Lee Miller (25.1)
Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Rules / Format By lee miller on 09-Nov-2008 Comments(0)
Check here soon for an update to the rules of this competition as they are finalised at Golfshake HQ

GOLF LICENSE By lee miller on 30-Oct-2008 Comments(0)
GOLF LICENSE Having only taken up golf a couple of years ago I found my first couple of experiences a bit daunting as I'm sure most players did when they began. I had no clue over what the different colour tees meant, no idea what the red, yellow and white stakes were for and perhaps worst off all no clue about the rules. Not to mention etiquette as I obliviously trampled across my partners putting path and spent an eternity looking for my ball without letting the players behind play through. It took me about six months to learn most of the quirky gentlemanly ways golf has from playing with experienced golfers who patiently told me what I should be doing. By this stage I had embarrassed myself, annoyed everyone I had played with and possibly even damaged the courses. I put this down to the fact that everybody goes through this when they are learning. But why? I once witnessed a player hit his drive onto another green aside the hole we were playing. Before I could shout across to him he had played his second shot from off the green back onto the correct fairway taking a large chunk of green with it. He looked around innocently as a barrage of abuse came his way. This is a dilemma. He should know the rules before playing golf. Its his own fault. But how do you learn the rules? Would it be such a bad idea for a golf license to be introduced. I'm talking about a one off 3 hour session with a recognised Pro at the clubhouse in which he covers the basics of golf such as terminology, course layout, rules, etiquette, dress code etc. This should also include a practical demonstration on simple things like marking your ball on the green and how to repair your pitch marks, replacing divots etc. This should then be followed by a quick exam and then upon completion and a small fee to cover the costs a golf license should be issued. If courses then asked to see licenses before allowing players on the course this would then make golf safer, quicker to play and give confidence to beginners who will not have to feel like we did stepping onto the first tee. I am convinced this would make golf safer and more enjoyable for all without putting any potential new players off. We already have Pros at most courses up and down the land why not use them to educate beginners? They would be getting paid and the clubs would also be ensuring that any the non-educated hacker is a thing of the past.

Gentlemans Game By lee miller on 18-Jul-2008 Comments(2)
I sat in the recliner with a brew in one hand and the sky remote in the other watching with envy the pros caress the ball around Agusta. My wife came and sat down and began immediatly with the twenty questions game all wifes and girlfriends are compelled to play when sport is on. Whos playing, What does he have to do? Where is this at? Who do we want to win? etc... Amongst this barrage of questions Paul Casey had addressed a putt and before he practiced his swing either the wind or Uri Geller moved his ball a fraction of centimetre. He immediatly stood up and called a penalty on himself. "Why did he do that?" my wife asked "The ball moved so he has to call a penalty on himself its in the rules" i replied glued to the box "Yes but why did he admit it... He would have got away with it..." I explained that golf was a gentlemans game but she didnt seem to understand. A few weeks later I drove my callaway warbird number 3 into the rough. A regular occurance for me. My playing partner to my delight stumbled on it and walked across to the fairway to were his ball smiled at me. As I got to my ball it was a Callaway Warbird Number 1. Without even thinking I informed him it wasnt my ball. I ended up taking a drop in the end. It has since dawned on me that Golf really is unique in terms of sportsmanship and fair play. Take our nations sport of football in which diving is now commonplace and playacting to get a fellow professional sent off is widespread. Players spit and swear through 90 minutes and then induldge in god knows what off the pitch. Even cricket now has sledging and using gummy bears or whatever to shine the ball illegally. Formula one's Alonso and Hamilton were hardly an example of sportsmanship even before their team were busted for spying on another team. Sport is big business and so if the rules can be bent or broken without anyone noticing then teams and individuals will do it. I understand that. I hope that this never happens to golf though. In a sporting world of corruption and foul play Golf has to remain true to the fundimental which make it such a pure sport... Honest self regulation. Lee Miller