Old lad at Leopardstown driving range

BigChap1759

Can anyone advise who the old lad with the walking stick who walks up and down passing out free tips is??

link_2007

BigChap1759 wrote: »

Can anyone advise who the old lad with the walking stick who walks up and down passing out free tips is??

I have met the same lad at Stepaside driving range. I assume it's the same person or maybe every driving range has an old guy with a stick dishing out fee advice!

No idea who he is though. He seems friendly enough but I got caught with him one night when I was the only person for him to chat to/coach and I thought I would never get home.

ShriekingSheet

No idea, but he's something else. You can't but be polite to him. I find chatting to him intermittently about things other than your own golf is the best form of defence against the unsolicited advice.

There's another guy used to be in Spawell quite a bit that specialised in teenage kids (not in any dodgy way). He used to claim he taught Harrington at the same age, which I was curious about, but found out to be not the truth.

It's all a bit mad, but these elderly gentlemen with a bit of time on their hands are just mad keen to play the part of the guru, and give a few tips. Pretty harmless.

fullstop

BigChap1759 wrote: »

Can anyone advise who the old lad with the walking stick who walks up and down passing out free tips is??

He's a pain in the arse, that's what he is! The management should tell him to GTFO

Dayor Knight

Yeah, I've had him too. Ah you have to be polite to an old guy... we'll all be old some day (hopefully)! He actually gave me a good tip, even though I didn't really want it at the time - I hate people telling we what I'm doing wrong! (IMO, a good teacher focuses on what you need to do right). Now that I think of it, he started by saying something like "you'll never play golf if you hit the ball like that...." (or words to that effect).... not sure I could maintain the politeness if it was ongoing. I suppose one could politely decline the advice, though not sure it would make any difference. I tried to think of it like this... here's a man in his old age, physically declining, wants to feel useful & impart his wisdom. I can live with a bit of tolerance, well once or twice anyway. He did go on to have a rather funny interaction with a lady a few bays up - sounded something like (from her).. "is this your bay or something?". Didn't sound too impressed at all!

link_2007

Dayor Knight wrote: »

Now that I think of it, he started by saying something like "you'll never play golf if you hit the ball like that...." (or words to that effect

Definitely the same lad so!

His opening line to me was, "Jeeeesus, we have a lot of work to do"

FixdePitchmark

Lol that old lad sounds class. Id have a good laugh with him.
Any chance it is conno16 doing anonymous for RTE .

Actually that would be a great idea for that show if they got mcginley or paddy to do it.

To have the neck, he must have been a player .

PARlance

link_2007 wrote: »

Definitely the same lad so!

His opening line to me was, "Jeeeesus, we have a lot of work to do"

I'll mention it before someone else does....
Still doesn't trump the 12 year old giving me the lesson down in Ballykisteen on the boards outing

I've seen that old man knocking around Leopardstown... between him and the obstacle course that is dodging (very important to get that spelling correct) the members up there my nerves are shattered up there during the day.
There's about 20 conversations going on at the desk any time I've been there during lunch.

TGoodall

He got me in Stepaside one night. I was trying to pretend he wasn't there and had 3 great shots in a row then pulled one slightly and he jumped in. Said "I have never seen so many different swings, you'll never improve". Not the best introduction.

he then told me a few things about my stance which may or may not have been true. I stopped taking his advice in when he said I needed to lenghten my back swing and try hit the ball as hard as I could!

He was a nice guy but couldn't wait for him to leave. He told me "this McIlroy guy is no good, sure there is no feedback from his driver, it's only equipment making them look good these days"!!!

I said I would go back to using Leopardstown after that but now I know he is there I will need to look farther afield.

Russman

I never knew he was in Leopardstown as well !

He's caught me a few times in Stepaside though. I don't know his name but I've heard him referred to as "Doc".
In fairness I think he means well, but he can be very annoying if you happen to be working on something that doesn't tie in with his views on the swing.

Stay in the left hand wing of Stepaside is the best way to avoid him, he tends to park himself in the right hand wing with the regulars. Still makes to odd visit over though........:eek:

saintastic

One of the staff in Stepaside mentioned that his surname was Cribbins, I think.

He gave me a tip that really worked well and it coincidentally addressed the main concern that I have about my golf swing - not getting enough shoulder turn - so I was glad to listen.

I'd be interested in getting a tip off him again but as you guys say, it can get fairly frustrating when you just want to work on something.

Kace

link_2007 wrote: »

Definitely the same lad so!

His opening line to me was, "Jeeeesus, we have a lot of work to do"

That's hilarious.

FixdePitchmark

Kace wrote: »

That's hilarious.

I want to be that old lad when I'm old.
Great character.

I'm heading over the south side just to meet him.

Milkers

lol this is classic, more stories to come hopefully

lowelife

link_2007 wrote: »

Definitely the same lad so!

His opening line to me was, "Jeeeesus, we have a lot of work to do"

WOW this guy knows his ****.....

*goes off in search of old lad golf guru*

george67

I heard that he used to be a pro in Woodbrook
He gave me a good tip as well as telling me that I should give golf up as there was no point hitting a 7 iron 150 if I could hit it 170 with a full shoulder turn

For Paws

george67 wrote: »

I heard that he used to be a pro in Woodbrook
He gave me a good tip as well as telling me that I should give golf up as there was no point hitting a 7 iron 150 if I could hit it 170 with a full shoulder turn

Is this guy tall & maybe late 70's?

Was a great pro in Woodbrook named Billy Kinsella, retired in 2006 after 43 years as PGA Pro. Two other brothers, Jimmy K won Madrid Open in '72 & numerous sons & nephews working as pros.

Can't think it's him, but if it is, LISTEN TO HIM, he's seen it all and taught it all.:D

goodgolfer64

this guy sounds like a legend.....no matter how good you think your hitting it on the range theres always room for improvement unless your names rory.......your hitting it into a open field....i think he has a few years more experience of what a good golf shot really is.....

DEVOTION

Was chatting to him in Stepaside one night and he told us that he had spent 60 years of his life playing golf almost every day. Said he couldn't have wished for a better life and he woke up happy every morning because of it.

Gave my mate some handy swing tips too.

george67

For Paws wrote: »

Is this guy tall & maybe late 70's?

Was a great pro in Woodbrook named Billy Kinsella, retired in 2006 after 43 years as PGA Pro. Two other brothers, Jimmy K won Madrid Open in '72 & numerous sons & nephews working as pros.

Can't think it's him, but if it is, LISTEN TO HIM, he's seen it all and taught it all.:D

No this guy looks like he is in his late 90s !!

joanmul

For Paws wrote: »

Is this guy tall & maybe late 70's?

Was a great pro in Woodbrook named Billy Kinsella, retired in 2006 after 43 years as PGA Pro. Two other brothers, Jimmy K won Madrid Open in '72 & numerous sons & nephews working as pros.

Can't think it's him, but if it is, LISTEN TO HIM, he's seen it all and taught it all.:D

I had lessons off Billy and I don't think he would 'stoop' so low as to spend his free time wandering around driving ranges. If it was him he'd be a gold mine of tips. Anyway, didn't someone say they heard his name was Cribben?

The Guardian

Old dude at Stepaside nailed me this evening
think its the same dude as that mentioned at leopardstown
(for future reference - he gives 'lessons' and advice at stepaside on tuesdays )

wanders over and sneers 'so the exhibition is over' (i was down to my last 2/3 balls)
then follows it up with 'the way your striking it you could cause a bad road accident'

in fairness, he then pointed out something with my grip that was causing a little hook
i'm always happy to entertain him - the bloke obviously loves golf
started quoting a recent article by nicklaus
or so he said it was recent

For Paws

Reminds me of the guy who on seeing Jim Furyk swing a club said
'If ah were you, I wouldn't take that swing too far out of town, it might be hard to get parts for it'.

Kace

The Guardian wrote: »

Old dude at Stepaside nailed me this evening
think its the same dude as that mentioned at leopardstown
(for future reference - he gives 'lessons' and advice at stepaside on tuesdays )

wanders over and sneers 'so the exhibition is over' (i was down to my last 2/3 balls)
then follows it up with 'the way your striking it you could cause a bad road accident'

in fairness, he then pointed out something with my grip that was causing a little hook
i'm always happy to entertain him - the bloke obviously loves golf
started quoting a recent article by nicklaus
or so he said it was recent

Chortle chortle - jeez he has some great quotes in fairness.

whizbang

I have a rumor that his name is John Cribben, he is retired dentist; (I got this from a professional colleague of his).
But in fairness to the man, golf is golf. I get the impression he is desperate to stay involved, despite not being able to swing a club.

The Guardian

Was wearing a Doonbeg cap.
But then told me he had family in Lahinch.
Must have been a gift, the cap that is.

The Guardian

Next time he approaches someone from the forum here an exclusive interview for boards.ie should be requested.

Dtoffee

whizbang wrote: »

I have a rumor that his name is John Cribben, he is retired dentist; (I got this from a professional colleague of his).
But in fairness to the man, golf is golf. I get the impression he is desperate to stay involved, despite not being able to swing a club.

Jeez Johnnie Cribben ..... back in the 70s he was a regular on the old John Jacobs range. Stone mad, his swing had developed so many twitches and idiosyncrasies that you could barely look at him. Yes Johnny would have you believing he knew all about golf, but one look at him hitting a ball was enough.

To be fair, I dont recall him ever being arsed helping others :rolleyes: he was more into his own thing. I doubt if he's still around as his house in stillorgan has been sold a few times over the years.

decko11

Where do i start ! - great thread ! - about a golf character if there ever was one

It is indeed John Cribben and he is a retired dentist (orthodontist i heard)

He told me (when giving me an unrequested lesson) he was 85 - so say 86 now / his daughter told someone I know he is 89

He claims to have been instrumental in starting leopardstown - getting Jacobs to start it etc.

i didnt know he also "covered" Stepaside range ! - makes sense

as he lives beside and his wife runs a major Equestrian centre near Stepaside


He didnt like the fact that I didnt give him enough eye contact when he interrupted me.. and he tends to avoid me now at the range.

BUT - in fairness - he does know alot about the swing and is a good teacher - a very good one -- as good if not better than alot of the newer pros who have to rely on videos

Indeed, he is part of an old (dying) breed of amateurs who could actually teach.

I know of a few of his peers of yesteryear - all Dentists - and all ex scratch or 1 handicapers who also had a very good reputation as golf teachers.

Derry Culligan of Ennis, Tony Costelloe of Limerick, Norman Butler Dublin would all fit into this category (all dentist, all good golf teachers and ex scratch).


John told me he was at one stage a member of 6 golf clubs - i think his main club was/is Elm Park. He told me he also once played out of Castlerea in Roscommon.

link_2007

decko11 wrote: »

He told me he also once played out of Castlerea in Roscommon.

That's definitely him. He asked where I was from and mentioned this when I told him I am from Roscommon.

Then when he found out I am from Knockcroghery, he told me about how he used to know the 'late, great Jamesie Murray' and almost popped his clogs there and then with excitement when I told him my girlfriend is from the same family of Murrays.

What I'd love to know is, how does he get to Stepaside/Leopardstown? If he is in his late 80s then he's hardly still driving and, while I don't know Leopardstown, Stepaside is a fair walk in even from the main road.

decko11

link_2007 wrote: »

That's definitely him. He asked where I was from and mentioned this when I told him I am from Roscommon.

Then when he found out I am from Knockcroghery, he told me about how he used to know the 'late, great Jamesie Murray' and almost popped his clogs there and then with excitement when I told him my girlfriend is from the same family of Murrays.

What I'd love to know is, how does he get to Stepaside/Leopardstown? If he is in his late 80s then he's hardly still driving and, while I don't know Leopardstown, Stepaside is a fair walk in even from the main road.

I think he still drives - and in fairness - if his eyesight at watching the ball or the position of the clubface at the top of my quick swing is anything to go by - he has exceptional eyesight for a man of his age

On his days in Castlerea - he told me he played regularly with Rupert Staunton - (ex International and not far off Walker cup)

Howjoe1

ah God, he sounds a real character.

Russman

decko11 wrote: »

I think he still drives

Yep, I saw him the other night driving out of Stepaside

Cribben is his name alright, now that I hear it. I remember some of the regulars calling him by name but couldn't remember it til I saw the post earlier !

GetInTheHole!

I cant help but think this...

TGoodall

I've changed my opinion of him, gave me some good advice last week and hitting it much more on line now. I don't think he has enough years left in him to help me though.

The Guardian

I have added 50 yards to my drive since he approached me last week.
Not joking.

Does anyone know where this bloke lives?

decko11

Excellent

I did say he is as good if not better than most pros

I will pm you

Milkers

Sorry had to bump this epic thread. Any recent interactions to report?

dan_ep82

Just read the thread, it all seems a bit mental doesn't it.

The worst I've ever had was a leftie trying to show me how to hit the driver straight, getting mixed up between strong and a weak grip, then proceeding to give me an example and nearly hooking it into the car park, I was biting my lip so hard it hurt lol

Ernest Oreo

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Just read the thread, it all seems a bit mental doesn't it.

The worst I've ever had was a leftie trying to show me how to hit the driver straight, getting mixed up between strong and a weak grip, then proceeding to give me an example and nearly hooking it into the car park, I was biting my lip so hard it hurt lol

ah yes, the old pro.
can take one look at your approach and fix it there and then.

Milkers

I was just thinking I don't think he'd get away with this on the north side. Might be found behind a shed in Elm Green with a 9 iron wrapped around his neck.

decko11

well its over a year since any sightings on this thread ......

PARlance

decko11 wrote: »

well its over a year since any sightings on this thread ......

I'll call Elm Green in the morning and get them to check behind the shed

BigChap1759

I've been up at Leopardstown a lot recently and haven't seen him at all

Shady Tady

He might be giving lessons to the man above!

Bluefoam

Maybe he's a boardsie & read this thread... maybe he found it derogatory and gave up helping people for free...

SaffronandBlue

I can't believe I came across this posting... John Cribben is a true character - a gentleman first, funny as can be, great story teller and above all a golf nut. Actually John is the original golf nut. Of the 4 dentists you mentioned earlier in the blog John was by far the worst - the ring leader you could say. They lived and died for golf. As men of science they knew there was a perfect swing out there and if they searched hard and long they would find the secret. At a time when hitting balls on the range was frowned upon - "what would you be doing that for" - these guys were trend setters. They met at UCD and thereafter scattered only to regroup regularly to download on what they had learned since they last met. This would include trips to England to meet up with the latest guru. It was on one of these trips that John hooked onto John Jacobs - what could be better if Jacobs could set up a driving range up the street in Leopardstown. So John has been there since the beginning. He helped promote an analytical approach that was generally lacking in Irish golf at the time. He has heard it, read it and seen it all. He has learned from the very best in John Jacobs - widely considered the father of modern golf instruction. So even though he is 89 years young there are many nuggetst of wisdom he can share. I wish I was a little closer than Southeastern Pennsylvania to hear some of them. I'm glad he is still spreading the good news and converting new disciples. Thank you John for all the laughs and memories.

SaffronandBlue

I can't believe I came across this posting... John Cribben is a true character - a gentleman first, funny as can be, great story teller and above all a golf nut. Actually John is the original golf nut. Of the 4 dentists you mentioned earlier in the blog John was by far the worst - the ring leader you could say. They lived and died for golf. As men of science they knew there was a perfect swing out there and if they searched hard and long they would find the secret. At a time when hitting balls on the range was frowned upon - "what would you be doing that for" - these guys were trend setters. They met at UCD and thereafter scattered only to regroup regularly to download on what they had learned since they last met. This would include trips to England to meet up with the latest guru. It was on one of these trips that John hooked onto John Jacobs - what could be better if Jacobs could set up a driving range up the street in Leopardstown. So John has been there since the beginning. He helped promote an analytical approach that was generally lacking in Irish golf at the time. He has heard it, read it and seen it all. He has learned from the very best in John Jacobs - widely considered the father of modern golf instruction. So even though he is 89 years young there are many nuggetst of wisdom he can share. I wish I was a little closer than Southeastern Pennsylvania to hear some of them. I'm glad he is still spreading the good news and converting new disciples. Thank you John for all the laughs and memories.

decko11

i havent seen John in ages --- must not be up to it anymore ..... Derry Culligan joined Tony C maybe 10 years ago and Norman is having it rough....

decko11

john is still around

saw him at a funeral

not sure he is still doing his range work

FixdePitchmark

Was out today and this is the only thread that I could think of that this fits in.
In the end reading back now - it wasn't the bloke in this thread - but found a "legend" today.

Was fairly crazy out wind wise and just after hitting my 2nd shot to the first a gent drove up to me in a buggy and said - that me and him were to have a match (he later told me he was in his 70s), we also had to go back to the first tee too. Now there was no match planed and I was short of time - but you can't really refuse a match from a 70+ year old. Anyway - considering the wind on the coast it was a sensible option rather than chasing a score that wasn't there.

He was a guy who had been a low player all his life ("less than 4") - but just due to age was off - 13. Means he had 9 shots on me. I was playing poorly - but he absolute hammered me 6 & 4.

But was hilarious stuff.

On my first wedge into the first, into about 10 feet - he runs over and says , if you don't mind me saying, your divot is way too deep - it should only be the size of 5 euro. I told him - I know , but have been struggling for the last while with wedges.

We walked off the first, with him 1 up after holing a 12 footer.

Walking to next tee - he tells me I could do with losing a bit of weight - (lol). F***er right again.

Next hole I hit a cracking 7 iron to 8 feet - held it up against the wind, but only good enough to be putting first - he had hit a very impressive 5 wood in. Hole halved.

Walking off that hole he tells me how it is silly that a player off my handicap is not using a prov1 - and basically unless you understand ball compression - you are going nowhere.

On 3rd hole I hit a bunker and hit a fairly good bunker shot - but he tells me that I should know it was 1 club extra, not two - I said I better say something back to this lad - because he thinks I basically know nothing about golf. I told him , I was adding loft to get over lip and as it was a cross wind I was using the wind to bring ball back into green - was almost perfect.

He let me off for a while then.

He went on to tell me how he retired from banking in his 50s and basically all his life used golf to entertain clients. It was interesting stuff. We had the chat about the ratio to gross income that people were borrowing and why it all went wrong - Then he started explaining to me how we need to fully understand the ambient conditions in the context of distance control.

He then asked me - " Do you know what they call me in my club" - I had got a feel this guy could take a joke - even one on the very edge. I answered
"The bollix".

Thank feck he laughed. He told me he was the "professor" due to his detailed papers and notes on the game.

We were only around the 9th hole and the match was looking near over - him 4 up. I was playing poor - but he was sort of unbeatable - on every fairway , 2nd shot in or around the green - he just had to get up and down to win holes and he had an outstanding short game. He told me how he payed a lot with professionals, coached young guys, played with all the greats in the Irish game.

Over the next 9 holes - he ripped apart my

• Swing
• Grip
• Posture
• alignment
• stance
• putting
• wedge play
• ball postion
• tee height

He was somewhat right about it all.

His bible on the game was Ben Hogan's Five lessons.

We had a coffee after and a laugh. Before I left I asked him is there anything else in my game or personality he would like to take apart.

He laughed.
I Laughed.

Left in the car with way more questions than answers.