fun

When Your Game Goes South!

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Making a DivotWell today was another interesting challenge on the links.  I started with 5 bogeys on the first 6 holes.  And I THREE PUTTED 4 times!  OUCH!  I was confused, frightened (ok not really), annoyed, and well confused again.  I started to press my game to get back a stroke or two before the end of the front nine.  Although the score did not show it, I struggled for the next 5 holes.

Now what?  I remembered an article I read a long time ago that related perfectly to my current situation.  Instead of pressing; the article say to throttle back a bit.  Hit the ball at 90% instead of 105%.  Guess what, it worked.  I regained my calm, struck the ball better and putted better.  I finished 7 over and felt better at the end.  I am a grateful golfer.

So my question is – what do you do regain your game when it seems to have gone south?

Practice Makes Perfect!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

How many times a week do you practice?  To develop muscle memory one must repeat the same movement over a long period of time.  I was at the range today practicing and realized that I have hit my 7 iron at least 1000 times in my 35 years of golf.  That goes the same for my driver and three wood.  Less for my long irons.  Here I was practicing with a large bucket and enjoying every stroke.  I would try a couple of things, but mostly my swing is grooved and I hit it pretty straight.  I follow the same routine, set up, grip, stance and stroke.  As a result, my score is within a couple of strokes 95% of the time.

As I came to the bottom of my bucket, I was still wondering how I can consistently lower my score.  I thought of my best rounds (I have had 3 under-par) and wondered what was the reason for these special times.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks – chipping and putting.  I have hit chipped and putted twice as much as my next club.  So why am I spending 40 minutes hitting balls and only 20 minutes chipping and putting.  Actually I should – and will – reverse this time.

Golf Link has a 5 step way to lower your score.  Its first step is to practice your short game.  I second that!  The next four steps are also excellent ways to become the golfer you want to be.

Spending more time chipping and putting will definitely lower your score.  See you on the links!

Staying Focused for 18 Holes

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Today started out normal.  Up at 5 am, out the door by 5:15 am, grab a coffee at Tim Horton’s and off to the course 22 minutes away (yes I have it timed, I know, but I need it for planning purposes).  When I arrived, I met Bill.  He is visiting family in the area and wanted to get a quick round in before his kids woke up.

During the front nine, Bill and I made small talk; slowing getting to know each other.  But mainly we focused on our game.  At the end of nine, I was 1 over and I think Bill was 4 over.  We were both very happy with our scores.  Now the fun begins.

During the back nine, Bill and I started to talk more about or families, jobs, hobbies, etc.  Well a funny thing happened!  As we talked more, we focused less on our game – then it happened; 6 bogeys in a row! I cannot remember the last time I had 3 bogeys in a row!  And here the lesson to myself for the day.

It is very important to stay focused for the entire 18 holes.  It really makes a difference.  I know many of us have our group of friends who we play with on a regular basis and generally they have been our friends for a long time.  It is easy to get caught up in conversations not related to the game at hand.  That is when goofy shots creep in.  So if you want to lower your score, try staying focused for the entire round, chances are that you will shave off a couple of strokes.

Ultimately my 77 today was a minor thing.  The best part is I met someone new (golf is a social game) and learned a few things along the way.  I am a grateful golfer.

Dodging Sprinklers

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

I am an early bird player.  I enjoy teeing off at 6 am and finishing around 8 am.  When you are the only one on the course or you have a friend playing with you, getting around the course in record time is quite easy.  However, playing early does have some interesting hazards that most players do not encounter later in the day.

First, the dew on the green.  I slows the ball and does not allow for much action on an approach shot.  Fog – well in the summer fog is more of an issue than most people think.  Although it burns off by the end of the front nine, it can pose a challenge.  Sprinklers – well I guess having a minor shower as you play could be considered a perk, however moving around to miss the spray or rushing your shot can definitely add strokes.  Lastly, the green’s keepers.  They are usually out in full force trying to prepare the course for the days activities and dodging balls from half asleep golfers is probably not part of their job description.

There are many pluses for playing early.  After my round, I spend the entire day with my family.  It is usually quiet and refreshing on the course.  I see lots of wildlife like deer, foxes, rabbits and the odd snake.  The sun rising over the trees is especially picturesque.  It is very tranquil and provides me with a positive environment to enjoy each moment.

Playing early in the morning is one of my favorite times to play.  I allows me to clear my mind of useless clutter and reminds me of how grateful I am to play this wonderful game.  I am a grateful golfer!

Shooting 77

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

I played on the weekend with my friend and his son.  We always have a great time and this weekend was no different.  On Saturday, however, my friend had an even better time than normal.  He broke 80 for the first time.  As many of you know, this is a huge milestone.  To boot, he won our match by 5 strokes (I give him 5 strokes aside).

It was great to see his face and the big smile he had.  One would think he won the US Open.  In a small way, he did.

To make the day even more special, his young son broke 90 for the first time.  He shot 84. I do not know if it was the water, weather or just the company.  He was happier than his father.  He also beat me by six strokes (I give him 9 aside).  Overall it was a fantastic time and everyone was happy to have played together again.

We were all grateful golfers!