I thought I would try something new. Aaron Bruce from Brewcee’s Golf Blog introduced me to this new technique of displaying images in a blog. Thanks Aaron!
Today I am just grateful! See you on the links!
Grateful Golfer
Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day everyone! This is a very special day for all mothers everywhere. It is a day devoted to all the wonderful and selfless acts you do everyday! It reminds us all of that one special person who loves us unconditionally and yet has the fortitude to “straighten us out if required”! Unfortunately, my mom passed two years ago, but this day always brings back awesome memories. Here is one I would like to share.
About 15 years ago, my wife, daughter and I were visiting my Mom in Nova Scotia, Canada. Knowing that my Mom and I were avid golfers, my wife and daughter agreed to go with us to the local Par 3 course. It was not much of a track, but it gave us all an opportunity to play together without any pressure of being slow or pushed. As we stepped up to a 128 yard hole (I do not remember the number) we were discussing club selection. Not worrying about honours, Mom stepped up and hit her 7-iron. As we watched her ball sail about 80 yards in the air, bounce a couple of times and then start rolling the last 20 yards…….right into the hole! I kid you not! And it was her third!
But wait there is more!
After we all stopped cheering and jumping around, my daughter announce that it was her turn. So, we all quieted down and let her set up for her shot. She took a mighty swing and the ball went about 20 yards in the air and started rolling towards the green. It rolled and rolled and rolled right to the green. As it went on the green I noticed it was tracking in the right direction. I held my breath and “boink” the ball hit the pin and stopped 6 inches from the hole. I let out tremendous yell for it to get in, but to no avail. Mom and I were just as excited as we jumped around giving high fives. A moment later, I looked at my daughter and she had a disappointed look on her face. After querying her, she stated in all seriousness, “Mine did not go in like Nanas!” I let out a laugh and explained what an awesome shot she just did and then she felt much better!
So on Mother’s Day, remember that five minutes spent with the ones you love can produce a memory of a life time!
I want to wish my darling wife a Happy Mother’s. She is my ‘everything’ and deserves to be appreciated on this special day and everyday!
I am a grateful. Happy Mother’s Day!
Hole in One!
There is only one thing equal to shooting a hole in one; your buddy shooting a hole in one! Yesterday, my friend from the UK sent me an email with the title my first hole in one; unfortunately, I was on the golf course and did not receive the information before I was talking to him on Skype.
His first question was if I had read the email. Saying no, he said that something really special happen; I immediately shouted that he shot a hole in one! His mile wide smile gave it away and he said yes. I welcomed him to the club. Of course I wanted details.
He was playing the Northwood Golf Club, Middlesex, UK. It was 149 yards. He used a 7-iron. It hopped once then into the hole. There were witnesses. He said as he walked to the green that his playing partner suggested that the ball went over the back, he knew completely different. During the entire description of this historic event, you could his chest puffed out just a little bit.
I am grateful he shared his story with me. I believe all hole in one shots are intended and the stroke is perfectly. Personally, I love these stories because I enjoy sharing the thrill of success with my friends!
Thanks ole boy for sharing your story. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Golf Season is Here!
After a long seven months golf season officially starts tomorrow. Only 10 days off of my prediction of 15 April. The weather is fantastic (interestingly, the forecast is for light rain later in the day but it is the first day of golf so I am ignoring the forecast) and I am prepared to another awesome season on the links.
It is unlikely that I will actually play any holes because of work, but it is best to practice a bit before I try anything crazy. Besides, each year I set a bronze, silver and gold goal for my first round. If you have not figured it out, bronze = break 100; silver = break 90; gold = break 80. Normally, I achieve my silver goal, but have won the gold goal a couple of times.
Tomorrow at the course, I will gently hit balls on the range, chip for a few minutes and putt for a few minutes. My past experiences tells me to ease into the golf season to prevent early injuries. My plan for this golf season is a crawl, walk, run approach. By starting of slow and easy, I will build on success, thereby enjoying my golf season longer.
So my car is packed (not to be unpacked until October unless absolutely necessary) and ready to go. I have my clubs, two pairs of shoes, rain gear, umbrella, balls, a couple of hats and practice sticks. Now all I need to do his finish work and head to the course. Today is an exciting day and golf season has officially started!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Success Breeds Success
Success Breeds Success is a common theme in all areas of life. The main tenet suggests that positive results are built by a set by step process of small successful actions. Golf is no different. Talk to any professional and they could outline how, from a very early age, an orchestrated plan of baby steps resulted in long-term success. With encouragement and training they were able to live the dream of playing golf for a living!
Talk to an amateur and the story is completely different. Although their desire to play well is as strong as a professional’s, yet the process to success is more challenging. It becomes more difficult because the process of small successful actions is not easy to envision or achieve. Why is it so difficult? How do amateurs determine what is important and what is white noise?
This is the time when most articles would point out that at the core level, practicing your short game, grooving a swing at the range, and focused putting are extremely important to lowering your golf score. Many would espouse which skill would be the most important or a diatribe on fundamentals; yet really not touch on how success breeds success.
So how does success breed success in golf. Finding out what works and does not work when swinging a club is definitely a great place to start… and that takes time. Practicing different strokes at the practice green and the driving range would be the next step. Lastly, focusing on course management would help develop great habits. I could go on, but really all I have to say now is – make the madness stop…please make it stop!!!!
Success breeds success is simpler than that; for amateur golfers it breaks down to one important area: support. Amateurs can find support from a friend, support from their local professional, and support from your golfing buddies. These are all great places to start the baby step process to achieving lower scores in golf. Support is very important.
Lastly, there is one other area amateurs seek for support: golfing websites. Before I started The Grateful Golfer, I searched many golf blogs and websites to see what they had to offer. Some of the sites immediately peaked my interest and others turned me off forever. What surprised me the most is the mountain of support, advice, tips and great golfing stories. I believe that my interaction with many of the authors has drastically improved my game and help weed out the white noise. If you are curious, here are just some of my favorites:
- All About Golf;
- White Dragon Golf;
- mindbodygolf;
- The Goofy Game of Golf Searching for the Answer;
- Hitting it Solid;
- One Bearded Golfer;
- Lets Talk Golf; and
- The Crunchy Golfer.
This is not a complete list, but I believe you will get the point once you take a look. To me, one of the most interesting aspects of these sites is that they are around the world. Each author offers something unique about golf, but the one thing they all have in common is support for fellow golfers!
Success breeds success! The first step towards developing your plan to become a better golfer is to find the support you need to succeed!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links….real soon!
The Grateful Golfer 