My Rising Handicap

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

The Governing Body of Golf In Canada.

The handicap is the golf’s measuring stick. Many casual players do not go through the effort to establish one because it has no bearing on their game. For more serious golfers, like me, establishing a handicap is important as it helps me gauge my play at any given time and provides a tangible goal to pursue. Additionally, it is important to establish a handicap through golf’s governing body if you want to play in tournaments at the local, provincial, or national level. And yet, establishing a handicap early in the season can be damaging to a golfer’s ego, so why go through the frustration? Continue reading →

Crazy Golf Rules

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

This is just a crazy golf rule that I had to share. It is a cut and paste from BarDown website. I take no credit for the original reporting, but I just had to share it!

Bizarre rule leads to golfer having to strip down and jump into a lake!

Water Hazard

Water Hazard

Sometimes golf gets weird when you drop the ball.

Wednesday, during the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, Jacksonville golfer David Wicks found out just how serious tournament officials are about certain rules, no matter the circumstances. After hitting a putt close to the pin on the 13th hole, Wicks picked his ball, placed it in his pocket and put down his marker. Moments later, Wicks went to check his scorecard causing him to accidentally drop his ball off his shoe. The ball ended up rolling into the drink, meaning that unless Wicks was able to retrieve his ball, he would face a penalty shot.

So Wicks did what any good team player would do…he took his clothes off and jumped into the lake.

“Wicks stripped down to his underwear and dove in with a five-minute time limit. “David probably found 20 balls in the stretch of five minutes, but he never could find his,” said Blackburn. “It was just a stroke of bad luck. After the five minute period ended the rules officials gave him a two-stroke penalty, which really could’ve hampered our comeback. But David rebounded, finishing the day with five straight pars to keep us in the race.” (JUDolphins.com)

While we understand that rules are rules, that rule just seems a bit silly. Careful of mistakes on the golf course…some can cause you to have to jump in a lake.

(H/T: FTW USA Today)

All I Want is a Hole In ONE!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

On of my 3 holes in one. Osprey Links Golf Course, Hole 11.

“All I want is a hole in one” is the dream of many golfers. If you talk to most players, they will be able to recount a close call, but not the real thing. That elusive perfect shot is on the mind of every player when they step up to a par 3. The odds of shooting a hole in one for an amateur is about 12000 to 1; for a pro about 2500 to 1. (Wikipedia) It is the holy grail of golf and only a few have reached that milestone. Continue reading →

BEWARE Of The Golf Course Part 2

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

After some interesting conversations yesterday, I thought it would be interesting to show you what I mean by dangerous ground around the golf course. Continue reading →

Beware of the Golf Course!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

Beware of the Hazards on the Golf Course

If you are a golfer, beware of the dangerous hazards that lurk around the course. Spring offers silent foes that could impede your ability to play golf. They are hidden pitfalls that have the ability to seriously injure every unsuspecting golfer. So I warn you now: BEWARE OF THE GOLF COURSE! Continue reading →