Grateful Golfer

Life Transitions and Golf

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Many people experience life transitions on a regular basis.  For those who have lived in the same wonderful location, you are blessed.  For those of us who move every few years, the challenges of everyday experiences we take for granted seem to cause the greatest challenge during a life transition.

Golf is very much like experiencing a life transition.  The part of game you rely upon the most is the first part of your game to let you down.  Traditionally I am solid putter.  I am very confident and rarely experience the yips.  Well during my last round, I decided to focus on my approach shots.  I took my time, ensured my alignment was correct, and chose my clubs wisely.  Needless to say, my GIR stat was excellent!  However, I 3-putted five greens.  I was extremely disappointed in my performance.  It did teach me a valuable lesson not to take any part of my game for granted.  It only leads to frustration and disappointment.

I am off to the links tomorrow…..I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!

Canadian Open – More Than Just a Game!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments
Brant Snedeker

Brandt Snedeker of the United States poses with the championship trophy after winning the Canadian Open in Oakville, Ont., on Sunday, July 28, 2013. (Nathan Denette /The Canadian Press)

The RBC Canadian Open did not disappoint this year. The Glen Abbey Golf Club is one of the great venues in Canada for golf enthusiasts. This 7200+ yard course was challenging and yet playable for the pros.  Finishing with 16 under and a 3 stroke lead, Brandt Snedeker was smooth down the stretch and did not crumble when the pressure increased during the 16th and 17th hole. Famous for his putting, Snedeker demonstrated that playing fast and staying focused can a benefit for any player.

Adam Sarson, White Dragon Golf, and TSN provide great synopsis of the tournament including some of the highs and lows.  Regardless of who you were rooting for, the RBC Canadian Open provide all the excitement of any PGA tournament.

As per The Open, the pros demonstrated many aspects of golf that can show amateurs how to lower their scores and be successful on the course. The pros were very accommodating by their play and the following is how I would recommend lowering your score.

Breaking 100

To break 100, putting was the key. Watching Brant Snedeker use his putter like a surgeon wields a scalpel!  “I hung in there really well and made the key putts I needed to and I was able to survive,” said Snedeker, the reigning FedExCup champion who, with the win, moves up one spot to No. 3 in the 2013 FedExCup standings. “That’s what today was all about.” (PGATOUR.com)  Snedeker demonstrated that the flat stick saves strokes and lowers scores.  In his case, putting propelled him to victory!

Breaking 90

Eliminating costly mistakes is key to keeping your scores low.  How many times have we been playing fantastic and decided to take a chance that we know had a low percentage of success.  Then, oh noooo, a triple brings our hopes of your best round ever crashing to the ground.  Unfortunately, Dustin Johnson experienced the same feelings of despair.  Following Johnson’s career, it is easy to see a repeat of costly mistakes.  An article from the Bleacher Report outlines his many disappointments, but does provide a lesson for amateurs.  Play within yourself, and manage the course to eliminate costly mistakes. There are many ways to achieve this difficult task and staying focused down the stretch is the best way.

Breaking 80

Practice difficult shots around the green.  Then know how and when to press a difficult position. Place your ball in deep grass, plugged in the sand trap or chipping over a hazard. Watching the pros navigate the difficult shots makes it clear why they save strokes during difficult times.  Take the 12th hole, Snedeker shot bogey and David Lingmerth tripled from the woods just off the green.  Snedeker’s ball was partly open and Lingmerth’s was buried deep in the cabbage.  The result speaks for itself. Knowing when to press a difficult position and when to take your punishment is extremely important to breaking 80. On a side note, Jim Furyk provides a great article on how to play 20 difficult shots at Golf.com.

The RBC Canadian Open was very entertaining.  Brant Snedeker is a great champion and deserved to win.  Of all the events that occurred during the Canadian Championship, Hunter Mahan provided the best headline.  He left the tournament as the leader after the second round to jet home to Dallas for the birth of his first child. I am grateful that he provided an awesome example what is really important in life.

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

The Open Champion – Phil Mickelson

/ The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments
Phil-Mickelson-surges-to-first-British-Open-title-with-5-under-66

USA’s Phil Mickelson holds the Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship at Muirfield on the fourth day of the 2013 Open Championship in Muirfield, Scotland on July 21 , 2013.Mickelson won with a score of three under par. UPI/Hugo Philpott

Congratulations to Phil Mickelson for winning the 2013 Open Championship.  It is the first time he has won this prestigious tournament and he did it with style.  Mickelson is one of the top players in the world and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame….and rightly so!

It is no secret that Phil Mickelson is my favorite golfers.  He embodies all the positive aspects of golf and yet is not afraid to speak his mind on issues of importance. His performance at The Open was solid and consistent.  He really did not do anything spectacular until the last six holes of the final day.  And what an awesome last sic holes! He hung around and hung around; pressing where required and playing safe when needed. There is a lesson in his win for all golfers.

Breaking 100

Practice your short game.  Mickelson practices 25 yards and closer all the time.  That is where real strokes are saved.  He is considered one of the best wedge players of all time; so to break 100 work on your short game!

Breaking 90

After practicing your short game, practice your putting!  Mickelson is a great putter.  He is no Steve Stricker, but Mickelson seems to sink the important putts when required; much like his putt on the final hole at Muirfield….simple spectacular!

Breaking 80

After conquering your wedges and putting, the next step is the range from 150 to 75 yards. This distance will determine your greens in regulation stat.  I believe this is the most important stat in golf.  If a player can be putting for birdie eight times out of ten….their scores drop considerably.

Phil Mickelson played great during the Open this year.  His steady approach shots, chipping and putting clearly demonstrated where most players should focus their practice time to lower their score.

Phil Mickelson’s quote “A great shot is one that you pull off and a smart shot is the one you hit when you don’t have the guts try it!”  I love this quote!

However, as amateurs to break 100 or 90 or 80, it is better to play more smart shots than great shots!

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

I am a Grateful Golfer

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Timberwolf Golf ClubToday was a fantastic day!  I traveled to Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, to play a round of golf with my friend (brother-in-law) on one of the best courses in Northern Ontario.  Timberwolf Golf Club did not disappoint.  The company was fantastic, the weather was hot and sunny, and the course was in excellent shape.

We played from the gold tees.  This offered a par 72, 6500 yard challenge with plenty of bunkers and unique driving visuals.  (Of course I forgot my camera in the car!)  The fairways were short and lush, the greens held extremely well and the putts were true.  The rough was about three inches long and thick.  The only draw back was no first cut.  You went from short lush fairways to thee inch rough…..made for a bit of a challenge for sure.

For the most part I hit fairways and greens.  The couple of holes that I was off on my drive cost me at least on stoke.  I had two penalty strokes, but overall I was extremely happy with my overall game.  I had one birdie and chances at four more.  Actually, I had 10 birdie putts, but five were from over 20 feet so I don’t really count those as birdie opportunities.

Today was a reason why I love to golf.  Mostly, I spent four hours with a friend talking, laughing and enjoying our time on the links.  It truly was a great time.  Thanks Bruce!

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

Golf Initiatives That Improve The Sport

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Smiling golf BallPlaying golf is for everyone!  Golf has the unique ability to bring together people from all walks of life and make them equal.  Everyone has access to the same clubs, attire, balls, and accouterments.  Everyone has access to the same training videos, local pros for lessons, being self-taught and places to practice our skills.  The golf industry entices people to play golf and to actually enjoy the game.  As part of their efforts, the various golf associations have started various initiatives for the good of the game.

“Data collected by the World Golf Foundation indicates there are 27 million people who have an interest in wanting to play golf, but don’t play the game,” Bob Barrett, CEO of Honours Golf said. “Imagine if we could get just 10 percent of those people playing the game?”(AL.com)

TEE IT FORWARD helps players identify their limitations and speed up play.  Something that makes the golf fun for everyone.  Read TEE IT FORWARD for full details.

Offering playing opportunities to young children in the US is First Tee.  The First Tee‘s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instil life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

Since 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its positive values to more than 3.5 million young people in 50 states, four international locations and over 3,400 elementary schools.

What makes The First Tee effective in building positive character traits in young people is The First Tee Life Skills Experience™, a teaching curriculum developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and delivered by caring coaches. Through this experience, participants learn to transfer the positive values of golf to everyday life.

In addition to the parallel learning opportunities available for participants and coaches, The First Tee University provides formal training for Chapter management, staff, board members, and others. Training goals include assisting Chapter leaders in creating sustainable youth development organizations, and to enhance program quality and impact.

Participants learn to

  • Appreciate diversity
  • Introduce themselves
  • Manage emotions
  • Plan for the future
  • Resolve conflicts
  • Set step-by-step goals

Coaches

  • Empower youth to make their own decisions by thinking about the consequences
  • Build rapport and establish positive relationships
  • Nurture golf and life skills development
  • Promote a fun learning environment

A some what similar United Kingdom initiative is Golf Foundation’s Grass Roots. The Foundation’s ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme in schools is gathering significant momentum in 2013, as 39 out of 46 County Local Organizing Committees have selected an HSBC Golf Roots competition for the current academic year as part of England’s School Games curriculum. This high proportion is second only to athletics, and ahead of traditional school sports such as football, cricket and netball.

An additional United Kingdom program is Get into golf.  “Golf is one of the best sports you can play to improve mental and physical well-being whatever your age, background or ability. Indeed, Golf’s powerful combination of stress-busting exercise, fresh air and camaraderie make it an excellent activity for promoting long-term heart health.  There is no better sport for bringing people together – whatever their age, gender, background or ability. With plenty of time for conversation and fun, golf is the perfect way to make new friends and grow closer bonds with people you already know.”

All the above initiatives, and many more, are really designed to make golf FUN! That is the bottom line.  These programs are structured and provide excellent ways to improve the game of golf for beginning duffers.  For those a bit more adventurous, Golf Digest suggests 18 less conventional ways to enjoy the game of golf.  Although they are not national initiatives, they do suggest ways to shake up the game to achieve the same result….having FUN!

Golf is fun.  It is an activity that allows anyone to escape reality by playing a game that empowers the player to determine the result of their time on the links. Regardless of what the golf industry lauds, golf is fun!  Golf is a sport that offers opportunities abound and I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!