Chipping – Being Aggressive

August 27, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

I have been off golfing lately and was wondering why most of my approach shots are significantly short. I watch the pros and see them discussing which club to use, the wind, the ball location, what they are going to eat for lunch….ok not so much. Ultimately, they take in many factors that most of us do not consider. So what makes them so special that most of the pros are putting from 10 feet instead of 20 feet like the majority of amateur golfers.

Well it has to do with how aggressive they are when hitting their approach shots. Whether they are 100 yards out or 10 yards; the pros try to sink the ball every time. They figure it is best to be long the consistently short. As my friend once told me, 100 percent of short shots do not go in! I tend to agree with that analogy.

So what to do? I recommend that you try to sink your approach shot with no fear. It is easier to adjust distance if you are aggressive and you also have the line if the ball goes past the hole. I know it sounds difficult, but actually it is not. Focus on sinking your approach shot and you will find that your putt (if you miss the hole) will shorter and the chances of making it will significantly increase.

Putting From the Fringe

August 11, 2012August 11, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

As I watch Vijay Singh use his belly putter from the fringe at the PGA Championship, I wonder if the putter is the best club to use. Granted the The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is in fantastic condition and their fairways are as manicured as most greens, I still wonder if using a putter from 10 yards off the green is a wise move. Obviously, for Vijay Singh, it was a good move as he went up and down for par. But in reality was it really the smart play?

The courses I primarily play (Laurentide Golf Course, Osprey Links, Clear Springs Golf Course) it is unlikely that a putter would be the club of choice from 10 yards off the green. Since the putter cannot be use, now what? I have discussed this many times with a multitude of golfers and suggest that there is no clear answer. However, given a choice I would prefer to use my 7 iron first and my 52 degree wedge second.

The 7 iron shot is a bump and run pitch. I use this shot only when the ball is on the short grass. I set the club up like a putter and often use the same grip. I press my hands slightly forward and lead slightly on my left foot (I am a right-handed golfer). I ensure that more weight is on the inside of my left foot to ensure crisp contact on the ball. Next I lock my wrists and swing the club with my shoulders.

A very important aspect of this shot selection, and I cannot overstate this point, is to keep focusing on my club hitting the ball. Then I count to 2, still looking at the point where my club struck the ball, then I look up. Keeping your head down will ensure that your ball remains on the line you chose and that solid contact occurs every time.

There you have it, my solution to lowering your score. I plan to use this shot tomorrow. I am a grateful golfer.

What club do you like to use from 10 yards off the green on the short grass?

How to Hit a Tough Golf Shot

August 1, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Under a Tree on the 15th Hole

I have often thought that hitting a difficult shot is easier than an approach shot from 80 yards in the middle of the fairway. You may laugh, however it is true. When we are trying to hit a tough shot, we focus, think of where we want to land the ball, take into account our surroundings and contemplate which club would be most effective. When we are 80 yards out, we grab the same club and hit the same shot regardless of the wind, conditions or pin position. We think and focus less. Hence, the results are not always what we want.Last week I was playing the par 5, 15th hole at Laurentide Golf Course. After two shots I was 50 yards from the green. After my third shot, by the way it was unfocused, I was 15 yards off the green under a tree. I had to stand under the branches, chip over a hill, land the ball on the green and let the ball roll down to the hole.

Close to the Pin from Under a Tree

As I walked up to the ball, I said a couple grumpy words and thought, wow what a poor shot. Then I proceeded to go through my normal routine. I focused on where I needed to land the ball. Then which club would be best and finally, how hard to hit the shot. Well as you can see I did alright. By the way, I sunk the but for par.

Making a tough shot is more mind over matter. The key to being successful is to stay focused on each shot. It is very difficult, but if you can manage it, your handicap will fall.

If you have any hints or tips on how to hit a tough golf shot, I would love to hear them. I am always looking for ways to improve my game. I am all ears!

Golf – an Olympic Sport

July 31, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

With the 2012 Olympics well on the way, I thought it would be interesting to discuss golf being included in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It will be first time that South America hosts the games of the XXXI Olympiad and should be extremely exciting.

Golf is going to reappear in the Olympics after 100 years. It is an exciting time for all golfers who have (after much debate with those who do not think that golf is a “real sport”…yes they would be the ones who cannot play or even have the slightest desire to even give it a try, but that is a discussion for another blog) believed that golf should never have been dropped. The PGA Tour Commissionaire Tim Finchem said to Laura hill in 2009 that “This is, I think, a great day for the sport of golf. We are absolutely delighted with the decision by the IOC… ”

Of interest to Canadians, we are the reigning Olympic gold medalists. In 1904, George Lyon won the gold medal in the individual event. Of course we are very proud of this fact and hope to repeat in 2016.

There is still some discussion on how people will qualify for the Olympics. If they use the top 60 world ranked golfers from TSN, as being discussed, Canada would not field a person. As of today the USA has 25 players and 3 other countries have 5 in the top 60. Total, there would be only 13 countries represented. I completely understand that the field needs be limited, but I think a better way to limit the field should be found. My reasoning, why not make it another tournament of PGA golfers and let them figure out who will receive the gold medal. Sometimes, a nobody shows up and exceeds all expectations on their way to gold.

So here is the question of the day – how would you decide the field at the 2016 Olympics?

How Did Ernie Els Win the British Open?

July 23, 2012July 23, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

What a fantastic finish to the British Open! I found it quite interesting as I watched Ernie Els coolly play the final 6 holes in heroic fashion. He did not play tight, conservative or out of control. The final putt on the 18th hole was clutch and I was very happy that one of my favorites played well done the stretch. But how did Ernie Els really win the British Open?

Was it that all the players trying to catch Adam Scott did not execute according to their game plan? Did Adam Scott figure he had the tournament all wrapped up on the 14th hole? I would suggest that neither of these situations are the answer. It was greens in regulation that won the tournament.

For the first time in tournament history someone outside the top 20 in putting for the tournament won. This is an amazing stat for sure. Ernie Els was number one in greens in regulation for the tournament, which proved to be the decisive advantage the other players could not match. Many would say, so what? It is only a stat. “Ernie Els is leading the field in greens in regulation, not so much on the greens,” Strange said. “None of the last 11 winners of this tournament have finished outside of the top 20 in total putts. Ernie ranks 75th currently in putts.”

Well let me put it another way; how low would your score be if you were putting for birdie 75% of the time during your round of golf. That means that on 14 holes you are putting to lower your overall score to par! I would take that every round. There are many stats in golf and one could argue that greens in regulation is not as important as say putting; however, Ernie Els proved that maybe it is.

My question to you is what is the most important stat? I would be interested to hear what you have to think!