My million dollar view this week occurred at 6 am on a beautiful summer morning. The fog disappeared in 15 minutes. It was amazing to watch! I wish that the fog of golf would disappear the days when I am unsure of my putting stroke! Enjoy the Open the weekend!
The Fog of Golf!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Is Graeme McDowell ready for the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield, East Lothian, Scotland? Born in the quiet town of Portrush, Northern Ireland, on 30 July 1979, he currently splits residence between his home town and Orlando, Florida. His self-professed career highlights are winning the 2010 US Open and being a three-time winner with Europe in the Ryder Cup. When not playing golf he loves hanging out with friends and family. He is top-tear player currently ranked sixth in the world. However, since turning pro in 2002, G-Mac has ridden the roller coaster of ups and downs like most professional golfers. This year is no different.
Winning three times this year between the European Tour and the PGA Tour, G-Mac appears to be ready for another Major. After winning the 2010 US Open Championship, G-Mac’s performance has been spotty. In 2011, he missed the cut in three of the four Majors. In 2012, he was in contention in all the Majors. His game was strong and his low hitting style seemed perfect for the pressures of playing in golf’s big four tournaments. However, in 2013, G-Mac has missed the cut at all the Majors. His hot and cold play has many analysts wondering if he is ready for the spot light again.
As his recent streaky play continues, results outside the Majors have not demonstrated that G-Mac has regained his former champions form. Winning the 45th RBC Heritage tournament at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in April; G-Mac demonstrated he was ready to “Get His Plaid On!”
Winning the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria in May, G-Mac fought through the final round to clinch this prestigious European Tour event. His strong ball striking and rock-solid putting propelled him to his second win of the year.
Recently winning the ALSTOM OPEN DE FRANCE in early July by four strokes might indicate that G-Mac is in fine form and read for the Open next weekend. However, he was not in championship form prior to his recent win because he missed the cut in five of his last six stroke-play events.
“It’s been a funny year because my game hasn’t felt far away most weeks,” added McDowell. “But I’ve missed a lot of cuts and missing cuts hurts. That has certainly motivated me a lot these last few weeks.” (BBC Sport Golf)
Is G-Mac ready to raise the Claret Jug for the first time? At Golf.com, many leading experts have mixed feelings about G-Mac’s chances of winning the Open. Their trepidation centers on his lack of consistency this year and his poor performance at the Majors. However, some of the experts think a European is going to win this year and Graeme McDowell’s changes are as good as any. The real question is who is going to show up….professional G-Mac or amateur G-Mac!
Picking the Open Champion is difficult. Although never betting on a sporting event, nor supporting the idea, the number of factors that must be considered to select a winner are infinite. However, at betting-directory.com, 6 of 7 groups place Graeme McDowell odds of winning the Open at 25 to 1. Compared to other names on the list like Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Paul Casey, and Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell would appear to be a dark horse selection.
Graeme McDowell is a player who is well prepared, has the experience, and covets the Claret Jug. His up and down play lately is a cause for concern, however if he shows up on a hot streak, he will be hard to beat. G-Mac is a former champion and has the skills to win the Open. The only questions need answering: Is G-Mac Ready for the Claret Jug?
I am grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Today was a fantastic day! I traveled to Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, to play a round of golf with my friend (brother-in-law) on one of the best courses in Northern Ontario. Timberwolf Golf Club did not disappoint. The company was fantastic, the weather was hot and sunny, and the course was in excellent shape.
We played from the gold tees. This offered a par 72, 6500 yard challenge with plenty of bunkers and unique driving visuals. (Of course I forgot my camera in the car!) The fairways were short and lush, the greens held extremely well and the putts were true. The rough was about three inches long and thick. The only draw back was no first cut. You went from short lush fairways to thee inch rough…..made for a bit of a challenge for sure.
For the most part I hit fairways and greens. The couple of holes that I was off on my drive cost me at least on stoke. I had two penalty strokes, but overall I was extremely happy with my overall game. I had one birdie and chances at four more. Actually, I had 10 birdie putts, but five were from over 20 feet so I don’t really count those as birdie opportunities.
Today was a reason why I love to golf. Mostly, I spent four hours with a friend talking, laughing and enjoying our time on the links. It truly was a great time. Thanks Bruce!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Golfers are fearless! Without hesitation, they face all natures elements because of an innate desire to finish 18 holes. Some would call this crazy, others compulsive, and others brave….well it is really hard to judge. Most golfers set their own limits and will decide to walk of the course when they have reached their fear factor.
Some will say “challenge the elements”; or “I will face whatever mother nature can throw at me!” Some like, the Bishop from Caddyshack, continue to challenge mother nature and even challenged God…..to his own peril.
On June 28, 1975, while playing in the 1975 Western Open, Lee Trevino was struck by lightning while playing golf. The odds of being hit by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 300,000 thousand. He has been struck by lightning 3 times while playing golf! His Western Open incident led to one of the most famous quotes in golf where Trevino stated that if he were out on the course and it began to storm again; he would take out his one iron and point it to the sky, “because not even God can hit the one-iron.”
Personally, I have played in rain, pouring rain, pelting rain, freezing rain, hail, snow, blistering heat, using a flashlight (to tee off at 5 am), wearing 3 outer sweatshirts and wearing long underwear. There is virtually no weather conditions that I will not play in except one: lightning! Nope, I do not care how good my game is going, I draw the line at lightning.
So how do we know when lightning is close enough that it is time to walk away? That is a very good question. For me, it is if I see the lightning or the the thunder is so loud that it makes me flinch.
While playing men’s night on Wednesday, we encountered one of those times when a decision had to be made about whether to continue playing or walk away. As we watched this storm cloud roll quickly across the golf course, we decided to carry on….mostly because there was no thunder or lightning associated with the cloud. As it turned out, it rained monsoon like for 5 minutes then cleared up! (I will not tell you where my umbrella was because you would all just laugh at me!) We were wet, but never in any danger…on a side note I found out that I am water tight because the rain just roll off me like water off a ducks back….who knew!
In all seriousness, it is important to know when to walk away from the links. Your health is more important than a low golf score! The golf course is a place to have fun, challenge yourself and meet new people. It is not a place to tempt fate by being foolish. So regardless of much fun you are having it is important to know when to walk away.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Is the sun rising or setting?
Every golfer tries to shoot their best score each time out. Some times they are successful, sometimes not. I routinely go through streaks of good play and periods of OH MY GOD! Regardless, it is important to maintain a cool demeanor on the course.
Two weeks ago I shot a smooth 87. Yup, I can not believe it either. No matter what I tried, I could not score well. I was either shooting par or double bogey and nothing in between.
Five days ago, I shot a 1-over 72. Actually, I can believe this one because I carry about a 5-6 handicap. I had four birdies and thee bogeys and a double (grrrrr).
So what is the difference between the two rounds that I should build upon to maintain success on the links. After much introspection, I decided that lower stress about my game was a very important factor to my score of 72.
Early in each round I encountered a point where my short game skills were tested. During the high round, I had plenty of self-doubt and lack of confidence. Not sure why, but my attitude was poor. I made a poor chip and started to get frustrated and my stress started to climb. Unfortunately, I could not reverse this trend and poof, a score of 87!
During the great round, as I walked to the ball, I told myself that I can make this shot like a hundred times before. I confidently chose my 52 degree gap wedge and easily chipped the ball within 2 feet and putted in for par. Feeling very happy about the result, I continued with the positive attitude (even when I shot a double bogey) and it seemed that I just could not miss a shot. There was no stress at all during the entire round.
I am not sure exactly how to control my stress on the golf course, but I do know that a positive mental attitude definitely helps. It must be working because I have shot 72, 74 and 74 during my last three games…..and NO STRESS! And I am confident my good play will continue.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
