Advice to Your Fellow Player – Good or Bad Idea?

July 8, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I have played many rounds of golf with players with varying degrees of skill. As my game has improved, so has the number of questions on how to play a particular shot or what is wrong with my swing or what is the best equipment to buy! Well the challenging aspect of advice is knowing the person to whom you are providing your years of wisdom.

Today I was playing with a friend of mine who is an excellent athlete. Golf is his 4th or 5th sport. He has the basics down and if he really devoted some time to practicing could be a single digit handicapper. As we proceeded around the course, I watched and noticed a couple minor challenges that could be easily corrected. Now here comes the dilemma. Should I say something or not?

I choose to not say anything until the 15th hole when he opened the conversation to a point where injecting my observation was timely. I explained about weight shift and keeping your weight inside your stance during the entire swing. He gave it a try and immediately had success. His immediate question was why did I wait so long to tell him! I explained that there are three types of people, those who really want to know and would openly accept advice; those who ask for advice but have decided that change would be too difficult; and those who ask for advice, but really don’t want you to give it. My experience is to wait until asked and enjoy my round of golf.

Today was fantastic on the course and I shot one of my best rounds of the year! I was one over par and had a chance to shoot under par. The company as fantastic, the course at Laurentide was in awesome condition, and the weather was perfect. I am a grateful golfer.

So, is giving advice on the golf course a good idea or a bad idea?

Hitting the Fairway

July 7, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Golfing is an interesting sport! Everyone has the ability to play the game and although only a few reach the elite level. One of the basic aspects of the game that leads to great scoring is hitting the fairway off the tee.

Today I played with my usual partner who is on the verge of breaking 90 all the time! Through our discussions we determined that the only real difference in our games is that I hit the fairway 8 times out of 10. He unfortunately does not. Thinking more about our conversation, I realized that hitting the fairway is the first step to scoring well.

So the real question is how do I improve my fairway percentage? Interestingly, it has to do with club selection. For example, on short 350 yard par 4, instead of hitting a driver, I suggest that you use your 3 or 5 wood or even your 3 iron. Generally, golfers are more accurate with these clubs and you will only be 10 to 20 yards shorter than normal. The real benefit is your next shot. It is from the short grass and without having to go around a tree. Another example is a 525 yard par 5. Use your 3 or 5 wood twice and your third shot at the green will be within 100 yards and again from the short grass!

So next time you are on the tee, think if the driver is the best club. Try something new, maybe you will find a better way to manage the course. Enjoy the weekend and I hope to see you on the links! I am a grateful golfer.

When Your Game Goes South!

July 5, 2012July 8, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Well today was another interesting challenge on the links. I started with 5 bogeys on the first 6 holes. And I THREE PUTTED 4 times! OUCH! I was confused, frightened (ok not really), annoyed, and well confused again. I started to press my game to get back a stroke or two before the end of the front nine. Although the score did not show it, I struggled for the next 5 holes.

Now what? I remembered an article I read a long time ago that related perfectly to my current situation. Instead of pressing; the article say to throttle back a bit. Hit the ball at 90% instead of 105%. Guess what, it worked. I regained my calm, struck the ball better and putted better. I finished 7 over and felt better at the end. I am a grateful golfer.

So my question is – what do you do regain your game when it seems to have gone south?

Practice Makes Perfect!

July 4, 2012July 4, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

How many times a week do you practice? To develop muscle memory one must repeat the same movement over a long period of time. I was at the range today practicing and realized that I have hit my 7 iron at least 1000 times in my 35 years of golf. That goes the same for my driver and three wood. Less for my long irons. Here I was practicing with a large bucket and enjoying every stroke. I would try a couple of things, but mostly my swing is grooved and I hit it pretty straight. I follow the same routine, set up, grip, stance and stroke. As a result, my score is within a couple of strokes 95% of the time.

As I came to the bottom of my bucket, I was still wondering how I can consistently lower my score. I thought of my best rounds (I have had 3 under-par) and wondered what was the reason for these special times.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks – chipping and putting. I have hit chipped and putted twice as much as my next club. So why am I spending 40 minutes hitting balls and only 20 minutes chipping and putting. Actually I should – and will – reverse this time.

Golf Link has a 5 step way to lower your score. Its first step is to practice your short game. I second that! The next four steps are also excellent ways to become the golfer you want to be.

Spending more time chipping and putting will definitely lower your score. See you on the links!

Heads or Tails?

July 3, 2012July 3, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Heads or Tails? What the heck? What kind of statement is that? Well believe it or not, it has lots to do with the golf swing. Through the years I have been asked many questions regarding the single most important aspect of the golf swing. Should I keep my elbow in? Should I keep my lower body still? Should I, Should I, Should I….there have been many very good questions. So what is the answer to this very important question?

My advice is focus on keeping your head as still as possible. At Swing Surgeon Golf he talks about this exact point. I agree with their points that keeping the head a still as possible (it will never be completely still) will allow for a more consistent swing. And for most amateurs this is what we are looking for. Keeping the your head as still helps develop and swing that can be duplicated and is more consistent.

There are many tricks and tips out there on how to keep your head still. The one tip that works best for me is to swing at 90% strength, watch the club make contact and count to one, staying focused on the spot where my club hit the ball. You will be pleasantly surprised and the results.

Tomorrow is a special day for all my friends in the United States. I wish everyone a fantastic 4th of July. I hope you are spending it with friends, family and loved ones. See you on the links; I am a grateful golfer!