Yesterday, I played in a four person scramble at Laurentide Golf Course in Sturgeon Falls. The tournament was set up my the 22 Wing PSP staff so that serving members at 22 Wing and retired veterans could tee it up for some fun in the sun. The tournament was very well organized and a great time was had by all. The only thing that the PSP staff could not control was the crazy weather. Despite their best efforts we playing in the sun, rain and hail; regardless of the crazy weather we had a great time.
Continue readingI Just Want To Play Golf
Golf is a game that demands each player dedicated time to becoming a better player. Rarely have I noticed anyone play golf as a ‘natural’. The swing movement is so complex, that picking up a club and shooting a low score seems impossible. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that dedicating time to practice is important for any golfer to improve their game. Through the years, I put in that time, but now it seems that I just want to play golf!
As a senior player, I think that my game has peaked and I will be riding a plateau for quite some time. There is always a fork in the road where every athlete must decided they have reached the point of diminishing returns. It seems that I am at the point. I still try to practice, but hitting the links and playing an extra ball or two seems to be the norm right now. Of course I can approach my game this way because I have already put in the hundreds of hours needed to be a low handicap player.
I like playing golf more than practicing; actually, I always have. Most athletes, in my opinion, think that way. We experience the joy of competition more than the satisfaction of honing a skill. I do not think it is a far stretch to conclude my statement above because the thrill of playing is what most of us look forward too.
Keeping in mind what motivates us to play golf, I do recommend that practice be a part of your plan to shoot lower golf scores. It is important to hone skills that will set you up for success. Practicing from the pin outward is always a great place to start. There is no wrong answers here because your desire to a certain level of golf will drive your need to practice. The joy of playing will never go away, the desire to practice will dim as we approach our point of diminishing returns.
Ultimately, I am a grateful golfer. I am grateful to be able to practice and play. However, right now I am leaning towards the ‘I just want to play golf’ path. How about you? Where is your game right now?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Dropping Putts From 4 to 6 Feet
I realize that I have been harping about putting from 4 to 6 feet lately, but it such an important distance to master that I cannot say it enough. In the beginning of my career, I thought that 3 foot putts were the most important putts to lower my golf score. As the years past, I found that 3 feet was not the distance I worried about, it was the knee knockers I had to make between 4 and 6 feet. I looked at a plethora of videos and none really hit the mark about what I think is important to sink more putts from the crucial distance.
Continue readingBuying A New Golf Bag
After 10 years, I decided to buy a new golf bag. I looked around on the net, but decided to make the 3.5 hour trek to Golf Town in Ottawa to have a better understanding of what I was looking for in a new cart bag. I knew I wanted something smaller than my Ping bag, but with enough pockets to hold all my stuff. Additionally, I wanted it to be lighter for when I am pushing it around the golf course. Fortunately, I found what I was looking for and in a unique pattern that I quite like.
Continue readingPlaying Slower Golf Improved My Score
On Sunday I hit the links for what I thought would be a quick round. I normally play nine holes on my new course in about 1.5 hours (give or take 15 minutes; okay give 15 minutes 😉 ) with two balls. During my last round, I was stuck behind a three 4somes. So, I was going nowhere fast. I spent a good deal of time putting and chipping as I waited to go to the next hole. I found that I needed something to occupy my mind as I slowly played the round and I easily found it.
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The Grateful Golfer 