An Unexpected Surprise on the Golf Course

September 9, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Yesterday, I was in Kingston, Nova Scotia, Canada, as part of my vacation. During our trip down memory lane, I took the opportunity to visit Paragon Golf and Country Club. This track has a special place in my heart because it was the home course of my Mom. She passed a few years ago, but my memory of playing golf with her is still very fresh! When my Mom passed, the family decided to donate a bench in her memory. So I thought I would take a picture while I was there.

When I arrived, I quickly popped into the Pro Shop and asked if I could head out and take some pictures of the course and the bench. Unexpectedly, but not being surprised at the Nova Scotia hospitality, Barb gave me a key to a cart and said to take my time. I will be posting the pictures and providing a review of this gem at a later date.

While cruising around the course, I happened across two older ladies enjoying their round. I patiently drove up behind them and asked if I could pass by because I was just taking some pictures. While starting to pass, Sue and Joan asked where I was from and the conversation started.

We stopped at the 14th tee (which is where my Mom’s bench was) and started to chat. These elderly ladies actually knew my Mom and played many rounds of golf with her. We talked for about 5 minutes and I explained that I was taking pictures for my blog and that I was on vacation. They asked when was the last time I played and I said about 3 weeks ago.

Suddenly, Joan asked if I wanted to hit a couple of balls off the tee. Never one to pass up the chance to hit golf balls, I happily agreed. First, both Sue and Joan split the middle of the fairway with their drives; so the pressure was on for me to do the same. Joan offered her driver and a couple of old balls and to the tee box I went.

Surprisingly, I crushed both balls down the middle of the fairway. During my swing, I slowed my tempo down considerably because the club had a very flexible shaft. After making solid contact, I was very pleased with the results. Picking up the tee, both ladies suggested they would use the balls I hit and laughed. After returning Joan’s club, the ladies waved good-bye as they drove off.

Meeting these ladies was a chance encounter that brightened my day. Both were fantastic to talk to and I was grateful for how positively they talked about my Mom. Thanks Sue and Joan for making this year’s trip to Paragon a memorable one.

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

Your Go To Shot in Golf

September 7, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 18 Comments

Keeping my head still through the entire swing!

My ‘go to’ 7-iron from 150 yards!

As I watch and read of the woes of Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods, I empathize as they slash their way around the golf course. For me, it appears as if they have lost their “Je ne sais quoi” that makes them great players! It does not mean that they will never play great again, but for the time being they are struggling and it is tough to watch.

As they river of advice over loads their ability to process the information, it is sometimes difficult to break from the current of poor play. But, as all great golfers do from time to time, they will work on their game and eventually return to their former form.

For most weekend duffers, we do not have the luxury to spend the hours needed to fix all the hitches, clicks or alignment issues we face every time we tee it up. Most of us have accepted this reality and play within our fluid expectations.

To rectify our poor play on the links, most of us have a ‘go to’ shot that helps right our failing game. You know, your favorite club, distance or situation in which you do not think, worry, or adjust….your body and mind just knows how to execute without thinking. Generally, after successfully competing your ‘go to’ shot, you are back on track and your game is back to normalish.

For me, I have two ‘go to’ shots. The first and my most favorite is a 7-iron from 150 yards. It is the perfect distance for a smooth swing that does not require ‘anything’ to be completed with success. I aim for the middle of the green, let my mind to blank, and my body takes over. I focus on remembering how this swing feels and my game seems to correct itself.

My second ‘go to’ shot is my 3-wood. This appears to be an odd selection, but due to my style of game (shorter than most at my handicap) I hit more 3-woods than my playing partners. When I hit my 3-wood flush, I actually feel nothing off the head of the club. My follow through is high and my weight distribution works perfectly. I also focus on the feel and I am able to transfer it to my other clubs.

Either one of these ‘go to’ shots helps to quickly fix my ailing game. I also use these comfort shots on the range before I play to establish my groove. So, when my game is ailing, I revert back to my basics and try to focus on the feel of these two shots and it generally helps improve my game.

Do you have any ‘go to’ shots? If so, how do they help?

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

Crowbush Golf Course – PEI

September 5, 2015September 5, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

Yesterday, I read an article from Mike at 36aday called My PEI Golf Course Rankings – Before and After. He talked about how he is knocking off 10 PEI courses in a week. Currently, I am on vacation in PEI and today I had the opportunity to stop at The Links at Crowbush Cove to take a few pictures. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to play this fantastic course, but I thought I would share the few pictures I could take in the 5 minutes I was there.

Mike, these are for you!

The Gates to Crowbush!

Off the first tee!

Either 9 or 18 green at the Pro Shop.

Par 3 near the Pro Shop.

The 14th green and fairway.

15th tee box!

The practice area!

This is all I could get in such a short visit and I hope you like them. If you ever have the opportunity to play Crowbush, I would recommend it. In the mean time, we will anxiously wait for Mike to post his review of this great course.

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

Stop The Madness! Golf’s Top Golfer

September 2, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

It never ceases to amaze me on how quickly the media changes it spots. The golfing world is a buzz about the recent play of Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy! The Barclay’s seems to have turn the golfing world upside down, at least to the media, and the number one player in the world is, well, playing second fiddle.

Personally, I do not pay much attention to the world golfing rankings because I believe it is a flawed system that allows player’s past performance from two years ago to weather months of bad play and remain at the top of the golfing world. But, the recent musings of the media have prompted my current article because it is utter madness!

Jason Day’s play of late has been spectacular. Anytime a player wins back to back is something to be lauded. He is a force to be contended with and I wish him continued success. However, a four weeks of outstanding play does not really vault him to the top of the golfing world! If he continues to perform at his current level, discussions about being the best might be warranted, but it is way to soon to tell.

The flip-flop as the world’s number one ranked golfer between Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth is definitely spot on. Before I go on, I do not support Jordan Spieth losing his number one status when McIlroy did not play in the Barclay’s…I am just saying. Anyway, back on track. At this time, Rory and Jordan are the two best golfers in the world. They continue to share the spotlight and will likely jockey back and forth as the best for quite some time.

However, I want to be clear that I believe Jordan Spieth is the best golfer in the world right now. In 2015, he has two wins, a 2nd and a 4th place finishes in the Majors. He record this year is 4 wins, 4 second, 1 third and 14 top ten finishes in 22 events. Because he missed the cut at the Barclay’s does not mean he is any less a player!

Rory McIlroy and Jason Day had comparable seasons, but the 2 Majors are just to hard to discount! Many might disagree with my assessment, but Spieth is just too dominant.

This weekend should be interesting. All three giants are in the field and it will be interesting to see how they react. With Day, Spieth and Watson in the same pairing, this group will garner most of the attention for the first two days. This might work well in McIlroy’s favour, but only time will tell.

Well that is my diatribe on the media hype over the past week. What do you think? Am I crazy?