Preparation for the 2016 golf season is ongoing with me and HisKingdom.golf.

As you review earlier posts, you'll see that we were walking down a parallel path to help each of us with our golf season prep. The second or parallel leg focusing on our spiritual preparation as well.

Has it, really, been 34 days since my last post?? Yikes, so much has happened during that time. Thankfully, for me, personally, I have not experienced a snow storm.... sorry for some of you. But, we did experience very cold weather in the Nashville area, in Myrtle Beach, SC where we spent 2 weeks and, even, in Orlando during the PGA Merchandise Show. (Ok, it wasn't cold, just pure rain for the entire 4 days in Orlando - NO GOLF!!!) But, I wanted to practice (get it) what I preached (get it), so, at every opportunity I was hitting balls on the range, playing 18 or 9 or 6 holes whenever and wherever I could.  Guess what?  Progress!!!!

Where were we when we last posted.... oh, yeah, we highlighted the Challenge Golf Association preparation, but, let's get back to the instructional portion of this parallel blog.

We're addressing becoming an 80's shooter and this new swing and methodology to lower our scores requires a steady path toward swing mechanics, practice, correction, practice, application on the course, correction, practice and, did I say practice, yet?

Our last post, Preparation for the 2016 Golf Season - Continued3, focused on warming up, getting a rhythm and establishing a swing thought to take to the course. Now we have to continue on the items above and practice (lol).  Don't forget to visit your pro once in awhile to ensure your swing mechanics are on the right path, get it, 'path'.  (Oh, you're so funny, NOT).

Ok, here it comes; Putting!!!

Oh, my goodness, have I been struggling with this part of the game!!  I am so much like Bernhard Langer or others that have completely lost it with the putting game.  You may be too young to remember, but, Bernhard Langer publicly suffered through the mental and physical side of the putting game.  He tried everything; the reverse grip, the anchored forearm, cross hand, and on and, on and on until he discovered the long putter and anchoring so that he could putt consistently and over the past decade, become one of the best players on the Champions Tour.  Oh, and, by the way, he had won two Masters Championships and still competes well in the greatest of all golf events each April at Augusta National.

Ok, I compared myself to Bernhard, but, the only real thing we have in common is our names begin with "B" and I tried most of the methods he did. Ha!!

Here we are, not even January yet, and we're still focused on preparation for the 2016 golf season.

In our prior posts we focused upon;

3. Do you just not want to embarrass yourself in 2016?

2.  Do you want to be an 80's shooter?
    a. Evaluate your golf swing.
    b. Get professional assistance
​    c. Practice and play.

1.  Do you want to break par?

Today, we look at Practice and Play.

We've taken some valuable time and, probably, financial resources now to have our swing evaluated and begun a series of lessons to correct our swing in order to become a better and more consistent "ball striker", as they say in the biz....  The bottom line truth is you will NOT become a consistent 80's shooter, hopefully, threatening to break 80 at times without a solid, consistent golf swing which is repeatable and you are able to "see it, feel it, & trust it."

Don't forget; in preparation for our 2016 golf season ~~ we have to have our short game evaluated as well and that includes putting, by the way!!!  In fact, let's look at practicing and playing for our long game in this post and, then, we'll launch another post on the short game and putting because that part of the game is especially important to improve our scoring and it is easier to practice.  I didn't say easier to 'master', I said easier to practice.

After several sessions with your trusted golf teacher, you will have had many (hopefully not too many) things for you to focus upon when you conduct your practice sessions.  Is it alignment?  Is it ball position?  Is it posture?  Whatever it is, your practice time is meant to focus and ingrain those items into your full swing mechanics.  So, ensure you focus on that particular item your teacher has corrected and encouraged YOU to practice and perfect!!!
​

I love to practice!!  Unfortunately, since I'm into my 60's now, my body won't allow me to practice as much as I would like.  But, recently, I have established a simple routine in order to keep my "full swing" game a bit sharper than it has been.  In fact, it has taken me all summer in 2015 to break 80 and I have done it most recently with a 77 and a 78 at my local club.  (if I could putt, I would have been even lower, but, that's what we all say.....)

My routine is somewhat simple in that I am a tempo player, so, of major importance when I practice or warm up for a round is that I do whatever I can to establish a smooth and rhythmic tempo.  I take my 6 & 7 iron together and with both clubs begin a slow backswing with a smooth downswing.  I focus on pausing at the top and roll into my follow through focusing on the essential rythmic parts of my swing; knees, hips, shoulders, arms, hands, clubhead.... down and through to the finish.  I drop one club and take the 7 or 8 and replicate the same rhythmic swing.  I, then, begin to slowly hit the practice balls and, finally, for now, I begin to take aim and build up to hitting each ball as if I were on the course.  I change clubs, usually going up to the 6 or the 5, the 4, fairway woods and driver.  If I lose the rhythm at any juncture, I will usually go back to the sand wedge and get back into the groove (or not... more on that later).  I finish off my practice time with a few sand wedges, slowly reducing the distance of the shot focusing on distance, direction and tempo.

Of course, your routine is your routine, but, over the years, I have seen most 80's shooters or better routinely begin their practice in a similar fashion.  Most pro's I see begin with the sandwedge and expand into their full swings.  Most poor players begin with their driver... lol!!!

This long game warm up and practice is keeping an eye on bringing this day's game to the course, so, in addition to hitting the ball consistently, I am determining what my swing thought for that day may be on all long shots.

Guess we didn't get through the practice piece today and we still have to focus on Play with your new golf swing.  We'll hit that next time, I hope!!

In Him

Bill

Do you want any help with your golf game?  Let me know.... [email protected]

We're continuing the golf side of our preparation for the 2016 golf season.

After our first two posts, we recognized an increase in our traffic, so, figured we'd just keep on going because, obviously, this is of interest to many of you. And we decided to separate the golf prep from the spiritual prep, so, what's next?  

Item #1 was, "Do you just not want to embarrass yourself in 2016?"

Item #2 is "Do you want to be an 80's shooter?"

We know, really, that this game is super difficult to perfect (Arnie says, "Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.") So, we know that in order to improve, we have to do three very important things to become an 80's Shooter.

1. Evaluate your golf swing.

2. Get professional assistance.

​3. Practice and play

#1.  Evaluate your golf swing.  This doesn't mean, "YOU evaluate your golf swing." This means have a golf professional evaluate your golf swing.

I have been swinging the golf club for 40+ years and I have to have my swing evaluated. Honestly, even more so now because of the changes to my body and flexibility.  So, have your swing evaluated by a golf professional.  This causes a question in my mind; "How do I know which golf professional to choose?"

​Well, I will admit that this isn't so easy.  I have found that there isn't a clear expert in the area wherever I have lived, and, once I asked for the best, it usually turned into a popularity contest vs a serious appraisal of the teaching ability of the golf pro.  Recommend calling the local state Professional Golf Association (PGA) office and asking the question.  Once you have a couple of names, you can call each one and ask for references.  Then, try out the top one according to the testimonials of their former students. You can also check online, say, on YouTube.com to see if that teacher posts any videos of his/her teaching methods.  Visit the top choice and you may be able to get a free analysis, but, most likely, you'll have to pay fairly big bucks for this eval, so hope you're serious about this!  



#2. Get Professional Assistance.  If you appreciate the Pro's appraisal and you enjoy the interchange with him/her, then, negotiate for a discount rate on future lessons.  You probably can get a package of some type, so, negotiate!  Lastly, for now, remember, your golf game is not just about the long game or the full swing.  We're going to want to have further guidance on our short game and putting as well as course strategy aaannndddd the psychology of playing tournament golf if you have that desire, so, we're just beginning here.

What might this cost, you ask?  Well, I haven't conducted an indepth study of the current pricing, but, most likely, it will cost you about $70 - $120 or more for your first eval.  It may be more if you have decided to go with the best in the area, but, you don't have to go with the highest priced pro.  So, under $100 for the hour is a good price, but, going forward you're going to want to negotiate as I said above because your commitment to becoming an 80's shooter is costly not only in the money it will cost, but, the time investment as well, because, "perfect practice makes perfect execution" or something like that.....

So, there we have it; the first two steps in becoming an 80's shooter.  Stay tuned for more information on this in the near future.

Next, Step #3. Practice and Play.

In Him

Bill

Golfers, if you've been following the "Preparing for the 2016 Golf Season", we promised to separate the dual focus, so here's the spiritual parallel to the second post.

We're preparing ourselves for the 2016 golf season and the first question we asked was;

"What am I trying to accomplish?"

Golf is a tough game and so is life!!!  Way back in the day (1975, see waayyy back) I had the dream to play on the PGA Tour.  The problem was, I was a Second Lieutenant in the US Army stationed in Germany with my new (incredibly beautiful wife, Anne).  The PGA Tour dream consumed me so once we got somewhat settled into the regimen of life in Eschborn, FRG, I made sure I was able to work on my game, play and compete whenever and wherever I could.  I read about golf.  I practiced at 5:45 AM in the morning after we conducted our Physical Training.  I did this in camouflage pants, tee shirt and combat boots hitting balls behind the gym in the mud and dust.  I spent every afternoon and weekends at the Rhein Mein Golf Club just about 18 kilometers from my workplace, annddd, I normally didn't get home until well after dark most days.

​This was all well and good and I did attain a modicum of success with a runner up finish in the Club Championship, qualified for the 8th Army Championship and for the All-Army Team a few times, but, there was something missing in all of that.  Besides the mess I made of my marriage.  (She hung on, Praise God.)  What was missing, you ask?  

Was this my purpose?

What do you mean; "my purpose?"  I mean, was it what I believed the Lord wanted me to do?  Well, the truth is as I relive this experience, I realize, I didn't even know the Lord at that point in my life!  I no more would have thought about seeking "the Lord" than I would have worn a skirt and makeup!! It was all about me, brother, all about me.  I wanted to be good at this game and nothing was going to get in my way as I contemplated journeying to the big show, the PGA Tour.  That's right, "The TOUR"!  I believe if each of us that have been able to play the game fairly well (and a few who can't, lol) were honest with ourselves we would admit that we see ourselves as being able to "make it" on the Tour.

Forget about the fact that I was a newly married lieutenant platoon leader responsible for securing a portion of the Fulda Gap if the hordes from East Germany and Russia decided to bust into the traditional invasion route into Western Europe.... for goodness sake, I wanted to be on the Tour!!

​Finally, as I reflect back upon that; I was a pretty good soldier/officer.  I was a less than adequate husband, but, I was a golfer with about a 5 handicap and to heck with all of my other responsibilities. Despite my shortfalls and NOT recognizing God's purpose in my life at that time, my hindsight is 20/20 that God allowed that time in my life to mold me and later Save me for His purposes in the future (eternity as well) as His ambassador in His Kingdom on earth to effect others to look seriously at their current situation and determine God's purpose in their lives now and into the future.

Mine's to G.O.L.F. or Give the Gospel thru Golf.

What's yours?

Amen

In Him

Bill

​

​Yeah, primarily the long game and the putter need to be harnessed for the 2016 golf season preparation.

During the 2015 season I was able to play at least twice as much as in 2014.  Isn't it funny how poor your game gets when not playing at least three times a week and practicing for the many hours on the range and around the greens.  In 2015 I played about once a week or even less than that and practiced pretty hard in the spring.  But, the driver and the putter were something I've lost in the weeds somewhere.  I remarked, several times, to people I played with or who saw me on the range that I must be the best "Driving range Pro" on the planet.  Man, I can hit that driver over and over and over, not great distance, but with a great arc and direction and with that great "smack" sound. But, get on the course and "zero" confidence...... absolutely, ZERO confidence.  I might hit the first one reasonably well, but, shortly, duck hook left, push right, even "dribble" off of the tee the last few rounds.  AAGGGGHHHH.  Who can help??

....and the putter.  I must have been the single most poor putter in our area!!  Honestly!  I've tried crosshand, left hand, long-putter, traditional and, even, for three months this summer I went, first one-handed with the left hand, then one-handed with the right hand.  All was great each round until I hadda make a putt.  It didn't matter if it was one foot or two, it wasn't going in on purpose.  Many times it was the grace of God that allowed it to hit the hole and drop.

Man was it frustrating!!!!!

I need help fo' shuah!!  So, I'm gonna get some help and figure it out so my 2016 golf season preparation will be rewarded, I pray.

But, you know, as bad as the 2015 golfing season was for me, the rounds I had with new or old golf partners were very, very rewarding.

Firstly, I had several rounds at our local course with Scott Thomas, a dear friend and Brother in Christ.  We have been attending a Christian Leadership Concept (CLC) men's study for the past two years together and we have become super close as a result.  We both have a passion for the game and a love for Christ so our rounds, while frustrating for me, have been filled with truth and prayer and love for each other.  It's been pretty special, really.

Secondly, I was thankful to be invited by a neighbor, Darrell Smith, to play Tuesdays and Thursdays with his retired State Farm friends at Old Fort Golf Club and Indian Hills Golf Club.  It has been a very nice  experience to get to know Darrell better and he has been gracious enough to let me share my love of Christ with him.

Lastly, for now, I was thankful as well to play in more than a few Challenge Golf Association (CGA) events this year.  The relationships I have built with Ron Potter, Scott Keagan, Sam, Don and other leaders of this ministry, as well as Greg Powers, former PGA Touring Pro (gotta read this one!) has been an incredibly satisfying experience.  But, even better than that, I was thankful to meet Markus Zius and Gary Smalls.  You see these were men I didn't know whatsoever when we were paired together at a CGA event.  We conversed about the normal stuff; family, job (or former jobs), golf, life and, eventually, our faith lives.  These conversations were incredibly rich.  One of my gifts, I guess you could say, is that I am in love with the Bible.  It feeds me so much that I view everything through the lens of the Bible.  I see myself in it's pages.  I realize how unworthy and incredibly blessed I am to have lived as a typical American man and been saved by my Lord Jesus Christ.  When I get with other men in a cart on the golf course, over a 4.5 hour round the presence of God just hovers over the conversations and "the way, the truth and the life" just seem to come out.  It's very impactful and solidifies a new and vibrant relationship between two men who KNOW Him and are transparent enough to share His presence in our lives.

The golf season has been tough with the driver and putter.  I hope to improve in my 2016 golf season preparation, but, even more so, the fellowship with other guys has been great, satisfying, life changing and, nice......

You oughta check out the Challenge Golf Association and see if we can build a chapter in your area...

Thanks

In Him

​Bill

What should you be doing NOW to prepare for your 2016 golf season?

We, apparently, hit a nerve when we posted our first article, "2016 Golf Season Preparation".  It was, honestly, a way to reach out to the general golf community, but, as most of you probably recognized, it was an introduction to how our passion is to G.O.L.F.

In light of that, we'll separate the two and those of you who would like to read a bit more of our inspirational stuff within the world of golf can do so......

So, here we go on the 'golf' side of the 2016 golf season preparation;

The first question each golfer must ask himself/herself, in my opinion, before starting off on a grandiose golf preparation plan for the next season is;

"What am I trying to to accomplish?"

Golf is one of those games that takes alot of preparation through all aspects of this complex game, so, it is very important to be honest with oneself before setting off on some very lofty goal. Therefore, it is important to be realistic with yourself about your current state of play and what you want to accomplish as you work to improve.  Here are the questions I ask after the first one....

1. Do you want to break par?

2. Do you want to be an 80's shooter?

3. Do you just not want to embarrass yourself in 2016?

The answer to these questions is critical because the magnitude of your instruction and practice evolves from the answer that you give.  Let's look at question #3 first......

Do you just not want to embarrass yourself in 2016?  Golf is an embarrassing game!  It seems that the appreciation we get from continuing to play the game outweighs the numerous times we embarrass ourselves, so, if we want to reduce the number of embarrassing moments on the golf course so that it will be more enjoyable, then we can.  How are we most embarrassed?

​1. By your clubs.  I recently played with a wonderful older gentleman who pulled out his golf clubs (wooden heads & rusty irons) in a bag that matched the age of the clubs.  He, personally, had no clue to the age and embarrassing situation he had placed himself (and honestly, I could care less, but noticed it right away). If you wanna not show up with the circa 1940's clubs your great grand dad played with, you might want to update your set, or, at a minimum, borrow your Dad's or your neighbor's clubs.  Ha!!

2. By your clothes.  Yup, the latest trend in golf apparel is..... athletic.  That's right, just a few years ago, pre-Tiger, golf was not considered an athletic endeavor, but, it is now.  Take a good look at the majority of PGA pros and you will see "flat-bellies" everywhere.  And they fit in the athletic clothes because, duh, they are fit.  So, for you, find clothes that are somewhat modern, fit your physique, but have a semblance of athletic.  Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Oakley are the latest trends. So, get some of your gear from these guys.

3. By not having a clue about the game, it's rules, it's traditions, it's parlance and the courtesies.  The game has a long history, starting with the actual name of the game; "Goff" that became golf which was played in shepherds fields in Scotland or England.  There's a bit of a dispute over that.  The rules are staid and meticulous, but, honestly, most golfers don't follow them let alone know them.  To say to a seasoned golfer; "Nice hit!" could have a response of "Are we playin' a bit a baseball here."  So the parlance in golf is "Nice shot!" So it's good to find out the difference, and, no "You da man!!!" is not normally regarded as a courtesy on the links (get that; "links", not "field"). There are waayyyy too many things to discuss here, so you're gonna hafta find a good book about this part of the game.

4. Your terrible drive, shanked iron shot, flubbed chip and missed one foot putt.  Now we're gettin' into the actual engagement in the game, so we'll hafta close out this post and continue in the next to get at the embarrassment we can get from our actually playing the game.  Gonna get there, honest!!

Thanks

In Him

Bill