For the third time in four years, the Golf Historical Society of Canada offered the opportunity to play a round of golf using hickory shaft golf clubs (hickories) at Osprey Links. As per previous years, I was teamed with Lorne Emery, GHSC Secretary and Ambassador. Lorne entertained our group for 18 holes with historical information about the creation of specific clubs, their origin and who played them. Additionally, he kept us laughing with funny tales about golf through personal stories. This event is definitely a highlight of my golf season and I am already looking forward to next year.
Continue readingAuthor: The Grateful Golfer
Assessing Penalty Strokes After The Fact
Every competitive golfer has been assessed penalty strokes at one time or another. I definitely have collected my share penalty strokes, but never any after my round was completed. Over the past decade, many professional golfers were assessed penalty strokes after their round was completed by the PGA Tour Officials. They have reexamined a situation and deemed that the player committed a rules infraction and as a result awarded extra strokes prior to the start of the next round. Cam Smith experienced this calamity last weekend during the St Jude Classic.
Continue readingThe Dilemma of Golf
Every golfer has to deal with the dilemma of golf. The challenge is not whether to play more, practice more or to fully commit to this amazing sport, but it hovers on the moral challenges golfers face each time we tee up. Golf is a self regulating game that requires each player to, first and foremost, be their own rules official and secondly to provide over watch of the players in your group. Regardless, of which of these situations you are faced with on the course, each player is expected to play with the highest level of integrity and honour. For me, I have two standards. One during a friendly and one during a competition. I realize I should not have a double standard, but I am not afraid to admit that I do and ultimately, I think you do as well.
Continue readingClub Selection Is Critical To Low Golf Scores
Most amateur golfers make 100 decisions on what club to use during a round of golf. Of course that number of 100 is likely an average depending on how many strokes it takes for you to shoot a round, but I think you understand where I am going. Many of the decisions are no brainers, but there is one area that requires a great deal of focus and concentration in order to make a successful golf shot. The distance of 25 yards and closer to the green is where most amateurs fail proper club selection and I know this because of my last round of golf!
Continue readingFollow Through On All Your Golf Shots!
One of the most underrated aspect of our golf swing is the follow through. I have watched so many different versions of this critical move that I am confident that the follow through is an after thought for most amateurs. Years ago I know that I was focused on the position of my club at the top of my swing vice where it finished. As my knowledge and understanding of grew, I realized that my overlooking my follow through, I was negating all the effort I made in the other aspects of my swing. Well, I am here to say that if you do not have an understanding of your follow through, you are likely holding back your golf game.
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