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An Interesting Golf Photograph

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Golf has a long and interesting history. I enjoy reading, writing, and viewing the historical aspects of this game/sport. It sparks my imagination and allows me feel what life might was like hundreds of years ago.

I enjoy the mental journey as I play a round of golf with Bobby Jones. Or join the crowd as Francis Ouimet, a 20-year-old amateur and local hero, tie Harry Vardon and Ted Ray after 72 holes at the 1913 US Open. Or witness Gene Sarazen’s “Shot Heard Round The World”, during the final round of the 1935 Augusta National Invitational. These and many more historical events help spark my imagination and for that I am grateful. Continue reading →

How Far Would You Travel to Play Golf?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 19 Comments

Living in Canada, travelling just for golf is a given. “There are an estimated 2,400 golf courses across the country, while Statistics Canada pegs the number of golfers in Canada at about 1.5 million. That’s one course for every 625 players, or 14,500 Canadians—among the highest number per capita in the world.” (Mcleans 2014) However, once you leave the Trans-Canada highway or 401 / Golden Horseshoe corridor, options for golf become less and less.

For example, within 100 km (60 miles) drive of Trenton, Ontario, (where I lived at the beginning of the 2016 golf season), there were over 80 golf courses. Now I live in North Bay, Ontario, and there are only 12 courses within the same distance. My options of quantity and quality diminished greatly, but my desire to travel for golf has not.

Continue reading →

Golf – My Evolving Perspective

/ The Grateful Golfer / 5 Comments

Success in golf is measured in many forms. Regardless of where you stand, a particular golf shot may be considered awesome, average, or sub-par. The conditions by which everyone looks at a particular shot is really a matter of perspective.

Golf – A Matter of Perspective is an article I wrote at the beginning of 2016 that outlines my philosophy on how golf shapes my life. I still stand by what I said, however, just 8 short months later, I find my perspective evolving. Continue reading →

FedEx Cup Starts Today

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

The FedEx Cup starts today. I actually forgot that it was here and I overlooked…well everything!

The FedEx Cup is an interesting golf competition because of the “play well – move on” format. At the Barclays, all 125 players will start, but only 100 players will move on to the next event at the Deutsche Bank Championship. The third week at the BMW championship will only have 70 players competing; then at the TOUR Championship, 30 players will be left to vie for the 10 million dollar grand prize. Continue reading →

Playing Golf With A Caddie

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I watch professional golfers manage their way around the course with their faithful sidekick. Caddies have been part of golf since the beginning and they bring an important dimension often overlooked. Much like Batman and Robin, Rocky and Mic, or R2D2 and C3PO – the whole is greater than the individual.

I have never played golf with a caddie so my view is very limited. However, I talked to many friends who have played a round with a caddie and all agree that they played better golf because of the guidance the received from their looper. Although my information is anecdotal, I believe there is value to have a professional caddie during a round of golf. Continue reading →