What the Duck is Going On!

October 1, 2015October 3, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

What the duck is going on! I returned from my two-week holiday and found this little guy hiding in my chest of drawers. This new member of the duck family suddenly showed up and I was perplexed about how this happened. After a short scan of my memory bank and coming up empty, I knew that something was up!

As most of you are aware, I have written several duck stories in the past. For those of you who are not aware, the tales of the duck are steep in history! My friend Kirk and I have a friendly match-play competition most of the times we visit each other. The loser of the competition must keep the duck (in picture below) safe and carry it periodically while playing a round or two until we have a chance to play again.

Last Appearance of the Duck! Going Back the UK this weekend!

The Original Duck!

The rules are straight forward. I have to give Kirk strokes because of the difference in our handicaps. Half of the fun of the competition is the discussion / negotiation of how many stokes aside I have to give Kirk! But, that is a tale for another day. If we are still tied after 18 holes, we count the strokes (he receives a total of the negotiated strokes towards his score) to break the tie. I won for the first time in 4 tries in the spring and right now, the duck is in Europe safe and sound!

Back to new duck. I knew something was up because my friend Kirk or his son Brandon (who as an original member of the competition) had not visited in some time. So, someone different was getting involved in the duck saga. The first person I asked was my darling wife and she kept a good poker face and denied knowing anything. Still wondering, I started to think of who had been in our house recently!

Well, it did not take me long to realize that the pranksters were our friends, Kathleen and Michael, who visited us from Europe! Actually, I think that Michael was an unsuspecting accomplice in this entire ordeal, but he and I will discuss that over a libation or two in the future. Through my superior powers of deductive reasoning, I concluded that Kathleen, who is a fair golfer in her own right, had to be the culprit! She had the opportunity and devious mind to think of how to get involved! So, back to my wife I went!

The Master Mind of Chapter 2 in the Duck Saga!

With a big smile and chuckle, she came clean and told me the whole story. Sometime during their visit, Kathleen told Teri that she wanted in on the duck challenge! She asked if she could get involved and Teri immediately said that it was all good. With a smile, Kathleen fired the first shot and now she has started the second chapter of the duck saga.

Little does Kathleen know, that she has opened the door for retaliation. She will not know when or how I will be planting a duck or two around her house, but it will happen. Additionally, she has to challenge me to our first match-play competition. I do not expect that to happen anytime soon (as she is likely shaking in her boots), but it will happen.

Well Kathleen, you are in it now. All joking aside, thanks for the laugh and welcome to the duck saga!

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

Mid Season Break from Golf

August 31, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

Grateful for Golf!

Have you ever decided that a week or two off in the middle of your golf season would be good for your game? Depending on how much you play, a rest from the sticks might just improve your outlook on how you play. I am sure there are many articles about the psychology of letting our brains focus on things other than golf, but I have never really been convinced.

If you find yourself dragged out and not enjoying your rounds, then a rest is a great idea. Because our season is so short in Canada, I have never really taken a conscious break from the game, life usually does that for me.

The last time I hit the links was 2 weeks ago on Tuesday. Yup, almost 14 days. Additionally, I have started my holidays and it looks like another 10-12 days before I loop the course. Unfortunately, I was sick a couple of weeks ago and it last a good 7 days. I rarely get sick, but in this case I was off work and laid up waiting for my sickness to pass. That was the start of my time away from the links.

After healing, work got in the way and now I am on vacation with my wife. I expected to take the 2 weeks off for our vacation because of our plans, but the two weeks prior was a surprise. So after all that is said and done, I will be away from the links for quite some time during peak golfing weather.

The funny thing is, is that I am not concerned about it at all. I think that I will be refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of things when it is time. I am blessed with the opportunity to golf often and a doubly blessed to have an understanding wife!

So, my mid-season break is a bit longer than normal this year. I do miss hitting the links with my friends, but they will be there when I get back. Overall, life is fantastic and I am truly grateful!

I am a Grateful Golfer!

July 28, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Lately, I have had my fair share of abundance on the golf course. I am riding a string of low scores, winning team events at a tournament, winning golf balls and generally experiencing great bounces on the links. I am sure many of you have had times just like the one I am experiencing.

It is during these great times that I remember it is important to be grateful as it helps keep my golf game and life in balance. How lucky am I to have such an abundant life!

I am also grateful for all the positive support through the years and especially the past couple of weeks. It reminds me of a saying by Zig Ziglar: “You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.” The best way to show my appreciation to everyone is to just say thank you!

I am a grateful golfer!

It is a Matter of Choice

June 18, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

I believe that being grateful and happy is a choice. For years I have changed the way I thought to help shape the life I want to live. Has it been easy, no, but definitely rewarding. Some days the light I see at the end of the tunnel feels like a train, but as I continue to shape my thoughts, my world changes shape as well! Every day is a better day.

Change your thoughts, change your world – Norman Vincent Peale

I also believe this mindset is transferable to golf. Golfing is a game of immense concentration for short periods of time. The rest of the time I spend enjoying my surroundings by soaking in its beauty, enjoying the company of my playing partners, or just being in the moment. All this has help me be a better golfer. I feel more relaxed, in control and just plain happy.

I am grateful for so many things and I count my blessing every day! I make it a point of using positive affirmations at the beginning and end of each day. For me, it is a perfect way to start and end my day.

What techniques do you use to positively improve your golf game?

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

There is Never Enough Time For Golf

June 3, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 12 Comments

There are times when I feel that here is never enough time to golf. Other days, and they are very few, I am ready for a break and try something new. Wait, scratch that last statement!!!

In the immortal words of Ben Hogan: