Heads or Tails?

July 3, 2012July 3, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Heads or Tails? What the heck? What kind of statement is that? Well believe it or not, it has lots to do with the golf swing. Through the years I have been asked many questions regarding the single most important aspect of the golf swing. Should I keep my elbow in? Should I keep my lower body still? Should I, Should I, Should I….there have been many very good questions. So what is the answer to this very important question?

My advice is focus on keeping your head as still as possible. At Swing Surgeon Golf he talks about this exact point. I agree with their points that keeping the head a still as possible (it will never be completely still) will allow for a more consistent swing. And for most amateurs this is what we are looking for. Keeping the your head as still helps develop and swing that can be duplicated and is more consistent.

There are many tricks and tips out there on how to keep your head still. The one tip that works best for me is to swing at 90% strength, watch the club make contact and count to one, staying focused on the spot where my club hit the ball. You will be pleasantly surprised and the results.

Tomorrow is a special day for all my friends in the United States. I wish everyone a fantastic 4th of July. I hope you are spending it with friends, family and loved ones. See you on the links; I am a grateful golfer!

Staying Focused for 18 Holes

June 30, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Today started out normal. Up at 5 am, out the door by 5:15 am, grab a coffee at Tim Horton’s and off to the course 22 minutes away (yes I have it timed, I know, but I need it for planning purposes). When I arrived, I met Bill. He is visiting family in the area and wanted to get a quick round in before his kids woke up.

During the front nine, Bill and I made small talk; slowing getting to know each other. But mainly we focused on our game. At the end of nine, I was 1 over and I think Bill was 4 over. We were both very happy with our scores. Now the fun begins.

During the back nine, Bill and I started to talk more about or families, jobs, hobbies, etc. Well a funny thing happened! As we talked more, we focused less on our game – then it happened; 6 bogeys in a row! I cannot remember the last time I had 3 bogeys in a row! And here the lesson to myself for the day.

It is very important to stay focused for the entire 18 holes. It really makes a difference. I know many of us have our group of friends who we play with on a regular basis and generally they have been our friends for a long time. It is easy to get caught up in conversations not related to the game at hand. That is when goofy shots creep in. So if you want to lower your score, try staying focused for the entire round, chances are that you will shave off a couple of strokes.

Ultimately my 77 today was a minor thing. The best part is I met someone new (golf is a social game) and learned a few things along the way. I am a grateful golfer.

Dodging Sprinklers

June 29, 2012June 29, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

I am an early bird player. I enjoy teeing off at 6 am and finishing around 8 am. When you are the only one on the course or you have a friend playing with you, getting around the course in record time is quite easy. However, playing early does have some interesting hazards that most players do not encounter later in the day.

First, the dew on the green. I slows the ball and does not allow for much action on an approach shot. Fog – well in the summer fog is more of an issue than most people think. Although it burns off by the end of the front nine, it can pose a challenge. Sprinklers – well I guess having a minor shower as you play could be considered a perk, however moving around to miss the spray or rushing your shot can definitely add strokes. Lastly, the green’s keepers. They are usually out in full force trying to prepare the course for the days activities and dodging balls from half asleep golfers is probably not part of their job description.

There are many pluses for playing early. After my round, I spend the entire day with my family. It is usually quiet and refreshing on the course. I see lots of wildlife like deer, foxes, rabbits and the odd snake. The sun rising over the trees is especially picturesque. It is very tranquil and provides me with a positive environment to enjoy each moment.

Playing early in the morning is one of my favorite times to play. I allows me to clear my mind of useless clutter and reminds me of how grateful I am to play this wonderful game. I am a grateful golfer!

A Wedge or a 5 Wood?

June 27, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

I have asked this question for years; should I replace my 5 wood for a 60 degree wedge. This is a tough question. I have researched this question and found no definite answer. So here is what I think:

The lower the handicap the more wedges you require. Most 15-25 handicap players will lean towards the 5 wood. I would support that decision because they are still trying to hit the green from a distance and the 5 wood is a very forgiving club.

If you are a lower handicap player, like me, you have already switched to a 60 degree wedge. I found that I had to practice and learn how to use it properly (and I am still learning) but it has significantly increase my up and down ratio around the green.

So what do you think? Do you use a 5 wood or a 60 degree wedge?

Hole-In-One!

June 26, 2012June 27, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Hole in One! Today it was a fantastic day! I hit my third hole in one. The coolest thing is that they all occurred during a tournament. Today, I was on the blue tees at Osprey Links Golf Course on hole number 11. It was playing 208 yards and I used my 3 hybrid. It was a fantastic feeling and I hope I experience it again soon. On a side note, I shot 73, two over par, with a triple on the 14th hole.

This event sparked some lively conversation within my group. One of the things we discussed was the value of hitting a good shot. There have been many days when I have not hit the ball well until one shot, a special shot, occurs that turns your entire game around. After that amazing shot, you have a completely different mental attitude to the game. You feel and act positive and like a miracle, everything seems to go your way.

The mental aspect of the game is critical to success. Remaining positive and focused allows for many special things to happen. Today was a perfect example. I felt very confident and had framed (using imagery) how successful my day would be. Ultimately, it worked extremely well. I suggest that you try it.

The day before you go golfing, start going through your mind all the positive shots you are going to make. How successful you will be on each hole. Focus your thoughts until you can feel the positive energy going through your whole body. I believe it works and have used it on many occasions.

Today was an awesome day and I am a grateful golfer!