grateful

I Need To Work On My Swing!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

I have heard this statement so many times that I wonder if people really mean it!  “I need to fix my swing”.  Yet they never do; they ask a player with a 20 handicap for tips…not sure that is a recipe for success.  Each swing is unique to each player.  Of course we would all like to swing like Ben Hogan, but that is usually not the case.

The Bleacher Report covers the Top 20 swings of all time.  I am sure, that after you look at it, you can come up with many players who could make that list.  Ultimately, they all have the same basic swing and the results are in their successes.

But what about the rest of us!  We do not have that smooth take away or high follow through that ensures consistent results all the time….but do you really need it!  I remember pros like Ray Floyd and Lee Trevino who had less than text-book swings, but were very successful.  Also, look at this video of pros who have swings that you do not want to duplicate.

As you can see, even swings that are not text-book can still lead to success.  Moe Norman, considered one of the best ball strikers of all time had an ugly swing.  But could he hit a ball!

Ultimately, your swing is your swing.  Sometimes it is best just to embrace what you can do and not worry so much about what you cannot.  If you do decide to change, it is best to see your local club pro or a PGA professional (like Rick Williams at mindbodygolf.com).  They will be able to help you work out all the kinks.  Tips from your friends is probably not the best way to solve your swing problems.

In closing, if you are deciding to buy a new $500 dollar driver thinking it will fix your swing…may I suggest you save $400 and take two lessons before you buy new equipment!

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

 

Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil are my two favorite rodents.  Each year, they have an extremely difficult job to predict the weather.  This year, both of these lovable creatures predicted an early spring.

3 Feet of Snow

3 Feet of Snow and it is time for it to go!

This means that I have only 38 more days until the golf courses are open.  To prepare, I have adopted a muscle-building yoga program (actually it is from the Biggest Loser and it really works well) to increase my core strength and flexibility.  I have worked out for three weeks now and I feel great.  Additionally, I play on a men’s basketball team.  It is also keeping me in shape.  When the basketball stops, I will start swimming.  Additionally, my wife and I walk at least once a day for 45 minutes.  All this exercise has me excited about the upcoming golf season and with the coming of spring, I can hardly wait to hit the links.  In my next blog, I will talk about how I mentally prepare for the up coming season and my plan for success.

As you can see from the picture, there is still a bit of snow left, however in three weeks it will all be gone….I can hardly wait.  For those already golfing…..I hope you are having fun.  For those of waiting, preparing will help re-entry into golf so much easier.

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

To Tee or Not to Tee

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Every year I receive golf tees as a stocking stuffer.  It is one of those gifts that I love because I always need them.  As I continue to get my equipment ready for summer, I realized that I have three different lengths of tees.  Not that really bothers me, but I actually wondered if it really makes a difference.

At ehow.com, they explain how to pick a length of tee.  They focus on the size of the club being used and the size of the club.  They suggest:

  • 2 1/8″ tees are used for your irons, hybrid clubs, and low profile woods.
  • 2 3/4″ tees are used for drivers under 360cc.
  • 3 1/4″ tees are used for drivers over 360cc.
  • 4″ tees are the longest tees allowed in play, they will give you the maximum impact angle while driving.

Sandtrap.com conducted a poll on the length of tee used by golfers.  2 3/4 inch was first with 44% of the vote and 3 1/4 inch was second with 34% of the vote.  I would suggest that the longer tees are used more because of the increase in driver size over the past 10 years.

Image from: http://blankmetees.com/innovations.htmlThis is all very interesting.  The length of tee is important, but there are no real rules.  I believe that the 4 inch tee may not be the length of choice because of how high the ball would sit, but again I have never tried it.

For my driver, I use a 2 3/4 inch tee.  For my irons, hybrids or 3 wood, I use broken tees.  I collect them around the course and use them all the time.  Rarely will I use a new tee.   I have tried just about every design and style of tee.  I always go back the standard old fashion tee.  Seems to work best for me.

Overall, it really does not matter.  What does matter is that the length of tee is right for you.  Experiment and try different lengths.  Let me know how you made out.

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

Golf Boys – “2.Oh”

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Ran across this music video by Golf Boys – “2.Oh”.  It is very funny.  It brings a whole new meaning to not taking yourself too seriously!

 

I hope you enjoyed it.  Let me know what you think!

Titleist Vokey Wedge

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

As I said yesterday, I did go to golf town and bought a new 56 degree 11 degree bounce Titleist Vokey wedge.  I went with the SM2 not the SM4.  For the $40 difference, I can live with the reality that it may be illegal in 2020.  Until then, I am good to go!

One interesting thing happened while in the golf store.  As usual, I went to the putting green (artificial) and tried all the new putters.  I tried the New Odessey putter, Callaway, Nike, Titleist, Scott Cameron, and others.  The prices ranged from $350 to $75.  You know what I found, I putted the exact same way with each putter.

I used a mallet, blade, offset, goof heads, traditional heads….they were all the same.  So it started me thinking and I decided that I did not need to buy a new putter.  I bought a new putter grip for $8.  I figure that my old “Billy Beru” will do just fine for another year.

The point about my story is that new equipment is not always the answer.  Sometimes it is important to purchase new technology, but really, how much does it change from year to year.  That answer is really up to you!

So, did anyone buy new equipment this year?  If you did, what do you hope it helps improve in your game?

Well, see you on the links!