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Preparing for Tournament Play

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I have just returned from a 54 hole regional tournament.  It was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the links.  Unfortunately, I did not qualify for the national tournament, but maybe next year!

During my time at the Garrison Golf and Curling Club, I had time to think and wonder why I was not performing to my expectations.  I wondered if I practiced my chipping and putting enough; did I play in enough tough conditions; was a physically fit; or did I mentally prepare properly?  After much debate, I determined that my mental preparation was lacking.

I believe that pre-tournament preparation is as important, if not more important, than our physical preparation.  Obviously, the physical preparation includes chipping, putting, hitting balls, and playing rule enforced rounds of golf.  However, the most overlooked aspect of tournament preparation is the mental game.

At the Mental Game of Golf, it outlines many aspects that are very important to success on the links.  They state in their blog on the mental game three aspects that I agree with to significantly improve your performance during a competition.  They are: establish your rhythm, mentally preview your round, and have a game plan.  These are three aspects of the game I have used for years and believe they significantly improve performance.  Playing during the tournament I realized I was not as prepared as I could have been; well next year I will be ready!  I am a grateful golfer!

Golf is both a physically and mentally demanding game.  A mentally strong player will be able to navigate the course easier and with more precision.  There is no doubt in my mind that proper preparation will help everyone meet their expectations.

How do you prepare for tournaments?

Playing Through

/ The Grateful Golfer / 1 Comment

Today was another fantastic day on the golf course.  I am preparing for a Ontario Golf Regional tournament for the Military and decided at the last-minute to get an extra round in.  I shot even par, but had the opportunity to shoot under par.  This all sounds awesome, but again I learned another lesson today that I would like to share.

On the 6th hole I came upon a couple enjoying their round and they waved me through.  I suddenly was out of my rhythm and hurried my tee shot.  Well, after I dropped the ball outside the red stakes, I proceeded to take a smooth bogey.  As I continued, I put that mistake behind me and refocused on my game.  At the 16th hole I was waved through by a foursome of women.  Not wanting to hold them up, I briskly walked down the fairway, stood behind my ball and bladed it 15 feet from the pin.  Oh yeah, I started 12 feet from the pin before the shot.  I proceeded to two putt and off I went with another bogey in hand.

Well as you can see, both instances I rushed my shot, was out of my rhythm and was not  focused on my shot.  I can honestly say that I bogey the hole over half the time when I am waved through a group.  I have decided is because I hurry to get out of their way.

Therefore, next time I am waved through, I will take my time and keep to my routine and expect different results.  Hope you are enjoying the links!

Advice to Your Fellow Player – Good or Bad Idea?

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

I have played many rounds of golf with players with varying degrees of skill.  As my game has improved, so has the number of questions on how to play a particular shot or what is  wrong with my swing or what is the best equipment to buy!  Well the challenging aspect of advice is knowing the person to whom you are providing your years of wisdom.

Today I was playing with a friend of mine who is an excellent athlete.  Golf is his 4th or 5th sport.  He has the basics down and if he really devoted some time to practicing could be a single digit handicapper.  As we proceeded around the course, I watched and noticed a couple minor challenges that could be easily corrected.  Now here comes the dilemma.  Should I say something or not?

I choose to not say anything until the 15th hole when he opened the conversation to a point where injecting my observation was timely.  I explained about weight shift and keeping your weight inside your stance during the entire swing.  He gave it a try and immediately had success.  His immediate question was why did I wait so long to tell him!  I explained that there are three types of people, those who really want to know and would openly accept advice; those who ask for advice but have decided that change would be too difficult; and those who ask for advice, but really don’t want you to give it.  My experience is to wait until asked and enjoy my round of golf.

Today was fantastic on the course and I shot one of my best rounds of the year!  I was one over par and had a chance to shoot under par.  The company as fantastic, the course at Laurentide was in awesome condition, and the weather was perfect.  I am a grateful golfer.

So, is giving advice on the golf course a good idea or a bad idea?

Hitting the Fairway

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Golfing is an interesting sport!  Everyone has the ability to play the game and although only a few reach the elite level.  One of the basic aspects of the game that leads to great scoring is hitting the fairway off the tee.

Today I played with my usual partner who is on the verge of breaking 90 all the time!  Through our discussions we determined that the only real difference in our games is that I hit the fairway 8 times out of 10.  He unfortunately does not.  Thinking more about our conversation, I realized that hitting the fairway is the first step to scoring well.

So the real question is how do I improve my fairway percentage?  Interestingly, it has to do with club selection.  For example, on  short 350 yard par 4, instead of hitting a driver, I suggest that you use your 3 or 5 wood or even your 3 iron.  Generally, golfers are more accurate with these clubs and you will only be 10 to 20 yards shorter than normal.  The real benefit is your next shot.  It is from the short grass and without having to go around a tree.  Another example is a 525 yard par 5.  Use your 3 or 5 wood twice and your third shot at the green will be within 100 yards and again from the short grass!

So next time you are on the tee, think if the driver is the best club.  Try something new, maybe you will find a better way to manage the course.  Enjoy the weekend and I hope to see you on the links!  I am a grateful golfer.

When Your Game Goes South!

/ The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Making a DivotWell today was another interesting challenge on the links.  I started with 5 bogeys on the first 6 holes.  And I THREE PUTTED 4 times!  OUCH!  I was confused, frightened (ok not really), annoyed, and well confused again.  I started to press my game to get back a stroke or two before the end of the front nine.  Although the score did not show it, I struggled for the next 5 holes.

Now what?  I remembered an article I read a long time ago that related perfectly to my current situation.  Instead of pressing; the article say to throttle back a bit.  Hit the ball at 90% instead of 105%.  Guess what, it worked.  I regained my calm, struck the ball better and putted better.  I finished 7 over and felt better at the end.  I am a grateful golfer.

So my question is – what do you do regain your game when it seems to have gone south?