A great controversy occurred during the Dubai Classic that does not want to leave the news cycle. If you did not see it, basically a professional golfer was assessed a two-stroke penalty for his caddie still being in his line as he started to set up for his putt. The penalty dropped Haotong Li from T3 to T12 and cost the player a fair bit of money (about €100,000 ($150k Cdn – $114k USD). However, that is the least of my concerns because if a golfer breaks the rules, they should be penalized. This is where the controversy stems – the interpretation of the new rule 10.2b(4). Continue reading
Golf’s ‘Mad’ Scientist – Bryson DeChambeau
After watching a video clip of Bryson DeChambeau and his caddie Tim Tucker at Dubai Classic, I was wondering what the governing is going to ban to make it more difficult for DeChambeau to use science as he plays. After listening to their conversation, I think the PGA Tour should embrace his approach and run with it!
Continue readingHitting Your Driver Off the Deck!
Hitting a driver off the fairway is a very difficult shot. Over the years, I tried it with little success. I find it very difficult to hit the ball cleanly anywhere than the bottom of the club face. But, I am told that it is an amazing shot if you can pull it off. I came across Colin Montgomerie’s legendary shot from 23 years ago at the Dubai Classic. It really was a fantastic to watch!
You can see from the video that it is a difficult shot and not everyone could have pulled it off. It is more difficult than it looks.
There is one thing I noticed that actually changes the dynamics of hitting a driver off the deck. Going back 23 years, the profile of the driver they hit was significantly lower that the ones we have today. In those days, I played a 10 degree Callaway Warbird whose profile is not much bigger than my three wood I regularly use. Thus, I can see how hitting a driver off the deck back then would be easier than now.
Apparently, hitting the driver off the deck is not as uncommon as I thought. The benefit of using this club is distance, but I am not sure that it is that great of an advantage comparing my driver and three wood distances. It is not something I have really practiced.
However, if you are curious about hitting your driver off the deck, here is how:
I am not sure I want to scuff up my new Callaway Rogue driver by hitting it off the grass. I am also not sure that the margin for error versus distance is worth using my driver in the fairway.
Update 05 March 2019 – I could not let this video pass of the late great Arnold Palmer. I thought it would add to the article.
What about you, do you hit your driver off the deck?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
What Does Your Golf Score Really Tell You?
Much discussion happens around a players golf score and what it really means. Usually the first question out of any golfer’s mouth was “what did you shoot?” Or they are asking others about the best players score, it appears that the score is the benchmark to measure all things in golf. Well, I can tell you that the numbers lie and do not really mean as much as we think. Sometimes we chase a lower golf score like a dog changes his tail with no real success.
Continue readingGrip Pressure When Chipping
How tightly do you grip your club when chipping from 5 yards, 10 yards, or 25 yards off the green? Does it change or do you maintain a consistent pressure? Over the years, I have asked these and many other questions with no real consensus. It appears to be a personal thing that each player needs to develop for themselves.
Continue reading
The Grateful Golfer 