This afternoon, I had a cool experience getting to play with a young guy who has been bouncing around the PGA. He recently finished second in an event and had played in the USO here in LA last year.
For context, I was invited to play as a third (we didn't have a fourth), and my home course in LA gets a decent amount of really good golfers at our course, and I have met this player a few times. I told him I wanted to write this up but can't mention him by name.
I learned a lot, so I thought it would be worth a share -
His game was incredible. Probably the best ball striking I have ever seen. He hit three or four approach shots within 5 feet like it was normal. His putting was good; he made everything within 5 feet, but it didn't blow me away like his ball striking. We played at about 7,000 yards, so I was definitely impressed with how close he consistently hitting it.
All in all, great day. I have already ordered multiple alignment putting tools to arrive before my next round!
For context, I was invited to play as a third (we didn't have a fourth), and my home course in LA gets a decent amount of really good golfers at our course, and I have met this player a few times. I told him I wanted to write this up but can't mention him by name.
I learned a lot, so I thought it would be worth a share -
- Taking it low - This was the first thing I asked. I struggle with keeping a low score low. Lately, I will be on track for a really low round and then take my foot off the gas and coast to a normal round - his advice is that every swing should focus on what you are doing well. If you are hitting a baby fade that you can control really well, stick with the fade. Keep making the same repeatable swing and focus on what you are doing well, not your score; take it one shot at a time; the second you zoom out, you lose focus, and if you can't do that, then make a mini-game for yourself to keep focus, Tiger often played mini-games. Funny enough, this guy didn't even know what he shot after the round, and it was mid-60s.
- Putting Alignment - This should be practiced as much as your swing on the range. As frequently as you change swing paths, your putting also changes. You may think you aim square but are actually open/closed, so it is crucial to spend time with alignment tools getting square. Regular golfers rarely align perfectly to their target. This is why you see so many pros before big rounds using alignment aides.
- Swing and on-course thoughts - Similar to above, when you make a swing, you should focus on making the swing that works best for you and has been best for you that day, not what was best yesterday. Between shots, you should be focused on only the hole you are on. For putting, the best players in the world will take their practice swings, align themselves, and then stare at the hole; after the pro gets their image, they are already set and just have to putt their ball to their image. There is very little time between visualizing and rolling the ball.
- Attacking pins - Tiger has said this a few times, but you should almost never take aim at a pin. Aim for the easiest putt to the pin. A few feet short or left or right or long. Whatever will leave you with the straightest uphill or flat putt possible. On the second hole today, I went a few feet long and had a tricky shot, and he pointed out the ideal spot is a landing zone about 4 feet short, which was a really simple putt.
- Tour Pros and Club Contracts - This was interesting because he is a free agent. Mathematically if you give up a single stroke because you aren't playing the best equipment for every slot in your bag, you will lose more money than whatever a club contract is worth.
- Playing a short driver - Super tall dude, but he plays a driver that is a few inches short for him. He already hits it far enough; all he needs to do is hit fairways.
His game was incredible. Probably the best ball striking I have ever seen. He hit three or four approach shots within 5 feet like it was normal. His putting was good; he made everything within 5 feet, but it didn't blow me away like his ball striking. We played at about 7,000 yards, so I was definitely impressed with how close he consistently hitting it.
All in all, great day. I have already ordered multiple alignment putting tools to arrive before my next round!
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