Hello again golfers!

Here in Fort Smith, Ark., this week for the Fort Smith Classic, and it’s going to be in the 90’s every day! As summer approaches us out on the links, it is imperative that you stay well hydrated and also try to eat while playing, which is sometimes very hard to do in the heat.

Amino Vital is a great powder additive to water that has plenty of vitamins and amino acids that your muscles need to recuperate and rejuvenate during conditions like these.

I’m feeling very confident about my game, and I feel like that there are some high finishes in the near future for me! I’m striking the ball well, and my putting is not too shabby, either. A bit of luck and good fortune here and there, and you just never know what can happen.

I have been using the Titleist Pro V1 (black ball) for the longest time and just recently switched to the new Pro V1 X (red ball). The ball has helped me pick up some distance and higher launch. It seems to not spin as much, and I tend to be a high-spin player. Some added distance and more control are allowing me to be more aggressive and take dead aim more often.

If you get the chance to do some experimenting with different brands and types of golf balls, I would suggest it! I think there are a lot of great golf balls out there, and you just need to find the one that suites your swing type, speed and spin rate. Give ‘em a try!

Good luck and stay cool!

Good day…

CC

Note: Follow Chad online this weekend on the Nationwide Tour by clicking here!

Hello again golfers…

I’m going back to the interlock grip this week at the Knoxville Open in Knoxville, Tenn., as the overlap/Vardon grip seems to make my left hand on the club too strong.

With the interlock grip, my left hand feels and sets of the the golf club more naturally and with less tension facing the target like it should, with the “v” in the left hand pointing more in the center of my body. For me, this grip allows the club to feel weaker during the swing and feels like I can eliminate the left side of the course. This allows me to have my misses more to the right become more reliable.

I started out with this grip when my dad taught me at an early young age. I got away from it during the middle of my career, and I tried the overlap and have been using it ever since. I have tinkered with it at times during my career and put it into play during the Canadian Open last year on the PGA Tour and made the cut. I then went on to use it for the remainder of the year, making six out of my last seven cuts.

Grip is the first thing you teach a beginner, and sometimes even a professional needs to reaccess his basic fundamentals and go back to square one when things get sour at times.

I’m going to give this grip a try, and who knows? The best two players of all time use it, Nicklaus and Woods.

Good day…

CC

Note: Follow Chad’s scores online this weekend in Knoxville by clicking here.

Hello again golfers…

This past week, in the Rex Hospital Open in Raleigh, N.C., was a big jump for me in the positive direction! I led the week in birdies and finished the tournament in a tie for fourth place, making a big jump up on the money list from 80th to 37th! Very pleased with the finish!

The tee ball is still giving me fits, but the rest of my game feels pretty solid!

I had my old college coach from Methodist University in the gallery on Friday and again on Sunday. It was good to see him again and get some support and cheering going on from the sidelines!

I’ve got four more weeks of good play in me before another needed off week back at home. This week it’s the Melwood Prince George’s County Open at The Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville, Md. Looking forward to the rest of this stretch, having this top-five under my belt and a little stress taken off my back! Still have some work to do with the driver, but good things are yet to come, I believe!

Tune in next week online to see more exciting action on the links!

Good day…

CC

Note: Follow Chad’s progress this weekend in Maryland by clicking here starting Thursday, June 4!

Hello golfers…

I’m back out on the road again for a five-week stretch. A long run of more consistent playing and time to get my “summer game” in shape!
I’m currently in Raleigh, N.C. for The Rex Hospital Open, and it’s raining like crazy! The TPC Wakefield Plantation course is in great shape but very wet, and we’re probably going to have chances all week long of more rain!

I went back into the gym this week to get my body back into shape and into the playing mode that I have been in before. Feeling confident and eager for this stretch of events!

I have a good friend at home whose mom started a fan site for me on Facebook. Click here to take a look and join in the support! Keep it in the short grass and make some putts will be my motto and mental approach to each day on the links!

Take care and tune in next time!

Good day…

CC

Note: Follow Chad Collins’ scores all weekend in Raleigh, N.C. by clicking here!

Hello Hoosier golfers and race fans!!

Back out on the road again after a two-week break at home, which seemed like five days! I’m here in Greer, S.C., for the BMW Charity Pro-Am tournament.

Three beautiful golf courses set in the hilly terrain of South and North Carolina. Playing with one pro this week, along with my amateur partner, should be a slightly more relaxing and conversational time. Playing three different golf courses the first three days, setting up the cut for the final round back at the home course on Sunday.

Before leaving on Sunday evening, May 10, I had a chance to work with my swing coach, Sam Foley, out at the Brickyard Crossing. After a few issues he saw with ball positioning and swing path, I feel like things are back to where they should be for this week’s event! Sometimes another set of eyes helps when the game goes a little sour.

I am really looking forward to this week, as I feel like my game is getting into “summer mode!” Another week off after this event brings me back home for a week, then back out on the road for another five weeks.

Wish me luck and watch my scores, as I feel a solid week ahead!

Good day…

CC

Note: Click here to follow Chad’s scores online starting Thursday, May 14.

Hello Hoosier Golfers:

I am at home again for another off-week in the good, old Indiana weather … enjoying the rain. I’ve been out in the woods again this week trying to get that big gobbler, with no luck again! Although, now I consider a day in the woods a success if I haven’t been shot at!!!!!

My dad and I have been out fishing throughout the week, as well. With all the rain we’ve had, the fishing has actually been fairly decent considering the rising stage of the summer pools in the lakes. Using fishfinders and electronics have helped us to locate schools of fish, and we have had moderate success. Each time my dad and I have went, we’ve put about 15 fish in the live well.

Coming up this weekend is the the annual Cloverdale Dollars for Scholars Outing. I try to play in it each year, donating various clubs and apparel for the event. It’s one of the highlights of my year because I know everyone that comes out, and I always enjoy giving back to my roots out in Cloverdale. Anyone who would like to play on Saturday morning, May 9 at Clover Meadows should contact the golf course at (765) 795-6001. It’s always a great time.

I’m heading out to Greenville, S.C., for the BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs on Sunday. I’m really excited for this week because I’ve got a few people flying out to see me play. Hopefully I will break through with a top 10 or better! I always play better when I have close friends or fans out to follow along, so I am thinking this week could be the real deal!

Tune in next week!

Good day…

CC

Hello Hoosier Golfers:

This week is the first of my two off weeks, and I’m not wanting them to end. Mushrooms are up, turkeys are gobbling, and crappies are biting. What could be better!?

Dad and I were setting up a turkey blind to hunt the next morning, and I think I received poison ivy! And that’s not all.

The next morning, we were turkey hunting in the blind with our bows, and two jakes came into our decoys but were afraid of our dominant gobbler decoy. Nonetheless, this morning (Wednesday, April 29) was no luck on bagging a gobbler, but we still had an enjoyable hunt.

Meanwhile, a few first-timers happened this evening. Tonight was the first time that I’ve had my Jeep off the beaten path in four-wheel drive in some sloppy mud. Also, tonight was an encounter with probably the largest yellow sponge mushroom I’ve ever found. Unfortunately, it was not on my property!

While mushroom hunting on a fence row looking for more mushrooms like this one, I was shot at by an angry redneck who apparently thought I was on his property! Walking along the property line, Dad and I heard what sounded like a four-wheeler about 200 yards into the woods coming our way. As the engine got closer, we decided to head back to the pond to see if the fishing had picked up. While heading back to the pond, a shotgun was fired in our direction, causing us to hit the ground like two army vets!

I was shocked when I heard the shot being fired! So we continued to tread our way through the woods back to the pond. After recovering from our adrenaline high, thankfully the rednecks left the territory and we made it home unscathed.

Glad I’m still alive to write more fun and interesting blogs! Tune in next week. Hopefully I’m still in one piece!

Good day…

CC

Hello Hoosier Golfers:

In Valdosta, Ga., for the Nationwide Tour event this week. Looking to bounce back in a big way after missing the cut last week by a shot. The course this week is in very good shape and was designed by Davis Love III.

My game is in very good shape except for the driver. I plan on spending a bunch of time on the range this week and working with the big stick!!!

I picked up a new Odyssey putter last week that I have nicknamed “The Fang.” It puts a great roll on the ball and has really uplifted my confidence on the short grass. I had five one-putts of over 20 feet last Thursday. Isn’t it ironic that when you figure out one part of your game, the other parts start to waver? What a game!!!!

This golf course is very generous off the tee, but lengthy. As I mentioned earlier, the course is in great shape and seems to be manicured very well.

Looking forward to the two-week break after this week’s tournament. Plenty of mushroom hunting, turkey hunting and fishing to be done. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and be sunny and warm. Thanks for your continued support, and hopefully this week will bring good results. Until next time…

Good day,

CC

Note: Click here to follow Chad online in the South Georgia Classic starting Thursday, April 23.

Hello Hoosier Golfers!

Last week I traveled out to California for the Stonebrae Classic. I was feeling under the weather for a good part of the week but managed to make the cut and bring home some dough! The Stonebrae is a new tournament for the Nationwide Tour, and the course is only a couple years old. The country club sits right on San Francisco Bay, making for beautiful scenery and unpredictable winds.

The wind on Thursday was outrageous. To make matters worse, the greens are the most undulated and difficult to read of any course I have ever played. Mainly on the front nine, the greens are gargantuan and would prove to challenge my game extensively. I mentioned last week that I hadn’t been knocking down key putts, and this was certainly true again this week on Thursday and Friday.

I also received some good TV time on Thursday evening. Driving the par-4 number 14 and teeing off on a par-3 … I’m sure all of you serious golf fans were watching!

My confidence is greatly improving week to week as I get more comfortable with my game, along with a new driver in the bag, which seems to be producing more yardage and hitting more fairways. I also made a putter change on Saturday after making the cut. It greatly improved my putting stats, and resulted in a 69 and 70, respectively. I ended up finishing tied for 32^nd, which is a little shocking considering the way I felt physically on Saturday and Sunday. I am more than ready to make the trip home and get well again.

Due to the way I feel, I am greatly excited to recharge my batteries on my off week at home and to prepare to leave for Georgia for two weeks for the next set of tournaments. Look forward to chatting with you next week.

Good day,

CC

I’m playing this week in beautiful Louisiana in the Louisiana Open at Broussard, La. Good to be back in the States after the trip to Australia and New Zealand. Still trying to get acclimated with the different time zones, food and cultures. Sleeping habits have been really hard to get readjusted.

The game still feels rusty, as it is still early in the year. I have been working with different drivers and putters as my confidence in these two clubs has wavered in the last couple tournaments.

I am really looking forward to getting going Thursday. Looking forward to putting myself in a position on Sunday to hopefully having an opportunity to come out with a high finish and possibly a win.

Good day!!
CC