There is Talk of The Masters Already!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

maxresdefaultThe first major is only 50 days away and the pundits are already starting to talk about who is hot and who is not. They circle like vultures in anticipation for the first chink in the top players’ game. The win by Jordan Spieth at Pebble Beach seems to have vaulted him to the top of the likely winners at Augusta.

Personally, I think it is a bit early for such a prediction, however being mid-February; the media has to start building the hype about something. Spieth’s play was impressive last weekend, but unfortunately the growing trend of ‘streaky players’ points to a different way to possibly pick a winner. Continue reading →

Buying a New Putter

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments
Putt Centre

My 20-year-old putter.

Buying a new putter is something I have thought about for some time. My current putter is about 20 years old and I think the inset face is starting to break down. I was feeling an inconsistency off the face that I will have to look at this spring.

I like this putter because it is a toe-balanced blade with a center shaft mount. It is heavier than most putters and has served me well through the years. Additionally, and more importantly, it fits my eye very well.

I have tried all types of putters at the golf store, but none pop out at me when making contact. I seem to put the same with all types and weights, however this controlled environment is not really a great place to test a new club. I wish I could take a demo putter out on the course, but unfortunately my course does not have such a service. Continue reading →

Carrying Your Clubs – Lighten the Load

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

20160921_181530_hdrI like to carry my golf clubs for the first and last two months of my golfing season. I have accepted that as I age, carrying my clubs in the heat of summer is not any fun. I can physically do it, but there is less incentive to work that hard.

Carrying my clubs 4 to 5 times a week is great exercise. My bag weighs about 20 – 25 pounds and only holds the essentials to play golf. Over the years, I have realized that carrying extra stuff, is not the smartest thing to do and it does affect my game down the stretch. Therefore, I make sure I lighten the load before I play. Continue reading →

Waiting for the 2017 Golf Season

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

As I sit in my living room contemplating what to do next, actually putting off shoveling a foot of snow, my thoughts turn to my upcoming golf season. I think about some great shots I made last year and some real, well never mind. Continue reading →

Fighting to Stay Relevant in Golf

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Watching the AT&T Pebble Beach golf tournament, I can see many players fighting desperately to keep afloat. The elements are at an unplayable point sometimes, yet there they are trudging along. The amateurs have just as much moxie as the wind and rain tear at the many glitches of their golf swing.

jim-in-rain

The challenge for most of these players is to remain relevant enough to make the cut and hopefully take home a payday worth all their toils. During the first two days, the weather at Pebble Beach was the great equalizer because some top golfers faltered and some unknowns rose the top of the leaderboard.

How does one stay relevant in golf? Do they have a secret code or system that allows them to put the poor influences out of their mind? Are they mentally tough or do they adopt a devil-may-care attitude? Inquiring minds want to know! Continue reading →