How often have you heard someone complain about their high cholesterol, even though they eat right and work out regularly?
I’m told that the biggest factor in determining such traits is beyond your control—it’s built into your genetics. Try as you may, if your grandparents “cursed” you, you may never get that cholesterol number down to the low 150’s (millennials should ask their parents what a cholesterol test is…😊).
So why would I bring that up, and why is there a robot golfer (Iron Byron) shown on Steemit as my avatar? Although we don’t have all the same parts, I do happen to have some “robot” in me in the form of a mechanical hip—the finest titanium-ceramic joint money could buy. Although it is likely somewhat self-inflicted—from many years of high-impact sports—there is certainly a genetic component as my ancestors have a history of osteo-arthritis that they have so generously shared with me. It appears that the 2nd bionic joint is not too far in the future—this time a knee.
So, I absolutely love golf. I set the stage with genetics so that I have an excuse why I can’t blast a tee shot 300 yards in the air (like my 2 sons that play). If I am not playing golf, I’m either watching the latest PGA Tour event on the DVR, or reading about golf on the web. Although my day job is an avionics engineer, I will enter my 14th season as a high school golf coach next spring. I tell the kids that I coach you don’t need a perfect swing, and that I am the living example of how you can mis-hit shots all over the golf course yet still score around par. USGA handicap index is currently 5.1.
I’ve been playing the game for nearly 50 years (don’t do the math to see how old I am). The past 20 or so I’ve often been accompanied by one or both of my sons, who each played some college golf. On a rare occasion—say once or twice a year—I can come out on top with the score of the day, but it’s normally a battle between the two of them, with me limping across the finish line in 3rd place. Given the onset of “senior menu” status, they finally allowed me to move up one set of tee markers from the back tees, and affectionately dubbed them the “JV tees”. I told my wife she is not allowed to play golf as I am barely clinging to the #3 spot in the family as it is—don’t want to drop to 4th!
The “Iron Brian” nickname was assigned by my brother, who claims I’ve never hit a tee shot out of the fairway (he’s older and has some memory issues). Occasionally I’ll bend over to put a tee in the ground and my hip joint will produce an audible squeak, much like a door hinge in need of a drop of oil. Then, out come the jokes like “Tin Man, get your oil can. That brother and I have had some spirited matches in the past, but yours truly normally comes out on top in that one. One time, after spending about $40 at the beverage cart throughout the day, he was so disgusted with losing to his little bro that he tossed the 6 1-dollar bills in the air that he lost to me, sending me scurrying across the green to catch them before they blew into the greenside water hazard. It’s the principle, not the amount. That same brother once disappeared into a deep grass bunker on the far side of the green, then sent his ball up onto the green in what appeared to be a miraculous shot from deep rough. My suspicions were soon confirmed by his sh#t-eating grin as he appeared on the green that it was indeed the top of his fingers I saw above the horizon, part of the hand that propelled the ball upward instead of his wedge. The great thing about golf is that (normally) there are no referees to blame bad calls on like with most other sports I have enjoyed. It’s just you against the course, and also against that bit of gray matter between your ears. Even though my best drives are behind me, I probably shoot more 9-hole under-par rounds now than ever before because I use the brain instead of the brawn. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to be able to hit an iron to the green for the 2nd shot on a par 5, but, realistically, that’s not going to happen. I have to play for position, leaving me with a good chance to get up-and-down from 100 yards or so. True story: On a course we never played before, my boys were contemplating how much of the dogleg par 5 they could cut off. Looking at the hole map, one said to the other, “Look, it’s only about 290 (yards) to carry that bunker”. Well, that line off the tee was not an option for me, so I aimed straight down the middle of the fairway, content to play it as a “3-shot hole”. Long story short—the big hitters tried to cut too much off the dogleg and found themselves in knee-high rough, both recording a bogey, while Dad hit a wedge from 100 yards and knocked in a 10-footer for birdie. Once in a while, “old age and treachery” triumphs over “youth and vitality”.
Future blogs may not focus on golf, but as they used to say on the PGA commercials, “I love this game!” As the legendary Tigger would say, Ta Ta For Now (TTFN).
Welcome to Steemit @ironbrian!
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Welcome here on Steemit. I hope you will enjoy your stay with us. Already nice picture. Thank you!
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Hello! It's nice to see you here! Hope you enjoy it on here as much as I do.
I wish you the best! and hope to see you soon.
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Hi ,
Thanks for sharing
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Welcome to Steem @coinlend I have upvoted and sent you a tip
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Welcome dear iron brian :-) following your blog now
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Welcome :D
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Welcome, Just a tip, with those transparent legs you guys have, try putting on sunscreen, It will make you look like you have some what of a tan.
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Welcome on Steemit dude. Always great to see new people her. Keep doing!!!!
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Hi @ironbrian welcome to steemit, am sure that you will be a big success here. Feel free to see my posts on how to be successful on steemit and follow me for more tips . Steemit is a platform that rewards hard work, authenticity and great contents. Wish you success.
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You a little like Brian Cranston aka Walter White aka Heisenberg!
Welcome here man! Keep on steeming! Following you now
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Welcome to Steemit Friend. Awesome to always see new people. Keep doing !!!!
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Welcome to Steem @ironbrian I have upvoted and sent you a tip
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How are you? Welcome to Steemit! Always great to see new people here. Keep doing!. Excellent ! upvoted please check out mine https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@beulahlandeu/introduce-yourself
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Welcome Brian, hope you enjoy steemit. It is true that genetics often determine your traits but don't let that stop you from achieving what you want in life.
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New here too. Working on my intro post soon! It's great to welcome someone here :D Steem on!
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What a great little introduction, @ironbrian 😊
I laughed a lot, while I was reading about how your boys tryed to compete about cutting the course, while you outsmarted them and took it nice and slow!
My interests are photography, life related stuff, technologies and series/movies 👍
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hi Iron Brian, very happy to see you. i am wishing you the best and hope your are enjoying steemit. i am the best voter and follower, and hope you too follow me in this community.
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Golf is a nice relaxing way to get really frustrated n super disappointed in yourself. Nice post, keep the 3rd position goin', make sure your wife doesn't join :)
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Remember, you only get old once but you can stay immature forever. Welcome to STEEMIT!
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Welcome to steemit, Good to have new members join us
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Welcome to steemit! Age and genetics can contribute greatly towards your health but YOU control your lifestyle and that's still a huge factor ;) Hope to read more from you!
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Congratulations @ironbrian! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
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Welcome to Steem! Please do some blogs about golf! It needs more coverage!
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hello am @emmanuelmakinde
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I definitely want to see what does 50 years to the practice! and, of course, if it's possible, more pics of that awesome views in the background.
Welcome to the community, have an excellent day!
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Hey Brian,
Welcome into this wonderful community.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I wish you all the best here may your dreams come true.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
All the best.
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It's great to have you on Steemit. Welcome to the party!
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Look who's here ^^ @Ironbrian, In case this has been your first Introdusemyself Post i'm here to welcome you to Steemit. I hope you have a lot of fun here and you may follow me. Have a great time @rightuppercorner
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What a cool entry! Welcome to steemit, @ironbrian!
Haha, thanks for the laughter.
And I definitely hope you're going to talk a lot about golf since I believe it's one of the most interesting sports of all.
Anyways, enjoy the ride on this lovely platform!
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nice post and thanks for shering
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@ironbrian
follow you man...
keep up
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Welcome to Steemit! I’ll follow you, please follow me as well, Upvote and Resteem so we can grow together. Thank you
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Hey Brian, welcome to steemit! Nice job you did there with your introduction post! Keep on the good work!
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Welcome to steemit community @ironbrian nice introduction, follow me for any steemit related help thanks
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Hello @ironbrian From Aceh Sumatra, Nice To You !!
Welcome TO Steemit and esteem
Thank you good friends to meet you.
The best and amazing
Nice to Meet You All steemians
My name is Al?ne Cappellar? from the National Liberation Front of Sumatra (ASNLF)
I Say Welcome And Happy For You Here #steemit or esteem.
Do not Forget Follow Me Also @chocolate20180
I would like to express my gratitude.
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I think your brother is just jealous that you can out think him at golf. LOL
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Hallo welcome to steemit, hope you can share something with steemit. do not forget follow me and upvoted me, lets help each other :)
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Welcome to Steemit! This was a great post. Thank you for sharing. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for you future work!
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You write interesting post. I liked your joke on health issues being generously shared by your grandparents to you!!
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Welcome to steemit!!! good luck!!
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nice intro and great write up.....upvote
following you now
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That is golf passion! Cool😎. Nice history I thing that small details make big differens. Yes our ancestors are linked to our deseas but we can make our choises make our Bodies and mind healthier
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Welcome to Steemit! Thanks for introducing yourself and hope to see more posts from you. Please follow back and be awesome. Thanks!
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@ironbrian Welcome here on steemit Planet,Glad to see you. Do follow me @samhenry. Upvoted!
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nice post @ironbrian. But i have one thing to say , its true that genetics matters and you are more prone to the health problems that your ancestors had. But its still possible to stay fit and not have those problems by following a healthy lifestyle and positive thinking.
I hope you have very nice life and sometime over play your sons in golf . (hahaaha..) . All my best wishes with.
seeing that you are getting so much love from steemit , i would like you to read my story and also help me get started on steemit.
https://steemit.com/trending/introducingmyself
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Well look who it is! Thank you for not mentioning what happened the last time we played golf together... don't want things like that getting out around here...
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Haha, great comment - this is going to be fun here :-)
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Hahaha
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Hey my friend,
Nice to meet you.
Welcome into this wonderful Community.
I wish you all the best here, may your dreams come true.
All the best.
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Welcome to steemit! You will enjoy it pls Followed me @ibrahemm51
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Welcome To Steemet
I hope you enjoy in this community
and i vote for nice personality
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Welcome to Steemit. :)
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Welcome to Steemit, @ironbrian. By the way, I keep writing about Denmark exchange student life and Europe travel. If you are interested in it, visit my post :)
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Welcome @ironbrian to the Steemit family. lets support each other follow me back @manofmiracles i'll be looking forward to your posts.
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Strategic is what you are @ironbrian. I enjoy gold very much and I haven't played in years. i grew up around it and it gives me feelings of nostalgia. Welcome to Steemit
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Shots fired.
Welcome to steemit Brian.
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Hey, Welcome . nice to see you here
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Welcome to steemit! I hope you like it around here :)
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welcome! follow me.
https://steemit.com/spanish/@bawer/no-es-un-simple-payaso
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Please vote my post @yulie
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Goot frent
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Welcome to Steemit! I wish you a good days and inspiration to create in our community! Please follow me :)
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Just as a man would not cherish living in a body other than his own, so do nations not like to live under other nations, however noble and great the latter may be.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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I see you Iron Brian
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