Short Game – So Many Choices

July 26, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Well fellow golfers, today I had a dilemma! I was in front of the green in a gully 10 feet below the hole. As I examined my shot, three selections came to mind. First, to hit my 60 degree wedge and flop the ball up. Second, to hit my 52 degree wedge and bump and run it up to the hole. The last option was to use my 8 iron and hit it into the bank and let the ball bounce to the hole. All three shots were positive options, but really only one shot was the way to go. Any guesses?

The 60 degree wedge was the way to go. As I set up for the shot I had to remember to keep my hands in line with the ball to make sure the ball would pop up onto the green. I was about 20 yards from the hole, but had to play the shot as if I was 25 yards away. The reason for the extra distance is that the ball was not going to travel as far in the air because of the height difference between the hole and the ball. As it turned out it was the right choice because the ball landed 5 feet short of the hole and released to 2 feet past. I made the putt for par and moved to the next hole.

On a side note, I actually dropped two balls to try my other choices. (the course was empty today so I had the time) Each shot provided its own challenges, but the 8 iron was the second best option and the 52 degree was the worst. Regardless, I now have options next time I presented with a similar situation.

It was awesome on the course today and I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links.

Course Management – Not Just for Pros

July 25, 2012April 14, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

I was reading a blog by Ian Hardie at GolfHabits.com on a chance to look into the future. He outlines a way to know where the pins are located on the holes soon to play. It is brilliant and will definitely lower your score. His blog makes me think of how anyone can use course management to navigate your way around the links. As a grateful golfer, I appreciate any advice I can get to improve my score.

I believe that everyone should think about how they are going to play their next round. How many of us play 30-40 rounds on the same course; play it exactly the same way every time; with the same results. We all know Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Maybe it is time to think about the percentages and try something different.

If you Google course management, you will find many suggestions on how to effectively play your round and lower your score. Not to be out done, I have a couple of suggestions as well.

As per my earlier post, I believe that greens in regulation is the most important stat. To achieve this try the following: First, determine your most dependable and favorite club to hit into the green in regulation. Second, and if possible, hit off the tee to the distance that allows you to hit your most dependable club. If that means hitting a 3 iron (hybrid) off the tee; then try it. On a par 5, do not bash your second shot as far as you can, hit a club that puts you at the right distance. They use your favorite club, put it on the green and lower your score.

Try using a 7 iron off the tee for the entire round. It will change your perspective on the course and it forces you to think of a different way to play the round. It may not lower your score, but it will change the way you think. As Vincent Peale says: Change your thoughts and you change your world.

Lastly, play off a different tee. If you always play the whites, blues, reds or golds, try playing of a different set. You will be forced to think of new ways to play your favorite course. It will not hurt your handicap, long-term score or your ego! I have found that by playing a different set of tees allows me to think instead of just hitting the same club all the time and hoping I eventually lower my score.

Course management is very important. It is for everyone and will help you lower your score. What do you think? Is it really worth trying a new way to play the same course to improve your score?

How Did Ernie Els Win the British Open?

July 23, 2012July 23, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

What a fantastic finish to the British Open! I found it quite interesting as I watched Ernie Els coolly play the final 6 holes in heroic fashion. He did not play tight, conservative or out of control. The final putt on the 18th hole was clutch and I was very happy that one of my favorites played well done the stretch. But how did Ernie Els really win the British Open?

Was it that all the players trying to catch Adam Scott did not execute according to their game plan? Did Adam Scott figure he had the tournament all wrapped up on the 14th hole? I would suggest that neither of these situations are the answer. It was greens in regulation that won the tournament.

For the first time in tournament history someone outside the top 20 in putting for the tournament won. This is an amazing stat for sure. Ernie Els was number one in greens in regulation for the tournament, which proved to be the decisive advantage the other players could not match. Many would say, so what? It is only a stat. “Ernie Els is leading the field in greens in regulation, not so much on the greens,” Strange said. “None of the last 11 winners of this tournament have finished outside of the top 20 in total putts. Ernie ranks 75th currently in putts.”

Well let me put it another way; how low would your score be if you were putting for birdie 75% of the time during your round of golf. That means that on 14 holes you are putting to lower your overall score to par! I would take that every round. There are many stats in golf and one could argue that greens in regulation is not as important as say putting; however, Ernie Els proved that maybe it is.

My question to you is what is the most important stat? I would be interested to hear what you have to think!

Preparing for Tournament Play

July 21, 2012July 21, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I have just returned from a 54 hole regional tournament. It was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the links. Unfortunately, I did not qualify for the national tournament, but maybe next year!

During my time at the Garrison Golf and Curling Club, I had time to think and wonder why I was not performing to my expectations. I wondered if I practiced my chipping and putting enough; did I play in enough tough conditions; was a physically fit; or did I mentally prepare properly? After much debate, I determined that my mental preparation was lacking.

I believe that pre-tournament preparation is as important, if not more important, than our physical preparation. Obviously, the physical preparation includes chipping, putting, hitting balls, and playing rule enforced rounds of golf. However, the most overlooked aspect of tournament preparation is the mental game.

At the Mental Game of Golf, it outlines many aspects that are very important to success on the links. They state in their blog on the mental game three aspects that I agree with to significantly improve your performance during a competition. They are: establish your rhythm, mentally preview your round, and have a game plan. These are three aspects of the game I have used for years and believe they significantly improve performance. Playing during the tournament I realized I was not as prepared as I could have been; well next year I will be ready! I am a grateful golfer!

Golf is both a physically and mentally demanding game. A mentally strong player will be able to navigate the course easier and with more precision. There is no doubt in my mind that proper preparation will help everyone meet their expectations.

How do you prepare for tournaments?

The Gentlemen’s Game

July 14, 2012January 3, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Golf is the game of Kings and Gentlemen!

The game of golf is to be enjoyed by all. However, there are some aspects of etiquette that seem to have been lost on some golfers. Tony Carbon of Duffer’s Digest talks about players having a little etiquette while playing golf. I totally agree with his views.

Etiquette is an integral part of golf! The unwritten rules of replacing your divot, fixing your ball mark on the green, raking the sand trap (properly), waiting until the group in front of you is out of range, waiting for your turn to play, not talking while others are shooting and respecting the honors on the tee are all designed for you and others to enjoy their round of golf.

Most, if not all, etiquette rules are not written down. However, they are as important as the actual rules. Proper etiquette allows everyone to enjoy their round of golf because despite what most people think – – it is not all about them!

I hope everyone enjoys their time on the links this weekend. I am a grateful golfer.