Rory McIlory

It Is Masters Time Again!

/ The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

The Masters is only a few days away!  The golfing world is a buzz about the first Major in 2014. Adding to the normal hype, Tiger Woods will miss this ‘must attend’ event after 19 consecutive starts. There will be many new faces vying for the Green Jacket with realistic chances to be crowned champion. “Who will win?” is always the topic of most golfing pundits and the links below will give you an idea about some are thinking.

All of these fortune tellers, from a pure analysis point of view, are correct.  Selecting a Masters Champion is extremely difficult and some subjectivity must leak into their decision.  In six days, we shall see which oracle is correct.

The focus on Thursday does have a tendency to overshadow another important event linked to the Masters. Announced back on 07 April 2013, this new initiative of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship concluded on Sunday past. This year-long event provided young men and woman golfers between the ages of 7-15 an opportunity to compete for the thrill of playing at one of the world’s most prestigious course. These future superstars performed on the biggest stage in golf and they did not disappoint. Congratulations to all the champions!

Regardless of expectations, there is one aspect of the Masters often overlooked – the course. This course is a par 72 – 7425 yard beast that is not tamed easily. This course rewards the daring and punishes the foolhardy. If the professionals do not bring their ‘A’ game, it will be a long four days…or should I say a short two days.

Augusta National Golf Club is a sanctuary for serious golfers. Even people who do not play golf understand the reverence shown to this famous course. As a biased golfer, I am not surprised! This gem is known for Amen Corner (which will make or break a round of golf), Eisenhower Tree (well not so much any more, but it will be mentioned plenty this weekend), Rae’s Creek, Ike’s Pond, and many more. Each hole has a special name with their own unique difficulties. My favorite hole the 13th.  It is the 510 yard par 5 beauty named Azalea!  What a beautiful risk-reward golf hole!

These famous landmarks will play an important role this weekend. The Masters is “A Tradition Like No Other” because of the great players who continue to grace the tournament, the electrifying atmosphere, and of course – the course. Regardless of your sporting preference, the Masters transcends all barriers as on of the greatest sporting events of the year!

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

Which Golf Grip is Best for You?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 39 Comments

Holding a golf club is one of the most important fundamentals to a great golf swing.  The slightest change to the position of the hands has a tremendous impact on whether the ball finishes in the woods or in the middle of the fairway.  Focusing on how to hold a golf club is the first step to developing a great golf swing.

There are three basic golf swings: the baseball grip, the overlapping grip and the interlocking grip.  Each grip has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.  As each player evolves, many have experimented with each grip to suit their game. Continue reading →

World Match Play Tournament

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even_matchplay_overview_logoA World Golf Tournament is underway. Specifically, the Accenture Match Play Championship. Since 1999, players from around the globe have competed against one another in varied formats, representing their respective countries in memorable and exciting competition. Over the past decade, World Golf Championships have been contested on five continents and in 10 countries.  There are four exciting World Match Play events throughout the season that offer unique and exciting golfing events for all enthusiasts.

This year, the Accenture field is okay.  Without 3 of the top 5 players in the world, the normal hype is missing.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching McIlroy, Watson (Bubba), Garcia, Stenson, Rose and Els play, but for some reason the excitement just is not there. I wonder if that is a marketing challenge or an indication that match play is not really that exciting to watch.  Personally, I like a match play event, especially if I am competing.

On the positive side of things, I like that many underdogs are rising to the top.  At least in the first couple rounds anyway.  I like to see journeyman players go head to head with higher ranked players and win.  This reinforces why we compete because on any given day…..; in this respect golf is like all other sports.  Most of the time the great players will win, but every once in a while a surprise happens.

I guess I like the fighting spirit of the journeyman!  Much like the Olympics, never give and great things can a happen attitude is always there.  Just ask the Canadian Women’s Hockey team who won golf in a come from behind win for gold – way to go ladies! Ultimately, the field at the Accenture is not that strong this year, but watching how the winner rises to the top is the real story.

For anyone interested, I picked Rory McIlroy to win.  He is in a tough match right now, but time will tell how he does.

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

Why 14 Clubs – Part Two

/ The Grateful Golfer / 10 Comments

As previously discussed, the 1938 rule limited the number of clubs during a round of golf to 14.  If you ask 100 golfers I bet most would say that 14 is plenty.  However, if you ask a professional golfer they would say it is not enough.  Why the discrepancy?

When I started golfing 37 years ago…..OK, no old jokes….I had a started set.  It consisted of a driver, 3-wood, 3-5-7-9 iron and a putter.  As a beginner, this was plenty.  I did not have to over think club selection or worry about any finesse type shots.  Basically, I bashed the heck out of the ball and developed a passion for the game.  Slowly, my game improved I started looking for another set of clubs.

My first full set of clubs was Spalding Rebels.  I bought them 34 years ago; the set included 1-3-5 wood, 3-pw irons and a putter – 12 clubs in all.  They were my first cavity back set of clubs and I used them for about 10 years.  My game did not really improve because I played on and off during that time.  This set was perfect for me because I did not have much money invested and they were of a good enough quality that it matched my game.  I was about a 16 handicap during this period.

In 1990 things changed.  I was given an old set of Ping Eye 2 red dot clubs and started golfing more seriously.  1990 was the first year I broke 80.  I went from a 16 handicap to a solid 10 handicap in no time.  I carried a 1-3-5 wood, 3-pw irons, sand wedge and a putter – 13 clubs in all.  I used these clubs for about 10 years and only replaced the ping eye 2 persimmon woods with Callaway Warbird 1-3-5 metal wood.  It was during this time that I had quality equipment, practiced 3 days a week and played approximately 100 games per year.  The result of my increase play was a solid 8 handicap, which stayed that way for about 10 years.

Whats in your golf bag?From 2000 to present, my game improved exponentially. I have hovered around a 5 handicap with runs of breaking par once in a while. My success resulted in some club changes. I removed my 5-wood, added a 52 and 60 degree wedge, and change to hybrids for my 3-4-5 iron – I now carry 14 clubs.

This transition to more wedges has propelled my game to a new level.  The extra wedges help with the scoring around the green and that is where most amateurs should focus.  Currently, I use Cleveland Launcher irons, Callaway Razr Fit driver and 3-wood, Titlest vokey (52-56-60 degree) wedges and a pro gear putter.

The 14 club rule is limiting for some players.  Personally, I would add my 5-wood and 64 degree wedge.  The reality is that I would only hit these clubs once every 3 rounds because my other clubs cover all the normal gaps in distance and position. So I stick to 14 clubs because 16 clubs is not legal.

Ultimately, the skill and experience of any golfer will have a direct impact on the type, quality and number of clubs in their bag.  As most players improve the number of clubs will change to match their abilities; there is not set rule or rule-of-thumb.  The reason for club changes will vary, but low handicap players identify early that focusing on their short game will result in lower scores.

See what is in the pros golf bag:

What do you carry in your golf bag?

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

Golf and Moneyball

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Have you ever watched the movie Moneyball?  If not, it is about the “Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.”  Basically, it is about statistics; how to read them, work them to your favor and pray your decisions work out. Statistics are important when talking about a sports team, but are they really that important in golf?

In golf, statistics lie.  You heard it here first, stats mean nothing in golf.  They might be great to keep, fun to watch, but have no real value when predicting the outcome of any tournament, yearly money list or world ranking.  In 2013, the following were leaders on the money list and number of wins:

  1. Tiger Woods               8,553,439         5
  2. Henrik Stenson           6,388,230         2
  3. Matt Kuchar                5,616,808         2
  4. Phil Mickelson             5,495,793         2
  5. Brandt Snedeker         5,318,087        2

These players, who “dominated” the golfing world in 2013, rarely show up on any of the PGA statistic charts.  They show up on one or two, but basically, they are absent. However, a 47 year-old player, Steve Stricker, who had 0 wins in 2013, finished 7th on the PGA money list, and finished 8th in the world ranking, shows up on 5 of the major statistic charts.  Yet, he is considered in the twilight of his career with little chances of winning a Major or any professional tournament.

If Steve Stricker was 24 years old with the same statistics, he would be an up and coming phenom!  He would have the status of Rory McIlroy and be touted as one of the next great golfers.

Statistics do lie.  At this time, McIlroy ( in all likelihood will be one of the golfing greats) did not make the top 5 of any 2013 of the statistical category.  Is this just an anomaly?

I suggest not.  Gone are the days of Tiger Woods dominating the professional tour and the statistical categories.  The number of outstanding unknown players winning tournaments is on the rise.  Except for Webb Simpson, the statistics vs money list applies to the early 2014 golfing season.  As the world of golf grows and new events open up, how will the stats apply to top ranked players who more and more chose to play in places like Dubai vice Phoenix?

Statistics are not a good barometer of the golfing world.  The evolution of golf makes statistics meaningless and at the very least an exercise in futility.

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