Playing Well in Golf and Life

December 14, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Image from: http://tankedpodcast.com/tanked-home/2011/9/2/tanked-169-clown-golfing.html

Having Fun at Golf and Life!

Have you ever noticed that when you are scoring really well in golf you are doing really well in life? When you are enjoying your life and everything is going fantastic your golf scores are consistently low. Do you think this is by accident or is there some relationship between them both?

There is no question that your golf game is effected by your attitude towards life. Walking on to the first tee with a smile on your face (figuratively or actually) sets your mind in the proper place to play well on the course. Dr. Bob Rotella from Golf Digest states that there are 10 things a player must do in every competitive round; If you look closely, they also equate to life:

Play to play great. Don’t play not to play poorly.
Love the challenge of the day, whatever it may be.
Get out of results and get into process.
Know that nothing will bother or upset you on the golf course, and you will be in a great state of mind for every shot.
Playing with a feeling that the outcome doesn’t matter is always preferable to caring too much.
Believe fully in yourself so you can play freely.
See where you want the ball to go before every shot.
Be decisive, committed and clear.
Be your own best friend.
Love your wedge and your putter.

The same points for life:

Live life to its fullest. Don’t just exist.
Love the challenge of the day, whatever it may be.
Get out of results and get into process.
Know that nothing will bother or upset you during your day, and you will be in a great state of mind for what ever comes your way.
Live with feeling.
Believe fully in yourself so you can live freely.
See where you want your life to go.
Be decisive, committed and clear.
Be your own best friend.
Be Grateful and love your life.

There is a direct relationship between playing well in golf and life. It really is up to you to decide how well your golf game can be! The first step to playing well, as in life, is to make the decision to do those positive changes to lower your score. Anyone can do it – including you!

I am a grateful golfer! Enjoy the holiday season!

Garmin Approach G6

June 21, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 21 Comments

Three weeks ago I went looking for a range finder. Being in many groups where someone has this tool, I thought it would be something to investigate. I looked at several types, but did not see their value. I found them difficult to use. So I went away still considering my next course of action. Two weeks ago, I was playing with a friend who received a Garmin Approach G6 for his birthday. It was his first time using this device, but we found it very valuable because it provided valuable yardages on a course we had not played in years (the Highview Golf Course). Specifically, we found the distances to the hazards, middle of the fairway and the green extremely helpful.

Excited about this device, I went to the nearest Golf Town and bought one! Since my impulsive purchase, I have improved my club selection and approach shots into the green. Using it 4 times already, it is now an integral part of my game. The following video gives a very good overview of the device.

The Garmin Approach G6 has 28,000+ preloaded courses, excellent back lighting for in the sun, measures distances, keeps score in four different modes and gives exact distances to from, middle and back of the green. It fits in your pocket and has a battery that will last up to 15 hours. Lastly, it has free lifetime uploads of new courses constantly being developed for display. Overall, it is an excellent device and I am grateful to have purchased it!

Previously, I often wondered if using a GPS or range finder took away from the spirit of the game. However, after using the device I can honestly say that it is improving my course management, pacing off of distances, and focusing on proper club selection. So, I have stopped wondering and started using this rules sanction tool. Do you use a device to help with yardage? What do you think?

Shooting to Make the Team

June 17, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Tomorrow, I am entering a competition to represent my military base at the Ontario Regional Golf Championship in July. This tournament is a two-day combined stroke event where the top five male and top two female players will move on to the next level. Once the base team is chosen, it is off Regionals.

Regionals is a three-day event with several competitions in one. First, there is the overall team competition. Each day, the lowest four scores of the seven players are used to determine the total score for the base on that day. (For those who think that the female scores do not count, think again; they are usually used a couple of times during the tournament) After three days, your three-day total team score will be use and lowest team score wins the event. That base is crown Regional Team Champions. The receive a pennant which proudly displayed at their base.

Another event inside of the team competition is the singles competition. The person with the lowest score after three days is crowned regional individual champion (men and women). Additionally, the lowest five male and two female scores make up the Regional team that represents their region at the National Competition.

The National Competition is the same format as the Regional Competition except the players are significantly better. It is an exciting time of military golfers and believe me, bragging rights are as important as the hardware.

So here is my question of the day: Any hints on how to prepare for this three-tiered event?

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

Baseball Hands!

June 2, 2013June 2, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

A friend of mine is a very athletic. She plays multiple sports and has recently taken up golf. One of her best sports is baseball. Her technique to play baseball is fundamentally sound and she has enjoyed much success playing the sport. This is where the challenge begins.

Image from: http://www.qcbaseball.com/skills/hitting_grip1.aspx

I have watched her play golf and her address to the ball is very good. Her stance is good. She has a deliberate lower body motion, although sometimes she likes to take a step like in baseball. She has good hip rotation and a strong follow through. Unfortunately, she always hits the ball right. I mean right, about 45 degrees off the tee. It is not a slice, but travels straight right.

I have watched her hands and according to winnbaseball she loads her hands and delays contact through the ball….just like baseball players should. “It is EXTREMELY important not to let the hands come forward in the process of the stride. The knob of the bat should remain over the back foot until after the stride foot has landed.” Well, her golf swing definitely has this delay component in it.

Interestingly QC Bseball says, “Remember relaxed muscles will react quicker than tense muscles. So if you want to have a quick bat, relax those hands which in turn will help you relax at the plate.” This is similar in golf and is a positive aspect when comparing the baseball and golf swing.

Well back to the problem. I have suggested that my friend rotate her grip to the right to allow the club face to close during contact. This has helped some and she hit a few balls straight and long. But, this is not a permanent fix. She loves golf and is trying to improve all the time, so this is where I need some help.

Before anyone asks, my first suggestion was to take lessons from one of the local pros and she has, but she wants to work on this current problem a bit before going back for another.

Therefore, does anyone have any suggestions, tips, or drills that will help fix my friends baseball hands?

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

Dogs On the Golf Course

May 28, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Today was interesting on Osprey Links. As I walked around the mosquito infested course, I tried to focus on making good contact. The weather and course conditions have prevented me from playing much to date, however that is soon to change. While playing today I had 14 good holes. (I changed my thinking from 4 bad holes – thanks Norman Vincent Peale) I hit the ball relatively well, but nothing fantastic yet. Well I digress.

On the 16th tee box, a gentlemen and Bella asked if they could join my friend and I for the last three holes. Of course, we let him because I am always grateful to meet new people. The interesting thing about this request is Bella is a dog. She is quite beautiful, quiet, and very well behaved. My friend and I are both animal lovers and enjoyed both their company. Bella did not cause any problems, nor her master, during the rest of the round. I know some may be thinking that a golf course is no place for a dog, however it is a tough call.

So here is my question, should dogs be allowed on a leash on the golf course?

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