-par on 9-hole 1300 yard courses against 82 other kids from 12 different countries. (New York Times and Montreal Gazette, January 7, 2009.)

OK, where's the lesson here?

First for parents: his parents are dedicated to developing their son's talent and moved to Las Vegas to give him a better chance than in Chicago. But they are not obsessed or pushing their son against his will to fulfill their dreams. He is happy, enthusiastic and well-rounded; including other sports and guitar lessons in his life. Other kids are not so fortunate with parents that have to be removed from the course for berating and belittling their young golfers.

And for business: You too can be a World Champion if you choose the right place to compete. No, I don't mean against 6-year olds on a shortened course! But compare your results to a competitor in your industry that is about the same size and sells to the same markets. Now are you doing better than you thought? Is it clearer what you need to do to be the World Champion in that division? Now go for it.

Happy New Year!

You're fired!

Golf is like business in this economy too.

Even Tiger Woods recently got fired by GM as the spokeman for Buick. So the lesson for business owners is....

If your business is in trouble and you have a part-time employee earning $7 million a year, now is a good time to let him go. In fact now is a good time to make a lot of decisions that might not have been very popular in the good ol' days, but are pretty obviously necessary now.

Oh yeah, and this is not a good time to flaunt the corporate jet. Unless you've had a very good year in golf or business, and want to distinguish yourself as still having the cash to spend on frivolous luxury and convenience.

Slow progress

I mentioned the golf course under construction that I'm watching from my office window. Well it continues to take shape in spite of the early winter weather conditions.

Apparently earth moving is still possible, but no grass will be seeded or sodded in this weather, and it's getting worse. This morning, Dec. 8th, they were reporting -20 degrees C and -30 with the windchill. That's 20 below for the Fahrenheit folks. Definitely not golf weather.

Time to plan for the winter break in Myrtle Beach or Scottsdale. Any suggestions or recommendations?