Chipping In!

November 12, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

One of the most rewarding shots in golf is chipping in. It not only saves strokes, but provides an adrenalin rush for a couple more shots. All golfers try to hole the ball on every shot, but are we really doing the right things to accomplish that ever elusive chip in?

Being within 5 yards of the green provides the best opportunity to chip the ball in the hole. To carry out this feat – the bump and run is the best shot. Yes, if a bunker is in the way or a sprinkler head or….then a lob shot is best. However, if you have a straight shot at the green, the percentage shot is the bump and run.

Over the years, I have realized that I can save 5 strokes around (depending on if I hit the green in regulation or not) by focusing on my set-up for a bump and run shot. Recently, I have made some changes with some excellent results.

First, line the bump and run up like a putt. Take the time to actually read the green, the slope, grain, and location of the hole.

Second, decide how hard to hit the ball by choose the landing spot for the ball. This part is extremely important! By determining where to land the ball will result in how far the ball will eventually travel and the line it travels on.

Third, select a club. Normally, I use a 7-iron. But that will change depending on what hazards I have to navigate around. The traditional wisdom is to use an 8-iron, but I am anything but traditional. The point is, pick the club you feel will get the job done.

Fourth, I use a putter grip on the club. It softens your hands, ensures your wrists remain locked and enables the club head to follow the path of your line.

Fifth, take practice swings. Take as many as required until you have determined the speed required land the ball on your aiming point. It is very important that you take these practice swings in the type of grass your ball is in.

Six, I visualize the ball going in the hole. This step is also very important. Some will say to visualize a three-foot circle around the hole, but think that approach is not aggressive enough.

Seventh and last, do not be afraid to hit the ball past the hole. 100% of short puts do not go in! It is easier to hit the ball a little softer on the next stroke than to try to hit it a bit harder. Additionally, watch the ball go past the hole – it will show you the line coming back if needed.

Well now you know my secret to the bump and run. I believe it is a very important skill that is easily practiced. It will save strokes.

If you have any bump and run tips, please pass them on! See you on the links.

LEST WE FORGET

November 11, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

LEST WE FORGET! Today is a special day to honor the fallen, wounded and serving military men, women and their families. Their sacrifices have allowed for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is important to give thanks and be grateful our wonderful lives they protect.

A Pittance of Time by Terry Kelly is something that worth watching!

If you want more information please go to Veterans Affairs Canada.

In Flanders Fields is read at every Remembrance Day Ceremony I have attended. This and the “Last Post” always move me.

We generally talk about golf, however on this day I am grateful to the men and women in uniform for their sacrifice. I am a Grateful Golfer.

Grateful For Golf

November 4, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

When I was young, my father introduced me to golf. It is one of the more fond moments of my childhood. I have enjoyed this gift for 35 years. Little did I know that his act of kindness would help shape my way of thinking about the world.

I remember my first set of clubs – Spalding Rebels. I bought them with my own money and paid $99. My first ball was a Canada Cup. If I found one of those I hit pay dirt! Before I worked for the summer, I would golf every day and my Dad would take me out every week or so to give me tips! Those were the days.

My Mom took up golf at 44. The very first time she swung a club, she was hooked! She loved to play, plan their vacations around golf, and beat the people she played with. Yup, she was very competitive – something you would never know unless you played a round with her. I remember when she was 67 years young and she called me to ask for advice on how to hit the ball further! I said that you need to exercise and become more flexible – she laughed and said, “I think I hit the ball far enough!”

I remember playing golf with my best friend from high school just before his wedding. This was about 30 years ago and I still remember looking at the Rocky Mountains talking about our lives and our futures. We played a couple more rounds before I had to go back to work and to this day I can still recall many of the holes we played.

I have won a few tournaments, have 3 holes-in-one, and have had many eagles. I am still looking for the elusive albatross – I guess it gives me something to shot for. Mostly, I am grateful for golf because of all the people I have met. This game has allowed me to meet like-minded people I would never have normally met. It truly has been a blessing.

Lastly, I have a friend who loves to golf. Whenever we get together, off we go to the links. We laugh, joke, poke fun and most of all just enjoy the time we spend on the links. He is in the UK right now, but no matter when we meet, we will grab our clubs and off we will go. By the way, if he is reading this – I want strokes the next time we play!.

I believe it is important to be grateful for the awesome things in my life. I am grateful for many things and at the top of the list are my wife, daughter and friends. However, golf is definitely up there. I am grateful to my father for introducing me to golf and all the joys I have experienced through the years. I am a grateful golfer!

What are you grateful for?

What Is Your Favorite Club?

November 1, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

This question is asked daily on the golf course. Everyone has a trusty club that they rely on to get out of trouble or to deliver that miracle shot. When the club gets in their hand, their confidence grows, they focus more, and they see the upcoming success. So is it really the club or something else?

I suggest that it is all mental instead of the club being magical! On the flip side, how many of us have said, “I can never hit this club” and surprise you never do! It is amazing and almost no fail. I have a sports experience I want to share that may hammer my point home.

I was assisting a very successful volleyball coach a few years back and he said something one practice that really shaped my mental thinking about sports. One of the players was trying learning a new skill and the player quickly got frustrated and said, “I just can’t do it”. He looked them straight in the eye and said, “You are right! You cannot do it. So take your shoes off and go home!” The player was aghast. After about 5 seconds, he said to the player “if you think and say you cannot do something – you will not do it. I do not want to hear “I can’t” anymore on this court.” Not surprisingly the player changed their view and were very successful learning skills in the future.

Image if every club was your favorite club! I believe many of golf’s challenges are mental and a positive attitude goes a long way to having success on the links.

Remember what Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, said “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” and “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”

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

Hunting for the Pin!

October 30, 2012October 30, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Golfing is an interesting sport. On any given day, you can go through a roller coaster of emotions that keeps you coming back for more. I have several ways of minimizing these crazy feelings, but my favorite is hunting for the pin!

Normally, this approach is frustrating and ill-advised. Most people would say that hunting for the pin will add stokes to your game, but I say – NO WAY! It is the only way to go.

On those days when we feel that we need a change from our normal game and want to challenge ourselves, hunting for the pin is the way to go. So, no matter where the pin is located, try firing darts. You will be surprised on how much fun you will have.

Usually I will only hit the ball close one in five, but that one shot usually makes my day. Sometimes a surprising thing happens…my first shot is golden and the rest of my game is like it is from a dream. I just cannot miss!

Hunting for the pins is a way to have fun and challenge ourselves while strolling around the links. Trying different things allows us to step out of the norm and see what you can really accomplish!