fairway

Hitting Your Driver Off the Deck!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 12 Comments

Hitting a driver off the fairway is a very difficult shot. Over the years, I tried it with little success. I find it very difficult to hit the ball cleanly anywhere than the bottom of the club face. But, I am told that it is an amazing shot if you can pull it off. I came across Colin Montgomerie’s legendary shot from 23 years ago at the Dubai Classic. It really was a fantastic to watch!

You can see from the video that it is a difficult shot and not everyone could have pulled it off. It is more difficult than it looks.

There is one thing I noticed that actually changes the dynamics of hitting a driver off the deck. Going back 23 years, the profile of the driver they hit was significantly lower that the ones we have today. In those days, I played a 10 degree Callaway Warbird whose profile is not much bigger than my three wood I regularly use. Thus, I can see how hitting a driver off the deck back then would be easier than now.

Apparently, hitting the driver off the deck is not as uncommon as I thought. The benefit of using this club is distance, but I am not sure that it is that great of an advantage comparing my driver and three wood distances. It is not something I have really practiced.

However, if you are curious about hitting your driver off the deck, here is how:

I am not sure I want to scuff up my new Callaway Rogue driver by hitting it off the grass. I am also not sure that the margin for error versus distance is worth using my driver in the fairway.

Update 05 March 2019 – I could not let this video pass of the late great Arnold Palmer. I thought it would add to the article.

What about you, do you hit your driver off the deck?

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

Sinking Your Shot From The Fairway

/ The Grateful Golfer / 11 Comments

The euphoria of sinking a shot from the fairway is difficult to describe. The anticipation as the ball flies towards the target with a chance of going in the hole is awesome. Interestingly, before contact, I think every one of my shots is going in the hole, however it rarely happens. I hit the flag at least 3 or 4 times a year, but I rarely hit my ball in the hole outside of 20 yards. But apparently, others have had greater success. Continue reading →

Caring For Your Golf Course

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Many of you lucky golfers are joyfully swinging away at your favorite course. Some of you are a bit rusty, but the joy of playing eclipses any self doubts.  Unfortunately, this rust may pose a potential risk to the health of the tee boxes, fairways, and greens.  As the season is early for us northerners, it is important to remember that caring for your beloved playing field is so very important.

Tee box SandTee Boxes. Many players have a misconception about tee boxes. They may not understand that care of the tee box is as important as the green or fairway. Most players do not try to take divots on the tee box unless they are using an iron. Regardless of where, it is important of replace your divots or fill the hole with a sand/dirt/seed mix.  The familiar green box on the teeing area is usually a great sign that the superintendent wants us to fill the hole. It is really very easy; grab the scoop and fill the hole so it is slightly higher than the ground; then smooth.  The little extra mix will make sure that the hole remains filled after it settles from the rain or watering. Tee boxes are important to every golf course – the better we take care of them, the better we enjoy the game.

ball in divotFairways. Care and maintenance of a fairway is a no brainer. Every golfer has heard, seen, or understands that replacing their divots is important.  Normally, there are signs all over the golf course.  However, some course superintendents would rather players put a sand/soil/seed mix in the hole because it helps promote grass growth. Not fixing your divots can have a negative impact on your game!

golf-ball-markGreens. Fixing ball marks on the green are a pet peeve of mine. How many times have we walked to the green to realize that most of the players at your course have bad backs.  You know this because of the multiple unfixed ball marks on the green. The green is the most delicate part of the course and extra care is required! In case you do not remember how to fix divots, check out the above image!

With the golfing season upon us I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. However, I must remember that to fully enjoy the season, it is important to look after the course from the beginning.

As a golfing fanatics, it is our duty to lead by example!

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