Going for Scratch

January 21, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 12 Comments

Well my first steps towards being a scratch golfer have been very successful. While I am still working out the details as to my fitness schedule, I have hit the gym three times in two days and oh yeah I am very sore. This is typical when starting a new fitness program and I am not concerned that I am having a hard time getting out of a chair.

Regardless, through the years I have realized there is always one thing that is truly important to the success of reaching a goal. Some will say organization, others support, and still others a solid plan. Although these things are important, they are not the most important aspects to my success.

For me it is accountability. I create an excel spread sheet, write down each activity accomplished and continually adjust my plan to keep improving. Also, I talk about my goals with my wife and friends. Lastly, I measure my fitness success by recording my slow increase in the amount of weights lifted.

This year, I am adding something new. I am going to keep a running total on my successes and how I carry out my goals. This new step will provide that extra incentive required to be successful.

This year is going to be a great journey. I am looking forward to all the challenges and enjoyment of reaching my goals. As my trek to being a better golfer unfolds, do not hesitate to offer suggestions and hints to help me along the way.

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

A Growth Mindset About Golf

January 19, 2014October 8, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 16 Comments

If you have a goal in life that takes a lot of energy, that requires a lot of work, that incurs a great deal of interest and this is a challenge to you, you will always look forward to waking up to see what the new day brings – Susan Polis Schultz

The desire to play, practice, report, discuss, read or dream about one specific thing can have an awesome effect on ones life. It is important to have a goal that makes you happy and stokes the desire to achieve greatness. For some it is building furniture, others helping the less fortunate, or for some being an expert in a particular field of study. There really are no limitations. Only the person can decide.

Over the years, many goals have come and gone. Some were accomplished, some not. Regardless, having a goal has always helped me focus on whatever I wanted to achieve. Through it all, there have been two lifetime goals that I have always kept close.

First is my family. To be the best husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend I can be. This is an ongoing goal and one that will last my lifetime.

The second goal is to be a scratch golfer. To be a scratch golfer takes discipline, willingness to be a student, openness to try new things and a mental focus that is sharper than most. Through the years, this goal has faded in and out because of life, but has periodically rose from the ashes of neglect like a fiery Phoenix.

This year, I find that desire rising again. So after some introspection, I decided to go for it and have come up with a four step plan. Here it is:

get fit – focus on exercises designed to improve my golf game;
research – the drills and techniques required to improve my game;
practice – dedicate time to practice to improve my game; and
compete – either formally or informally compete every time I hit the links.

This may seem like a simple plan, but I assure you it is not. Over the next few months, I will be sharing what I find, my progress, and how I refine each step to achieve my goal.

My first step starts today – I must develop a growth mindset! I have to change my thoughts from “I think” to “I can” – I believe I have no limitations and I will achieve my goal. I am ready for the challenge. The Power of Belief – Mindset and Success: Eduardo Briceno at TEDxManhattanBeach is a great video that explains the attitude shift required to achieve my goal of being a scratch golfer.

This is going to be a fantastic year. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Was your bad golf score really that significant?

January 16, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

This is a fantastic article. Ian hits the nail right on the head. It is important to keep things in perspective and realize that somethings can can always be worse. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

golfhabits

“The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding in all of the directions it can whizz. As fast as it can go, at the speed of light, you know. Twelve million miles a minute, and that’s the fastest speed there is. So remember, when you’re feeling very small and insecure how amazingly unlikely is your birth and pray that there’s intelligent life somewhere up in space ’cause there’s bugger all down here on Earth.” – Monty Python’s galaxy song written by Graham Chapman

By Ian Hardie

If you take a look at a dictionary definition of the word significant

The main one you will find is that the word ‘significant’ means

Something that has ‘a noticeable or major effect’

So it’s a pretty powerful word, which if you relate it

To some things that could happen in your life away from golf

Gives us examples of events that really are…

View original post 694 more words

Learning to Play a Guitar

January 11, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 16 Comments

About a year ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to play a guitar. I thought it would be fun and challenging at the same time. As it turned out, I was correct. However, the learning process is slow and I still only plunk a few cords, but I am enjoying learning anyway. While looking at my guitar, I realized that learning to play a guitar is much like learning to golf.

First is equipment. Like any beginner starting something, I decided that I did not want to invest too much money because I was unsure if I would really like playing a guitar. My first step was to research which guitar would be good for a beginner. I found one and went ahead with the purchase. The same logic applies to picking your first set of clubs. I would recommend that hit a store like Golf Town where you can try various types and makes before making your selection. Clubs range from a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars. Only you can decide your price range – so choose wisely.

Next, practice! Practice, practice, practice. You can buy books/cds, search websites, and/or watch the Golf Channel. While starting with the guitar, I downloaded a couple of simple lessons and started to plunk away. When starting golf, I recommend starting with the basics. Grips, stance, and general idea of how the swing works. Additionally, how to chip and putt are must basics to learn. It might be a good idea to get a lesson from your local pro, this will speed up the learning curve.

Last, I developed an enjoyment for playing the guitar. I actually like learning new cords and songs. I find it very rewarding when the music actually sounds like music! Golf is the same way. When first learning to play golf, it is very important to develop a love of the game. The old saying that “a great shot makes you want to come back” is very true. that one great shot among the plethora of not so great shots provides hope and kindles a desire to continue on playing. It takes time to be a good golfer – by the way the term ‘good’ is relative. Any player is good, it just depends on what they are comparing.

Learning any new skill, hobby, or sport is fun. It takes time and effort to improve at anything. It really depends on what your expectations and whether the time you devote is worth the getting better.

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

2014 – A New Beginning

December 31, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

2014 is upon us. My imagination is abound with the endless possibilities!

Have you ever noticed that if you look backward in time it seems to disappeared in a blink of an eye. As you look forward, time is appears slow. Don’t get me wrong, I like to remember the great times in the past, but looking to the future and creating each day anew is quite exciting.

As 2014 approaches it provides: an opportunity to make positive changes, an opportunity to embrace hope, and an opportunity for new beginnings. I do not make New Year’s resolutions because I believe each day is an opportunity to make the changes we want….however, I have found that the best way to make any change lies in the decision to want to change.

As the golfing year unfolds, I have made my first step to change. In an attempt to expand my golfing message, I have moved The Grateful Golfer Facebook Page. If you search the same name under Facebook I am sure you you will find it I want to use Facebook to its full capacity and under a page I was quite limited. I am hoping this will be seamless, but as I have discovered that nothing works exactly as we hope when trying new things.

The techno challenges apply to golf as well. As we embrace the new year, it is time to try new things; work on areas of our game that really needs fixing…..in my case a little change will go a long way. This year, my biggest goal is to add more distance off the tee and in the fairway with my woods. 2014 is going to be a great year….it is time to start! My first step is to expand my knowledge. As the year unfolds, I am sure other goals will arise, for now, one major change is enough.

Thank you to everyone who continues to follow The Grateful Golfer. I hope to continue to offer tips, advice and maybe make you laugh in the new year.

I am a grateful golfer! 2014 is a new beginning. Happy New Year!