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!

Taking Lessons…From a Pro or Your Buddy!

March 19, 2013April 20, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / 14 Comments

Everyone who reads the title says, “Of course from a Pro!” I agree. However, how many amateurs are really willing to go to their local pro, pay $40 – $50, practice and then go back in four weeks to see how they made out? I would suggest not very many.

At Golf Link, they outline the positives of taking individual or group lessons. Additionally, they ask some important questions regarding what your expectations are from lessons. It is a good article to read as a foundation for those thinking of investing in their game. Continue reading →

A Change is as Good as a Rest!

March 16, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Recently, I visited my family who I have not seen in quite some time. During our visit, I was caught up on all the news, entertained by the young and potential golfers (well everyone is a potential golfer in my eyes) and realized how much I miss visiting these fantastic people. During many of the interesting conversations, I thought how refreshed I felt and how energized I was when we had to say good-bye.

This fantastic visit had a positive impact on my attitude and energy level. As always, I wondered how my experience could be applied to golf. After much contemplation, I think I have it: a change is a good as a rest in golf? I would say a change is absolutely good for your golf game.

I and many golf advocates talk about consistency, repetition, and staying focused. Of course this is very important. But what do we do when we hit the wall and all our efforts do not result in any tangible improvement in our game. I suggest making a change. Specifically, play a different course!

Playing a different course will help change your mental thought processes towards your game. I know, many are saying no way, but how many of us are choosing the same club on the same hole even before we get to the tee. On our home course, we know which club we want to use (whether it is the right club or not), when, and where. After ten rounds in two weeks, this approach may become stale and actually have a negative affect on our score.

Many websites provide information on vacations, rating and walking of golf courses. Sites like: Golf Vacation Insider, World Golf, The Walking Golfer, Golf Association of Ontario, Dallas Divot Report, and Gorilla Golf. All are valuable resources when choosing local or destination golf excursions.

Regardless, the benefits of periodically playing different courses throughout the golf season will only improve your game. It will keep you mentally strong, focused and provides many new experiences. I like to play about 10 different courses throughout the year. An added bonus is that playing different courses helps check if my handicap is real or not! Additionally, It is fun, challenging and as the Mindful Golfer says: Golf is a Contact Sport. Meeting new people is always a grateful experience.

How many courses do you try to play during the year?

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