Discussion

Penalty Area In Golf

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

In 2019, the governing bodies of golf changed the wording and definition for hazards. They adjusted the rules to allow for grounding your club and a few other aspects of the new penalty area. Basically, the rule changes made it easier to navigate the penalty area and in my opinion, it was a positive change to the rules. In case you are still curious about what the penalty area still means, I found a video that should make things a bit easier.

I hope this video helps clarify what the penalty area consists of and how to play fairly from it. It is important the understand this basic rule change because it might save you strokes during your round.

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

The Importance Of A Scorecard

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

The scorecard is the final document used during competitive rounds of golf. It is not a complicated process to record your golf score, but mistakes do happen. Sometimes they are unintentional and other times intentional. I know we do not want to think that some golfers would sandbag the field, but it does happen. Interestingly, golf is one of those unique sports where each player keeps another’s scorecard and attests to their own score. There is a bit of pressure to correctly follow the rules, but not as complicated at we might think.

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The Importance of A Two Putt

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

If you were offered a two putt on every green before your round, would you take it? Would a two putt on every green help or hurt your score. I my case, it would hurt my score because I generally have more one putts than three putts. I will mention that most of my holes (usually around 12) result in a two putt. The days I am playing well, that number decreases to 9 or 10. However, I do believe that most players overlook the importance of a two putt in their endeavour to shoot lower golf scores.

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The Art Of Giving Putts

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

For many casual golfers, a gimmie is a staple term during every round. It does not matter at what level of player is on the links, I can almost guarantee that taking/conceding a putt happens. Whether to speed up play or eliminate the frustration of whacking the ball around the green, gimmies happen. Now, to be fair, I am not against conceding a putt or even taking one from time to time. But this happens only and I have to emphasize only during a friendly round.

Well, that is not true, I use gimmies as a strategy during Match Play events, but that is a different kettle of fish.

Putting is a skill that every golfer must master. I realize I am stating the obvious, but it is often overlooked by many amateurs. I have watch countless players spend 25 minutes of their 30 preround warm up hitting balls and only 5 minutes chipping and putting. Personally, I am a 20 / 10 player (with 20 minutes chipping and putting) who feels that honing my short game touch is more important than hitting balls. I am not sure where you stand, but that is my approach.

Gimmie putts are a part of golf. I think each player must decide when and where they want to apply this unwritten action. I do not judge and actually do not care; the only person a gimmie affects during a friendly round is the person taking the putt. I understand this flies in the convention of a serious golfer, but that is where I am today.

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

Pressing Your Advantage in Competitive Golf

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Golf strategy is varied and limitless. There is no wrong answer as to when a player applies their strategy in either match or stroke play. The factors are almost incalculable before the moment, but any experienced player understands that at any moment pressing one’s advantage in competitive golf is a double edged. Regardless of the result, the prior to the shot the decision on the risk/reward is really what drives a competitor’s decision to press their advantage.

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