Reading The Signs

November 4, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Reading obvious signs in life are very important! Sometimes, it can mean the difference between life and death. Not trying to be dramatic, in golf if can mean the difference between a good score and a great score.

Yesterday, I returned from my vacation. It was a long drive home and we decided to leave in the middle of the night to make sure we made it back home at a reasonable time. After about three hours into the trip, we were the first to come across a single vehicle accident. The vehicle was on its roof and the driver was thrown from the car and was lying in the middle of the road. He was banged up pretty bad, but fortunately he was alive. (Our prayers go out to him for a quick and healthy recovery.) Unfortunately, he was lying in the middle of the road. It took some time, but my wife and I managed to call 911, secure the scene and get the injured person off the middle of the road. Fortunately, everything worked out alright, but it was quite scary for a while.

Read the Sign!

During the time when the ambulance, transport safety personnel and the police arrived is the focus of this blog. Being so dark, I had my hazard flashers on and was pulled off to the side of the road. As the first car arrived, I stood in front of my headlights and waved like a frantic mad man. I did not want to leave the injured guy, but he was still in the middle of the road and I was afraid the drive would not stop in time. Fortunately, the drive saw me and slowed down enough to realize the serious and dangerous situation. I asked him to back up and stop traffic until the ambulance arrived. He willing helped. After ten cars were stopped, some became impatient, regardless of the potential dangers, drove around the accident scene and left. Thanks for the help!

First on the scene, the ambulance arrived and took the guy to the hospital. Then, more impatient people drove over broken glass, around debris, and basically ignored all the signs of danger. Next on the scene was a highway safety guy. He turned all his hazard lights on (this is the guys you see with the big yellow lights at highway construction sites telling us to slow down or move to a particular lane) and he put out large danger signs about 100 yards up the road. This is when I felt the most in danger. People were speeding up to the site and applied the brakes in the last 10 yards! Some did not even slow down until they say the overturned vehicle, then realized it was dangerous! A couple did slow down, and I thank them for following the hazard signs. The high safety guy said that most people did not follow the signs and potentially increase the risk of even more injuries. WOW, I would not have believed it, until I saw it!

A big thanks to all the emergency response people who put their lives at risk everyday! We can do our part by reading and following the signs!

So how does this scary situation apply to golf? Great question! There are many times golfers have great rounds going and lose focus about what is happening around them. They become so engrossed in their own shot, they forget to read the signs of possible hazards that can really affect their score. It has happened to everyone, but the top players try to reduce impact of the hazards by remaining focused and reading the signs.

Here are a few signs that most golfers should pay attention too if they want to score well:

Sign: The ball flight his moving left to right or is short more than anticipated. Tip: Look at the tops of the trees before making a shot. Most golfers, when playing well, have a tendency not to look up. The movement of the leaves will show how strong the wind is blowing and in what direction.
Sign: A player cannot reach the green or the risk/reward is too high. Tip: Selecting a club to set up your next shot is very important. Most amateurs have a “grip it and rip it” attitude. They hit the ball as far as possible all the time; not thinking about what distance will be left or stance they will have for the next shot. Sometimes, it is easier to hit a bit shorter to have a better shot into the green.
Sign: The pin is in a real tough position, tucked behind a bunker or very close to the edge of the green. Tip: The shot before your approach shot is the important stroke. This shot will allow you to set up the most advantageous angle into the green. The proper approach angle will reduce strokes and instill confidence when hunting for pins.
Sign: The greens are not rolling the same throughout your round. Tip: Be aware that the greens change given the time of day. As your game progress, the speed and break of the green will change. Early morning changes are caused by the greens drying out; late day changes are caused by the grass following the sun, thereby changing the grain of the green.

Reading the signs in life and golf will have a direct impact on the outcome. It is important to be aware of what is happening around you and read the signs to make sure you stay ahead of any changes that could affect your golf game. Golf is a dynamic game that always provides the signs that can result in great scores. You just have to read and follow them.

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

What Would You Be Thinking?

November 2, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

Dustin Johnson is leading after 54 holes at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China. He took the lead from Rory McIlroy after the first round and continues to shoot very well. Reviewing the stats and results, it is interesting to put yourself in Rory McIlory’s shoes. The trend of playing well for a round or two seems to continue and he is slowing starting to fall back from the top of the leader board.

What Would You Be Thinking? Am I “The Shark”, Greg Norman? He won many tournaments but slowly fell from the top of the world rankings by the combination of: players making miracle shots and your mental game slowly fading. (The Shark is one of my favorites)

What Would You Be Thinking? Am I John Daly? The two-time Major winner was a flash in the pan who had the ability to play extremely well for but could not sustain anything substantial to remain on top. Although a fan favorite, winning was sparse, but exciting!

What Would You Be Thinking? Am I Michelle Wie? Someone with unlimited potential to be another top-ranked player but could not sustain the spotlight. Someone who was mismanaged and made many tough financial decisions that in the end will be more detrimental than expected.

What Would You Be Thinking? Oh no, here we go again. This cannot be happening! The negative thoughts start affecting his game and he just cannot seem to get past the recent trends of not playing well for four rounds in a row.

Regardless of what Rory is thinking, he is too good a player not shake off this current funk. He has the skills and drive to play back to the top of the golfing world. He is a young player and with the proper guidance, his mental game will match his skill. When that happens, look out! He will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come!

What Do You Think?

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

Do You Trust Your Swing!

October 29, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Recently, I purchased a TOM TOM 55M. I thought about buying a GPS for some time, but just never made the buy because the need was not great enough. Preparing for a vacation, I realized that the route we wanted take was through unfamiliar territory and a bit off the beaten path. So it made sense to make the purchase and let TOMTOM be our guide. Needless to say, it was worth every penny and after we figured out how to use most of the features it made our trip quite enjoyable.

So how does this apply to golf you may ask? Well, great question. Once we enter the unfamiliar roads on our trip, I started to second guess the TOMTOM. I thought I could cut of miles by taking a different road or have a more scenic route around the next bend. I started to second guess the device until finally my darling wife said, “If you are not going to follow the directions, we are taking it back”. In other words, trust that the TOMTOM is going to direct us on the path we chose and enjoy the drive.

Her statement, although not really earth shattering, was significant because it made me think about how this applies to the golf swing. How many times have golfers stood over their ball and started to make adjustments, change their grip, address, stance, finish or mental attitude because all of a sudden they did not trust their swing. Golfers suddenly decide that, in that moment, it was important not to trust the swing they have honed, shaped and worked on over years of tedious practice. Golfers believe that not trusting something that has proven reliable was a smart.

How many times have golfers found themselves in this situation? The fact of the matter is that trusting your swing is extremely important break 100, 90, 80 or 70. Trusting your swing instills confidence to mentally play well. Trusting your swing empowers golfers to apply proper course management because they are not thinking about mechanics. Trusting your swing just makes sense!

There are times when all golfers need to work on their swing, but that should be saved for the range. Once you leave the range and head to course, it is time to trust your swing. Golf is a sport that is both complex and easy at the same time. The path you choose really depends on trust!

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

How to Play Golf?

October 18, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

The dawn of a new day! What a great time to play golf!

What a great question! If a poll was taken of 100 different teaching pros on what is the most important skill required to play golf, I bet there would be 100 different answers! Golf is a unique sport where the elusive perfect swing comes in a million forms. Yes, a million forms!

The golf swing is a series of different movements broken down, analyzed, and taught at varying skill levels. Each player requires something unique to match their fitness, coordination, and willingness to change. Reading many great articles from White Dragon Golf, Mind Body Golf, Golf Habits, GP Golf Report, or Hitting it Solid, I have concluded that great advice is found for those who are searching. However, to break 100 consistently or to maintain a single digit handicap each player has to find their own way on how to play golf. Golfers must find their swing, develop it, and hone the skills required to find their perfect swing.

If you are just starting golf or wondering how to play better, all I can say is welcome to the endless merry-go-round of trying to improve your swing. It will be challenging, frustrating and exhilarating all at the same time! The first time you hit the shot of your life, you will want to hit a better one! What a vicious circle…..no wonder golf is the greatest sport!

Golf is really meant to be played; the only way to get better is to practice, play, adjust, practice and play; then repeat one million times. It seems like a pretty simple system, well give it a try. Actually, golf is meant to be enjoyed! If you are not having fun, then what is the point.

Finally, 3underthru12 has a fantastic video on how to play golf that will make you laugh. For some of us seasoned golfers, we will remember watching it when it first came out! For others, enjoy it for the first time.

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

Are You a Professional Golfer?

September 22, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

Canadian Armed Forces National Golf Tournament

Have you won more than $750 playing golf at your local club in a skins game? Do you use golf as a primary method to make a living? Are you receiving financial gain from golfing? Are you the local golfing sensation whose likeness is used to promote a local charity golf event? Do you compete at the elite level regularly? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may be considered a professional golfer!

Determining whether a player should be a card carrying professional is important. It is safe to say that it is easy to distinguish between a professional and an amateur. Or is it?

Lyndia Ko is a perfect example of a 16-year old phenom amateur who has won four (2 LPGA and 2 International) professional tournaments. How does she maintain her amateur status and still compete in at the elite level? The last amateur to win a PGA event was Phil Mickelson in 1991. He turned pro 1992 and has won 42 professional tournaments, including five majors. Did winning this PGA event push “Lefty” towards an amateur career sooner than expected?

By definition, an “amateur golfer”, regardless of whether he plays competitively or recreationally, is one who plays golf for the challenge it presents, not as a profession and not for financial gain. (R&A, USGA) Is it really that simple?

One major distinction about being a professional golfer is “golf skill or reputation“. Generally, an amateur golfer is only considered to have golf skill if he:

has had competitive success at regional or national level or has been selected to represent his national, regional, state or county golf union or association; or
competes at an elite level.

Golf reputation can only be gained through golf skill and such reputation is deemed to continue for five years after that player’s golf skill has fallen below the standard set by the Governing Body. This statement is very important to most amateurs. Basically, local heroes with fantastic reputations would not be considered professional golfers. It takes much more than having a scratch handicap.

Other aspects of maintaining your amateur status are important. A recent change to the hole-in-one prizes is significant. Traditionally, if you won more that $750 for a hole-in-one during a fun tournament, you lost your amateur status. Fortunately that has changed because Kurt Kramarenko of Dimondale would be a professional golfer today after winning ten thousand dollars in a charity golf tournament on 13 September 2013. It may have been a life time dream, but one awesome shot does not make a professional golfer.

Another major change important distinction on a player’s status deals with subsistence expenses. An amateur golfer can receive subsistence expenses to assist with general living costs provided the expenses are approved by and paid through the player’s national golf union or association. (R&A, USGA) This new rule allows amateurs to keep their status while in school, compete at the elite level and prepare for a professional career.

What about the local player who travels within a three-hour radius of his house and consistently wins prizes in tournaments? What if this local player participates directly or indirectly in a “sweepstake” or “calcutta” auction and receives money from the person who purchased their team? Or, he likes to enter tournaments that offer cash prizes because he has enough golf stuff; does this effect their amateur status? The short answer is yes. Every time a player wins money during a tournament, even non-optional skins games, the prize money goes towards the $750 limit regarding their amateur status. A prize such as golf equipment does not appear to count towards the $750 limit.

In 2012, the USGA and R&A joined forces to make one set of governing rules to clarify the difference between professional and amateur status. This was a good move for the overall health of golf. Bloomburg.com suggests that golf is a 69 billion dollar industry. Amateur versus professional status is important. The following R&A video outlines the new changes and the importance of understanding if a player is considered a professional golfer.

New Amateur Status 2012-2015

So, are you a professional golfer? Most likely, the answer is no. However, for some, it is a great dream. As the golf industry continues to grow, more pressure will grow on the governing bodies to ensure an even and fair playing field. There is so much at stake that making poor decisions early in an amateur career could have detrimental, long-term results. Being a professional golfer may not be the life-long dream of most players, but for some it typifies expertise in a sport they love.

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