Swinging 6-tees . Review on Golf

Grandpa always wore two pants when playing golf.

One day the caddy's curiosity got the better of him.

''Kiddo, just in case I get a hole in one.''

Golf is an 18-hole game. What then is referred to as the 19'th hole in golfing parlance?

By the way heard the latest. Glass ceiling girlie grouse is history. Instead, Green Ceiling is now the most happening cause of heart burn among corporate circles these days. If you don't know how to swing on the greens, get ready to be cold shouldered from all the hobnobbing & inner circle machinations of the top brass.

Golf is probably the only sport which has charmed CEOs, humbled Hollywood moguls, romanced royalty, inspired inventors and possessed the presidents.

What originated as a leisure sport for battle weary soldiers in the 1300's, golf is the passion sport of mover and shakers today.

So, what's there in a game that looks ridiculously easy? What drives perfectly sane men to wallop the dimpled ball into the blue yonder for hours? Why is golf called the most addictive of all sports? Here are some reasons.

Not as easy as it looks.

Golf is the only sport where you have to hit a stationary ball. Looks like the easiest of tasks, but it isn't. You will be surprised how many air-shots you hit before making one good connection.

'' It's the apparent ease of the task, the practical difficultly in executing it, and the sheer pleasure of hitting a good shot that gets you addicted to the sport. ''

Golf reflects you true character.

There is no other sport that brings out a person's character as golf does. The Japanese make it a point to observe their would be business partners on the golf course and the slightest hint of cheating or fibbing will make it impossible for the deal to be completed.

Battle against the self.

Golf is the only sport in which you are your biggest adversary. You are competing against self, the golf course and the elements of nature. The other player can never influence your game. If you do not score well, you only have yourself to blame.

Not to forget it's a mind game. Your brain has all the time in the world to send messages to your muscles to produce the desired shot. Still there will be only two or three perfect shots in the entire round.

Instills Discipline and Values.

The sport is all about developing a routine. It teaches you the virtues of being on time. (A two-shot penalty is imposed on the player even if he misses the tee time by five seconds.)

It's the only sport which gives you the freedom to maintain your own scores and interpreting the rules. Along with that comes the responsibility of doing the right thing.

The best way to network.

Most of the high profile CEOs confess of doing majority of business deals and negotiations on a golf course than in a board room. A Take-over specialist may be too busy to give you an appointment in his office, but not so if the meeting is in a golf course.

The inside dope:

Of more immediate interest is the survey conducted by Wall Street Journal . Approx. 100 Fortune Top 500 CEOs were asked about three necessary traits of a successful CEO. Here is the top five in exact order of importance.

1). Pay attention at school. 90% agreed on this.

2). Stay abreast of industry news. 81% voted on this.

3). Learn to play golf. A staggering 67% listed this as a necessary tool to become a successful CEO.

4). Coach rather than comment.

5). Resist sleek and shiny temptations. (Get an effective secretary & not a leggy blonde, among other things.)

I am reminded of this particular movie 'Tin Cup', starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo.

'' It means taking control of your life ...and then letting it go at the same moment '', is how Kevin explains the swing to Rene.

This brings us to the last hole, the 18'th hole. Once this has been completed everybody heads for the drinking hole on the club grounds. And that precisely, my dear friends, is called the 19'th hole.

Ain't this particular hole reason sanctified to get us guys swinging, Wotsay?

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ps: MS does not allow you to write 'hole'!

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