If you play golf and do not feel that course management is an important aspect of your game, then I suggest that you take another look. The art of course management is a simple, empowering approach to playing a golf course. Many players think it a complex exercise in fuzzy logic because they have not taken the time understand this simple process. My approach is very simple and you can adopt it instantly by following just three simple rules. If you decide to give my process a try, I think you will see an immediate drop in your golf scores!
Continue readingcourse managment
Jump To Conclusions and Fail
Golf is a game of decisions. The development of a good decision process leads to a strong course management capability. They do go hand in hand and are not mutually exclusive. They have to compliment each other to lower your handicap and shot your best scores. Unfortunately, many of us, myself included, deviate from the process and jump to conclusions that cause us no end of grief. It really is a frustrating time when I venture down the path poor decisions, especially if I compound one bad decision with another.
Continue readingPlaying Golf With One Club
This morning I was fortunate to wake up early and see that the forecast for rain did not materialize. After hopping out of bed, in the dark, I decided to hit the links for a quick round. I did not play all week, so I took this opportunity to get out and play some golf.
Arriving at the course, I quickly unpacked my clubs and anticipated being the only player on the course for quite a while. As I set up my push cart, my friend Geary pulled up and we quickly agreed to play together. As we walked towards the first tee, I noticed that Geary only had one club in his hand; his 9-iron! And then our conversation started! Continue reading
Finding Inspiration on the Golf Course
I thought that finding inspiration on the golf course was an easy thing. It is easy to hit a good ball and realize that you found a fix for a current woe. It is easy to watch a beautiful sunrise and be caught up in the breath-taking moment. It is easy to foster the desire to play golf regularly. These situations, and many others, can inspire golfers to want to play golf. I have discussed many of these positive and inspiring events at The Grateful Golfer, but after being partnered with Les last Wednesday for Men’s Night, I am not so sure I understood the meaning of inspiration.
Filling in Time on the Golf Course!
Ball Hawking – spending time on a golf course.
How do you fill in your time when playing golf? I am not talking about course management, your pre-shot routine, or focused intent on playing well. You know, the time when you are waiting for your shot because the group ahead is so slow that you can measure their pace by the changing of the seasons!
Some players, especially lately, pull out their cell phone. Others practice chipping along the fairway. And still some will play several balls just to slow their pace of play down. I have a friend, Mike, who has an entirely different solution.
Mike is a ball magnet! He can walk into the most conspicuous of locations and walk out with a handful of golf balls.
Only 17 golf balls this time!
Mike is not your ordinary ball hawker, he is the best I have ever seen. For an example, over a month ago there was charity tournament at our local course. Two days later he played a round of golf with his brother and walked away with over 100 golf balls! Yesterday, we playing and he walked away with two dozen balls. It seems no matter where he goes, golf balls stick to him like glue.
Having said that, Mike sometimes takes ball hawking to another level! He walks into the rough (or deeper) and the next thing we know, he is blazing a trail along the Amazon Valley picking up ball after ball! He never holds up play and he definitely shares what he finds. I find it quite amusing and laugh when he walks out with a handful of white gold!
There are plenty of ways to spend time on a golf course. Ball hawking is just one way to pass the time while waiting for the group ahead to play. For those that are wondering, my normal group (including Mike) play 18 holes in about 3 hours and 10 minutes. We play quickly and at a pace we all enjoy. So playing behind a group who plays in 4+ hours affords us extra time to talk, practice various shots and ball hawk.
So back to my original question, How do you fill in your time when playing golf?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 