It is impossible to determine the outcome of two equally matched golfers. The slightest error or bad bounce could determine the end results. During a Match Play format, there are 18 mini matches rolled into one larger event that will determine the winner. Have a poor hole, well, forget it because it is only 5.5% of the total score. Therefore, it is important to never stop playing because you will neve know what will happen or what fortunes may be hiding around the corner. I found that out yesterday in my match against Scott. The result of the match was determined until the last hole!
Continue readingBusy Week Of Golf
I am entering a very busy week of golf. I am playing six of seven days with a hickory stick tournament in Ottawa and a friendly in Renfrew with my wooden shafted clubs. This increased activity happens every year and I am enjoying the increased time on the links. Today, I am playing a match for the Open Match Play event I organized at my home course and it should be fun playing against a new opponent. With all this increased activity, I learned a long time ago to pay attention to the little things in my game to ensure I am playing my best for the week.
Continue readingThere Will Be A New Club Champion At Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort
My efforts to be the club champion at the Mattawa Golf and Ski resort will end this year. I played my first round match against a great young player yesterday and he sent me packing. I lost 1 up and the match could have finished in my favour, but alas Alex emerged victorious. Having said that, it was the best match I experienced in years and want to congratulate Alex and wish him well in the next round.
Continue readingKnowing Your Carry Distance Is Very Important
Every golfer hits the ball differently and to different distances. We may be grouped in relation to our handicap, however rarely are any two golfers exactly the same. Regardless of performance, all golfers should understand and know how far they hit their clubs. It might surprise you to know that many of us do not hit the ball as far as we think! This oversight in our knowledge is costing us strokes every time we tee it up. Well, today we are going to change all of that!
I have touched on this topic in the past and hopefully you found the information helpful. I am revisiting this topic today because I found a video that is all encompassing on this topic. It is about 10 minutes long and if you are looking for some distance answers, I recommend you watch it all.
As a 5 handicapper (most days), my distances match what was stated in the video. I hit my driver about 240 and my 7 iron about 150 yards on average. On my good days, these distances are farther, but on my bad….well, you get the point. Fortunately I am able to adjust my club selection decisions based on what is happening on any given day.
I realized a long time ago that my distance knowledge would improve my golf game. It opens the opportunities on shot and club selection. This in turn allows increased scramble abilities, avoiding addition strokes from under/over yardage decisions and strengthens my overall tee to green game. Lastly, when I finally learned my club distances, my course management skills improved drastically. As you can see, this bit of knowledge has many applications in our game.
If you do not know your distances, I recommend you take the time to figure them out. It will be helpful in all areas of your game.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Fundamentals Of The Golf Grip
The only part of the body that makes contact with the golf club is our hands. Through the grip, we are able to control the direction, distance, and accuracy of the clubface during contact. It is probably the single most important skill any golfer can learn in order to excel at golf. Personally, I use the interlocking grip, but that is not the only option open to players. For an expert explanation of the golf grip, I think it is important to default to Butch Harmon. He definitely lays out the fundamentals in a way we can understand and emulate.
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The Grateful Golfer 