Golf tip from the Director of Golf

Note: There are two exclamation marks adding emphasis to the title of this tip.  This is such a simple tip and requires no set up or swing adjustments. It can make a dramatic difference. But so often when playing or reviewing the players on the course, I see amateurs approach shots come up short. And that is where all the trouble is, at the front of ghe green.  Why so many errors from this Pro's perspective? I believe the answer lies in "a little bit of ego" and "a little bit of sloppy".

A little bit of ego. If I ask you the question, what is your 150 yard club? You know your answer right? 7 iron? 8 iron? Often the answer to that question is a club that is hit when "maxed" out to go 150. We almost seen to always club based on what club is maxed will get there don't we? And let's be honest, we all like to say to our buddies we hit the 8 iron 150 rather than a 7. Right? But our 150 club shouldn't take a move that requires an Ultimate, 1 in 100 swing to get it there. I can make a 9 iron go 150 yards; but is that my 150 club? No. Making a swing that is within myself and that is repeatable is key. Within myself for me, means about 80% power.   So often a Guy hits a drive to 150 on a par 4 and grabs that 150 club that really should be a 140 club; he puts a normal move on it and gets 140.

A little bit of sloppy. Again guys drive out to their ball look for a yardage and for example see that they are 150 from the green and grab that club. But what about the other factors? If the ball is sitting down, less than perfect, the flight will be affected, not go as far, and require more club.  Does the green sit uphill from the fairway? Much of the time on course designs the greens are elevated. What's the wind doing? Besides head on wind, if it is blowing sideways that 150 club is still going to fly a few yards less because the wind is knocking it down. How about humidity? Temperature? If it's morning and the air is wet and cold you need a club or two more so be careful grabbing that 150 club.  This morning I played and was 145 out, but the air was cool and wet and I was hitting slightly uphill into a green and the club I used was a 6 iron.

I challenge you to go out and do two things. One, watch your playing partners. Don't say anything and see where they miss there approach shots. When they miss, the majority of the time I bet it will be short.  Secondly, go out and play a round and take one club more than you normally do on all approach shots and swing 80%. I bet you will be surprised at how you will be hitting the ball the correct distance to the flag and you'll find that your scores improve.