I Should Have Brought A Shovel!

May 3, 2013January 18, 2018 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

After long last, I made it to out golfing. Being away last week during the fantastic weather delayed my yearly pilgrimage to the driving range. Today, a friend of mine and I shared a large bucket of balls….about 40 balls each. That was enough for me. Unfortunately, the chipping and putting area were closed, but that is okay. I will definitely be practicing my short game very soon.

As I hit started to hit balls, I realized something: I should have brought a shovel! I was digging and scooping and, and, and! It was not pretty. I did hit a few good shots with my 7-iron, 3 wood and driver. However, I planted a garden with the rest.

The main reason I only hit a few balls is to reacquaint my body with golf. The twisting and moving of my hips and back. Trying not to hold the club too tight. The alignment of my body to the direction I want to hit. All these are important and my experience is not to over do the first time out.

Tomorrow, I hit the links…not that I am ready, but the season started late this year so I am going to compressing my preseason routine. It was great to swing a club today. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Third Round Masters GIFs

April 14, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 5 Comments

These are great shots from day three. Thanks to AdamSarson.com!

The Grateful Golfer

AdamSarson.com

Going into Sunday’s final round at the Masters, there’s no shortage of storylines as the world’s best golfers look to claim the first major of the year.

Angel Cabrera, who has basically fallen off the map, is tied for the lead and looking for his second green jacket.
Brandt Snedeker, tied with Cabrera, is on that lovely list of “best players to not win a major”.
Australia’s Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Jason Day are all within two shots and are looking to become the first Aussies to win the Masters after so many heartbreaking moments in previous years. (See Norman, Greg)
What about Tiger Woods? After his controversial non-DQ, he’s within striking distance at only four shots back of the lead.

But, enough of all that for now. Saturday was entertaining for many reasons, and I’ve captured a bunch of them in GIF form below. Apologies in…

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March 30, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

This post by DimpleHead is hilarious. It is amazing how some trends get started.

DimpleHead

Even in 2013 I know that some of my readers are not quite as social media savvy as others, and that’s ok, this is a judgement-free zone. But if this story doesn’t make you go and create a Twitter account, I doubt anything ever will.

It all started Thursday, March 28 at about 3pm when Deadspin.com posted this photo of Jason Dufner:

Apparently Duf was spending time at a children’s charity in Dallas as the defending champion of the HP Byron Nelson Classic.

Then Dufner’s fellow tour pro, Keegan Bradley tweeted the image. And the snowball was on its way. Here now is a collection of other tour pros and golf personalities “Dufnering”.

At this point, Keegan Bradley, the man who called our attention to the original photo tweeted: “Didnt even watch the basketball game was only worried about #dufnering Clearly more important” Clearly, Mr. Bradley has his…

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The Road to the Final Four!

March 21, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Is the road to the final four paved through golf? No, really!

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship is truly exciting. The top 68 teams play in a loose and go home tournament that lives up to its hype. The games are exciting, the coverage is fantastic and the bragging rights are out of this world. I love this time of year!

This year is a convergence of excitement for sports fans. The Final Four ends on Monday April 8; the Masters practice rounds start Monday, April 8. It is hard to believe that this coincidence was not planned….or was it?

Golf has a similar tournament; ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP. For most golfers it is as exciting as the NCAA Final Four. I love the format. It is a tournament where streaky golfers have an opportunity to rise to the top and beat top rank players; as evident when Charles Howell III beat Tiger Woods and Shane Lowery beat Rory McIlroy. I realize the media hype is not as great as the Final Four, but, hey, for golfers it is really exciting. Congrats to Matt Kuchar for winning this year.

A match play (an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal) competition is very different from stroke play. Match Play is very much a mental competition. You still have to play well, but you also have to opportunity to forget mistakes and take your lumps. Additionally, one bad hole does not eliminate you from competition (as John Daly has learned on many occasions in stroke play). Personally, I try to play at least one match play tournament a year. It is difficult, but most courses offer a match play competition to members.

Golf Match Play dates back to the 1500s. I would suggest that the Road to the Final Four is paved through golf. The structure and results of the basketball tournament can find its roots in our awesome game. Regardless, both events are exciting.

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

Francis Ouimet – A Golfing Legend!

March 20, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Image from: http://www.usgamuseum.com/about_museum/news_events/news_article.aspx?newsid=318

Francis Ouimet and Eddie Lowery, his 10-year-old caddie, during the 1913 U.S. Open, when Ouimet defeated the Englishmen Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a historic playoff and became the first amateur to win the Open. (USGA Museum)

I recently read the golf news and came across an article stating the top 5 golfers of all time. The Bleacher Report stated that these golfers have / are standing the test of time to make their list. In case you are wondering Tiger is number 2 and Jack is number 1. It is worth a read.

Additionally, this report gave a couple honorable mentions. One in particular stood out. Francis Ouimet is a name I had heard before, but never really paid much attention too. So, after a bit of research, I found him to be a trend setter! He was the first real american golf star. Ouimet was a 20-year-old amateur and local hero who tied Harry Vardon and Ted Ray after 72 holes at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, in the 1913 US Open. This famous match was featured in the movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played“. Ouimet went on to win this contest and later was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Francis Ouimet’s story is great for golf. It demonstrates that anyone can succeed if they have the desire. The game of golf can be played in your back yard like Francis Ouimet, in a field, or on a beach. The game provides opportunities to meet people, see fantastic sites or be introspective at 6 am on a quiet peaceful course. Golf is a great game and I am fortunate to be able to play.

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