Today started off amazingly on the golf course. The Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort is in great shape, the sun was shining, the bugs were almost non-existent and my playing partner was fantastic. Overall, my round started off great and I was playing very well on the front nine. Actually, Blair and I were both playing great until we hit the back nine and the wheels fell off. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for our poor play…..it just happened. I am not sure what happened and yet it did. Such is golf and I am still trying to find the reason for the change and I think I have the solution.
Continue readingGrateful Golfer
Making More Adjustments To My Golf Swing
Every golfer I know works on their golf swing. They try different aspects or make small changes in order to gain the advantage they need to lower their golf score. Well, I am no different. Over the past six months of playing (about a year due to our winter layoff) I have tried to change my golf swing. I can honestly tell you that it my efforts have not produced the changes expected, so it is time to change back and start fresh. It has been a fun, frustrating and fruitful adventure and I will explain how my journey produced all three, yet differing results.
Continue readingHappy Father’s Day 2026
30 years ago. How time flies!
I have the best Dad in the world! I am sure this statement is being lauded around the world again and again. Of course, we think our father was the greatest because of the positive impact he had on our lives, but really, my Dad was the best. Unfortunately, our time together was far too short and over the past 25 years, I sure could have used some of his sage wisdom to get me through some tough times. Fortunately, my father-in-law was there to help fill some of the void and I am grateful for his advice, wisdom, and love along the way.
My Dad taught me so much that it is difficult to list it all. He demonstrated how to be a father through kindness and love that he showed towards my Mom everyday, how to stand up and be accountable for my actions, when to sacrifice for the good of the family, and how to have fun on life’s journey. He taught me that friendship is more important than money and to treat everyone as if they were your friend. His life lessons are the core of my being and for that I am ever grateful to my Dad
He taught me how to fish, the importance of tipping your barber, how to build a cottage, how to play horseshoes, how to hang a picture straight (well I am still learning that lesson), how to ride a bike, and why it is important to spend time with the ones you love. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
My Dad was always around for us. His greatest gift to my siblings and I was time. He played games with us, took us places, and understood when to give us our space. He always made the time for everyone and never demonstrated frustration or disappointment when asked for help. My Dad showed me the value of personal discipline in all areas of my life. Looking back, he always seemed to know what to do at the right time.
Also, my Dad taught me how to play golf! He taught me how to swing and how to use of the different clubs. He taught me the importance of etiquette, fixing your ball marks, and where to stand on the green when someone was putting. He showed me all the fundamentals that are essential to being a good golfer. These lessons and more, I have used repeatedly for 40 years. I have taken my Dad’s knowledge and passed them on to many people as his lessons were valuable both on and off the course.
I have the greatest Dad in the world. Although he is gone, he is in my heart and I talk to him everyday! Today is a special day for all Dads. It is a day to express how grateful we are for everything they did to make our lives better.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Ottawa Hickory Open Championship – Another Must Attend Event
If you have read some of my previous posts, you will start to see a bit of a trend going on. For the first time, I attended the Ottawa Hickory Open Championship. Organized by Chris Hawes, the Hickory Open Championship is in its third year and has grown to 50 players across 4 divisions. The championship uses the Stableford system of scoring in order to eliminate the high hole errors most hickory stick players experience. Held at the Stonebridge Golf Course in Nepean, this course was perfect and the 5100 yard distance fit well for the Open category of the Hickory Open Championship.
Continue readingBack In Full Swing In 2026!
It is official. Yesterday, I played my first full round of golf in 2026. It was a round of the goods, bads and the uglies! Osprey Links was dry and very playable. The temperatures hovered around 7° C (45° F) and there was a slight wind making it even colder. Overall, the conditions were expected and the results of my round were also expected. I did not play very well, but for the first round of the year there definitely were some positive areas with which I am grateful. Everything that happened yesterday is nothing new and therefore I am not disappointed with the overall results. I thought I would share a few successful areas that other golfers could use when playing for the first time in cold weather.
Although the picture on the left was from a few years ago, it hits my first point about dressing in layers. I had on three layers of warm clothes, plus I brought two other layers (as shell and warm pull over) just in case the weather was colder than expected. Additionally, I used my clic gear mittens that attach to my push cart to keep my hands warm. That was essential as if my hands get too cold, I am unable to hit the ball with any consistency.
Second, I used my Wilson 50 golf ball. This 50 compression ball is perfect for the cold weather. I did experiment with other balls, but the Wilson is my preference in the spring and fall. The ball was very cold and as such, using a higher compression ball is a challenge as I would not get the same performance as a lower compression ball. If you have not tried a lower compression ball in the cold, I suggest you give it a try, you might be surprised on the results.
Lower your expectations for your first couple of rounds of golf at the start of the season. Yesterday, I hit some good shots with all my clubs except the scoring ones. My wedges and putter were completely non-existent. I hacked and stubbed my way around the course regardless of my lie. Additionally, I found that my short game was so rusty that I wondered if I was going to find it later in the year. Of course I am being dramatic, but my chipping and putting was very bad. On a positive note, I have nowhere to go but up!
Lastly, I stayed hydrated. This might seem like a silly topic, however even in the cold when you walk 18 holes, hydration is important. I carried water around for found that takings a few sips every couple holes or so really helped keep my strength up for the last part of my round. Hydration is often overlooked my many golfers as beer and coffee do not provide the necessary hydration needed to stay strong throughout my round. I wrote about this previously and I think you should review this important issue: https://thegratefulgolfer.com/2023/06/01/golf-psa-stay-hydrated-on-the-golf-course-2/
Well, my 2026 season has started. My first round was with my friend Blair and as we looped Osprey Links, it was where we picked up from last year. Overall, I had a fantastic time and I am grateful to be hitting the links agian.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 