"DRIVE FOR SHOW AND PUTT FOR DOUGH, BABY"

That's a favorite saying in golf. One of my old foursome, Coach Mike, used it often. It is so true. It's probably what separates the good from the very good.

To me it's the most boring part of golf. Especially to watch on tv. But by the very nature of the sport, it's the easiest to televise. What I like about the putting green is the long putts. And I must love them, because it seems I'm never close enough to the hole on my approach. But reading the greens, picking out a spot, and letting the lag putt go is fun. I wish I had the same attitude for the five to eight footers that I routinely miss.

In the 1920's Tom Thumb Golf began the miniature golf rage. Putt Putt took Tom Thumb to new heights and used to have a tournament for the best Putt Putt putter in the land. I wonder if their champions were as astute on actual putting greens or if they could only putt on artificial surfaces with windmills.

The last time I played miniature golf with my son and his older son I got a real good look at Grant's putter. On a longer putt he reared back and was prepared to take a full swing, like he was driving the ball. I bobbed and weaved like Cassius Clay to avoid the gold colored putter taking aim at my nose. Fortunately, the swing missed both nose and ball.

Our family on vacation in Florida one Spring Break met St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Cris Carpenter and his wife at a minature golf course. Cris and I tied that evening. We still exchange Christmas cards and a rare phone call.

Now, as far as I know, there are no Chip and Golf. That's an area that I need help in. All you would need would be a little more acreage and some plastic grass. And a lot of insurance for shanked shots.