Baseball Hands!

June 2, 2013June 2, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

A friend of mine is a very athletic. She plays multiple sports and has recently taken up golf. One of her best sports is baseball. Her technique to play baseball is fundamentally sound and she has enjoyed much success playing the sport. This is where the challenge begins.

Image from: http://www.qcbaseball.com/skills/hitting_grip1.aspx

I have watched her play golf and her address to the ball is very good. Her stance is good. She has a deliberate lower body motion, although sometimes she likes to take a step like in baseball. She has good hip rotation and a strong follow through. Unfortunately, she always hits the ball right. I mean right, about 45 degrees off the tee. It is not a slice, but travels straight right.

I have watched her hands and according to winnbaseball she loads her hands and delays contact through the ball….just like baseball players should. “It is EXTREMELY important not to let the hands come forward in the process of the stride. The knob of the bat should remain over the back foot until after the stride foot has landed.” Well, her golf swing definitely has this delay component in it.

Interestingly QC Bseball says, “Remember relaxed muscles will react quicker than tense muscles. So if you want to have a quick bat, relax those hands which in turn will help you relax at the plate.” This is similar in golf and is a positive aspect when comparing the baseball and golf swing.

Well back to the problem. I have suggested that my friend rotate her grip to the right to allow the club face to close during contact. This has helped some and she hit a few balls straight and long. But, this is not a permanent fix. She loves golf and is trying to improve all the time, so this is where I need some help.

Before anyone asks, my first suggestion was to take lessons from one of the local pros and she has, but she wants to work on this current problem a bit before going back for another.

Therefore, does anyone have any suggestions, tips, or drills that will help fix my friends baseball hands?

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

Golf Gadgets

April 20, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Golf gadgets are designed to improve your game…..or so we think. They help with our pitching, putting, short irons, long irons, driver, keeping your head still, keeping score and on and on and on. Ultimately, I think we can agree that golf gadgets are designed to make money for someone trying fix a specific aspect of someone’s golf game. I say giddy-up and all the power to you.

At coolest-gadgets.com, they specialize in gadgets of all sorts and including those specific for golf. There are hundreds of options and some look very interesting. One specific gadget to catch my eye was on the very first one on the page. It is a floating green made of velcro. What a cool concept except. I am not sure hitting balls with velcro on them would really help with your game. But, what caught my eye is that it looks fun!

Image standing around the pool having a barbecue with your buddies. Steaks are cooking nice and slow, the drinks are cold and the conversation turns to everyone’s favorite topic: golf! After some lively discussion and trash talk, out comes the wedge and a challenge to the boys (or girls) to a round of water golf. It sounds like fun to me. Is it really helping with your game, I don’t really think so, but it definitely deepens your love of the game. Oh yeah, lets not forget the bragging rights to the winner.

Not all gadgets are designed equally. Some are gimmicks and others actually have a specific purpose that may help improve your game. Regardless, golf is meant to be fun for everyone. Whether playing water golf, mini putt or looping around the links – HAVE FUN!

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

When Life Gets in the Way

January 25, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Not making my living in the golf industry, I find that sometimes life gets in the way of life. Sound confusing, well I know what you mean. Life is to be experienced and enjoyed all the time. I love my job and would consider it a calling. As a military professional, the demands of my career sometimes reduces the time I have to dedicate towards my off hour activities (the fun stuff). I am not fussed when this occurs because I believe everything that happens for a reason. We are the architect of our own lives!

Sometimes we find ourselves running around like crazy working late, doing chores, running errands, taking our kids to whatever, or helping out a friend. This can translated into players speeding to the golf course, jumping out of their car and running to the first tee. They take a couple deep breaths and WHACK! They are off first tee for a run around the course. Usually, it takes three holes to really calm down and depending how they scored on the first three holes….longer.

Anytime we want to perform well, we generally schedule time to practice, prepare, and mentally focus on the task before starting. Golf is no different. Knowing that focus is very important to success on the golf course, I have a little trick I use to prepare for a round of golf when my life is getting in the way of my life.

When I arrive, I shut off my car, the radio, my phone and any other distraction. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. I try not to think of anything at first; just my breath going in and out. After about 2 minutes (and 2 minutes is longer than you think when focusing on just your breathing) I go through my round of golf in my head. How well I am going to drive the ball; the accuracy of my wedge play; the confidence I have in my putter. I go through this part of my preparation for about 2-3 minutes. Then, just before I leave my car, I take a couple deep breaths and I am ready to play.

I find that this little 5 minute drill allows me to really focus on my game and enjoy my round of golf. There are many such techniques to get ready. Do you have any to share?

Having Fun With Golf!

October 14, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Having fun with golf is the really why the game was invented. Seeking enjoyment in any part of our lives is truly important to one’s well-being. Many golfers find ways to enhance their time on the links but inventing new games, playing from different tees, playing in fun tournaments, and just socializing with your friends.

Golf Digest has an article with 18 different ways to have fun playing golf. Several different authors quickly outline their views on how to spread joy in your game. My favourite is by Stina Sternberg who suggests you throw out the score card. It takes pressure off the player and allows them to try different shots without worrying about hurting your score.

Personally, the best way to enjoy golf is to play early in the morning, carrying a cup of coffee, and playing with a friends. During that time, we can use a foot wedge, mulligans, and do-overs. I also have my fail safe way of spreading joy. The 30-second rule!

The 30 second rule can be used by anyone. If you hit the ball off the tee – well if you miss hit the ball of the tee; run, pick up your ball and put it back on the tee within 30 seconds, the stroke does not count. You will be surprised how happy it makes everyone.

Overall, golf is all about fun. There are many ways to enjoy your round and using your imagination is the best way. See you on the links!

Playing Golf for Fun!

September 6, 2012 / The Grateful Golfer / 3 Comments

Hole In One from 208 Yards
Man I Love This Game!

Fundamentally, golf is a game! I know this is a profound statement, but it really is just a game. I realize that this blasphemous statement does not sit well with many of you, however it is important to take stock of why we play.

Take me for instance, I have played golf for 35+ years. I have had many ups and downs throughout my golfing days. My game has continued to evolve and I can honestly say that I still have plenty to things to learn. So what drives me to continue, to push the edge, to challenge myself….the love of the game. I love the competition (both in tournaments and against myself on regular days), the social aspect of playing, learning from my fellow competitors and hoping for that one perfect shot….the elusive hole in one.

Many golfers may not look at golf this way. They look at the game of what they cannot do…not what they can do. They see the negative aspects of a bogey instead of the positive view that it could have been worse. A positive attitude will drive every golfer to great successes and real appreciation for the game.

An article in the New York Times outlines some very good aspects of why we play golf. The following is from that article: “Does being a golfer mean enduring clumsy embarrassment? Well, yes, it does sometimes, but that wasn’t the point. Being a golfer is to join a tribe with an elaborate set of tenets and canons, one with its own mores and protocols and no definable mission other than to chase a little ball into a hole.

It is a silly game, somewhat childish, a good walk spoiled, as Mark Twain said. It is all those things. So why do we love this game?

The allure of golf is its simplicity, which leads to a thousand complexities. It is sophisticated because it is subtle. It is perfect because it is wholly and forever imperfect.

I once asked David Duval, a British Open champion, what made golf so difficult and yet so appealing. He said, “It’s all the time to think between shots.”

I asked the great Phil Mickelson the same question and he said, “It’s all the choices you have.”

I asked Jack Nicklaus and he replied, “Because you must master so many elements, including yourself.”

I asked the golf commentator and author David Feherty and he said, “Because it’s a ridiculous game and it’s our fault for playing it.”

There you have it. Golf means something different to everyone. I can say that the reasons for playing golf over the years has morphed. Now, I play to enjoy the walk, talk to my friends (old and new), and challenge myself hitting a little white ball into a hole. I am a grateful golfer!

What to you love about Golf?