fun

Monkey Golf

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

If you want to have some fun with a group of players, try Monkey Golf.  I am not sure what the rest of the world calls it, but it is a fun game to improve your game, challenge the way you look at a course, and forces you to be creative.

Here’s how you play.  Grab three clubs.  Yes, only three clubs.  For the course I play, I would choose my three hybrid, 8 iron and putter.  Then off you go.  Play your round.  I will bet your score will be the same, if not lower, than what you normally shoot.  You have to concentrate more, think of better ways to play the course (instead of just bashing you way around with the same clubs all the time), and encourages a Seve way of golf.

If you have never played before Monkey Golf; try it; you will be pleasantly surprised!  Having fun on the links is what golf is all about.  I am a grateful golfer!

Playing in a Scramble Tournament

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments
The Boys at Voyageur Days Golf Tournament

The Boys at Voyageur Days Golf Tournament

Playing in a four man scramble is loads of fun.  It is even more gratifying when you play with family.  The annual Voyageur Days golf tournament is something my brothers-in-law look forward to every year.  This year, we indoctrinated our nephew to make complete our team.  We have finished in the top three every year and have won the tournament twice.  This year we finished tied for 5th with a 7 under 67.  More importantly, the weather was fantastic, company outstanding, and laughs galore!

As in past years, this tournament was held at Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort.  It is a par 74, nine-hole course that offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone to enjoy a round of golf.  Mike and Brenda Martel create a fun atmosphere and always exceed our expectations.  If you are in the area, it would be worth the stop to play a round or enjoy a great meal at the club house.  We had a fantastic time and I am a grateful golfer!

However, there is a strategy to playing in a scramble tournament.  Over the years, I like to have our team set up with the more experienced players going last.  It helps out in many ways.  First, it allows the more novice players to participate all the time.  Their job is to get the ball in play.  Each player is to try to hit the ball further, still in play.  This allows for the more experience players to attempt shots that they would not normally try; like hitting the ball harder, cutting the corner, and being ultra-aggressive going for the pin.  This strategy has me well over the years and ensures everyone contributes to the team.  When putting, it allows the stronger putters to see the line a couple of times, thus increasing the changes of the ball going in the hole.

What would be your strategy for a 4 man scramble?

The Gentlemen’s Game

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Golf is the game of Kings and Gentlemen!

The game of golf is to be enjoyed by all.  However, there are some aspects of etiquette that seem to have been lost on some golfers.  Tony Carbon of Duffer’s Digest talks about players having a little etiquette while playing golf.  I totally agree with his views.

Etiquette is an integral part of golf!  The unwritten rules of replacing your divot, fixing your ball mark on the green, raking the sand trap (properly), waiting until the group in front of you is out of range, waiting for your turn to play, not talking while others are shooting and respecting the honors on the tee are all designed for you and others to enjoy their round of golf.

Most, if not all, etiquette rules are not written down.  However, they are as important as the actual rules.  Proper etiquette allows everyone to enjoy their round of golf because despite what most people think – – it is not all about them!

I hope everyone enjoys their time on the links this weekend.  I am a grateful golfer.

Playing for the Pure Enjoyment!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Today was fantastic.  I played golf for the first in 15-20 years with my Uncle and the first time with his son (my cousin).  We had a great time full of laughs and chuckles.  We did not take the game serious, we played unlimited mulligans and even a few foot wedges.  Overall, it could not have been a better day on the links.

Playing for the pure enjoyment of the company and time together is very important.  I work on my game most of the time, however sometimes it is important to just laugh, enjoy the company of your playing partners and to try shots that you may need some day.

Having fun and laughing at yourself on and off the links is key to a happy life.  And today, I am a grateful golfer!

Advice to Your Fellow Player – Good or Bad Idea?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I have played many rounds of golf with players with varying degrees of skill.  As my game has improved, so has the number of questions on how to play a particular shot or what is  wrong with my swing or what is the best equipment to buy!  Well the challenging aspect of advice is knowing the person to whom you are providing your years of wisdom.

Today I was playing with a friend of mine who is an excellent athlete.  Golf is his 4th or 5th sport.  He has the basics down and if he really devoted some time to practicing could be a single digit handicapper.  As we proceeded around the course, I watched and noticed a couple minor challenges that could be easily corrected.  Now here comes the dilemma.  Should I say something or not?

I choose to not say anything until the 15th hole when he opened the conversation to a point where injecting my observation was timely.  I explained about weight shift and keeping your weight inside your stance during the entire swing.  He gave it a try and immediately had success.  His immediate question was why did I wait so long to tell him!  I explained that there are three types of people, those who really want to know and would openly accept advice; those who ask for advice but have decided that change would be too difficult; and those who ask for advice, but really don’t want you to give it.  My experience is to wait until asked and enjoy my round of golf.

Today was fantastic on the course and I shot one of my best rounds of the year!  I was one over par and had a chance to shoot under par.  The company as fantastic, the course at Laurentide was in awesome condition, and the weather was perfect.  I am a grateful golfer.

So, is giving advice on the golf course a good idea or a bad idea?