Kevin Shields
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Anyone looking to become a better PLAYER, not a golf swing perfectionist, should read the article on the difference between a scratch player and a Tour pro. Great article and one I'm sure to show some of my students.
Not All Articles In Golf Digest are Bad
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jpvegas1
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Thanks for pointing this out. An excellent article.
Here is another article they are running on golf.com. It's the original articles from Sports Illustrated on Ben Hogan's modern fundementals.
Ben Hogan's 'Modern Fundamentals of Golf' - Instruction - Golf.com
Here is another article they are running on golf.com. It's the original articles from Sports Illustrated on Ben Hogan's modern fundementals.
Ben Hogan's 'Modern Fundamentals of Golf' - Instruction - Golf.com
otto6457
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hey Kevin
I was in the airport when I read your post and I walked over to the airport bookstore to get the new Golf Digest. The only one they had was the one with Kuchar on the front cover. I looked through it but I didn't see the article. Was this the wrong issue or did I just miss it?
I was in the airport when I read your post and I walked over to the airport bookstore to get the new Golf Digest. The only one they had was the one with Kuchar on the front cover. I looked through it but I didn't see the article. Was this the wrong issue or did I just miss it?
I agree, it was a great article. Many interesting things in there including Steve Stricker's comments about how much better he (and his wife) got once he got on tour just by watching/playing with other tour players.
otto6457
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Thanks jertapper. Yep...that was the one. I didn't see the article when I scanned the magazine. Crap!!
I would have had something to read while I sat for yet ANOTHER delayed flight.
Really good read enjoyed it; makes you think about some of the things we worry about...? open eyes.... In the big picture they arent that serious as we/I think... looks like you need to know your game believe in your game and learn how to get yourself around the course with your game ... Also a strong short game looks like the key ....get the ball up and in.... Putt like a pro get it up and down like the pro's..... Have to check the ego at the door ... nobody else really cares what we shoot only we do.... dont turn trouble shots bad swings into big numbers never make more than a 5 on the course and take advantage of the par 5's
I used to be a pretty low handicap player and the only way I was able to be that way was by getting up and down A LOT. The problem is...that's a lot of pressure on you. It's a great way to keep your score from ballooning and the key to being a good player but if you can't hit it close in regulation on some holes to give yourself some good birdie opportunities, you won't break par.
For me, making birdies on par 5s was crucial to offset any times I didn't get up and down. If I had a good day on the par 5s I would get 2 birdies...I might get a birdie elsewhere maybe 2. So if I get up and down every time, don't hit into hazards and don't 3 putt I'm looking at a 3 or 4 under round. Best case.
I have always thought a person who is a precise ball striker will be more capable of outscoring someone with a good short game. The closer you put it to the hole the better your chance to make birdies. Getting it up a down was always damage-limitation for me. It's important, but I don't think it's how the pros play. I wish I kept the stats but I don't think I ever had a round where I hit over 80% of GIR. That would've been a glorious round and far less stressful than the days where I would shoot ~75 and get up and down 12 times.
Also, if you have a bad front nine, or start bad, you know you aren't likely to be able to go low and make it up. That pressure is no fun either. So I think consistent and accurate ball striking is the key.
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