Whistle While You Work

One of the most fun and rewarding student-teacher relationships I have had was with a very famous and powerful man in the world of television entertainment. You have seen him in commercials, game shows and everything in between – that is, if you live in Mexico!

The great Marco, the king of Mexican game show hosts, came to me as a brand new golfer. He was the proud owner of a new bag, dapper clothes, and a bag full of tees. Even his shiny new Ping irons had yet to be swung in anger. He had long wanted to take up golf and I could sense his enthusiasm. He desperately wanted to be part of it; the people, the courses, the culture. Like most recent converts to golf, he wanted to ‘be’ Tiger Woods!

He began a gruelling routine, hitting the lesson tee nearly five days a week. We had so much time to fill. He desperately wanted to be a “real golfer.” I explained to him that if that was the case, then in addition to technique he had some other things to work on. We actually had ‘coolness’ sessions where we would discuss the finer points of how to ‘properly’ take off your glove and casually slide it into your back pocket. How to lean on your putter, hitch your pants, adjust your cap, and stalk a putt like a champion.
We even discussed how to ‘celebrate’ a great shot without appearing overzealous or ‘surprised’. Marco was ready to go, and if you saw him stroking a putt or slamming down a sandwich at the clubhouse he would look cool doing it!

We were on the ‘accelerated programme.’ The problem was that learning a new skill is a process and
there were times when we faced sensory overload.

Marco, however, had a remedy for such obstacles. Whenever he slid into a slump he would simply whistle’ and whack a few shots to free up again.

One day I was standing about 20ft from Marco. As he swung the wind shifted and I could for the first time hear a little of what he was whistling. It sounded familiar, but for I felt uneasy and slightly disturbed. I walked a little closer to confirm what I thought I was hearing. “Marco, what are you whistling? “Frosty the Snowman,” he replies.

My heart sunk. After all our finishing school he was back to “level one” in the cool stakes.

I step in to explain my position. “Marco, hey man…you can’t do that bud.” He looks surprised. “What can’t I do?”

“I’m sorry, but if you are going to be a stud golfer, you just can’t whistle ‘Frosty the Snowman’.”

“But I like Frosty,” he protests. 

Image by: Nishant  Choksi  www.nishantchoski.com


Originally published, Golf Punk Magazine, UK

“Yeah, I know, but…if you keep doing that, then…I can’t be your friend anymore!”

We’re only having a laugh of course; the kind where “ripping each other” is simply a form of male bonding.

“Listen, I know that whistling helps you, so just…whistle something else ok?” He agrees and we wrap up the day’s session.

A few more lessons go by and we’re chipping when Marco hits a rough patch. Once again a melody drifts over from where Marco is standing. As expected, the shots soon reassume their lazer-like precision. I lean in closer to get a read on what he is whistling. This tune is also familiar, but I’m not put off – in fact, I kind of like it. “Marco…is that?” He pauses his session. His head swivels and his eyes assume a hawk-like gaze. With a delivery as silky smooth as Ricardo Montalban he scoffs: “Yes, it is the theme song to Indiana Jones. Is that tough enough for you?” My reply is concise and to the point. “Yeah Marco, that will do!”