Why Golf

A few weeks ago Golf Digest asked, "What do Rickie Fowler, Ryan Allen Sheckler (pro skateboarder), Jeremy McGrath (Supercross legend), and Evan Geiselman (pro surfer) have in common?" I would boldly like to add my name to that list.  Kelsie Rutledge (student/blogger).  The answer remains the same.  We all love to golf, and we want to share our passion.  The difference is, their voice is a lot louder, so I am joining with them to help spread this passion.  But first, lets talk a little about my favorite player!

Check out full bio and stats here.

Rickie Fowler.  He has been one of my favorites since I started playing and getting into the game, and he is an amazing player.  He is currently ranked 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking, and 75th in the FedEx Cup.  He is no stranger to extreme sports either, having rode dirt bikes all of his life.  In June of 2011 Fowler added musician to his resume with the release of "Oh Oh Oh" as apart of the golf boy band "Golf Boys" with fellow PGA players Ben Crane, Bubba Watson, and Hunter Mahan.  All singing and dancing aside however, Fowler's game continues to improve.  He has been working with Butch Harmon to improve his swing, and he has made one fundamental change that has really helped his game.  Butch's son Cluade explains this change and shows a side by side comparison of how is swing has improved.  After watching it, there is no wonder why he finished in the top 5 of all four majors in 2014.  With The Masters coming up, you can bet I will be cheering for Rickie to get that green jacket.

Fowler's newest adventure is this new series, Why Golf.  As stated at the beginning of this post, the show features Fowler and 3 extreme sports professionals, all with a great golf game.  Hosted by Kelley James, Why Golf helps these athletes share their passion for the game, and the first episode is up today.  You can watch it free on golfdigest.com.  This short episode perfectly describes my love for the game as they play number 16 at TPC Scottsdale, its challenging, it teaches patience, the handicap system allows you to play fairly with any skill level, and it takes a lot of mental power and focus.  I have been so excited about this new series and I can't wait for the next episodes.

Golf Is...

We have all heard it, and it hurts my soul every time.  "Golf is boring."  Those three words are words every golfer hates to hear, specifically after we first tell someone that we play, and yes even watch golf.

I will admit, before I started playing in high school, I didn't understand how someone could sit and watch a golf tournament.  Then I played, and I felt the strange mix of emotions one can have in a single round of golf and I was hooked.  I started watching the PGA Tournaments and I could see the same emotions I felt in the pros.  That is what is so great about golf, it is unbelievably humbling, and it doesn't matter how good you are, you can always improve.  

"Golf is boring."  Those words make me feel defenseless, so I want to give to you a variety of back up reasons as to why golf is in fact a very emotional, fun, and exciting game.

To start off, there was this emotional and exciting win for Bubba Watson at the 2012 Masters.  It was on the 10th hole of Augusta National, which was also the 2nd playoff hole, where Bubba hit a drive right into the trees, but had an amazing recovery shot and won his first Green Jacket.    

Since the 2012 Masters, we have had winner Adam Scott, who was the first Australian player to win a Masters Tournament in 2013.  Then again in 2014 Bubba wins another Green Jacket, this time with his wife Angie and son Caleb there to watch.

Check out Oh Oh Oh and Golf Boys 2.Oh.

If you ever have someone say that players are too uptight or too serious send them to Ben Crane's YouTube Channel.   This is a professional full of personality, and he even put together a golf boy band consisting of himself, Hunter Mahan, Master's Champ Bubba Watson, and Rickie Fowler.  They have released two hit singles along with fantastic music videos, and of course all profits made from their music is donated straight to charity. 

Not only is there tears from champs, amazing shots during playoff holes, and great music, there is also the occasional crazy fan, like this guy who just wanted to add some ambiance to Webb Simpsons 2012 US Open speech.
There are also all the fans at the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  Golf is not always the quiet game people assume it is.  

Then there are trick shots.  These can be appreciated by all, not just those who love the game.  We all know Phil Mickelson is an expert short game player, but he is also an expert at trick shots.  Then there are the amateurs and casual players that excel in trick shots.  Take the Bryan Bros for example.  Their videos are proof that you can have fun with golf, like this one that showcases their amazing trick shots!

Last, but not least is the Ryder Cup.  One of the very few team tournaments on the Tour.  A tournament that is fought between the United States and Europe.  This is one of the most exciting tournaments of golf, and it is only played every 2 years.  Europe has kept the Cup for the past three tournaments, but the US is working hard to regain the Cup next year at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.

After all this, and much more, sometimes we just have to bury the hurt that comes with those three words and accept that everyone has different interests and opinions, and that makes this world a pretty great place.

I would love to hear what makes golf exciting for you!  Tell me in the comments below, or tweet me @chippingingolf

My Passion for Golf

Welcome to my blog!  My name is Kelsie and I am currently a senior strategic communications major at Southern Utah University.  I am 22 years old and having the time of my life at college!  The most important thing for you to know about me is my complete and adoring passion for golf.

Find this cute board on Etsy here.

I grew up going to the course with my dad after he would finish playing with the men's club.  Golf is in my blood.  I started to get really into the sport for myself when I was a junior in high school and played varsity for the Lehi High School Girls Golf Team.  I have been playing for 6 years now, and just wish I could go back and start sooner!

Golf is a very unique sport that requires you and pushes you to have integrity, be honest, and independent.  That is the biggest pull that golf has on me.  I am and always have been very independent, and this self-refereeing sport is made for me.  I have had coaches, family, and friends that have helped me significantly improve my game, but when practice is over and I'm on the course, I have to rely on myself to go low, to make those tough shots, or sink a two-footer for par, and that excites me.

Golf will always be apart of my life, and I am excited to share my passion with you!