golf

Are My Clubs In The Way?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

How many times have we heard “Are My Clubs OK?”

While golfing with our friends, most of us are lax with the rules of etiquette.  Besides, it is more fun poking fun at our friends, telling jokes, and pretending that your friend does miss that four-foot gimmie (gimmie in their eyes, even though they have not made a four-footer all day).  However, during a competition, the way we play should be different and we should be more aware of the etiquette of golf because it is important.

On particular aspect of etiquette is club location while your opponent is playing. Equipment should be out of sight, not in the line of intended ball travel or close enough to cause a shadow over their ball.  Actually, these guidelines should apply to their clubs as well.

Are My Clubs OK?

Whats Wrong With This Picture?

There are many reasons for this particular rule (although rule might be a bit strong).

Safety. Standing forward of someone hitting the ball is not too smart.  But, it happens all the time.  Usually, the other members are across the fairway and move to their ball for speed of play.  Sometimes, however, they get to close and that is when a the safety aspect kicks in.

Penalty Strokes.  Keeping your clubs behind you will prevent penalty strokes (one stroke  for hitting your own equipment, caddie or partner – rule 19).  Ever wonder why the pro caddies move so far from the player when they are hitting…..probably for this exact reason.

Etiquette.  Standing in someones golf space can cause problems.  Some players like opponents to stand-off to their right.  Others left. Some behind….but never in front of their field of view.  My general rule for this is at least 10 – 15 feet away from the player.

So placing your clubs close to someone playing is not a very good idea.  Placing your own clubs in the way is just a bad idea.  One last point, if you have to as “Are My Clubs OK?” They are not!

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

Choices Choices Choices

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Recent adventures on the links makes me wonder if I really have a handle on golf or have I been kidding myself for years.  Course management is definitely a key aspect to success on the links. Knowing when to press or play defensively can determine whether you score a birdie or a bogey.  But is course management really important to having fun and improving your game?

Smart Shot Out of the Sand

Smart Shot Out of the Sand

Well of course it is!  Or at least I thought so!

It is the distinguishing factor between low and high handicap golfers. Determining how to play a hole, which club to use, whether to fire at the pin or to lag putt are all aspects of course management that are developed over time.  Thus, experience and the willingness to improve your course management skills are extremely important aspects of successful golf.

So, why am I going on about course management and its importance.  On the weekend I was playing with my friend and his brother.  As per normal, we were talking golf and how best to improve our game; which shot would be best in certain situations; and which club to use at certain times.  Through our discussion, we were basically talking about course management.

As we plodded along, the conversation turned to a earlier shot where my friend chose a 3 wood instead of an iron out of the long grass.  Additionally, he went on to describe how the ball was in a bit of a hole, but he really wanted to get to the green that was 220 yards away.  When challenged about his selection he responded, “I knew what the smart shot was but chose to not to do it!”  I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at him and said what?  He coolly said, “I know, but I just wanted to put the ball on the green and the knew I would not make it with an iron….it was not the smart shot, but oh well, I am still having fun.”  I chuckled out loud and walked to my ball with a smile on my face.

So my friend chose not to make the right shot!  Never a good idea to throw stones when you live in a glass house, I think we have all been in that situation.  Taking the low percentage shot over the smart play….it still makes me laugh.

The “so what” to this story is that choosing to actively participate in course management is the first and most important step to course management.  Although I never really thought that it was an option, apparently it is. Sometimes playing golf is about making the impossible shot and having fun doing it!  I guess that day was not wasted because I learned something new!

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

Where is Rory?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 11 Comments

Rory McIlroy is a fantastic player!  He has all the tools to be one of the worlds best for years, however this year he is not living up to expectations.  With only one second place finish, it is a far cry from the 4 wins, 2 second place and 1 third place finishes in 2012.  Is it a sophomore jinx? Is the competition that much better this year? O has the high-flying Northern Ireland native burned out like a super nova?

Recently, much has been made about McIlroy changing over to Nike.  The Bleacher Report suggests that his move has added additional pressure to his game and that he was not quite ready for the stress of the overwhelming expectations.  Adding fuel to the fire, McIlroy created controversy by walking off the course just nine holes into his second round of the Honda Classic; this was just one month after signing a reported $20 million a year contract with Nike.  So is it the equipment?  Short answer – no.  The number one player in the world uses Nike and has for years.  Is there an adjustment period – probably.  However, to blame the equipment entirely for this years woes would be too simplistic.

Many are pointing the finger at McIlroy’s relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Some suggest that he is not spending the time focusing on his game. This may be a contributing factor to McIlroy’s challenges on the links, but is it really the factor?  The 24-year old golf superstar is allowed to have outside interests and trying to build a relationship with someone does take effort and time.  To suggest that he not put in the same effort in his personal life that he puts into his professional life is crazy!  He should be having fun and enjoying life like in the video below!  Life is about balance and harmony.

Has the stress of being uber-successful finally oozed into every aspect of his life? Being hounded, photographed, scrutinized, and analyzed every waking hour has to take its toll. The parasitic relationship that has evolved between player and fans will definitely sap your mental strength and Rory McIlroy is no different.  Many would say that they would love to have his challenges of fame and fortune, but be careful of what you wish for; being under a microscope every waking hour may not be a glorious as you think.  Golf is such a mental game and the current challenges faced by McIlroy on and off the course are so encompassing that it is no surprise that something had to give.

Is it McIlroy’s play this year?  The Golf Channel recently reported, “The numbers don’t suggest any struggles. He ranks 11th on the PGA Tour with a 301.4 driving distance average; he’s 59th with a 69.52 greens in regulation percentage; he’s 23rd with a birdie average of 3.77. If there’s one interesting note about his ball-striking, it’s this: He hits 56.25 percent of greens in regulation from 125-150 yards; 65.45 percent from 150-175 yards; and 68.35 percent from 175-200 yards. He’s the rare player who seemingly hits his mid-irons closer than his wedges.”  It is possible to play well and not score well!  Being number four in the world is not all that bad; is it?

So, where is Rory?  The Grateful Golfer suggests that he is right where he needs to be!  The real challenges with is play and subsequent results stems from unrealistic expectations!  The media and fans expect that a player of McIlroy’s calibre be able to play in the top two percent of his profession all the time.  Well, not to disappoint everyone, but that is impossible.  Rory McIlroy is a fantastic golfer.  He is gifted with golfing talents rarely seen in all but a few players.  He will regain his form of 2012 and surpass it very soon. There are still opportunities in 2013 for McIlroy to win a tournament or two; it is only September!  In 2014, he will have a year under is belt, he will be a year older and wiser, he will have found his groove and returned to the ranks of the golfing elite!

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

Keep Your Head Down

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

While playing a round of golf this morning with a buddy of mine, we started to discuss our swings and how to break 100. As we walked and talked about what was important, my friend said something that has stuck with me, “watch the ball where it was, not where it goes!”

Basically, keep your head down and watch the club make contact with the ball.  Additionally, count to one before you see how fantastic your shot turned out.  Stay focussed on the point of contact.  This will help create a duplicatable swing.  Regardless of what it looks like, it is something the amateur golfer can start to build a solid game upon.

While watching the Web.com tournament today, I noticed that Phil, Tiger and Adam have different swings, chipping strokes and putting styles.  They all hit the ball where they intend and seem not to worry about what it looks like!  They do, however, keep their head down for a pause of one after contact.  A coincidence, I think not!

Next time you are on the course/practice round try keeping your head down and see the positive results.  I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!

Canadian Forces National Golf Competition

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

The Canadian Forces National Golf Competition finished yesterday.  This three-day event pitted the top golfers from five regions in Canada in an individual and team competition.  To participate in this tournament, each region submits five male and two female golfers who have qualified by finishing at the regional and base level qualifying events.  Additionally, due to operational commitments, some players can apply to participate in nationals, but only in the individual event.  I, due to operational reasons, was selected by the Ontario region as an independent player.

CF National Golf Competition at Circle Pine Golf Course, CFB Borden, Ontario

18th Green at the CF National Golf Competition at Circle Pine Golf Course

We arrived two days before the event at Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario, in preparation for the upcoming tournament.  After two practice rounds at Circled Pine Golf Course, (Slope: 127  Rating: 71.2) we felt ready for the next challenge.  Gary Corriveau and his team had the course in fantastic shape.  The greens were running true, the fairways lush and the rough challenging.  Circle Pine Golf Course was definitely the venue for this elite golf tournament.

Tournaments such as this do not happen without an organizing committee.  The National Sports Committee are a dedicated group of professionals who enhance this already exciting experience.  Upon our arrival, there was a banquet and meet and greet; three days of golf, meals, lodging, fun games, a closing banquet, sports therapists, rules officials and a whole lot more.  Their behind the scenes work was nothing short of spectacular and all the golfers are grateful for their efforts and sacrifices.

The results of the competition are found at the CF National Sports Competition Facebook page.  Needless to say, that the male and female champions put on a show! They were smooth, consistent and accurate.  Given how difficult the course was playing, their scores were outstanding.  Congratulations to all the winners!

The CF National Golf Competition is an outstanding event.  After 99 holes of golf; which included two practice rounds, three competition rounds, and one nine-hole fun scramble; I learned a few things that need to be shared.

FITNESS

Some think that golf is an easy sport that anyone can play anytime anywhere. However, after five days straight of walking this 6500 yard course; fitness is extremely important. Walking in 28 degree weather (humidex in the mid 30s) for five days definitely challenges ones fitness.  We were fortunate that most rounds were completed in 4.5 hours, however some rounds in the past have taken as long as 6 hours to play.  One definite take away is that a stretching and aerobic program is required to play golf at the elite level.

NUTRITION

Eating well-balanced meals and staying hydrated will go a long way to finishing strong at the end of a round.  A proper balance of fruits, vegetables and protein is very important. While playing, I focused on eating apples and bananas and proper meals for breakfast and supper.  Sometimes it is difficult to eat properly while travelling, but it is definitely possible.

PRACTICE

Practicing and preparing properly is important.  Hitting the range to groove your swing so when you are tired, you can still perform is important.  Less thinking and more mechanics will ensure that your swing remains pure during all aspects of the competition.  Practice chipping and putting regularly.  The greens at Circled Pine Golf Course were running at 10 – 11 on the stimpmeter.  For those who don’t know, that is like putting on your kitchen table…or almost.  When chipping and putting, ensure you practice your shots in all kinds of lies; you will never know where your ball will end up on the course.

MENTAL PREPARATION

Golf is a mentally challenging game.  Mental preparation starts the moment you wake up until you are finished playing for the day.  Additionally, mentally preparing for a national competition starts weeks before you arrive.  Mental imagery and focus visualization will help focus your mind to play well.  Playing in local tournaments before elite events will also be helpful.  It will help you perform under pressure on those side hill three-foot putts that end up 12 feet past the hole if you miss!

This year’s golf event was fantastic.  Although my play was underwhelming, the tournament itself was fantastic.  Each year it is one of my goals to play well enough in the two qualifying competitions to return to nationals.  It is a definite highlight of my golfing season.

Again, thank you to all those behind the scenes, tireless workers.  Your efforts made the 2013 Canadian Sports National Golf Competition a memorable event.  I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!