Phase One Half Complete

June 20, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

A follow-up to my earlier post, Shooting to Make the Team, I completed the first of two aggregate rounds of golf to make our Base team. Using some great advice from Brian at All About Golf and Pete from White Dragon Golf, I hit many fairways and greens and reminded myself to have fun.

As it turns out, I am leading the competition. Of the 15 players trying out, I have a very strong lead that I should be able to maintain. Although the conditions were windy and dry, I managed to keep my composure and record a reasonable score. It is my belief that you can win and lose a two-day competition on the first day.

I struck the ball well. I even poked a drive out 282 yards! That is huge for me. I hit 13 of 18 greens in regulation. I had one penalty stroke for a ball in the water; I was hitting three from point of entry which resulted in my only double of the day. So for the most part I struck the ball fairly well.

Where I struggled was putting! I had 5 three putts to help make my total number of putts as 35! I missed 3 putts under 3 feet. Needless to say, I was not happy about that part of my game, but still managed to shoot 81. So I bet you can guess what I am working on this week! Ian Hardie’s Putting 101 is a good place to start.

I am one step closer to qualifying for the Regional Competition. Day two of the Base Playdowns is next Tuesday. Unless I do something really crazy, I will make the team.

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

Eagles Eagles Eagles

May 16, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

What is cooler than getting an eagle! Ok, a hole in one for sure……I know a double eagle! But back to reality. Eagles are a goal of mine every year. I try to make five eagles every year. Last year I only had three! But with my new driver and three wood, I hit the ball a bit longer so I am anticipating more opportunities to make eagle. I already had one opportunity this year and missed.

For shorter hitters like me (250 yards of the tee) eagle opportunities are difficult, however I have a plan! On par 5s that I need a I great drive, I focus on smooth clean contact. I do not over swing because I usually lose distance because something is out of sync. Smooth and controlled is the way to go!

Next is my approach shot. If I am not hitting my three wood, I use one more club than needed! Yup, that is my secret? The reason is to make sure I swing smooth and controlled. This type of swing ensures I stay on target and I have enough distance to actually reach the green. Through the years, experience has shown that I have routinely under clubbed hitting into the green from 215 – 230 yards out.

Last trick is to sink the putt. While putting, I hit the ball one foot past the hole; instead of six inches on a normal putt? This extra strength on my putt ensures I do not leave my it short! And we all know how much that sucks!

Well this is my plan to increase my eagles this year. What do you think?

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

Four Bad Holes

May 9, 2013May 9, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

Today I played Timberwolf Golf Course in Sudbury, Ontario. Our pilgrimage to this course was well worth the trip. The fairways were in great shape and the greens were in pretty good shape. We played in under 4 hours and everyone had a great time.

As games go, I was fairly consistent. I drove the ball well, chipped strong and lag-putted very well. Overall, I was very happy with my round. Unfortunately, I had four bad holes. I am not complaining, but it does baffle me sometimes when I can shoot 6 pars in a row….then a triple. On the first hole, I was not warmed up and for my lack of preparation I was given a double from the course and I was not in any trouble! The other double, I actually lost a ball and lipped out for a bogey…so that was okay. The last bad hole was a bogey on the second hole….such is life. So if you are adding up my score, it was an 80 with a triple, 2 doubles and a bogey. Actually, a pretty solid round.

So what did I learn today? I must start implementing my pre-playing routine. I must use my own advice and take 5 minutes in my car to focus my mind before hopping out and running to the tee. I must practice my putting and chipping before I start. And finally, I must make sure I have all my equipment ready before going to the course….it helps reduce my panic of gathering my stuff!

Today was excellent. As I do every-time I play, I learn something….or in this case relearn something. Pre-playing routine is important to eliminating four bad holes!

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

Grateful to be Golfing

May 8, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

Well, I have two games under my belt and each time I played my game was a bit better. The first round I was lucky to finish because I was tired and not at all ready for a round of golf. But, I was grateful to be playing and I have not complaints.

The second round was more interesting. Each hole was an adventure. I would drive well and chip like a clown. I would chip well and putt like a wimp! I would putt well….actually I putted terrible because I 3-putted 7 greens. I am not really disappointed though because this is exactly how every year starts. On a side note, I shot 80 on the second round….44 – 36.

Regardless of the score, these are the things I am grateful for:

Playing in the beautiful sun.
Putting for eagle….and no I did not leave it short!
Two birdies in on the back nine.
Hitting four greens in a row in regulation.
Playing with two of my very good friends.
Laughing, smiling, and joking around for 4 hours.

I am off to play golf tomorrow with three of my friends. It is going to be fun and a little sad. One of my friends is retiring from the military and starting a new chapter in his life. We only have a short time left to play as much golf as possible. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

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

Titleist Vokey Wedge

March 4, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

As I said yesterday, I did go to golf town and bought a new 56 degree 11 degree bounce Titleist Vokey wedge. I went with the SM2 not the SM4. For the $40 difference, I can live with the reality that it may be illegal in 2020. Until then, I am good to go!

One interesting thing happened while in the golf store. As usual, I went to the putting green (artificial) and tried all the new putters. I tried the New Odessey putter, Callaway, Nike, Titleist, Scott Cameron, and others. The prices ranged from $350 to $75. You know what I found, I putted the exact same way with each putter.

I used a mallet, blade, offset, goof heads, traditional heads….they were all the same. So it started me thinking and I decided that I did not need to buy a new putter. I bought a new putter grip for $8. I figure that my old “Billy Beru” will do just fine for another year.

The point about my story is that new equipment is not always the answer. Sometimes it is important to purchase new technology, but really, how much does it change from year to year. That answer is really up to you!

So, did anyone buy new equipment this year? If you did, what do you hope it helps improve in your game?

Well, see you on the links!