Next Ryder Cup Captain – Tom Watson?

December 9, 2012December 9, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

At GOLF.com Tom Watson stated he is open to be the USA Ryder Cup Team Captain in 2014. Watson says “It would be a great honor if I got tapped on the shoulder … `93 was the last time I’ve been to a Ryder Cup. I’d like to go back as captain. That would be cool.” Watson played on Ryder Cup teams in 1977, 1981, 1983 and 1989 and successfully captained the Americans to victory over Europe at The Belfry in England in 1993.

Tom Watson? Well why not? There are other great players who are qualified to be the USA Ryder Cup Captain and USGolfTV.com throws out many names. They include Scott Verplank, Steve Stricker, Fred Couples, Justin Leonard, David Toms, and Larry Nelson. All of these players would do a good job. Each provides a unique style and intensity to the mix, but what is really needed to be a US Ryder Cup Captaincy.

Overall, I believe the greatest attribute a Ryder Cup Captain is: presence! Yup, presence! When the world is falling apart – like this year at Medinah – the Captain has to be someone that all others can gravitate towards for inspiration, resolve and moxy. Davis Love III was almost there, but just did not have the enough to help his team win.

For me, the name to that first comes to mind is Seve Ballesteros – Mr Ryder Cup. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us and I am sure would not have wanted the job as the US Ryder Cup Team Captain. Seve is the epitome of presence.

So does the US have a leader in their midst to step up and lead their team to the promise land? My personal choice is Fred Couples or Tom Watson. I believe they both have the presence that players would look too in times of adversity. They are both proven winners and would be huge fan favorites.

So who do you think should be the next US Ryder Cup Team Captain?

Can I Play Through?

December 6, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Experienced golfer understand that a round of golf should be played in 4 to 4.5 hours. This works out to be about 15 minutes per hole. This is not a written rule, but more of an etiquette thing. Playing behind a group who are taking their time….I mean taking their time is frustrating, tiring and hard to keep up your concentration.

I remember playing in a tournament about 5 years ago. It was the first round and the positions were not racked and stacked so strong players were playing with more inexperienced players. The group in front had two players who sauntered up the course, read their putt from 4 angles, waited until others played before even starting their shot routine, marked their score on the green by looking back at the hole and counting where their ball went and my favorite…..marking their ball on the green after each shot no matter how close the ball was to the hole. Our group, and the 6 groups behind us, were extremely frustrated when we finished. The group ahead was three holes back when they finished….aargh!!!

It was the first time in a tournament I asked to play through. I know…bad form…but I just could not help myself. And no they did not let us go through. What all the players did was lodge a complaint that a 6 hour round was unacceptable! Then asked where the marshall was during the round. The next day these two players (who shot in the high 90s) were warned to keep up or be assessed a slow play penalty. The next day they sped up to 5 hours….still to slow in my opinion.

After a bit of research I found three (of many sites) that talk about speed of play. They offer advice on how to speed up your play and how to play around in 4 to 4.5 hours that I think you may find useful.

TheGolfExpert.com says to not wait for others to hit their shots and then decide it might be time for you to find and prepare to hit your ball.

pgalinks.com advises to watch your ball land and select a spot in the distance to use as a visual marker when looking for your ball. Have others in your group watch each player’s shots. This helps speed up the time to find a ball that is not in the fairway.

Golflink.com suggests to take the clubs that you need for subsequent shots, including your putter, when you leave the cart for an approach (to the green) shot. You can then walk directly to the green, without having to return to the cart, while the other player moves the cart to the greenside parking area.

To answer your question – I like to play at 6 am. I can 18 holes by myself in 2 hours and 15 minutes. I aim to play a round as a four-some in under 4 hours all the time.

Ultimately speed of play is important for the everyone to enjoy a game of golf. So I ask you – is speed of play important?

Belly Putter Banned!

November 29, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Although Keegan Bradley has found success using a belly putter, the American is confident he will find a new way to putt should long putters be banned. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

Let the games begin! The National Post ran a very good article about what is next in the process of banning the belly putter. Basically, there is a three-month period for input, then they make a decision and in 2016 no more belly putter. Yawn!

Actually, this is one of those topics I really don’t care about. I believe that a long putter, short putter, belly butter, hockey stick or pool cue makes no difference. Every player still has to hit the shot. I also believe that if the hinged belly putter was so great, everyone would be doing it. That is what happens; golfers adopt anything that will make their game better.

I have tried a belly putter and do not like it. I did not feel more comfortable and my putting stoke was not smooth or consistent. Overall, I think this is one of those rules that should not be a rule. Is there not something more important to worry about like a rule regarding the colour of clothes on tour or to many sponsor labels on your shirt!

Well you know how I feel about this topic; what do you think?

Golf References and Recommendations

November 25, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Today the temperature was -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) on my daily walk. I try to keep fit by exercising and stretching everyday as a way to prepare myself for the next season. As I soaked up the sunshine and cool air, I realized that it was time to expand my golf reference material.

I did a quick search on-line and WOW! There is everything. I quickly was overwhelmed (for now) and decided to get back to it later. Having said that, I figured I would ask other golf enthusiasts for recommendations. Besides with Christmas coming up one of your suggestions may end up under our tree.

So the question of the day – Can you recommend any golf book, DVD, video, tools, etc that help me expand my knowledge and understanding of this great game?

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.