Sunday Link Charity #25 – Improving At Golf Can Be Tough, But Not Impossible!

Golf is a sport that is very special to me, and a sport that requires a lot of my patience, precision, and repetition. I’ve been playing Golf for almost 8 years now, and this was the first year that I said to to myself; “I want to take my game to the next level.” In order to show commitment to my goal I purchased a mid-level golf set and bag -  $450. New shoes – $79. Next I increased my playing time, because in order to get better at anything it takes a lot of practice and repetitiveness. Thus far on average I have been playing 2 games per week and spending 1-2 evenings at the golf range.

Have I improved? Yes and no. Despite not shaving many points off of my score, I’m still a double bogey golf player. My present goal (at least for this season) is to become a bogey golf player, because at that point you get some true respectability from your peers and not the occasional “ohh…ahhh” after you hit a good shot. Sometimes I ponder and wonder if the respectability isn’t fully there because I won’t run back to the club house to pee, and much rather prefer to water the grass in the woods. :)

Golf is one of the hardest sports to learn. A lot needs to go right in a specific moment when the iron stick, and a ball the size of a plum connect. It’s a game a patience, and I can surely say that it tests my patience every time I’m out. Most of the time I run out of patience, and therefore speed up my swing, lift my head too fast or close my stance too much, and in return for being impatient get a ball that flies into the rough.

Despite all the challenges, I’m determined to continue playing and strive to improve.Majority of the time I’m not fond of my score. It has literally taken me almost 3 years to break the occasional 100, and almost 8 years to consistently break 100 and the high 90s. Despite such an awful score I still continue to strive hard, and realize that the game of golf as much as its about precision, patience, and repetition, its also about the cold beer on a hot day, laughs with your golf buddies, attractive beverage cart girls, snooping on rich people’s car’s in the parking lot, and steak dinners at the Keg after playing for nearly four hours. Whoever said that golf is not fun, they must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed that day. :)

Here are this weeks fun, entertaining and educational reads from the world of personal finance. Enjoy! 

My Own Advisor – Stock screening is a good tools for investors but not perfect.  They provide investors with the ability to filter through 1000′s of companies to match your investing criteria. MOA talks about stock screening, does some screening and comes up with an impressive list of the best 15 Canadian dividend paying stocks.

Modest Money – There are many ways to create income online, and one of the ways is buying established websites. Although not a simple process as it seems, there are many variable to look for in a website, but with the right research and decision the new purchase could pay for it self time and time again in the future.

Financial Samurai – A simple yet in-depth post on losing weight, overcoming mental blocks, and two simple charts (for men and women) on ideal body weights. If you have a weight loss goal (I know I do), make sure you read Sam’s article; The ideal body weight: Finally losing the last 10 pounds.

From Shopping to Saving – There are a lot of bosses across different industries who view their employees as replaceable. Yes, I’d agree to a degree that someone is replaceable, but their work ethic may not be. I’m a huge believer that everyone has something unique to offer, and a special niche they excel in, and that at times it’s necessary for a bosses to motivate and get the most out of their employee.

Canadian Personal Finance – Shopping local is not all it’s made out to be, so that’s why I share the same view as Steve by selectively shopping local.

Passive Cleaning Income – If you had a choice (and just so you know, you do), what would you rather do; Would you spend an extra hour on your side business or your profession?