Happy Mother’s Day

May 12, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 5 Comments

Today is a special day! This is the day that everyone should be grateful to their mother for all the wonderful things they have done for us. My mother was awesome! She was an avid golfer and picked the game up at 44 years young. She cared, loved, guided and shaped me into the person I am today. She was always my guiding light. I am truly grateful for all the wonderful things she did for me through the years.

I remember when my Mom was 67 years old. We were talking on the phone and she asked how she could lower her score and increase her distance of the tee. Both are not necessarily connected, but in this case they were. I told her she should practice her short game and putting for 20 minutes every second day. Additionally, I suggested she to go the driving range for a small bucket on opposite days and practice a long controlled swing with her driver. Additionally, I mentioned that she should stretch to be more flexible. About 5-10 minutes a day. She decided to give it a try and to no big surprise it lowered her score. Distance off the tee did not change, but she was more consistent. She passed at age 75 and was still breaking 100!

Happy Mother’s Day to all those wonderful moms. Today is your special day; may it be filled of love, joy, and happiness!

Grateful to be Golfing

May 8, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Well, I have two games under my belt and each time I played my game was a bit better. The first round I was lucky to finish because I was tired and not at all ready for a round of golf. But, I was grateful to be playing and I have not complaints.

The second round was more interesting. Each hole was an adventure. I would drive well and chip like a clown. I would chip well and putt like a wimp! I would putt well….actually I putted terrible because I 3-putted 7 greens. I am not really disappointed though because this is exactly how every year starts. On a side note, I shot 80 on the second round….44 – 36.

Regardless of the score, these are the things I am grateful for:

Playing in the beautiful sun.
Putting for eagle….and no I did not leave it short!
Two birdies in on the back nine.
Hitting four greens in a row in regulation.
Playing with two of my very good friends.
Laughing, smiling, and joking around for 4 hours.

I am off to play golf tomorrow with three of my friends. It is going to be fun and a little sad. One of my friends is retiring from the military and starting a new chapter in his life. We only have a short time left to play as much golf as possible. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

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

How High Do You Tee Your Ball?

September 9, 2012June 20, 2018 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

http://i.cdn.turner.com/dr/golf/www/release/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_med_image/article_images/CSmomentofimpact_299_1.jpg

Image from Sports Illustrated Golf.com

I have played with the concept to how high to tee my ball for years. I have a tendency to tee the ball low with fairly good results. This year, however, I struggled to get any real distance off the tee. It appears that I have lost 20 yards with my driver and it has caused me some challenges on the long courses. Of course, this is not something that any of us can afford. So I decided to do a little research and this is what I found.

Sports Illustrated Golf.com conducted an outstanding experiment on how high to tee your ball. It is a quick read and everyone should take a look. It gives advice on using an iron or hybrid. Quoted from SI Golf.com: “Within each of the three handicap levels, carry distance for mid- and high-tee heights was significantly longer than the low-tee height, largely an effect of the higher tees promoting higher launch angles and less spin. The high tee height provided the most distance, giving the players an average of 12 yards more carry per drive than the low tee height.” Overall, I would rate this article a 10.

Videojug has a video Golf: How High To Tee Up With Different Clubs that gives an excellent visual overview of where to tee the ball and why. It supports the Sports Illustrated article.

Brent Kelly at About.com Golf says the same as the others, but at a different location. Most agree that teeing the ball high will increase your distance.

Well, I am off to the range. I have never teed the ball up that high. I have always placed my tee low to medium. I guess it is never too late to teach and old dog new tricks! I will practice this new revelation and get back with the results!

How high do you tee the ball?

Hitting the Fairway

July 7, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Golfing is an interesting sport! Everyone has the ability to play the game and although only a few reach the elite level. One of the basic aspects of the game that leads to great scoring is hitting the fairway off the tee.

Today I played with my usual partner who is on the verge of breaking 90 all the time! Through our discussions we determined that the only real difference in our games is that I hit the fairway 8 times out of 10. He unfortunately does not. Thinking more about our conversation, I realized that hitting the fairway is the first step to scoring well.

So the real question is how do I improve my fairway percentage? Interestingly, it has to do with club selection. For example, on short 350 yard par 4, instead of hitting a driver, I suggest that you use your 3 or 5 wood or even your 3 iron. Generally, golfers are more accurate with these clubs and you will only be 10 to 20 yards shorter than normal. The real benefit is your next shot. It is from the short grass and without having to go around a tree. Another example is a 525 yard par 5. Use your 3 or 5 wood twice and your third shot at the green will be within 100 yards and again from the short grass!

So next time you are on the tee, think if the driver is the best club. Try something new, maybe you will find a better way to manage the course. Enjoy the weekend and I hope to see you on the links! I am a grateful golfer.