Golfing My Best Back 9 of 2016

Yesterday was a great day! I headed to the course to get in a quick round, but that was not the case. The course was full and I had to wait my turn like everyone else! Not to be deterred, I asked to go out the back as no one was walking down the 9th or 8th fairway; normally, I do not jump in, but the back was open and front was very slow. The starter let me go, so off I went.

As I started off number 10, I decided to focus on what I was practicing. I had nothing to lose and besides if I was going to practice things, I might as well use them in my game. I have used many of my newer techniques, but I have not used them with focused intent! Yesterday was the day! Continue reading

Wedge Play is the Key to Low Golf Scores

How many times have you heard the question – should I replace my 5 wood with an extra wedge.  In 1980, Tom Kite was the first pro to put a 60 degree wedge in his bag.  He and Dave Pelz, a former NASA physicist, worked on creating the lob wedge to fill a gap determined by Pelz’s research.  It is a famous story and if you want more details the story check out the February 2013 edition of Golf Illustrated. That unlikely team changed the face of golf.

In 2012, I replaced my most beloved Callaway Warbird 5-wood for a 60 degree Titleist Vokey wedge. It originally started as an experiment, but has turned into a sure thing for my golf game. This decision fit my game well as it continues to evolve; yet sometimes I think that there might be a different solution!
Continue reading

Salt Creek Golf Links Course Review

I hit Salt Creek Golf Links yesterday with mixed results. We did not know what to expect and arrived with an open mind and a positive outlook. The sun was shining, the company was great and we were not working. How can things be bad, right!

We arrived early and were ready to play. My friend went into the Pro Shop as he booked Salt Creek on-line. Upon his arrival, he was dutifully informed that the front nine was closed because they were punching the greens. It was not a planned maintenance project, but it is what it is. The person working the desk said that front nine might be open at noon or we could play the back nine twice.  As a token for our inconvenience, she gave my friend a pass for nine holes some other time. So we decided to play the back nine twice.
Continue reading

A Special Friend at Roundel Glen Golf Course

This little friend watched me hit the ball close to the pin on number 11 from 150 yards. He had a couple of friends with him and I just had to share their majestic beauty.

View this post on Instagram

A little friend on the course!

A post shared by The Grateful Golfer (@gratefulgolf) on

I am a grateful golfer!

Salt Creek Golf Links

Today I am playing Salt Creek Golf Links. Located near the small town of Warkworth, it is a course I have not heard of until recently. It is one of the many courses in my area and a friend has invited me to hit the links with him. I am not sure what to expect from Salt Creek, but it looks like one of those fun tracks that might just surprise us.

One of the reasons for playing Salt Creek is to enjoy different courses in our area. It is important to support these smaller tracks so that golf will continue to thrive. I am going into today’s game with an open mind and positive expectations of a fun round. If nothing else, the company will be great and laughs will be had by all!
Continue reading