Golf Etiquette (pronounce air-ticket) to some of you out there! This is known as the compiled (not rules) but standard practice of playing the beautiful game of golf. It is sometimes called by other sports as a sportsmanship conduct. Here are some of the examples;

Etiquette 1. You are not supposed to run on the putting green! But since fast play is essential for playing the game so everyone can enjoy their game. Therefore, you have to walk briskly without damaging the green. Somewhere around 5-7mph is required. And especially no sprinting. However, when required you can take off your shoes and run when the flight at the back is shouting “fore” in your direction.

Before we go any further on the technical part of acquiring a handicap card or the task of rating our game, I like to bring to attention to the courses available to the fair country of Malaysia. Golfing with a card has its pros and cons. Take a few examples that I have come across:

First and foremost: Golfing in Malaysia, it is customary to show your handicap card in certain Golf Courses to ensure that you have a certain degree of etiquette when you are playing. So, is there any other use for it apart from registering over at the counter? The answer is yes. Why? To show your playing partners today that you have a handicap that is about 6 stokes higher than truth.

Following the first installment of the interview, the saga continues as we now try to find out just how Calvin thinks on his game as opposed to the current greats of the game and how he thinks he can stack up against them……

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Olaf: Now we come to the ultimate questions of truth and honesty from your side. A lot of us, ordinary golfers or hopefuls wish to stand face to face and tee to tee with some golf heroes we see on television. You have obviously teed up with a few of them and probably can stack well against them? So first question: How far can you drive on the average?
Calvin: I would average around 290 to 310 yards.

A few of days ago, Olaf had a great opportunity to swing a few rounds and a long chat with a Malaysian pro golfer. It was a peek into an astonishing side of a golf journeyman that had mainly gone almost un-noticed; virtually ignored by the masses in the golfing world. In the following week, Olaf will present the transcript of the whole interview in a 4-parter and hopefully open a window to a world we don’t see everyday.

It seems a lot of golfers out there do not appreciate the good art of golf literature. A good examination of these quips will help them immensely. The golf nuts have spoken:

A Slice: It indicates that you either have an out to in swing, over the top or open clubface upon impact. The ball flies (right handed players) off to the left and makes about a 30 degree turn back to the right. It moves your drives from a 250 yard to about 190 yards.

Advise: Not to be mistaken from a power fade. Yes the ones Tiger hits.

Olaf was invited to a game of golf with a friend Sam. Sam is a reporter and told Olaf “Look, this is the only way I can get an exclusive from this self made millionaire.” “If I can get him to tell me his secret of making his millions, it will make centre-page” said Sam.

And so the millionaire Ralph, Sam and Olaf started their round. On the 2nd tee, Sam started his investigation and asked Ralph “How did you start out, Ralph? I mean getting to become a millionaire?” Ralph said “Well, I started out selling slippers by the roadside. Everyday come rain or shine, everyday slippers, slippers and more slippers. Then I save every penny I made.” “And that’s where you made your millions?” asked Sam. “No” as Ralph teed off, breaking the conversation.

The big “easy” recently switched equipment. Apparently in the Johnnie Walker held in Phuket, Thailand. It has been reported that he has switched camp from Titlelist to Callaway. I think it is a good move by him.

I remember when a few years back, he swapped clubs from Taylormade and was in his best form. When he switched to Titleist, he gained tremendous distances from his then new driver. But after that he hasn’t made much progress for the past two years, has he! A couple of missed opportunities for majors! (Real understatement) But I’m betting we could be in for a treat.