Par Threes Are Deceptive For the Pros (Lesson No. 45)

On the PGA tour with 72 players coming down the stretch on Sunday afternoon it is quite interesting to see how many miss greens on par threes. The stats will surprise you with the number of greens missed. The long par threes are understandable but the shorter ones seem to plague the pros too. They are a problem for us ordinary golfers, as well.

Yesterday, I had a typical practice round but I was waiting to arrive at No. 8, a short par three. In my previous Journal I mentioned my customary shot at that pin, long and left. I also said I could tee up a second ball and be sure to turn away adequately and hit safely to the green. Believe me, yesterday was an interesting happening!

For your information, I have several new items added to my address and back swing, previously discussed. Yesterday I walked briskly to the tee and smiled (and even chuckled) as I thought, "I need only add a good turn away to this shot and I will have a greenie!" I did not waste any time. I teed it up and turned away correctly and hit a perfect shot to the front of the green (a little short- probably 15 feet shy). I had my greenie. I knew what to do and swung with total confidence and - BINGO! I did it.

My point is that by example, without bragging, I can confirm that game improvement does happen. Notice I did not discuss my other shots on the previous seven holes. Some were good and others not great. My round was typical as practice rounds go. But remember, I was looking forward to the eighth hole from the start.

So, now I have parred the par threes and look forward to the long par fours. Always a source of bogies. My driver is working well. I am now twenty yards closer on those long par fours when I hit my second shot from the fairway. Yesterday on the long par four No. 6, I marveled at being inside the 150 yd. marker with my tee shot. Two years ago I was hitting from at least 175 yards most often. I do like my Taylor Made R-7 driver and that helps. You will see your improvement, over time, as the foregoing demonstrates.

I always say to friends and family, as we talk about our round, "It is best to notice your improvement rather than your score." Especially if you are working on your game. I made a few changes in my chipping game which has vastly improved. From that fact I realized that I had better improve my putting game or the better chips shots do not improve my score. It is much like learning to hit further without hitting greens. Still chipping!

Being satisfied with improvement in the elements is very important. Far more important than your score. Eventually the score improves also, but not necessarily at first. There are so many elements that we cannot expect score to improve immediately.

Be happy with your progress. Good luck!

Richard

And the Beat Goes On.............(Lesson No. 44)

Many years ago, Randy Mosely, Head Golf Professional at the Stouffer Pine Isle Golf Resort at Lake Lanier, Ga. advised me to simply record each hole I parred. I was a beginner and eventually parred all 18 holes. Twenty years later, after reworking my swing, I find myself wisely doing the same thing again.

Several days ago I wrote about the long four iron to the green at No. 9. Yesterday I stood at the tee at my nemesis hole (No. 4) a narrow tree lined par three, usually 165 yds. The tee was back and the flag was back making the hole 180 yds. Typically, even from 165 yds., I am short and left, often in the green side bunker. Yesterday, for unknown reasons, I walked to the tee and gave very little thought to my new swing and focused on my lower body. I knew, from recent experience that my hips and foot work were in need of renewed concentration.  I took a few practice swings and rehearsed my intentions. I then did as I intended. The four iron flew high with a slight draw and landed pin high about 12 feet left of the pin. 

Interestingly, while I say I gave little thought to my swing, I need to point out that I did give casual quick thought to my new found ideas on orientation at address (torgue and grip pressures) which after many months of rehearsal builds into the swing my arm rotations and back swing directions. The absolute necessity requirement was for lower body emphasis on that shot.

So.........that takes care of the long par 4 (No. 9) and  good old par 3 (No. 4). No. 8 is a short par 3 (135 -140 yds.) Invariably I am pin high with the 9 iron left in the bunker! In my practice rounds I can put down another ball and improve my turn away and hit safely to the green.

Today, I will rehearse my lower body and hip movements before I hit at No.8. But I shall also rehearse the very easy to remember and quite often forgotten turn away - for a better attack from the inside. I should be all right.

And the beat goes on..............

Richard

Less Is Better (Lesson No. 43)

A recent golf magazine had a front page headline that said, "105 Tips for Better Golf."  My response was that a game should not require 105 Tips. Who could remember them?

The following comments may be more valuable than 105 Tips:

Jack Nicklaus said, "There is no secret to playing this game."

Tom Watson said, "You Gotta Hit It!"

Yesteday, after a not so good practice round at my club I stood at 175 yards on my last hole (No. 9) and with some disappointment picked my 4 iron. The flag was back and I was in the middle of the fairway. I had played through two fellows on No. 8 and they were now waiting on me at the tee. I very simply applied my experience and knowledge and without great thought or contemplation I hit the 4 iron as Tom Watson advised. I just "hit it"!

The ball flew high and with a slight draw dropped near the flag and stopped six feet from the pin (pin high). I turned and doffed my hat to the two fellows behind me on the tee and thought to myself, "That shot will bring me back."

Such a shot happens quite often after you have been working on your game with probable frustration. It reminds us of the idea of one swing thought. It also teaches us that preparation is time consuming and requires much patience. But it also says that with time and practice all that you have been adding to your technique eventually does pay off.

Ironically, that afternoon I was walking through the mall when I stopped to read a quotation in the window of a book store. It said, "The difference between winners and losers is that winners never quit."

Therefore my advice is simply this:

Golf is not an easy game but you will improve if you work to improve. In time, the techniques you learn become ingrained and you can get markedly better! So, if you have been striving for a better game be assured that a day will come when you can hit from 175 yards to the middle of the green very near the pin. And it will likely be an easy shot that perhaps surprises you very much.

Maybe today that will happen or early next spring. That day is coming and when it does, you will say, "You gotta hit it."

Richard

 

Addressing Your Ball - Very Important (Lesson No. 42)

Obviously, the older we get the greater benefit we have with hind sight. We older golfers have tried many things to improve our game and we know good from bad. Right from wrong. There are  many or several obstacles to game improvement. The first obstacle is playing for score before you are ready. Your first objective should be to improve the various parts of your game. Significant improvement comes from significant knowledge.

Balance during the swing is the key to consistency. Try the practice swing standing on a 2x4, as Ernie Ells has suggested. Slow your swing down and learn to stay "aboard" during your swing. Posture is the secret to achieving this technique. Kathy King, long a Champion on the LPGA Tour was seen on the practice range addressing the ball, then moving her hips slightly forward (toward the ball)before her back swing. It works exceptionally well at improving your turn.

The two drills mentioned in previous Lesson  No. 41 teach the important necessity for assertion in the take away. That understanding followed by the advice to sit in a chair and turn your upper body right and left will go a long way toward getting your swing ready for consistency. You need to turn your back muscles to avoid swaying off the ball.

If your problem is hitting fat or chunking the swing, practice posture with your back slightly arched before the back swing. You'll see many pros with that posture on TV. It is a necessity when learning to swing on the 2x4 drill.

It is very unlikely that you will improve very much until you realize that your practice session must include correctness in technique.  The few items mentioned above are likely to help your game at whatever level you may be. If your game is not improving be sure to review all 42 Lessons herein before putting your clubs away.

Correctitude has great magnitude.

Richard Englefield