by Mac Stevenson, our regular advice columnist

Putting is mainly confidence; however, the problem is how you can capture and keep a much-needed feeling that you’re going to sink it when you step over a putt. Some days it’s there and some days it isn’t.

How can it be that during one round you putt beautifully and the next you’re all but helpless on the greens?

Putting is one of the most inconsistent skills in all of sports; the closest comparison is free throwing in basketball. Both skills are mostly mental. Good putters usually putt well, but even the smooth strokers go into short or prolonged slumps.

Pros are fairly equal from tee to green, with a few notable exceptions like Tiger. It’s the guy or gal who putts well throughout a tournament that brings home the bacon.

Unlike the basics--setup, grip, and swing--putting is a world unto itself. There’s no right way or wrong way; it’s what works for you that counts.

Your putting grip is important, but what feels good and works for you might be a handicap for a fellow player. Consult with some good putters and see how they place their hands on the club. It doesn’t hurt to experiment with new methods occasionally.

The putter--as a club--is vital to your success or lack thereof. And it doesn’t have to cost $100; some of the prices for golf clubs have become ridiculous beyond belief.

Foremost, you need a putter that looks good to you; that sounds silly, but if you don’t gain confidence from your putter’s appearance, you won’t putt well with it. Clubheads on putters come in so many diverse shapes and sizes that just selecting one that seems right for you can be a chore in itself.

The weight is important, but only insofar as it feels right to you; almost everyone has a different weight preference for their putter.

Don’t hesitate to buy an inexpensive or used putter if you find one you think might be a fit for your game. If you like everything but the grip, you can have that changed in a golf shop. And it’s not expensive.

When you have an old and trusted putter that has served you well and you’re slumping, try fitting a new and different-sized grip on it. All of these seemingly insignificant changes can give your confidence a needed boost.

Don’t neglect your putting when you practice. But avoid becoming obsessive about it. If you practice putting over a long period of time, your back will begin to ache and your concentration will wander to greener pastures.

The majority of golfers ignore two important shots while practicing their putting:

(1) They don’t work on putting from the fringe, and that’s a shot that most golfers use frequently on the golf course. Make sure you devote part of your putting practice to stroking approach putts from the fringe, both close to the actual putting surface and--depending on the texture of the fringe--as much as eight to ten feet off the green.

(2) A second troublesome putt that should be practiced frequently occurs when your ball comes to rest on the putting surface against the first cut of the fringe; that can be a daunting problem if you haven’t encountered it. The key is hitting the top half of the ball while stroking the putter smoothly over the top of the fringe. If you try and chop down on this putt, it can have disastrous results. However, having said that, sometimes chopping down on the putt is the only way you can hit the shot if the fringe is fairly high. You must experiment to find the method that works best for you.

Short and focused putting practice is better than long, tiring sessions that become boring. You can work on just about every type of putt in a 15-20 minute practice period.

Another key to good putting is to keep a journal of thoughts that work for you when you’re putting well. And, conversely, record what is wrong when you’re in a slump. It might be something that will recur--both good and bad--and if you have a journal to refer back to, you can head off potential problems at the pass.

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Try putting one-handed to increase your control of the putterhead and the acceleration of the putter through the ball.

To do it right very simply putt with only your right hand. Place your other hand behind your back. Hit 10 putts with one hand from five feet then revert to using both hands trying to recreate the sensation of putting with one hand.

Keep your head still. Many putts are missed by players looking up to see where their ball has gone. They hope to watch the ball disappear rather than listen to it drop. In doing so they risk affecting the path of the putterhead and the quality of strike.

Try placing your ball on top of a ball marker or similar flat object and make a normal stroke. As the ball moves away from the ball marker your eyes should still be focusing on it rather than the ball. It is a good idea to combine this drill with others so that you are constantly working on keeping your head still.

To enhance your feel for distances putt to different distances. Most golfer have more trouble getting the pace of a putt right than the line. If you’ve played golf before you will know that getting the ball to roll in the general direction of the hole is not that difficult whereas achieving the right distance from long range can sometimes be tricky.

Try this drill. Stick four tee in the ground, 10 fet, 20 feet, 30 feet, and 40 feet away. Then hit balls to them at random; e.g. two to the 20, three to the 10, one to the 40, etc. Do this for at least 20 minutes to build your confidence.

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by Mac Stevenson, our regular advice columnist

Whether on the golf course or in everyday life, it’s difficult for all of us to recognize our limitations. Accepting our shortcomings is important in daily life and it’s vital on the golf course.

All golfers occasionally hit poor shots at the worst possible time. The normal reaction is to have a feeling of desperation creep into your psyche, feeling you have to do something spectacular to make up for the bad shot. More often than not, that not only isn’t possible but it’s disastrous to even attempt near-impossible shots.

Often we find ourselves in an untenable situation on a particular shot because of the weather, a prior poor shot, or our limited ability. When this happens, don’t try to force a miracle shot that will lead to a round-ruining hole.

Here are six examples of problem shots that all golfers encounter from time to time:

(1) On a par four or five, you can have a long approach shot to the green because of a poor tee shot or a fierce headwind. If it’s a shot that you are unlikely to hit successfully with a three wood, use a more forgiving club like a five wood that will leave you in a good position to approach. The percentages are against reaching the green with the three wood, and you can end up in the rough or a trap if you try it.

(2) When you have an 80-100 yard iron shot that’s downwind to a pin set behind a trap on a downhill lie, don’t try and hit a miracle shot to get it close. You’re in a situation where you have to accept a par or bogey and go on to the next hole. Be sure and hit your approach safely on the green so you don’t jump up a double-bogey by hitting a dumb shot.

(3) Don’t be embarrassed to hit a wood instead of an iron to a long par three into the wind, even if your playing companions all hit an iron. It’s a game of how many, not how. Play within your own capabilities.

(4) On slick, downhill putts with a lot of break, allow more break than you need to in order to stop the ball close the hole. If you try and make the putt, chances are you’ll let it get away and three-putt. However, circumstances during a particular round will dictate whether or not to do this. But it’s a good rule to play more break than you think you need on treacherous downhill putts. In other words, you’re sacrificing a long-shot chance to make the putt in order to be certain of a two-putt.

(5) On short pitch shots out of heavy rough close to the green, it’s easy to try to be too cute with them. You have to chop down on the shot and hit it firmly to be sure it comes out of the heavy rough. This shot is extra tough to get close to the hole and the first consideration should be to make certain that you get it on the green within easy two-putt range.

(6) When an errant tee shot puts you in the trees and you have a choice between hitting through a narrow opening or pitching back to the fairway, take the safer course. If you try and hit a full shot through a narrow opening, you can end up in even more trouble and jump up a double- or triple-bogey.

That’s just six examples of difficult shots that can lead to wasted strokes; there are so many predicaments requiring you to rein in your emotions that they would fill a book.

You have to think on the golf course and you must maintain your concentration and poise. Be aware of and accept your weaknesses and make the best of unfavorable situations; that’s as good a rule as there is for golfers of all skill levels.

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THANK YOU for taking your time to answer these Joe.

Joe is also available for private lessons. "For private or group lessons in Chicago's northwest suburbs, contact Joe at golfwithjoey@yahoo.com

A Bit of Golf Trivia
For golfers who have established official handicaps, is the average handicap index over or under 18? (answer below)

Joe,
First, congrats to Richard on the best golf website I have ever seen!!! Three years ago my handicap was 17 now it is 31! I simply can not resist looking up and hitting from the top. I go to the driving range and my swing is fine but I can not take it to the course. After fifty five years of golf maybe its time to give it up. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Best regards, Bob Schuessler

Hello Bob,
Hitting from the top and looking up are both related to a "reverse pivot" which results in your weight ending up on the wrong foot. The Body Golf videos have some excellent drills that will surely correct this, like the toe drag drill and step-thru drill, both of which will assure that you finish with all your weight on the front foot. Once you can do that, it will be easier to keep looking at the ball spot after contact. Also, you must realize that on the range there is no pressure while on the course the fear of a bad shot will make your muscles behave differently. On the range you are swinging every few seconds so it is easy to get into a good rhythm, while on the course you are only swinging once every several minutes, so be sure to take a few practice swings before every shot. Don't give up, just swing easy and make good contact on every shot. Even if you bogey every hole, that alone will get you back to your original handicap.

Best of luck. Joe

Joe,
Just thought I would write to with regard to your answer to Andrea regarding where rakes are to be left, in or outside the bunkers. If you check the Rules of Golf Decisions book Rule 34 Misc/2 you will see that it is recommended that the rakes be left outside the bunkers. The decision is further expanded to explain the reasoning for the decision.

Lou Spado

Hello Lou,
Good catch, thanks for keeping me on my toes. The operative word is "recommended", so it is not mandatory. It might be interesting to take a count of how many courses prefer to leave the rakes in the bunker against how many courses prefer to leave the rakes outside the bunker,and let me know who wins. Most of the courses in my area have the rakes in the traps to make it easier for the guys who have to mow the grass.

Joe

Joe, I play almost 5 days a week at our local country club, it is right across the field from my farm here on the Upper Shore of Maryland, anyway, when I take a practice swing I also get a divot. I was told by an instructor as well as some golf magazines, that a practice divot is a good indication of whether your club face is square and if you are on line to your chosen target. I personally get the satisfaction of knowing that I am making a good swing. What is the proper practice routine, pros, am's hackers. I was admonished by a semi-regular playing partner, it really bothered me to be criticized about practice divots during the round, that is why I am writing you now. Much thanks for whatever answer you give.

Ron Jordan
Eastern Shore Maryland

Hello Ron,
The range is a better place to take practice divots, not the course. If everyone took a practice divot for every shot, and then another divot for the real shot, the course would be pretty hacked up. Watch the pros on TV, they do not take divots on their practice swings. A divot can show you the swing path, but it cannot show you whether or not the face of the club was square to the ball at contact. Sometimes you can mis-read the divot. On a well-struck shot that goes straight at the target, the divot might point a little left of the target (for a right handed player) because the club, after striking the ball, is curving inside by the time it reaches the ground. Another way to look at a divot is to see if it is deeper near the toe end, if so, your lie angles may be too flat and that may lead to a push or a slice.

Joe

Joe,
I would like to know your thoughts on what set of tees to use. I am a 70 y/o novice (h/c25) with distance problems. Was informed that you should hit from shorter tee box on long par 4's if you are a senior or have a high handicap. Appreciate your response.

Thanks Norman Kuzel

Hello Norman,
If you are playing against others, then use the same tees they use. If you are not in competition and you just want to shoot the lowest possible scores, then by all means use the forward tees. If you do not care so much about scores, and you would rather get your money's worth of golf shots, then play the back tees. It all depends on what your goals are. Any long par 4 will play like a par 5 for everyone except the longest hitters, so if it is important to you to have a chance for a par 4, then go ahead and move up, especially if it is against the wind.

Joe Answer to the trivia question (above): The average handicap index is 17.3

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Welcome to The No B.S. Golf Newsletter

This newsletter is by subscription only. The only way you could have received it is you requested a subscription or someone you know gave you a subscription. This newsletter goes out every Tuesday night or Wednesday. The special tips go out every Thursday or Friday. If you do not receive it, it is not because it was not published. If you have an AOL account, you should put my email address in your address book. To unsubscribe please scroll to the bottom and follow the simple instructions. If the link is not active in your email program, you may have to cut and paste it into your browser.
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Each week the newsletter and tip will be added to the website, if you would rather view them on the website, go to www.thinkandreachpar.com
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If, you would like to see more on a certain subject in this newsletter, tell me what it is you need. You are reading this newsletter each week, Feedback helps me, help you.
Richard@thinkandreachpar.com
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Richard’s Quick Tip:

Regarding Direction For Putting

Have you ever noticed how even a high-handicapper will be shocked when a longish putt rolls drastically off-line? That’s because relatively few bad putts miss their target by a considerable margin to the right or left.

It’s true that a putt that reaches the hole has to miss to the right or left, but the really bad misses are putts that are far too long because they’ve been hit far too hard, or putts that are far too short because they haven’t been hit hard enough. How often do you see a putt hit pin-high but ten feet wide of the hole?

The ideal lag putt, therefore, should be struck without any real regard for direction. Length and speed are much more important (and the golfer who thinks about length and speed will get a feel for direction in the process).

If length and speed have been judged correctly, the ball will likely end up in tap-in range and who knows, a few more long putts might drop in.

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Comments from subscribers:

Richard!
My game went south and I thought I was going to start mixing a hemlock cocktail. Instead, I stuck the Body Golf Tape (full swing) in the vcr and revisited. I then looked at the short game tape to review the chipping and putting. I took 6 bucks off my pals today and have a tournament tomorrow. I don't know what I'd do without these things. I guess I know what I wouldn't be doing....
Peace Brother!.

R.M. Thanks for the nice testimonial. I appreciate it.


Richard,

Keep up the good work. I think the 'Toe poke' tip is a very good one. I have used that several times before and it is a stroke saver. Especially when one is in a situation where one has to resort to a left-handed swing to extricate oneself from an awkward lie, e.g. a tree blocking a normal stance (swing). As most week-end golfers cannot even think of a left-handed swing let alone execute it, the 'Toe poke' comes in very handy to get back onto the fairway.
Regarding the great golfers and the four majors, I remember distinctly that Greg Norman wasn't able to win the Masters (I don't know about the PGA). The last time that everybody thought that the Masters is in his (Greg Norman's) bag he blew his six strokes lead and Nick Faldo managed to get the green jacket.
Rgds.,
Win Zaw


Hi Richard

Reference the criticism you've received for offering a tip about
keeping your head steady. The first message you quote, from "John", appears to be fairly typical. Well, tell "John" that I followed his advice, rather than yours, and it didn't work at all, so what does that say about the quality of his advice as compared to yours?! I moved my head "4 to 5 inches to the right on my backswing", exactly as he instructed, and I hit a horrible shot.

Of course, the fact that I'm left-handed might have had something to do with it!

Which raises another point which I guess most lefthanders would agree with. Why is it that in golf magazines, instructional manuals, TV talk shows, etc., it is assumed that every golfer in the world is right-handed? It is extremely frustrating to have to continually mentally change the words "left" to "right" and "right" to "left" when reading (or listening to) tips.

Why can't someone come up with an alternative? Something like "front" instead of "left" and "back" instead of "right"? Maybe two completely new, specially invented, words would be better: any suggestions? That way, the advice becomes equally relevant whether you're left- or right-handed. That way, we only have to look at the pictures in a mirror!

After all us lefties have rights too!

Regards
Graham Speller
Johannesburg, South Africa

R.M. Thanks for the comments Graham. I am a lefty, and know exactly what you are talking about. Except with me, when I write an article or tip, I have to remember to write in righty terms, because here in the US, 92% of all golfers are rightys. It’s all an economic thing. There is such a small population of left hand golfers, it is not feasible to manufacture products for us.
We are considering doing the Body Golf videos for the lefty’s,
but that is down the road alittle.

Thanks again for taking the time to write. I wish more of the subscribers would take the time to let is know how they feel.

I see that in today's newsletter that I'm not the only one who disagreed with Arnold about putting your chin down. Bad move! Chin up! And as another points out, you shouldn't freeze your head in one spot, but let it move slightly to the rear and keep your head behind the ball.
Bill

Richard,

Regarding Rick Rhodes's question (please see below), Joe's answer is a practical and fail-safe one. But, if he (Rick) would really like to know the distance he can use Pythagoras' theorem. That is, add the square of the height (10 yds x 10 yds = 100) to the square of the length (130 yds x 130 yds = 16900) and take the square-root of the result which gives 130.38 yds.
Rgds.,
WZ


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This is an article that Jennifer Scott, author of “Own The Zone” cd wrote.

The Zone" is really hypnosis
By JENNIFER SCOTT

Do you remember that beautiful spring day when Phil Mickelson walked the 18th fairway at Augusta smiling and totally confident in his golf game? He was "in the zone," and nothing seemed to faze him:
not his bogeys on 3, 5 and 6; not Ernie's eagle on 13. Phil knew it was his year to win the Masters. Phil was not only "in the zone," he was also under hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a heightened state of awareness where time and space appear to disappear. It is a natural state of mind that most people—even you—drift in and out of every day without even knowing it. Often characterized by a feeling of "effortlessness," hypnosis can be as simple as being completely absorbed in a good book and not realizing how much time has gone by, or watching a good movie and being "transported" into a state of believing that what's happening on the screen is real.

Have you ever been mesmerized by a candle? A campfire or fireplace? The sound and movement of a gentle stream? Maybe while surfing the Internet you have become so absorbed that several hours pass by unnoticed.

How often have you arrived at a destination in your car without realizing how you got there? Someone must have driven the car, right? That "someone" was your subconscious mind because on the conscious level, you were completely absorbed in your thoughts or the music on the radio.

You are under hypnosis whenever you become so engrossed in an activity that you are no longer self-conscious.
Hmm. "A heightened state of awareness when time and space seem to disappear." "A feeling of effortlessness." "Not self- conscious about what you're doing." Isn't this how you feel when you play golf "in the zone," even if it's just for a few shots or a few holes?
Maybe you score a par, then another par, possibly even a birdie. Suddenly it seems golf has become an easy game. Voila! You're "in the zone."
But then suddenly, you're not.

The same thing happens in everyday activity. The important difference is that you're not self conscious about it. You're too busy to notice. You stay involved because you like what you're doing. There's no pressure. You're in a flow. When you get frustrated or disinterested, you get out. No problem. No thought. This is what I refer to as random hypnosis.

When you are "in the zone" on the golf course, you feel better than usual and you think "this is too good to be true!" But just as soon as you've realized this, you become self-conscious again and your game deteriorates.

When Phil Mickelson came to Augusta this year, it was his 12th attempt to win the Masters and his 47th shot at a major.

What made this year different? For starters, Phil showed no tension on his face or in his body. What we saw rather was an attitude of pure joy. He seemed to be having fun, and fed off the crowd's enthusiasm. Phil was deep "in the zone." If Phil—formerly "The Best Golfer Never to Win a Major"—was able to stay "in the zone" under all the pressure of Augusta and manage to do the same at Shinnecock—almost winning the US Open—don't you think you might handle your golf frustrations more easily by having more fun and not taking yourself so seriously?

Wouldn't it be great if you could get yourself into "the zone" purposefully? The truth is that you can! One of my clients—a college basketball player—recently told me about how he gets into "the zone" by distracting his conscious mind with thoughts of his favorite thing: vacationing with his family.

Think of how you can distract your own conscious mind with pleasurable images. Fishing. Snorkeling. Skiing. Anything but thoughts of golf will distract your conscious mind from golf. When your conscious mind is distracted from the task at hand—swinging a club—your subconscious mind takes over and soon your golf game will be "in the zone."
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If you like this newsletter, I would appreciate it if you would forward a copy to your friends and ask them to subscribe. It's a free gift!
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Quote of the Week:

"Tolerance is giving to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself."
Robert Green Ingersoll
1833-1899, Orator and Political Speechmaker


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Golf quote of the week:

I'm a golfaholic, no question about that. Counseling wouldn't help me. They'd have to put me in prison, and then I'd talk the warden into building a hole or two and teach him how to play.
~Lee Trevino

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Questions and Answers by Teaching Pro Mr Joe DeLorenzo THANK YOU
for taking your time to answer these Joe.

Joe is also available for private lessons. "For private or group
lessons in Chicago's northwest suburbs, contact Joe at
golfwithjoey@yahoo.com


A Bit of Golf Trivia:
Who has the reputation of missing the shortest putts in
competition? (answer below)


Hello, I was excited when I saw the title of your ezine on 8/3
'thumb and palm' because I have had a reoccurring problem with my left thumb (I'm right handed golfer). The problem is a pain after play sort of like I've been stressing that joint. My game is ok (just need more practice to keep the cobwebs away), handicap about 6.1, but my thumb is sore all the time. Are you familiar with this complaint? Anything I can do... I don't like bowling!!! thanks
dave baehr

Hi Dave,
If your thumb has no pain unless you play golf, then your grip may need adjustment. If you have not already been experimenting with different grip styles, I would suggest trying the ten finger grip, no overlapping or interlocking of the fingers, and weaken the left hand position to take the pressure off the thumb. Your handicap indicates you are a good golfer, so your ball flight must be fairly consistent. If you can strike the ball solidly and consistently with a different grip, and the thumb no longer hurts as much, then just learn to live with whatever new ball flight tendency you might have as long as it is consistent. The weaker left hand position may lead to a fade, but if so, you may be able to compensate with a stronger right hand position.
Joe


Hi There,
I am a weekend golfer averaging between 83 and 90 per round...if I can just pin point my problem with my driver I'm sure I'll be able to lower my scores...the problem is that at the driving range I hit my driver almost perfectly every time ...but when I get to the tee I seem to pull my drives which is extremely frustrating .....what do you suggest I do to solve this annoying problem......maybe I'm trying to hit too hard ...maybe I'm turning too early ...I do not know .......driving range it works...on the tee it does not.....please suggest some drills that I can do to correct this. Kindly
Saadiq

Hello Saadiq,
Some drills that will work are shown in the Body Golf videos, such as the double clubber and the toe drag. Many golfers find that everything seems to work better on the range than on the course, and there are 3 main reasons for this. First of all, if your range has rectangular mats, they help your alignment, while on the course you don't have this help, so whenever possible, go to a range that has grass tee areas and align yourself to specific targets. Secondly, on the range there is no pressure, no penalty for a bad shot, so the muscles are more relaxed. On the course, muscles behave differently when the pressure factor is in play. Thirdly, on the range you are swinging every few seconds, so it is easy to get into a 'groove', while on the course you only swing once every several minutes, so it is harder to maintain this groove. I suggest on the range to get a mindset the same as on the course. Put a little pressure on yourself by picking a target, and tell yourself that unless you hit it at the target, you are going to deny yourself one of life's many simple pleasures for the day, like watching TV or surfing the internet, or whatever penalty you choose, just to add a little fear factor.
Joe


Joe,
I have noticed one of the reasons for slow play is the fact that players of lesser ability refuse to play from the forward tees. I suppose it would be too embarrassing for guys to play from the "ladies tees". Any ideas on how to solve this? Andy

Hi Andy,
You are right, if other male golfers in a foursome are not playing from the forward tees, then it would take some courage for a short-hitting guy to walk up to the forward tees, he would get a lot of giggles. I suppose it is possible for courses to impose restrictions on which tees you must use based on your handicap, but each golfer must decide what gives them the most enjoyment out of the game. Do you really want to have a chance to hit greens in regulation without having to use fairway woods for every shot? If so, go ahead and play the back tees and live with your higher scores. If not, swallow your pride and move up to the shorter tees, which by the way, should no longer be called the ladies tees because there are a lot of ladies who can hit the ball farther than a lot of men, and I am sure these ladies do not use the forward tees.
Joe


Joe,
Can you suggest a drill that will improve my ability to hold my wrist snap until I reach the ball. I know that many times my wrists break before I reach the ball and all my power is gone.
S. M. Werren

Hello SM,
There are a couple of things to try. First, go to the top of your backswing and pause. Then fire your lower body without swinging, the left arm and wrist stay cocked. This is intended to train your upper body to wait a little longer. Another drill is to again go to the top of the
backswing and this time complete the swing in slow motion without breaking the wrists at all. Then repeat this increasing the speed each time, remembering to keep the wrists from breaking at all. When you try this at full speed, you may discover it is impossible to complete the swing without breaking the wrists, but you will have delayed the wrist break as much as possible.
Joe


Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, what's wrong with Tiger's swing?
Answer: Hey everybody has got an opinion, so here's mine. He made a curious statement when he revamped his swing several years ago. He said he was getting away with murder by pointing the club across the target line at the top of the backswing. If that is getting away with murder, look at Bobby Jones' swing, also Phil Mickelson, John Daly, and many others come way across the target line (who says crime does not pay?). Therefore I think he is focusing on the wrong thing, there can't be anything wrong with that, it only sets the club into a good plane for the downswing path at the ball. There are far more important things to worry about than that.
Tiger, if that is what you are thinking, you may be looking in the wrong area, perhaps even messing up other parts of your swing. Go ahead and cross that target line at the top, just like you did at the 1997 Masters, and see what happens.

Answer to the trivia question (above): Hale Irwin, who carelessly tried to backhand a 3-inch putt in the 1983 British Open and whiffed it. He lost by one stroke to Tom Watson. Then, in the 2003 Kinko's tournament on the Champions tour he 3-putted from one inch. First he whiffed a backhand attempt just like he did in 1983, then he made a normal stance and nudged it too soft. This time it did not really matter, Hale won the tournament anyway.



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Golf Potpourri

by

Mac Stevenson

Home Course Advantage is Huge

A home-course advantage in golf is every bit as important as the home-field edge in football or home- court advantage in basketball. Maybe even more so.

When you go to an unfamiliar golf course to play in a tournament
or a serious game, it’s best to recognize that you’re going to be
at a disadvantage competing against players who know the layout.
A big disadvantage.

When you play a golf course for the first time, everything about
it--including the people in charge--is unfamiliar and that works
on you mentally. Being eager to please, you’re bound to be more
tense than normal about everything you do. On the course, you
want to make a favorable impression on the other players and,
consequently, don’t concentrate as fully on your shots as you
ordinarily would. It’s not like the free and easy camaraderie
with your buddies at home.

When you are familiar with a course and your fellow players, it’s
easier to concentrate on shots because you know what to expect.

If it’s feasible, you will benefit greatly from playing a
practice round on an unfamiliar course before teeing it up in a
tournament. There are several reasons for this:

* By playing a relaxed practice round, you’ll get an overall
feel for the course.
* You’ll find out where the most treacherous trouble areas
are, awaiting your errant shots.
* In a practice round, you can find out how demanding the
rough is next to the fairways and close to the greens.
* You can test the texture of the sand in the traps; it may
be entirely different from your home course.
* And most important of all, you can become at least loosely
acquainted with the greens.

When you go into a tournament cold--never having played the
course--it’s easy to blame your unfamiliarity with the greens
when you miss a putt or two early in the round. And then your
confidence is gone for the day.

When you hit a shot just like you want to and it doesn’t work out
because of a lack of local knowledge, that hurts your confidence
on subsequent shots. On a strange course, there’s a feeling of
unease on certain shots because you’re not sure what they will
do.

Another problem that often emerges is when you receive
unsolicited--albeit well-meaning--advice from some of your
playing companions and it proves to be erroneous. That can be
very disconcerting.

If you have a golfing friend who knows the course you’re going to
play, it will be helpful to visit with him or her and determine
which shots you should work on before you make your trip. Of
course, this will depend on what kind of game you have.

You can study maps and distances of a course you haven’t played
and listen to advice from players who know it, but nothing takes
the place of playing it before you engage in tough competition.

It’s a lot of fun to play a new course when you’re just playing a
social round; however, there’s extra, built-in tension associated
with playing tournament golf on a course you don’t know.

Every golf course has its own personality, and some will be more
suited to your game than others. Nevertheless, it’s great fun to
play a course for the first time. If, however, you’re going to be
playing serious tournament golf, play the course in a practice
round at least once before you tee it up under pressure.

Since golf is such a mental game, you don’t need any additional
disadvantages like an unfamiliar course before you play in a
tournament.

========================================

Richard’s Thoughts

Did you watch the PGA Championship this past weekend at the Whistling Straits? Boy that is some golf course!!

Don’t know how many of you noticed Vijay exercising, but he was using a large HEAVY pipe warming up. Swinging it back and forth. Very similar to Sensei Mark’s double clubers and other items he uses. Interesting.

Proper Use Of The Legs

Last week we talked about Slowing Down Your Backswing, how about this week lets talk about Proper Use Of The Legs.

The road to good golf is best traveled by foot-both of them. By using your legs properly, which means in coordination with the hand, arm, hip and shoulder action, you generate maximum clubhead speed and power-with ease. Because this part of the body is so important, check yourself as you walk into the stance. Address the ball as though you are about to sit on a stool. This is suggested to make certain that the knees are flexed, a must position if the turn and shifting of weight are to be done smoothly and effectively and if the power is to flow through the legs, which it should. You can even go slightly knock-kneed, if necessary. Good leg action can be developed. Take any of the short clubs, preferably and eight-iron, and prepare to hit the ball. Get the weight distributed evenly throughout the feet and not just on the heels or toes. Also feel alive and springy. Your stance should be on the narrow side with this club. Ad you go back, bend the left knee inward and downward toward the ball, rolling over on the inside of the foot. On the short irons, keep the left heel on the ground; lift only slightly on the woods.) Do the same with the right knee on the downswing. The natural follow –through will lift the right heel off the ground as the hip unwinds and the right side turns toward the hole. In a little time, you will sense the balance and timing that are necessary for other shots, and when you get into the longer clubs, you will be able to accommodate the bending of the knee and complete the backswing without swaying or without losing your rhythm. Thrust your legs to get you on the right path. They’ll keep you there, too.

Until next week…good golfing!

Dr Richard Myers
www.thinkandreachpar.com
www.bodygolf.com
864.675.0038

Copyright, New South Media,LLC 2004

This email is protected by copyright, 2004, New South Media, LLC
All right reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this email is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Richard Myers

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