Making Golf Fun for Everyone!

June 11, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Setting up a golf course for play is more complicated than one would think. Each day a decision should be made on where to place the pins and the tee box to make the most of any course. The local pro or grounds keeper should relieve the pressure from the person responsible for moving the pins and tee box and set up the course in advance. Properly setting up a course will ensure that it fair and enjoyable to play by the average golfer.

A bush 4 feet high directly in the line of the tee markers!

The above image is a perfect example of what not to do. The tee markers are 8 yards apart with 5 yards set up directly behind a 4-foot bush. This set up was during a tournament recently run at a local course. Needless to say, it was frustrating and silly all at the same time.

The R&A has strong guidance on how to make the pin placements and the location of the tee boxes. “Tee-markers should be placed about six to seven yards apart. If the width of the teeing ground is greater, players are more likely to inadvertently tee up in front of the tee-markers. The front line of the teeing ground should be set up at right angles to the centre of the drive zone.” “There should be a balanced selection of hole positions for the entire course with respect to left, right, central, front and back positions. For example, beware too many positions on one side or the other of the green with a resulting premium on drawn or faded shots.”

All too often, the tee markers are moved to where there is the most grass. Moving to where no one has played is a requirement caused by not moving the tee markers for two or more days. Compounding the problem is par threes because most players take divots during these shorter shots. Eventually, setting up the tee markers poorly will ruin a tee box.

Additionally, the pins have a tendency to be placed in awkward locations that require a skill level far beyond the weekend looper. Some may think that having the pin placed on the side of a slope is to test the skill of players, but actually this action just frustrates everyone on the links. Generally, someone told to move the pins makes this crucial set-up decision. This is not to suggest the maintenance worker cannot set up the green, but some fore-thought is required to ensure that the course is still fun with a mix of challenge for the average player.

Another aspect of properly moving the pins and tee makers is to ensure the traffic of walkers, carts and maintenance vehicles is balanced over the course. Having the same traffic tread over the same patch of grass for several days will cause serious damage and degrade the quality of the course. It is frustrating for any golfer to make a fantastic shot and then quickly realize they are on hard-pan for no reason other than the set-up of the course has not changed is three days.

Ultimately, setting up a course is challenging. It is a critical task not taken lightly. Most weekend golfers do not need to be challenged on every shot; properly setting up a course will ensure that it is fair and enjoyable can be played by the average golfer. If you are running a tournament, take the time to talk to your local pro for advice. If you explain your overall goal; fun, challenge or a mixture of both; there is a very good chance they will meet your expectations. Then everyone is a winner.

Golf is a fantastic sport. Millions of people play everyday. Properly setting up the course will only multiply their fun and willingness to come back!

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

The Fifth Major

May 10, 2013May 10, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

The Players Championship played this weekend is lauded as the Fifth Major. It is the only significant tournament owned and administered by the PGA Tour. The majors all have different sponsors. The Masters is owned by the Augusta National Golf Club; the U.S. Open by the United States Golf Association (USGA); The Open Championship by The R&A, and the PGA Championship by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America).

This tournament was created in 1974 and Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural tournament. This tournament has a short history, but gathers an elite field every year. The tournament runs every year at about the same time with the final round being played on Mother’s Day. It has a permanent home at TPC Sawgrass since 1982 at the stadium course.

Having the reputation as the Fifth Major is very tough. The Players Championship is a very young tournament, but has some great highlights. Tom Alter, PGATOUR.COM, outlines 40 history shots that capture your imagination. One of the favourites was in “2007 – In the third round, Phil Mickelson’s tee shot at the 10th hole found a fairway bunker. His only shot to the green was through a small gap in the trees. The leader couldn’t win the tournament with this one shot, but he could lose it. So “Phil the Thrill” threaded his approach shot through the trees and onto the green. Climbing out of the bunker, he said to his caddie Jim “Bones” McKay, “I didn’t want to tell you what I was doing.” Mickelson went on to win the first PLAYERS in May by two shots.” There are many more great stories and are worth a read.

Every tournament has great memories. If one researched enough, they could find enough great shots to fill a book. It could be the fact that it has the richest prize money of any tournament. Or that the winner receives 600 Fed Ex points for winning like the other Majors. Or that the field is made of the top 30-50 players in the world. Ultimately, this tournament has plenty to offer and continues to be elevated into the top five tournaments of the year.

The greatness of The Players Championship can be supported in the facts on many levels. However, what is the ultimate driving force that makes it the Fifth Major? It is RESPECT. The respect it receives from the players.

In an article by ESPN.COM, on Tuesday Tiger Woods is quoted, “We have our four major championships, and that’s that, …….But if there was going to be another one, this would be it. This is the best field that we have. We have guys from all over the world playing and, next to the PGA, probably one of the deepest and stiffest fields we’ll face.”

USA Today Sports penned “The Players just gets bigger and bigger,” two-time Players champion Davis Love III said. “The PGA Tour has done a great job in making this our major, the players’ major, and it’s a special tournament.”

The New York Daily News quotes the number 2 in world, “It’s funny,” said Rory McIlroy, who has missed the cut all three times he’s played here. “It’s a golf course where you look at the field and you’re like, ‘Anyone can win.”

The majority of the golf world respects the Players Championship as an elite tournament. The players themselves are eager to try their hand at one of the toughest competitions of the year. As stated by the players, this tournament has proven year in and year out that it is a top tier professional golf tournament. It is time to give The Players Championship its due and make it the Fifth Major!

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

AW Come On!

April 25, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

It is 26 April and we woke up to this – SNOW!!!! Normally, I am pretty upbeat but really, come on, when is going to end! Well actually, it is over. The weather is shifting and we will be hitting double-digit highs next week. It really is about time!

This is most difficult time of the year for golfers. We wait patiently for spring and every day like today is another body blow. However, we are tough and we will take it without fear because we know the warm weather is around the corner.

I have heard the rumors and stories of when the courses in the area are going to open and I can hardly wait. I am very confident the driving ranges will be open next week and golf season will officially begin. So goodbye snow and move over for the warm sunshine of spring.

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

The Importance of Junior Golf Programs

April 21, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Golf is a wonderful game! It is the only sport where each competitor is the referee, player, equipment handler, and ambassador. It is designed to teach etiquette, patience, fairness, and goodwill towards your fellow competitor. It is a great place to meet new people. In the article Camaraderie: Golf as a Contact Sport The Mindful Golfer asks where can you go and meet total strangers and play a sport for five hours? This is very true. Golf provides so much it is hard to believe that not everyone is playing.

The great aspects of golf are rooted in tradition and are generally taught through interaction with fellow golfers. As adults, we understand that golf has certain written and unwritten rules that are to be followed for the benefit of all. There are methods of teaching, training and educating amateurs that should enhance the joy of playing. Unfortunately, as adults we are not as quick to learn new things. We like to do things our way and sometimes forego learning certain aspects of the game that do not interest us. This devil-may-care attitude may cause stress to those who really love the game.

This is where the importance of junior golf programs shine. Junior golf programs help foster and develop all aspects of the game. They teach younger players values of honesty, integrity and respect both on and off the course. Many national organizations and programs promote junior golf. Their importance to the overall health of the game cannot be overstated because the next group of great players need a way to excel towards being the next Jack Nicklaus.

Guru’s Golf Blog reviewed a book called Inspire Junior Golf by Rick Grayson. The book deals with many aspects of golf from the view of players, teachers and coaches. Specifically, he states that team sports provide an opportunity for players to develop teach-ability, character, integrity, perseverance, a positive attitude and self-esteem. Well, golf is both a team and individual sport that teaches all these and more. Sounds like awesome traits to be teaching you athletes or casual players.

Junior Development Golf Canada‘s mission is “To be the future of junior golf and the go to resource for everything related. By offering easy access for junior golfers looking to learn, develop or advance their golf game. As dedicated professionals and golf coaches we will work in partnership with courses, communities and sponsors, to grow local programs, national initiatives, our brand and the game.” The JDGC is starting to grow and expose many younger players to the opportunity of playing golf. This type of program provides an avenue for golfers to excel to greatness.

The British Junior Golf Tour is also providing unique opportunities for young players to hone their skills. They continue to expand their partnership base and are associated with many other groups in Europe and North America. They outline the expectations of playing in their tournaments through a code of conduct. This is an excellent way to promote the positive aspects of junior golf.

All the programs that help develop junior golf are extremely important for player development. Probably none are more important than the junior programs offered by your local course. Generally, a group of keen amateur golfers with low handicaps start a junior program to promote the sport. They provide young players the opportunity to learn and have fun. These programs are equally, if not more, important to the development of young athletes as players and as a person. Check out your local course, it may be the best thing you ever did for you developing athlete.

Sports Is Everything to many armchair, amateur, professional, part-time, or just want to have fun athlete. It is an opportunity to stay fit, have fun, win bragging rights, or just learn something new. Junior golf programs are outlets to many young athletes seeking something for which they do not even know they are searching. Golf is a great sport and by teaching honesty, integrity and respect to the young can only be good for everyone.

Golf Gadgets

April 20, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Golf gadgets are designed to improve your game…..or so we think. They help with our pitching, putting, short irons, long irons, driver, keeping your head still, keeping score and on and on and on. Ultimately, I think we can agree that golf gadgets are designed to make money for someone trying fix a specific aspect of someone’s golf game. I say giddy-up and all the power to you.

At coolest-gadgets.com, they specialize in gadgets of all sorts and including those specific for golf. There are hundreds of options and some look very interesting. One specific gadget to catch my eye was on the very first one on the page. It is a floating green made of velcro. What a cool concept except. I am not sure hitting balls with velcro on them would really help with your game. But, what caught my eye is that it looks fun!

Image standing around the pool having a barbecue with your buddies. Steaks are cooking nice and slow, the drinks are cold and the conversation turns to everyone’s favorite topic: golf! After some lively discussion and trash talk, out comes the wedge and a challenge to the boys (or girls) to a round of water golf. It sounds like fun to me. Is it really helping with your game, I don’t really think so, but it definitely deepens your love of the game. Oh yeah, lets not forget the bragging rights to the winner.

Not all gadgets are designed equally. Some are gimmicks and others actually have a specific purpose that may help improve your game. Regardless, golf is meant to be fun for everyone. Whether playing water golf, mini putt or looping around the links – HAVE FUN!

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