GOLF IS HARD TV

Golf is Hard TV #71 - Club Fitting Insights

msirkin@gmail.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:25:33 PDT

Our last show with Ron from Tashua Knolls on club fitting. Get the insights and see how club fitting really works.

Golf is Hard TV #70 - Club Fitting Series 2

msirkin@gmail.com — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:16:44 PDT

More with Ron on club fitting! The 2nd (and long awaited) in our 3 part club fitting series.

Golf is Hard TV #69 - Club Fitting

msirkin@gmail.com — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:59:26 PDT

Get ready for club fitting! This 3 episode series features Ron Nihoff, a Nike rep who is stationed at Tashua Knolls about the importance of club fitting. L

earn more here: http://www.tashuaknolls.com/pro_shop.php and look up your local club fitter by talking to a golf pro or visiting a local golf shop.

Golf is Hard TV #68 - Creating Passionate Golfers

msirkin@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:52:02 PDT

In this latest creating passionate golfers, Paulina and Kate get a quick putting lesson, then compete for honors! Only on Golf is Hard TV!

Golf is Hard TV #67 - Kate's Confessional

msirkin@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:56:32 PDT

Kate talks about her journey on Golf is Hard TV in this confessional, part of our "creating passionate golfer" series.

Golf is Hard TV #66 - Creating Passionate Golfers 5 - Paulina

msirkin@gmail.com — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:56:16 PDT

Paulia tell us all about her experience in becoming a passionate golfer, only on Golf is Hard TV.

For more information on Paulina Plazas, visit her IMDB page and check out her film Dona Blanca.

Golf is Hard TV #65 - Creating Passionate Golfers 03

msirkin@gmail.com — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:27:50 PDT

Golf is Hard TV is thrilled to present the 3rd episode in our "Creating Passionate Golfers" series featuring actresses Paulina and Kate. Stay tuned for more including confessionals and a putting contest coming soon! Only on http://www.golfishardtv.com

For more information on Paulina Plazas, visit her IMDB page and check out her film Dona Blanca.

Photos from New Creating Golfers Episodes

msirkin@gmail.com — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:57:13 PDT

We know you are patiently waiting for the new "Creating Passionate Golfers" episodes which are coming soon, we promise... for now, check out some photos from our recent shoot.

For more information on Paulina Plazas, visit her IMDB page and check out her film Dona Blanca.

Golf is Hard TV #64 - Yah-dage

msirkin@gmail.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:01:23 PDT

How do you know how far you are from the pin without a fancy GPS or iPhone? Watch Golf is Hard TV #64 to learn all about yah-dage.

Cheers!

msirkin@gmail.com — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:50:39 PDT

I was peeking at our visitor information and wanted to say hello to visitors from around the world! In top order, here are your custom shout outs!

Sup Americanos?

Cheers to you blokes in the UK

Bonjour to our French and French Canadian fans!

Hallo to Netherlands!

Merhaba to you people in Turkey (really?)

Hallo mein German fans

Just for fun, here are some fun numbers from our top 10 country visitors:

Austrians spend the most time per visit on our site, more than 7:45!

Over the past 30 days, every single visitor from Italy was new to Golf is Hard TV

Swedish golfers are viewing the most pages per visit, more than 3.3 pages every time they visit our site!

Neat stuff...

If you are on Facebook, please become a fan! Dave and I plan to use Facebook for some fun things in the near future - becoming a fan makes it easy to follow what we're up to and to continue watching Golf is Hard TV!

Don't forget, we're also available on iTunes AND the Zune Marketplace... subscribe for free and improve your game with us.

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 63 - Ground Under Repair

msirkin@gmail.com — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:19:17 PDT

A quick little episode that talks about ground under repair, only on Golf is Hard TV!

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 62 - Secret Tee Box - Re-edited!

msirkin@gmail.com — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:12:51 PDT

If you ever have a chance to play the executive course at Tashua Knolls (it's called Tashua Glen), be sure to find this "secret tee" box! Watch this episode to learn more...

Free Golf is a Business Model

msirkin@gmail.com — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:50:47 PDT

I just finished reading Chris Anderson's "Free" which, if you are interested at all in business models and the Internet you should read immediately.

Golfblogger recently posted about a course in Michigan who is trying to use "Free" as a business model. Rather than repost much here, I encourage you to check out the post and consider the implications!

That said, here's the basic nut:

Last spring, Lake Forest Golf Club in Ann Arbor offered a two year, weekday pass for $200. Since the regular price for walking a round is $25, after the fourth round each year, you’re effectively playing free golf.

Free golf clubs, balls, cart rentals or vacations anyone?

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 61 - Red Stakes

msirkin@gmail.com — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:05:12 PDT

This would be a better episode if it were about cooking steak, but as it were, it's about what happens when your ball goes past red stakes. I guess I'm just hungry.

Emotionally Attached to a Golf Ball

msirkin@gmail.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:54:13 PDT

I spent the week in Hilton Head and had a chance to play 2 nice golf courses - Barony and Oyster Reef. For the record, I really loved Oyster Reef, it was challenging and gorgeous - a terrific combination for sure.

I had a new box of Slazenger Raw balls with me and got out 2 boxes for that first round at Barony. On the 4th hole, a 364 yard (blue tees) par 4 I jacked my tee shot dead left into the rough. I hit a provisional ball a country mile but wanted to see if I could find my first ball and play it out of the woods.

After a few minutes of looking, I spotted 2 balls buried under some leaves, neither of which was my own. I traded the lost Slazenger for a Titelist and a TiTech and played my 2nd tee shot.

Cut to 2 days later, about halfway through my round at Oyster Reef. I hit an errant tee shot on #6, a gorgeous par 3 overlooking a lake butting up against the harbor. I managed to find my ball and as I looked down, I realized that it was that same Ti Tech that I had found at Barony. Some 18 holes later, I was still playing with the same ball!

I resolved to finish the Oyster Reef round with this scuffed mess of a ball. On the 8th (we played the back first, so this was the next to last hole of the day), I hit my 3 hybrid about 200 yards to the right, and headed towards trees. I yelled "no" and desperately wanted my new favorite ball of all time to bounce back from the forest. To my shock, the ball came bounding off a tree and landed on the green!

I knew I had a special ball, one that was going to do whatever it had to in order to stick with me, unlike those ungrateful Slazengers. Jerks.

In any case, I 3-putted my friend for a bogey 5 (no one said the ball you have become attached to will actually go in the hole in less shots!) and headed to my last hole of the day.

After somnething like 32 holes, I teed up a ball that I had strangely become quite emotionally attached to. My tee shot was again errant, this time slicing sharply to the left behind a tree jutting out into the fairway. I saw it bounce and I was elated. I was going to find it!

I drove up and found my ball laying in a deep bed of leaves and had only one shot - a safe play back to the fairway. Unfortunately, I thinned it and flew it over the fairway into a bunker. I tried to play a 7 iron out and thinned it again - my best friend ever landed back in the bunker, unwilling at this point to even leave my side.

A quick chip shot landed me in the fairway where I hit a beautiful 3 wood about 220 yards to the front of the green. I chipped it close and 2-putted for a triple bogey 8... but had managed to finish the round with this beautiful, mess of a ball that I might take home and put away forever.

Either that or I'll tee it up and see how much magic is left!

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 60 - Creating Passionate Golfers 2

msirkin@gmail.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:30:20 PDT

We're back with more of Paulina and Kate, this time checking their initial swing and knowledge of golf. Get ready for some laughs and some fun!

For more information on Paulina Plazas, visit her IMDB page and check out her film Dona Blanca.

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 59 - Creating Passionate Golfers

msirkin@gmail.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:30:05 PDT

Golf is Hard TV wants more people to play golf. We're taking things into our own hands by creating some new golfers... Join actresses Paulina and Kate in this pilot episode.

For more information on Paulina Plazas, visit her IMDB page and check out her film Dona Blanca.

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 58 - Ball Position

msirkin@gmail.com — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:02:42 PDT

Where you put the golf ball turns out is quite important... who knew! Golf is Hard Episode 58 takes a closer look at why an inch here or there makes a difference.

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 57 - Marc's Casting Call

msirkin@gmail.com — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:13:10 PDT

If you saw episode 57, you know all about casting... now watch as Marc gets an on camera lesson in Golf is Hard TV, episode 57!

The Long Awaited Pink Diva Golf Interview

msirkin@gmail.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:03:05 PDT

I've been waiting for months to finally get my chance to interview the mysterious Sheila, aka "Pink Diva" after reading her blog and trading messages with her on Twitter. I'm thrilled to unleash the Pink Diva Golf on Golf is Hard TV. We love Pink Diva Golf not only because we love female golfers, but because we are both proud dads who have our own golf girls.

Q: Pink Diva's Motto: Girls Golf, Get Over It! - talk to me... who needs to get over what, and why?
Let’s face it - golf is still a male-dominated sport. The motto is simply a light-hearted way to say girls are passionate about golfing too!

Q: What is Pink Diva Golf and what is the inspiration behind it?
Pink Diva Golf is an online golf boutique that offers women's golf t-shirts, jewelry, and accessories with a hip, trendy golf theme. I was inspired to start Pink Diva because I couldn’t find fun, girly golf shirts to wear on or off the golf course. And when I say girly, that’s code for pink golf wear! Our golf boutique is unique because we carry one-of-kind items, exclusive to Pink Diva Golf and not the usual big-name golf brands.

Q: Does the Diva got game? How often do you play?
The Diva is working on her golf game – no handicap yet. But I found a fantastic local LPGA golf instructor who has really helped me improve in the past year and I recently joined my local Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) chapter. My biggest challenge is finding people to golf with, so joining my local EWGA will be a great way to start playing more often. Right now I usually play two or three times a month.

Q: What's one message you would love to give the next guy who plays a golf round with you?
I am a pretty competitive person, so you may think it’s a casual round of golf - but I’m really trying to figure out how to beat you! (Golf is Hard TV note: Bring it any time Pink Diva!)

Q: Do guys like playing golf with women? Why/why not?
That’s a trick question, right? I think it depends on the player! There are many men who love to play golf with women and others who are more comfortable playing only with the “boys.” Regardless of the sport, I think players should learn and follow the rules of the game and do their best. In golf, players should make sure they’re keeping up with the pace of play and following etiquette. I’ve seen both men and women not follow the rules at times, but it seems women golfers get a bad rap for this – and that’s not always true!

Q: Can you tell us about the new Pink Diva website and the “Golf Bling” line of apparel?
Yes. We have redesigned the Pink Diva Golf website with a new look and feel, including an easier to use online store! The website still offers a golf boutique shopping experience with one-of-kind t-shirts, jewelry and accessories, but also a new line of Golf Bling shirts! What is Golf Bling you ask? Take a high quality ladies t-shirt, add Swarovski crystals, and arrange them into a stylish golf design and you got Golf Bling! The jeweled shirts are available in five styles, including Kiss My Putt, Par-Tee, I “Heart” Golf, Golfer Girl and our classic Pink Diva logo.

For more info, visit Pink Diva's newly redesigned site and her terrific Pink Diva Golf blog.

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 56 - Castaway

msirkin@gmail.com — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:05:34 PDT

This new Golf is Hard TV episode features Coach Dave talking about casting the club head for better distance and control. Forget what you've learned!

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 55 - Flop Shot Fun

msirkin@gmail.com — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:27:27 PDT

Flop shots are pretty to watch, but hard to hit... learn more as Golf is Hard TV tackles the difficult flop shot!

Golf is Hard TV - Episode 54 - Hard Chip Shots

msirkin@gmail.com — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:22:47 PDT

Chips and dip is easy to make and to eat. Hitting good chip shots, not so much. Golf is Hard TV helps you perfect hitting those pesky hard chip shots in episode #54!

Golf Week - Day 6 - The Finale

msirkin@gmail.com — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:20:05 PDT

I wrapped up my biggest golf week EVER with my 6th round in 6 days, teeing off at 6:39 this morning bright and early. The round got off to a good start, but went downhill quickly. I kept thinking back to my earlier rounds and even though I didn't play well, I thought that this week was really amazing.

I got myself into the sand 3 times at Tashua, I think a new record for myself. I managed to get out nicely all 3 times and on the 18th, I used a great sand shot to save par to end the week. It felt great to end on a par!

Here are the final stats from this week:

6 days, 6 rounds
4 total courses played (Tashua Knolls, Tashua Glen, Fairchild Wheeler & Woodhaven Country Club)
81 holes played
Total score 437 (117 shots over par)
1 birdie
5 new Golf is Hard TV episodes filmed
1 Quadruple bogey
2 4 putts
3+ record setting drives of ~270 yards
1 new course played (Fairchild Wheeler)
1 cart used
1 round with a pull cart
1 sand save for par
One 12 year old playing partner (Coach Dave's daughter)
1 Eagle (made by Coach Dave)

What's the most golf you have ever played in a row?

Golf Week Day 5 - When Does this Get Easier?

msirkin@gmail.com — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:50:51 PDT

Day 5 is in the books and I have a few thoughts, as you'd expect.

First, playing golf 5 days in a row is hard work. I'm tired. I'm also in trouble with my wife. I'm going to leave playing golf every day to the pros and retired folks. For me, it's too much.

Secondly, and more importantly, when I do something every day, I expect to get better. I expect that because I'm a halfway decent athlete that I would see some improvement. Not today. For about 5 holes in a row, I started hitting drives off the hosel, directly left. It got so bad that I started dropping balls in the tee box on the ground and simply hitting hybrids (that worked).

Lesson learned, play with whatever you've got on a given day. Today, it was all about just getting off the tee safely (forget fairways!). I ended up shooting a 99 after a 51 on the front and triple/double on 10 and 11. Not good.

That said, I shot 7 over on the last 7 holes.

Now, I need to go pay some attention to my family (and catch up on British Open action. Speaking of which - Tiger, what up man?)