grateful

Preparing for Tournament Play

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I have just returned from a 54 hole regional tournament.  It was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the links.  Unfortunately, I did not qualify for the national tournament, but maybe next year!

During my time at the Garrison Golf and Curling Club, I had time to think and wonder why I was not performing to my expectations.  I wondered if I practiced my chipping and putting enough; did I play in enough tough conditions; was a physically fit; or did I mentally prepare properly?  After much debate, I determined that my mental preparation was lacking.

I believe that pre-tournament preparation is as important, if not more important, than our physical preparation.  Obviously, the physical preparation includes chipping, putting, hitting balls, and playing rule enforced rounds of golf.  However, the most overlooked aspect of tournament preparation is the mental game.

At the Mental Game of Golf, it outlines many aspects that are very important to success on the links.  They state in their blog on the mental game three aspects that I agree with to significantly improve your performance during a competition.  They are: establish your rhythm, mentally preview your round, and have a game plan.  These are three aspects of the game I have used for years and believe they significantly improve performance.  Playing during the tournament I realized I was not as prepared as I could have been; well next year I will be ready!  I am a grateful golfer!

Golf is both a physically and mentally demanding game.  A mentally strong player will be able to navigate the course easier and with more precision.  There is no doubt in my mind that proper preparation will help everyone meet their expectations.

How do you prepare for tournaments?

The Gentlemen’s Game

/ The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Golf is the game of Kings and Gentlemen!

The game of golf is to be enjoyed by all.  However, there are some aspects of etiquette that seem to have been lost on some golfers.  Tony Carbon of Duffer’s Digest talks about players having a little etiquette while playing golf.  I totally agree with his views.

Etiquette is an integral part of golf!  The unwritten rules of replacing your divot, fixing your ball mark on the green, raking the sand trap (properly), waiting until the group in front of you is out of range, waiting for your turn to play, not talking while others are shooting and respecting the honors on the tee are all designed for you and others to enjoy their round of golf.

Most, if not all, etiquette rules are not written down.  However, they are as important as the actual rules.  Proper etiquette allows everyone to enjoy their round of golf because despite what most people think – – it is not all about them!

I hope everyone enjoys their time on the links this weekend.  I am a grateful golfer.

Playing for the Pure Enjoyment!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Today was fantastic.  I played golf for the first in 15-20 years with my Uncle and the first time with his son (my cousin).  We had a great time full of laughs and chuckles.  We did not take the game serious, we played unlimited mulligans and even a few foot wedges.  Overall, it could not have been a better day on the links.

Playing for the pure enjoyment of the company and time together is very important.  I work on my game most of the time, however sometimes it is important to just laugh, enjoy the company of your playing partners and to try shots that you may need some day.

Having fun and laughing at yourself on and off the links is key to a happy life.  And today, I am a grateful golfer!

Playing Through

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

Today was another fantastic day on the golf course.  I am preparing for a Ontario Golf Regional tournament for the Military and decided at the last-minute to get an extra round in.  I shot even par, but had the opportunity to shoot under par.  This all sounds awesome, but again I learned another lesson today that I would like to share.

On the 6th hole I came upon a couple enjoying their round and they waved me through.  I suddenly was out of my rhythm and hurried my tee shot.  Well, after I dropped the ball outside the red stakes, I proceeded to take a smooth bogey.  As I continued, I put that mistake behind me and refocused on my game.  At the 16th hole I was waved through by a foursome of women.  Not wanting to hold them up, I briskly walked down the fairway, stood behind my ball and bladed it 15 feet from the pin.  Oh yeah, I started 12 feet from the pin before the shot.  I proceeded to two putt and off I went with another bogey in hand.

Well as you can see, both instances I rushed my shot, was out of my rhythm and was not  focused on my shot.  I can honestly say that I bogey the hole over half the time when I am waved through a group.  I have decided is because I hurry to get out of their way.

Therefore, next time I am waved through, I will take my time and keep to my routine and expect different results.  Hope you are enjoying the links!

When Your Game Goes South!

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Making a DivotWell today was another interesting challenge on the links.  I started with 5 bogeys on the first 6 holes.  And I THREE PUTTED 4 times!  OUCH!  I was confused, frightened (ok not really), annoyed, and well confused again.  I started to press my game to get back a stroke or two before the end of the front nine.  Although the score did not show it, I struggled for the next 5 holes.

Now what?  I remembered an article I read a long time ago that related perfectly to my current situation.  Instead of pressing; the article say to throttle back a bit.  Hit the ball at 90% instead of 105%.  Guess what, it worked.  I regained my calm, struck the ball better and putted better.  I finished 7 over and felt better at the end.  I am a grateful golfer.

So my question is – what do you do regain your game when it seems to have gone south?