Any of us that tuned into last weekend’s U.S. Open on Sunday saw
a
”
bloodpath
”
not seen in a major tournament in recent memory.
Any of us that tuned into last weekend’s U.S. Open on Sunday saw a “bloodpath” not seen in a major tournament in recent memory.
The entire golf course turned into one big unplayable lie. It seemed that no matter where the world’s best players hit the ball it was on the wrong side of the hole and the ball simply slipped off the edge of the green into trouble.
Now most of us will never play a course with that severe of a penalty for hitting the ball on the wrong side of the flag, but much can be learned from watching that and applying it to your own game.
We don’t play with the pin point accuracy and control that the pros play with from the fairway that enables them to drop a ball exactly where they want it to go. Heck, we are just simply aiming at the green and are happy to hit it. However, when we are chipping up to the green from a short distance, we can use a little of this pro’s mentality.
Much like chess, think one shot ahead and anticipate where you would like to putt from. A 10-foot, uphill putt is usually easier to make that a 5-foot downhill or side hill. Use that strategy to your advantage.
Even from the fairway look at where the pin is in the green. If it’s cut way to the left, you can’t afford to miss your shot left of the green because you will have no green to work with on your chip shot. Aim to the right of the pin to the “fat” of the green. Therefore, if you do miss your shot to the right, you have an easy chip and if you pull it to the left, it’s at the flag.
Often times your score goes high not because of the quality of your golf shot but because of the quality of your choices.
Remember when all else fails take a lesson. You’ll be surprised how much we can help.
To schedule a lesson with PGA-certified instructor Don DeLorenzo, call Gilroy GC at 848-0490.
