May I Join You?

May 25, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

The Boys at Voyageur Days Golf Tournament

How many times have we been asked by someone to join your group? Usually it is singleton and they are looking for a game. I always say yes unless I am in a Match Play Competition (this has happened only twice in 35 years) I enjoy playing with different players and relish the opportunity to meet someone new. But, are you really obligated to let a player join your group?

My short answer is yes! Golf is a social game that allows individuals to meet and enjoy the company of others. The Mindful Golfer says that golf is a contact sport and I could not agree more. It is a great way to meet like minded people and enjoy a sport for transcends age, wealth, and background.

Other reasons that you should allow someone to join your group is – speed of play. Generally, keeping singles and doubles off the course is great for speed of play. I personally believe that three is the ideal number for keeping the game moving, but that is a discussion for another day. Having a foursome play in front of a bunch singletons and doubles slows play down throughout the course and increases the frustration of those wanting to play through. By joining up, the singles and doubles will match the speed of play and enjoy their game more than waiting all the time.

Letting others join your group improves your game. Watching other player is always good for your game. Sometimes a scratch player is just looking for a game and joins your group. It is nice to watch someone play the game really well and most of the time, you learn unique things on how to play shots that you would not normally have figured out.

Lastly, it is proper etiquette. I believe that if someone sticks their neck out and join total strangers to play a game of golf; the group should say yes. Having a stranger in the group will help everyone remember the dos and don’ts of playing proper golf. It allows everyone to be a little nicer! And that is always a good think!

So remember, if someone asks to join your group, say yes! You never know where it may lead. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

One Year Old!

May 19, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

One year today I started The Grateful Golfer! I have had a great time and will continue to talk about my favorite game. Specifically, I have enjoyed talking to like-minded golfers around the world and realize how much golfers have in common. We love this sport, feel the same joys and experiences no matter where we are.

I am grateful for all those who continue to read, share, educate, and comment on my blog.

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

Eagles Eagles Eagles

May 16, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

What is cooler than getting an eagle! Ok, a hole in one for sure……I know a double eagle! But back to reality. Eagles are a goal of mine every year. I try to make five eagles every year. Last year I only had three! But with my new driver and three wood, I hit the ball a bit longer so I am anticipating more opportunities to make eagle. I already had one opportunity this year and missed.

For shorter hitters like me (250 yards of the tee) eagle opportunities are difficult, however I have a plan! On par 5s that I need a I great drive, I focus on smooth clean contact. I do not over swing because I usually lose distance because something is out of sync. Smooth and controlled is the way to go!

Next is my approach shot. If I am not hitting my three wood, I use one more club than needed! Yup, that is my secret? The reason is to make sure I swing smooth and controlled. This type of swing ensures I stay on target and I have enough distance to actually reach the green. Through the years, experience has shown that I have routinely under clubbed hitting into the green from 215 – 230 yards out.

Last trick is to sink the putt. While putting, I hit the ball one foot past the hole; instead of six inches on a normal putt? This extra strength on my putt ensures I do not leave my it short! And we all know how much that sucks!

Well this is my plan to increase my eagles this year. What do you think?

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

Happy Mother’s Day

May 12, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 5 Comments

Today is a special day! This is the day that everyone should be grateful to their mother for all the wonderful things they have done for us. My mother was awesome! She was an avid golfer and picked the game up at 44 years young. She cared, loved, guided and shaped me into the person I am today. She was always my guiding light. I am truly grateful for all the wonderful things she did for me through the years.

I remember when my Mom was 67 years old. We were talking on the phone and she asked how she could lower her score and increase her distance of the tee. Both are not necessarily connected, but in this case they were. I told her she should practice her short game and putting for 20 minutes every second day. Additionally, I suggested she to go the driving range for a small bucket on opposite days and practice a long controlled swing with her driver. Additionally, I mentioned that she should stretch to be more flexible. About 5-10 minutes a day. She decided to give it a try and to no big surprise it lowered her score. Distance off the tee did not change, but she was more consistent. She passed at age 75 and was still breaking 100!

Happy Mother’s Day to all those wonderful moms. Today is your special day; may it be filled of love, joy, and happiness!

The Fifth Major

May 10, 2013May 10, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

The Players Championship played this weekend is lauded as the Fifth Major. It is the only significant tournament owned and administered by the PGA Tour. The majors all have different sponsors. The Masters is owned by the Augusta National Golf Club; the U.S. Open by the United States Golf Association (USGA); The Open Championship by The R&A, and the PGA Championship by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America).

This tournament was created in 1974 and Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural tournament. This tournament has a short history, but gathers an elite field every year. The tournament runs every year at about the same time with the final round being played on Mother’s Day. It has a permanent home at TPC Sawgrass since 1982 at the stadium course.

Having the reputation as the Fifth Major is very tough. The Players Championship is a very young tournament, but has some great highlights. Tom Alter, PGATOUR.COM, outlines 40 history shots that capture your imagination. One of the favourites was in “2007 – In the third round, Phil Mickelson’s tee shot at the 10th hole found a fairway bunker. His only shot to the green was through a small gap in the trees. The leader couldn’t win the tournament with this one shot, but he could lose it. So “Phil the Thrill” threaded his approach shot through the trees and onto the green. Climbing out of the bunker, he said to his caddie Jim “Bones” McKay, “I didn’t want to tell you what I was doing.” Mickelson went on to win the first PLAYERS in May by two shots.” There are many more great stories and are worth a read.

Every tournament has great memories. If one researched enough, they could find enough great shots to fill a book. It could be the fact that it has the richest prize money of any tournament. Or that the winner receives 600 Fed Ex points for winning like the other Majors. Or that the field is made of the top 30-50 players in the world. Ultimately, this tournament has plenty to offer and continues to be elevated into the top five tournaments of the year.

The greatness of The Players Championship can be supported in the facts on many levels. However, what is the ultimate driving force that makes it the Fifth Major? It is RESPECT. The respect it receives from the players.

In an article by ESPN.COM, on Tuesday Tiger Woods is quoted, “We have our four major championships, and that’s that, …….But if there was going to be another one, this would be it. This is the best field that we have. We have guys from all over the world playing and, next to the PGA, probably one of the deepest and stiffest fields we’ll face.”

USA Today Sports penned “The Players just gets bigger and bigger,” two-time Players champion Davis Love III said. “The PGA Tour has done a great job in making this our major, the players’ major, and it’s a special tournament.”

The New York Daily News quotes the number 2 in world, “It’s funny,” said Rory McIlroy, who has missed the cut all three times he’s played here. “It’s a golf course where you look at the field and you’re like, ‘Anyone can win.”

The majority of the golf world respects the Players Championship as an elite tournament. The players themselves are eager to try their hand at one of the toughest competitions of the year. As stated by the players, this tournament has proven year in and year out that it is a top tier professional golf tournament. It is time to give The Players Championship its due and make it the Fifth Major!

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