SAVE THE HERO SHOTS FOR THE FAIRWAY We all want to hit the exciting recovery shot that sometimes Tour players make on TV. And as fun as it is imagining yourself to be Tiger, Rory, Bubba or Phil and hitting an all-world recovery, most of the time, Tour players actually opt to get the ball back in play more than they do try for the hero shot out of trouble. Pitching the ball back into the fairway doesn't make for great entertainment on television, and you don't see players do it as often on the broadcast, but truth be told, they do it more often. Tour players know that they're more likely to hit a hero shot from a better lie and/or better position to the pin from the fairway than they do from way off the short stuff. Now, I know there are some mixed messages on these two pages, and sometimes you should go for broke and try to hit the big, exciting recovery shot. And sometimes, you may be in such a bad spot that you need to stab down on the ball with a lot of forward shaft lean and scoop the ball out. The point is, recovery shots should be rehearsed and practiced, and you should be aware of multiple options. Take time on the range hitting quarter and half shots, and get a feel for how high and low the ball flies, as well as if they fade or draw. Also, aim precisely and practice with precision in mind, not distance. If you practice your recovery shot routine and options, you'll be more inclined to succeed on the golf course the next time you need to make a decision from a tough spot. |
HIT! |
REACT! |
PROCESS! |
IT AIN'T OVER TIL IT'S OVER Ain't that the truth? A round of golf lasts several hours over 18 holes. You're going to hit good shots and bad shots, have lucky breaks and bad breaks. The important thing is acknowledging that before you tee off, and not going to the first tee with a specific score in mind. "Gosh, if only I can break 90 or 80 today, I'll be happy." Breaking that thought process will allow your mind and body to play without the added pressure of hitting a target score. Also, what happens if you don't hit that score and there are still a few holes left to play? It's likely things will get worse because you're already angry and frustrated that you've missed your number. It's even tougher when you get close to your target score on the closing few holes. That kind of added pressure is totally unnecessary! Start the round fresh with a clean mind, and don't worry about your score before or during the round. Save your analysis for after you're done playing, and evaluate the mistakes you made, the good shots you hit and how you could go even lower next time. |