grateful

Lowering Your Score…..or Not

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

I decided to do some research on how to lower my golf score.  Everyone, even single digit handicappers, looks for ways to lower their score.  I have to say I was a little disappointed at the number of websites that were more interested in selling stuff than helping people improve their game.  I guess that is why I am the grateful golfer for all those people who give free advice without wanting anything in return…but that is a completely different conversation.

I have my own views on lower your score, but during my search I did find a 2005 article from GOLFTIPS that struck a chord.  It outlines five tips that would be helpful to lower ones score.  The are

  • Hit To The Fat Part Of The Green
  • Play Golf, Not Golf Swing
  • Monitor Your Tempo And Rhythm
  • Be Positive
  • Know When To Leave The Driver In The Bag, Baby

I have talked about these tips in one form or another, but what I like best is the simplicity of the points.  Basically, play within yourself.  Pretty simple.  Unfortunately, the ego has a tendency to sabotage that plan.  I guess that is why we are not Pros!

Lowering your score in golf is one of the most difficult goals to accomplish.  It takes disciple, desire and sometimes laughing at yourself.  Regardless of your handicap, lowering your golf score can be achieved….it really depends on how important it is to enjoying the game!

See you on the links!

 

When You Have Been Away

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

I have been asked as the first thing I would recommend as a place to start when away from the game of golf for a time.  I have pondered this question a fair bit and always come back to the same question:  What is it you want to accomplish – short or long-term success?

I know answering a question with a question seems like I am avoiding the question, but it really is important to my answer.  So for those just starting again or have had 5 months of winter, this is what I came up with as a way ahead.

Short term – go to the range and practice hitting the ball.  Try and reproduce muscle memory that will ensure a consistent swing.  Make sure you use every club in your bag and mix it up.  Hitting driver most of the time is not the answer.  Once you have determined how far you ball will travel on a consistent basis, head to the chipping and putting green.  Practice chipping with your 7/8 iron, PW and 60 degree wedge.  Hit from different distances.  Then putt!  Putt for as long as you have chipped.  Realistically, this whole process should take about 1 hour.  20 minutes on the range, 20 minutes chipping and 20 minutes putting.  This approach is generally more fun for the player and they feel they will have immediate success.  Of course that varies depending on the skill of the player.

Long term – head to putting green first!  Practice putting for 20 minutes and chipping for 20 minutes, the sand trap for 10 minutes and pitching from 25-35 yards for 10 minutes.  Once you have established your short game, then start working on our long game.  Practice your short game for the first two weeks, then head to the range alternate times for 30 minutes.  I have found that muscle memory in your short game is harder to achieve, but has greater long-lasting results.

Well I can hardly wait to start golfing, I guess you figured which approach I am going to use….the long-term.  I am well into my workout routine to prepare for golf season in 48 days.  Hope this helps.  I am a grateful golfer.  See you on the links!

Shot of the Day!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

I like to go on various sites and watch the shot of the day.  It is exciting to see these exciting and rare shots.  But are these shots really rare?  Some would say that the pros (and amateurs) make these remarkable shots all the time.  I would say, that media has allowed the average golfer to watch special shots without having sift through countless mundane shots.

Take for instance Phil Mickelson’s putt at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  The 56 foot 7 inch putt was awesome.  It was considered the shot of the day.  I am sure there were other great shots, but this one was clutch and led to him winning the tournament.

Well, to put this into perspective: there were 74 players, 5089 shots in the final round with a scoring average of 68.77.  Out of all those strokes, Phil’s putt was the selected shot of the day.  That is 0.00019652 percent of a chance to have his shot selected.  I would say that is pretty impressive.  Additionally, he was under tremendous pressure because Brandt Snedeker was making a late charge and Phil’s putt closed the door.

My point today is that anyone can have a shot of the day.  The perfect shot is in everyone at any time.  But, the pros (or even extremely capable amateurs) seem to make it look easy.  It is something to aspire too!  57 days before the courses open….see you on the links!

What Makes People Laugh

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

What makes people laugh?  Really, what does make people laugh on the golf course.  Everyone is different and each situation has the potential to bring a smile to your face.  This topic is very interesting because golf should not be all about focus, mental imagery, a perfect swing, or scoring low.  It is important to enjoy yourself on the course; it really helps lighten the load.

Many years back I was playing in a tournament to make a military team.  I was in the last group and playing with three friends.  We had played on the team for several years together and were very comfortable with how each other played.  My friend was the last to tee off on the first hole and the rest of us were watching in silence.  For the first time ever, my friend whiffed his drive, the ball hit red tee marker, went up in the air and landed three feed behind him.  At first, the three of us were shocked, but then could not hold in our laughter!  We know this is very cruel and we should not have laughed, but we could not resist.  My friend, after the fact, told us he was amused as well and said he did everything in his power not to laugh as well.  After the tough start, he shot extremely well and finished second overall.

Other thing that make me laugh is hitting the ball out of a sand trap over the green into another sand trap.  It reminds me of the movie “Happy Gilmore” and I say I spend more time in the sand than David Hasselhoff.

When I four putt, I laugh so I do not cry!

Finally, I laugh at the goofy freaking lies I get in the middle of the fairway.  I know, but I really find them amusing.

There are many things that make people laugh on the golf course, whats your favorite?

Only 75 Days to Go!

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Today marks my official count down to golf season in Northern Ontario!  I usually use 15 April as my target date for the opening of the golf courses in my area.  Sometimes the courses open earlier (like last year – 3 April) and the odd time later (two years ago 21 April).  Regardless, it is now time to start preparing for success.

I have all the equipment I need for this year – thanks Santa!  I purchased a new driver and three wood.  Both are Callaway Razor Fit.  Not the extreme, but last years model.  I know it sounds crazy, but I prefer purchasing last years technology and paying a quarter of the price.  We shall see how my strategy works out.  I have a new carry bag, golf balls, and shoes.  Needless to say, I am ready.

I start to make my goals list for this year.  For example, last year I wanted to break par at least once.  I wanted a hole-in-one.  I wanted to improve my greens in regulation stat.  Finally, I wanted to play in 3 stroke play tournaments.  I achieved all my goals except the last one.  Stroke play tournaments are becoming rarer and rarer.  I have not made my list for this year yet, but when I do I will be sure to share.

I start my focused training program.  At this stage, it is mostly stretching.  Some may say it is a bit early, but I have found that I as I get older it takes me longer to get ready.  Besides, stretching has other health benefits that I like.  Additionally, I focus my weight and aerobics training.  There are certain exercises that will improve my swing.  Again, I will share when I figure out what I am doing.

Lastly, I look to see which course I want to play the most.  I always try to play at least 60 rounds home and 20 rounds away from my home course.  I have 5 options in my area and each course offers something unique.  The course I played last year was awesome.  It allowed early birds, walk ons and the owner always stopped to talk to me.  If I get a membership again, I am leaning towards the same course.  But, this will not stop me from doing my cost comparison.

Well my yearly ritual always starts around this time.  I am really looking forward to another season.  I am a grateful golfer.

When do you start preparing for golf season?