How to improve my golf game is a topic at The Grateful Golfer that never loses its shine. I write daily (currently on 342 days in a row) in efforts to help me mentally combat health challenges, but also to improve my golf game. As you know, I am an avid player and my successes on the course did not happen overnight. My improvement over the years was more of a tortoise and hare situation where I am the tortoise!
Continue readingsetting goals
Golf Fitness and Flexibility
It is that time of year to start focusing on next year! Yup, I start thinking about how to improve my game the day after golf season is over. Of course that does not mean I implement everything right away because I still need to develop my plan. You have faithfully followed my progress over the years and I have decided to step it up a notch during this off-season. It is time to get serious about being serious!
Continue readingFighting the Urge to Change for the Sake of Changing
It is that time again, Mid January / Early February. I get in my head and start to think about what I need to change to get ready for the 2020 golf season. Unfortunately, I am like a hamster spinning a wheel in my mind, but never really accomplishing much. It is a difficult time for many golfers in the northern climes and one I try to temper!
->Setting Golf Goals for 2015
It is that time again! It is time to set my golf goals for the upcoming season. This does not mean I have a plan yet, but it is time to set some achievable goals that I can build my plan around. Last year, I set four goals and met them with moderate success. These goals were realistic and achievable, yet one thing or another prevented me from reaching my full potential.
My partial success was due to the goals themselves. They were very…..mmmmm…..vague. Here is what I said last year:
- get fit – focus on exercises designed to improve my golf game;
- research – the drills and techniques required to improve my game;
- practice – dedicate time to practice to improve my game; and
- compete – either formally or informally compete every time I hit the links.
Realistically, I achieved all these goals with ease. Unfortunately, I did not tie a result to my goals. Thus, technically all were met, but the bar was so low, it was impossible not to succeed.
This year, I am trying something different. My goals will be tangible, realistic, achievable and results oriented. Here is what I am going to accomplish this year:
- Win 1 golf tournament;
- Make the Ontario Military Regional Golf Team;
- Place in the top 10 at the Military National Golf Tournament;
- Help someone become a better golfer;
- Play 60+ rounds of golf; and
- Become a scratch golfer!
My 2015 golf goals are quite lofty. I will have to dedicate the proper time and effort to accomplish all of them. 
Personally, I love a challenge and these goals will spark the motivation I need to become a better golfer.
Finally, I will use positive intent while golfing this year. I will focus on the positive aspects of my golf game. I will objectively analyze the areas of my game that need improvement! I will gratefully accept any golf advice as it is intended.
Setting goals is a helpful way to improve your golf game. My 2015 goals are in place and my desire is strong…I am ready to succeed!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Generate More Power In Your Golf Swing
Generating more power in your golf swing usually equates to greater distance. And who wouldn’t want more distance off the tee and fairway. Would increasing your distance off the tee by 10-20 yards make that much difference in your game. Most golfers would yell a resounding YES! Unfortunately, most amateurs do not have the skill to just change their swing and generate that extra power needed to move to the next level.
After a quick search, answering the question – how to generate more power in your golf swing – may not be as easy as it seems. There are many reasons for not generating power in your golf swing and Professional golfer Micheal Campbell outlines six possible reasons:
- Reverse Pivot
- Sway or Sliding
- Early Turn
- Over Turn
- Collapsing at the Top
- Rolling Arms
If you are novice player, you are saying okay….but…..how do I tell if any of these reasons apply to me? These six points are very important and he provides solutions that make sense. I am sure there are other reasons, but to list everything that can possibly go wrong is not really helpful for the weekend looper.
So, where do we start? What exactly are we doing wrong? How do we know if it is helping? Where do I find the answers? These are all great questions.
The first step is to set a goal. Through the winter, I traditionally set three. The first for this year is to focus on generating more power to consistently gain 20 yards off the tee.
Second step is to do the research. Reading golf blogs like Hitting It Solid by Troy Vayanos or All About Golf by Brian Penn, provides an endless supply advice on a wide variety of topics. Personally, I find this very helpful. I enjoy reading and trying new tips, skills and ideas to improve my swing.
Last step is to use your newly learned skills on the range. In my case that will be next March! Unfortunately, an eight-month golfing season is the price you pay for living in an awesome country like Canada. Regardless, using the skills is a vital step to improving your game.
One last point, if you do not know where to turn, try taking lessons from a pro. It definitely provides a positive environment with a knowledgeable instructor that will improve your game. Going to PGA members like Rick Williams at mindbodygolf.com may be the best investment you make in a while!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links….in four months!
The Grateful Golfer 