Drive for Show, Putt for Dough

November 7, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

A strong short game in golf saves strokes!

How many times have I heard this statement! And how many times have we ignored this critical advice! My 2015 season was riddled with unsuccessful efforts to increase my distance off the tee. Actually, I was so obsessed to hit it like the “big boys” that I forgot the fundamental rule of successful golf.

The short game rules!

I have trusted this simple tenant and followed it for years. To lower my score and consistently shoot in the 70s, I always worked on my short game. But, for some reason this year I lost focus. I am not sure why I decided to move away from what works, but no matter what I tried, the results to hit longer off the tee did not meet my expectations on any level.

Last night, an epiphany occurred. It was not some earth shattering understanding of golf or some hitch I noticed in my swing. It all started when I asked a simple question on Twitter:

#golf question – If you had to pick between awesome drives or a deadly short game, what would you choose?

— The Grateful Golfer (@TheGratefulGolf) November 7, 2015

Although my sample group was small – the results cannot be ignored. 100% of the respondents, without hesitation, said they preferred a deadly short game over awesome drives!

Well of course they do! Most amateurs marvel at the booming 300+ yard drives of the Pros or the 250 yard 4 irons, but one critical factor we overlook is that most Pros have a deadly short game!

Anyone who has played, studied, or observed golf understands that the most strokes are saved within 25 yards of the green. The ability to consistently chip or pitch the ball for a “tap in” putt is priceless! A deadly short game is more valuable than hitting the ball long off the tee because if it takes 4 strokes to sink the ball from 25 yards, the advantage of distance is lost!

For my first introspective conclusion for this year, I realize that my 2016 season must include more short game practice if I ever want be a scratch golfer.

I am grateful for those who responded to my question last night. Your feedback was extremely valuable!

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

Winning the Two Man Scramble

August 9, 2015August 10, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 11 Comments

Jim and Jean posing with Canadian Open Trophy at the Toronto Golf Show in April 2015.

Yesterday, Jean and I tied for first in the 2-man scramble golf tournament at Roundel Glen Golf Course. There were 21 teams (42 players total) who competed in this event in attempts to walk away with the first prize and more importantly bragging rights! This is the second year in a row that Jean and I competed in this fun event and the second time we walked away with prizes! We improved our standing of second place last year and look to be clear winners next year!

Our goal this year was to shoot lower than our last year’s score of 66. I am happy to report we shot an eight under, 64 before subtracting our handicap of 1 stroke. Overall, we shot a handicapped score of 63. This beats our last year’s handicap by 3 strokes. We played very well and only left three strokes on the course.

We started the round with 3 straight birdies and lipped out for birdie on the 4th hole. It was the strong start we were looking for and it set us up for success for the rest of the round. After a birdie on the 9th hole, we finish the front 9 with a score of 32. The back nine was really no different. With four birdies we shot a 32 again for a score of 64.

Our round may sound a bit routine given our handicap, however it was anything but routine. We made hit 15 of 18 greens. We made 8 of 15 putts for birdie, we were up and down 3 for 3 from off the green (hit the pin on one chip), we lipped out 3 times, and were never in trouble at all during the round. This is atypical for us; today our games were very complimentary and as a result we played very well.

Jean’s short game was on fire. He was closest on most approach shots and his putting was the best I had seen in quite some time. He was straight off the tee and as a result, I was able press some shots by cutting corners and shortening our approach shots. In a 2-man scramble, it is critical the lead player hit the ball in play and today Jean was that guy!

We had plenty of fun today. We want to thank Mike Clare, the GM of Roundel Glen Golf Course and host of this fun event, for organizing a great time for all. The chicken wings, pizza, and libations were a great touch and much appreciated by all!

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

Breaking 100 with Consistency

March 16, 2014August 26, 2014 / The Grateful Golfer / 8 Comments

“If there is one thing I have learned during my years as a professional, it is that the only thing constant about golf is its inconstancy.” – Jack Nicklaus

The Golden Bear describes many golf games. Watching the tour it is not difficult to see that consistency is the key to success. For example: Phil Mickelson is currently on the bad side of consistency; he has played in 6 events and only has 4 top 25 finishes, missed the cut once and withdrew once. Not one of Mickelson’s memorable starts! However, Harris English is 5th in the FEDEX points; he has played 11 events with 6 top tens and has made the cut in every event – extremely consistent. Looking around the professional and amateur ranks, it is not difficult to see that consistency is one of the major keys to success!

Consistency is defined as reliability or uniformity of successive results or events – pitched with remarkable consistency throughout the season. Basically, accurate repeating of the same stroke at the same distance with similar results. The stroke does not have to be pretty, but the results, when trying to break 100, have to consistent. This is really the key to great golf.

Regardless of a players handicap, consistency drives their score. A single digit handicap player will be extremely consistent in most areas of their game. The closer to the pin, the more consistent the player becomes. Their short game is really something to watch – it is almost magical. If you watch professional golf, their short game is sometimes breath-taking as they consistently make miracle shots when least expected.

To achieve consistency and break 100 there is a magic formula. It is the best kept secret and is repackaged everyday. It is free and anyone can follow the simple process. Here it is – PRACTICE YOUR SHORT GAME!

I know many will say that you cannot even hit the ball well – that might be true, but most beginners will waste 3-5 shots around the green on every hole. They will 3-4 putt, chip the ball 2 and three times or get in the sand and have a hard time getting out! We have all been there and experience shows that consistency around the green is the first step towards lowering your score and achieving milestones.

If you are still skeptical, ask any player who scores consistently low, 98% of them will point to how well they chipped and putted during their round! To confound Jack Nicklaus’ quote, take time to practice your short game it will be the first steps to breaking 100.

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

Happy Mother’s Day

May 12, 2013 / The Grateful Golfer / 5 Comments

Today is a special day! This is the day that everyone should be grateful to their mother for all the wonderful things they have done for us. My mother was awesome! She was an avid golfer and picked the game up at 44 years young. She cared, loved, guided and shaped me into the person I am today. She was always my guiding light. I am truly grateful for all the wonderful things she did for me through the years.

I remember when my Mom was 67 years old. We were talking on the phone and she asked how she could lower her score and increase her distance of the tee. Both are not necessarily connected, but in this case they were. I told her she should practice her short game and putting for 20 minutes every second day. Additionally, I suggested she to go the driving range for a small bucket on opposite days and practice a long controlled swing with her driver. Additionally, I mentioned that she should stretch to be more flexible. About 5-10 minutes a day. She decided to give it a try and to no big surprise it lowered her score. Distance off the tee did not change, but she was more consistent. She passed at age 75 and was still breaking 100!

Happy Mother’s Day to all those wonderful moms. Today is your special day; may it be filled of love, joy, and happiness!