2015 Solheim Cup

September 18, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

The Solheim Cup is a biennial golf tournament for professional women golfers contested by teams representing Europe and the United States. It is named after the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim (founded Karsten Manufacturing, better known as PING), who was a driving force behind its creation.

The inaugural Cup was held in 1990, and the event was staged in even number years until 2002, alternating years with the Ryder Cup (the equivalent men’s event). As part of the general reshuffling of team golf events after the one-year postponement of the 2001 Ryder Cup following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Solheim Cup switched to odd-numbered years beginning in 2003.

The current holders are Europe who won for the second successive time at Colorado Golf Club, Colorado, USA in 2013. The 2015 Solheim Cup being held at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot in Baden-Württemberg, Germany is in the books.

The format for the Solheim Cup is similar to the Ryder Cup, but abbreviated. The cup is played over three days. There have been 28 matches—eight alternate-shot foursomes, eight best ball matches, and 12 singles on the final day. This is an exciting format and allows for all the players to demonstrate they skill under varying conditions. (Wikipedia)

This link to the LPGA, is a great read and outlines the who’s who for this year’s Cup. Each team consists of 12 players who have earned their way onto the fun event.

The first matches are finished and the score is 2 – 2. The alternate shot matches were close, and Pete at White Dragon Golf gives a great overview of the mornings events! Here is the rest of the schedule for the weekend events!

The Solheim Cup is a great head to head battle for some of the best golfers in woman’s golf. Unfortunately, I will not be able to watch the USA and Europe do battle, but I will be following as the events unfold. Good luck to both teams! However, and more importantly, the real winners will be the golfing fans!

I am a grateful golfer!

Golf Tempo – Important or Not?

June 28, 2014June 28, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 16 Comments

My recent roller-coaster ride on the course was a bit of a quandary until this morning. Over the past two weeks my scores have been all over the place. Shooting as low as 76 and as high as….well really high! It always feels like I have the same swing until I was discussing my challenges with Rick Williams from mindbodygolf and he was questioning the erratic nature of my game. After taking time to actually think about what is going on I believe I have found the solution to my woes.

Golf Tempo! Immediately everyone starts to visualize their drawback for the club head, the slight pause at the top, and the downward swing to a high follow through. (I posted my swing on my YouTube channel) As I reviewed my swing, I realized my tempo was a bit quick. Not sure if that was because of the video; ultimately it makes no difference it was a bit quick.

Zepp labs state that “tempo is the ratio of the measured time in seconds it takes to make a back swing, versus the measured rate of time in seconds it takes to make your – until impact. This ideal ratio is 3:1.” Their definition makes complete sense to me. Although I have never measured my swing, I notice the difference in the good shots as they are comfortable, balanced, and in control throughout the entire swing process.

The 3:1 ratio of a golf swing seems to be the accepted norm. Deb Vangellow, LPGA Master Professional, explains that the best way to attain this magical tempo is by use of a cadence counter/metronome. I recommend using it on the range because of the potential difficulty that changing your tempo might cause. This is something I have never tried, but it seems time to do so with my Regional Golf tournament coming up in 2 weeks.

One other point about tempo that is often overlooked is how fast a player plays. This topic covers walking to their ball, pre-shot routine, how they play on the greens and how quickly a player moves from green to tee.

I find that if I walk slightly quicker than my normal saunter it works well for my game. This pace keeps me mentally attuned to what is happening around me, it allows for the proper amount of pre-shot preparation, and ensures I have enough gas in the tank going done the 18th fairway.
My pre-shot routine must stay the same. Sometimes, I actually change my routine for no reason. I know, that is crazy, but it happens.
On the greens, it is important to look at the break, the grain, the wind, and your line. All of these are important and should not take very long. Usually, the green is not an issue. However, it is important that I putt out everything! Sometimes I get lazy.
It is important for good tempo to move from the green to the tee with intent. I am not suggesting that players sprint, but getting ready to play the next hole without taking too much time helps keep the tempo (flow) of the game.

Tempo on the course and during your swing is very important. At this time, tempo appears to be a challenge of mine. Playing well on most holes demonstrates all the pieces are there, I just need to put it all together as a package.

I am off to put my new theory to work!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links.

Why Is Tiger Woods Back?

June 26, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 11 Comments

The World of Golf is funny! Each week we patiently wait for the PGA Tour or LPGA tournaments so we can cheer, discuss, lament, and ponder about who will rise to the top. Last weekend, the US Women’s Open champion, Michelle Wie, walked away finally playing to her potential! Kevin Streelman shot seven birdies in a row to close out as champion of the Traveller’s Championship. I would suggest that Wie was not a surprise, however Streelman came out of left field considering his late charge. As much as these amazing feats were the talk of the town on Sunday, shortly after the media dropped these young up-starts and focused on the return of Tiger Woods.

The media clamored over each other to cover what they thought was the biggest news story of the week! The discussion about his return to prepare for The Open in 21 days is touted as the primary reason, but somehow the hair on the back of my neck suggests that this may not be the whole truth! There is little doubt that ticket sales and TV viewing is down significantly since Woods’ injury and it is very likely that the Quicken Loans National was also feeling the economic pinch.

The Tiger Woods Foundation is the primary charity of the Quicken Loans National tournament. Without the main draw in golf playing, it is likely the charity was suffering. There is little question that Tiger Woods is still the biggest name in golf and his return is welcomed by most pundits and golfing enthusiasts!

Many of the pundits are quickly throwing their hat into Woods’ ring as a potential winner of this weeks professional tournament, but those expectations are just too high. It is important that he play is way back to being at the top of the golfing heap, but he needs to do it slowly. Preparing for The Open is vital to his personal goals and starting with the Quicken Loans National tournament seems logical and well thought out.

For all the conspiracy enthusiasts out there, it really does not matter why Tiger Woods is back. If the only reason he came back at this time is to raise funds for his foundation, then I give him my full support! At least he is using his powers for good!

Tiger Woods is back. If he stays healthy, and I hope he does, then it is good for golf. He has three weeks of a tough road ahead and as he hones his skills the chance to raise the Claret Jug get better and better.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Lydia Ko Turns Pro

November 23, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 7 Comments

A sixteen year old LPGA phenom turned pro on 23 October. After four wins at the professional level, Lydia Ko decided it was time to make her mark. At 16, see will face tremendous pressure to succeed as she chases her dream as a professional golfer. As the top ranked amateur golfer in the world for 130 weeks, there is not much more she can accomplish at that level. So why not turn pro?

After finishing runner-up to Suzann Pettersen in The Evian Championship in France, Ko announced that she would turn pro in 2014. However on 23 October 2013, Ko stated in a YouTube video featuring New Zealand rugby player Israel Dagg, that she was turning professional immediately and would play her first professional tournament in Florida in mid-November (all details taken from Wikipedia). The video is definitely worth watching!

On October 2013, the LPGA Tour granted Ko’s request to join the LPGA, waiving the Tour’s requirement of members being at least 18 years old. It is not surprising that the LPGA granted her request because she is quickly becoming a world-wide sensation; why not capitalize on this rising star. It is not clear what sparked here decision, however if she made the request to turn pro at the beginning of the current golfing season, she would have earned more than $1 million….tough decision.

This young Kiwi will have some challenges along the way, but with proper coaching and mentoring from the senior players will definitely help to handle the pressures of a professional athlete. Phil Mickelson mentioned last week that Ko needs to pay attention to where she lives and the income tax implications. Great advice to someone whose potential Although is almost limitless.

Many pundits will compare Ko’s decision to that of Michelle Wie who turned pro at 16. Although the endorsement deals for Wie have been beneficial; she has not yet reached the same success on the golf course. Wie’s potential was also through the roof, but the pressure to win was tremendous. Hopefully, Ko will not experience the same challenges! Current after two rounds, Wie and Ko are tied for 23rd at the CME Group Titleholder’s Event in Naples Flordia.

Golf is an interesting sport. At 16, Lydia Ko has accomplished more than most players could only dream. Her future is bright and hopefully she will achieve all her goals and more! Besides the journey while pursuing your dreams is really the best part.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!