18 Most Annoying Golf Partners

The 18 Most Annoying Golf Partners
(Golf Digest -12/11 by Sam Weinman)

The only thing worse than playing with one of these guys is BEING one of these guys.

1. Unsolicited Swing Advice Guy

Defining characteristics: Knows exactly how to fix your swing even though you didn't ask. Employs a vast array of swing jargon that only confuses you further.

Favorite expression: "Wait, try this!"

2. The Human Rain Delay

Defining characteristics: Thinks he is honoring spirit of the game by never picking up. Not in the spirit of the game: dragging his foursome through a three-and-a-half hour front nine.

Favorite expression: "Put me down for a 10."

3. Cell Phone Guy

Defining characteristics: Considers golf course an extension of his office, home, therapist's couch, etc. Has perfected the balancing-phone-on-the shoulder wedge shot.

Favorite expression: "You guys hit. I gotta take this."

4. The Cart Girl Schmoozer

Defining characteristics: Convinced he's got a shot with the cart girl. Would be crushed to learn she offered the same flirty laugh and bag of nuts to foursome of geeks up ahead.

Favorite expression: "We'll take four beers and one more smile, darlin'."

5. The Parking Lot Pro

Defining characteristics: Color-coordinated outfit, matching logos and oversized tour bag suggest he's played professionally. Topped drive off the first tee suggests otherwise.

Favorite expression: "These are the same shoes Tiger wears."

6. The Air Counter

Defining characteristics: Can't remember his score without reliving every shot in detail.

Favorite expression: "One in the pond, two drop, three back in the pond. Four I had that funky lie in the bunker and left it in the bunker ... "

7. The Frat Boy

Defining characteristics: Unable to fathom a round of golf without a steady stream of adult beverages. Idea of restraint is to hold off drinking ... until the second hole.

Favorite expression: "A few beers will loosen up that swing!"

8. Cigar Guy

Defining characteristics: The easiest golfer to locate on the course thanks to waft of smoke trailing behind him. Oblivious to playing partners struggling for air -- and the ash droppings on his belly.

Favorite expression: "Straight from Havana, baby!"

9. The Sandbagger

Defining characteristics: The 15 handicap who is somehow playing "much better" than he has in years. Feigns apology when he drops bunker shot within inches of cup, then kicks sand off his shoes like a tour pro.

Favorite expression: "I guess it's just one of those days..."

10. Oblivious Guy

Defining characteristics: So preoccupied with his own game never looks for anyone else's ball. When driving a cart, always blows past your ball and heads directly to his.

Favorite expression: "But enough about me. What do YOU think of my swing?"

11. Ball Retriever Guy

Defining characteristics: Never passes a water hazard without his trusty scoop at the ready. Last bought a new sleeve of balls in the late 80s.

Favorite expression: "Whoa! A ProV1!"

12. The Volcano

Defining characteristics: Has unique ability to allow even the most pleasant days to be soured by any bad swing, bounce, or lie. Relies on Ball Retriever Guy to occasionally fetch clubs out of lake.

Favorite expression: "[Not printable]"

13. Delusional Guy

Defining characteristics: Forces group to wait on every par 5 because he's convinced he can get home in two. Usually get there in four.

Favorite expression: "If I really catch it, I can get there."

14. Mulligan Guy

Defining characteristics: Liberally allows himself another whack even when first shot is findable.

Favorite expression: "Wait, wait, wait. I gotta try another."

15. The Plumb Bobber

 Defining characteristics: The only guy in the group not to notice the foursome behind yelling from the fairway as he lines up his putt for double from every angle imaginable.

Favorite expression: "Son of a gun, I actually think it goes both ways!"

16. Yardage Book Guy

Defining characteristics: Has to walk off every blade of grass before hitting. After contemplating whether a shot is 176 yards or 178, ends up hitting it 150.

Favorite expression: "I can't decide if it's a hard 7 or a soft 6."

17. The Cheat

Defining characteristics: A sympathetic figure when he pushes his tee shot deep into the woods. Not as sympathetic: When he announces his ball somehow stayed in bounds -- with a clear shot to the green!

Favorite expression: "Better to be lucky than good!"

18. The Overcelebrater

Defining characteristics: Treats every holed three footer as if just won the Masters. Has sent multiple playing partners home early thanks to overzealous chest bumping.

Favorite expression: "Yes SIR!"

Thanks Golf Digest for this great read! Our staff has kindly attributed some of these characteristics to Quarry team members--one of us (cough, cough, our GM) is the "Cell Phone Guy," one of us is the "The Volcano," and others still represent many of the 18 described in this article. So dead-on accurate for the golf world.

Santa's Wish List at The Quarry

There are only 4 holi-shopping-days left before Christmas! So gather your elves and head to The Quarry to check off the wish list items for the golfer in your life.

And what is on Santa's wish list this year?

All sale item prices do not include Texas state sales tax. Prices valid while supplies last. Sale ends Dec. 24, 2011. 

The Quarry Pro Shop is open from 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Gift certificates purchased at The Quarry are valid for one year and can be used in the restaurant or the pro shop.

A New Menu at The Quarry

The Quarry Golf Club rolls out a new menu today, Monday, Dec. 12! Come check it out!

Some of the new menu items you will see include:

Stuffed Chicken Poblano: half of a poblano pepper stuffed with rice and chicken, topped with cheese and served with Spanish rice and borracho beans. $11.79

Rib Eye Steak and a Stack: 8 oz rib eye steak served with daily vegetables, a roll and a the famous "Quarry Stack" of french fries, bacon bits and cheese. $19.99

Grilled Mahi Mahi: Grilled fish topped with lemon butter sauce and served with daily vegetables and wild rice pilaf. $17.99

Seared Ahi Tune Steak: seared whole fish filet topped with citrus salad and served with daily vegetables and pasta. $19.99

Rib Eye Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich: 8 oz rib eye steak topped with sauteed onions and mushrooms and Jack cheese atop a bed of lettuce and tomatoes, served on ciabatta bread and served with fries. $16.99

So, come check out our new menu and give us your feedback. The Quarry will be closed some evenings this week for private parties, but we'll be open every day for breakfast and lunch.

Come join us!

One Minute Clinic: Elevation Changes and Choosing Your Club

This week's one minute clinic from The Quarry Golf Club is brought to you by Rolando Hernandez, senior assistant golf professional at The Quarry. He discusses what it means to "club up" and "club down" and when it is appropriate to do so. Thanks, Ro!

Here are layouts for the holes Rolando mentioned. 

Hole 14 (club up going up hill, for example from a 7- to a 6-iron)

 

Hole 8 (club down going down hill, for example from a 7 to a 8-iron)

In the News

Have you read the most recent San Antonio Express News Weekender? How about this month's Avid Golfer (see pg. 63-65)?

The Quarry Golf Club has been recognized by both the local newspaper and a national magazine for our status as a top-destination restaurant and golf club.

Steve Trickel (cq) (left) and his golf buddy Jeff Kuhn (cq) stop their swing to pop into the Quarry Golf Club just off the course on November 23, 2011. "We come about ten times a year," Trickel said. Robin Johnson
/ SA

AJ Fultz (cq) and Alyssa Rivera visit San Antonio and the Quarry Golf Club on November 23, 2011. Robin Johnson
/ SA

Below are pages of our write-up in Avid Golfer, which outlines the history of The Quarry Golf Club and how course-designer Keith Foster worked with his "dream team" to transform the historic rock quarry into the award-winning golf course it is today, here in the heart of San Antonio, Texas.

 

 

It's an honor to be recognized by our local paper as a destination restaurant and pub crawl location and by the Colorado Avid Golfer as "Texas' Best-Kept Secret."

We hope you come chisel an experience with us soon and share your review with us, too!

A Fairy Tale Engagement at The Quarry

On Thanksgiving evening, in the shadows cast by the tall smokestacks of The Quarry Market, a handsome young man, Prince Edward of Cementville, Texas, bends on one knee as he gazes up at the woman of his dreams, standing in the moonlight.

Drew FitzSimon Photography

"Jane," he says, "I've never been a romantic type, but from the moment I met you, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. You're always on my mind and in my heart. I love you."

Jane's eyes widen as she witnesses her prince charming gracefully whip his hand into his coat pocket and pull out a black velvet box. 

He props it open. "Will you marry me?"

Jane gasps and tears begin to form. "Yes, yes. A thousand times yes!" she whispers through muffled tears as Edwards stands up and whirls her around in a hug. 

The happy couple returns to Jane's family's home where they had eaten their holiday feast just hours before and they announce the official engagement to the anxious crowd.

Everyone congratulates the couple and immediately date and location ideas begin to fill the conversation. 

"Why not this spring?" Jane asks. "I've always wanted to get married in the spring in Texas."

Edward nods excitedly. "Whatever you wish, Jane. I'm just glad you said 'yes'! Let's do the wedding however, whenever and wherever you want."

Jane smiles. "I was thinking we could have the wedding at The Quarry Golf Club. Edward, you love golfing there and both of our grandparents used to work there when the back nine was a limestone rock quarry. They harvested the cement used for the state capitol building--it'd be so sentimental."

"That sounds perfect!" Edward says.

And the planning begins...

Stay tuned.

 

Holiday Meal & Reel at The Quarry

Looking for a merry way to spend your holiday with the family?

Quarry Golf Club Holiday Meal & Reel

Bring your kids to The Quarry for the Holiday Meal & Reel--we'll be showing the following movies all day long (Show Times every 2 hours beginning at 8 a.m.) on the 70" TV in the restaurant. So, bring a bean bag and plop a spot on the restaurant floor or enjoy the movie from one of our tables in our casual dining atmosphere.

We have a delicious children's menu featuring favorites like chicken strips and smoked gouda mac & cheese. And our adult/regular menu has famous Quarry menu originals like Fish & Chips, Blackened Atlantic Salmon and The Steak and Stack.

The Quarry Golf Club Restaurant is located at 444 East Basse Rd. in San Antonio, Texas, in the heart of Alamo Heights, just minutes from downtown San Antonio and the famous Riverwalk.

We are open to the public, so make a reservation to come and enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner at The Quarry. 210-824-4500 extension 2.

"Elf" (PG) will be playing continuously all day Tuesday, Dec. 20.

"The Santa Clause" (PG) will be playing continuously all day Wednesday, Dec. 21. (8 a.m. | 10 a.m. | Noon | 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 6 p.m. | 8 p.m.)

And "The Ultimate Gift" (PG) will be playing continuously in the restaurant all day Thursday, Dec. 22. (8 a.m. | 10 a.m. | Noon | 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 6 p.m. | 8 p.m.)

Review of Live Music

Last week The Quarry celebrated the day of triple "11s" with a weekend full of live music. Three days, three musical artists and three different genres of music. 

11/10/11 featured Austin Forrest (R&B/soul). Austin is kind of a recent "regular" at The Quarry in that we've been fortunate to host him three or four times this fall. We love his R&B/soul music, especially on the chilly fall evenings around the fire pit. 

11/11/11 featured Lindsey Kane (acoustic pop). Lindsey performed acoustic pop cover tunes, ranging from Katy Perry to Destiny's Child. Lindsey was also a "first" for The Quarry this fall--the first female musician to perform as part of the fall live music lineup on the patio. We enjoyed her beautiful voice and the vocal flair she lent to popular cover songs like Just the Way You Are. 

11/12/11 featured Garrett Heinrichs (Texas country). Garrett has played at The Quarry before, but this was his first time to play on a Saturday--in fact, it was our first time to host live music on a Saturday! The Quarry normally hosts music on Thursdays and Fridays in the fall, but we had a special request for live music on Saturday by a local alumni group requesting live music for their high school reunion. It was an enjoyable night! 

In addition to being a "first" in terms of music on a Saturday night, it was also a "first" for having one song dedicated specifically to a young child in the group. 

What a fun weekend! This week's live music lineup features James Vives.Vives has performed once before at The Quarry and it was a PACKED night, so you won't want to miss this awesome performance on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Quarry One Minute Golf Clinic: Back to the Fundamentals

Every fall when the weather turns nice again, I see a steady stream of golfers wanting to tune-up their game. Most haven’t played much over the summer, whether they were vacationing or just trying to stay cool indoors. The most common change I see in a player’s swing from spring to fall is that they aren’t setting up properly to the golf ball.

Their grip might be the same, their swing might look or feel similar to them, but it starts from a shaky foundation or set-up position. This sets up a chain-reaction of compensations in order to make solid contact and hit great shots. Like Jack Nicklaus once said, “It’s much easier to let a good swing happen from a solid set-up, than to stop a bad swing from happening as a result of a poor set-up.”

Jack Nicklaus 1986 Masters

So what’s the biggest thing that changes in the set-up during the time off? I’m glad you asked…

From my experience working with players–including myself (yes, golf pros are more than capable of making mistakes on the golf course as well)—the biggest thing that changes with time off is that the player tends to lose the relationship between the shoulders and the hips, called spine tilt, at set-up. For example, it would stand to reason that if I took my golf grip (assuming I am right handed golfer) with my left hand first and then added my right hand below that, my shoulders would then be aligned the same way.

This happens because my arms are the same length and because my right hand is lower on the grip than my left. This “tilt,” which can often be viewed by looking at where the golfer’s shirt buttons are pointing, is a necessary piece of a golfer’s set-up as it sets the stage for a strong pivot as well as a good path for the arms and club to travel on. The common mistake here is that the golfer will start with the shoulders much too level at address, as a result of having the head too much “over” or “on top” of the ball. While this can be great for short-game shots, it’s disastrous with a longer club or a driver in your hand!

So how can I check it?

1. Stand up straight and hold a golf club by the grip end in front of your body to where the club is bisecting your torso in half.  The grip should be in front of your shirt buttons while the head should be hanging straight down in front of you.
2. While keeping the club pressed against your torso, bend from the hips and loosen your knees as if you were going to hit a ball.
3. From here, I’d like you to feel like your left hip bumps forward towards the target slightly as your right shoulder lowers slightly. Done correctly, you will now notice a few things from the face-on view:

• Your right shoulder will now be correctly lower than your left shoulder
• Your shirt buttons will now be “tilted” away from the target
• Your head will now be behind the golf ball, instead of in front of it

This presets many GREAT things to happen including a solid pivot weight shift, and path for the hands and club to follow. Try it out and watch that solid contact come back in hurry!

The Quarry One Minute Clinic is a service provided by The Quarry Golf Club. Sean Etheredge, Head Golf Professional at The Quarry, provides these weekly tidbits of useful knowledge. If you have a special request, e-mail Courtney Lewis, clewis@quarrygolf.com.  

Sean Etheredge, Head Golf Pro at The Quarry, is also a golf instructor.