I was playing golf two days ago and on the last hole I hit a wayward shot to the right of the ninth green. I pushed my pitching wedge from 120 yards and found a tough third shot on the par 4. I have had a great deal of experience hitting shots from tough locations and I used this experience to hopefully save par. Fortunately, I have a simple three step process for difficult shots and it paid of in this case.
Continue readingFocusing On The Good In Golf
Golf is a sport that can easily drag our mental focus negative aspects of results. Like crabs in a bucket, it is difficult to emerge from playing poorly because our mind continues to drag our focus to what is instantly going wrong. If I was a sports phycologist, I would state that this is the number one mental mistake all amateurs make; we are too quick to focus on the poor shots and overlook the good shots. I am not sure how this trend starts for most players, but I believe that by setting up a mental road block, we can avoid the darkness of negative thoughts and play better golf!
Continue readingOverswinging And Pulling My Golf Ball Left
Yup, it is back. For some reason I am overswing and pulling my ball left. This swing hitch happens a few times a year and usually at the most inconvenient time. I know I am making all kinds of swing errors by the direction of my divot and the fact that my ball ended up in the woods a few times during my last round. 🙂 I have a sure fire fix for my swing woes and it does not take much time.
Continue readingPlaying A Scramble In Crazy Weather
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!
