Following The Rules of Golf

January 18, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Do you follow the rules of golf? In past blogs, I have talked about specific rules on gopher holes, replacing your golf ball, some of my unwritten rules, new rules for 2014, and many more. However, it never really occurred to me if everyone actually follows the rules.

There are many places on the web to find the latest rules and my favorite is the Golf Canada. I always read the rules several times before hitting the links to refresh my memory on the nuances of play in competition.

However, do you really follow all the rules of golf? I believe that most players follow most of the rules most of the time when just playing for fun. I believe that most of the players follow all the rules most of the time in competition. However, here is the hook, I also believe that most players follow all the rules they know all the time all the time in competition.

Well, unfortunately, my last statement is more the norm than most think. If you do not believe me, ask your playing partners about the Rule 17-1 Tending the Flagstick or Rule 23 – Loose Impediments or Rule 28 – Unplayable Ball. Chances are they do not know the rule or only part of it. This lack of knowledge can cost strokes in a tournament or match play event.

Most players honestly want to follow the rules. Unfortunately, many have not actually read them. They listen to their playing partners – who likely have not read all the rules either – and blindly play. This approach is okay except if you have any aspirations of playing in competition. At that point, you are playing with competitors who likely know the rules and will enforce them without hesitation.

If answered yes to the first question – I will follow that up with, Do you know all the rules? Golf season is quickly approaching and as part of my pre-season routine, reading the golf rules is important to my preparation for an outstanding golf season! On a side note, even though I read the rules several times, I always care an up to date version of the golf rules just in case I need it during a match.

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

Was your bad golf score really that significant?

January 16, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

This is a fantastic article. Ian hits the nail right on the head. It is important to keep things in perspective and realize that somethings can can always be worse. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

golfhabits

“The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding in all of the directions it can whizz. As fast as it can go, at the speed of light, you know. Twelve million miles a minute, and that’s the fastest speed there is. So remember, when you’re feeling very small and insecure how amazingly unlikely is your birth and pray that there’s intelligent life somewhere up in space ’cause there’s bugger all down here on Earth.” – Monty Python’s galaxy song written by Graham Chapman

By Ian Hardie

If you take a look at a dictionary definition of the word significant

The main one you will find is that the word ‘significant’ means

Something that has ‘a noticeable or major effect’

So it’s a pretty powerful word, which if you relate it

To some things that could happen in your life away from golf

Gives us examples of events that really are…

View original post 694 more words

When to Change Your Golf Ball

January 14, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

Have you ever watched the pros during a tournament? They spend a tremendous amount of time looking at their golf ball for blemishes, scuffs, dents and deformities – especially when they miss a sort putt! It makes one ponder if there is something to their obsession with the slightest mark or are they just obsessed.

To check out my bag and found that have my golf balls have scuff, mark, or something. For the past few years, I used Pro V1 seconds from Walmart. But, this year, I decided to change to Srixon Q Star. I know they are completely different balls, but I need a drastic change because …. well just because. If my experiment does not work, I can always change back.

Back to the topic. My experience is that a golf ball is really only good for about two rounds tops. By then, you will hit the ball between 140 – 200+ times. Not to mention the ground even more times. I have used balls with all kinds of blemishes and normally did not care, but this year it is going to be different. For the first part of the season, my rule will be two rounds max….it should make a difference – I think.

I have read that distance, the ability to shape the ball, and accuracy will be affected. It has to do with aerodynamics of the ball and the science behind an object in motion etc, etc, etc. I have never really notice the difference, but I am not at the same skill as the pros so, I never worried about it that much.

One place I have noticed a difference is on the greens. A blemish, scuff or dent will effect the putting line. Additionally, it has the potential not the leave the putter head square…this is similar to dirt on the ball.

On a side note, Rule 15-1 state that a player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground, unless the ball is lost or out-of-bounds or the player substitutes another ball, whether or not substitution is permitted (see Rule 15-2). Amateurs can change to any type of ball, but the pros use the one ball rule and they must use the same type of ball for the entire round.

The pros are smart about when to change their golf ball, but what degree of damage prompts the change only they know for sure. I guess it boils down to preference.

When do you change your golf ball that has a scuff or damage?

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

Ko and Spieth Against the World

January 12, 2014September 13, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 5 Comments

Lydia Ko, pictured here after winning the Canadian Women’s Open in Edmonton on Aug. 25, will join the LPGA Tour next year. (Jason Franson/Canadian Press)

Jordan Spieth holds the trophy after winning the John Deere Classic on Sunday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)

The female and male darlings of golf are Lydia Ko and Jordan Speith. Both have fantastic starts to their career and seem to be well on their way to making a name for themselves as professional golfers. Ko just turned pro and has already won an event on the LPGA. Speith is also a one time winner with 2013 rookie of the year honors to boot. Both appear to have focused goals and positive personalities that the golf industry want to leverage.

There is no question the media are going crazy, the golfing world is talking about their successes and the sponsors are circling. But, is this really what golf is about? Don’t get me wrong, golf is a business and there is money to be made; however, at what cost. There are several players who were treated with the same awe and reverence in the past 10 years, but have disappeared completely or failed to meet the huge expectations of being a world ranked golfer. They were discarded like yesterday’s newspaper. Is to be the fate of Lydia Ko and Jordan Speith?

Expectations of professional or amateur golfers can be a positive influence or a destructive power. We do not have to look far to see the fickle nature of the sports media, golfing fans or professional pundits. Examples like Rory McIlroy playing so poorly in 2013 – how many times was he kicked; Tiger Woods stalled at 14 Majors…..stalled at 14 Majors – are you kidding; Phil Mickelson not winning the US Open is tarnishing his greatness … come on; and finally Henrik Stenson touted as one of the greatest golfers never to win a Major…wow! Is there a possibility that the expectations of some of the golfing greats is a little out of whack?

It is important to understand that expectations are relative. At every level, each golfer has expectations (realistic or unrealistic) about their capabilities. Those are easy to accept. What is difficult to swallow are the golfing analysts who pass judgement on players while sitting in their armchair in a climate controlled room. Is it possible, that golf has lost its way and some major re-tuning is required?

Golf is a great sport! We all have expectations, but let us not forget that golf is meant to be enjoyed. Competition is healthy, fun and exciting. However, a ‘win or else’ competition seen at the professional level is not good for the game. What do you think?

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

Learning to Play a Guitar

January 11, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 16 Comments

About a year ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to play a guitar. I thought it would be fun and challenging at the same time. As it turned out, I was correct. However, the learning process is slow and I still only plunk a few cords, but I am enjoying learning anyway. While looking at my guitar, I realized that learning to play a guitar is much like learning to golf.

First is equipment. Like any beginner starting something, I decided that I did not want to invest too much money because I was unsure if I would really like playing a guitar. My first step was to research which guitar would be good for a beginner. I found one and went ahead with the purchase. The same logic applies to picking your first set of clubs. I would recommend that hit a store like Golf Town where you can try various types and makes before making your selection. Clubs range from a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars. Only you can decide your price range – so choose wisely.

Next, practice! Practice, practice, practice. You can buy books/cds, search websites, and/or watch the Golf Channel. While starting with the guitar, I downloaded a couple of simple lessons and started to plunk away. When starting golf, I recommend starting with the basics. Grips, stance, and general idea of how the swing works. Additionally, how to chip and putt are must basics to learn. It might be a good idea to get a lesson from your local pro, this will speed up the learning curve.

Last, I developed an enjoyment for playing the guitar. I actually like learning new cords and songs. I find it very rewarding when the music actually sounds like music! Golf is the same way. When first learning to play golf, it is very important to develop a love of the game. The old saying that “a great shot makes you want to come back” is very true. that one great shot among the plethora of not so great shots provides hope and kindles a desire to continue on playing. It takes time to be a good golfer – by the way the term ‘good’ is relative. Any player is good, it just depends on what they are comparing.

Learning any new skill, hobby, or sport is fun. It takes time and effort to improve at anything. It really depends on what your expectations and whether the time you devote is worth the getting better.

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