Hunting for the Pin!

October 30, 2012October 30, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Golfing is an interesting sport. On any given day, you can go through a roller coaster of emotions that keeps you coming back for more. I have several ways of minimizing these crazy feelings, but my favorite is hunting for the pin!

Normally, this approach is frustrating and ill-advised. Most people would say that hunting for the pin will add stokes to your game, but I say – NO WAY! It is the only way to go.

On those days when we feel that we need a change from our normal game and want to challenge ourselves, hunting for the pin is the way to go. So, no matter where the pin is located, try firing darts. You will be surprised on how much fun you will have.

Usually I will only hit the ball close one in five, but that one shot usually makes my day. Sometimes a surprising thing happens…my first shot is golden and the rest of my game is like it is from a dream. I just cannot miss!

Hunting for the pins is a way to have fun and challenge ourselves while strolling around the links. Trying different things allows us to step out of the norm and see what you can really accomplish!

Dead of Winter – Golf Blogs

October 29, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

I always knew there were plenty of golf blogs out there. Many come and go, but a few strike a chord for the average golfer. As I explore more, I am surprised at the different types of golfing blogs that peak my interest.

I mostly follow the blogs that are not selling anything, that have a personal interest and will help my game in one way or another. Here are a couple that I enjoy:

Ian Hardie at Golf Habits.com – this blog has plenty of useful tips and interesting discussions.

Tony Carbon’s the Duffers Digest talks about everyday stuff that I enjoy.

Golf Tutorials Hub has many tips and hits in video format that will help the weekend golfer.

Slicedtee deals with the trials and tribulations of a new comer to the game of golf.

Just a Few Photos is a photo blog that has many interesting photos with some relating to golf.

These are just a few blogs that I check every day or two. Some give great tips, some make we think and some just make me laugh. So now that the winter months are closing in, you can use golf blogs as ways to stay connected to the game I love in preparation for next season! I am a grateful golfer….see you on the links!

V-Grooves. U-Grooves. Really?

October 27, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

I was reading the rules of golf from Golf Canada and came across the changes to the grooves on clubs. I read their intent and have concluded that technology is making the game of golf too easy. Well, I for one completely agree….haha! I will concede that technology has allowed the amateur to hit the ball a bit further, lob the ball higher, and hit recovery shots easier. But, a player still must hit the shot straight, strike the ball to obtain the proper distance, and manage the course to lower their score.

So what is the big deal about V-Grooves or U-Grooves! The table below from the RCGA outlines when the rule will take effect.

Date	Change	Effecting…
Jan 1, 2010	New specifications introduced on club-face markings.	All new models of clubs launched after January 1, 2010. Existing models of clubs will continue to conform to the Rules of Golf.
Jan 1, 2010	Condition of Competition will be available to Committees requiring players to use clubs with markings which conform to the new specifications.	Strongly recommended that this Condition should be introduced only on the major Professional Tours. All other golfers, playing in competitions where this condition has not been introduced, can and should be permitted to continue to use old model clubs which do not satisfy the new specifications.
Jan 1, 2014	Condition of Competition will continue to be available to Committees.	Strongly recommended that this Condition should be extended only to lower level Professional events and expert level amateur events. Club level golfers can and should be permitted to continue to use old model clubs, which do not satisfy the new specifications.
Jan 1, 2024	Earliest date that the Rules will be applied to clubs manufactured prior to 2010. This date will be reviewed in 2020 and may be extended.	All players, all abilities, all forms of play.

Golf Digest’s excellent article on grooves explains why they are changing….or not changing the face of golf. I never really understood the reasons before, but I guess it make sense. The sharper the edges the more grip the club face will have in the rough or wet conditions.

Titleist.com has the best guide I could find. It explains everything. Their view is that the design of the grooves really do not make any difference. The main point of the guide is the angle of the groove face and the volume of the groove. This article is very good and will explain much about this issue.

So What? Why am I telling you this! Rules are changing. It is important that we stay on top of the changes so it does not have a negative impact on our game in the future. The rules are an important part of golf and levels the playing field. I am not fussed about the rule change on grooves, but would not change my clubs because of the rule change.

What do you think about the change in the groove rule?

Keeping Golf Alive in the Dead of Winter!

October 24, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

I have decide to create a new category for the winter bound golfers who are patiently waiting for spring. I live in northern Canada and golf season is virtually over. I now have the long wait until mid April when the courses will open again. So how do I keep the spark alive and yet prepare for another awesome season on the links.

Well, my first suggestion is to have a grip changing party! I know it sounds goofy, but let me explain. I have to change my grips anyway, see my previous blog called “Is There a Difference in Grips” so I thought it would be fun and cheaper to do it in a group.

Right now I have 3 friends who are willing to participate. I am aiming for 5-8 friends. I will assume that 8 friends will attend. Each player will be responsible for bringing their own grips unless we want to purchase the same type. If only 5 of use want to use the same grips, the cost is reduced because we would order in bulk and get a much cheaper price. The savings could be as much as 50 dollars. Pays for the party.

I am going to put on golf movies, music or sports depending on what the guys want. I will provide snacks and some thing to drink. Everyone will come over, I will have the basic tools to change the clubs ready and wait to see where the party goes.

This idea is simply and fun. I will have an opportunity to visit with my friends, talk about golf and prepare my equipment for next year. Hopefully, I will be able to do something every month or so to reduce long wait until next years golf season.

Any ideas?

So Why Golf?

October 23, 2012June 18, 2017 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Perception is reality! – Lee Atwater

Discussing any topic with someone is always interesting! Their point of view or perception of any issue is always correct (for them) and most of the time they can present life examples of why they are correct. I believe that everyone’s point of view provides a window into his or her character and how they think. One’s perception is truly one’s reality!

Let’s take golf for example. I have discussed golf with many people and why in my perception its the best sport in the world. Why it is not always about winning a tournament, but competing with yourself everyday. Most non-golfers really do not see it. Their perception of the game is that it is for older people who are not athletic or fit enough to play baseball, hockey, tennis….etc. Or they see it as a waste of time and they would rather be living vicariously through the TV watching professional sports. (Okay a bit of a rant there…sorry) Ultimately, they do not get the why golf is such a great game! So for those none golfers who happen to stumble across this article – this is why golf is GREAT!

Etiquette and Fair Play

“Golf is a sport that will teach your child things like etiquette and fair play because golf is, and always has been, a game of honour. They can learn how to conduct themselves on the golf course, especially when playing in a group or with other groups playing behind. Having regard for other golfers on the course is an integral part of the game and children will do well to learn this early.” This point is every important to me and InfoBarrel.com deserves the credit for writing it so well. Although the article focuses on kids; this article applies to everyone!

The Top 10 Life Lessons Your Child Can Learn from Playing Golf

This is an excellent reason for people should take up golf! It outlines 10 benefits for kids, however I would suggest that if the kids can do it so can adults, teenagers and basically anyone. My favorite from the ten life lessons is humility and respect. This trait will benefit everyone, now and into the future.

What can you learn from golf?

By Paul Gittings, CNN, November 17, 2011. He provides a very interesting perspective on the game of golf. He suggests that golf is not easy to learn. Additionally, it takes plenty of practice. “Better, perhaps, to adopt the attitude of the great South African golfer Gary Player, who often performed miracles around the greens. “The more I practice, the luckier I get,” the nine-time major champion was once famously quoted as saying.”” Gary player summed up the article very well. His perception is that practice does improve your ability in anything. I agree and that is my reality.

Sun Rising During and Early Morning Round! Laurentide Golf Course, Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada

Golf, like any sport, should be played to have fun! I enjoy chasing a little white ball around the course in the early morning when it is quiet and relaxing, walking on fresh-cut grass, seeing the sun rise over a green, getting a hole in one, watching my friend get a hole in one, watching my mom get a hole in one (that was really cool!) watching my friend break 90, 80, 70, me breaking 70, and competing against myself every round to try to improve something about my game. My perception is that golf is the ultimate sport that transcends all ages and my reality is that no one can convince me otherwise! I am a grateful golfer.