Discussion

What’s Your Handicap?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

Before you say your driver or 60 degree wedge, this is a valid question that most golfers overlook. This question popped up at work today and I thought it would make for an interesting topic.

2012 CN Future Links Western - Golf CanadaHere is what Golf Canada has to say:

The purpose of the Golf Canada Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable for golfers by providing a means of measuring one’s performance and progress and to enable golfers of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis.

Through this system, each golfer establishes an “Golf Canada Handicap Factor” which is a numerical measurement of a player’s potential (not actual) scoring ability on a course of standard difficulty.

The Handicap Factor is calculated using the best 10 of the player’s last 20 rounds and updated with each new round played. The Handicap Factor travels with the golfer from course to course and is adjusted up or down depending on the length and difficulty of the course played, resulting in a “Course Handicap”. The Course Handicap is the number of strokes a golfer receives from a specific set of tees at the course played and represents the number of strokes he would require to play equitably against a “scratch” golfer (a golfer with a Handicap Factor of “0.0′). The more difficult the golf course, the more strokes the golfer receives and vice versa.

The real question dealt with what we considered to be a low, medium and high handicap. My friend suggested anyone with a 20+ score and I said 10+. Immediately we looked at each other and realized that something was amiss.

At SandTrap.com they suggest:

  • Low: Handicaps 8 and under (typically shooting in 70’s)
  • Mid: Handicaps 9-24 (low 80’s to mid 90’s)
  • High: Handicaps 25+ (high-90’s and up)

At Golfsmith.com, they suggest:

  • Low: Handicaps 9 and under (typically shooting in 70’s)
  • Mid: Handicaps 10-18 (low 80’s to mid 90’s)
  • High: Handicaps 19+ (high-90’s and up)

The last bit of information that is important is the average handicap for men and women. After checking many sites, the consensus is that the average male golfer has a handicap of 16.1 and the average female has a handicap of 28.9. So using this information, most golfers would be considered medium handicap players. Additionally, the definition of low, medium, and high handicap does vary, but the reasons for establishing a handicap do not.

To enter in some tournaments, handicaps are used to place players in flights against others of their own caliber. It is also used to calculate foursome handicaps for “Scramble” tournaments. And lastly, it determines how many strokes a higher handicap player will receive in a match-play event. Most players do not have an official handicap and for the most part it really does not matter.

Personally, I am a member of the Golf Association of Ontario. My handicap index is 5.4 or a 5 handicap with a scoring average of 79.2 over 20 games. For the golfer who plays many rounds a year, establishing a handicap is a good thing. It is part of the game and helps promote an often overlooked aspect of golf – fair play.

Do you have an official handicap?

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

The US Open Final Round

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

The final day of the 114th US Open is upon us! The varying scores were as expected, however the leaderboard…not so much. There are very few pundits who would have bet on a Martin Kaymer and Rickie Fowler final paring at Pinehurst #2. The media frenzy surrounding the usual Championship favorites quickly fell to the wayside with a pair of 65s by Kaymer after the first two rounds. As like the earlier part of 2014, the US Open is nothing like anyone expected.

If we were to poll 1000 avid golfers, asked them to think outside the box, none would have predicted the current top three players of Martin Kaymer, Rickie Fowler, and Erik Compton! We have heard of the top two, but nothing about Compton.

Eric ComptonErik Compton is currently ranked 189th in the world and 89th on the FedEx standings, he is considered a journeyman player who for the past 5 years has worked his way up from the Canadian PGA Tour to the WEB.com Tour to the PGA Tour.  He has not won a tournament to date, but has earned enough to keep his card. Before you pass judgement, there is more to Mr. Compton than meets the eye!

Recently, Erik Compton was honored with the 2013 PGA TOUR Courage Award by the Player Director’s Panel and PGA TOUR Commissioner.  The PGA TOUR Courage Award is a new acknowledgment this year. Previously known as the Comeback Player of the Year Award, which has not been awarded since 2010, it is now aimed to honor a player who has overcome adversity. “We made it for someone who has overcome severe adversity, away from someone that is coming back from something that wasn’t career threatening.” He is a young guy, but has not really made a name for himself, until today!

The last round of the 114th US Open should be very exciting. What I find extremely interesting about this Major is it parallels the 2014 season to date. Many young players are playing their way to the top, if only for a little while, as the aging veterans are slowly losing ground.  I had discussed this earlier this year and thought that the old lions would defend their territory, but it seems that the changing of the guard may be happening sooner than I thought.

With Tiger Woods is out indefinitely; with him gone who will be the standard-bearer for the PGA? It may be time for the PGA Tour to embrace the shift of a total tour concept instead of a one-on-one competition they have ridden for years to generate hype! I am not sure if the current shift is good for the economic side of the tour, but I believe the changes are for the good of the game!

What do you think? I am a grateful golfer.  See you on the links!

 

 

 

Playing Golf Well

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

“Playing Golf Well” is a standard line used by many who are trying to catch your attention. However, have you ever really examined the words to see if they really mean anything. As I dissect those three little words, several things strike me as peculiar, interesting and funny all at the same time. Here is what I mean:

Playing – is to exercise or an activity for amusement or recreation. This definition of playing strikes me as something to be enjoyed, to have fun, or to experience in a positive way. Additionally, playing with something allows the taking of chances and trying new variations of the same game. Overall, playing suggests taking chances during an activity for fun and/or enjoyment.

Golf – a game in which clubs are used; to hit a ball in succession for varying distances; to place in a hole with as few strokes as possible! Well that sounds like a fun activity to me! It is a sport, a verb, a business, a highlight or the bane of someone’s existence all in one. Golf can be….well, just about anything to anyone.

Well – is a noun, adverb, interjection, adjective, and a descriptor! This word can be used in so many ways that to try and describe them all would take longer than this article! In this case it is a comparative word to describe performance measurement. It is not a great word to imbue excitement or extreme joy, but a mediocre word that has a sliding scale of subjectivity!

DSCF7274

So what does the journey into the examination of three little words actually mean to anyone?

Golf is a game that is meant to be played just for fun; Golf is a game that allows us to take chances with the intent of getting better or just having fun; Golf is a game where only the player can determine how well they played in relation to their own expectations; finally, Golf is a game that is to be enjoyed by the player at their own pace, skill level and desire of execution!

Playing Golf Well is only determined by one person….YOU!

Personally, I am grateful for the game of golf. I love to play just for the fun of it!

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

Par 3 – Are They Suppose To Be Easy?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

Most courses have at least four par 3 holes. Some will have five or six, but in general four is the normal number. Playing from the blues (furthest back tee box) most par 3s will play between 160 – 185 yards; challenging but not demoralizing. Personally, I consider par 3s scoring holes. I expect to birdie at least one per round and par the other three. This may sound a be ambitious, but given the general length of most par 3s, not unrealistic. Additionally, most par 3s are spread evenly throughout the course, which is an advantage because they help with the flow of each round.

hole 1

Hole 1 halfway up the fairway.

 

 

Hole 3 from Tee Box.

Hole 3 from Tee Box.

Well, my confidence of conquering these short holes has taken a bit of hit as of late. My home course of Roundel Glen has a different course set up that challenges even the most experienced amateur. All but one of the par 3s are long, difficult to approach, and well guarded. Adding to the difficulty, when I play in the morning there is very little roll and the ball does not travel as far because it is cold. In addition to their length, the par 3s are placed in more challenging positions which disrupts the normal flow of a golf course. From the blues this is what it looks like:

  • Hole 1 – Par 3 – 210 yards – 3 hybrid;
  • Hole 3 – Par 3 – 205 yards – 3 hybrid;
  • Hole 10 – Par 3 – 200 yards – 3 or 4 hybrid; and
  • Hole 17 – Par 3 – 173 yards – 6 iron or 5 hybrid.

Roundel Glen’s course layout is actually very good. I like the course, but I need some help. I have racked my brain on ways to play these holes. In the middle of the day, I can easily reach the green with the clubs shown, but in the morning it is very difficult. My woods, even choked down, do not work – I have tried.

At this time, I play these holes by trying to hit as close to the green as possible (and sometimes on) and relying on my short game to eek out a par. Not sure there is any other way to play these holes. If you have any suggestions I am all ears!

I am a grateful golfer! Always willing to accept advice!

Golf Attitude Factor – GAF

/ The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

GAF is a new golfing term I developed today on the golf course! My Golf Attitude Factor was on a sliding scale today! I started out as a 10 – dropped to a 3 – and finished as a 6! For those who are staring at the screen with a puzzled look, please let me explain!

Unfortunately, I have not swung a club in a week because of work! I hate it when life gets in the way – especially work! However, all amateurs must bare that cross! So, this morning as I approached the first tee box I was a 10 on the GAF and was looking forward to an excellent time on the links. I was playing with my usual group and their light-hearted approach to golf always make me smile!

As my game progressed, my GAF dropped to a 3! I actually chipped over the a green today….twice! I drove the ball fairly well, but my short game was reminiscent of 20 years ago, but that is life when I do not play for a week or so. My scoring was the worst to date and I was frustrated on every shot….and I mean every shot! Until….

Fixing a SwingOn the 13 hole, I stopped; yes just stopped; I changed my thoughts and changed my game. (Norman Vincent Peale) How this happened was actually very easy and as I look at it after the fact, obvious. My first step was to putt everything out! I know, most of you are saying that I should be doing that anyway, but when frustration kicks in, I have a tendency to stop following my proven successful routine!

Routine is my saviour on the golf course. I score my best when I follow my routine without exception. To help make sure my success, I have to do the following things:

After realizing that my game was not what was expected, I focused on what makes my game better – and hopefully great. After focusing on success, but GAF raised from 3 to 6!

6 is a good GAF considering how I played today. I was happy with my game, thoroughly enjoyed the company, and finished strong. In the future, I am going use the GAF to keep me focused and understand that my steady state should be at least a seven!

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