A Shot To Remember

Preceding the recent Dubai Desert Classic, Tiger Woods was flown by helicopter to the roof of the Burji Al-Arab, the world’s tallest hotel, where he drove golf balls into the Arabian Gulf. In 1971, Astronaut Alan Shepard bounced out of Apollo 14 and launched one handed six-iron shots across the moonscape. Golf even played a part on Survivor: All Stars when last month the Chapera Tribe hit iron shots off a 94 foot yacht into the Gulf of Panama.

Interesting shots are part of the nature of golf, everything from a peculiar stance, to an unusual surface, to an extraordinary location, golfers find themselves remembering unique and remarkable shots. At the Seattle Golf Show in March, dozens of happy attendees relayed their own incredible and fun memories.

Several golfers recalled favorite locations: the floating green at Coeur D’Alene and a floating driving range near Lake Shasta. One man told of hitting off the roof of the Pro shop, towards the 1st hole at a golf course in Kelso. We also heard about “Chip to the Barge” during the Portland Rose Festival where contestants hit shots from Waterfront Park to a barge.

Birdie Balls (www.BirdieBall.com), which were hit across the field at Seahawk Stadium during the Seattle Golf Show, were prominently featured in one anecdote. In Wisconsin, during the ice fishing season, golfers attempt to knock the Birdie Balls into their friends’ fishing holes on frozen lakes.

Remarkable shots were described with pride. “I was at Glen Acres, and 125 yards out under a tree. I hooded a 3 iron and sent it skipping across the water and onto the green!” one gentleman related. Another man said, “I was wading in the water, up to my knees. My ball was only partially in the water, but I had to stand in the lake to get a good stance.”

Par three's offer great opportunities. One golfer snuck onto a golf course after hours and following a fantastic tee shot, promptly dropped her bag on the tee and excitedly raced up the fairway anticipating a hole-in-one. Unfortunately it was not, and she proceeded to run back down the fairway to grab her clubs.

While in Palm Springs, another woman playing with her son hit great drives on a Par three, and both believed their balls to be in the hole. Upon reaching the green, her son’s was in fact a hole-in-one, while hers lay inches away.

Remarkable, unforgettable shots are at the heart of our game, and golf builds memories whether during tournaments, on vacations, or at charity events.

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Originally published April 2004 

Reprinted with permission by PNGA Media

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