Author: Head Nut

World’s 1st “Almost Hole-In-One”

“I know quite a few folks who have a HOLE-IN-ONE commemorative plaque, but to the best of my knowledge, I’m the only one with an ALMOST HOLE-IN-ONE commemorative plaque.

Thanks to my dear friend, Joe Vieira, who has his hole-in-one…as does Rob, who took the photo.”

– Bob Scavetta (#1696)

Hey, #1696, what are friends for if not to remind us of our golf “almosts”?

The Head Nut

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A Rare Double

This great photo of golf balls autographed by Michael Jordan and Arnold Palmer was sent to us by Ken Kellaney (#2020). We call him The Legend around here as he is a 10-time Arizona Golf Association “Player of the Year”, has won a record 5 Arizona Amateur titles, and was inducted into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.

He is also certifiably nuts when it comes to his golf swing. A few weeks after shooting 62 (at age 63) he decided to change his swing. Go figure…

The Head Nut

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Golf Nut of the Year Roll-up

As we approach year-end, I’ll be sharing stories about our fellow Certified Golf Nuts in advance of naming or 2021 Golf Nut of the Year in early January.

To get things kicked off, here’s a sampling from Charles Madge (#4025) our wild and crazy reigning Golf Nut of the Year…

Here’s Charlie’s three-volume golf autobiography. It weighs 20 pounds. Ruling: 700 Points

And, who has both Arnold Palmer’s and Sam Snead’s autograph?? Well Golf Nut of the Year Charlie Madge does. Ruling: 2,000 Points

And, who but our wild & crazy Golf Nut of the Year would have played 545 different golf courses around the world; 27 outside the U.S.? YIKES, imagine the cost! Ruling: 545 Points

And, speaking frankly, only the mind of Charlie Madge could come up with this putter. Ruling: 118 Points

And, who but our reigning Golf Nut of the Year would have this amazing putter that was designed by NASA for putting on the moon? Ruling: 1,000 Points

And, how many 90-year-olds can shoot 89 in a state tournament?? Ruling: 589 Points

And, who but our Charlie would design and build “The World’s Largest Sand Wedge”? Ruling: 100 Points

Well, there you have it. A thumbnail of the inimitable and endlessly energetic Charlie Madge (#4025).

For the whole story of the amazing Charlie Madge, our reigning Golf Nut of the Year, click HERE.

I will be posting additional stories about our fellow Certified Golf Nuts in the coming days as we approach the naming of our new Golf Nut of the Year.

In the meantime, keep searching for The Secret and report your findings.

Go Nuts!

The Head Nut

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Dear Head Nut

ATSCL is at it again…

Dear Head Nut,

Ok, I finally found it, the secret to my golf swing. Notice I didn’t say the golf swing because it only cures my faults, nobody else’s.

Here it is…

1. Pull the club back slightly outside the line with my right hand to create a wide arc?

2. From the top my first thought is to unwind my hips, closely followed by bringing my right elbow in so that it feels like it’s riding on my right hip all the way down and through. Try to keep left arm straight.

3. Swing through with the right side and arm but retain the right hand wrist cock. Straight left arm leads but the right side pushes the right palm toward the target.

Simple enough?

Even though there are more than three detailed thoughts in there I actually see this as only three moves. My brain says “pull back”, “elbow rides hip” and “push palm”. The only part that fails sometimes is the left arm which still bends occasionally, which costs distance.

The amazing part is that typical ball flight is either straight or slight draw, even though I’m not rolling my hands or arms over at all. I believe the right elbow/hip trick keeps my swing plane on track.

The rain here is ridiculous. I’ve only been to the range twice in the last two weeks but hit it great both times without changing or adding anything. As you know, that’s a miracle for me. This week looks crappy again but if and when the sun ever shines here I’ll send you a movie.

Ken “ATSCL” Hoel (#1231)

There is only one Ken Hoel. He is our All-time Swing Change Leader and continues to lead and inspire in the never-ending search for The Secret.

The Head Nut

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“Dear Head Nut”

Dear Head Nut,

I had the strangest thing happen to me in my 47 years of playing golf.

A few days ago, after weeks of rehabilitation for my sore back and no range time, I decided I could play 9 holes as long I didn’t take any practice swings. My sole swing thought was just to meet the ball with the middle of the club face and to swing so easy that my back would not act up again. I hit the ball great, shot an easy 2 over.

It was like an out of body experience.  Not one thought about swing planes, weight shift, or any of the hundreds of swing keys I have tried over the years. No left arm, right elbow, hip turn or gobbledygook.  It was really neat.

So, anxious to do that again I went back to the course 2 days later. Same goal, same attitude, …. meet the ball, don’t get hurt.

Well, you guessed it.  Played like crap. Hit it all over the place. Even skulled a few chip shots. How did that spastic get back into my swing? 

To make this story even sadder, two later I went back and tried it again. Same results, Mr. Smooth turned back into Mr. Shmuck. Even worse than last time.

So what happened? Was my mind and body possessed by the Ghost of Golf. Had to be something like that. It sure seemed like a dream followed up by two nightmares.

So now I have a new goal to seek out. It’s to meet the Ghost again. I’m thinking he’ll show up if, at address, I keep telling myself “meet the ball, don’t get hurt.”

More to come….

Ken Hoel (#1231)

ATSCL (All-time Swing Change Leader)

Is there any doubt why #1231 is our All-time Swing Change Leader? I didn’t think so.

The Head Nut

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The Legendary Moe Norman

Moe Norman was the greatest ball-striker of all time. Click the following links to read about this legendary golf nut…

Golf’s Greatest Ball-Striker – Part One

Golf’s Greatest Ball-Striker – Part Two

Thanks to Jan Bel Jan, Nut #4047, for sharing this great article with us. Her Uncle Andy was the pro at Ormond Beach CC for two years at the time Moe was playing well.  They played together several times a week.  “Moe was comfortable with my Uncle Andy because he was such a low-key guy,” recalled Jan.

The Head Nut

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