grateful

Is Nutrition Really Important?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

No matter what most people do, when planning a 4-6 hour outing, they bring a snack, or plan to stop for food.  Additionally, they bring water to stay hydrated because on hot days they understand the importance of drinking plenty of water.  So, how many of us have arrived at the golf course with no water, food or plan to make sure we have enough energy for our trek around the course.

While watching the pros on TV, I noticed that they all seem to eat multiple snacks while playing.  I have seen a half of sandwich, a granola bar (at least it looks like a granola bar) and fruit.  Additionally, they are constantly drinking something.  Therefore, if the pros do it, I would suggest that eating the right foods and drinking plenty of fluids is probably important to their game.

As a rule, I always bring water.  Most courses do not have water at various holes anymore due to the health risks, so carrying water is important.  I have a water bottle (I clean after every round) which is permanent part of my golfing equipment.  Water is very important on those hot days when the sun is shining, but equally (and less understood) important on warm cloudy days.

Bringing a snack is very important as well.  I am not talking about a chocolate bar or chips or stopping to get a hot dog or sausage, but bring a health nutritional snack with you.  It is very important to eat nutritional foods because the body needs the energy in the last 6 holes to make sure you continue to play well.

I carry (which has changed over the years because of my growing knowledge) an apple and/or banana, nuts, snack vegetables and/or a granola bar.  These are good snacks for me and I do not have to stop and eat an entire meal.  I just pick away at my feast hole-by-hole.  I feel energized and notice that my game does not diminish as I near the end of the round.

So there you have it, eating nutritional food and drinking plenty of water is important to your game.  Why not set yourself up for success by eating nutritional snacks?

Nutritionally, how do you prepare for a round of golf?

Is Golfing Fun?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

Golf is a good walk spoiled – Mark Twain

Is golfing really fun?  What is the major draw for people to spend 3 – 5 hours outside chasing a little white ball?  I have heard, read and watched many aspects of the game, but is golf really fun?  Well, I am here to say without a doubt that golf is fun…..if you get it!

hole in one - Osprey Golf Course

Hole-In-One, 26 Jul 12, Osprey Links Golf Course

Throughout my life, many people have asked me about golf?  They wondered why I devoted so much time to a sport that looked easy to play, but in actuality was very difficult. I would explain about the personal challenges, the uniqueness of each round, the enjoyment of spending times with new and old friends, but they never seemed to get it.  They just could not grasp the concept of how golf enriches our lives.

I actually had this conversation not to long ago and it made me think of why I spend 25 hours a week practicing, playing and learning about a sport/hobby/pastime.  Well, I have finally reach a definitive conclusion and I am sure it really only makes sense to me.  My darling wife supports my golf habit, my friends laugh at my desire to constantly play, and my family have given up trying to explain it.  So here is my reason why I love to play golf:

IT MAKES ME HAPPY!    Yup that is it.  It makes me happy.  The joy I feel when I walk up to the first tee in anticipation of what is to come is something I have always enjoyed.  Stroking a hole-in-one (three times) provides an almost unexplained sense of excitement.  Walking early in the morning, experiencing the sunrise, listening to the birds and watching the wild life is so peaceful.  Watching your friend achieve a milestone and sharing in their triumph.  Connecting with people from around the world and sharing a common theme that only golf can offer is rewarding.  Teaching your children how to play golf is priceless.  I could go on and on, but I believe you get it!

I am grateful for being able to enjoy golf.  It has brought untold joy into my life.  I believe golf is the best sport in the world.  I truly am a grateful golfer.

What has golf done for you?

Terminology – How Confusing!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

I love to visit golf  blogs.  I have a few favorites and I like to post comments on great articles.  Well the other day I was posting on MindfulGolfer.com regarding chipping and pitching.  Well, not paying attention or something (actually not enough coffee probably) I confused golfing terms.  I confused chipping and pitching.  So I thought I would write the definitions of these terms to make sure I am all squared away.  So here it goes:

Chip shot – a chip shot is generally a shot played around the green in which the player hits the ball into the air and rolls it forward towards the hole.  The distance the ball travels in the air depends on the distance the ball is from the hole.

Pitch shot – is played from 30-60 yards.  The ball goes high in the air with very little roll when the ball hits the green.  The idea is to stop the ball quickly close to or in the hole.

Bump and Run – the ball has very little height after contact and lots of roll.  It is generally used around the green in place of a chip shot.

More in-depth definitions can be found at About.com Golf.

The confusion occurred when I said I use my 7-iron for a pitch shot instead of chip shot or bump and run.  Needless to say, I confused my host.  I have clarified my remarks, but I realized how easy it is to confuse people when talking about golf.  So in the future, I am going to make sure I use the correct terminology when talking about golf, especially to people who may not know their meaning anyway.  I love learning new things!  I am a grateful golfer!

Golfers and Their Toys!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

Callaway Razr Fit DriverThis is my 100 Post.  Thanks for reading.

Golfers love to talk about their clubs and equipment.  I believe the most interesting pastime for Canadian golfers in the month of January is talking about the new stuff they received for Christmas.

Between Christmas and New Years, a friend and I went to Golf Town on our yearly pilgrimage.  While in Golf Town, I bought a Callaway  Razr Fit drive and 3 wood.  It was a deal I could not pass up.  My friend bought a PING cart bag and four-wheeled push cart.  We were very happy with our purchases and  are anxiously waiting for spring to try them out.

Today in the gym, another golfing friend asked me about my new “weapons”.  I never told him about my purchase, but through our conversation I found out that my friend had told him.  We excitedly talked about our purchases after he told me about his great deal on shoes.

Another time while waiting for a meeting to start, I had time to discuss my Golf Town trip with usual playing partner.  He was unable go with us and I as I went through all the details he expressed joy for our success and disappointment he missed a trip to the golf store.  We agreed to make a trip in the next month or so in search of some more deals.

I could go on and on, however I believe you get the picture.  We Canadian Golfers love to tell stories during the winter months.  We dream about the good times to come and the excitement of hitting the links for the first time.  The more I think about it, the more grateful I am to be a golfer.  Life is fantastic!

Do you have an stories to share about your recent golf purchases?

Golf vs Basketball – Is There a Comparison?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

I have played golf and basketball most of my life.  In my early years, basketball dominated most of my time, but as I slowly aged; golf started to take over as my number one sport.  At 51, I ache way more after a basketball practice than I do after a game of golf.  But can the two sports really be comparable?  I say absolutely and here is how:

  1. Both are played with round balls.
  2. The goal is to put the ball in a hole.
  3. Both take coordination to play. (unlike football and hockey – just kidding)
  4. Both require practice to achieve success.
  5. Both require intellect to play.
  6. They are played before crowds (the pros anyway).
  7. You can give advice on how to play (well maybe this is not a good idea).
  8. You have to leave the couch to play them.
  9. They are great ways to meet people.
  10. They both are lots and lots of fun to play.

Okay, all joking aside, golf is really about having fun.  We always talk about how to improve our game, what we could have done better during our round, but ultimately, if we were not having fun playing, than why would we play!

Golf and basketball have been my favorite sports through my life and I am grateful to have been able to enjoy them both.

How about you?  See you on the links.