GETTING IT BACKWARD
I advise all my students at the Jeff Thomsen Signature Golf Academy (www. jeffthomsengolf.com) to approach the game from the hole backwards. Putt, then chip, then pitch and then go to the practice tee. (It’s the practice tee, by the way, not the driving range.)
The game is won on the green and from 50 yards or less and this is usually the “avoidance area” for our players who are 15-handicappers and above.
If you look at it realistically you will not hit a 300-yard drive and a 200-yard six iron like Tiger but you can become a good putter and chipper with some quality instruction and practice time.
PLAY THE WAY YOU PUTT
Find your personal rhythm for the game. Ben Crenshaw and Ray Floyd are good examples of superior players who show the “same rhythm” putting and swinging, the same core movements and pace.
Crenshaw has a long flowing putting stroke which paces his golf swing motion, the mannerisms are very close. Ray Floyd does a lot of foot stepping and a consistent shuffle of his feet as part of his routine on all shots—driver to the putter. You can set your watch by these movements.
So, consider your personal body clock and pace and incorporate it into your setup and waggle prior to hitting a shot. It will work for you well. Ya got to dance with the one what brung ya.
MY NAME IS FELLA?
Arnold Palmer will turn 80 this September. Ben Hogan called Palmer “Fella,” never addressing him by his name. This may have just been Hogan being Hogan, but Hogan had a slight disdain for Palmer.
Hogan and Jackie Burke Jr. were Texans and good friends, and at Palmer’s early days at Augusta, Hogan remarked to Jackie (so Palmer could hear it) “Who let him in here?”
It was a reference made by Hogan about Palmer’s swing. Hogan thought Palmer had no business playing at Augusta especially with “that swing.” How could anyone with that swing even be allowed on the grounds, let alone play? The rest is history, as Palmer became the king of golf and secured four titles at Augusta.
You have to accept your talent and make it work for you. There is no “perfect,” but just what works under pressure and what you decide to trust. You cannot be any good with another player’s talent, and you must value your talent above all others.
EXCEPTIONAL GOLF
What is exceptional about Tiger, Jack, Player and Palmer to name a few? A passion for the game, plus talent, plus a lot of lonely hours developing skills— skills that are intended to work under pressure or the perception of pressure.
Every aspiring player—whether a junior or a player shooting in the 90s and looking for the 80s—getting better is the same. It’s the same for you as it is for Tiger: Exceptional putting, short game mastery 30 yards from the middle of the green, developing good skills from 100 yards or less and getting off the tee box well for 18 holes.
Sounds simple, but it takes discipline to practice from the hole backwards on a repetitive basis. Most 90-shooters will never hit a drive 250 yards (sorry, 300 is out of the question) or a 5 iron of 200 yards.
However, anyone can get better from 30 yards from the middle of the green. I suggest a 5-to-1 ratio of practice from 30 yards from the middle of the green before any practice beyond 100 yards out. This alone will transform your game.
Keep a separate score of your total per hole from 30 yards or less; you will be a little shocked at the percentage of the total that is represented from 30 yards or less in terms of the actual total score. Putt a lot of 30-footers and do a lot of chipping, pitching, bunker shots and a very broad variety from 30 yards or less. It will pay you back. (You cannot harvest a crop you have not planted.)