break 100

Golf Season is Here!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

After a long seven months golf season officially starts tomorrow.  Only 10 days off of my prediction of 15 April.  The weather is fantastic (interestingly, the forecast is for light rain later in the day but it is the first day of golf so I am ignoring the forecast) and I am prepared to another awesome season on the links.

It is unlikely that I will actually play any holes because of work, but it is best to practice a bit before I try anything crazy. Besides, each year I set a bronze, silver and gold goal for my first round.  If you have not figured it out, bronze = break 100; silver = break 90; gold = break 80. Normally, I achieve my silver goal, but have won the gold goal a couple of times.

Tomorrow at the course, I will gently hit balls on the range, chip for a few minutes and putt for a few minutes. My past experiences tells me to ease into the golf season to prevent early injuries. My plan for this golf season is a crawl, walk, run approach.  By starting of slow and easy, I will build on success, thereby enjoying my golf season longer.

DSCF7364So my car is packed (not to be unpacked until October unless absolutely necessary) and ready to go.  I have my clubs, two pairs of shoes, rain gear, umbrella, balls, a couple of hats and practice sticks. Now all I need to do his finish work and head to the course.  Today is an exciting day and golf season has officially started!

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

 

Want Vs. Need

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

During the holiday season, we all struggle with the want versus need question.  We think, over think, lament, internally discuss and ultimately stress over what I want versus need to improve my golf game.  Think about what you want for Christmas.  Now think about what you need for Christmas.  Is there a disconnect?  In some cases, probably; in the select few, no.

Want versus Need

The want versus need discussion always evolves into a catch 22. But really, most golfers confuse their want versus need.  Here are some examples:

  • I want to hit the ball farther!  I need a new driver!
  • I want lower scores.  I need to play more on the course.
  • I want to hit the ball straighter.  I need to change my grip, stance, back swing…..every time.
  • I want to break 100.  I need better equipment.
  • I want to be a better putter.  I need a new putter.

I bet you can see the pattern developing – the focus for most people on the want versus need dilemma is equipment.  It is quite possible to shift the wants and needs above into many combinations; only your imagination will limit you.

However, is this really the way to look at the want versus need questions?  How about we re-frame the statements:

  • I want to hit the ball farther.  I need go to the range a practice.
  • I want lower scores.  I need to learn more about course management.
  • I want to hit the ball straighter.  I need to take lessons from my local pro.
  • I want to break 100.  I need to practice my short game.
  • I want to be a better putter.  I need practice my putting before each round.

To understand the want versus need aspect of golf, and in life, actually requires introspection on what is the real challenge.  Do not get we wrong, sometimes new equipment is required, but an ugly swing with a $100 dollar driver is just as ugly with a $500 driver.  The only difference is that with a $500 dollar driver, you can hit the ball further into the woods!

Well, I am off to Golf Town to look for a new driver!  Just kidding!  I am a grateful golfer! See you on the practice range!

All You Need Is One Club

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Have you ever played a round golf with one club?  No really, have you ever played a round of golf with one club?  If you have, how did you do?  If you have not, which club would you use?  A 7-iron? A 5-iron?  A 20 degree hybrid?

The Masters – Final Round

Recently, Bubba Watson shot an 81 at Pelican Hill Golf Club with a 20 degree hybrid.  According to Golf.com, Watson sometimes gets bored playing with 14 clubs and likes to mix it up.  Quite an impressive feat considering the difficulty of this championship course.

Realistically, Bubba’s methods, although unconventional, does have merit.  By using only one club, it forces players to think out side of their comfort zone when shot making.

The practice of playing around with one to three clubs forces players to think more about shot making then when they are carrying 14 clubs.  Play the same course ten times in a row, I bet most players will use no more that 7-8 clubs.  This is not necessarily due to course management, but routine.

Routine in golf is great when conducting a shot, but not necessarily on the course when routine drives the same shots on the same holes with no improvement in your score.

A great tip by Tim Mitchell to simulate shot making on the course to change-up your routine next practice session on the range. Execute the following five shot patterns below using only your 8 iron, hybrid and driver. Do not hit the same club two times in a row, and do not hit the same shape of shot two times in a row. Also, do not hit to the same target two times in a row.

This exercise will improve your pre-shot, shot, and follow through.  It will help with your alignment and shot execution.  I have used similar exercises on the range with great results.  Ultimately, it will help lower your score by engaging your brain.

So, if you were to play a round with only one club, which would you use?

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