One of the greatest challenges in golf is arriving at an endstate where you are happy with your game. There is no doubt that the process from point A to point B is a challenge most amateurs struggle to develop. I was not really any different until I decided to adopt a different approach to golf. Instead to trying to the ‘big fix’ for a particular skill I was developing, I decided to break it down into small pieces I could manage. Desmond Tutu once wisely said that “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” What he meant by this is that everything in life (golf) that seems daunting, overwhelming, and even impossible can be accomplished gradually by taking on just a little at a time. This approach is perfect for golf; it is a matter of figuring out what the right steps are to achieve our ultimate goal.
Continue readingUnderstanding Your Club Distances
For years, I have talked about understanding how far we hit our clubs in order to shoot lower golf scores. There are many different reasons for having this knowledge and I am sure you can deduce them without too much trouble. The one aspect we did not discuss is how to use this information. It is not a pure binary equation because of the simple variables we need to apply in order to maximize the effectiveness of our club distances. The variables are not difficult, but should be considered when hitting an approach shot to the green or setting up your next shot from your favourite distance.
Continue readingBuilding Straight Shot Consistency With My Driver
Hitting the ball in play is always the goal of any golfer. Whether you are hitting off the tee or else where on the course we all strive to hit the ball consistently. The very first shot of any round happens at the first tee (duh, right). Actually, the first shot of every round starts before first contact through a variety of practice swings, maybe some range work, and through metal visualization. So, our round of golf starts earlier than we think and this is not really anything new. Therefore, building consistency off the first tee (usually with a driver) is key to starting your round off properly. But, how do we do this you am ask? Great question, I stumbled across a great drill that might help you on your way to hitting your driver with great consistency.
Continue readingI Forgot My Putter!
Many amateurs do not check their bag before heading to the first tee. We generally have one set of clubs and they usually reside in one location around our house. In my case, my clubs stay in my vehicle for the summer and rarely come our for non golf related activities. Having said that, there are times when I remove certain clubs for practice and as a result playing around of golf with out a putter is entirely possible. Well, actually, over the years I have played a few rounds without a putter, PW, SW, 3 wood and Driver. Leaving these clubs behind generated some interesting and colourful conversation. Additionally, I had to wait for at least 9 holes before I could retrieve my wayward clubs from my car. With important clubs taking a rest, I had to be inventive on how I replaced them during the round.
Continue readingThe Most Important Skill In Golf
The most important skill in golf is not what you think. To excel in golf, we need to develop skills on the green, off the tee, from the fairway and from hazards. The ability to hit solid shots from difficult lies is also a great skill to master. Yet, my experience tells me that, although important, the most important skill in golf touches all these areas without overshadowing any. Seems like a crazy thing, but it is completely true; let me explain why!
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