Conquering FEAR in Golf

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

Hitting the ball short of the hole is a constant problem for amateurs. Off all the challenges I face on the links, under-clubbing is the most frustrating and obvious in my game. Using the wrong club can stem from many reasons, but for me it boils down to one thing. FEAR of going long! Yup, that is it. For some reason I am afraid to hit the ball past the hole or even worse over the back of the green.

As of right now, this FEAR is over! I choose not to let this FEAR influence my game anymore! I am exposing this dark cloud to the sunshine and making it disappear!

There are many reasons I can accept for playing a short approach shot. A poor lie, small green, blind approach shot, being outside of 175 yards or poor playing conditions. These challenges are realities while playing golf and proper course management usually helps reduce their effect on my game. Occasionally, I can accept misjudging something that results in a short approach shot, but none of the above cause any real frustration in my round of golf! But, hitting the ball short of the hole because of being afraid of hitting it long….well lets just say it really affects my next shot.

It is time for a change! Proper mental preparation will help me conquer my FEAR of hitting the ball long on approach shots. I must reframe the feeling of hitting the ball long from anxious to relaxed. To accomplish this, I believe that visualization will be the key. As I wait for the golf season to start, I mentally and physically prepare to play golf. This year, my mental preparation will include visualizing hitting the ball to hole on every approach shot!

If there is a situation on the golf course that causes you to feel uncomfortable or afraid, now is the time to address it! It is time to rip off that Band-Aid!

Personally, I like to use visualization. Others like to use positive self-talk to reframe the tough situation. Others hit the range using focused practice. Regardless which method you choose, you have accomplished the toughest part – deciding to make a change.

Improving your golf game is very much about conquering FEAR. Mine is mostly centred around hitting the ball short of the hole. I am choosing to make a positive change!

How about you? Are you ready for a positive change?

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

Let the Games Begin!

January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

The Waste Management Phoenix Open starts in two days. This tournament has been one of my favorites over the years because of the caddie races and the interaction of the players with the golfing fans. Unfortunately, my excitement is waning for this event. The first blow came in 2013 when they cancelled the caddie races and to add salt to my wounds, this year, the players are not allowed to give out swag on the 16th hole. I guess the over indulging and exuberant fans were taking away from the real reason they were there; to watch professional golf.

This year, after a 14 year hiatus from the Waste Management tournament, Tiger Woods chose this event to return to professional golf after 10 months of rehab. He and Chris Como, his new swing coach, will be trying to make their way back into the winners circle. I do not expect too much from Woods this weekend, but it will be great to see him golfing again.

Other notables like Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Graham DeLaet will be teeing it this weekend. If they have anything to do with it, Woods triumphant return will be short lived. Woods, Spieth, and Reed will be playing partners for the two days and Mickelson and Fowler will be in another group. I am pretty sure the coverage of both days will focus on these players regardless of how they are playing.

As this weekend unfolds, I expect plenty of media coverage to focus on the 16th hole. This is one of the best holes in golf. The stadium just enhances the atmosphere for the fans. It looks like a Roman Coliseum where to people go crazy as the gladiators enter the field of battle. Well that was before the PGA cancelled caddie races and swag give away….but I transgress. It is still one of my favorite holes in golf.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open should be a great tournament this weekend. I know who is my favorite. But what I really want to know is who is yours?

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

Golf Grip – Strong, Weak or Neutral

January 25, 2015March 7, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / 40 Comments

The golf grip is the singularly most important choice any amateur golfer makes. The slightest change to the position of the hands has a tremendous impact on whether the ball finishes in the woods or in the middle of the fairway. Focusing on how to hold a golf club is the first step to developing a great golf swing. After choosing how to hold your hands on the club, it is now time to experiment with your hand position to decide if you need to use a strong, weak or neutral grip.

Determining if you naturally hold the club in a strong or weak way is determined by the thumb and index finger of each hand (Vs). A strong grip, the Vs are right of the centre of the shaft. As a visual cue, you can see the knuckles of your left hand. A neutral grip, the Vs are down the center line of the shaft and you can see three knuckles on each hand. A weak grip, the Vs are left of center and you can see the knuckles of your right had. (The above description is for a right-handed player; the opposite is true for a left-handed player) Continue reading →

Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros Sota – Golfing Legend

January 23, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

The world of golf lost one of the most charismatic golfers a few short years ago. Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros Sota was the most famous Spaniard to ever play! Known for his creative shot making, Seve was never one to shy away from any challenge. Losing his final battle to cancer on 7 May 2011, he might be gone, but definitely not forgotten!

With 90 career wins world-wide, Seve first appeared on the world stage by finishing second at The Open at the age of 19. His 5 Major Championships (3 British Open, 2 Masters), 50 European Titles, 9 PGA wins and 32 World Wide wins supports Seve’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.

The special logo of Seve Ballesteros has been emblazoned on the golf bags of the European Ryder Cup team at Medinah

He was an anchor for the European Ryder Cup team for years. More recently, in 2012 and 2014, Seve was a huge inspiration for the Europeans. “The 2012 Ryder Cup, the first to be played after Ballesteros’ death, saw the European team wearing navy blue and white garments on the final day in memory of Seve, who traditionally wore navy blue on the last day of a tournament. Additionally, the team’s kit also bore the silhouette of Ballesteros after his win at the 1984 Open Championship. The Irish golfer Pádraig Harrington, Nick Faldo and other European players proposed that the PGA replace the image of Harry Vardon on the European Tour‘s official logo with one of Ballesteros (a silhouette of the iconic image of Ballesteros’ “salute”, following his win at the 1984 Open Championship).” In 2014, every European would tap Seve’s picture as they entered the first tee each day. The reverence held by all golfers for Seve Ballesteros cannot be mistaken.

Not surprisingly, Seve was a great teacher as well. He made some teaching videos, which despite their age, are still applicable today. Famous for his short game, it is no surprise that his videos focus on his strengths! Check these out:

Putting

Chipping

Bunker play

Severiano “Seve” Ballesteros Sota was the most notable European golfer for years. His charismatic nature and love of the game was infectious. Although he was taken far to early, his legacy will live on for a very long time!

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

Golf Shots of the Week

January 22, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

As an amateur, we often hit that special shot which makes our round of golf special. Sometimes, we hit an amazing recovery shot that ends up being perfect by going in the hole.

Professional golfers are no different. They sometimes amaze themselves just like amateurs! Take a look and see what I mean:

European Tour