Power, Push or Carry

November 17, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

How do you enjoy your round of golf? Using a power cart, push cart or carrying your clubs? The great thing about golf is that any player, at anytime, can decide on how they want to enjoy their round. But, are there really any benefits to choosing the right mode of transportation when enjoying this awesome game.

As everyone knows, 18 holes of golf is about 4 miles. A carry back weights about 10 kg or 20 pounds depending on the size of your lunch and the number of golf balls in your bag. A cart back will weight more to the tune of about 20 kg or 40 pounds. This seems quite a bit of weight to be moving around for each round of golf. However, experience tells most golfers that it really is not that big of a deal.

I believe that walking is the best way to go. The Walking Golfer talks about the benefits of walking and has started a database on rating the walkability of courses. About.com has an article on the benefits of golf. The Harvard Medical School says that golfing is very good for your overall health. Livestrong.com (quoting the Washington Post) says that walking 1 mile burns 322 calories; more if you carry or push your clubs. Needless to say, there are many benefits to walking and I believe that is the best way to enjoy a round of golf.

“So What?” many of you are asking. I have not really passed on anything new or unique. Well let’s think about this topic a bit deeper. I want to remove the discussion on the benefits of health and focus on the practicality of using a power cart, push cart or to carry your clubs. As I previously stated, I love to carry my clubs, however I do use all three modes of transport while playing golf.

Carrying clubs is faster and allows a player the opportunity acquire a better feel for the round they are playing. There are no restrictions on where you can walk and your clubs are always with you if you want to change your club selection. I carry my clubs early in the morning, on cool days and non-competitive rounds. This is the majority of the time I spend on the links and thus I carry my clubs more often than not.

Push carts offer some of the same benefits as carrying and allows you to carry more stuff. For example, when it may rain, I like to pull my clubs. I can carry my rain suit and umbrella, extra towel, etc. This is extra weight that I can carry if required, but would prefer not to. In addition, on really hot sunny days (generally in the middle of the afternoon) I like to push my clubs because of the heat and I can carry lots of water! I also use my push cart during tournaments. I have found that most amateur golfers think they are pros during tournaments and normal 4-hour rounds turn into 5 or 6 hour rounds. Additionally, I can carry food and water to get me through the long rounds. Lastly, I conserve my energy for when I need it by using a push cart.

Power carts are best during fun tournaments like 4 person scrambles. We can pick up balls from all over the fairway and return to one location to hit our next shot. It enables us to spend a bit more time together talking, joking and laughing about something. Also, I believe power carts are great for players how cannot physically walk 18 holes, but still want to play this awesome game.

Different modes of transporting your clubs during a round of golf has different benefits to each player. There is no wrong answer; it really depends on what you want to experience while on the links. Power, push, or carry really does not matter, what matters is that you are doing it. I am a grateful golfer.

Which mode of transporting your clubs do you prefer?

Importance of Marking Your Ball

November 16, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

I was playing a round with a mentor of mine, Bob Fortune, and he told me a story. Bob was one of the top golfers in Canadian Forces for years. He played in many international competitions and his story of the importance of marking your ball really hit home.

While playing in a tournament, Bob watched his competitor tee off 4 times on one hole. Each time the ball went to the same general location. After the 4th ball they decided that they should be able to find one of them. After a short search, they found a ball. Of course the first question was, “What were you shooting?” The competitor said, “Titleist 4.” His next question was, “What was your second ball?” The response, “Titleist 4.” Bob’s third question, “Your third ball?” Again the response, “Titleist 4.” The fourth question received the same response, “Titlest 4!”

Bob said he was shocked. His competitor had not marked his ball in order to specifically identify it as his own. Bob said, “I am sorry, but you are lying 7.” His competitor did not agree and challenged his interpretation of the rules. They agreed to ask the judge when they ended the round.

At the completion of the round, they brought their claim to the tournament judge and the ruling was in favor of Bob’s interpretation. At the time, I was not know rules and asked him why. According 2012 RCGA rules, it is the responsibility of each play to put an identification mark on your ball; many golfers play the same brand of ball and if you can’t identify your ball, it is considered lost (Rules 12-2 and 27-1). Thus 2 stroke penalty for each ball not found. In this case 6 strokes.

Since Bob’s story, I have always marked my ball. I use blue and read ink. I use blue for regular play and red for a provisional ball. I have never been caught by this rule, but I can easily see the average player could be quickly be assessed a two-stroke penalty.

Have you ever been caught by this rule?

2 Stroke Penalty – Really?

November 14, 2012April 1, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

While playing a round of golf in a tournament, Tim, Dave, Chris and Kirk were talking quite a bit. They seemed to get along very well and the round was quite pleasant. As they continued through the round Tim and Dave talked the most. While walking down the 12th hole, Tim asked Dave what club he used on the par 3 – 11th tee. Dave, not thinking anything about it said a 7 iron.

On the tee box of the par 3 – 16th hole, Dave asked Tim what club he just used. Tim said 6 iron and was smiling because he hit it on the green. Dave thought for a second, grabbed a 7 iron and hit the ball on to the green as well. Both players two putted and were happy with their par. When they said their score, Chris piped up and said, “Ah, no, that will be a 5 for both of you.”

Both Tim and Dave said, “No Way! A 2 stroke penalty – Really? For What?

Asking for and giving advice. Tim and Dave were not convinced and pulled out the rule book right then and there.

First they looked at the definition of advice which is defined by the 2012 RCGA Rules as “Advice’’ is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules, distance or matters of public information, such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice.

The penalty for breaching the rules falls under Rule 8-1. Advice: During a stipulated round, a player must not:

a. give advice to anyone in the competition playing on the course other than his partner, or b. ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or either of their caddies.

Both players were very disappointed and said they do this all the time. I would suggest we all have given advice during a practice round and never gave it a second thought. It is important to know the rules because during a tournament, it could cost you more than 2 strokes.

I am a grateful golfer. See you on the links!

Focused Club Selection

November 13, 2012November 13, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

What the heck! You are playing the game of your life; you are in the middle of the fairway 130 yards from the par 5 – 18th green. If you shoot par, you beat your best score ever…if you birdie the hole you won the lottery! Then the thought hits you, 130 yards….you are in between a hard 9 or easy 8 iron. What to do?

Thoughts go through your head like choking down on the 8 iron or hitting a normal 9 iron and rely on our short game to your goal. Well, I suggest that most players would hit the hard 9. There are less chances of error and if you come up short, it will not be by much. If you hit the 8 too smooth, you will be over the green or worse.

Okay, let’s back up. The problem of being in between clubs is not uncommon. Additionally, it is completely preventable. I would say that the problem started on the tee or as a minimum, the second shot was not played with a focus on club selection.

As you approach every tee box and start setting up for the hole; you should play the hole in your head before you even swing a club. You know how far you can hit a ball with each club. So use that knowledge to set the hole up and reduce your chances of being in between clubs. Using a 3 wood instead of a driver off the tee or a 3 hybrid instead of 3 wood off the deck would make about a 10 to 20 yard difference in your overall distance; thus you are no longer in between clubs!

Focused club selection on the tee will help lower your score and improve your overall game.

What do you think? Will it work? See you on the links.

Chipping In!

November 12, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

One of the most rewarding shots in golf is chipping in. It not only saves strokes, but provides an adrenalin rush for a couple more shots. All golfers try to hole the ball on every shot, but are we really doing the right things to accomplish that ever elusive chip in?

Being within 5 yards of the green provides the best opportunity to chip the ball in the hole. To carry out this feat – the bump and run is the best shot. Yes, if a bunker is in the way or a sprinkler head or….then a lob shot is best. However, if you have a straight shot at the green, the percentage shot is the bump and run.

Over the years, I have realized that I can save 5 strokes around (depending on if I hit the green in regulation or not) by focusing on my set-up for a bump and run shot. Recently, I have made some changes with some excellent results.

First, line the bump and run up like a putt. Take the time to actually read the green, the slope, grain, and location of the hole.

Second, decide how hard to hit the ball by choose the landing spot for the ball. This part is extremely important! By determining where to land the ball will result in how far the ball will eventually travel and the line it travels on.

Third, select a club. Normally, I use a 7-iron. But that will change depending on what hazards I have to navigate around. The traditional wisdom is to use an 8-iron, but I am anything but traditional. The point is, pick the club you feel will get the job done.

Fourth, I use a putter grip on the club. It softens your hands, ensures your wrists remain locked and enables the club head to follow the path of your line.

Fifth, take practice swings. Take as many as required until you have determined the speed required land the ball on your aiming point. It is very important that you take these practice swings in the type of grass your ball is in.

Six, I visualize the ball going in the hole. This step is also very important. Some will say to visualize a three-foot circle around the hole, but think that approach is not aggressive enough.

Seventh and last, do not be afraid to hit the ball past the hole. 100% of short puts do not go in! It is easier to hit the ball a little softer on the next stroke than to try to hit it a bit harder. Additionally, watch the ball go past the hole – it will show you the line coming back if needed.

Well now you know my secret to the bump and run. I believe it is a very important skill that is easily practiced. It will save strokes.

If you have any bump and run tips, please pass them on! See you on the links.