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!

Golf – an Olympic Sport

July 31, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

With the 2012 Olympics well on the way, I thought it would be interesting to discuss golf being included in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It will be first time that South America hosts the games of the XXXI Olympiad and should be extremely exciting.

Golf is going to reappear in the Olympics after 100 years. It is an exciting time for all golfers who have (after much debate with those who do not think that golf is a “real sport”…yes they would be the ones who cannot play or even have the slightest desire to even give it a try, but that is a discussion for another blog) believed that golf should never have been dropped. The PGA Tour Commissionaire Tim Finchem said to Laura hill in 2009 that “This is, I think, a great day for the sport of golf. We are absolutely delighted with the decision by the IOC… ”

Of interest to Canadians, we are the reigning Olympic gold medalists. In 1904, George Lyon won the gold medal in the individual event. Of course we are very proud of this fact and hope to repeat in 2016.

There is still some discussion on how people will qualify for the Olympics. If they use the top 60 world ranked golfers from TSN, as being discussed, Canada would not field a person. As of today the USA has 25 players and 3 other countries have 5 in the top 60. Total, there would be only 13 countries represented. I completely understand that the field needs be limited, but I think a better way to limit the field should be found. My reasoning, why not make it another tournament of PGA golfers and let them figure out who will receive the gold medal. Sometimes, a nobody shows up and exceeds all expectations on their way to gold.

So here is the question of the day – how would you decide the field at the 2016 Olympics?

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?

Course Management – Not Just for Pros

July 25, 2012April 14, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

I was reading a blog by Ian Hardie at GolfHabits.com on a chance to look into the future. He outlines a way to know where the pins are located on the holes soon to play. It is brilliant and will definitely lower your score. His blog makes me think of how anyone can use course management to navigate your way around the links. As a grateful golfer, I appreciate any advice I can get to improve my score.

I believe that everyone should think about how they are going to play their next round. How many of us play 30-40 rounds on the same course; play it exactly the same way every time; with the same results. We all know Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Maybe it is time to think about the percentages and try something different.

If you Google course management, you will find many suggestions on how to effectively play your round and lower your score. Not to be out done, I have a couple of suggestions as well.

As per my earlier post, I believe that greens in regulation is the most important stat. To achieve this try the following: First, determine your most dependable and favorite club to hit into the green in regulation. Second, and if possible, hit off the tee to the distance that allows you to hit your most dependable club. If that means hitting a 3 iron (hybrid) off the tee; then try it. On a par 5, do not bash your second shot as far as you can, hit a club that puts you at the right distance. They use your favorite club, put it on the green and lower your score.

Try using a 7 iron off the tee for the entire round. It will change your perspective on the course and it forces you to think of a different way to play the round. It may not lower your score, but it will change the way you think. As Vincent Peale says: Change your thoughts and you change your world.

Lastly, play off a different tee. If you always play the whites, blues, reds or golds, try playing of a different set. You will be forced to think of new ways to play your favorite course. It will not hurt your handicap, long-term score or your ego! I have found that by playing a different set of tees allows me to think instead of just hitting the same club all the time and hoping I eventually lower my score.

Course management is very important. It is for everyone and will help you lower your score. What do you think? Is it really worth trying a new way to play the same course to improve your score?

How Did Ernie Els Win the British Open?

July 23, 2012July 23, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

What a fantastic finish to the British Open! I found it quite interesting as I watched Ernie Els coolly play the final 6 holes in heroic fashion. He did not play tight, conservative or out of control. The final putt on the 18th hole was clutch and I was very happy that one of my favorites played well done the stretch. But how did Ernie Els really win the British Open?

Was it that all the players trying to catch Adam Scott did not execute according to their game plan? Did Adam Scott figure he had the tournament all wrapped up on the 14th hole? I would suggest that neither of these situations are the answer. It was greens in regulation that won the tournament.

For the first time in tournament history someone outside the top 20 in putting for the tournament won. This is an amazing stat for sure. Ernie Els was number one in greens in regulation for the tournament, which proved to be the decisive advantage the other players could not match. Many would say, so what? It is only a stat. “Ernie Els is leading the field in greens in regulation, not so much on the greens,” Strange said. “None of the last 11 winners of this tournament have finished outside of the top 20 in total putts. Ernie ranks 75th currently in putts.”

Well let me put it another way; how low would your score be if you were putting for birdie 75% of the time during your round of golf. That means that on 14 holes you are putting to lower your overall score to par! I would take that every round. There are many stats in golf and one could argue that greens in regulation is not as important as say putting; however, Ernie Els proved that maybe it is.

My question to you is what is the most important stat? I would be interested to hear what you have to think!