grateful

Thunder and Lightning

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Today was very interesting.  As I walked around the front nine, the weather was beautiful; the birds were singing; and the sun was beginning to rise.  It was the making of a beautiful day (well except for the 15 billion mosquitoes).  Walking towards the 10th hole it started.

Off in the distance, a low rumble was heard.  The clouds were getting dark, yet I hoped to squeeze the rest of the round in before the skies opened up.  All was going well although the rumbling was getting closer, but not a very fast pace.  As I walked off 13, it happened, a flash of lightning and a long low rumble of thunder.  Now the dilemma, should I stay or should I go?

Of course the correct answer is GO!  Lee Trevino has been hit by lightning several times.  He would say go as well.  Although Lee Trevino did say afterwards that if you get caught in a lightning storm hold a 1 iron over your head.  “Even god cannot hit a 1 iron”.  He is one of my favorite all time golfers.

Ultimately, it is not worth the risk.  On average, 44 people die from lightning strikes each year.  So my suggestion is that if the thunder and lightning are heading your way, do the smart thing and head to the club house and have a coffee.  Enjoy the links!

Skins Game!

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Today was an awesome time on the course.  Three of us hit the links and played a little skins game.  Funny thing is I had the best score and paid the most money.  That is the way it goes sometimes.  Don and Guy played really well and were able to squeeze out 6 and 7 skins respectively.  That left me with 5 skins.  Overall, it was a fun time on the course.

Don passed on a putting tip that I think is very basic and fundamental to proper alignment of your head over the ball.  He suggested that you line up over a putt as per normal.  Take a ball and put it right beside your right eye (if you put right-handed).  Drop the ball; if it hits the ball on the ground you are in the right position.  If not, you should adjust the position of your head, body or ball to make sure the proper alignment.

This tip allows of proper positioning of the head to ensure a smooth stroke on your chosen line.  It really works.

Best shot of the day went to Guy.  He hit a 5 wood 215 yards over a pond onto the green 8 feet away.  It was spectacular to watch.  Yes, he won a skin on that hole.

I hope the rest of my season was as much fun as today.  I am a grateful golfer.

Chip or Pitch

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As I approach each green, I am always faced with the dilemma of putting (which of course is always my first choice), chipping or pitching the ball.  Of course the your choice of the next stroke will depend on many factors: your lie, the distance between the ball and the green, hazards between your ball and the hole….etc.

Ultimately, my preference is to pitch the ball.  I believe the best course of action is get the ball rolling on the green as soon as possible.  The convention that I have read is use an 8 iron for the greatest percentage of success.

I on the other hand like to use a 7 iron.  The 7 iron pitches the ball lower, provides better feel and ensures that the ball rolls the greatest distance on the green.   I hold it like a putter, swing it like a putter, and strike the ball with the same strength as I would with a putter.  With practice it has helped shave 2 strokes of my score.

Off to the links tomorrow, I am a grateful golfer.

Best Ball Game

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Tonight was my first men’s night tournament at Osprey Links Golf Course.  We played a Best Ball format and had a blast.  My friend, Rick, and I shot 4 over.  We both 3 putted the first three holes.  Man what a poor way to start.  We hit the ball very well, but nothing close.  Overall, we had a great time.

For those who are wondering, Best Ball means each player plays their own ball for the entire hole.  The lowest score is recorded.  It is a fun format and usually favors the lower handicap players.

The best part of the night was meeting our playing partners.  Darren and Guy were very nice guys.  It was great to go out and play a relaxed game with people you have never met before.  Meeting new people is the main reason behind men’s night and we definitely accomplished that goal.  I am a grateful golfer.

Playing in the Rain

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Warming Up in the Rain!

Warming Up in the Rain!

Well today was a wet day!  It started to sprinkle when we started and by the 5th hole it was raining.  Interestingly, the wet weather did not really affect my score, but it sure changed the way I played.

The first change I made is how I swing the club.  I generally swing at about 80% normal strength.  This allows for a smooth transition through the ball.  I also allows for the extra rain gear that I wear.

To compensate for the less aggressive swing, I use one extra club on most shots.  This seems to work very well for me.  It allows for the distance I required  and keeps me in balance while playing on a wet surface.

Lastly, I am more aggressive when chipping around the green.  The ball always lands softer and as a result does not release as far.  By being more aggressive, I adjust for the changing conditions and alter my game to match my environment.

The casual water rule (24-2 25-1) was used extensively today.   “Casual water’’ is any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes his stance. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction. Dew and frost are not casual water. A ball is in casual water when it lies in or any part of it touches the casual water. This definition was taken from the Rules of Golf 2012.

Overall it was a great round and I am a grateful golfer!