We All Need A Pep Talk!

September 29, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

In my travels through the netherworld of the internet I occasionally come across sites that peak my interest. Recently, SoulPancake.com is one of those sites. It does not talk about golf, but it does talk about gratitude and the various aspects of being happy with ourselves and the world around us.

The following 7-minute video is about an experiment where people were asked who made the greatest impact on their lives and…..well it is worth it to watch the video.

This video made me think about those who have made a tremendous impact on my life. I have a rather long list because I am blessed with many wonderful people in my life right now and those who came and went through the years.

The person I am most grateful for is my darling wife Teri. She is my best friend and continues to love me unconditionally. I love her more and more everyday. I am truly blessed to have her in my life.

Gratitude is something that needs to be shared! It has the power to change people’s lives even if it is just for a moment. As we take stock of our world, it really is important to pass on thanks and gratitude to those who have positively affected our lives. What goes around definitely comes around when you are grateful!

In golf, the one person I am grateful to is a true gentlemen who took me under his wing early in my playing days and taught me about this wonderful sport. He taught me course management, when to press your skill, when to hold back and the importance of golf etiquette. He fixed some of my early swing challenges and showed me how to read greens. He did all this and expected nothing in return; what a gift! His name was Bob Fortune. Unfortunately, I have lost contact with him over the years, but he is fondly remembered when I talk about my early years as a golfer. Thanks Bob!

Expressing gratitude is important. It allows us to feel and experience the positive aspects of life. Who are you grateful for?

I am grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Just One Shot!

September 19, 2013September 19, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

If you are going to play golf; play golf!

Just one great shot can change a round of golf. The magical chip-in, 30 foot-putt, exceptional approach or a booming drive can turn a mediocre round into a fantastic round. On Sunday past, I was playing around of golf with the usual crowd. As I hacked my way around the course, I felt as if this was the worst round of the year….and it had the makings to be!

After a smooth 47 front nine (47 front nine….I still have a hard time saying 47; anyway I digress) I decided to change the way I thought. I focused on each shot and attempted to follow my new mantra of ‘less is more’. Swing smooth and watch the ball go. Well it worked quite well. After three bogies, I walked up to the 15th tee and hit a flat shot. Not to worry because it was a par 5. My second shot was very good and I was 100 yards from the green. This is one of my favorite distances so I was confident I could get it close. After a ‘less is more’ swing I watched the ball land softly on the green and roll in the cup for an eagle! Yup, I could not believe it either.

The next three holes I was smooth and back in form. I finished with 3 pars for a total score of 84. Normally, I would not be very happy with an 84, but a 37 back was something I was quite happy with. So, overall, I walked away happy.

The interesting aspect of that game was the last three holes. After the excitement of an eagle, it was if I was back in the right frame of mind to play golf. I was focused, read the greens well and displayed strong course management. Thinking back on the round, I realized that during the first 14 holes I was thinking of everything but golf.

So my lesson of the week is live for the moment! If I am going to play golf, play golf. If I am going to concentrate on other things, go do the other things. Golf is an amazing game, it continues to teach me important life lessons. I am a grateful golfer. See you on the links.

Choices Choices Choices

September 4, 2013February 10, 2017 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Recent adventures on the links makes me wonder if I really have a handle on golf or have I been kidding myself for years. Course management is definitely a key aspect to success on the links. Knowing when to press or play defensively can determine whether you score a birdie or a bogey. But is course management really important to having fun and improving your game?

Smart Shot Out of the Sand

Well of course it is! Or at least I thought so!

It is the distinguishing factor between low and high handicap golfers. Determining how to play a hole, which club to use, whether to fire at the pin or to lag putt are all aspects of course management that are developed over time. Thus, experience and the willingness to improve your course management skills are extremely important aspects of successful golf.

So, why am I going on about course management and its importance. On the weekend I was playing with my friend and his brother. As per normal, we were talking golf and how best to improve our game; which shot would be best in certain situations; and which club to use at certain times. Through our discussion, we were basically talking about course management.

As we plodded along, the conversation turned to a earlier shot where my friend chose a 3 wood instead of an iron out of the long grass. Additionally, he went on to describe how the ball was in a bit of a hole, but he really wanted to get to the green that was 220 yards away. When challenged about his selection he responded, “I knew what the smart shot was but chose to not to do it!” I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at him and said what? He coolly said, “I know, but I just wanted to put the ball on the green and the knew I would not make it with an iron….it was not the smart shot, but oh well, I am still having fun.” I chuckled out loud and walked to my ball with a smile on my face.

So my friend chose not to make the right shot! Never a good idea to throw stones when you live in a glass house, I think we have all been in that situation. Taking the low percentage shot over the smart play….it still makes me laugh.

The “so what” to this story is that choosing to actively participate in course management is the first and most important step to course management. Although I never really thought that it was an option, apparently it is. Sometimes playing golf is about making the impossible shot and having fun doing it! I guess that day was not wasted because I learned something new!

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

Garmin Approach G6

June 21, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 21 Comments

Three weeks ago I went looking for a range finder. Being in many groups where someone has this tool, I thought it would be something to investigate. I looked at several types, but did not see their value. I found them difficult to use. So I went away still considering my next course of action. Two weeks ago, I was playing with a friend who received a Garmin Approach G6 for his birthday. It was his first time using this device, but we found it very valuable because it provided valuable yardages on a course we had not played in years (the Highview Golf Course). Specifically, we found the distances to the hazards, middle of the fairway and the green extremely helpful.

Excited about this device, I went to the nearest Golf Town and bought one! Since my impulsive purchase, I have improved my club selection and approach shots into the green. Using it 4 times already, it is now an integral part of my game. The following video gives a very good overview of the device.

The Garmin Approach G6 has 28,000+ preloaded courses, excellent back lighting for in the sun, measures distances, keeps score in four different modes and gives exact distances to from, middle and back of the green. It fits in your pocket and has a battery that will last up to 15 hours. Lastly, it has free lifetime uploads of new courses constantly being developed for display. Overall, it is an excellent device and I am grateful to have purchased it!

Previously, I often wondered if using a GPS or range finder took away from the spirit of the game. However, after using the device I can honestly say that it is improving my course management, pacing off of distances, and focusing on proper club selection. So, I have stopped wondering and started using this rules sanction tool. Do you use a device to help with yardage? What do you think?