A Change is as Good as a Rest!

March 16, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Recently, I visited my family who I have not seen in quite some time. During our visit, I was caught up on all the news, entertained by the young and potential golfers (well everyone is a potential golfer in my eyes) and realized how much I miss visiting these fantastic people. During many of the interesting conversations, I thought how refreshed I felt and how energized I was when we had to say good-bye.

This fantastic visit had a positive impact on my attitude and energy level. As always, I wondered how my experience could be applied to golf. After much contemplation, I think I have it: a change is a good as a rest in golf? I would say a change is absolutely good for your golf game.

I and many golf advocates talk about consistency, repetition, and staying focused. Of course this is very important. But what do we do when we hit the wall and all our efforts do not result in any tangible improvement in our game. I suggest making a change. Specifically, play a different course!

Playing a different course will help change your mental thought processes towards your game. I know, many are saying no way, but how many of us are choosing the same club on the same hole even before we get to the tee. On our home course, we know which club we want to use (whether it is the right club or not), when, and where. After ten rounds in two weeks, this approach may become stale and actually have a negative affect on our score.

Many websites provide information on vacations, rating and walking of golf courses. Sites like: Golf Vacation Insider, World Golf, The Walking Golfer, Golf Association of Ontario, Dallas Divot Report, and Gorilla Golf. All are valuable resources when choosing local or destination golf excursions.

Regardless, the benefits of periodically playing different courses throughout the golf season will only improve your game. It will keep you mentally strong, focused and provides many new experiences. I like to play about 10 different courses throughout the year. An added bonus is that playing different courses helps check if my handicap is real or not! Additionally, It is fun, challenging and as the Mindful Golfer says: Golf is a Contact Sport. Meeting new people is always a grateful experience.

How many courses do you try to play during the year?

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

I Need To Work On My Swing!

March 11, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

I have heard this statement so many times that I wonder if people really mean it! “I need to fix my swing”. Yet they never do; they ask a player with a 20 handicap for tips…not sure that is a recipe for success. Each swing is unique to each player. Of course we would all like to swing like Ben Hogan, but that is usually not the case.

The Bleacher Report covers the Top 20 swings of all time. I am sure, that after you look at it, you can come up with many players who could make that list. Ultimately, they all have the same basic swing and the results are in their successes.

But what about the rest of us! We do not have that smooth take away or high follow through that ensures consistent results all the time….but do you really need it! I remember pros like Ray Floyd and Lee Trevino who had less than text-book swings, but were very successful. Also, look at this video of pros who have swings that you do not want to duplicate.

As you can see, even swings that are not text-book can still lead to success. Moe Norman, considered one of the best ball strikers of all time had an ugly swing. But could he hit a ball!

Ultimately, your swing is your swing. Sometimes it is best just to embrace what you can do and not worry so much about what you cannot. If you do decide to change, it is best to see your local club pro or a PGA professional (like Rick Williams at mindbodygolf.com). They will be able to help you work out all the kinks. Tips from your friends is probably not the best way to solve your swing problems.

In closing, if you are deciding to buy a new $500 dollar driver thinking it will fix your swing…may I suggest you save $400 and take two lessons before you buy new equipment!

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

Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil

March 8, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil are my two favorite rodents. Each year, they have an extremely difficult job to predict the weather. This year, both of these lovable creatures predicted an early spring.

3 Feet of Snow and it is time for it to go!

This means that I have only 38 more days until the golf courses are open. To prepare, I have adopted a muscle-building yoga program (actually it is from the Biggest Loser and it really works well) to increase my core strength and flexibility. I have worked out for three weeks now and I feel great. Additionally, I play on a men’s basketball team. It is also keeping me in shape. When the basketball stops, I will start swimming. Additionally, my wife and I walk at least once a day for 45 minutes. All this exercise has me excited about the upcoming golf season and with the coming of spring, I can hardly wait to hit the links. In my next blog, I will talk about how I mentally prepare for the up coming season and my plan for success.

As you can see from the picture, there is still a bit of snow left, however in three weeks it will all be gone….I can hardly wait. For those already golfing…..I hope you are having fun. For those of waiting, preparing will help re-entry into golf so much easier.

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

To Tee or Not to Tee

March 6, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Every year I receive golf tees as a stocking stuffer. It is one of those gifts that I love because I always need them. As I continue to get my equipment ready for summer, I realized that I have three different lengths of tees. Not that really bothers me, but I actually wondered if it really makes a difference.

At ehow.com, they explain how to pick a length of tee. They focus on the size of the club being used and the size of the club. They suggest:

2 1/8″ tees are used for your irons, hybrid clubs, and low profile woods.
2 3/4″ tees are used for drivers under 360cc.
3 1/4″ tees are used for drivers over 360cc.
4″ tees are the longest tees allowed in play, they will give you the maximum impact angle while driving.

Sandtrap.com conducted a poll on the length of tee used by golfers. 2 3/4 inch was first with 44% of the vote and 3 1/4 inch was second with 34% of the vote. I would suggest that the longer tees are used more because of the increase in driver size over the past 10 years.

This is all very interesting. The length of tee is important, but there are no real rules. I believe that the 4 inch tee may not be the length of choice because of how high the ball would sit, but again I have never tried it.

For my driver, I use a 2 3/4 inch tee. For my irons, hybrids or 3 wood, I use broken tees. I collect them around the course and use them all the time. Rarely will I use a new tee. I have tried just about every design and style of tee. I always go back the standard old fashion tee. Seems to work best for me.

Overall, it really does not matter. What does matter is that the length of tee is right for you. Experiment and try different lengths. Let me know how you made out.

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