Double Hit in Golf – Rule 14-4

May 17, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 11 Comments

Watch out for the double hit!

Today was an interesting round. There were many ups and downs, but I encountered a situation that I have not seen in about 150 rounds of golf. It is truly a rare thing and it happened twice in the same round!

On the third hole, I was playing the ball out of the long grass to beside the green. There was not much room to get my club down on the ball to make a clean hit, so I tried a scoop like shot. I used a steep down swing, mixed with a steep up swing to try to pop the ball out of the long wet grass. As I made contact with the ball, my follow through felt strange. Almost as if I was carrying the ball and helping it to the hole.

After completing the hole, I asked my playing partners what they thought. One thought I hit the ball twice. And another thought that I scooped the ball and contacted the ball only once – but for a longer than normal time. Now understand that all of this happens in milliseconds, but it was quite noticeable that something strange happened. Not knowing exactly what had happened, I called the double hit ruling on myself at the fourth tee box.

The other situation happened on the 16th hole. One of my playing partners, Mike, obviously struck the ball twice as he followed through on his short chip shot. His lie was similar to mine on the third hole and the ball did not pop out as quickly as he anticipated. So, he hit the ball again at about knee level. He also called the double hit on himself.

Rule 14-4 is very clear. Striking the Ball More Than Once – If a player’s club strikes the ball more than once in the course of a stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty stroke, making two strokes in all.

Both Mike and I ended up with a double on our respective holes and walked away a little disappointed, but clear that a rules infraction had occurred.

Now here is the rub. On my shot, one of my playing partners suggested that I did not hit the ball twice, but scooped the ball. Such that the ball stayed in contact with the club head longer, but did not leave until part way through my follow through. I tried to find a ruling or anything to suggest this was legal or illegal. I cannot find anything.

So readers, I need some help. Has anyone had this happen to them before? If so, what is the ruling? Any feedback or similar story would be great. I am curious to know what you think?

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

Recovery Shot’s in Golf

May 15, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

I love this recovery shot. From behind the trees, through and opening, to just short of the green! I always wonder what people are thinking when they make awesome shots like this!

Do you see the ball! What a fantastic recovery shot!

Do you see the ball? What is your favorite recover shot?

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

The Tale of Two Nines

May 13, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Random Golf Statue outside a wood carving shop in Oberammergau, Germany. (April 2015)

Yesterday was a unique experience at my home course of Roundel Glen. The back nine is temporarily closed, so I played two rounds on the front. It was a cold, windy day, but it was still fun to hit the links. Interestingly, I played two completely different rounds of golf in the space of 3 hours!

The first nine holes was a struggle. I shot a 43 with 2 doubles, 3 bogies and 4 pars. I had zero putts for birdie and every swing seemed out of sync. Granted, I did not warm up properly (or at all) and I was rushing from the car to the first tee because I was still in work mode. The only highlight of this round was that my friend Jean was there to share in my misery.

After the first nine, I considered stopping. However, in true “can’t get enough golf” fashion, we pressed on and played another 9 holes. As I walked to the first tee, again, I started my internal self-talk. If I change my thoughts, I can change my results! Additionally, I only needed one good shot and I was sure things would turn around.

The first hole on my course is a par 3, 150 yard beauty. Last year, this hole was a 210 yard, par 3 monster. However, due to construction, the hole was shortened. Playing into a strong left to right wind, I selected one club more than usual (7 iron), aimed 10 yards to the left of the green and swung with confidence. My ball landed on the left fringe and bounced on the green. This shot helped boost my confidence, but was not the shot that changed my round. It was the next shot.

After reading the uphill, left to right breaking putt, I took careful aim and made the 20 foot ‘fall in the side door’ putt! It was my first birdie of the year on my home course and I suddenly felt relieved and confident walking to the number 2 tee box!

As the round unfolded, I smoothly ended up with 7 putts for birdie! I was one under until the sixth hole and ended even after that. I finished strong and was not in any trouble for the entire 9 holes. My drives were in the fairway (except for the sixth hole), my approach shots were accurate, and my putting was good. Overall, this 9 holes was exactly what I was expecting after the birdie on the first hole.

For those doing the math, I shot a 79 – 43 / 36. This early in the season, I happily accept both results. However, the lesson from yesterday is to never panic, stay focused, and know that one good shot has the potential to change your entire game.

As I have stated in the past, I never worry about my score in May. It is unrealistic to think I am in mid-season form and as such, I curtail my expectations until I have had a chance to practice and play more. The 2015 season is well under way. I have 6 rounds completed and will be hitting the links tomorrow. I hope to better my round of 79, but if not, I will be grateful to be playing!

How is your 2015 golf season going?

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

The Duck Stays in Europe!

May 11, 2015May 12, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 12 Comments

The Duck Stays in Europe!

After three years and on the fourth attempt, the duck finally changed hands. Last Thursday, my friend Kirk and I went head to head to determine who is the lucky person to carry the duck for the foreseeable future. Still giving him 2 stokes aside and using his son’s clubs, I finally put together a game that beat him on his home course at Northwood Golf Course in Middlesex.

As we teed off at 10 am, the sun was shining, it was dry and the wind was not a factor for the entire round. The course was in great shape, especially the greens. Overall, the outcome would be determined by how we would play and not by the conditions of the course. Fortunately for me, my wife as able to walk the course with us and witness my eventual triumph!

Making a tough shot!

During the first 9 holes, we battled back and forth. After six holes, I had eked out a 2 hole lead. But, in true golfing fashion he easily won two of the last three holes to even the score after nine holes. By his own admission, he thought that being tied after 9 holes and finishing so strong down the stretch was going to be my downfall. But, Kirk was not playing his best and he was having trouble finding the fairway off the tee.

Deep in the bush!

Well, as we started the back 9 something changed. I started to hit the ball in the fairway and Kirk continued to spray off the tee. I am not sure what happened, but he found every difficult spot on the course and my confidence started to grow. He made some amazing recovery shots from the bushes, behind a tree and out of the sand, but eventually his inconsistency got the best of him. It definitely was atypical of Kirk’s game and as a result I closed him out on the 15th hole – 4 and 3. As we walked toward the 16th tee box, Kirk, in true gentlemanly fashion, shook my hand and congratulated me on the win.

In the woods!

I was surprised that I won 4 of the first 5 holes on the back nine. However, when I looked at the scorecard after the round, I realized that I shot a 39 with a double on the 11th hole (we halved it).

More importantly, the duck will stay in Europe. It will travel around seeing different courses that most golfers only dream about! It took a few attempts, but I finally won a match against Kirk. After losing on three previous occasions, I was beginning to wonder if I was every going to beat him. But as fate would have it, last Thursday was my lucky day.

So the ball is in his court to carry the duck back across the pond for another challenge. Regardless of the future results, at least for now, the duck stays in Europe!

A visitor from Canada!

The duck challenge is always fun. We joke about it often, but more importantly, we both realize that the bragging rights is the real prize.

On a side note, another friend made its way to visit Kirk, just to keep the big prize company! I wonder if he found it in his house yet?

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

Happy Mother’s Day

May 10, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the special people who make our lives awesome! My Mom passed three years ago, but I think of her every day and thank my lucky stars that she guided me through my life. She was a loving, good-humoured, and strong woman who always knew exactly what to say and at the right time. She was a great influence in my life and I love her dearly!

My Mom was also known for here insatiable desire to become a better golfer. In 2013 and 2014, I talked about some unique golfing stories that were dear to my heart and this year will be no different!

There is one aspect about my Mom that many people do no not know; she was a fierce competitor. When this mild-mannered saint walked to the first tee, a transformation occurred and it was all about playing well and shooting the lowest score possible. Most who knew my Mom would never have guessed, but it is true! For those who wonder where I get my competitive edge from….well, thanks Mom!

For those who do not believe it, let me tell you a story about the Strawberry Classic held at the Paragon Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Nova Scotia, Canada. Mom was 68 years old when this particular story took place.

The Strawberry Classic is a fun 2-day tournament with an interesting format. Each team had to consist of a man and a women.

The first day, we played a Pinehurst Format. For those who do not know what this is:

Also known as Chapman System, Pinehurst (or Pinehurst System) is a 2-person team competition format. The “inventor,” Dick Chapman, came up with the format at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. Hence, the format is Chapman or Pinehurst. And, for good measure, it is less frequently referred to as American Foursomes. In the Pinehurst System, both players tee off, then they switch golf balls. Player A plays Player B’s drive, and vice-versa. Each player hits the second shot. They then select the best of the second shots, and from that point until the ball is holed they play only one ball in an alternate shot format. (about.com)

The second day we played a scramble format:

2-person scrambles are popular and handicaps are usually applied. In our case I was an 8 and my Mom was 22, and we ended up with 8 strokes (8+22= 30; divide by 2; divide by 2) In a scramble, each player tees off on each hole. The best of the tee shots is chosen and all players play their second shots from that spot. The best of the second shots is picked, then all play their third shots from that spot, and so on until the ball ends up in the bottom of the cup. We also had to use at least 3 drives from each player.

As we walked to the first tee, our strategy was in place, and unfortunately our plans did not make it past the first hole. Our plan was to have Mom chip into all the greens as she felt that was the best part of her game. After the first hole, it became apparent (much to the frustration of my Mom) that I would end up chipping into most greens. Well, this change of strategy worked out for the best because Mom was putting the lights-out! Her best putt was the 65 footer she made for birdie. I can still envision her strutting towards the golf cart now! As her confidence grew, her putting improved. By the end of the day, our score of 2 over par 74 was good enough for first place in our flight!

After a night of strategizing and discussing each hole, we were ready for another great day on the links. Mom was ready and had thoughts of winning the whole event! After a slow start, we fought our way back to shoot an even par 72 for the second day. It was a day of smiles, frowns and laughter. But through it all, Mom never lost focus on scoring well.

As a result of our play, we won low gross for A Flight and were only two strokes off for low gross of the entire tournament! Mom was over the moon. Over the next two years we played in the Strawberry Classic, we only finished second in our flight. Mom loved playing in the tournament together, but secretly I think she was trying to make her way back to the winner’s circle.

I think of my Mom every day! She always knew the right things to say, at the right time. She loved to talk about golf and frequently asked my advice. I miss talking to her and although she is gone, she is never forgotten.

Happy Mother’s Day!