Exemption
There is always a worthwhile lesson in everything we do … and sometimes it is only uncovered at the end of the day story. When we started all of this I must admit it was more of a content exercise than a challenge if you will. The angle to the story was to participate in the sorts of activities that a touring pro would go through in an attempt to learn and then translate to you, the readers, a little bit about what it takes to compete at an... [ Read Full Article ]
Continued
Day 2 was a whole lot unlike Day 1 but the results were not much better. In fact, in pencil, things were marginally worse yet the conditions were far more difficult with a stiff (two clubs at times) breeze, brisk temperatures, and a very hard rain for the last 8 or so holes. So things actually became a lot more relaxed and a little more fun as the elements essentially took precedence over all else. I got out of my own way, you could say. Or... [ Read Full Article ]
A couple of days in the life of a Caddy
in retrospect : by Norm Woods I recently had the pleasure of spending three days at The Seaforth Golf Club caddying for son, Steve at the Canadian Tour stop in Seaforth. In what maybe a first, a member of the golf media had the opportunity to play right alongside the young professionals and experience the ups and downs of golf in a real life, real time pressure cooker. And it was also a pressure cooker for the caddy. Carrying the bag, watching for... [ Read Full Article ]
To Be Continued
Playing is a whole lot different than practising. Round 1 is a very, very long story and I have a morning tee time. Suffice to say, while I enjoyed every minute, what I got out my round was disappointing. I actually did not play nearly as bad as the scorecard attested. I simply found one unique way on every whole to lose a shot. I am going to say, 3 bad swings, far too many putts, and conditions that the average player (like myself) are just... [ Read Full Article ]
Practise Makes PARfect
Memoir from a practise round on the Canadian Tour Arrived mid-morning to the course to go through the registration process as well as establish an understanding of how things worked etc — basic orientation one could say. The rough at Seaforth is much longer than anything I am used to so we played a few short chips around the greens to 'try' and prepare. And if you can't see my shoes you now know why. Essentially, the course is wide-open... [ Read Full Article ]
Last Minute Wisdom
Being in the golf media is not without it’s perks and one of the coolest is having access to some of the great instructors and coaches we have here in Canada. As noted in earlier blogs, Clublink’s Sean Casey has taken some time to fine tune my swing and change my putter grip. The latter he may not even be aware of as it came about via an impromptu comment that he made while I was logging a few minutes on the Glen Abbey putting green prior... [ Read Full Article ]
Too Fast, Too Soon
Well, the Seaforth event is just around the corner (practice rounds are tomorrow) and while I was hoping to have a few more posts up by now it seems that I (not unlike just about everyone I know) have been too busy with other things. This does not mean I have not been to the range a handful of times and picked up a few more tips along the way – what it does mean is that in today’s world it is very difficult for anyone outside of the pros... [ Read Full Article ]
Measure Once, Cut Twice
And the short of it. While at The Golf Performance Center, Mike Skimson also took me through a TOMI putting analysis. This is a device that measures no less than 8 different traits that involve putter stroke. What you end up with here is a starting point from which to access your stroke and begin, where neccessary, to make changes to either your equipment, your technique, or in my case both. The results were curious (everyone should go through this). The... [ Read Full Article ]
Equipment on Track
Acushnet’s Chad Cole took some time out his schedule to dial me in at the Titleist Fitting Centre at Eagle’s Nest. The facility utilizes TrackMan, a state of the art radar based shot tracking system. The system literally tracks everything from swing speed, ball speed, trajectory, carry, and roll. It even accounts for the wind and has the unique ability to toggle between current and ‘normal’ conditions. Essentially,... [ Read Full Article ]
Technically Tweaking
The first thing on my list of things to do (and it’s a long list) is to make sure that all of the things I can control I do. Makes sense doesn’t it? Let’s leave as little to chance as possible. First things First : EQUIPMENT Can I make changes that will benefit my ability to score? Can I make changes that will make me more comfortable out on the course? Well, with a little lot of help we’re going to find out. STOP ONE Checked... [ Read Full Article ]
