Unexpected Results in Golf

September 8, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Golf continues to provide unexpected results. This past weekend was exciting, disappointing, and surprising at the same time. Many pundits are wondering if the last leg of the FedExCup playoffs will offer the same drama as the BMW Championship last weekend.

First, congratulations to Billy Horschel for winning the BMW Championship. His steady play of four, sub-70 rounds paved his way to the winner’s circle. His win resulted in an 18 position rise in the FedExCup standings to second place. If he plays well at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, Horschel is in for a huge payday!

True Patriot Love Foundation - Out of the Sand

Out of the Sand Like A Pro

Keegan Bradley withdrew because of a moving ball controversy. “This is Bradley’s first career withdrawal on the PGA Tour, and it stemmed from lingering questions he had over an embedded-ball ruling he received on the 18th hole of his opening round. Bradley took relief under Rule 25-2 for an embedded ball in the grass face of a greenside bunker after conferring with a rules official, but a subsequent conversation with a fan cast doubt for Bradley over whether the ball was truly embedded.” (Golfchannel.com)

This type of controversy is hurting golf. After a discussion with a rules official, Bradley took relief and continued to play. That should be the end of the conversation. That is what rules officials are paid for; are they not? Regardless, the disheartened Bradley can now focus on the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland, on 23-28 September.

Phil Mickelson withdrew from the BMW Championship and the TOUR Championship. He cited fatigue and the desire to rest and prepare for the Ryder Cup. Having little chance to make it to the TOUR Championship, Mickelson chose to put an end to his poor golfing year. His decision has merit, but does highlight the challenges of a long and grueling golf season.

Sergio Garcia self-destructed on the 17th hole on the final day of the BMW Championship. Firing a triple bogey after a near flawless round caught everyone’s eye. The triple bogey was not the real issue, but the manner in which he did it caused golfing pundits to question his mental fortitude when the pressure is on. Having watched Garcia play poorly, I would have to disagree with the golfing analysts. It is possible his focus waned for a moment. As a result, two bad shots in a row. Garcia is still in the hunt to win the FedEx Championship and should not be counted out this weekend!

Rory McIlroy four-putting the 12th hole on two consecutive days was very surprising. After playing so well for the past 6 weeks, this momentary lapse in ….. well, I am not sure what to call it, was unforeseen. He is still the best player in the world and will continue to be so for many months to come. McIlroy might be thinking about the ‘what if’ after his two four-putts, but in the big picture all his putting woes did was give the media something to write about.

News of professional golfers challenges always appears to be ‘big news’. I agree that some of the stories are important and are considered real news. However, most stories are really just ‘the rub of the green’. It happens and has no real lasting effect on the golfing world. Personally, I would like to see more good news stories. Here is one of my favorites that lasted about as long as it took to write the article.

“Titleist staff members Todd Huizinga and Mike Russell defy astronomical odds and score back-to-back double-eagle 2’s on Carnoustie’s famed Par-5 sixth hole.” (Titleist.com)

It happened in 2008, but typifies the good news that most amateurs would love to read about. If you have not read the story, it is worth a look.

Reporting about golf can be difficult. Sometimes there is nothing exciting happening, yet media outlets try to fill their columns. I am not sure what the answer is, but personally I would like to see more good news stories than media hype trying to create an issue where one does not exist.

Do you have any good golf news to share?

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

Picking a Golf Club to Improve Your Game

August 21, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

Recently, Josh from Golf is Mental commented on my blog called “Golf Technology – Helping or Hurting”; his statement really hit home for me! I have not stopped thinking about it and thought it would be a great topic to talk about.

Josh stated:

If companies started to market equipment that will help them hit “insanely” buttery chips and splashing out “ridiculous” sand shots, if they practice, I bet the average handicap might start to come down.

His point is very profound. The current trend in golf is to add distance to every club. Particularly, the driver and its many variations is catching the most attention in the media. Hitting the ball further is definitely an asset, but clubs that make “buttery chips” would possibly sell more than the driver. Or would it?

I have talked about hitting the ball further off the tee several times in the past, but all the articles were about technique not technology. There is no question that hitting the ball further is a tremendous asset! Watching players like Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, and Phil Mickelson smash the ball 270 yards with a three wood and land just off the green is amazing….not because they missed the green, but the confidence in their short game. Most of the time, they coolly walk to their ball and hit a “buttery chip” for the up and down! Is that not worth a few extra dollars if we could buy a club that could do that more often than not?

Or, is there more interest in being able to hit your 5 iron 190 yards for an approach shot? Or, hitting a 9 iron 160 yards as you go pin hunting? Or hitting the 3-hybrid 240 yards to the center of the green? Or…..I think you get my point!

Personally, I would pay extra for a wedge that would guarantee an up and down from 15 yards 6 times out of 10. If a club could be invented that would guarantee 25 yards on my irons…I would buy them! If the golf companies could offer a guarantee such that their irons would never slice….they would be in my bag. Of course we know that it would be impossible for companies to make these claims, however it is good to dream.

So here is my question, if a golf company could create that one club and guarantee its success, which club would you choose and why?

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

2014 PGA Champship – Final Round

August 10, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Rory McIlroy wins the 2014 PGA Championship and raises the Wanamaker Trophy!

What a fantastic finish to the 2014 PGA Championship! The back and forth battle between Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson was the best in years. There have been memorable head to head matches in professional golf, but none that included four players that lasted 18 holes! It was amazing to watch these remarkable professionals deliver knock out punch after knock out punch to no avail.

Rory McIlroy started slowly, but true to form, he clawed his way back to win his fourth Major. There is little question that the number one player in the world earned the right to raise the Wanamaker Trophy in victory. There will be many outstanding highlights about this years PGA Championship, but one point that many not be highlighted is McIlroy’s mental toughness throughout the entire round!

He watched Mickelson and Fowler make putt after putt. He watched them make amazing approach shots, scramble for par from the wrong fairway and avoid the hazards like they did not exist. All the while, McIlroy responded with eagles, birdies, scramble pars and being waved up from the tee on the 18th hole because of darkness. His slow start did not deter him, but highlighted his strong mental game.

All of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, many pundits questioned his dedication to his chosen profession. They questioned his mental toughness and ability to stay an élite player on the PGA Tour. McIlroy’s play over the past two Majors should quiet all the nay-sayers! Having won three tournaments in a row and claiming the world number one ranking, what is next for this 26-year old phenom? Oh yeah, the Ryder Cup in September!

As the anchor for the European Team, Rory McIlroy will once again prove he is the best golfer in the world….but, for now,that can wait. It is time to celebrate today’s win and relish his victory.

I am grateful to Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy for an outstanding exhibition of how golf is supposed to be played.

Congratulations to Rory McIlroy, the 2014 PGA Championship winner!

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

PGA Championship – Moving Day!

August 9, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

The PGA Championship Trophy – Wanamaker Trophy

Day three of the PGA Championship is in the books. Rory McIlroy is leading with Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Jason Day in hot pursuit. Sandwiched between these favorites is an Austrian, Bernd Wiesberger. A virtual unknown on the PGA Tour; he has only played in 7 events in the past four years and has missed the cut 4 times. Considered a journeyman on the European Tour, Wiesberger is defying all odds and will play with McIlroy in the last group tomorrow.

Except for Wiesberger, everything is playing out as scripted in this year’s PGA Championship. McIlroy is leading and being chased by two young lions and a wily veteran. With 11 players within 5 strokes of the leader, Sunday is shaping up to be the best finish of any Major in 2014. It is fitting that the last Major of the year be hotly contested by golf’s leading players.

An interesting fact about the 12 players at the top of the leaderboard is that nine different countries are represented. The diverse nature of the players is another strong indication that the US dominance in golf may be over! A particular favorite of mine is Graham DeLaet. The sole representative from Canada, he is considered to be one of the next great players because of his smooth swing and consistent play.

Moving day did not provide too many surprises at the top of the leaderboard. Except for Bernd Wiesberger and Jamie Donaldson, most players only moved up a couple of positions. The real movers of the day were players like Hunter Mahan (up 25 positions), Sergio Garcia (up 30 positions) and Adam Scott (up 13 positions). Unfortunately for these players, it is just a little too late. They are too many strokes behind to make a run for the Wanamaker Trophy, but they are fun to watch.

So far, my prediction of Rory McIlroy finishing first, Rickie Fowler finishing second and Sergio Garcia as my dark-horse, is not looking too bad. On Sunday, expect Fowler and Mickelson to start strong early and put pressure on McIlroy down the stretch. However, it will not be enough. McIlroy is playing his best golf in 2 years and will not falter. When all the dust settles on Sunday afternoon, Rory McIlroy will raise the Wanamaker Trophy over his head. As a two-time Major winner, he is a shoe-in for PGA Player of the Year!

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

PGA Championship and The Ryder Cup

August 8, 2014August 8, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 9 Comments

The second round of the PGA Championship is in the books. As expected, Rory McIlroy is leading the field by two. He played very well in the extremely wet conditions and is poised to win his second Major of the year.

Also as predicted, Tiger Woods struggled and missed the cut. Brian Penn at All About Golf talks about the end of an era and provides a great view of what most of us are thinking. It is unfortunate, but I am not entirely sure he will not make another come back.

A more interesting issue regarding the PGA Championship is its importance to USA Ryder Cup Captain, Tom Watson. Playing in this weekend’s Major, he has his eye on all the players who have made the team and those on the bubble. With three Captain’s picks left, players such as Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Keegan Bradley, Brendon Todd and Ryan Moore seem to be the leading candidates. Play at the PGA Championship will have a tremendous impact on his final decision.

Complicating Watson’s life is the turmoil faced by the 2014 USA Ryder Cup Team. Dustin Johnson cannot play due to his personal challenges. He was in 6th place before he announced that he was finished playing professional golf for the rest of 2014. Matt Kuchar and defending PGA Champion, Jason Dufner, have both withdrawn from the PGA Championship because of health issues. Considered leaders on the USA Ryder Cup team, their loss would further stress Tom Watson. If neither are healthy enough to play in the Ryder Cup in September, Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley would make the team….then what?

The players Watson would have to choose from are steady, focused, young and hungry to make their mark in Ryder Cup history. Unfortunately, players like Ryan Moore, Brendan Todd, Harris English, Webb Simpson and Chris Kirk are all considered young journeyman players who are just now starting to play well enough to win. With 12 wins between all 5 players, they are not considered seasoned professionals ready for the pressure of the Ryder Cup matches. Or are they?

Maybe, Captain Watson needs to throw convention out the window and go with some young blood. It is a risk, but considering the Europeans have won 7 out of the last 10 Ryder Cups, a change might be in order! They have played well enough to at least be in the running, it may be time to give them a chance! And Tom Watson, that wily veteran who has slayed the greatest names in golf, might just be crazy enough to lead these young players to victory!

After the PGA Championship, Watson will have some difficult decisions to make. I believe Mickelson is a shoe-in, but the rest….who can say? Regardless, come 23 September at the Gleneagles Resort in Perthshire, Scotland, the underdog USA Ryder Cup team will battle the European Team for golfing supremacy!

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