How to Hit a Tough Golf Shot

August 1, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Under a Tree on the 15th Hole

I have often thought that hitting a difficult shot is easier than an approach shot from 80 yards in the middle of the fairway. You may laugh, however it is true. When we are trying to hit a tough shot, we focus, think of where we want to land the ball, take into account our surroundings and contemplate which club would be most effective. When we are 80 yards out, we grab the same club and hit the same shot regardless of the wind, conditions or pin position. We think and focus less. Hence, the results are not always what we want.Last week I was playing the par 5, 15th hole at Laurentide Golf Course. After two shots I was 50 yards from the green. After my third shot, by the way it was unfocused, I was 15 yards off the green under a tree. I had to stand under the branches, chip over a hill, land the ball on the green and let the ball roll down to the hole.

Close to the Pin from Under a Tree

As I walked up to the ball, I said a couple grumpy words and thought, wow what a poor shot. Then I proceeded to go through my normal routine. I focused on where I needed to land the ball. Then which club would be best and finally, how hard to hit the shot. Well as you can see I did alright. By the way, I sunk the but for par.

Making a tough shot is more mind over matter. The key to being successful is to stay focused on each shot. It is very difficult, but if you can manage it, your handicap will fall.

If you have any hints or tips on how to hit a tough golf shot, I would love to hear them. I am always looking for ways to improve my game. I am all ears!

Pin In or Pin Out?

July 29, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

This is a quandary for all golfers regardless of your skill level. You are on fringe within in 5 feet of the green. You have a decision to make whether to leave the pin in or to take it out. It is really tough to determine the best course of action…..it could mean the tournament! Okay a little mellow dramatic, but I think you get my point. What do you do?

Dave Pelx from Golf .com conducted a scientific study to determine the answer. He says leave the flag in as the rules allow. Speed is the most important factor and the flag is your best friend when putting aggressively to the hole.

Don Trahan from Swingsurgeon.com has a completely different view. He says the pin is only in the way, and whenever possible take it out. He states that the pin reduces your margin of error and that removing it allows for a greater result.

Well there you have it. The answer is depends. There are so many variables regarding chipping, that there is on right answer….or so it seems. The right answer is which ever you chose while making the shot.

I, for example, try to remove the flag as often as possible. I believe that it does get in the way and if removed, it allows for a greater chance of the ball going in. You know what they say – Pull the Pin, Its Going In!

What say you?

Short Game – So Many Choices

July 26, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Well fellow golfers, today I had a dilemma! I was in front of the green in a gully 10 feet below the hole. As I examined my shot, three selections came to mind. First, to hit my 60 degree wedge and flop the ball up. Second, to hit my 52 degree wedge and bump and run it up to the hole. The last option was to use my 8 iron and hit it into the bank and let the ball bounce to the hole. All three shots were positive options, but really only one shot was the way to go. Any guesses?

The 60 degree wedge was the way to go. As I set up for the shot I had to remember to keep my hands in line with the ball to make sure the ball would pop up onto the green. I was about 20 yards from the hole, but had to play the shot as if I was 25 yards away. The reason for the extra distance is that the ball was not going to travel as far in the air because of the height difference between the hole and the ball. As it turned out it was the right choice because the ball landed 5 feet short of the hole and released to 2 feet past. I made the putt for par and moved to the next hole.

On a side note, I actually dropped two balls to try my other choices. (the course was empty today so I had the time) Each shot provided its own challenges, but the 8 iron was the second best option and the 52 degree was the worst. Regardless, I now have options next time I presented with a similar situation.

It was awesome on the course today and I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links.

Practice Makes Perfect!

July 4, 2012July 4, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

How many times a week do you practice? To develop muscle memory one must repeat the same movement over a long period of time. I was at the range today practicing and realized that I have hit my 7 iron at least 1000 times in my 35 years of golf. That goes the same for my driver and three wood. Less for my long irons. Here I was practicing with a large bucket and enjoying every stroke. I would try a couple of things, but mostly my swing is grooved and I hit it pretty straight. I follow the same routine, set up, grip, stance and stroke. As a result, my score is within a couple of strokes 95% of the time.

As I came to the bottom of my bucket, I was still wondering how I can consistently lower my score. I thought of my best rounds (I have had 3 under-par) and wondered what was the reason for these special times.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks – chipping and putting. I have hit chipped and putted twice as much as my next club. So why am I spending 40 minutes hitting balls and only 20 minutes chipping and putting. Actually I should – and will – reverse this time.

Golf Link has a 5 step way to lower your score. Its first step is to practice your short game. I second that! The next four steps are also excellent ways to become the golfer you want to be.

Spending more time chipping and putting will definitely lower your score. See you on the links!

Pitching with a 52 Degree Wedge

July 2, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Within 8 inches from 50 yards!

What a fantastic day for golf! At Laurentide Golf Course, it was bright, warm and sunny. As I approached the first tee, I decided to focus on my wedge play during today’s round. Each non-tournament round, I try to focus on a specific part of my game and make sure that I perform this skill the way I practice it. Well today’s wedge play produced my shot of the day.

I have read many articles from Golf Digest with mixed results. My suggestion is to focus on the big muscles when executing a pitch shot. The wrists stay locked, forward of the ball on contact and your shoulder movement creates the speed of the club head. These three simple things are all I focus upon when using my wedges from within 60 yards. It can be duplicated and consistently results in a reasonable putt. Today, my shot of the day was a 50 yard pitched that stopped within in 8 inches of the hole!

My time on the links today was awesome. I was successful on focusing on my wedge play and relaxed enough to absorb the beauty of my surroundings. I am a grateful golfer!