2014 Golf Season is Over

September 29, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

The 2014 golf season is over! The Ryder Cup was the pinnacle event that capped of a very interesting golf year. In future articles I will talk about the goods, the bads and the uglys of the golf season. But for now, we go into hibernation waiting for the 2014-2015 to start!

But wait, the 2014-2015 golf season starts in only 2 weeks! Thank goodness we do not have to wait too long! The 2014 Ryder Cup extended the professional golf season by 2 weeks, so that means we will have our golfing fix sooner than expected. For that, I am grateful.

Here is the schedule for the first seven events of the 2014-15 PGA TOUR season.

FRYS.COM OPEN
Date: Oct. 6-12, 2014 | Location: Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course) | Napa, Calif.
FedExCup points: 500 | Purse: $5,000,000 ($900,000 to winner)
Website: frysopengolf.com

SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN
Date: Oct. 13-19, 2014 | Location: TPC Summerlin | Las Vegas, Nev.
FedExCup points: 500 | Purse: $6,000,000 ($1,080,000 to winner)
Website: shrinershospitalsopen.com

THE McGLADREY CLASSIC
Date: Oct. 20-26, 2014 | Location: Seaside Course | Sea Island, Ga.
FedExCup points: 500 | Purse: $5,500,000 ($990,000 to winner)
Website: mcgladreyclassic.com

CIMB CLASSIC
Date: Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2014 | Location: Kuala Lumpur Golf & CC | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
FedExCup points: 500 | Purse: $7,000,000 ($1,260,000 to winner)
Website: cimbclassic.com

WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS – HSBC CHAMPIONS
Date: Nov. 3-9, 2014 | Location: Sheshan International Golf Club | Shanghai, China
FedExCup points: 550 | Purse: $8,500,000 ($1,400,000 to winner)
Website: HSBCgolf.com

SANDERSON FARMS CHAMPIONSHIP
Date: Nov. 3-9, 2014 | Location: Country Club of Jackson | Jackson, Miss.
Website: sandersonfarmschampionship.com

OHL CLASSIC AT MAYAKOBA
Date: Nov. 10-16, 2014 | Location: El Camaleon | Playa del Carmen, Mexico
FedExCup points: 500 | Purse: $6,000,000 ($1,080,000 to winner)
Website: ohlclassic.com

It is unlikely that any of the big names will be playing in the first few tournaments. The Ryder Cup cut into their down time and they will need some time to recharge their batteries. The absence of the top golfers will present an awesome opportunity for journeyman to start quick and, like Jimmy Walker, ride their early successes into a top position in the FedEx standings.

What are you going to do during the 2-week layoff as we wait for the 2014 – 2015 PGA Tour Season to start?

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

Setting Goals for 2014

April 25, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

As in previous years, I set goals at the beginning of my golf season. I find that by setting goals, it keeps me focused throughout the entire season. Sometimes, I achieved all may goals and more, others….not so much! I am always excited about each new season because of the fantastic opportunities improves my game it offers.

Today, I hit the range and putting green. I had no expectations and no real plan. It felt fantastic to be be playing again. Normally, I have a plan on the range, but being the first time this year I just wanted to hit balls. I was quite surprise at how well I struck the ball, but I am sure it was beginners luck! A quick note to my buddy in the UK, I still want two strokes aside!

2014 golf season is upon us and it is time to make goals. Experience tells me that reaching for the stars is great for my ego, but not necessarily for my game. So as I progress, I need to build a plan and set goals to achieve my dream of being a scratch golfer. Setting goals in golf is important for players serious about lowering their score.

Previously, I came up with following to prepare me for the season:

get fit – focus on exercises designed to improve my golf game;
research – the drills and techniques required to improve my game;
practice – dedicate time to practice to improve my game; and
compete – either formally or informally compete every time I hit the links.

It is fair to say that I have successfully accomplished the first two goals. I have remained fit and completed my research on different drills to help improve my game. So now it is on to phase three – practice.

My practice focus will start from the green out. Putting is critical to lower scores. Grooving my putting stroke early will help save strokes in the long run. Next, will be chipping from the fringe and moving further from the green. I will be using the 3-6-9 drill to simulate playing on the course because it will help hone my short game.

I am not ready to compete. Having swung the club for the firs time today, competing would be stretching even my expectations.

Setting goals is a helpful way to improve anyone’s golf game. This year will be a special year because of my goal to be a scratch golfer. The plan is in place and my desire is strong…I am ready to succeed!

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

Golf Season is Here!

April 25, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

After a long seven months golf season officially starts tomorrow. Only 10 days off of my prediction of 15 April. The weather is fantastic (interestingly, the forecast is for light rain later in the day but it is the first day of golf so I am ignoring the forecast) and I am prepared to another awesome season on the links.

It is unlikely that I will actually play any holes because of work, but it is best to practice a bit before I try anything crazy. Besides, each year I set a bronze, silver and gold goal for my first round. If you have not figured it out, bronze = break 100; silver = break 90; gold = break 80. Normally, I achieve my silver goal, but have won the gold goal a couple of times.

Tomorrow at the course, I will gently hit balls on the range, chip for a few minutes and putt for a few minutes. My past experiences tells me to ease into the golf season to prevent early injuries. My plan for this golf season is a crawl, walk, run approach. By starting of slow and easy, I will build on success, thereby enjoying my golf season longer.

So my car is packed (not to be unpacked until October unless absolutely necessary) and ready to go. I have my clubs, two pairs of shoes, rain gear, umbrella, balls, a couple of hats and practice sticks. Now all I need to do his finish work and head to the course. Today is an exciting day and golf season has officially started!

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

AW Come On!

April 25, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

It is 26 April and we woke up to this – SNOW!!!! Normally, I am pretty upbeat but really, come on, when is going to end! Well actually, it is over. The weather is shifting and we will be hitting double-digit highs next week. It really is about time!

This is most difficult time of the year for golfers. We wait patiently for spring and every day like today is another body blow. However, we are tough and we will take it without fear because we know the warm weather is around the corner.

I have heard the rumors and stories of when the courses in the area are going to open and I can hardly wait. I am very confident the driving ranges will be open next week and golf season will officially begin. So goodbye snow and move over for the warm sunshine of spring.

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