Author: The Grateful Golfer

Making A Difference In Someone’s Life

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Making a difference in someone’s life as easy as smiling and saying hello! Sometimes, it only  takes a second change someone’s world.  Just listening or offering a helping hand may be enough to make a difference.  Any small positive token of acceptance can occur anywhere; even on the golf course.  Golfers have a long history of helping others.  There are many golf charities that raise money for the military, the homeless, cancer research, under privileged kids, and many more.  All are important and provide support to those who may need it most.

Each year I try to play in charity golf tournaments or events to promote worth causes. It is a great way to give, play golf and support many charities.  Last year, I participated in the True Patriot Love Foundation event in North Bay, Ontario and in the 8 Wing Commander’s Golf Tournament in support of the local United Way Charity.

Next year, I plan on helping organize some events because giving your time is as important was a financial donation.  I believe it is important that everyone gives back and if we can do it through golf charities, then why not!  The PGA leads by example by giving back all year; Together, anything’s possible.

On an unrelated note, but in the spirit of Christmas and giving, I wanted to bring your attention to a young 17-year-old Winnipeg artist whose video went viral back in 2011. Sean Quigley isn’t just a musician but is very involved in charity and social justice movements. When “little Drummer Boy” and its music video where released, CD’s were sold under one condition, “All the money has to go to charity” said Quigley. In collaboration with a local radio station, CD’s where pressed and sold out in a matter of hours. Their agreement was honoured and every penny made from CD sales went to an organization whose goal is to end homelessness and poverty in Quigley’s hometown of Winnipeg.  Enjoy the video!

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

Golf Courses

/ The Grateful Golfer / 33 Comments

Lamenting about not golf today only stoked my desire to hit the links.  Dreaming of the perfect golf swing, the sound of the ball going in the hole or the sweet melody of the driver off the tee are things missed during everyone’s off-season.  The fortunate aspect of being an avid golfer is the ability to play and dream of different courses.  Through the years, I have played tough courses, easy courses, beautiful courses and goat tracks!  I prefer not to think of the latter and to focus on the positive experiences while playing golf.

To banish my lamenting and focus on playing, the following are the easiest, most difficult, most beautiful and favorite courses I have ever played.

Laurentide Golf CourseThe easiest course I have every played is Laurentide Golf Club at Stugeon Falls, Ontario.  It was my home course for a few years mostly because the staff was awesome and Moe Mantha (famous hockey player) would talk to me every morning while I played early birds. However, after a few years I realized that it is a relatively flat track with few hazards.  I always scored well.  However, it is a great course for the average player who wants to have a great time on a fun course.

oysterbayThe most difficult course I ever played was Oyster Bay Golf Links, Myrtle Beach, North Carolina.  It was a tight course with 17 holes of playable water. When I played in February, the course was hard, the greens did not hold well and the water gobbled up my errant shots like my friend in the UK eats chicken wings.  Man it was tough.

hartlenpoint9GreenThe most beautiful course was Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club, Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. Established in 1962 as a facility for Canadian Armed Forces Personnel, Hartlen Point Forces Golf Club has grown to become one of the most challenging and skill testing golf courses in Nova Scotia.  This course is nestled along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The views are spectacular!  Well worth playing!

Before I share my most favorite course, check out the following links on the best of courses around the world:

My most favorite course has nothing to do with location and everything to do with the people.  I am grateful to have played many rounds of golf with some awesome people. Some are my closest friends and I am grateful every time we hit the links together!  Golf is a social sport and meeting new and old friends is definitely my favorite part of golfing.  I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!

What are your easiest, most difficult, most beautiful and favorite courses?

Canadian Snow Humour!‏

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Okay. I could not resist. As a Canadian, I have said or seen many of these things. Thanks for making me laugh!
The Grateful Golfer!

qalumny's avatarFunny and Interesting Stuff People Have Sent Me

Canadian Snow Humour!‏_001Canadian Snow Humour!‏_002Canadian Snow Humour!‏_003Canadian Snow Humour!‏_004Canadian Snow Humour!‏_005Canadian Snow Humour!‏_006Canadian Snow Humour!‏_007Canadian Snow Humour!‏_008Canadian Snow Humour!‏_009Canadian Snow Humour!‏_010Canadian Snow Humour!‏_011Canadian Snow Humour!‏_012Canadian Snow Humour!‏_013Canadian Snow Humour!‏_014Canadian Snow Humour!‏_015Canadian Snow Humour!‏_016Canadian Snow Humour!‏_017Canadian Snow Humour!‏_018Canadian Snow Humour!‏_019Canadian Snow Humour!‏_020Canadian Snow Humour!‏_021Canadian Snow Humour!‏_022Canadian Snow Humour!‏_023Canadian Snow Humour!‏_024Canadian Snow Humour!‏_025Canadian Snow Humour!‏_026Canadian Snow Humour!‏_027Canadian Snow Humour!‏_028Canadian Snow Humour!‏_029Canadian Snow Humour!‏_030Canadian Snow Humour!‏_031Canadian Snow Humour!‏_032Canadian Snow Humour!‏_033Canadian Snow Humour!‏_034

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Golfers Elbow or Tennis Elbow

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Ouch That Hurts!  Have you ever felt a sharp pain in your elbow while playing golf.  It usually happens when making contact with the ball.  When the pain is noticeable, some start to adjust their swing; change their grip; avoid sand shots; or use more foot wedges to place the ball on soft grass.  As avid golfer continues to hit the links, they find the pain creeping into their everyday life.  It becomes difficult to grasp anything with the affected arm, difficulty rolling your hand left to right and it sometimes aches.  If this sounds familiar, well then you may have Golfers Elbow.  Or do you?

Golfphysio.com states that: the elbow is subjected to large forces during a golf swing, especially an amateur golf swing, statistics indicate elbow complaints range from PGA circuit rate of 4% to amateur golfers 24% (includes both medial and lateral complaints in right and left elbows). The most common site of injuries is not on the “inside” – (medial aspect) of the elbow which has the name “golfers elbow”, but on the “outside” – (llateral aspect), traditionally termed “tennis elbow”.  Regardless of the definition, ultimately only a medical professionals can diagnose your problem.

Epicondylosis
Golfers Elbow – medial aspect
Tennis Elbow – lateral aspect

If you have a what you suspect is golfers / tennis elbow, the Mayo Clinic suggests the conservative measures such as:

  • See a doctor.
  • Rest.
  • Ice the affected area.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
  • Stretch and strengthen the affected area.
  • Reduce the load on your elbow.
  • Consider other medications. I
  • Gradually return to your usual activities.
  • Ask your doctor when surgery is appropriate.

I have had, by the definition above, tennis elbow a couple of times through the years.  It is not fun.  It usually lasts about 2-3 months once I start to take care of the injury.  To make sure it was nothing serious, I saw my doctor for diagnosis.  Each time, my doctor suggested the Mayo Clinics conservative treatment.

After some research, it becomes difficult to figure out what caused the injury.  It definitely has something to do with your swing or maybe the amount of golfing you are doing.  In my case it the amount of golf (which is not really a bad thing to me) played.  However, some suggest it may be your grip, downswing, follow through, contact point, angle of contact and on and on!  Obviously, fixing your golf swing over the internet is almost impossible, so if the pain continues (besides seeing a doctor) talk to your local pro.  There is a very good chance they can help.

There is one aspect of pain relief that worked very well for me.  As suggested in the above video, it was a tensor bandage.  I used (use) a tensor cuff with a velcro strap to snug it around my elbow.  An important point for my success was that the tensor cuff had a gel square sewn into it. it. I placed the gel on my injured area (as shown above) and tighten it slightly.  I found with this support, I played pain-free and helped promote recovery.

Golfers / Tennis elbow is a pain (sorry I could not help myself).  It is a common injury that does effect all aspects of your game.  It is important to address it quickly so it does not linger for an entire season.  Just to be clear, I am not a medical professional and it is important to see your doctor before you start any medical treatment.

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

 

The Ability to Score

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Putting to Win!Do you have the ability to score in golf?

This question has many dimensions.  Each player will have a different answer on which aspect of golf is important enough to enable them to consistently score lower.  This question has nothing to do with establishing a handicap or periodically having a great round.  No, this is not course management either; although course management is extremely important!  The question focuses on consistently identifying moments in a round where strokes can be saved.

How exactly does an amateur golfer excel at identifying these important moments?  To understand the ability to score, answer the following questions:

  • When looking at a shot from the middle of fairway, do you examine all your options?
  • When in the rough, do you look at the grain of the grass before selecting a club?
  • When just off the green, do you use different wedges depending on the slope of the green?
  • When on the tee, do you visualize how to play the entire hole?
  • When on the green, do you understand the importance of a lag putt?
  • On your approach shot, do you focus on more than just yardage before club selection?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you have the ability to score in golf.  The mental aspect of the game is equally, if not more important than being able to hit the ball a country mile.  Focused attention to the finer points of playing golf will definitely lower your score.

If you’re wondering how to gain this skill, well it starts by asking the above questions. This was not an all-inclusive list, but the start of the many finer points that élite golfers pay attention to while walking the links.

So, I ask again; Do you have the ability to score in golf?

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