Happy Mother’s Day

May 8, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to all the special people who make our lives awesome! My Mom passed four years ago, but I think of her every day and thank my lucky stars that she guided me through my life. She was a loving, good-humoured, and strong woman who always knew exactly what to say and at the right time. She was a great influence in my life and I love her dearly!

My Mom was also known for her insatiable desire to become a better golfer. In 2013, 2014, and 2015, I talked about some unique golfing stories that were dear to my heart and this year will be no different! Continue reading →

What To Write About in Golf

March 26, 2016March 25, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / 18 Comments

A good theme to write about?

What to write about everyday is a bit challenging some times. The topics generally pop into my head and I decide to put words to paper. I enjoy writing about golf and has become a passion of mine. However, some days I wonder if the topics I choose are hitting the mark.

Many of The Grateful Golfer readers are writers themselves and they understand my dilemma. Those who just enjoy reading, can likely associate my musing with something they have a passion for. Determining what to write about everyday is a challenge. Continue reading →

Slow Play Costs Jordan Spieth

January 21, 2016 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Slow Play! No Way!

As one of my must read golf blogs, White Dragon Golf, by Pete Robbins, hammered home a misunderstood point about a contentious topic: Slow Play! This what Pete wrote:

World #1 Jordan Spieth received a slow play penalty at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships.

Jordan reported that he had no idea why he got the penalty in the first place, he said it was a surprise to his playing partners Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler as well. The official ruling was that he took too long over a putt, while already being on the clock.;

“It didn’t make any sense to me”

“It didn’t affect the round, but Rory and Rickie were surprised as well.”

Under the European Tours slow play policy, two monitoring penalties will result in a fine, of about $2,800.

Rory commented;

“It was a bit of a weird one.”

“Sometimes the refs have to use common sense. With the time we’re allowed if you take an extra look at a putt you’re over the time.”

“But if we’re in position relative to the group ahead there’s no reason to time us.”

So I guess walking around to check all angles of a putt is verboten on the Euro Tour, you just have to stand up and hit it. Officialdom gone mad, if you want to watch the best golf in the world, let the players take some time over a putt. There are too many rules already.

Everyone plays to quick!

As you can see, Spieth’s playing partners were flabbergasted by the call and wondered why the penalty was assessed. The apparently were keeping pace with the group in front of them, and they were not holding anyone up! Thus, is this really slow play.

According to Pete, Spieth took too long over his putt. He had already been warned, thus the reason for the penalty. However, does this really constitute slow play when you are keeping pace with the group in front?

Personally, if a group is keeping pace, it is impossible to call someone for slow play! A player might take a bit longer putting or aligning a shot, but as long as it does not jamb you for time on your shots or cause the group to fall behind, slow play cannot be called. I am not sure what the referees were thinking, but I am sure more of the story will unfold over the next few days!

What do you think? Should Jordan Spieth have been called for slow play?

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

New Golf Rules for 2016

November 13, 2015November 12, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

2012 CN Future Links Western - Golf Canada The rules of golf continue to evolve. The R&A, USGA and RCGA are constantly trying to improve golf by modifying, changing and adding rules in a 4 year cycle. As 2016 approaches, 4 major rule changes will add some common sense to golf and I think will reduce some of the frustration experienced by all golfers, at every level.

Thanks to Golf Canada for the below information. It was copied word for word from their website because trying to paraphrase the information would not be advantageous to anyone. Additionally, if you check the above link, there is video explaining each rule below.

Among the most significant of the changes in the 2016 edition of the Rules are the following:

Withdrawal of Rule on Ball Moving After Address – Rule 18-2b (Ball at Rest Moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment) has been withdrawn. This means that if a ball at rest moves after the player addresses it, the player is no longer automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move. A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will be applied only when the facts show that the player has caused the ball to move.
Limited Exception to Disqualification Penalty for Submission of Incorrect Score Card – A new exception has been introduced to Rule 6-6d (Wrong Score for Hole) to provide that a player is not disqualified for returning a lower score for a hole than actually taken as a result of failing to include penalty strokes that the player did not know were incurred before returning the score card. Instead, the player incurs the penalty under the Rule that was breached and must add an additional penalty of two strokes for the score card error. In all other cases in which a player returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, the penalty will continue to be disqualification.
Modification of Penalty for a Single Impermissible Use of Artificial Devices or Equipment – The penalty for a player’s first breach of Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Abnormal Use of Equipment) during the round has been reduced from disqualification to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 will continue to be disqualification.
Prohibition on Anchoring the Club While Making a Stroke – As announced in May 2013, the new Rule 14-1b (Anchoring the Club) prohibits anchoring the club either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point” in making a stroke. The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.

There are many more rule changes that I will address in the upcoming months, but for now, these 4 rules make the top of my list. I am grateful for Golf Canada’s efforts to explain the rules of golf in terms everyone can understand.

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

Golf Tip – Marking Your Ball on the Green

October 8, 2015October 7, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Marking your ball on the green is as important as making coffee in the morning! There is a procedure to each that if performed properly can have a positive impact on your day. For most of us, marking your ball is a routine action that we give very little thought to when playing.

Here is all the basic details on how and why marking your ball is important:

As I reviewed the video, I was surprised by the first statement about one ball striking another on the green. So I checked the rules and this is what I found:

Rule 19-5a. If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by a ball in play and at rest, the player must play his ball as it lies. In match play, there is no penalty. In stroke play, there is no penalty, unless both balls lay on the putting green prior to the stroke, in which case the player incurs a penalty of two strokes.

I did not know this rule! During a competition I always mark my ball, so this rule would never apply. However, during our weekly matches we often leave our ball unmarked while one of us is putting. Well, I will stop that practice immediately.

On a side note, I always thank the player for moving his marker. It is my way of reminding the player to move it back. I realize that it could be construed as aiding another player, but I guess in the big scheme of things, I would rather win by shooting a lower score, not by the player incurring a needless penalty!

I am grateful golfer! See you on the links!