In the Dirt, by Tim "the Golf-Meister" Flaherty

Dec 29

In Junior High and High School, I was a new Golfer and fan of Tom Watson. Tom was usually in contention weekly. I watched the British Open on Television in 1975 as Tom (or "Tam" as the Scots say) won.

I ate my Easter dinner downstairs in front of the TV in 1977, because the Masters was on. Tom Won.

I watched every swing on the 1982 U.S. Open telecast from Pebble Beach. Tom Won.

I remember the 1991 Masters as Tom fell on his sword and lost on the last heart- breaking hole. It seemed putting "yips" were striking "Tam" at age 41; we thought his major championships were behind him. That conclusion was wrong. If 1977 was "the dual in the sun" at Turnberry between Watson and Nicklaus, then 2009 was "the old man by the sea" saga at Turnberry.

Turnberry would yield what Watson himself would say was an "almost" moment in time.

I believe Watson's play at Turnberry was golf's most wonderful round of the year. Remember Greg Norman "almost" winning in 2008? But Watson is almost 60 years old and had a putt for the win on the 72nd hole.

It's been 18 years since Watson contested in a Major and that is the wonderful thing about Golf. Golf defies age. Major Championship Golf skills are a rare commodity indeed. And when you get into the mix at almost 60 years of age; it is a miracle only Golf can supply.

Watson can inspire the masses just as Ben Hogan did at age 54 and turn back the clock just one more time.

It was wonderful to realize I took up the game in 1977 in 8th grade just as Tom met Nicklaus in the "dual in the sun" at Turnberry, Scotland. When I went to Turnberry in 2000 the winning signed scorecard was prominently displayed in the Pro Shop. The Caddy Master talked like it happened yesterday. I remembered like it was yesterday.

Watson made me feel 14 again; it was 1977 all over again.

Dec 11

PlayOnGolf.com and Innovative Business Golf Solutions, Announces its Joint Venture

* Innovative Business Golf Solutions, the owner the Business Golf Country Club, announces its joint venture with PlayOnGolf.com in the development of the new BGCC platform. Tim Flaherty, head of PlayOnGolf.com, has thrown his company’s hat into the arena to being part of the venture that takes the BGCC to the next level. The new BGCC platform for the membership site will allow the Club to grow into more directions than is allowed in its current platform. The one year old private business golf network, developed as an alpha project by founder Scot Duke, President/CEO of IBGS, will now be able to offer the golfers of the world with a serious online golf community. The BGCC will now be able to offer its members a safe place to network with likeminded Real People; learn new methods of doing business; use new innovate member profile displays; gain access to private golf club facilities; full schedule of member gatherings and an exclusive opportunity to building a solid golf game.

Emails will be sent out to the current membership of the BGCC announcing a private Pre-Beta Sign Up for existing members only. Applications into the private club are still be taken. Just go to http://bizgolfcc.com to apply.

* Plans are being made for a Beta Launch Party to be held in Scottsdale, AZ in January 2010..great way to get the new year started with a New BGCC membership site.
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This first issue of "in the dirt" was inspired by Ben Hogan's reply to many about what his secret was; Hogan said "the secret is in the dirt". Most people believe he was saying to go out and beat balls until your back breaks down. A few others believe he was giving a veiled message to us that was a bit of a puzzle.

Lets go deeper, below the tip of the iceberg. Hogan had a dreamswing for sure; but he was also a genius at giving out cryptic information. Hogan also said "my secret is in plain view if you know where to look".

So lets consider what he meant by "in the dirt". Could this be a veiled reference to the fact Hogan had a custom made extra long spike made into his right shoe; exactly over the ball of the right foot. So, is traction and connection to the ground an important fundamental to Hogan? I believe Hogan's lower body action is what Hogan has in common with some of today's greatest ball strikers like Tiger Woods. Hogan's lower body weight started shifting over the left foot before he finished his backswing; creating a tremendous lash effect. What this move did was to create a tremdous "late hit". Hogan's hands were all the way to the ball, while the clubhead was lagging way behind toward his side. This "late hit" made him the longest hitter of his time and Hogan had the gift of being more precise than anyone else also.

So welcome to the first issue of this column and I invite you to think about the two statements Ben Hogan made: "the secret is in the dirt" and "my secret is in plain view if you know where to look".

In future columns will talk about "where to look".
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Tim "the Golfmeister" Flaherty