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Dr. Golf
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 Patient: Male Age: 37 Current Handicap: 12 Lowest Handicap: 4 Has played golf for: 25 years Plays: About once a month Practices: Hits balls before a round The symptoms: I used to play fairly well, but I don’t get out as often as I’d like anymore. My problem is that I can usually find a swing on the range to get me around the course, but at some point during the round I lose it. I’ll play 14 good holes and four holes where I hit shots that result in double bogeys or worse. It feels like I completely forget how to swing the club. How can I eliminate this, and what can I do to get myself back on track quickly when I feel my swing getting out of whack? Dr. Golf’s prescription: When practicing on the range prior to your round, focus on two swing thoughts that will help you hit better shots. Focus on feel and motion and refrain from being too technical. Next, make a conscious effort to work on a consistent pre-shot routine. This will help you with rhythm, which ultimately leads to repetition of your golf swing. Before each swing on the course, execute your pre-shot routine, implement the two swing thoughts, focus on your target and wipe everything else out of your mind. These elements will get you back on track when you hit the occasional bump during your round. Patient: Male Age: 46 Current Handicap: 17 Lowest Handicap: 15 Has played golf for: 15 years Plays: Two or three times a month Practices: A couple times a month The symptoms: I’m a terrible putter. My friends give me putts because they don’t want to watch me three-putt every hole. It’s really depressing and starting to turn me off the game. I need a plan to turn my putting around. I don’t need to be great; I just don’t want to embarrass myself. Dr. Golf’s prescription: It sounds like you have poor distance control. The length of your putt and the length of your stroke are related, meaning longer putts require a longer stroke. However, the time it takes to execute a putting stroke should be the same regardless of the length of your stroke. On longer putts, your goal should be to lag the ball within two or three feet from the hole. On short putts, keep your stroke short and accelerate through the putt. A good practice drill for short putts is to close your eyes, hit the putt, and listen for the ball to hit the bottom of the cup. This drill will take your attention away from trying to make the putt and allow you to focus on the feel of your stroke. Russ Onizuka is a PGA professional and director of golf operations at the PGA of Southern California Golf Club. He can be reached at (877) 742-2500. |
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