Just One Shot!

September 19, 2013September 19, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

If you are going to play golf; play golf!

Just one great shot can change a round of golf. The magical chip-in, 30 foot-putt, exceptional approach or a booming drive can turn a mediocre round into a fantastic round. On Sunday past, I was playing around of golf with the usual crowd. As I hacked my way around the course, I felt as if this was the worst round of the year….and it had the makings to be!

After a smooth 47 front nine (47 front nine….I still have a hard time saying 47; anyway I digress) I decided to change the way I thought. I focused on each shot and attempted to follow my new mantra of ‘less is more’. Swing smooth and watch the ball go. Well it worked quite well. After three bogies, I walked up to the 15th tee and hit a flat shot. Not to worry because it was a par 5. My second shot was very good and I was 100 yards from the green. This is one of my favorite distances so I was confident I could get it close. After a ‘less is more’ swing I watched the ball land softly on the green and roll in the cup for an eagle! Yup, I could not believe it either.

The next three holes I was smooth and back in form. I finished with 3 pars for a total score of 84. Normally, I would not be very happy with an 84, but a 37 back was something I was quite happy with. So, overall, I walked away happy.

The interesting aspect of that game was the last three holes. After the excitement of an eagle, it was if I was back in the right frame of mind to play golf. I was focused, read the greens well and displayed strong course management. Thinking back on the round, I realized that during the first 14 holes I was thinking of everything but golf.

So my lesson of the week is live for the moment! If I am going to play golf, play golf. If I am going to concentrate on other things, go do the other things. Golf is an amazing game, it continues to teach me important life lessons. I am a grateful golfer. See you on the links.

Finding Weaknesses In Your Game

September 14, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Golf is a simply complicated sport. Everytime a player hits the links, they have the opportunity to score really low or really high relative to their skill level. Most think that is the best time to pinpoint what is going right or wrong. Or is it?

Keep head Down; Left Arm Straight; Slow Tempo; What did the Grateful Golfer Say…..Oh never mind, just Grip It and Rip It!

If a player consistently shoots in the low 100, 90, 80 or 70, identifying positive and challenging aspects of their game is important. This process, if the player really wants to improve, is continuous and unrelenting. However, identifying areas to improvement is specific to each player and it is impossible to use generalities to guarantee a better golf swing. Therefore, which is the best method? Who can help? Are there methods?

The short answer is yes, there are methods. Which is the best…..depends on the player. Who can help….basically it is up to the person to seek and conquer the challenges of improving their golf game. Having said that, the following are my suggestions on how to improve your game:

BroNet. Sometimes referred to as the buddy system. While out on the course your friend will notice something in your swing that they believe you should correct. Generally, it varies on a shot by shot basis. It has a tendency to cause more confusion that success, but sometimes it is helpful. The quality of the advice depends on the skill level of the player giving it.

Self-Taught. This is where a player will research various skills, look for tips, watch others and try to duplicate. This method can be very good, especially if you use websites like Hit It Solid, Slice of Golf, Gorilla Golf, All About Golf or Mind Body Golf. And of course The Grateful Golfer site! (Sorry for the shameless plug….just could not help myself) They offer tips on golf, the challenging aspects of the mental game of golf, course reviews and will allow for interaction via comments/questions to help improve your game. This method is generally how most players start.

PGA. Having your local professional, like Dan Garagan at Pinewood Park Golf Course, North Bay, Ontario, Canada, analyse your swing and provide helpful tips on how to improve is definitely a winner. They have the skill and expertise to help. The only draw back on this method is that you must be willing to learn from their sage advice. It is difficult and sometimes causes a player to initially score higher, but in the long run it is probably the best way to learn golf.

Wing It! The last method is the most fun! Basically, you have no plan nor want one. Each day is an adventure and you real goal is enjoy the experience. The million dollar shot you can brag about is what you seek. There is nothing wrong with this method, however your game will develop slowly if at all. This is not a problem because you play for the fun of the game.

Finding weaknesses in your game is relatively easy. Fixing them is usually the problem. For me, the best method to use in order of effectiveness is local professional, self-taught, Bronet, and finally, Wing It! Ultimately, chose the method that best fits your goals and desires. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Distraction, What Distraction?

September 10, 2013April 3, 2020 / The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Golf is a particularly interesting game. One of the greatest attributes to a great golfer is concentration! In the modern era, Jack Nicklaus demonstrated the greatest ability to concentrate while playing golf. Through 18 PGA Tour Majors, 8 Senior PGA Tour Majors, 2 Amateur Titles he showed that to stay focused for 4 hours was very difficult, especially during the stop and start tempo of a round on the links. While zeroing in on a shot for 15 seconds, many distractions could occur that would have an impact on the intended results.

“I was blessed with the ability to focus intensely on whatever I’m doing right now, free of distractions and to the exclusion of whatever else might pre-occupy me.” –Jack Nicklaus

If you have never played in front of a gallery of onlookers, it is difficult to describe the feeling of all those eyes intently watching your every move. The pros make it look easy. Each click of a camera, a cough, people shouting or the eerie quiet of a hushed crowd are all factors that could create distractions and interrupt your concentration. Having played with a small gallery of about 40 people watching, it is a bit unnerving. However, it was possible to stay focused and calm the nerves; it just takes practice. “Concentration is a fine antidote to anxiety.” (Jack Nicklaus)

There are many ways to keep your concentration while playing. It does take effort and practice, but ultimately the pay off is reduced scores and more consistent play. The following are concentration tips will help any player start to develop their own concentration techniques:

Develop a solid pre-shot routine. Annika Sörenstam states that “a pre-shot routine is a consistent and systematic procedure that is executed prior to hitting a golf shot and is very instrumental in the focus and relaxation process.”

Don’t over concentrate. The Telegraph published an article regarding a study that being too focused may be detrimental to your overall game. “One trick that people can certainly try is to try to distract your external focus. Make sure that your focus is on the hole or on a spot on the green and do not think about your technique or how your limbs are moving.” Basically, clear your mind when playing; to much activity between the ears does not really help.

Switching your concentration on and off. Golf Today suggests that “the absolute ideal in a round of golf is that you switch ‘ON’ for your shots and then switch ‘OFF’ in between shots.” Being able to be prepared to hit the ball when it is time to perform is an extremely valuable skill. It is impossible to stay focused for 4.5 hours (as well all know); some Golf Today suggests are:

A particular mark on your glove like the RED DOT. Make it personal to you and then look at this before you start your routine.
Have a particular word you say to yourself like ‘FOCUS’
Open and close the Velcro fastener on your glove paying attention to the sound.

Regardless what you do to turn your concentration on and off, it has to be yours and something that will enable you to focus when required.

Visualization. Visualizing your shot is another way to hone your concentration skills. See yourself hitting the ball successfully. When playing, take 5 seconds behind the ball see your shot, then step up, and perform. Visualizing a shot will allow you to stay focused when needed most!

There are countless ways to stay focused on the course. To achieve the greatest success while playing golf does take concentration. How a players develops this skill is really an individual process. Everyone is different, however having a pre-shot routine, not over concentrating, being able to turn your focus on and off or visualization are but four ways to lower your score and play consistently.

What are some techniques you use to stay focused on the course?

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

Are My Clubs In The Way?

September 7, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

How many times have we heard “Are My Clubs OK?”

While golfing with our friends, most of us are lax with the rules of etiquette. Besides, it is more fun poking fun at our friends, telling jokes, and pretending that your friend does miss that four-foot gimmie (gimmie in their eyes, even though they have not made a four-footer all day). However, during a competition, the way we play should be different and we should be more aware of the etiquette of golf because it is important.

On particular aspect of etiquette is club location while your opponent is playing. Equipment should be out of sight, not in the line of intended ball travel or close enough to cause a shadow over their ball. Actually, these guidelines should apply to their clubs as well.

Whats Wrong With This Picture?

There are many reasons for this particular rule (although rule might be a bit strong).

Safety. Standing forward of someone hitting the ball is not too smart. But, it happens all the time. Usually, the other members are across the fairway and move to their ball for speed of play. Sometimes, however, they get to close and that is when a the safety aspect kicks in.

Penalty Strokes. Keeping your clubs behind you will prevent penalty strokes (one stroke for hitting your own equipment, caddie or partner – rule 19). Ever wonder why the pro caddies move so far from the player when they are hitting…..probably for this exact reason.

Etiquette. Standing in someones golf space can cause problems. Some players like opponents to stand-off to their right. Others left. Some behind….but never in front of their field of view. My general rule for this is at least 10 – 15 feet away from the player.

So placing your clubs close to someone playing is not a very good idea. Placing your own clubs in the way is just a bad idea. One last point, if you have to as “Are My Clubs OK?” They are not!

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

Keep Your Head Down

August 30, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

While playing a round of golf this morning with a buddy of mine, we started to discuss our swings and how to break 100. As we walked and talked about what was important, my friend said something that has stuck with me, “watch the ball where it was, not where it goes!”

Basically, keep your head down and watch the club make contact with the ball. Additionally, count to one before you see how fantastic your shot turned out. Stay focussed on the point of contact. This will help create a duplicatable swing. Regardless of what it looks like, it is something the amateur golfer can start to build a solid game upon.

While watching the Web.com tournament today, I noticed that Phil, Tiger and Adam have different swings, chipping strokes and putting styles. They all hit the ball where they intend and seem not to worry about what it looks like! They do, however, keep their head down for a pause of one after contact. A coincidence, I think not!

Next time you are on the course/practice round try keeping your head down and see the positive results. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!