Golf Tip – Hitting the Club Face

September 21, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

In a previous post, I discussed where the ball should be placed in my stance and how I adjusted my alignment to make solid contact. But one of the most basic tenants of making solid contact was the shaft angle when the club head strikes the ball. As I watched the simple video below, many of my ideas of solid ball striking came together.

To confirm my new-found knowledge, I watched 30 minutes of professional golfers hit balls in various scenarios. Of the many similar aspects of their golf swing, the ball contact was created the same way: the club grip was in front of the ball during contact. Having the club grip past the ball, creates the proper shaft angle so the club head strikes the ball about 3 or 4 grooves up from the bottom of the club head. It is like trapping the ball with the club head.

Next, I looked for a simple drill to reinforce my what I have learned. This is what I found:

What do you think?

I am off to the course tomorrow with my new-found knowledge. I am sure positive things are going to happen!

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

What a Day at the BMW Championship

September 20, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Congratulations to Jason Day for winning the BWM Championship! The hottest golfer on the planet has succeeded in winning another event of the FedExCup Playoffs. With 4 wins (including his first Major) in his last 6 events, Jason Day is apparently unstoppable and as a result has built an insurmountable lead heading into the Tour Championship next week.

Day’s booming drives, chip-ins, and a sizzling hot putter are just a few tricks he has up his sleeve. His calm and steady demeanour continues to wilt his opponents like a super power! Likely taking over as the world’s top ranked golfer, Jason Day is the new darling of golf! Getting lava hot at the right time, Day is on his way to a big payday in just over a week!

Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, and Henrik Stenson tried to catch Day on the third leg of the playoffs, but they could only watch with dismay as the Australian extended his lead over a world-class field. Unfortunately for Fowler, Watson, and Stenson the race for being the 2015 FedExCup Champion is over. Nobody is catching the red-hot Day!

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth had mediocre to poor runs during the FedExCup playoffs. Regardless of the reason, they could not sustain their outstanding play from early in the year. There hot and cold nature is indicative of professional golf in 2015 and is not likely to change anytime soon! The young players in professional golf hungry, competition fierce and they all want their chance at top golfer.

We could discuss the merits of the FedExCup playoff format, but that would cheapen Jason Day’s performance of the past 6 events. Jason Day has crushed his opponents lately and it seems that he will not stop anytime soon. However, if history repeats itself, he will soon need a break because the hectic schedule and pressure of competing week in and week out does take its toll. But for now, Jason Day is on top of professional golf and all fans look forward to seeing him at the Tour Championship in East Lake GC, Atlanta, GA next weekend.

FEDEX Cup – The Tournament within a Tournament

September 19, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Today is moving day at the BMW Championship! All eyes are on the top players as they slug it out for the top spot. Most of the media focus for Saturday will be on Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson (ok I threw Phil in because I always watch his progress). And why not, these are the leading contenders for the FedExCup championship! But, little focus is actually on the tournament within a tournament!

The race for the top 30, in order to advance to the Tour Championship, is just as heated as for the top spot. There is much riding on advancing to the next stage of the playoffs and right now, 10 players are in a battle to improve their position in the FedExCup standings.

The list below is of the current FedExCup standings of positions between 26 and 35. The first number is the predicted position if nothing chances between now and the end of the tournament. The second number is their current standing within the FedExCup. And the last number is the movement up or down the standings at the end of the tournament if nothing changes.

These players are all within striking distance of fall out and making their way to East Lake GC in Atlanta, GA. I would suggest that these players have just as much, if not more, pressure on them to succeed than the top players! The payoff for moving on to the Tour Championship is tremendous and none of these professionals want to left out in the cold.

There are two tremendous battles going on at the BMW Championship! The battle for the top spot and the battle to make it into the top 30! Which do you prefer? Any predictions?

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

2015 Solheim Cup

September 18, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

The Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for professional women golfers contested by teams representing Europe and the United States. It is named after the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim (founded Karsten Manufacturing, better known as PING), who was a driving force behind its creation.

The inaugural Cup was held in 1990, and the event was staged in even number years until 2002, alternating years with the Ryder Cup (the equivalent men’s event). As part of the general reshuffling of team golf events after the one-year postponement of the 2001 Ryder Cup following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Solheim Cup switched to odd-numbered years beginning in 2003.

The current holders are Europe who won for the second successive time at Colorado Golf Club, Colorado, USA in 2013. The 2015 Solheim Cup being held at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Baden-Württemberg, Germany is in the books.

The format for the Solheim Cup is similar to the Ryder Cup, but abbreviated. The cup is played over three days. There have been 28 matches—eight alternate-shot foursomes, eight best ball matches, and 12 singles on the final day. This is an exciting format and allows for all the players to demonstrate they skill under varying conditions. (Wikipedia)

This link to the LPGA, is a great read and outlines the who’s who for this year’s Cup. Each team consists of 12 players who have earned their way onto the fun event.

The first matches are finished and the score is 2 – 2. The alternate shot matches were close, and Pete at White Dragon Golf gives a great overview of the mornings events! Here is the rest of the schedule for the weekend events!

The Solheim Cup is a great head to head battle for some of the best golfers in woman’s golf. Unfortunately, I will not be able to watch the USA and Europe do battle, but I will be following as the events unfold. Good luck to both teams! However, and more importantly, the real winners will be the golfing fans!

I am a grateful golfer!