The Stimulation of Simulation
A new addition to the TGA Performance Center produces visions of greatness
In the chow line with DJ Dirty Grandpa, the talk turned to golf. I let slip that at the next training session of the TGA, I would be introducing the newest amenity in what is now being referred to as the TGA Performance Center (also known as the recreation room that contains crappy cardio machines and a few medicine balls—but whatever, branding). I used the word "simulator," prompting Grandpa to marvel at the impact of modern technology on player improvement. I replied, "Our version is a bit more analog."
The idea for the TGA simulator was inspired by Jacob the Beard, Diamond J, and EK47* messing around with how they could hit full shots indoors without causing too much friction with the guys working out in the rec room. They discovered that a yoga mat hung on the wall-mounted medicine ball rack functioned as a serviceable dampener and ball return, assuming you hit it. I immediately knew they were onto something and plotted my upgrade.
As the guys stood around me on the morning of the unveiling, I felt the nervous excitement that must have been in the air for the game's greatest reveals: Charles Blair Macdonald welcoming the new members, guests, and the media for the maiden voyage around his ideal links on Long Island, The National; the USGA sending off the early contestants in the People's Open at the restored Bethpage Black; the first shots hit toward The Strip from the upper deck of Topgolf's Las Vegas behemoth location; the curtain-lifting at the reimagined Sheep Ranch at Bandon Dunes; the magical moment of the teams coming out into SoFi Arena, with the walk-out music and roar from the crowd washing over them, for opening night of Tiger and Rory's TGL.
Do you feel the goosebumps? I did too.
I let the tension mount before finally throwing up a jubilant arm, turning aside, and proclaiming, "Behold! The TGA Simulator!" I blacked out for a moment, so I'm not sure if the guys responded with tears, cheers, or both. By the time I came to, they had composed themselves and were staring at me.
The simulator has a full rack of both yoga and squishy foam exercise mats into which we can blaze away with our Walmart 9-irons and foam Callaway** practice balls, off a platform of rubber flooring. Above the hitting zone is where I affixed the key component, courtesy of my friend Jon of LinksGems golf course photography fame.
The 2021 LinksGems calendar has been a constant companion throughout my incarceration journey. Each month, I renumber the days and allow myself to be taken away by the images of courses from Augusta to Australia. If I catch a break, I won't need the calendar after 2025, so I ripped out the February photo from Barnbougle Dunes and taped it to the wall above the mats.
This finishing touch to the simulator allowed me to deliver the week's lesson about visualization as a part of the pre-shot routine. I had the guys take in the details of the photo, including the direction the flag was being blown by the wind and the contours of the green around the hole. We imagined the line our 9-irons would start on: how they would climb into the sky, reach their apex, and then gently get pushed by the wind to the desired landing spot; the trickle of the ball toward the hole as the combination of spin and backstop exerted their influence.
More goosebumps.
With the vision in our minds, we proceeded to take turns chunking, skanking, and, once in a while, flushing our shots. It was glorious.
Creative vision—one of the many attributes we are working on in the TGA. Not just an asset on the course, but also in the next phase of life that awaits us.
* Henceforth, CNBC Eric shall be known as EK47. He thinks it makes him sound like he has prison cred, and who are we to argue?
** Callaway is not a TGA sponsoring partner. We are open, however, to inquiries.