The Real Team Players
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"Each sport has its nameless unsung heroes-the Linemen who block for Marcus Allen, the Yogi Berras who handle a Don Larsen during a perfect game, the pacer who works out with the long distance Olympic champ. These athletes are the quintessence of team players. Each contributes immeasurably to the success of their team and to the creation of "super stars." Without their skill and dedication, there would be no stars."
By an Appreciative
Blind Golfer
The coach of a blind golfer is one such team player - with one vast distinction. If there were no coaches, in blind golf, there would be no blind golfers, much less blind golf stars. They come from all walks of life and range in age from grandparents to high school students. They come in all sizes and shapes. But they all have a common goal - to help their father, husband, son or good friend participate in a sport they both love; an otherwise impossible dream were it not for the role they play. They realize too that if the team achieves a level of skill equal to or better than sighted golfers, they have contributed to a source of inspiration to others - and they have created a different perspective to the blind.
Those of you who have watched blind golf or will do so during a tournament should observe what the coaches do. On the course, the coach walks the player to the ball, describes the shot and the distance, selects the club and aligns and positions the player to strike the ball. He then stands back- The player makes the swing and the coach describes the ball flight and the result.
Although teams will vary in their approach to putting, basically the coach is responsible for the line of the putt the player for the speed of the ball. Most teams will walk from the ball to the hole to determine the distance and then add or subtract depending on whether the putt is uphill or downhill in order to make the 'call' of the stroke to be employed. Since it is the responsibility of the coach to read the green and allow for the break, a blind golfer never has anything but a straight putt.
Clearly, the coach's knowledge of the game and his own skill level as a player enhances the performance of the team. It is equally obvious that excellent communication between coach and player is essential. One good example is what happens after the elaborate setup and after the ball is struck. The blind golfer expects the coach to become an instant sports announcer. If you have ever attempted to describe an event as it is actually happening, you will realize how difficult this is.
One of the most difficult things a coach has to do is to tell the player that a shot which has been struck well has fallen just a few feet short of the green and has found a trap or a pond or that the shot was headed right at the pin but bounced over the green and out of bounds.
The coach and the player share a great feeling when the results are good but imagine how much control the coach must exercise when he has performed and the player hits a shot as if they had not practiced it for hours and which would embarrass even a beginner. It's frustrating enough to play but how much more so to the coach. To paraphrase an old saying, 'Nobody ever said blind golf was a fair game.' It is during these times that the dedication of the coach is demonstrated.
What no blind golf gallery ever sees or realizes are the countless hours the team puts in. Just consider the thousands of deep knee bends which the coach performs in order to properly align and position the blind player and the dedication and self-sacrifice involved. Those hours are the hours the coach could spend with his family or working on his own game or pursuing whatever his own interests are. We blind golfers are constantly amazed when the coach shows up time after time even after frustrating practice sessions or rounds. One thing is certain - if a person doesn't have a sense of humor when he begins to coach a blind player, he'll develop one quickly or he'll quit and head for the 19th hole. Without his sense of humor, what would a coach do when he stoops to line up a putt during a tournament and rips his britches or, long after the sun sets "goes just one more hole" with his player.
We blind golfers all realize that it is the natural tendency of the gallery to give credit to the blind players for a great shot. How many times have we heard "Great shot Charlie," "Unbelievable Chuck," "Terrific putt, Mac." All of us want the proper credit given to the coach, not just the blind player. We are a team and we succeed or fail together.
Probably old Bill Shakespeare summed it up best when he wrote:
BLIND GOLF
It takes the player to strike the ball,
It takes the coach to make the call.
Alone, a blind player should achieve no fare
Heck, alone he can't even play the game.
Ye always remember, blind golf is a teamwork game.