I am entering a very busy week of golf. I am playing six of seven days with a hickory stick tournament in Ottawa and a friendly in Renfrew with my wooden shafted clubs. This increased activity happens every year and I am enjoying the increased time on the links. Today, I am playing a match for the Open Match Play event I organized at my home course and it should be fun playing against a new opponent. With all this increased activity, I learned a long time ago to pay attention to the little things in my game to ensure I am playing my best for the week.
Continue readingAuthor: The Grateful Golfer
There Will Be A New Club Champion At Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort
My efforts to be the club champion at the Mattawa Golf and Ski resort will end this year. I played my first round match against a great young player yesterday and he sent me packing. I lost 1 up and the match could have finished in my favour, but alas Alex emerged victorious. Having said that, it was the best match I experienced in years and want to congratulate Alex and wish him well in the next round.
Continue readingKnowing Your Carry Distance Is Very Important
Every golfer hits the ball differently and to different distances. We may be grouped in relation to our handicap, however rarely are any two golfers exactly the same. Regardless of performance, all golfers should understand and know how far they hit their clubs. It might surprise you to know that many of us do not hit the ball as far as we think! This oversight in our knowledge is costing us strokes every time we tee it up. Well, today we are going to change all of that!
I have touched on this topic in the past and hopefully you found the information helpful. I am revisiting this topic today because I found a video that is all encompassing on this topic. It is about 10 minutes long and if you are looking for some distance answers, I recommend you watch it all.
As a 5 handicapper (most days), my distances match what was stated in the video. I hit my driver about 240 and my 7 iron about 150 yards on average. On my good days, these distances are farther, but on my bad….well, you get the point. Fortunately I am able to adjust my club selection decisions based on what is happening on any given day.
I realized a long time ago that my distance knowledge would improve my golf game. It opens the opportunities on shot and club selection. This in turn allows increased scramble abilities, avoiding addition strokes from under/over yardage decisions and strengthens my overall tee to green game. Lastly, when I finally learned my club distances, my course management skills improved drastically. As you can see, this bit of knowledge has many applications in our game.
If you do not know your distances, I recommend you take the time to figure them out. It will be helpful in all areas of your game.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Fundamentals Of The Golf Grip
The only part of the body that makes contact with the golf club is our hands. Through the grip, we are able to control the direction, distance, and accuracy of the clubface during contact. It is probably the single most important skill any golfer can learn in order to excel at golf. Personally, I use the interlocking grip, but that is not the only option open to players. For an expert explanation of the golf grip, I think it is important to default to Butch Harmon. He definitely lays out the fundamentals in a way we can understand and emulate.
Continue readingUpcoming Hickory Stick Events Around Ottawa
Starting 19 July 2024, three exciting hickory stick events will be hitting the Ottawa area. These three events offer an opportunity for anyone interested in trying out golf as it was played about 100 years ago. There is still time for you to come join the fun!
The first event, which myself and my friend Charlie will be attending, is a two-person scramble called Ottawa Hickory–Hawes Challenge. It will be held at Manderley on the Green on 19 July. Here is the flyer that provides all the details:
The second event (which Charlie and I will be attending) held on 20 July 2024 at 11 am, at the Renfrew Golf Club is one designed to celebrate the 95 Anniversary of the Renfrew Golf Club. This event offers as step back in time as players are paired with members from the Hickory Golf Society to experience a unique round of golf and provide your hickory clubs. Come enjoy a day of camaraderie and historical golfing charm as we mark this special milestone in our club’s history – Happy 95th RGC. If more information, contact Bob West (bobwest47421@gmail.com) for details.
The final event of the weekend will be held on 21 July 2024 at Club de Golf et Tennis Larrimac – Larrimac Golf & Tennis Club – 100th Anniversary Celebration (Chelsea, Quebec, Sunday, Jul 21) – contact Lorne Emery contact Lorne Emery (lorne.emery9945@gmail.com) for details. Unfortunately, I cannot attend this event, but it sounds like great fun.
As you can see, there is some exciting hickory golf to be played around Ottawa on the weekend of 19 – 21 July. I am looking forward to playing in two of the events, meeting new hickory stick enthusiasts and seeing how my hickory stick game is coming along. In addition, I have not played Manderley on the Green or the Renfrew courses, so I am excited to try new tracks. I will let you know how things go after the events. If you are inclined, we hope to see you at one or all of the upcoming events.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 