What is Your Favorite Club

April 2, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

What is your favorite club? You know, that one club that no matter where the ball lies, no matter what is between the ball and the hole or which way the wind is blowing you are almost assured of a great shot. Everyone has one, but which is yours?

It is important to have an answer to this question. It is definitely a shot saver! The old adage of “take your medicine” when you play a poor shot is really important. Because most often you will use your favorite club to get you out of trouble. Playing many rounds of golf each year, I have found that using my favorite shot to set up my next shot or putt is vital to my success.

In my case, it is my Cleveland Launcher 7-iron. I am so confident from 150 yards with this club, that no matter where my ball lies, I can manufacture a shot. I feel I can hood it, punch it, chip it, loft it, or just nuke it with a high degree of success. It really is my favorite club.

I remember breaking 70 last year at my home course where my 7-iron saved my bacon. I was on the 9th hole and hit my ball directly behind a huge tree (that is in the middle of the fairway, but that is another discussion) 150 yards from the green At that time, I was 1 under and feeling great about my round. Unfortunately, I could not go over the tree, so I decided to go around it. I hooded my 7-iron; played a low sweeping hook around the tree and rolled the ball on to the middle of the elevated green like it was nothing. I was so confident that I could make this shot with my 7-iron I did not even hesitate. As a result, I finished 1 under for the front and 1 under for the back (par 71 course). It was my second best round of the year…..thank you 7-iron!

Through the years, I have played Nike, Ping, Wilson, and Spalding clubs, and regardless of the brand my 7-iron has always been my favorite club.

Everyone has a favorite club….which is yours?

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

To Tee or Not to Tee

March 6, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Every year I receive golf tees as a stocking stuffer. It is one of those gifts that I love because I always need them. As I continue to get my equipment ready for summer, I realized that I have three different lengths of tees. Not that really bothers me, but I actually wondered if it really makes a difference.

At ehow.com, they explain how to pick a length of tee. They focus on the size of the club being used and the size of the club. They suggest:

2 1/8″ tees are used for your irons, hybrid clubs, and low profile woods.
2 3/4″ tees are used for drivers under 360cc.
3 1/4″ tees are used for drivers over 360cc.
4″ tees are the longest tees allowed in play, they will give you the maximum impact angle while driving.

Sandtrap.com conducted a poll on the length of tee used by golfers. 2 3/4 inch was first with 44% of the vote and 3 1/4 inch was second with 34% of the vote. I would suggest that the longer tees are used more because of the increase in driver size over the past 10 years.

This is all very interesting. The length of tee is important, but there are no real rules. I believe that the 4 inch tee may not be the length of choice because of how high the ball would sit, but again I have never tried it.

For my driver, I use a 2 3/4 inch tee. For my irons, hybrids or 3 wood, I use broken tees. I collect them around the course and use them all the time. Rarely will I use a new tee. I have tried just about every design and style of tee. I always go back the standard old fashion tee. Seems to work best for me.

Overall, it really does not matter. What does matter is that the length of tee is right for you. Experiment and try different lengths. Let me know how you made out.

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

Golfers and Their Toys!

January 8, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

This is my 100 Post. Thanks for reading.

Golfers love to talk about their clubs and equipment. I believe the most interesting pastime for Canadian golfers in the month of January is talking about the new stuff they received for Christmas.

Between Christmas and New Years, a friend and I went to Golf Town on our yearly pilgrimage. While in Golf Town, I bought a Callaway Razr Fit drive and 3 wood. It was a deal I could not pass up. My friend bought a PING cart bag and four-wheeled push cart. We were very happy with our purchases and are anxiously waiting for spring to try them out.

Today in the gym, another golfing friend asked me about my new “weapons”. I never told him about my purchase, but through our conversation I found out that my friend had told him. We excitedly talked about our purchases after he told me about his great deal on shoes.

Another time while waiting for a meeting to start, I had time to discuss my Golf Town trip with usual playing partner. He was unable go with us and I as I went through all the details he expressed joy for our success and disappointment he missed a trip to the golf store. We agreed to make a trip in the next month or so in search of some more deals.

I could go on and on, however I believe you get the picture. We Canadian Golfers love to tell stories during the winter months. We dream about the good times to come and the excitement of hitting the links for the first time. The more I think about it, the more grateful I am to be a golfer. Life is fantastic!

Do you have an stories to share about your recent golf purchases?

The Fall Blues

November 18, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

It is cold and the courses have been closed for at least 3 weeks. Northern Canada is beautiful, spacious, and has a short golf season. So what to do in the fall to keep my spirits up and reduce the anxiety of not hitting the links.

The thing I like to do at this time of year is look at the new technology from last year. I never rush to try any new club, bag, or miscellaneous equipment. I research, ponder, check reviews and watch for sales. I also prepare for the big Christmas sales.

I do not mean the Christmas sales before the big day, I mean the sales between Christmas and New Years. That is when most places want to clear out inventory and make room for next years kit. With a pocket full of money (well not really) I hit the stores to save money and buy new equipment for next year.

I know it does not sound like fun, but it helps pass the time until the courses open in April. What do you do to pass away the time during the off-season?

Buying New Equipment

November 10, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

My New Golf Bag!

Buying new golf equipment is very difficult depending on where you live, what you want, the quality of equipment required, and the amount of money you want to spend. You will notice I said want vice need. Most of the time, we golfers want to change instead of need to change our equipment, but that is a discussion for another day.

Most golfers are very particular on what type of equipment they want to buy. Should you purchase a R11, volkey wedges, ping putter, callaway iron, foot joy shoes….it goes on and on. I understand the desire to have very good equipment and for the most part follow the same practice as most golfers. Overall many of the decisions are made based on what is perceived as a positive step towards improving our game.

Here are a couple of tips that may help….well actually only one tip….never, never, never, pay full price! I know, it sounds difficult, but actually, with very little effort this can be achieved. So here is my strategy.

Step 1: Figure out what you want/need. In this case I have looked for a new carry bay since the beginning of the season.

Step 2: Research, research, and research. I read the hype of manufactures to see what they say, however I actually pay attention to the consumer reviews. This is the most important piece of information you will find. People are more than willing to tell you what they think.

Step 3: Wait for it to come on sale. Check Ebay. Check Kijiji. Check Golftown (or other large franchise stores), check the local pro shop (you would be surprised).

Step 4: If possible haggle over the price. The local pro shop will lower their price if you make them a reasonable deal.

Step 5: Purchase the piece of equipment. In my case, I was very happy with my recent purchase. I went into Golf Town yesterday. They were having a demo sale for clubs. Also, they had 10 carry bags hidden in the back. I pick up my back for 60% off. I was very happy.

Step 6: Probably the most important step – be happy with your purchase. This is very important!

My process of purchasing golf equipment ensures that you end up with what you want. It saves money and reduces impulse buying! I realize it may not be the best way, but it has saved me money over the years and enabled me to purchase move of the things I need! I am a grateful golfer.

Do you have any special tricks to save money buying clubs?