Opinion & Analysis
Breaking down John Daly’s “Hit It Hard” lyrics
John Daly, the stage is yours.
But hasn’t it always been? Since Daly blessed the stage of the PGA Championship in 1991, eyes have been fixed on the long-driving, nicotine-inhaling golfing rockstar. He’s rocked the golfing universe with his Tin-Cup style course management, unparalleled charisma and the uncanny ability to relate to the common man without being so common.
With a guitar in hand instead of a golf club, he’s on his way to becoming a rockstar in the traditional sense. Daly’s hit song “Hit it Hard” from his 2010 country album “The Only Way I Know” is reaching acclaim in the mainstream media after getting airtime on Sirius XM radio recently. Daly’s life is an open book, but the honesty in his lyrics on this song will hit home to a lot of his golf fans.
Well I’ve won and lost against the best, This old road’s been a hell of a test…
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In a recent interview with Dan Patrick, Daly describes some very personal struggles throughout his life — some public knowledge, some not-so-public. Go to the 12-minute mark to hear the story of when Daly’s father pulled a gun on him.
People may doubt Daly’s decisions on and off the course, but no one can doubt the road he’s traveled has been a “hell of a test.”
I’m still driving, I ain’t slowin’ down, There’s rules I love to break and bend…
John Daly still posts up his RV outside Augusta National’s front gates, selling LoudMouth gear and interacting with fans. He’s certainly still driving, and even though Augusta’s invitation no longer comes, it doesn’t slow him down at all.
Mistakes I’ve made again again, but I’ll tell you this my friends I’m still around…
Daly seems to make mistakes in bunches — whether it’s marital troubles, arrests, trashing hotels, hitting the slot machines or withdrawing from golf tournaments. That being said, he’s still around fighting the good fight.
I hit it hard man (hard!), so far man (far!), No layin’ up, No holdin’ back, ain’t afraid of nothin’ it’s a natural fact…
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Holding back? Not on Daly’s watch.
Yea most people would’ve given up by now, All the rough I’ve seen, these ups and downs, somehow I just keep on playin’ through…
He’s been through ups and downs, that’s for sure. To his credit, he keeps on playing, wearing more interesting pants than ever.
So all you critics pull up a chair, at the winners circle soon, I’ll be there, with a high five and a smile, for you…
He says it in the song and he says it to the media. He believes he can still win. His drives may have lost some pop, but there’s magic in his hands. When he’s playing his best and his health is under control, who’s to say he can’t pull off one more tournament victory? It’d be one of the best-feeling feel-good stories in golf history.
Had enough of people tryin’ to tell me how to live my life, these lawyers and shrinks spending money like my ex-wives…
His ex-wives surely have not spent as much as Daly himself, but they have been known to get into a little trouble of their own.
Tried gambling, drinking, smoked three packs a day, hell, ain’t country music supposed to be this way? It’s from the heart man…
He smokes almost as many cigarettes a day as he makes strokes in a round of golf. He also drinks more Diet Cokes than he averages putts per round. The impending health issues could be a problem, but this country song is undoubtedly coming from the heart.
I hit it hard man (hard! Yea!), so far man (so far!)
If there’s one thing we know for certain, John Daly hits it hard. And for that, we thank you for the 23-years of entertainment.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
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If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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mickieneo
Sep 10, 2017 at 1:43 pm
well, he has won my heart. I don’t know does that counts.
Ryan
Oct 6, 2014 at 11:44 pm
Love JD
Rymail00
Oct 6, 2014 at 9:59 pm
Love JD!! Been a huge fan. I also read his autobiography a few times, “My Life In And Out Of The Rough”. If you haven’t read I highly recommend it.
JD has at least 1 win left in him.
Ryan