Question of the Day

Can We Golf Forever

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Have you ever wondered how long a person can golf?  After playing for 37 years, I recently found out that there is no limit.  A news article on Tommy Thompson states that it is quite possible to play golf past 100 years old….yup….100 years old!  Thompson plays 3 times a week and is the envy of many golfers.

Another player, JT Graves is 93 years old and plays golf almost every day.  Now, I think he is showing off, but what an inspiration to all golfers.

How is it possible to play that long?  How many times have we been told that once you hit 70, things start going down hill?  After seeing these two gentlemen, it is difficult to image a cap on how long anyone can play golf.

From the Guinness World Records:  The oldest male player to score his age is C. Arthur Thompson (1869-1975) of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, who scored 103 on the Uplands course of 5682 m (6215 yd) in 1973.  Even more amazing: The oldest female player to score her age is Kayoko Fukui (Japan, b. 5 October 1936), who scored 70 at Taiheiyo Golf Club, Karuizawa, Japan, on 16 August 2007.  103 at 103; 70 at 70; inspired yet?

Researching reveled that there is four things that older golfers have in common.  They stay fit, stay flexible, stay involved and have a burning desire to keep playing.  Of course these are not earth shattering revelations, but they make absolute sense.

After reading many inspiring stories, it looks like I have at least 50 more years of golf!  That is outstanding news!  I am looking forward sharing this time with friends and meeting many more awesome like-minded people.  Golf truly is a fantastic sport!

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

Golf and Moneyball

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Have you ever watched the movie Moneyball?  If not, it is about the “Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.”  Basically, it is about statistics; how to read them, work them to your favor and pray your decisions work out. Statistics are important when talking about a sports team, but are they really that important in golf?

In golf, statistics lie.  You heard it here first, stats mean nothing in golf.  They might be great to keep, fun to watch, but have no real value when predicting the outcome of any tournament, yearly money list or world ranking.  In 2013, the following were leaders on the money list and number of wins:

  1. Tiger Woods               8,553,439         5
  2. Henrik Stenson           6,388,230         2
  3. Matt Kuchar                5,616,808         2
  4. Phil Mickelson             5,495,793         2
  5. Brandt Snedeker         5,318,087        2

These players, who “dominated” the golfing world in 2013, rarely show up on any of the PGA statistic charts.  They show up on one or two, but basically, they are absent. However, a 47 year-old player, Steve Stricker, who had 0 wins in 2013, finished 7th on the PGA money list, and finished 8th in the world ranking, shows up on 5 of the major statistic charts.  Yet, he is considered in the twilight of his career with little chances of winning a Major or any professional tournament.

If Steve Stricker was 24 years old with the same statistics, he would be an up and coming phenom!  He would have the status of Rory McIlroy and be touted as one of the next great golfers.

Statistics do lie.  At this time, McIlroy ( in all likelihood will be one of the golfing greats) did not make the top 5 of any 2013 of the statistical category.  Is this just an anomaly?

I suggest not.  Gone are the days of Tiger Woods dominating the professional tour and the statistical categories.  The number of outstanding unknown players winning tournaments is on the rise.  Except for Webb Simpson, the statistics vs money list applies to the early 2014 golfing season.  As the world of golf grows and new events open up, how will the stats apply to top ranked players who more and more chose to play in places like Dubai vice Phoenix?

Statistics are not a good barometer of the golfing world.  The evolution of golf makes statistics meaningless and at the very least an exercise in futility.

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

A Golf Lesson About Life

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Life LessonA professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else—-the small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first—-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

This is a version of ‘The Lesson Of Life’ circulating on the internet.  Something to consider: working on fitness and flexibility is a golf ball and buying a new driver every year is sand. This life lesson struck home with me because setting attainable, challenging goals is extremely important to succeeding in golf.  Staying focused on how to achieve those goals is invaluable.

Do you know your golf balls from your sand?

Oh yeah don’t forget, there is always time for a beer with your friend.  I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!

The Caddie Race 2014

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

The Waste Management Phoenix Open starts today.  It is one of the most exciting tournaments of the year for fans because of the interaction on the 16th hole.  This stadium style hole provides a unique opportunity for up close and personal entertainment not experienced on any professional tour.

During last years tournament did not disappoint.  Winner Phil Mickelson’s lip out for 59, the antics on the 16th hole, the hole outs from the fairway, and Rick Fowler winning the inaugural “Going for the Green” closest-to-the-pin contest are just a few highlights of 2013.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open offers things that most subdued events do not….endless excitement!  This professional golfer tournament is like no other.

The expectations of this fan crazed event seem to have changed in recent history.  Each year, the fans on the 16th hole get louder and more rambunctious.  Is this what golf needs to attract new fans and sponsors?  Or, does this event take away from the true nature of golf?

Personally, I like the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  I believe that once or twice a year this type of fun is great for golf.  The players know what to expect and embrace their role as entertainers.

Let me know what you think?

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

Golf Books and DVDs

/ The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

Any Recommendations?

There are thousands of books, DVDs, videos, apps, and on-line lessons.  The difficulty is selecting the right media and material.  Selecting any type of golf instruction can pose a challenge, however it is not overwhelming or impossible.  Yesterday, I was asked:  “Would there be some advice of some other books for beginners?”  This is a great question and the answer depends on so many variables that it really is hard to recommend just one type of medium. Having said that, here is what I have in my library and a list of links that would recommend to continue your search.

A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein.  It is the first book I ever received.  It is not a how to book, but a great read.  It touches on many aspects of professional golf and is a must read for golf nuts.

Tiger Woods Made Me Look Like a Genius by Don Crosby.  Don Crosby was an early coach of Tiger Woods.  The topics in the book are generic and cover the main aspects of golfing.  I look at it periodically, but do not follow it extensively.

Recommended for BeginnersGolfing for Dummies by Gary McCord.  An excellent book for any beginner.  It covers all the basics and some intermediate skills.  It is highly recommended and is on most to 10 golf book lists.

The Best Golf Tips Ever by Nick Wright.  This is a great book.  I use it often to look up challenges encountered on the course.  I would recommend it for the intermediate golfer.

365 Golf Tips and Tricks from the Pros by Jay Morelli.  I am currently reading it.  It is a very good book on how to play some challenging and not so challenging shots.  I plan to use it this year, especially early in the season.

The More Series by Golf Magazine.  This three part DVD series is excellent.  I watch it a couple of times during the winter and just before I start playing.  It is a recommended golfing resource.

Secrets of the Short Game by Phil Mickelson.  It is by far my best resource.  I watch this DVD three or four times over the winter.  I also grab a club and try to copy what he is teaching….and no I do not chip balls in my basement…..or should I?

I read golf magazines all the time.  I do not have a specific preference.  I look at the cover and decide if the tips or articles are of interest.  I also keep my golf magazines and review them as specific topics arise.

The following are links I found and thought were worth sharing.  On a side note, most of the links above are to Chapters.ca.  This is a Canadian company; Amazon has all the same books.

Lastly, there are countless golf blogs that offer tips on the golf swing, fitness, mental preparation and course management.  If you are looking for something specific, the internet provides the answer.  You just have to sift through the white noise!

I enjoy talking, reading and especially playing golf.  The amount of information and data available could easily overwhelm even the most avid golfing enthusiasts.  Through the years, I have found that word of mouth recommendations have been the best!  So I ask this very important question:

Any Recommendations?