pace of play

Does Pace of Play Really Affect Your Golf Score

/ The Grateful Golfer / 12 Comments
Just about anything can cause a delay on the golf course.

Every golfer has a pace of play that suits their game. I know that much talk has indicated that the professionals are to blame for amateurs taking their sweet time on the links, but I am not entirely convinced that this is the case. Without getting into a huge discussion, today, the complaints about slow professionals is purely economical and has nothing to do with everyday golf.

Having said this, I actually do not believe that changing a players pace of play actually hurts their game…..within reason of course!

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Are You a Golf Snob?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 13 Comments

This question, “Are you a golf snob?” is making you think right now. Being called a golf snob is not good for our ego, but I think we can handle it! There are many types of golf snobs, but I have narrowed it down to four with the help of OOBGolf. I have modified some of their categories, but the real inspiration for this article came from a question I asked on twitter yesterday. (if you have a Twitter account don’t forget to vote)

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Golf is All About Time

/ The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

time-management

Time is precious for a golfer!

Time is a valuable commodity for a golfer. Whether we have time to practice, get in a quick 18 or 9, time to research or time just to enjoy our favorite Major on TV. Time, Time, Time – it is so precious!

Golfers talk about time in the form of pace of play, swing tempo, lining up shots, time on the green, or the time it takes a player to make a decision about their next shot! No matter, time plays an important part of every players game.

Even the great players have discussed time on the course, towards growing the game, giving back to their community, or just having the time to make the need changes to score well on Tour. Time effects all aspects of their lives. The great Ben Hogan summed up time the best when he quipped:

Daylight Ben Hogan

Worrying about time can have some detrimental effects to our game! It can cause us to speed up our swing, make poor decisions, disregard course management and just plain give up on a shot. Time has the power to destroy your round and conversely make your round the best ever!

Now, lets stop and think about this for a minute. Does time really have the power over us or doe we let power control our lives to some extent? I believe that we have to power to control time! Time can be an irrelevant factor with respect to our golf game; only if we allow ourselves to make it so!

It is difficult to put into words, but one of my views of golf is that time is not a factor in my game. My pace of play is always good, so the rest of the effects of time is controlled by one thing…..me. I like routine and consistency in my approach to golf; every shot takes a certain amount of time and I use it all, every time. It is important to develop the proper habits that work for you so time does not have a negative affect on your game. Over the coming months, I will use time as the basis for discussion. I hope you have the time to read them!

During the off-season, I make the time to learn, train, and imagine about my upcoming success in my 2016 golf season. I leverage time to do all the fun things in my life – golf is just one – and ensure my time is spent in the best way possible! As your off-season unfolds (and golf season for some) keep in mind that time is only as relevant as you make it!

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

TEE IT FORWARD

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

With a goal of improving Canadian golfers’ overall enjoyment of the game, the Canadian PGA and Golf Canada support the TEE IT FORWARD initiative.

“TEE IT FORWARD is aimed at helping golfers have the best possible experience on the golf course by playing from a set of tees best suited to their abilities. The initiative encourages all golfers to play the course at a length that is aligned with their average driving distance.” (Golf Canada)

Driver Distance Recommended Yardages to play:

  • 275 yards 6,700 – 6,900 yards
  • 250 yards 6,200 – 6,400 yards
  • 225 yards 5,800 – 6,000 yards
  • 200 yards 5,200 – 5,400 yards
  • 175 yards 4,400 – 4,600 yards
  • 150 yards 3,500 – 3,700 yards
  • 125 yards 2,800 – 3,000 yards
  • 100 yards 2,100 – 2,300 yards

This not just a Canadian initiative, the PGA and USGA are supporting partners as well.  “When you TEE IT FORWARD, you hit more lofted irons into greens, putt for birdies and pars more often and play faster and score better!  Many amateurs are regularly hitting approach shots on a par-4 hole from 185 to 205 yards. The fact is, most bogey golfers only hit approach shots generally with any accuracy from within 170 yards. When you TEE IT FORWARD, you have the potential to hit approach shots from 145 to 165 yards.”

TEE IT FORWARD received great feedback in 2012 from golfers nationwide (USA) who reported:

  • 56 percent of those who used TEE IT FORWARD played faster
  • 56 percent indicated they are more likely to play golf more often
  • 83 percent hit more lofted clubs into greens
  • 85 percent had more fun
  • 93 percent continue to TEE IT FORWARD

Turtle1

Coming Through!

The TEE IT FORWARD program is great for golf and last nights round is a perfect reason.  My friend and I were playing behind a twosome of women, who in turn were playing behind a threesome of men.  The threesome of men were very slow.  So slow that the women played two balls each and were still waited on every hole.  The men in front had several holes open in front of them and would not let the women play through.  The most frustrating aspect of this entire ordeal is that the two of the men rarely hit the ball further than 150 yards!  In stead of playing from the whites, they should have moved up to the golds.  It makes a difference of about 30-50 yards a hole.  It would definitely have sped up play.  For those who may be asking, we did join the women and still had to wait!

TEE IT FORWARD is a great program for golf!  It will definitely improve the pace of play and the enjoyment for those on the course.  I am a grateful golfer!  See you on the links!