I try to appeal to a wide variety of golfers. It is a challenge sometimes because I can have a tendency to focus on fundamentals and yet become too technical. It is a tightrope to walk and today is no different. If you are a beginner or long in the tooth, it is inevitable that you will have to make changes to your game. The real question for most of us is when is the best time to commit to making a change. Well, I came across this meme yesterday and it seemed to fit perfectly!
Continue readingTell Me The Possibilities of This Golf Shot
I do not care whether I am in the middle of the fairway, first cut, deep in the woods, or any place but in the water, every golf shot has multiple, if not infinite, possibilities. Now, before you start writing a curt response, take a deep breath and think. There, feel better? I bet you do. Now that you are ready to read on with an open mind, lets use one simple example and you will see what I mean.
Before we examine the shot in mind, I thought I would provide an image to help the discussion along:
The ball is 15 yards from the green, under a tree. The lie is good and I could stand without hitting any limbs. I could not take a full swing. There is a bit of a dip right before the green to consider, but it was not more than one foot deep. The pin was 20 yards on the green, basically in the middle.
Without digging too deep, I believe I have three reasonable shots I can make that would match the results above. They are with 3 different clubs and require 3 different approaches.
The first is with a sand wedge. I hit the ball just over the top of the hill in the back of my stance so it lands on the green about 5 yards and releases to the pin…..if I hit it cleanly. If I do not, it ends up sort. However, by being aggressive, this is the best shot for getting the ball the closest.
Second is with my pitching wedge. Again just over the top of the hill and the ball lands about 10 yards on the green. I place the ball in the back of my stance. Hitting the ball clean and we will beside the pin. Hit is a bit fat and I am still on the green but with a put at par.
Last option is with a 7 iron. I hit the ball into the back about 3/4 the way up and let the ball bounce on to the green. The chances of getting the ball on the green, regardless of contact, is best. However, I have very little control as to how the ball will come off the hill and release going forward. This is an option, but not my first choice.
As you can see, I quickly laid out three possible realistic shots. If I was to sit an analyse this shot further, I could come up with many possibilities that might work. So, to prove my point, there are many realistic possibilities for every golf shot!
On a side note, I used a sand wedge and played my shot aggressively. I was about 4 yards from the pin and made the 12 footer for birdie. I was very happy with the shot and even happier with the putt.
So, not it is your turn! What shot do you see?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Influences on Your Golf Routine
I find that routine is a cornerstone of great golf. It allows players to rely on a consistent approach to ensure they are performing their mechanics in a similar manner for all golf shots. This routine is important on and off the course because routine helps prepare our game prior to the first hit. In the off-season, I have to develop a routine to improve my mental and physical health. It generally starts on January first, however this year I have another influence that is forcing me to step outside my normal routine and develop a new one. I am wondering if this is a good thing or bad!
Continue readingThinking Back to Beginning
For some reason, I am thinking back to my original post of The Grateful Golfer. It is amazing how far this little block has come. The greatest aspect is the wonderful people I have ‘talked golf’ with over the years. It really has helped with my mental recovery during my health challenges. Thanks to everyone, I am truly grateful.
Continue readingOpening the Club Face For a Higher Trajectory
Have you ever stood over a shorter golf shot and decided It was important to open your club face to elevate the ball? I definitely have and often wonder if it was really worth the result. Most of the time I come up short; before I was always right; and any poor contact results in a chili dip! So why do even do this odd shot?
Continue reading
The Grateful Golfer 