On the Green

I have been working with a very enthusiastic guy with a newly found passion for golf. Our lessons have been going great, primarily because he practices several times between lessons. This weekend I saw him between nines, surprisingly with a "down" attitude. This was so different from his lesson attitude. He was verbalizing a lot of displeasure with his score and shots.

I find whether it is someone who plays only nine holes or an 18-holer what happens on the course is so much different from what you see on the range; let me explain. The golf course looks different and is different from the range with hills, slopes, length, ponds, sand, flagsticks, doglegs, and so on. How one golfer reacts to all this can be very different from another however, I do find some similarities that cover most golfers. For example, almost all approach shots are either short of the green or if on the green very short of the pin. I find golfers of all skill levels doing this, some more often than others. Tiger Woods the best golfer in the world always tries to get his ball pin high for an easier putt. If it good for the best why then doesn't everyone try it.

One cause for short approach shots is fear based; afraid to hit the ball too far as if going over the green is always bad. This one unconscious fear prevents good scoring, but can be overcome through experience. Usually, there are more problem areas in front and on the sides of the green than behind: like water, bunkers and mounds. It is an intentional design by the golf course architect.

One way to help control this fear of length is to know exactly how far you hit each club. In order to measure this fairly, it is important that the golfer be able to hit the ball solid; not all the time but frequently. Please remember that golf is a game of mistakes; plan on making a bad shot and when you do smile and say to yourself "there you are" and move on.

Please note beginners, that until you can hit the ball solid you cannot measure how far you will hit each club.

I also find that newer golfers have higher and somewhat unrealistic expectations for themselves. I often hear expressions like "I should have made that" or "I have been chipping so well; what is wrong with me?" Golf is not like other games; every shot is a game of its own. If you link one shot to another; comparatively or figuratively you will be making a huge error. It is so important to stay in the moment to get the very best results.

Before you make each shot have a plan - where do you want the ball to go: direction, distance, and spot specific. Address the ball to execute the plan. Swing with clarity of mission in a smooth and balanced tempo. Then at the completion of the stroke assess if you met your goal. If you did praise yourself if you didn't assess how far off you were; allow for a moment of disappointment and move on. It is finished business and time to make a new plan with your next shot. That is how the best players in the world play golf; one shot at a time.

Joyce Wilcox is a teaching professional for Topsail Greens Golf Club and an LPGA Class A Member.