Superstitions

Most athletes have them; whether they make them public or not is a whole different issue. Here are a few of my favorites…

While with the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan wore his college team’s (which will go nameless) shorts under his uniform. Brian Urlacher eats two chocolate chip cookies before every NFL game. Serena Williams brings her shower sandals out to the court, ties her tennis shoes a particular way, and wears the same pair of socks during a tournament. LSU Head football coach, Les Miles, chews on the grass of the playing field during games. Tiger Woods wears red on Sundays because his mom told him at a young age that as a Capricorn, his power would be highest when wearing the color. Sidney Crosby won’t let anybody tape his stick for him and refuses to talk to his mom before a hockey game. And last but not least: baseball slugger Jason Giambi has a metallic gold thong which he wears during particular games to break out of batting slumps.

As for me, I have certainly developed a few over the years. I always shave the night before the first round of a tournament. I only play tournaments with TaylorMade ones and twos. I open a new glove before the first round of a tournament. I also have several different ball markers and switch them out if they go cold and keep them in my pocket if they’re hot.

I also warm up in a particular order and have pre-shot routines but I believe these fall into a different category. Often times, it can be hard to distinguish between superstition and routine. In general, I feel that superstitions are difficult to validate or rationalize and based on luck. Whereas routines are carefully planned out and prepare you physically and mentally for performance.

You Haven’t Missed Much

I know I haven’t updated this in a while but don’t worry, you haven’t missed much. Let me get you up to speed…

I got back from Chile on a Monday and played an eGolf event at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, NC. It was great to stay at my place for a tournament. My friends Clark Klaasen and Chris Naegel also stayed at my condo. I shot 64-68-72-67 (-14) and finished tied for third, two shots behind the winner. Afterwards, Clark and I hustled to the airport and flew down to Louisiana for the Nationwide Monday qualifier where we both came up short. We went back to Pinehurst for a few days of practice and then went our separate ways. I stopped in St. Louis for a couple days before heading out to California. I did not get into the Nationwide event here this week, instead I’ve been spending my time practicing at some pretty spectacular golf courses: PGA West in La Quinta and TPC Valencia in northern Los Angeles.

I’m flying up to San Francisco tonight, hoping to get into the Nationwide event up there next week. I’m planning on Monday qualifying but the first “reshuffle” is Monday morning and there’s a chance I’ll move up and get into the event based on my earnings so far this year. Unfortunately, I’m around 150 on the money list so there are plenty of guys ahead of me, plus there are guys playing this week and I’m not. It’s pretty confusing and nobody really understands how it all works so I’ll just wait and hope the computer spits me out in a favorable position.

Tomorrow, I plan to do a little sightseeing in the morning and then practice at TPC Harding Park which is a little southwest of San Francisco next to the Olympic Club (which is hosting this year’s US Open).

Ok, I think that pretty much covers it. Hope you all get a chance to watch some of the Masters this weekend; it’s the best major of all.