Keeping Golf Alive in the Dead of Winter!

I have decide to create a new category for the winter bound golfers who are patiently waiting for spring.  I live in northern Canada and golf season is virtually over.  I now have the long wait until mid April when the courses will open again.  So how do I keep the spark alive and yet prepare for another awesome season on the links.

Well, my first suggestion is to have a grip changing party!  I know it sounds goofy, but let me explain.  I have to change my grips anyway, see my previous blog called “Is There a Difference in Grips” so I thought it would be fun and cheaper to do it in a group.

Right now I have 3 friends who are willing to participate.  I am aiming for 5-8 friends.  I will assume that 8 friends will attend.  Each player will be responsible for bringing their own grips unless we want to purchase the same type.  If only 5 of use want to use the same grips, the cost is reduced because we would order in bulk and get a much cheaper price.  The savings could be as much as 50 dollars.  Pays for the party.

I am going to put on golf movies, music or sports depending on what the guys want.  I will provide snacks and some thing to drink.  Everyone will come over, I will have the basic tools to change the clubs ready and wait to see where the party goes.

This idea is simply and fun.  I will have an opportunity to visit with my friends, talk about golf and prepare my equipment for next year.  Hopefully, I will be able to do something every month or so to reduce long wait until next years golf season.

Any ideas?

So Why Golf?

Perception is reality! – Lee Atwater

Discussing any topic with someone is always interesting!  Their point of view or perception of any issue is always correct (for them) and most of the time they can present life examples of why they are correct. I believe that everyone’s point of view provides a window into his or her character and how they think.  One’s perception is truly one’s reality!

Let’s take golf for example.  I have discussed golf with many people and why in my perception its the best sport in the world.  Why it is not always about winning a tournament, but competing with yourself everyday.  Most non-golfers really do not see it.  Their perception of the game is that it is for older people who are not athletic or fit enough to play baseball, hockey, tennis….etc.  Or they see it as a waste of time and they would rather be living vicariously through the TV watching professional sports. (Okay a bit of a rant there…sorry)  Ultimately, they do not get the why golf is such a great game!  So for those none golfers who happen to stumble across this article – this is why golf is GREAT!

Etiquette and Fair Play

“Golf is a sport that will teach your child things like etiquette and fair play because golf is, and always has been, a game of honour. They can learn how to conduct themselves on the golf course, especially when playing in a group or with other groups playing behind. Having regard for other golfers on the course is an integral part of the game and children will do well to learn this early.”  This point is every important to me and InfoBarrel.com deserves the credit for writing it so well.  Although the article focuses on kids; this article applies to everyone!

The Top 10 Life Lessons Your Child Can Learn from Playing Golf

This is an excellent reason for people should take up golf!  It outlines 10 benefits for kids, however I would suggest that if the kids can do it so can adults, teenagers and basically anyone.  My favorite from the ten life lessons is humility and respect.  This trait will benefit everyone, now and into the future.

What can you learn from golf?

By Paul Gittings, CNN, November 17, 2011.  He provides a very interesting perspective on the game of golf.  He suggests that golf is not easy to learn.  Additionally, it takes plenty of practice.  “Better, perhaps, to adopt the attitude of the great South African golfer Gary Player, who often performed miracles around the greens. “The more I practice, the luckier I get,” the nine-time major champion was once famously quoted as saying.””  Gary player summed up the article very well.  His perception is that practice does improve your ability in anything.  I agree and that is my reality.

Sun rising

Sun Rising During and Early Morning Round! Laurentide Golf Course, Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada

Golf, like any sport, should be played to have fun!  I enjoy chasing a little white ball around the course in the early morning when it is quiet and relaxing, walking on fresh-cut grass, seeing the sun rise over a green, getting a hole in one, watching my friend get a hole in one, watching my mom get a hole in one (that was really cool!) watching my friend break 90, 80, 70, me breaking 70, and competing against myself every round to try to improve something about my game.  My perception is that golf is the ultimate sport that transcends all ages and my reality is that no one can convince me otherwise!  I am a grateful golfer.

So what does golf mean to you?

 

Who Is Your Favorite?

This is a discussion I have with my friends all the time.  Who is your favorite?  Of course the answer changes depending on the rest of the question.  I have many favorite golfers and below are just a few.  So let’s get started!

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2010-01/jack_nicklaus_at_70

Photos: Golf Digest Resource Center (35), Nicklaus family archives (10), Focus on Sport/Getty Images (1983), Augusta National/Getty Images (1990), J.D. Cuban/Getty Images (1996)

Who is your favorite golfer of all time?  This is easy for me – Jack Nicklaus!  I grew up watching him play and change the face of golf.  All the players of his time contributed to the success of golf today, but Jack is my favorite.  He is classy, skilled, humble, focused and most of all has given back to golf more than he received.  Golfdigest.com has a very good article about his career and life.  It is a petty good read.  Jack Nicklaus’ overall career stats are amazing and he is as well.

Image from: http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/001810/phil-mickelson/

Who is my favorite present day golfer?  Without question Phil Mickelson!  I think Phil is very much like Jack Nicklaus.  He is classy, skilled, humble, and gives back to the game.  I love his approach to the way he plays golf.  He uses a devil-may-care attitude mixed with wedge play that is unparalleled.  I realize he has mixed success, but I feel stroke for stroke he is the best in the game today.  He makes golf fun for those around him; he interacts with the crowd and is a larger than life figure that makes time for the fans.  I know all the Tiger and Rory fans will disagree, but that is fun to discuss the many facets of golf.

Image from: http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/030925/dustin-johnson/

Who is my favorite golfer with the greatest potential?  Dustin Johnson is the man.  He is a long hitting, cool under pressure, up-and-coming pro that has endless potential.  Many would say Rory Mcilroy, but I would suggest that he has already made it to the top.  Dustin Johnson is ranked 14th in the world, but I believe he has not reached his full potential.  He won once this year and then missed the cut at the US Open the following week.  He was either on or off, nothing in between.  He continues to get better and now that he is back from injury, I expect great things from him next year.  He is a young guy with tons of potential.

Mike WeMike Weir tees off at the 12th hole during the first round of the 2009 PGA Championship golf tournament at Hazeltine National Golf Club<br />Photo credit: Eric Miller/REUTERSir

Who is my favorite Canadian Golfer?  It has to be Mike Weir.  He is a Masters Champion, a 5-time member of the Presidents Cup (first Canadian) and has won 8 times on tour.  Of course I would be remiss not to mention his 2007 Presidents Cup win of Tiger Woods in Montreal!  I realize he has not played well since 2008, but he is still my favorite Canadian golfer.  He is a true sportsman and has brought class to the game of golf.  Additionally, he continues to promote golf in Canada and has several charitable foundations.  Overall, Mike Weir has been great for golf no matter where he plays.

Golf is an amazing game filled with many players who provide excellent examples of how to play the game.  I have many players who I have enjoyed watching through the years and these are but a few.

Who is your favorite?

How to Align Your Shot

Aligning your shot is far from easy.   I have heard of many methods to align a shot.  For example: point your left shoulder towards your target; draw an imaginary line along your toes; place a club on your thighs and let it point to the target; align your elbows, stick out your tongue and close your right eye…. OK, I made the last on up, but my point is that there are hundreds of suggestions on how to align your shot while playing golf.

Recently, I came across a method I had never heard before and it actually is repeatable, simple and makes sense.  This is a recipe for success if you asked me!  In my Golf Canada Magazine, David Hearn provides a unique tip on how to be successful when aiming at a target.  Align your heels!  He says it is “imperative that the club be placed on the ground flush against your heels and not your toes.  Because feet tend to flare out, the heel line is the best indicator of where you’re currently aimed.”  This is brilliant.  It makes absolute sense to me.

Aiming your shot has many variables, but the important point about this tip and many others is to consistently have the same set up routine.  That is what really ensures success.

If you have a tip about aligning your shot, please pass it on; we would love to hear about it!

Course Management: Reality or Myth?

Course ManagementPlay the shot that makes the next shot easy. – Tommy Armour

No truer words have ever been spoken.  I am a huge supporter of course management.  I believe that choosing the smart shot over bashing your way around the course is how amateurs break 100, 90, 80 or 70.  Course management is something that takes practice and is unique to everyone.  No two players can manage their round of golf in the same way.  No really, course management is unique to each player.

GolfLink.com states that “Golf course management for a player means understanding how to play the best round possible by using your strengths as a player against the challenges the golf course has to offer.”  This article provides further details on course management, but the main point is that each player must play to their strengths.  If you cannot reach the green on your next shot, hit the ball to your best distance.  For me that is 115 yards.  I would rather hit a full pitching wedge than a three-quarter sand wedge from 75 yards.

“Good course management requires planning ahead” by Joan A. King at Positive Mental Imagery is another outstanding article.  She outlines many excellent tips on how to successfully manage a round of golf.  I especially enjoy how she focuses on the mental aspect of staying focused and being positive throughout the round.  As Jack Nicklaus says:  “Sometimes the biggest problem is in your head. You’ve got to believe you can play a shot instead of wondering where your next bad shot is coming from.”  Staying positive during your round will lower your score.

“A video from the Whittle Golf Tips Series takes a look at some course management. It shows how the seven out of ten rule can be used to make smart decisions in competition and produce the best results.”  This is a great rule.  Play the shot you can hit 7 out of 10 times and find success instantly.

Course management is something that takes time to learn and is unique to everyone.  Playing a round of golf without focusing on your strengths only leads to disaster.  I am confident that everyone can be successful on the links; it just takes focus and the willingness to try new things.  See you on the links!