PGA Fantasy Golf League

March 4, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Recently, I signed up for the fantasy golf league at the PGA Tour. It is very easy to use and the program is intuitive and anyone can choose four players each week for the upcoming tournament. Always trying to learn new things, I thought it would be a great way to understand trends, stats, who is hot, and who is not. So far, all is going well, but I am not learning too much yet.

The biggest challenge for the first three weeks (including the World Match Play event) was my lack of knowledge about many of the journeymen players. Each week, some always steps up and throws a wrench into the standings. Personally, it is fun for the tournament, but not so good for my scores. As an example, I took Phil Mickelson last week at the Honda Classic. We all know that was a bust because he did not make the cut. My other players finished a high 54th and a low 35th. Can’t win with picks like that. That stellar performance had me 74th place at the Honda Classic.

This week is the World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship. The players will compete on a newly renovated “The Blue Monster“. It is longer and has more holes with playable water. But for the golfing élite, it is a challenge they all relish.

This week I picked –

Phil Mickelson – he is my favorite and will want to redeem himself;
Jimmy Walker – hottest start of the year;
Rory McIlroy – should have won the Honda Classic and will bounce back; and
Webb Simpson – I like his game for Dorval.

I still have a day to make changes, so if you have any suggestions….I am listening!

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

How to Build a Golf……

February 28, 2014March 7, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

What keeps you coming back to golf?

This is a very philosophical question. Immediately when asked, most experts will say the swing. Pundits point to mechanics immediately. Most of the top sources outline a no fail way to build a golf swing and lower your score. They also suggest that if you have a good golf swing, you automatically will have fun playing golf. This hypothesis is not very sound or practical.

Experiences (history) are great teachers. Think back through your life. What do you see? When you first started something, anything at all, did you immediately jump into the mechanics of that something? What was the first thing that attracted you to that activity? Remember the statement when we were growing up, ‘you will play and like it!’ ‘You will sing and like it!’ You will and on and on and on! Continue reading →

World Match Play Tournament

February 20, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

A World Golf Tournament is underway. Specifically, the Accenture Match Play Championship. Since 1999, players from around the globe have competed against one another in varied formats, representing their respective countries in memorable and exciting competition. Over the past decade, World Golf Championships have been contested on five continents and in 10 countries. There are four exciting World Match Play events throughout the season that offer unique and exciting golfing events for all enthusiasts.

This year, the Accenture field is okay. Without 3 of the top 5 players in the world, the normal hype is missing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching McIlroy, Watson (Bubba), Garcia, Stenson, Rose and Els play, but for some reason the excitement just is not there. I wonder if that is a marketing challenge or an indication that match play is not really that exciting to watch. Personally, I like a match play event, especially if I am competing.

On the positive side of things, I like that many underdogs are rising to the top. At least in the first couple rounds anyway. I like to see journeyman players go head to head with higher ranked players and win. This reinforces why we compete because on any given day…..; in this respect golf is like all other sports. Most of the time the great players will win, but every once in a while a surprise happens.

I guess I like the fighting spirit of the journeyman! Much like the Olympics, never give and great things can a happen attitude is always there. Just ask the Canadian Women’s Hockey team who won golf in a come from behind win for gold – way to go ladies! Ultimately, the field at the Accenture is not that strong this year, but watching how the winner rises to the top is the real story.

For anyone interested, I picked Rory McIlroy to win. He is in a tough match right now, but time will tell how he does.

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

Why 14 Clubs – Part Two

February 16, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

As previously discussed, the 1938 rule limited the number of clubs during a round of golf to 14. If you ask 100 golfers I bet most would say that 14 is plenty. However, if you ask a professional golfer they would say it is not enough. Why the discrepancy?

When I started golfing 37 years ago…..OK, no old jokes….I had a started set. It consisted of a driver, 3-wood, 3-5-7-9 iron and a putter. As a beginner, this was plenty. I did not have to over think club selection or worry about any finesse type shots. Basically, I bashed the heck out of the ball and developed a passion for the game. Slowly, my game improved I started looking for another set of clubs.

My first full set of clubs was Spalding Rebels. I bought them 34 years ago; the set included 1-3-5 wood, 3-pw irons and a putter – 12 clubs in all. They were my first cavity back set of clubs and I used them for about 10 years. My game did not really improve because I played on and off during that time. This set was perfect for me because I did not have much money invested and they were of a good enough quality that it matched my game. I was about a 16 handicap during this period.

In 1990 things changed. I was given an old set of Ping Eye 2 red dot clubs and started golfing more seriously. 1990 was the first year I broke 80. I went from a 16 handicap to a solid 10 handicap in no time. I carried a 1-3-5 wood, 3-pw irons, sand wedge and a putter – 13 clubs in all. I used these clubs for about 10 years and only replaced the ping eye 2 persimmon woods with Callaway Warbird 1-3-5 metal wood. It was during this time that I had quality equipment, practiced 3 days a week and played approximately 100 games per year. The result of my increase play was a solid 8 handicap, which stayed that way for about 10 years.

From 2000 to present, my game improved exponentially. I have hovered around a 5 handicap with runs of breaking par once in a while. My success resulted in some club changes. I removed my 5-wood, added a 52 and 60 degree wedge, and change to hybrids for my 3-4-5 iron – I now carry 14 clubs.

This transition to more wedges has propelled my game to a new level. The extra wedges help with the scoring around the green and that is where most amateurs should focus. Currently, I use Cleveland Launcher irons, Callaway Razr Fit driver and 3-wood, Titlest vokey (52-56-60 degree) wedges and a pro gear putter.

The 14 club rule is limiting for some players. Personally, I would add my 5-wood and 64 degree wedge. The reality is that I would only hit these clubs once every 3 rounds because my other clubs cover all the normal gaps in distance and position. So I stick to 14 clubs because 16 clubs is not legal.

Ultimately, the skill and experience of any golfer will have a direct impact on the type, quality and number of clubs in their bag. As most players improve the number of clubs will change to match their abilities; there is not set rule or rule-of-thumb. The reason for club changes will vary, but low handicap players identify early that focusing on their short game will result in lower scores.

See what is in the pros golf bag:

What do you carry in your golf bag?

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

Why 14 Clubs?

February 15, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 16 Comments

In 1938, the R&A introduce the rule limiting the number of golf clubs in a bag to 14. Prior, there was an unlimited number clubs any player could carry. Amateur golfer Francis Ouimet won the 1913 US Open carrying just seven clubs. Interestingly, 21 years later Lawson Little won the British Amateur using 31. Technology of the day drove the use of different clubs and the inconsistent nature of construction was a factor in the number of clubs used during any round.

As advances in technology, specifically the introduction of metal shafts, the need to carry many clubs seemed to disappear. The evolution of golf clubs is very interesting and the fast evolution of modern technology continues to drive the golf industry. Has the change in golf club construction actually contributed to the greatest changes in golf club performance over the years? Or is it something else?

Depending on what you believe or read changes in club technology might just be a red herring. Regardless, why 14 clubs? Why not 13 or 15?

According to Canada.com, golf historians suggest the 14-club rule was made to benefit caddies, because it was common for golfers before 1939 to use 20-30 clubs of varying styles and uses. Caddies would routinely double-bag – carrying two bags at a time – and many did it twice a day to earn a living. Well I would have hated to be a looper then.

Rule 4-4. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs. The player must not start a stipulated round with more than fourteen clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected for that round, except that if he started with fewer than fourteen clubs, he may add any number, provided his total number does not exceed fourteen.

So there you have it, the 14-club rule was introduced for caddies, not technology, not to make if fair for everyone, increase speed of play or even to help drive the golfing industry by reducing the number and types of clubs they have to manufacture. It was all for the caddies.

I carry 14 clubs. How many do you carry?

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