An Unexpected Surprise on the Golf Course

September 9, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Yesterday, I was in Kingston, Nova Scotia, Canada, as part of my vacation. During our trip down memory lane, I took the opportunity to visit Paragon Golf and Country Club. This track has a special place in my heart because it was the home course of my Mom. She passed a few years ago, but my memory of playing golf with her is still very fresh! When my Mom passed, the family decided to donate a bench in her memory. So I thought I would take a picture while I was there.

When I arrived, I quickly popped into the Pro Shop and asked if I could head out and take some pictures of the course and the bench. Unexpectedly, but not being surprised at the Nova Scotia hospitality, Barb gave me a key to a cart and said to take my time. I will be posting the pictures and providing a review of this gem at a later date.

While cruising around the course, I happened across two older ladies enjoying their round. I patiently drove up behind them and asked if I could pass by because I was just taking some pictures. While starting to pass, Sue and Joan asked where I was from and the conversation started.

We stopped at the 14th tee (which is where my Mom’s bench was) and started to chat. These elderly ladies actually knew my Mom and played many rounds of golf with her. We talked for about 5 minutes and I explained that I was taking pictures for my blog and that I was on vacation. They asked when was the last time I played and I said about 3 weeks ago.

Suddenly, Joan asked if I wanted to hit a couple of balls off the tee. Never one to pass up the chance to hit golf balls, I happily agreed. First, both Sue and Joan split the middle of the fairway with their drives; so the pressure was on for me to do the same. Joan offered her driver and a couple of old balls and to the tee box I went.

Surprisingly, I crushed both balls down the middle of the fairway. During my swing, I slowed my tempo down considerably because the club had a very flexible shaft. After making solid contact, I was very pleased with the results. Picking up the tee, both ladies suggested they would use the balls I hit and laughed. After returning Joan’s club, the ladies waved good-bye as they drove off.

Meeting these ladies was a chance encounter that brightened my day. Both were fantastic to talk to and I was grateful for how positively they talked about my Mom. Thanks Sue and Joan for making this year’s trip to Paragon a memorable one.

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

The Deutsche Bank Championship

September 1, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

The second leg of the FEDEXCUP Playoffs starts in a couple of days. Here are my picks:

Finishing fourth – Zach Johnson

Finishing tied for 2^nd – Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson

Winner – Jordan Spieth

Dark Horse – Tony Finau

To read my article in full, check out PunditArena.com. Let me know what you think!

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

Mid Season Break from Golf

August 31, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Grateful for Golf!

Have you ever decided that a week or two off in the middle of your golf season would be good for your game? Depending on how much you play, a rest from the sticks might just improve your outlook on how you play. I am sure there are many articles about the psychology of letting our brains focus on things other than golf, but I have never really been convinced.

If you find yourself dragged out and not enjoying your rounds, then a rest is a great idea. Because our season is so short in Canada, I have never really taken a conscious break from the game, life usually does that for me.

The last time I hit the links was 2 weeks ago on Tuesday. Yup, almost 14 days. Additionally, I have started my holidays and it looks like another 10-12 days before I loop the course. Unfortunately, I was sick a couple of weeks ago and it last a good 7 days. I rarely get sick, but in this case I was off work and laid up waiting for my sickness to pass. That was the start of my time away from the links.

After healing, work got in the way and now I am on vacation with my wife. I expected to take the 2 weeks off for our vacation because of our plans, but the two weeks prior was a surprise. So after all that is said and done, I will be away from the links for quite some time during peak golfing weather.

The funny thing is, is that I am not concerned about it at all. I think that I will be refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of things when it is time. I am blessed with the opportunity to golf often and a doubly blessed to have an understanding wife!

So, my mid-season break is a bit longer than normal this year. I do miss hitting the links with my friends, but they will be there when I get back. Overall, life is fantastic and I am truly grateful!

Thoughts from Day 3 at the Barclay’s

August 29, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Day 3 from the Barclay’s is in the books. It was interesting to watch the pros navigate Plainfield Country Club in Edison, NJ. The many challenges of the course lie in the rough and placement of the many sand traps. Additionally, the greens on the course appear to be very challenging given the plethora of scores on day three.

There will be many reports on the play of Day 3, however there is one thing I noticed about the play that caught my attention. Many of the leaders were putting from the fringe. This caught my attention because most of the pros are awesome wedge players. What would drive them to use their putter instead of their wedge?

As I watch them play, I can see the undulations on the greens and pin placements are causing challenges for the players. Using their putter appears to be best way to conserve strokes and reduce errors. Very few were making the putts, but their lag distance was close as most players were able to get up and down for par.

This is an interesting defensive strategy. I will admit that recently I have started using my putter more from the fringe. This is counter to my previous strategy, but this change has saved at least 2 strokes per round because my lag distance is make-able more often than not.

Do you use your putter or wedge from the fringe? In your view, why doe you use our putter or wedge?

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

Unplayable Lie in Golf!

August 28, 2015August 27, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Of the many questions I answer relating to the rules of golf, the unplayable lie is one of the most popular. Rule 28 of the RGCA outlines all the details about what constitute an unplayable lie and your options regarding your decision. Additionally, the video below from Golf Canada also explains your options.

Before viewing the video, and I recommend that you do, there is one aspect of Rule 28 – Ball Unplayable that most amateurs do not fully understand. A ball unplayable can only be called by the player who hit the ball. Their playing partners cannot make the call for them. Additionally, an unplayable ball can be called everywhere except in a water hazard. Yup, that means that if you are in the middle of the fairway and for some strange reason you want to call your ball unplayable, you can.

This rule is very important. In my experience, it is a stroke saver and is one of the basic rules all amateurs should know! Now, enjoy the video!