I cannot count the number of rounds of golf where I failed to play my game. It happens less as I gain more experience, but my weak rounds are rooted in one fault that is easily avoidable. My mental focus is on being tentative vice bold. You will see that I did not say aggressive, but bold. Defined as showing an ability to take risks or being confident. Playing bold fits into most golfers abilities when they decide to let this approach be at the forefront of their game. Every round of golf produces a plethora of situations where we have the opportunity to rise to the occasion. When we do not play with confidence, think tentatively, then high scores is in our future.
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Keeping Your Course Management Decisions Simple
Course management is a must have for every golfer. This mental approach to golf (as course management is all mental) allows players to loop a course without exacerbating the difficulties of each round. It might seem daunting, but in reality course management is an easy process that helps all levels of golfers accentuate their strengths during every golf shot. There is a cerebral process to golf and it manifests through course management. Therefore, I recommend that learning about course management and what it means to your game is a must.
Continue readingStarting Golf: Here are Three Things You Should Know
Starting to play any sport is a daunting task. There are so many different aspects a beginner needs to consider when starting that they can quickly become overwhelmed. Golf, in my opinion, is one of the more complicated sports to start because of the plethora of factors that can influence your journey. I asked The Grateful Golfer crowd for advice on things someone should know went taking up golf. The responses were very similar and fit perfectly to what I was thinking. If you are starting this amazing sport or you have only played a few times, then the following are three things that will help you develop a passion for the game while lowering the frustration factor.
Continue readingChanging Your Chipping Sequence
Chipping is an important shot that allows players to lower their golf score. This statement is not profound, but needs to be repeated from time to time. As an important topic of discussion, I realized that the plethora of interest points on chipping cannot be covered reasonably in one article. Keeping this in mind, I thought that talking about the differences between chipping and hitting should be broached. The chipping sequence is different than that of hitting in the fact that it is a less of an explosive movement. Chipping is more controlled and relies on a more gentle touch when making contact. To achieve this softer feel, our chipping sequence is very important.
Continue readingMaking An Unexpected Long Putt
We have all made long putts before. I am not sure the longest I have ever made, but I am confident it was similar (probably longer 😉 ) to Adam Schenk at the Valspar Championship on the weekend. Schenk just looked it over and slammed his ball into the cup. It was an amazing shot and it help him maintain his lead during his round. It was very nice to watch and reminded me of how following a putting process helps improve our chances to making such putts. It is not complicated, but is a necessity.
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