Launching for Distance

June 28, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Recently, my golf ball is travelling 20 yards further off the tee. It only started two weeks ago and I am extremely grateful for the extra distance. Every reader will agree that being 20 yards closer on an approach shot is a gift from heaven. To accomplish this wonderful feat, I only changed one thing in my swing – the launch angle of my ball! Yup, that is it. Nope, nothing more complicated than that.

In an earlier post, I brushed over launch angle by discussion how high to tee my ball. But this is not the case this time. All I did was drop my right shoulder! I dropped my right shoulder and continued to swing the same way. The result was to catch the ball on the up side of my swing that results in 20 yards further….I am gob-smacked to say the least.

Stephen Salzberg at Forbes discusses launch angle and the optimum for the driver; Brent Kelly at About.com defines launch angle very well, Leaderboard.com also defines launch angle, but is slightly different, and Golf AcademyOne explains Golf Science and its relation to distance; all these articles are a great read if you want to see how a simple change can make a monstrous difference.

The video below is great to explain about launch angles and how they vary depending on swing speed, set up, etc. It was very helpful when I made my adjustment.

Hitting the ball further has really helped me enjoy the game of golf more….I wonder what else I can fix. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Lob Wedge – Tough to Use?

June 8, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

The lob wedge is one of the toughest clubs in anyone’s golf bag. This 60 degree monster is not tamed easily and has a tendency to cause more problems than to solve them. Regardless, for players who want to lower their handicap, having a lob wedge in your bag is vital.

Highview Golf course – 25 feet from the pin, 12 feet from the fringe and 7 feet below the green.

The following is an excellent example of why a lob wedge is required. Playing a 4-person scramble golf tournament at Highview Golf Course yesterday, we found ourselves shorted on the pin side of the green only 12 feet from the fringe. The ball as laying 7 feet below the level of the green and the pin was only 15 feet on the green. As you visualize this shot, you will quickly realize that a lob wedge is the right club.

As the four of us stepped up to hit, the following was the result. One person used a lob wedge and chili dipped their shot. One person used a pitching wedge and and sculled it 5 feet from the pin. One person used a sand wedge and hit the ball 20 feet past the pin. Finally, one person (me) used a lob wedge and landed it 4 feet from the pin. Yes, player ability had something to do with the result, but the percentage of success was greatest with the lob wedge.

I aligned the lob wedge with my lead heel (my left heel as I am a right-handed player). I took a few practice swings until I had felt comfortable with the speed of the club. As a point of note, this 25 foot shot should be played like a 30-35 foot shot because of the elevation of the green. Next. I ensured I kept my head down through contact and only looked up after a count of one. This aspect of the golf swing was very important because moving you head during a swing, especially with a lob wedge, will produce very poor inconsistent results. Because of the clean contact, the ball only released 3 feet after hitting the green. Overall, I was extremely pleased with the result and hope to duplicate the shot.

The lob wedge is important in your bag. The most asked question is which club to remove to only carry 14 clubs. Personally I removed the 5 wood. I hit it about the same distance as my 3 hybrid so I have not lost anything. Others have remove their 3 iron…ultimately the decision is driven by your golf game.

Golf season is here and I am happy I can loop around any course. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Eagles Eagles Eagles

May 16, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

What is cooler than getting an eagle! Ok, a hole in one for sure……I know a double eagle! But back to reality. Eagles are a goal of mine every year. I try to make five eagles every year. Last year I only had three! But with my new driver and three wood, I hit the ball a bit longer so I am anticipating more opportunities to make eagle. I already had one opportunity this year and missed.

For shorter hitters like me (250 yards of the tee) eagle opportunities are difficult, however I have a plan! On par 5s that I need a I great drive, I focus on smooth clean contact. I do not over swing because I usually lose distance because something is out of sync. Smooth and controlled is the way to go!

Next is my approach shot. If I am not hitting my three wood, I use one more club than needed! Yup, that is my secret? The reason is to make sure I swing smooth and controlled. This type of swing ensures I stay on target and I have enough distance to actually reach the green. Through the years, experience has shown that I have routinely under clubbed hitting into the green from 215 – 230 yards out.

Last trick is to sink the putt. While putting, I hit the ball one foot past the hole; instead of six inches on a normal putt? This extra strength on my putt ensures I do not leave my it short! And we all know how much that sucks!

Well this is my plan to increase my eagles this year. What do you think?

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

Yearly Traditions

April 23, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Each year I have traditions that prepare me for the golf season. I am sure everyone has their own way of getting ready, but mine has been the same for years. It is nothing fancy, but it helps me mentally and equipment-wise prepare to hit the links. So here it goes!

I read the rule book. The RCGA 2013 rule book is not out yet, so I read last years rule book. I believe it is important to acquaint myself with the dos and don’ts of golf. It helps with the finer points like the difference between a red and yellow hazard. Reading the rule book helps me prepare for tournaments or other competitions with those who do not read the rule book.

I watch a couple of golf movies. I will watch anything new, but if that is not possible I will watch Happy Gilmore, Tin Cup, and The Greatest Game Ever Played. They are fun movies and they help me mentally to prepare for anything on the golf course.

I check my equipment. This year I am changing my grips. I have used different grips through the years, but this year I am trying tacki-mac. They are similar to Golf Pride Tour Wrap, but cheaper. Additionally, I washed my clubs, prepare my carry bag and mark my new golf balls. I also polish my shoes and change my spikes!

Last thing I do is think about what I to accomplish this season. Each year I make several goals and work to achieve them during my practice and times on the links. I have not made any quite yet, but I am sure one will be to break par and another to win a tournament.

Traditions are important to me. The allow me to prepare mentally and equipment-wise for the upcoming season. Regardless on how I play each year, my yearly traditions are special. How do you prepare for your season?

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

To Tee or Not to Tee

March 6, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Every year I receive golf tees as a stocking stuffer. It is one of those gifts that I love because I always need them. As I continue to get my equipment ready for summer, I realized that I have three different lengths of tees. Not that really bothers me, but I actually wondered if it really makes a difference.

At ehow.com, they explain how to pick a length of tee. They focus on the size of the club being used and the size of the club. They suggest:

2 1/8″ tees are used for your irons, hybrid clubs, and low profile woods.
2 3/4″ tees are used for drivers under 360cc.
3 1/4″ tees are used for drivers over 360cc.
4″ tees are the longest tees allowed in play, they will give you the maximum impact angle while driving.

Sandtrap.com conducted a poll on the length of tee used by golfers. 2 3/4 inch was first with 44% of the vote and 3 1/4 inch was second with 34% of the vote. I would suggest that the longer tees are used more because of the increase in driver size over the past 10 years.

This is all very interesting. The length of tee is important, but there are no real rules. I believe that the 4 inch tee may not be the length of choice because of how high the ball would sit, but again I have never tried it.

For my driver, I use a 2 3/4 inch tee. For my irons, hybrids or 3 wood, I use broken tees. I collect them around the course and use them all the time. Rarely will I use a new tee. I have tried just about every design and style of tee. I always go back the standard old fashion tee. Seems to work best for me.

Overall, it really does not matter. What does matter is that the length of tee is right for you. Experiment and try different lengths. Let me know how you made out.

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