Golf Things Considered
Golf Things Considered is a roving column dedicated to anything and everything related to golf. John Rogers first started writing this column in 2004 for the online newspaper, Augusta Free Press.
Many of the columns focus on golf instruction, but some simply tell stories, some are whimsical ramblings, and others address topics such as golf equipment and fitness.
Be sure to read John’s newest column, a review of Jim Hardy’s The Plane Truth for Golfers: The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth
- January 13, 2010 — The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth
- October 30, 2009 — Putting in Perspective
- June 16, 2009 — Are Your Golf Clubs Too Long?
- February 22, 2009 — Out of Posture
- Nov. 25, 2006 — No Bones About It, It Was Ian’s Day
- October 13, 2006 — Buying a Game
- July 16, 2006 — About the Yips
- June 11, 2006 — Summer in the Shenandoah Valley
- May 7, 2006 — Relaxation Makes It a Swing
- April 2, 2006 — Plebeians Playing on Mt. Olympus
- March 19, 2006 — Absolutely Great Putting
- February 26, 2006 — Be a Match Maker
- February 12, 2006 — Fit to a Tee
- January 29, 2006 — A Beginner Again
- January 15, 2006 — Winter in the Mid-Atlantic
- December 18, 2005 — The Physical Challenge of Golf
- November 17, 2005 — Subcultures of Golf
- October 28, 2005 — About Trajectory
- October 13, 2005 — Simplify the Swing
- October 6, 2005 — The Fall Trip to Mt. Mitchell
- September 22, 2005 — The President’s Cup Returns
- September 1, 2005 — Au Natural Again
- August 11, 2005 — Golf as a Metaphor
- July 28, 2005 — Taming the Beast of Tournament Golf
- July 3, 2005 — Going to Great Lengths
- June 26, 2005 — Swing Like a Tour Player
- June 9, 2005 — The U.S. Open at Pinehurst
- June 5, 2005 — Rejoining the Battle
- May 22, 2005 — Talking Heads
- May 15, 2005 — Right Might Be Wrong
- May 1, 2005 — Patience is a Virtue in Every Language
- April 24, 2005 — Spring in the Shenandoah Valley
- April 6, 2005 — Fix the Finish
- March 17, 2005 — Firing on All Cylinders
- March 3, 2005 — Pinehurst Revisited
- February 17, 2005 — The Pinehurst Trip
- February 10, 2005 — The Inside Scoop
- January 19, 2005 — Praising Lakeview
- January 5, 2005 — About Junior Golf
- December 15, 2004 — The Spiritual Side of Golf
- December 8, 2004 — Golf and Fitness
- December 1, 2004 — Learning the Game
- November 17, 2004 — Winter Golf
- November 3, 2004 — A Battle of High Principles
- October 27, 2004 — Kiss Three-Putts Goodbye
- October 20, 2004 — Playing the Odds
- October 13, 2004 — Of Two Minds
- October 5, 2004 — Patience Is a Virtue
- September 29, 2004 — The Long Ball
- September 22, 2004 — Tale of the Tape
- September 15, 2004 — Bridgewater on the Rise
- September 8, 2004 — Going Au Natural
- September 1, 2004 — Seeking Consistency
- August 25, 2004 — With Confidence Comes Success
John, I got around to reading one of your older articles – the one on the spirituality of golf. An excellent article that really describes what golf does for many people. I have heard it said that people come back to play because of the few good shots they made last time. But, I believe that most of us know we are not going to shoot in the 60s or 70s, but the course draws us there anyway. As your article indicates, just being out there does something for you. A lot of people don’t even keep score. There are times that I think I would just go walk the course without a single club with me. I hadn’t thought of it as being spiritual, but you are right golf goes beyond the mundane.
Thanks for a good statement that still applies and will continue to do so.
Bill, thanks for taking the time to read some of my articles and to leave a message. Also glad that the article about the length of our clubs has inspired you to get out and work on your game! I hope the game continues to be good to you, whether it’s spiritual or not! Thanks again.
Most of you know that John coaches my son, Ian, who is a Special Olympic athlete and competes in tournaments with him. When Ian first started taking lessons from John we would arrive at the course and he would take forever to get out of the car, get his clubs and then slowly make his way up to the instruction site. There was even a time when he wanted to stop because he wasn’t having fun and it was harder than he thought it was going to be, but he continued on. I must let you know that he continued on because that is his nature, he just doesn’t know the words quit or can’t.
Now when we pull up at the course he all ready has his gloves, yes plural he wears them on both hands because otherwise he gets blisters due to his impaired motor skills, jumps out of the car, grabs his clubs and rushes up to see John. I have to say that part of this is due to his love of golf, but mostly it is due to his love for John. In John he has not only found a coach, mentor and partner, he has also found a very cherished friend and to quote Ian “another brother”.
I just want to say how much it has meant to me, as Ian’s Mom, for Ian to have this amazing man in his life.
Happy Holidays,
Terrie