All I Want For Christmas….

December 2, 2012December 2, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 5 Comments

As I watched the World Challenge Golf Tournament today and I realized how much I really missed playing golf. Only four and a half months to go then I am back on the links. I can hardly wait!

As each commercial played, I was struck by the number of gadgets, new clubs, bags, balls, etc, etc, etc for sale right before Christmas. For years my loving family would get me one or two unique things as a stocking-stuffers until finally I asked them to stop. I never used any of them. Regardless of the gadget it never produced the results it claimed.

Now, I am very specific on what I would like in my stocking. It seems boring to my family, but they have come to realize that I will actually use their loving gift.

NeoproneCovers: http://www.golftown.com/Neoprene-Iron-Covers-P1219.aspx#.ULv7T4M8CSo

Image from Golftown.com

Having said all this, I have received several gifts that I truly love and use. The first is neoprene iron covers. I carry my clubs quite a bit and they cut down on the clanking noise of the club heads banging together. It does not seem like much, but it makes a significant difference to me. Additionally, I find I have less nicks on my irons by using these unique covers.

The second gift I really like is golf balls. I usually ask for a dozen Pro V1 golf balls. Again, not a thrilling gift for most, but I really like receiving a golf gift that I know I will use.

So, what about you? What gifts have your received that you would recommend to others as useful golf gifts at Christmas?

Focused Club Selection

November 13, 2012November 13, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

What the heck! You are playing the game of your life; you are in the middle of the fairway 130 yards from the par 5 – 18th green. If you shoot par, you beat your best score ever…if you birdie the hole you won the lottery! Then the thought hits you, 130 yards….you are in between a hard 9 or easy 8 iron. What to do?

Thoughts go through your head like choking down on the 8 iron or hitting a normal 9 iron and rely on our short game to your goal. Well, I suggest that most players would hit the hard 9. There are less chances of error and if you come up short, it will not be by much. If you hit the 8 too smooth, you will be over the green or worse.

Okay, let’s back up. The problem of being in between clubs is not uncommon. Additionally, it is completely preventable. I would say that the problem started on the tee or as a minimum, the second shot was not played with a focus on club selection.

As you approach every tee box and start setting up for the hole; you should play the hole in your head before you even swing a club. You know how far you can hit a ball with each club. So use that knowledge to set the hole up and reduce your chances of being in between clubs. Using a 3 wood instead of a driver off the tee or a 3 hybrid instead of 3 wood off the deck would make about a 10 to 20 yard difference in your overall distance; thus you are no longer in between clubs!

Focused club selection on the tee will help lower your score and improve your overall game.

What do you think? Will it work? See you on the links.

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?