Chipping In!

November 12, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

One of the most rewarding shots in golf is chipping in. It not only saves strokes, but provides an adrenalin rush for a couple more shots. All golfers try to hole the ball on every shot, but are we really doing the right things to accomplish that ever elusive chip in?

Being within 5 yards of the green provides the best opportunity to chip the ball in the hole. To carry out this feat – the bump and run is the best shot. Yes, if a bunker is in the way or a sprinkler head or….then a lob shot is best. However, if you have a straight shot at the green, the percentage shot is the bump and run.

Over the years, I have realized that I can save 5 strokes around (depending on if I hit the green in regulation or not) by focusing on my set-up for a bump and run shot. Recently, I have made some changes with some excellent results.

First, line the bump and run up like a putt. Take the time to actually read the green, the slope, grain, and location of the hole.

Second, decide how hard to hit the ball by choose the landing spot for the ball. This part is extremely important! By determining where to land the ball will result in how far the ball will eventually travel and the line it travels on.

Third, select a club. Normally, I use a 7-iron. But that will change depending on what hazards I have to navigate around. The traditional wisdom is to use an 8-iron, but I am anything but traditional. The point is, pick the club you feel will get the job done.

Fourth, I use a putter grip on the club. It softens your hands, ensures your wrists remain locked and enables the club head to follow the path of your line.

Fifth, take practice swings. Take as many as required until you have determined the speed required land the ball on your aiming point. It is very important that you take these practice swings in the type of grass your ball is in.

Six, I visualize the ball going in the hole. This step is also very important. Some will say to visualize a three-foot circle around the hole, but think that approach is not aggressive enough.

Seventh and last, do not be afraid to hit the ball past the hole. 100% of short puts do not go in! It is easier to hit the ball a little softer on the next stroke than to try to hit it a bit harder. Additionally, watch the ball go past the hole – it will show you the line coming back if needed.

Well now you know my secret to the bump and run. I believe it is a very important skill that is easily practiced. It will save strokes.

If you have any bump and run tips, please pass them on! See you on the links.

LEST WE FORGET

November 11, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

LEST WE FORGET! Today is a special day to honor the fallen, wounded and serving military men, women and their families. Their sacrifices have allowed for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is important to give thanks and be grateful our wonderful lives they protect.

A Pittance of Time by Terry Kelly is something that worth watching!

If you want more information please go to Veterans Affairs Canada.

In Flanders Fields is read at every Remembrance Day Ceremony I have attended. This and the “Last Post” always move me.

We generally talk about golf, however on this day I am grateful to the men and women in uniform for their sacrifice. I am a Grateful Golfer.

Buying New Equipment

November 10, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

My New Golf Bag!

Buying new golf equipment is very difficult depending on where you live, what you want, the quality of equipment required, and the amount of money you want to spend. You will notice I said want vice need. Most of the time, we golfers want to change instead of need to change our equipment, but that is a discussion for another day.

Most golfers are very particular on what type of equipment they want to buy. Should you purchase a R11, volkey wedges, ping putter, callaway iron, foot joy shoes….it goes on and on. I understand the desire to have very good equipment and for the most part follow the same practice as most golfers. Overall many of the decisions are made based on what is perceived as a positive step towards improving our game.

Here are a couple of tips that may help….well actually only one tip….never, never, never, pay full price! I know, it sounds difficult, but actually, with very little effort this can be achieved. So here is my strategy.

Step 1: Figure out what you want/need. In this case I have looked for a new carry bay since the beginning of the season.

Step 2: Research, research, and research. I read the hype of manufactures to see what they say, however I actually pay attention to the consumer reviews. This is the most important piece of information you will find. People are more than willing to tell you what they think.

Step 3: Wait for it to come on sale. Check Ebay. Check Kijiji. Check Golftown (or other large franchise stores), check the local pro shop (you would be surprised).

Step 4: If possible haggle over the price. The local pro shop will lower their price if you make them a reasonable deal.

Step 5: Purchase the piece of equipment. In my case, I was very happy with my recent purchase. I went into Golf Town yesterday. They were having a demo sale for clubs. Also, they had 10 carry bags hidden in the back. I pick up my back for 60% off. I was very happy.

Step 6: Probably the most important step – be happy with your purchase. This is very important!

My process of purchasing golf equipment ensures that you end up with what you want. It saves money and reduces impulse buying! I realize it may not be the best way, but it has saved me money over the years and enabled me to purchase move of the things I need! I am a grateful golfer.

Do you have any special tricks to save money buying clubs?

When to Fix Your Swing

November 8, 2012January 3, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

When is the best time to fix your swing? Each year, I pick one thing to fix about my swing, how I approach the game, my grip, my stance, etc. I examine my successes and challenges from the previous year and then decide which skill I want to improve (fix).

For example, I felt my wedge play this year was not where it needs to be….so next year, I will devote more time using my 60 degree wedge around the green and my 52 degree wedge from 100 yards. I will still work on the other parts of my swing, but I will purposely work on my wedge play. So when is the best time to practice!

Ian Hardie at golfhabits.com has an article with a very cool line – ‘Does your mechanic fix your car while you’re driving on the highway?’ This is an awesome statement. My take on this analogy is that playing around of golf, even with some better than you, is not the place to try to fix something. It never really works.

At eHow.com, the article says, “Do people take cover when you come to the tee? Did your last set of golf balls head for the Bermuda Triangle? It’s time to visit the driving range and work on your swing. You should bring a friend who’s an experienced golfer that can watch you and observe what part of the golf swing you need to improve.” The first step to fixing a problem is to get off the links.

From GOLFTIPS.com, LPGA player Paige MacKenzie says: On practicing vs. playing – “The range is where you work on your golf swing; the course is where you go to play…” Again, most high level players understand that it is extremely difficult to change anything on the course.

Ultimately, it really comes down to time. Most amateurs do not have the hours required to spend on the range to improve their game. We want to play, have fun, and dream about getting better. I would suggest that if we took just 1 hour a week and practiced something, our game would drastically improve!

See you on the links.

Grateful For Golf

November 4, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

When I was young, my father introduced me to golf. It is one of the more fond moments of my childhood. I have enjoyed this gift for 35 years. Little did I know that his act of kindness would help shape my way of thinking about the world.

I remember my first set of clubs – Spalding Rebels. I bought them with my own money and paid $99. My first ball was a Canada Cup. If I found one of those I hit pay dirt! Before I worked for the summer, I would golf every day and my Dad would take me out every week or so to give me tips! Those were the days.

My Mom took up golf at 44. The very first time she swung a club, she was hooked! She loved to play, plan their vacations around golf, and beat the people she played with. Yup, she was very competitive – something you would never know unless you played a round with her. I remember when she was 67 years young and she called me to ask for advice on how to hit the ball further! I said that you need to exercise and become more flexible – she laughed and said, “I think I hit the ball far enough!”

I remember playing golf with my best friend from high school just before his wedding. This was about 30 years ago and I still remember looking at the Rocky Mountains talking about our lives and our futures. We played a couple more rounds before I had to go back to work and to this day I can still recall many of the holes we played.

I have won a few tournaments, have 3 holes-in-one, and have had many eagles. I am still looking for the elusive albatross – I guess it gives me something to shot for. Mostly, I am grateful for golf because of all the people I have met. This game has allowed me to meet like-minded people I would never have normally met. It truly has been a blessing.

Lastly, I have a friend who loves to golf. Whenever we get together, off we go to the links. We laugh, joke, poke fun and most of all just enjoy the time we spend on the links. He is in the UK right now, but no matter when we meet, we will grab our clubs and off we will go. By the way, if he is reading this – I want strokes the next time we play!.

I believe it is important to be grateful for the awesome things in my life. I am grateful for many things and at the top of the list are my wife, daughter and friends. However, golf is definitely up there. I am grateful to my father for introducing me to golf and all the joys I have experienced through the years. I am a grateful golfer!

What are you grateful for?