golf

Leading After 18 Holes

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

The first round of our 2-day stroke play tournament to make the base golf team is over. The conditions were the toughest of the year with a steady 35 kpm wind and intermittent rain. Before my friends in the UK, Scotland or Ireland start laughing, these conditions are atypical in northern Canada. Regardless, it was a tournament and we were ready to play.

The group members were moved around and as such, my group were 4 solid players. Each had the game to lead after 18 holes, but the conditions, in some cases rust, and early start challenged everyone’s game. We played a 4.5 hour round and except for the few searches in the woods, the pace was to my liking.  Continue reading →

36 Hole Golf Tournament To Make The Team

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Today is the first round of our yearly 36 hole stroke play tournament. As in previous years, this tournament determines the the top 5 male and top 2 female golfers at my military base. These top players will represent my Unit at the Ontario Golf Regions in Petawawa in September. This is a yearly event for me and I look forward to hitting the links tomorrow. Continue reading →

Putting With Purpose

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My last round of golf resulted in a significant improvement in my putting. I struggled for a bit this season and I was perplexed as to why. Not knowing where to turn, I reread my 5 part guide to putting (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). I needed to find out why my putting was not quite up to snuff and this was a great place to start. As it turned out, my current stroke only needed tweaking and not a complete overall. Now that is a relief! Continue reading →

Saving Strokes on the Golf Course

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Everyone looks for places to save stokes on the golf course. It is natural to want lower scores at the end of the round. Unfortunately, if we are not paying attention to the opportunities when the arise, then it is an opportunity missed. Right now, most of you are shaking your head and looking back to your last round just realizing that a couple of missed opportunities. Yet, as I reminisce on my last round, I think of the moments when my poor decision cost me strokes. So, I ask you: is saving strokes on the golf course about missed opportunities or making your own opportunities? Continue reading →

Our Second Shot Needs More Attention

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

10th hole, Glen Abbey Golf Club

Yesterday, I struggled hitting my second shot. I hit a few good shots, but my challenges on the links were all rooted in my second shot. As a result, I shot a 6 over 77 and feel disappointed because my errors were unforced and in my mind should not have happened.

Hitting the second shot is the most diverse part of our game. We can hit a wood, including a driver, long iron, short iron or putter. With all the different options, how can we possibly prepare to make quality second shots. Unlike preparing for our short game, here I can hit the same wedge repeatedly, preparing for any second shot is challenging at best. So where do I look for a solution?

Continue reading →