Most Discussed...Least Practiced

Putting! End of story. Very few want to pay the price for really scoring low. Putting, everyone talks the game but most of the time we head right to the driving range and start wacking drivers as fast and furious as we can.

It's the draw of the big stick and the pride of knowing at my age, that I can still keep up with some of the flat bellies. But in Montreal, after 37 putts, I once again am challenged to keep pursueing my goal to be a great putter.

Let's say the average amount on tour is 30 putts per round...37 isn't even in the running. And this kept me from going further. It's not an insurmountable issue it's simply working more and focusing in tournament. It really is quite amazing how often golf analysts refer to a players downfall, in a tournament, to their putting. Yesterday at the US Open it was no different. Over and over again the need was for those crazy ludicrous knee-knocking nerve-bending mind-swerving 3 foot putts to go in the white cup. Find your home...!

Which brings me back to Montreal, where I not only played a golf tournament but I decided to caddy one day for Merrilyn Gibbs. It was a Canadian Women's Tour event being played on the same course where my qualifier was being held.

I had two reasons for doing this. The first was for Merrilyn who needed a caddy for the day, which allowed me the opportunity to walk the course in a competitive round. It was a blast. I think I did okay as a caddy. She did score lower that day so that is good.

Merrilyn's playing partner was Elyse(sp) Paiement from Quebec Province. Interesting that both these players are 'coaches'of the game. Elyse is a teaching professional at a club not far from Montreal and Merrilyn is the head golf coach at California University Pennsylvania. They don't have the opportunity to play tournaments often as they are helping others become better golfers themselves. But that day it came down to...putting. Once again!

I haven't quite figured out the magic key to putting but I will assume at this moment it has something to do with confidence. When I know I'm going to make putts, I tend to.

So guess what I'll be doing this week? Such a great game! I'm a blessed man.

Oh, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Elyse's dad, Jacques, a life long athletic coach who is now a friend. Thanks for your open heart.

Here's to Merrilyn, Elyse and Jacques! Thanks for the friendship and the reminder that putting will take us far in this game.
Byron