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The Masters – What I Learned

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Jim with a DuckThe 2014 Masters is in the books. For golfing enthusiasts, the first Major did not disappoint. Many pundits discussed the lack of charge by the players chasing Bubba Watson, but that is a discussion for another day. Personally, I did enjoy watching the professionals navigate a difficult course under ideal weather conditions. With no flat surface on Augusta National, many of the players used unique and creative shots to try to tame the beast.

Every time I watch a professional tournament, I expect to see something that will help improve my game. Sometimes it is big changes and others times it is the finer points of how to play specific shots that catches my attention. The Masters was no different. Therefore, I thought I would share what I learned at this years Masters that will improve my game:

Course Management. I have discussed this topic before, actually three times, but the recent Masters showed me something different. Course management is about setting up the next shot and playing to the strengths of your game, however it is now important to include making up for miss hits. Many of the players were forced to change their thought process during a hole due to hitting the ball in the wrong spot. Watching the top players adjust, like Watson on the 15th hole, changed how I look at course management!

Chipping or Putting. How many times did we hear the announcers talk about chipping or putting around the green? They made it quite clear that there are two schools as seen throughout the tournament. The older and more experienced players (Couples, Jimenez, Mickelson) chipped; the younger more adventurous players (Spieth, Blixt, McIlroy) putted. This whole issue will be addressed a future blog, but personally, I lean towards chipping….but I am an older more experience player!

Length Rules. Distance off the tee has always been important. After watching many of the players on the past weekend, it reinforces the thought that length rules. Hitting it long opens so many options for a player’s next shot. Bubba Watson’s drive on the 13th hole was an eye opener. Understanding that being closer to the green on your second shot is better, it is unbelievable the difference distance makes; therefore, as my season progresses one of my goals will be to hit the ball longer off the tee.

The three points are subtle, but are important. If you have the opportunity to watch the replay of the 2014 Masters maybe you will notice aspects of golf that will help your game. Maybe you have noticed something already, if you have, share – everyone is listening.

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

 

The Masters – Super Sunday

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

mastersCongratulations to Bubba Watson for his commanding win at the 2014 Masters.  He joins an élite group of 16 other green jacket winners!

Unfortunately, unlike other golfing pundits, I would not rate this year’s final round as exciting as years past. There were no late charges, no last minute collapses, no dramatic shots from out of the cabbage (OK this one might be a stretch) or no misinterpretation of the rules!  I am sure others are going through their Rolodex of events to call me crazy, but maybe…wait, in need help, I have fallen into the Masters media hype!

All joking aside, the 2014 Masters did live up to its billing.  We were witness to many position changes, notable players missing the cut, many first-time Masters players performing very well, and many senior players standing up to be counted. All the players navigated Augusta National to the best of their abilities against a monster of a course.

Bubba Watson did exactly what any 54-hole leader should do; he shot -3 and took the green jacket.  He did not panic, made some great shots, putted well and stayed composed through his 5 hours on the links.  Augusta National tried to put pressure on Watson; however on the final day, the course was the only one.  Watson responded by making the right shot at the right time – fantastic Bubba Watson style course management!

Jordan Spieth played well. It is difficult playing in the last group of any Major. The pressure of playing in the last group on the final day of the Masters is unimaginable to an amateur. His composure is noteworthy. Unfortunately, he could not capitalize on his many opportunities to apply pressure on Watson during the back nine. Regardless, he finished tied for second (with another Masters first-timer) and will be a player to watch in the future!

Other players shot low scores on the last day, but were too far back to apply any pressure on the leaders. Players like Joost Luiten had the low round of the day of -5; Stewart Cink shot -4; Rory McIlroy and Bernhard Langer shot -3; all were great rounds and they should be commended for their performance, however it was a case of to little too late.

Overall, it was an exciting four days. This years Masters is in the books and we all look forward to next April.

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

Masters – Tough First Day

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Day one of the Masters is over. All the pundits are frantically justifying why their pick is not at the top of the leaderboard. They are talking about the wind, the pressure, their starting position, nagging injuries, etc, etc, etc. The performance of any professional during the Masters will vary depending on an infinite number of reasons.  But, there was always one factor that never changes!

Before I go into the one constant of the Masters, I thought I would share some interesting highlights of the 2014 first round.  Interestingly, it was what everyone expected and it was nothing like anyone expected.  Here is what I found interesting:

Back to the original point – the one constant of all the Masters is the course!  Golf monthly has a great overview of each hole that is worth checking out. However, that is not what I noticed.

Augusta National ArchiveThe only flat section at Augusta National Golf Club is the practice area and tee boxes!

As I watched the players navigate around the course, not one of them had a flat lie. Not one!  In the fairway, the ball was above or below their feet.  The hazards on the course are sculpted perfectly. The announcers constantly talked about the quick breaks and how important it is to be on the right side of the hole! The course is a monster and course management will be the deciding factor to who wins this weekend! Augusta National Golf Course is truly a gem and the next three rounds are going to be exciting.

I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links…..soon!

It Is Masters Time Again!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

The Masters is only a few days away!  The golfing world is a buzz about the first Major in 2014. Adding to the normal hype, Tiger Woods will miss this ‘must attend’ event after 19 consecutive starts. There will be many new faces vying for the Green Jacket with realistic chances to be crowned champion. “Who will win?” is always the topic of most golfing pundits and the links below will give you an idea about some are thinking.

All of these fortune tellers, from a pure analysis point of view, are correct.  Selecting a Masters Champion is extremely difficult and some subjectivity must leak into their decision.  In six days, we shall see which oracle is correct.

The focus on Thursday does have a tendency to overshadow another important event linked to the Masters. Announced back on 07 April 2013, this new initiative of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship concluded on Sunday past. This year-long event provided young men and woman golfers between the ages of 7-15 an opportunity to compete for the thrill of playing at one of the world’s most prestigious course. These future superstars performed on the biggest stage in golf and they did not disappoint. Congratulations to all the champions!

Regardless of expectations, there is one aspect of the Masters often overlooked – the course. This course is a par 72 – 7425 yard beast that is not tamed easily. This course rewards the daring and punishes the foolhardy. If the professionals do not bring their ‘A’ game, it will be a long four days…or should I say a short two days.

Augusta National Golf Club is a sanctuary for serious golfers. Even people who do not play golf understand the reverence shown to this famous course. As a biased golfer, I am not surprised! This gem is known for Amen Corner (which will make or break a round of golf), Eisenhower Tree (well not so much any more, but it will be mentioned plenty this weekend), Rae’s Creek, Ike’s Pond, and many more. Each hole has a special name with their own unique difficulties. My favorite hole the 13th.  It is the 510 yard par 5 beauty named Azalea!  What a beautiful risk-reward golf hole!

These famous landmarks will play an important role this weekend. The Masters is “A Tradition Like No Other” because of the great players who continue to grace the tournament, the electrifying atmosphere, and of course – the course. Regardless of your sporting preference, the Masters transcends all barriers as on of the greatest sporting events of the year!

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

The Fifth Major

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Official Logo of The Players Championship

The Players Championship played this weekend is lauded as the Fifth Major.  It is the only significant tournament owned and administered by the PGA Tour.  The majors all have different sponsors.  The Masters is owned by the Augusta National Golf Club; the U.S. Open by the United States Golf Association (USGA); The Open Championship by The R&A, and the PGA Championship by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America).

This tournament was created in 1974 and Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural tournament.  This tournament has a short history, but gathers an elite field every year.  The tournament runs every year at about the same time with the final round being played on Mother’s Day.  It has a permanent home at TPC Sawgrass since 1982 at the stadium course.

Having the reputation as the Fifth Major is very tough.  The Players Championship is a very young tournament, but has some great highlights.  Tom Alter, PGATOUR.COM, outlines 40 history shots that capture your imagination.  One of the favourites was in “2007 – In the third round, Phil Mickelson’s tee shot at the 10th hole found a fairway bunker. His only shot to the green was through a small gap in the trees. The leader couldn’t win the tournament with this one shot, but he could lose it. So “Phil the Thrill” threaded his approach shot through the trees and onto the green. Climbing out of the bunker, he said to his caddie Jim “Bones” McKay, “I didn’t want to tell you what I was doing.” Mickelson went on to win the first PLAYERS in May by two shots.”  There are many more great stories and are worth a read.

Every tournament has great memories.  If one researched enough, they could find enough great shots to fill a book.  It could be the fact that it has the richest prize money of any tournament.  Or that the winner receives 600 Fed Ex points for winning like the other Majors.  Or that the field is made of the top 30-50 players in the world. Ultimately, this tournament has plenty to offer and continues to be elevated into the top five tournaments of the year.

The greatness of The Players Championship can be supported in the facts on many levels.  However, what is the ultimate driving force that makes it the Fifth Major?  It is RESPECT.  The respect it receives from the players.

In an article by ESPN.COM, on Tuesday Tiger Woods is quoted, “We have our four major championships, and that’s that, …….But if there was going to be another one, this would be it. This is the best field that we have.  We have guys from all over the world playing and, next to the PGA, probably one of the deepest and stiffest fields we’ll face.”

USA Today Sports penned “The Players just gets bigger and bigger,” two-time Players champion Davis Love III said. “The PGA Tour has done a great job in making this our major, the players’ major, and it’s a special tournament.”

The New York Daily News quotes the number 2 in world, “It’s funny,” said Rory McIlroy, who has missed the cut all three times he’s played here.  “It’s a golf course where you look at the field and you’re like, ‘Anyone can win.”

The majority of the golf world respects the Players Championship as an elite tournament.  The players themselves are eager to try their hand at one of the toughest competitions of the year.  As stated by the players, this tournament has proven year in and year out that it is a top tier professional golf tournament.  It is time to give The Players Championship its due and make it the Fifth Major!

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