Golf Strategy: Playing a Par 3

/ The Grateful Golfer / 11 Comments

Playing par 3 golf holes usually provides the most exciting time on the golf course. Every player takes the time to plan and consider all the factors that might affect their shot! They line up and focus with hope that the perfect shot is in their bag at that time. Their thoughts shift to the elusive hole-in-one waiting for them at the end of the rainbow!

It is strategy time again! This picture of a player Patrick McLaughlin playing at the Slieve Russell Golf and Country Club, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, Ireland. I received this picture last year, but I thought it would be a great hole to see “How you would play this challenging par 3!”

Patrick Mc Laughlin2

The 11th Hole – Heron Haunt. Advice is not to under club!

From the looks of the picture, the hole is about 170 yards (center of the green), downhill to a pin located in the back left. The wind is blowing from left to right. You are playing well and need a birdie to keep your awesome round going! What do you do?

Let us know where you aim, if you play safe, what type of ball shape you would want, and what club you would use! We all want to know!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

 

 

 

#GolfChat

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Mike from 36aday sums up #GolfChat on Twitter perfectly. If you are looking for a great hour of talking golf, see you next Tuesday at 8 pm EST!

I am a grateful golfer! See you at #Golf Chat!

All I Want for Christmas….

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

It is that time of year again, it is time for all the grateful golfers to relish in the joy of receiving golf-themed Christmas gifts! Each year, stockings are filled with gadgets and golfing paraphernalia that brings joy and happiness to the receiver!

Through the years, I have received many golf gadgets. Some very useful, others…..

Here is what some of my readers have to say about golf gadgets:

Sometimes, I think golfers forget the real reason for receiving golf-themed Christmas gifts. It is an attempt by our loved ones to share in our joy and love for the game! They worry and fret over the giving the perfect gift to the fanatical golfer. If you think about it, their efforts to share in the joy of our passion is touching! I am always grateful for their the thought of the gift and the intent it was given.

To help the those wishing to buy something special for that special golfer, Josh at Golf is Mental offers 9 great suggestions. I personally like number 8!

The Christmas season is around the corner, I want to offer thanks on behalf of all golfers to our loved ones for their efforts to share in our passion!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Not Just Another Major Golf Tournament

/ The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

There are four Major Golf Tournaments in professional golf! For various reasons, each event is unique and offers untold excitement. Regardless of your level of play, the Majors are highlights of the golf season that catches our attention.

Recently, I asked the golfing world which was there favorite Major. I was a bit surprised at the results, but given the events of last year I guess I really should not have been all that amazed.

Spieth Record Masters

2015 Masters Golf Tournament Champion – Jordan Spieth (Masters.com)

I have to admit that I am big Masters fan. Last years performance by Jordan Spieth was what legends are made of. Spieth added to the mystique about that The Masters and is considered the most popular Major in professional golf. I have to admit that Spieth’s play was akin to the greats like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, and Arnold Palmer. However, it will take more that one victory to knock Nicklaus off as the greatest Masters Champion of all time; but, another performance like the one in 2015, he might well be on his way.

I am also a fan of The Open which is the oldest Major and probably the most prestigious. There is something about watching players fight the wind, conquer bunkers as deep as caverns, and greens as subtle as a sledge-hammer that brings out my competitive spirit. There is never a shortage of awesome shots and great recoveries! The Open is special and extremely popular to golfing fans.

Regardless of which Major is your favorite. Most golfing fanatics gather around their TV, watch on-line, or are fortunate enough to be there in person to watch the best players in the world slug it out for the top prizes in golf.

If you had an all expense paid trip any Major, which would you choose?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Pre-Shot Routine: Do You Have One?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Golf is a game of exciting opportunities! It is the only sport that requires a meticulous process to result in a near perfect swing; hoping for spectacular results; with a plethora of opportunities to make a mistake. Golf is awesome!

Through the years, I have learned on lesson over and over again: a pre-shot routine is critical to consistent golf!

There are an infinite number of variations to the pre-shot routine. Most are unique, but there is one I noticed that most professional golfers use; it is the waggle before they hit their driver. You know, that 3 seconds before starting your swing when you wag the club head at the ball. It is the last indicator for a player that it is time to hit the ball long and straight.

Recently, I asked the question if you had a waggle before striking your driver. Here is what the masses said:

I did receive an interesting response from one of the #golfchat attendees. (#golfchat happens on Twitter every Tuesday night at 8pm EST. If you are interest in golf, it is worth your while to check it out) From the sounds of things, she took the waggle a bit too seriously. She said that:

Obviously, the intent of the waggle is to calm all aspects of thought and movement before striking the ball. It is a visual and mental cue for players that it is time to perform their perfect swing. I have tried the waggle, but found it too distracting; so I am in the minority given the results of my poll.

Regardless, having a pre-shot routine is very important to a consistent golfer. It is something that most professionals perform before striking the ball. Chances are that if the élite players are using the waggle in their pre-shot routine, it is worth a try. What do you think?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!