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!

The PGA Championship!

August 6, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 11 Comments

PGA Championship – Wanamaker Trophy

Tomorrow is the last Major of 2014. I have predicted Rory McIlroy to win this event several times and I wrote more about it at Pundit Arena just yesterday. The PGA Championship, played at the Valhalla Golf Club, will test the mental and physical stamina of all the players. At this time, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson are the leading candidates to win the Wanamaker Trophy. However, it is important not to discount Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Adam Scott or Sergio Garcia. Tomorrow’s start will decide who will be set up to play in the last group on Sunday.

From the names above, there is one name missing; you guessed it, Tiger Woods. After leaving the WGC – Bridgestone in the last round via golf cart, barely getting into his SUV and having difficulty walking up the stairs of his private jet, it is highly unlikely that Tiger Woods will be a player in this weekend’s Major. There is no question he is mentally willing to play, however it is unclear if he will be able to.

Tiger Woods requested a registration exemption earlier in the week and was granted this request. Arriving at Valhalla Golf Club today, Woods stated he was ready to play and plans to win! In typical Tiger Woods fashion, he put all other players on notice:

“That’s the only thing I can control,” Woods said. “Try to go out there and win this event. That’s all I’m focused on. … I played all right. Nothing great. It’s only Wednesday – I want my good stuff to start tomorrow. I felt pretty good about how I played and the shots I hit.” (USA Today)

It is impossible to begrudge Woods the opportunity to play and everyone wishes him well. Unfortunately, the way the rest of the field is playing it is unlikely he will be a factor on Sunday. For any player to win a Major, they would have to be at their best and Tiger Woods is far from being at his best. As the players hit the links at 7:30 am tomorrow morning, all the questions will be answered and Woods will put on his game face preparing to do battle with the rest of the field. No matter what happens, I do wish him luck!

Another player to watch tomorrow is Rickie Fowler. Fowler has finished in the top 5 in the previous Majors of 2014. His game is strong, honed, and ready to make a run at winning his first Major. To his chagrin, he will face Rory McIlroy (who is also playing his best golf in years). Paired with Victor Dubuisson and Ernie Els, Fowler will be able to feed off the excitement of Dubuisson’s play, yet watch “The Big Easy” calmly navigate his way around Valhalla. Rickie Fowler is quickly maturing into a weekly contender and this weekend should be no different.

My dark-horse for the PGA Championship is Sergio Garcia! Ranked third in the world, Garcia is still considered my dark-horse pick for several reasons. First, he experienced a difficult loss to McIlroy last weekend in the WGC – Bridgestone (shooting 1 over on the last day). His mental toughness in the Majors is suspect and the expectation to win his first Major is growing. However, being paired with Steve Stricker and Tom Watson is a blessing. Both of these players are calm, mature, and complete gentlemen. Garcia could not ask for a better group to start the first two days of the PGA Championship. If Garcia starts strong, he just might be able to repay Rory McIlroy for last weekend.

The PGA Championship will be very exciting! As with every Major, the first two days will set the scene for the weekend. However, moving day (Saturday) will determine who has the mental toughness to raise the Wanamaker Trophy above their heads on Sunday!

Who is your favourite? Dark-horse?

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

2014 Golf Rules – Decisions

May 19, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

My last post garnered some discussion about application and interpretation of the 2014 Golf Rules. Specifically, Brian Penn from All About Golf pointed out the finer points of rule 25-1 Abnormal Ground Conditions. Ultimately, we decided that hitting your ball into a temporary lake (and not being out-of-bounds or in a hazard) warrants a free lift no closer to the hole and to place our ball one club length within the nearest point of relief. Thanks Brian for the great discussion!

Coincidentally, my copy of Golf Canada Magazine came in the mail on Friday and I came across a two pages of golf decisions that are important for every golfer; specifically, those who like to compete. I have discussed these rules before, but I want to thank Golf Canada for outstanding information and adding the “How it Affects You” portion. These small tidbits of information make all the difference!

Staying informed of the changing rules of golf is important. Understanding how to play within the rules is as important as playing golf. I have played in many competitions and every time a question about the rules surfaced. If you are still not convinced, read this article about Rory McIlroy who lost by one stroke at the 2014 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

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