FROM THE TEE

Waiting for better weather

We’re in the shortest month of the year, February. I am delighted that with the exception of leap years, this month stretches no longer than 28 days. I am not saying that the second of 12 months is a bad month, I’m saying that it is just not my personal favorite. February is surrounded by a couple of exciting months that I like much better.

All right, so we do have that romantic day in February – Valentine’s Day, yippee. Still, my take on February hasn’t changed. I married my ex-wife in February. We didn’t get married on Valentine’s Day, mostly because I thought that would be a little hokey. I openly acknowledge that I am not the best in remembering dates of interest, like birthdays and other couples anniversaries, I considered it best to get married on another holiday in February. I persuaded everyone involved to make it Groundhog’s Day. They bought it, and for a few “fingernails-on-the-blackboard” years, Groundhog’s Day took on an additional meaning in my house. Since D-day (day of my divorce), I’m fully content to see if that goofy looking little critter sees his shadow or not.

February is also the coldest month of the year in the South. Most years, January offers us a few short-sleeve days to play golf, and March most certainly does the same, but in February – we rarely get that lucky. At my age, it takes a bunch of layers to keep me outdoors on the course, and with our first month of spring season being in February, I’ve got to be out there – like it or not. Although I do it, I don’t like to layer up to stay warm. To play golf and maintain any flexibility, layering is the way to go, including, on most days, a couple layers of socks, which leave my toes bunched up and crammed in my shoes. The best part of these days in February is coming home to peel these layers off and put on a warm sweatshirt and sweatpants, a cozy pair of slippers and let the bones warm up again.

February offers us only one good football game, and in most years, it’s not that good of a game – the Super Bowl. However, this year could be a different story, who knows? It most certainly will be a little different as Tom Brady will be watching it rather than playing in it. He’s played in 10 of these Super Bowls over the last two decades. Some of the games have been fun to watch where most others the best part of the game was found in the commercials.

For golfers in our neck of the woods, February has us awaiting the green grass growing period, the flower buds that accent and give color to our golf courses, the rise of the water in Lake Martin for the spring, summer and fall seasons and the anxiousness of the next upcoming Masters. February reminds me of trips to Six Flags and Disney World. Not because of all the fun we had at these Parks, but the time waiting in

lines to get on rides or enter exhibitions or shows.

While you are waiting for good golf weather to knock on your door this February, I suggest you use the remainder of February as a time for planning and preparation for your upcoming golf season.

Here are some things to check: n Wedges: Are the grooves in your pitching, gap, sand and lob wedges still sharp enough to allow you to create the spin on the ball that you are hoping for? If not, check with your pro and get a new set ordered. Your pro shop should be able to custom fit you for these. Wedge purchases can confuse people with the variable, lofts, lies, bounces and shafts. Let your golf pro assist you. n Grips: Assuming you plan to stick with your present set of clubs this spring, your grips may be beyond general cleaning and need to be replaced. Check with your pro. Your pro shop folks should be able to properly fit you and get the correct style and size of golf grips you need for your clubs. n Shoes: What kind of condition are your golf shoes in? You may simply need to replace the spikes in your shoes, or you may need to invest in a new pair of waterproof shoes. Once again, check with your pro shop, as they may have some From the Tee shoes to offer that are more comfortable, more waterproof and less expensive than what you imagined. n Apparel: You may have put on a couple pounds over the cold weather and holiday months. You should check your golf apparel inventory. Give those older shirts, shorts, slacks, sweaters, jackets and belts to the needy, especially if the fit is no longer good. Your pro shop can be of great help with you here too. n Rangefinder: Is your rangefinder in good working order or would you like a GPS golf watch? If nothing else, change the batteries in these but also check with the pro shop, as there could be some new features available Dave Jennings that you had never considered but may really like. n Sun Protection: Replenish your headwear inventory and toss away the old sunscreen and replace it with new bottles or tubes. n One last thing, consider speaking with your golf pro about your flexibility and strength. You may want to spend some time in the health club, rehab center or practicing some yoga before getting your full season under way. No, February is not my favorite month of the year, but it isn’t a month to just sit back and wait for it to pass. Use it as the prep month for your upcoming golfing season, and who knows, you may start the month of March with a few tournament wins yourself. A sad note: A great friend to many in Central Alabama and a special and dear friend to us in Alexander City, Buddy Foy, passed away in January. There truly haven’t been many other people who have been so kind and generous to me and encouraging to my golf program as Buddy. He was known as one Alabama’s finest dentists and in knowing a few of his former patients, they all raved at what a special person he was in their lives and what an amazing professional he was in his field. The older I get, the more frequently I lose people who are near and dear to me. God has another fine man in heaven right now in Buddy, and I hope to visit with him again one day in the distant future. To you all, stay well and we’ll see you next month.

~ Dave Jennings is the men's golf coach at Central Alabama Community College