Blind Holes: The Ball's There Whether You See It Or Not!

Leaky El Nino rain clouds notwithstanding the third regular event of the El Cajon LUGGers went on mostly as planned on Monday April 12th. We had a few new faces along with returning 'veterans' showing up to put Cottonwood GC's west practice putting green to good use.

The afternoon actually started in the carpeted pavilion tent between the clubhouse and the putting green with Coach Mary leading the group in a routine of warm up and stretching exercises (essential things to do before playing any sport!). After everybody was loose and properly armed with a putter the EC LUGGers were introduced to the concept of lag putting.

This, of course, is a very useful golf practice that benefits beginners and old timers (hackers included) alike. Why three-putt when you can get the ball in the cup in two? Instead of trying to ram the ball into the hole and risk having a long second putt, a good lag putter aims instead to have the ball come to rest within two feet of the cup. Chances are good that many of the putts would go in, and chances are great that when they don't, you won't miss the short tap in for the second putt!

Naturally, Coach Mary didn't let the LUGGers learn just one skill when she could have them learn two or three at the same time and loving all of it. The ensuing obstacle course with balancing and ball tossing stations kept everyone busy as the moody gray clouds gave up their attempt to, in more ways than one, rain on the parade.

After a brief break punctuated by steaming cups of hot cocoa the EC LUGGers moved outdoor to the practice putting green to have a go at the 'bump and run' (see previous post for Coach Mary's demo video). The little technical section was followed by the main event, Blind Holes, where the LUGGers paired up and attempted to hole their shots blindfolded (guided only by their partner's instruction). Coaches Mary and Pat along with Grandpa Doug kept a close eye on our visually-deprived budding golfers, of course, and made sure that only golf balls (and not people) were hit.

The day ended on a colorful note when Coach Mary dumped buckets of brightly colored golf balls: yellow, orange, pink, and even some purple, on the putting green and announced that they are free for the taking providing that they are retrieved safely to their new owners' bucket via putting and/or chipping.

A golf ball derby was on and much innovative use of the putter and the pitching wedge was thought up by the LUGGers who had as much fun trading for specific color balls as they did in retrieving them.