How to Rationalize a 6 hr. Round

photo credit: Bruno MAZZONI     Slow play  will ruin your  game of golf.   A slow group will slow down everyone behind them,  just like a slow car on a two lane highway.   Speed your play with the following steps:

(1)    Plan your shot  strategy while going to your ball.    (2)   Line  up your shot while others are playing theirs.   (3)   Limit your practice swings to one.   (4)   During green play, take several clubs with you (putter/wedge etc.)  to eliminate going back to the cart.   (5)   Whoever is closest to the pin should attend the pin.   (6)    Don't mark your  ball, putt out.   (7)    Once everyone putts out,  leave the green immediately.    (8)   Keep talking amongst your group at a minimum, you are there to play golf, not have a gab session.   (9)    Be polite when asking to “play through.”

Don’t get Mad

One of the problems I see with many amateurs is their willingness to get mad at themselves for reasons that are not logical.   If you are a 20 handicapper and you miss  a 180 yd. approach shot, you have no reason to be angry.   It's all about over-expectations,  expecting  more of yourself than you are capable of delivering.

Nothing can  ruin a good round quicker than anger.   Make sure you understand that if you play within your ability you have no reason to get angry.   Playing with a cry-baby, who expects to make every 10 foot putt or consistently hit 280 yd. drives, is no fun at all.

Make an honest assessment of your ability and don't allow  unreasonable expectations  to get in the way of playing good golf.   Believe me, it's more fun that way!

Jerking From the Top

photo credit: jayniebell     Instead of  swinging in  a smooth coiling/uncoiling action, for many golfers there is a tendency to jerk the club down once they've reached the top of their backswing.  

Pausing at the top of the backswing is done by very few golfers because it is an unorthodox way of swinging.   The swing should rotate back, and without stopping, rotate just as smoothly downward.   The problem is that once at the top, many players purposely try to create more power by pulling hard on the club and jerking the club downward.   This movement usually causes an outside in swing path (slice).  

Coil and uncoil, do not pull or jerk the club downward just let  the swing  happen effortlessly and you will generate maximum clubhead speed which is your primary goal.

Excess Movement When Putting

photo credit: Two Roses         Ever wonder why you missed your last 4 foot putt?   Presuming your alignment was correct, you missed because of  premature body movement.   In other words you may have “looked up.”  

Putting is a true art and the keynote to all good putters is that they remain completely motionless until well after the ball has been struck.   Even the slightest movement (other than the arms and shoulders) can throw your ball off line.   Most of the time this occurs when the player is overly anxious to see where the putt is going.   If you are aligned correctly, there is no need to look up.  

Tip:   Try practicing those five and six footers with your eyes closed and just listen for the putt to drop.   Doing this repeatedly should give you the kind of control you need to become a really great putter !

Underclubbing

photo credit: Ted Van Pelt     Nearly everyone has a “can do” attitude on the golf course  and this  is what gets most  people in trouble.   Instead of using “enough club,” they use a club that just won't get them to their target.   Keep in mind that approach shots that are short, find all the trouble.

Did you ever notice how  most of the  hazards on every hole  are located in front of the green?   This  means that If you don't  use enough club you  are simply begging  for trouble.   Try  hitting “one extra club.”   If you hit it sweet, you'll be on the back portion of the  green.   If you miss-hit  the shot you  will be on the front portion  of the green.   This is a win, win situation which can only mean one thing, lower scores and a lot more fun.

Finish High

photo credit: tnarik     One of the chronic problems I see with my students is that they quite on their shots.   By not employing a full, high finish a player is robbing themselves of the distance they should otherwise be getting.

Watch the Pros, notice how they wrap the club all the way behind them on their finish.   Notice how high the club  extends  between shoulder height and the finish.    Many amateurs cut the finish short immediately after impact.    

Practice your full finish  in front of a mirror.   As you finish your arms should be fully extended, your chest should face the target and your right foot (for right handers) should  be facing away from the target  with toe down.   For more distance  make a  full follow-through.

Unpopularity of Slow Play

photo credit: avlxyz     Playing with a slow player is just no fun.   Most slow players don't  even realize they are playing slow and if you  mention it  to them, they  are offended.   The suggestion is not fast play, just don't lag and ruin  the round for everyone else.

There is a certain  playing cadence  that develops during every round.   The idea is to stay within the  momentum of play.   Slow players destroy the tempo of play without even realizing it.

The biggest reason for slow play is not thinking ahead.   Once a shot is taken, concentration on the very  next shot should begin.   Once the ball is reached,  take one practice swing and unload.   Deep rough, uneven lies or bunker shots,  may require several practice swings.    Remember, playing slow does not  mean playing better!

Drinking On The Golf Course

There are too many players that drink alcohol while playing golf.   Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a sociable drink now and then but the golf course is not a place  for a
photo credit: andrewS5IS.party.   Somehow, some people seem to think that there isn't any harm in drinking on the golf course, however in reality, it's an accident waiting to happen and you don't have to be a purist to know that more accidents happen because of alcohol than otherwise.

Since golf is a game of precision, balance and good judgement, how can drinking not work against your game?   That's just it, people that drink while playing, aren't really interested in serious golf and that should be reason enough not to invite them as a member of your foursome.

Don’t Be a “Well Wisher”

photo credit: Digital Sextant What really bugs me is someone who makes a remark before you are ready to hit your golf shot. Remarks like, “come on knock it in,” “you da man,” “Ok it's up to you big guy,” “you can do it,” “we need this one,” and the grand-daddy of them all “knock it straight down the middle.” Do these comments really help? Not on your life.

Most remarks such as those are well meaning but totally uncalled for. If I wasn't trying my best (like most playeres are) I wouldn't be on the golf course in the first place. I don't need a peanut gallery to cheer me on, in fact, it is terribly distracting. I can't figure out why players do this, can you?

Golf Cart Mania

photo credit: Shayan (USA) It always grabs me that some players can be so wreckless while driving golf carts. First, there is the liability factor. If driving wrecklessly causes injury to your passenger or a bystander, you can be held liable. If you damage the golf course you can also be held liable.

One of the biggest problems I see is when golf carts are driven on the approach area near the front of the green in spite of the signs to the contrary. Parking the cart too close to the green is also commonplace with lazy golfers.

The 90 degree rule should be mandatory on every golf course and wreckless and abusive cart operators should be asked to leave the course. Better inforcement by course management could eliminate this problem.

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