Every golfer will find their ball in a tough predicament in almost every round of golf. Shots made by Rory McIlroy and Victor Hovland on the 17th hole from across the road on the 17th hole at The Open demonstrate that all players need to take risks on delicate shots in order to shoot lower scores. In the case above, Hovland used a putter to save par and McIlroy chipped to save bogey. Each had to navigate a tough situation and Hovland’s delicate shot happened to work out better than McIlroy’s. Regardless, both players prevent a big number by taking the appropriate risk for their shots. It is a lesson for all golfers, but the real question is what is considered appropriate risk during a delicate golf shot?
Continue readingRisk Reward golf shot
Hitting An Uplifting Golf Shot
Playing golf offers a roller coaster ride that many players ride with anticipation. Golfers are the eternal optimists who live in anticipation for 0.5 seconds at a time. From the point of contact until we actually see our ball flight, we ride the high of hope that of hitting that one uplifting golf shot that quenches our desires for excellence. Our intent is to always hit shots like these, but unfortunately there are very few instances where the thrill of hope lasts until our ball lands.
Continue readingEarning Strokes In A Golf Tournament
The 43rd Ryder Cup is upon us. As the first groups tee it up for one of golf’s biggest events, many players will be wondering how to earn strokes against their opponents in order to score a precious point for their team. The decisions on when to take acceptable risks is always a precarious one, but it is something that ingrained the fabric of every golf tournament, not just the big ones! If you have ever played in competition, you were immersed in the pressure of risk/reward decision making, hopefully with some success. With Garcia, Rahm, Spieth and Thomas being the first groups out, they will set the Friday morning tone and battle for the critical first point!
Continue readingThat Is Just Crazy Golf Talk!
I was playing golf the other day when low and behold I found myself in position that I needed to talk out my possibilities for my next shot. At a moment or two of this process, I actually talked out loud to myself in hopes that the best solution would pop into my head. Before moving forward, my score was not a factor because I was having a mediocre round at best, so a few more strokes would not matter, hence my options increase significantly. My process always boils down to risk/reward regardless of the multitude of factors that my influence my shot.
Continue readingTrying The High Risk Shot In Golf
Every golfer has played themselves into a position where a high risk shot is needed. Whether we are in a tournament or having a great round, sometimes that impossible shot is placed right before us and it cannot be ignored. This happened to me a few rounds ago and I decided to make the high risk shot instead of playing it smart. Well, it took two tries, but I made it!
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The Grateful Golfer 