5 Keys to Better Putting

photo credit: eMaringolo   Unlike the golf swing itself, putting is an individual thing.  Follow these keys and watch your putting improve:

1)  Keep Eyes Directly Over the Ball > doing so offers the best line of sight to the target.  2)  Play the Ball Forward in Your Stance > doing so assures that the face of the putter meets the ball on a slight upstroke which promotes a smooth roll.  3)  Keep Wrist Action to a Minimum > you should feel that your stroke is being controlled primarily by your arms and shoulders.  4)  Accelerate Smoothly > make your backswing long enough to promote a good follow-through.  5)  Keep Your Head Still > resist the temptation to look up at the ball until well after striking it.

The Skied Shot

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf   Even the best of players will hit a skied drive.  This simply means the ball goes straight up with a loss of about 70% of it’s distance.  This type of shot is incredibly embarrassing to all golfers. 

Skied shots are caused by an excessively upright backswing.  It’s the result of picking the club up too steeply with the hands.  The swing arc that is created is too narrow.

Fix:  Start your takeaway low and slow which will widen your backswing arc.  Sweep the club away from the ball while turning your back towards the target.  Through the impact zone (about one foot behind the ball), try to sweep the ball off the tee instead of “chopping” at it.  Create  a longer flat spot at the bottom of your swing.

Enjoy Your Round

photo credit: The-Lane-Team   No one can concentrate 100% of the time, no matter how strong willed they may be.  In fact, when it comes to the game of golf, trying to maintain total and complete concentration for four or five hours can be detrimental. 

It’s far better to chat and have some fun between shots.  Remaining in a serious frame of mind, through the duration of the round, can even interfere with the game of the members of your group.  Staying loose doesn’t mean you have to clown around, it simply means that in order to gain a high level of playing proficiency, you must relax during play.

Lee Trevino, a proven winner, is the best example of what it means to enjoy the game of golf.

Tips for Winter Golf

photo credit: dan taylor   Unless you live in the sunbelt, there are times when you will play in adverse conditions.  Wind, rain and even light snow,  are part of winter golf.  Grim conditions need not ruin your chances for a good score.  Keep in mind, no matter how bad conditions get, they are the same for everyone in your group.

Tips:  1)  Allow for less break on putts – putting surfaces will be slower since mowing occurs less frequently, so hit putts firmer.  2)  Hit lofted woods or hybrids instead of long irons – long irons are simply less forgiving.  3)  Take less sand in bunkers – let your club enter the sand closer to the ball because of greater resistance.  4)  Be bold with short irons. – use a more lofted club.

Loft and Distance

photo credit: mhofstrand   Have the loft on your clubs checked at the beginning or end of every season.  Average Lofts and Distance:  2-Iron > 18 degrees – 210 yds.  3-Iron > 22 degrees – 190 yds.  4-Iron > 26 degrees – 180 yds.  5-Iron > 30 degrees – 170 yds.  6-Iron > 34 degrees - 160 yds.  7-Iron > 38 degrees – 150 yds.  8-Iron > 42 degrees – 140 yds.  9-Iron > 44 degrees – 130 yds.  Pitching Wedge > 46 degrees – 110 yds.  Sand Wedge > 56 degrees – 82 yds.  Lob Wedge > 60 degrees – 60 yds… Driver > 7-11 degrees – 240 yds.  3-Metal > 15 degrees – 220 yds.  5-Metal > 21 degrees – 190 yds….Putter > 3-5 degrees.

Broken Records

photo credit: North West Air Ambulance   In 1997, Australian Richard Cavander-Cole wore out eight pairs of golf shoes during a week-long 1,141-hole golfathon to raise money for cancer research.  He shattered a 17 year record.

In 1990, Noel Hunt broke the world record for the most balls hit in one hour.  At Port Shrigley in Great Britain, Hunt hit an unbelievable 1,536 balls!

Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most golf courses played in a single day by a pro golfer.  In 1991 Nicklaus played 18 holes at 18 different golf courses in eight hours and 40 minutes.  Nicklaus used a helicopter to crisscross Palm Beach County, Florida, playing one hole per course.  He shot a par 73 for the 18 holes.  The event for charity, raised $590,000.

Playing Your own Game

photo credit: rileyroxx   Playing your own game means  that you play golf the only way YOU know how to play.  Your swing and mannerisms are as unique as your own fingerprints.  Only you can see a shot in your minds eye, create it and internally “know” whether this shot fits your capabilities.  It means you can play only with what you presently posses.

Your game is based on your own experience, style of play, attitude, physical and emotional characteristics, power, touch, and finesse.  Playing your game requires your unique combinations of strengths.  You must listen to your own inner voice, disregard the good intentions of others.  Do not be confused or distracted by others.  You must discipline yourself to focus only on your game and understand what you can and cannot control.

Four Keys to Crisp Pitch Shots

photo credit: D.Hilgart   With pitch shots, a positive swing falls right at the top of the list.  Four good Tips follow:  1)  Choke down on the grip (about 2 in.) and soften-up your grip pressure.  This allows for better clubhead feel.  2)  Open up your stance which will stop you from taking the club too far back.  It also clears your hips for a smooth follow-through.  3)  Accelerate  the same amount on every backswing, no matter how far you are from your target.  The factor that determines distance is how far you take the club back.  4)  In order to get the proper height and spin on the ball, make sure that the ball is struck before the ground.  Execute a descending blow.

Trophy Winners

photo credit: ashleigh290   David Duval became the first player in the history of the PGA Tour to win his first three career victories in consecutive starts at the end of 1997.  He won the Disney, Kingsmill and Tour Championship tournaments.  Prior to that record, Duval had entered 86 tour events without a victory.

Walter Hagen was reputed to be the greatest match play golfer in the history of the game.  Hagen set a record of five PGA Championship wins (when the PGA Championship was match play).  His record string of 22 consecutive match play victories from 1924 to 1927 stands to this day.

LPGA player Laura Davies became the first LPGA player to win the same tournament (Standard Register Ping)  for four straight years.

Better Feel With Softer Metals

photo credit: Mini D   Are you presently using a wedge made out of steel?  If you are, perhaps it’s time to start thinking about making a change. 

Being able to “feel” your shot is key to playing your best golf.  Putters and wedges are the clubs where the right feel becomes critical.  What most players are looking for is a softer feel and a beryllium copper alloy is the key.  Soft metal allows more backspin on the ball.  In conjunction with a soft-covered ball, you can get tremendous “bite” with approach shots. 

The most logical choice for a beryllium copper clubface would be for the most lofted wedge in your bag, since this is the club best suited for delicate pitch or chips shots around the green.

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