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Ｔｈｅ Ｇａｍｅ
ｏｆ Ｇｏｌｆ，
Ｍｉｋｅ’ｓ Ｗａｙ
a personalized storybook
Written by
Nicholas
Illustrated by
Stephen McKelvay |
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This book was created
especially for
Michael Jeremy Smith
a golfer without equal !
April 12, 1997 |
The game of golf, as we know it,
was developed in Scotland in the
early 1700's. Since its humble
beginnings, the game has exploded
in popularity around the world.
From its legendary stars like
Slammin' Sammy Snead to the current
crop of rising young stars on the
PGA and LPGA tours, the game has
been played many ways.
And then, there is Mike Smith's
way ! |
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Mike and Larry, John and Wayne, often
tee it up on their favorite golf
course, Tiger Point. When this
happens, the only thing safe from
their golf shots is the middle of the
fairway. Worms, trees, ducks, fish
and birds are in mortal danger ! |
Rumors to the contrary, Mike is no
cheapskate. The truth is, Mike may
be a bit frugal when it comes to
less important issues like
retirement planning, dental work and
back - taxes - but not when it comes
to golf equipment. |
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Mike learned long ago that golf is a
game you play to win. After all,
there's usually a wager or two at
stake.
Over the years, Mike has learned to
hold his breath on his backswing,
play the ball where it lies, and
never worry about a little water. |
Golf is not the most important thing
in Mike's life. He knows how to set
priorities and put things into
perspective. It is not true that
Mike once played an entire round of
golf in a tornado.
He played 17 holes - his golf clubs
blew away ! |
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Every golfer dreams about a perfect
round of golf. This is a game where
every drive is down the middle of the
fairway, every green is hit in
regulation, and every putt is knocked
into the center of the cup.
Some golfers even aspire to the
ultimate accomplishment - shooting
one's age. Mike has no trouble
shooting 60. The problem is, he does
it on the first few holes. |
Most ゛good" golfers have a collection of
shots for every occasion. These include a
fade, a draw, a bank shot, and a bunker
shot.
Mike also has a collection of golf shots
including the worm burner, the skull, and
the pop-fly. His best shot is called,
゛Ooops, that's a mulligan," so named by
Larry, John and Wayne. |
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Years ago, a golf handicap system was
invented. This system was designed to
let golfers of different skills and
abilities play against one another on
an equal basis. The idea is to take
the best 10 rounds of a golfer's last
20 rounds and use these to determine
one's handicap.
The system has one major flaw for Mike:
he has never played 10 rounds of golf
worth counting. |
One of the reasons Mike plays golf is
for the exercise it provides. Other
activities were just not right for
Mike. He tried swimming, but kept
sinking to the bottom. He tried
tennis, but the net kept getting in the
way. Jumping to conclusions was fine,
but tired him out.
Golf provides exactly the right amount
of exercise for a finely tuned athletic
body like Mike's. |
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After most rounds of golf, Mike usually
joins Larry, John and Wayne for a visit
to the 19th hole. This provides them
with a chance to rehash the shots of
the day, settle the wagers, and plan
their next outing.
The scene is usually the same. Mike
delays in the pro shop until the drinks
are bought. Then he rehashes all of
his unlucky bounces, pays off his
debts, and leaves just before it is his
round at the bar. |
Despite his apparent lack of skill,
Mike still manages to hit the
occasional good golf shot. There is
still talk about the birdie Mike got
last year when he miraculously hit
his shot out of a deep bunker right
into the hole. |
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Mike Smith and his partners play
golf for the love of the game. For
them it's an outing, a chance to get
close to nature, and a way to
relieve tension. Mike once said,
゛Every time I hit the golfball, my
stress level goes down."
Otherwise, why would he hit so many
shots? |
Mike has always dreamed about writing
his own golf book. Some of the
titles he has considered include:
Mike's Tips on Lining Up Your 4th
Putt
Golf and Divorce: Do It Mike's Way
The 19th Hole: How Mike Never Buys |
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Despite suffering through years and
years of frustration playing golf his
way, Mike has always remained a good
sport. His demeanor is beyond
reproach, he never loses control, and
his voice is never loud enough for
anyone over a mile away to hear.
This, together with the fact that
Mike always pays off his losing bets,
makes him the perfect partner. |
The game of golf is certainly a
challenge to Mike Smith. Many
friends, including Larry, John and
Wayne, ask why he even plays the
game. The reason is simple. Mike
enjoys watching miraculous events
such as a long putt dropping in or an
iron shot finding its way into the
hole.
Mike would enjoy it even more if he
were the person hitting these shots. |
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Dear Mike:
Enjoy the game as you play it. Don't
let your scores ruin your day. Think
of golf the same way you think about
bowling: the higher the score, the
better. |
with love from
Bill and Sue
April 12, 1997 |
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