The pictures above shows how big birdies are in your golf game. Very big!
Twenty years ago I was at a driving range in Atlanta, Ga. watching a golf Instructor give lessons. I remember two things in particular. The instructor tapped the student on the upper right arm and advised him to relax his right arm. Superb advice.
The second thing I remember was asking the same Instructor to give me a lesson (my first experience with a paid instructor). I just had to find out, so I asked him to hit a shot with my 7 iron. He did quite well with the shot. I had to find out if he could play the game.
My next experience was in 1991 with Randy Mosely, Head PGA Professional at Stouffer's Pine isle Resort near Atlanta. I was playing a round on the fabulous lake side course when Randy drove up on a cart and stopped to watch me hit my approach shot. My ball was on bare ground (dirt) hard pan. I hit fat and short of the green 165 yds. up hill. Randy said, "Give me your 7 iron and a ball." He then placed the ball on the hard pan and hit the same shot to 4 ft. from the pin. He was my mentor and he was very good.
I am 67 years old and giving golf lessons. Knowing I may be asked to hit a demo shot I always tell my students I am, at age 67, not quite as good as I was formerly. Sometimes I hit an iron and thus far they have been exemplary, which means I know technique, with a little good luck tossed in.
Today, my course was quiet after the busy weekend and after hitting a few on the range I went to the first tee. After playing nine holes from the white tees (mostly), I tallied up my score; something I almost never do when I am working on my game. The sum and substance of it all (the round) I had two birdies, three pars, three bogies and a double bogie -39. The birdies were very big.
I was curious about this Instructor too (Me!!!). Could he play golf and score reasonably well? The best of it was an up hill chip shot (lofted) on a par three where I missed the green to the left, carelessly failing to turn adequately in my take away. I chipped (lofted) to three feet and holed the putt for an admirable par. I turned and tipped my hat to the twosome on the tee behind me.
The worst of it was not the double bogie. It was my 2 iron shot on the 205 yd. (blue tees) par three. I have worked for a year on that shot going from utility iron to 3 iron and finally to my old and respected 2 iron. I hit it straight and long and walked confidently from the tee box and began my happy walk toward the green. It was late in the day and the sun was in my eyes. I could not see where the straight shot landed. As I approached the green I discovered my ball plugged at 25 yrds. short of the flag on the apron. The ground was soaked from yesterday's rains. It was a well struck 2 iron that on any other day would have rolled up onto the green for the birdie putt. Was I angry or disappointed? Not at all. I know the game and the conditions that impaired my shot. I will simpy wait for a better day (conditions) and try again, with confidence that I can make the shot.
Other best shots were birdie and par Putts of 15 and 10 ft. respectively.
Last year I took a rather expensive lesson from the beautiful Cindy Reed Head Golf Instructor at the famous Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. I had to find out and asked her to hit an iron shot during our session. She picked my 4 iron and hit a masterful shot far down the range precisely on target.
Just like the PGA advertisement on TV says, "These guys (and girls) are good!"
What about me, the one writing these articles? Tonight, I stopped by to watch a young fellow on the range before I went to the parking lot. I asked if he wanted a few tips. He said, "I sure do!" After about fiften minutes of observation and advice he turned to me after hitting several beautiful golf shots and said,"I am sure you glad you stopped by!" His comments were similar to many others that I have helped without charge at my course in Chiefland, Florida. Also those that have paid for lessons.
My conclusion is simply this. Your instructor need not be a scratch golfer.It would be well if the Instructor was someone that had to work to develop his or her game. Intinctively good golfers probably do not make the best Instructors.
Birdies are indeed Very Big!
RHE
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