Golf In A Parallel Universe (22 page)

“Let's go to the backyard where we are all hanging out," she told me. We go through the house and go out the back door. “Wow! what a nice view," I told her in a surprised tone. They had lake in the back of the house. This is lakeside community and there are houses all around the lake. They have a nice big back yard with a nice view. There are people in white lawn chairs and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. She starts to introduce me to everyone. She introduced me to her parents first, and I shook her dad's hand. “Hey, I remember you” I said laughing. He just laughed and said “We just wanted to meet you that day, you were very gracious.” At at the same time I shook her Mom's hand, and we all exchanged greetings.

It was really strange. Within 30 seconds, I felt totally at ease. Her family was just so nice and so down to earth. I met the rest of the family and they were great. Then her dad handed me a beer “Have a beer!," he said smiling. “Hey, I like this guy” I joked as I took the beer. We just visited and talked. They asked me about life on the tour and how they have been following me since I won the Masters. But they did not dwell on golf. It was just good conversation and have a good time.

It felt like when I was a kid in college. Sometimes I would go home on the weekend with my buddies and meet their family and we all got to be good friends. Even today, I still communications with my old buddies and their family. That's what it felt like here. Only this time I am not in college. And my buddie is a woman that I am hoping to have a relationship with. We all have a good time and eat some good barbecue. I also feel like Emily is getting closer to me now. I know both of us are being cautious around the family. But I feel like we are making a connection. After we ate. We walked down by the lake and out of view from her family. We were just walking and enjoying the view and we suddenly held hands. It was funny. She did not initiate it nor did I. I think we were both a little surprised but we both enjoyed it. After those first few seconds holding her hand, it felt totally natural. She thanked me for coming down and we just talked. We walked around by the lake and enjoyed being together. Nothing serious, just good conversation. “Gosh I like this girl” I told myself.

Eventually we made it back up to the house. Things are winding down and I start to get ready to leave. Everyone shakes my hands and tells me good luck next week in the US Open. I thank her parents sincerely for having me here and Emily walks me out to the car. We talk a few minutes. “So, what your plans for the rest the summer?” I asked. “I am not sure at this point. I gave myself a year off. I have never done this before. “This is all new for me” she said laughing. She told me she will probably stay here for another month or so. She said she may want to go back to teaching school.

Finally it is good bye time. And as a stupid single guy. I never know what to do. But thankfully she did. She gave me a big long hug. She looked at me and said, “I know you are busy, just give me a call or text me anytime if you feel like talking. I am sure we will have time to meet again this summer," she said smiling. “Absolutely, I said. Then she gave a nice not too long but not too quick kiss and said good night. And and smiled and walked away. “Thank God”! I said to myself as I got in the car and drove away.

“Thank God she took that step," I said to myself. Now I know. This is not just a friend thing. As I drove home all the scenarios went into my head on what this could turn out to be. And of course I have done that many times in my single life. But this is the first time it really felt real.

My Plane touches down at 11:00am Monday morning. “Welcome to Pinehurst North Carolina," I tell myself. I am ready for this. I get my car and drive to the course. In the professional Golf world you have your normal weekly tournaments. And then you have your majors. In Golf you have four majors. The Masters, The US Open, The British Open, and the PGA. Each one of these would be like the Super Bowl in Football, or the World Series in Baseball. This week is the US Open. It is the dream of any professional Golfer to just win one of Majors in their career. The elite players win several of the Majors in their career. I have been fortunate to win one, which was the Masters. Now I want to make a run for a second major this week. The Majors are a big deal, and you can tell right away as you approach the course. There is a lot going on here. There are several temporary tent type buildings. The building have everything you can imagine as far as support staff, security, administration
etc.
And then you have large Pavilions for the public which sells all the US Open merchandise and the crowds cannot get enough of them.

The place is a buzz, and it is only Monday. Television News trucks from all over the US and the news staff from all over the world are here. Security is tight and there is a definite party atmosphere here. This tournament is a real big event for the local community. The US open is at a different place each year. Often the US Open is at course that regularly host professional tournaments. But other times the US open courses may not have much history of hosting a professional tournament. So this is a big deal for the community.

I am at ah on how big this is. I am glad I got here Monday so I will give myself time to adjust. Just getting to the course is a big deal. The professionals have pre-defined protocols. But this week it is not easy just getting checked in and getting through security and getting to the clubhouse like normal tournaments. Security is tight and you can tell that this is a different ball game. It is all first class and professionally done here. Finally I get all checked in and I meet up with Zack. “Wow!” Can you believe this place I said to Zack, laughing. “It's going to be fun” he said happily. Let's get to work” I told him. “I am ready he said."

Today, we had it pre planned. Hit the range for a while and then chip and putt. As we make our way to the range, it is crazy. So much more media here hanging around the range. And all the golf club manufacturing reps are out here in full force. I have only played in a few majors in my ten year career and I have never seen anything like this. It is fun, but I need to get focused. We hit quite a few balls. Zack measures my distance and watches me closely. “I see you have continued to work on your tempo. It really looks good," he told me. “I guess that little pendulum toy is really working for you," he said laughing. “Yep, every day," I said smiling. And I have used it everyday. It helps me stay focused on what Gus taught me. We hit balls for a while and I felt good. We take break get something to eat. Then worked on chipping and putting for a while. “It is scary that I know your game so well," Zack said. “But I can tell you have been working on your chipping and putting." “A lot” I said. “Just doing what the boss told me I said” laughing. By about 4:00pm we have pretty much stuck with our plan. But I wanted to play nine holes. Ever since I worked with Gus he always recommends playing a few holes after the driving range. It gives you a chance to work on what you have been practicing on.

“I want to play nine holes! Are you up for it?," I asked. “Done deal," replied Zack. Usually the first couple days of the week, you can casually get out on the course and play some practice rounds without having to go through setting up tee times and all. Often it is impromptu, and just hook up with another player or group of players. There were a few players putting on the practice green. I asked if anyone is up for nine holes. Two of the guys were interested, even though it was late in the day. One of the pros was Alex Henderson, whom I have known over the years and played with him a few times. The other guy was new to the tour. His name was Dafford Hilton. I have never met him before. He was polite, but very quiet. He pretty much did not say anything unless someone talked to him first. He was a good golfer, he just seemed a little strange.

We played a good practice round and had a good time. Alex and I talked some as we played the round. It was casual, but all three of us were working on our game. This is the US Open and there is no time to waste on chit chat. Zack had his notebook out and he made lots of notes. We discussed strategies on the different holes. I was working on my swing and my tempo. I am glad we went out and played even though it was not planned. It gave us a chance to get away from the circus at the club house. The other guys felt the same way. As we finished our nine and heading back to the clubhouse we were discussing how crazy it is out here today. We were thinking by the time Thursday is here, this place will be insane.

As we finished up. Zack and I started discussing our strategy for this week. I explained that at the Memorial Tournament few days ago, that was really interesting. I only concentrated on my tempo and I was pretty much oblivious to everything else. And before we knew it we finished strong and was in the money. That was the first competitive event with my new swing. I would like to incorporate some of that same mentality here. But I think I need to be more involved mentally and emotionally. “Zack” I said as I looked him in the eye and spoke in a serious tone. “I got the game down now. I want to make a run at this thing," I said in a confident tone. “Let's do it!” he replied enthusiastically.

We discussed our plans. Zack felt strongly that he should make the club selection for me. He made a good point that I do not really have the grasp of my club distance yet. He has the ability to step back and see the big picture. And he has all the yardage down on the course. And he knows what my distances is for each club. We agreed that I would not override his recommendations unless I had a very strong feeling about it. This will be good because it will just be one less brain cell that I will have to use. Sure he may not be 100% correct on all club selections, but he has a knack for making good decisions at critical times and I trust him. We came to a similar agreement on shot placements. For example. On an approach shot to the green if he feels like I should target the left side of the green, instead what I might be thinking such as he the center, then we will go with his recommendations unless I feel really strongly otherwise. So that will be good for me. Just point and shoot. I do not have to think a lot. So these two things will free me up to think about my swing. But it also will allow me to give my attention to everything else, such as my strategy for that day, the leaderboard, the players I am playing
etc.
I want to get that competitive fire and that competitive edge. I want to know everything that is going on. There may be situations where I need to gamble and be aggressive. Or times I need to play it safe. I want to know all of that. Not like the last tournament where I was oblivious to everything. I want to attack this course and destroy the competition.That's the attitude that I am going to take. Just like I did when I beat the number one player in the world at World Golf Championship Match Play a few weeks ago.

Zack agreed. But then joked because I was getting all hyped up. “Calm down there big fellow, we got a few days to go." We just laughed. But I feel like this is a good strategy. Let him be the boss on the club selections and a lot of the shot placements and I will handle the rest.

We wrapped it up for the day and I went the hotel to relax. My room had a great view of the city. I did not feel like drinking my usual beer like I usually do at the end of the day. I just grabbed some ice water and looked out at the view and thought about this week. It seems like a long time since I played. I had last week off. The Week before last, I played at Memorial Tournament. And that did not really seem like competition because I was working on my swing. Then the prior two weeks I was working with Gus and my swing. The last real competition was the TPC at Sawgrass. That was the time when I realized that my game was not really up to par as far as a top tier professional golfer. I had a lot of gaps in my game. But now it is different. I got the golf game and the swing that should get me to the next level. I know it may take awhile to develop or fine tune my new swing. And it may truly be awhile before I start to see real results. But at the same time. I feel that I have a chance and making a run for this tournament.

The next two days are more of the same. I worked on my tempo on the range and worked a lot on my chipping and putting. We played 18 hole practice round Tuesday and just nine holes Wednesday. I am focused and intense. But I decided to give myself time to enjoy this crazy fun atmosphere. Since I won the Masters I get recognition that I never have had before. Interviews from the media, fans wanting autographs and lots of greeting from other pro’s and retired pros and other people in the business. I am really enjoying the new attention.

“Sure I am getting some attention now, since I won the Masters. But if I make a fool out of myself in this tournament, everyone will just think I am a One Hit Wonder," I tell myself. However, I feel like something special is about to happen. I feel like not only have I have improved my game, but I think that I have matured with my golf game and I can see the big picture now. And I am ready.

I ran into Jerry Churchill Wednesday afternoon. I was happy to see him. He is solely responsible for getting me setup with Gus and transforming my game. Jerry is a sincere person. He really cares about people.

“How’s it going Jim,." he says as he shakes my hand. “Are you ready?,” he asked. “Absolutely!” I responded. I went over what Zack and I discussed about the club selections and all and he agreed with me that is a good plan. “Your last tournament your were on training wheels," He said. “But now is big time, no time to practice. It is very difficult to go through a major swing change in the middle of the season like you just did. But sometimes you have to. You just have to trust your new swing and not think about it. I guarantee you that by the end of this week your new swing will feel natural. Just make sure you stick with fundamentals that you have learned,," he told me. “Got it," I replied confidently.

“I can think of three times in my career that I made major swing changes in the middle of the season like you have, he told me. “Really, what happened?” I asked. "Well one year it was a disaster. However the other two years, I won a major the same year after my swing change, so there is always hope," he said smiling. “Wow!” I blurted out. “Yeah, and one of those years that I won a major was when I was working with Gus." “My Gosh” I said just shaking my head.