Advice to Your Fellow Player – Good or Bad Idea?

July 8, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I have played many rounds of golf with players with varying degrees of skill. As my game has improved, so has the number of questions on how to play a particular shot or what is wrong with my swing or what is the best equipment to buy! Well the challenging aspect of advice is knowing the person to whom you are providing your years of wisdom.

Today I was playing with a friend of mine who is an excellent athlete. Golf is his 4th or 5th sport. He has the basics down and if he really devoted some time to practicing could be a single digit handicapper. As we proceeded around the course, I watched and noticed a couple minor challenges that could be easily corrected. Now here comes the dilemma. Should I say something or not?

I choose to not say anything until the 15th hole when he opened the conversation to a point where injecting my observation was timely. I explained about weight shift and keeping your weight inside your stance during the entire swing. He gave it a try and immediately had success. His immediate question was why did I wait so long to tell him! I explained that there are three types of people, those who really want to know and would openly accept advice; those who ask for advice but have decided that change would be too difficult; and those who ask for advice, but really don’t want you to give it. My experience is to wait until asked and enjoy my round of golf.

Today was fantastic on the course and I shot one of my best rounds of the year! I was one over par and had a chance to shoot under par. The company as fantastic, the course at Laurentide was in awesome condition, and the weather was perfect. I am a grateful golfer.

So, is giving advice on the golf course a good idea or a bad idea?

When Your Game Goes South!

July 5, 2012July 8, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Well today was another interesting challenge on the links. I started with 5 bogeys on the first 6 holes. And I THREE PUTTED 4 times! OUCH! I was confused, frightened (ok not really), annoyed, and well confused again. I started to press my game to get back a stroke or two before the end of the front nine. Although the score did not show it, I struggled for the next 5 holes.

Now what? I remembered an article I read a long time ago that related perfectly to my current situation. Instead of pressing; the article say to throttle back a bit. Hit the ball at 90% instead of 105%. Guess what, it worked. I regained my calm, struck the ball better and putted better. I finished 7 over and felt better at the end. I am a grateful golfer.

So my question is – what do you do regain your game when it seems to have gone south?

Practice Makes Perfect!

July 4, 2012July 4, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

How many times a week do you practice? To develop muscle memory one must repeat the same movement over a long period of time. I was at the range today practicing and realized that I have hit my 7 iron at least 1000 times in my 35 years of golf. That goes the same for my driver and three wood. Less for my long irons. Here I was practicing with a large bucket and enjoying every stroke. I would try a couple of things, but mostly my swing is grooved and I hit it pretty straight. I follow the same routine, set up, grip, stance and stroke. As a result, my score is within a couple of strokes 95% of the time.

As I came to the bottom of my bucket, I was still wondering how I can consistently lower my score. I thought of my best rounds (I have had 3 under-par) and wondered what was the reason for these special times.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks – chipping and putting. I have hit chipped and putted twice as much as my next club. So why am I spending 40 minutes hitting balls and only 20 minutes chipping and putting. Actually I should – and will – reverse this time.

Golf Link has a 5 step way to lower your score. Its first step is to practice your short game. I second that! The next four steps are also excellent ways to become the golfer you want to be.

Spending more time chipping and putting will definitely lower your score. See you on the links!

Heads or Tails?

July 3, 2012July 3, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Heads or Tails? What the heck? What kind of statement is that? Well believe it or not, it has lots to do with the golf swing. Through the years I have been asked many questions regarding the single most important aspect of the golf swing. Should I keep my elbow in? Should I keep my lower body still? Should I, Should I, Should I….there have been many very good questions. So what is the answer to this very important question?

My advice is focus on keeping your head as still as possible. At Swing Surgeon Golf he talks about this exact point. I agree with their points that keeping the head a still as possible (it will never be completely still) will allow for a more consistent swing. And for most amateurs this is what we are looking for. Keeping the your head as still helps develop and swing that can be duplicated and is more consistent.

There are many tricks and tips out there on how to keep your head still. The one tip that works best for me is to swing at 90% strength, watch the club make contact and count to one, staying focused on the spot where my club hit the ball. You will be pleasantly surprised and the results.

Tomorrow is a special day for all my friends in the United States. I wish everyone a fantastic 4th of July. I hope you are spending it with friends, family and loved ones. See you on the links; I am a grateful golfer!

Staying Focused for 18 Holes

June 30, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Today started out normal. Up at 5 am, out the door by 5:15 am, grab a coffee at Tim Horton’s and off to the course 22 minutes away (yes I have it timed, I know, but I need it for planning purposes). When I arrived, I met Bill. He is visiting family in the area and wanted to get a quick round in before his kids woke up.

During the front nine, Bill and I made small talk; slowing getting to know each other. But mainly we focused on our game. At the end of nine, I was 1 over and I think Bill was 4 over. We were both very happy with our scores. Now the fun begins.

During the back nine, Bill and I started to talk more about or families, jobs, hobbies, etc. Well a funny thing happened! As we talked more, we focused less on our game – then it happened; 6 bogeys in a row! I cannot remember the last time I had 3 bogeys in a row! And here the lesson to myself for the day.

It is very important to stay focused for the entire 18 holes. It really makes a difference. I know many of us have our group of friends who we play with on a regular basis and generally they have been our friends for a long time. It is easy to get caught up in conversations not related to the game at hand. That is when goofy shots creep in. So if you want to lower your score, try staying focused for the entire round, chances are that you will shave off a couple of strokes.

Ultimately my 77 today was a minor thing. The best part is I met someone new (golf is a social game) and learned a few things along the way. I am a grateful golfer.