Distance Control:

Winning PGA Tour Professionals have one trait in common, the ability to concentrate. Whether is was Ben Hogan, or is Tiger Woods, their ability to concentrate for a 72-hole tournament is tremendous.

 

In order to limit your span of concentration, break a round of golf in manageable segments. The scorecard usually separates 18 holes into two nine-hole rounds.

Another option is to play three six-hole rounds. For the high handicapper, six three hole segments provide a shorter span of concentration.

 

Visualize your scorecard as consisting of six individual rounds of golf. Better yet, draw a heavy line after each three holes at a time. If you have a bad three holes, just start another round. As your scores begin to decrease, your concentration will begin to increase.

 

Mind Games:

More golfers three-  and four-putt because of errors in distance, not direction. Tour players putts generally die around the hole. But even their three-putts are caused by errors in distance.

 

One common error of faulty distance control is an unnecessarily long backswingand a decelerating stroke through the ball. Short putts require short backswings: longer putts need longer backswings.

 

The Putt is a stroke of a sweeping motion, not a tap or a hit. The ball is stroked with the putter traveling parallel to the ground so the ball rolls and does not bounce.

 

Beach Rules:

Playing from the green-side sand traps is probably the most difficult shot for many golfers. First, the practice areas are generally not available. Second, it is the only shot where a player is told to hit behind the ball. How far behind the ball depends on the texture of the sand and the lie of the ball.

 

In a well executed sand shot the club face does not contact the ball; the ball rides out of the sand, on a layer of sand. During practice, draw a line about one inch behind the ball to check where the club actually enters the sand.

 

Remember, you have to get the ball out of the sand. Secure a firm footing. Play from an open stance. Lay the club face open. Aim slightly to the left of the hole. Take a half to three quarter swing and be aggressive, follow through. Slide the club face underneath the ball. Let the ball ride out on the sand.