By Tim Graves, PGA
Hello Everyone –
Wanted to write an etip about something I went through last couple of weeks, and maybe will help you a little…
In the past 2 weeks, I (Tim) have won 2 South Central Section PGA events. The first was the South Central PGA Hall of Fame Championship (held at Meadowbrook Country Club in Tulsa, OK). I shot 5 under for 36 holes and won by a shot. The 2nd was the South Central Section PGA Senior Team Championship (held at Oakwood Country Club in Enid, OK) in which I won with Shannon Friday as my partner – we shot 13 under for 36 holes (18 holes scramble (-9) and 18 holes alternate shot (-4)).
Wanted to write about a couple things that really helped me in the event(s).
Meadowbrook is a VERY tight golf course off the tee. Very narrow sloping fairways that slope into rough that was pretty deep for the event. During my practice round at Meadowbrook, I realized very quickly driving accuracy (hitting fairways) would be a PREMIUM.. Accuracy was MUCH MORE important that distance as the rough was thick, greens small and very tight holes (all holes tree lined with BIG / OLD trees). So, before the event began I decided I would work on control off the tee before I thought of distance.
How did I do that…. Control over distance…:
- On every tee ball I took the approach, aim small, miss small (target), tried to find the widest part of fairways and swung what I call “80%”. Meaning, I swung in control on every tee ball. We talk about a lot about this in our AAI / Mental Game Schools. I thought about Balance, Tempo and Tension over every shot… in particular, every drive. Keep in great balance, relax over the ball and in the swing, and slow down when needed… When getting nervous, consciously work on good tempo.. slowing down when needed in back swing, preshot routine, etc.. There were many times I would actually choke down on the driver an inch or so for added control and feel…. accuracy, accuracy, accuracy over trying to get extra distance. For the 2 days at Meadowbrook, I only missed 2 fairways (26 for 28) and because of that was able to hit 32 of 36 greens in regulation.
- On the 18th hole (on the 2nd day of the event / last hole of the event) – I pulled my tee ball into the left rough off the tee (one of 2 fairways I missed in 2 days…. maybe a little extra nervous..) A 400 yard par 4, dogleg right, uphill with a lot of trees and rough on both sides of the hole. When I got over my second shot, I determined I had 2 different shot options. I was 160 yards to the hole, pin in middle of green, with a big bunker protecting the front of the green. Option #1 was to try and go over the trees with a “flier” 8 or 9 iron (I determined was probably a 50 / 50 option if could get over trees, hold green, etc..). Option #2 was punch out to the fairway and leave a pitch type shot to the hole from X yards out. I took Option #2 as Option #1 could potentially put a BIG number into play. Option #2, at worse would be bogey, and hopefully that would be good enough to win or get into a playoff (in our events, we don’t have scoreboards, so we are guessing where we stand…)
But while taking Option #2… I did not just randomly punch out from the rough and around the trees in front of me. I walked up the fairway and determined a landing / stopping spot that would be 70 yards out from the pin. Why 70 yards? Because 70 yards is a full, comfortable lob wedge for me that I could hit to the pin with reasonable spin and am very comfortable with that shot.
So, I punched out to my chosen spot (as close as I could). I left myself 67 yards to the pin.. middle of green, over a big bunker, etc… I hit the lob wedge 6 feet behind the hole (told you I hit it 70 yards..lol) and ended up making the putt to win the event by a shot.
Maybe this can help you next time you are on a similar course or in similar situations.
- On tight courses and / or when you are not feeling comfortable over the driver. Think 80%, control over distance and focus on Balance, Tempo and Tension. Many times you will actually hit it future with these thoughts (hit sweet spot more) and promise you this will help you with accuracy and control.
- You must always look at the “odds” or potential outcomes when approaching a shot, in particular a difficult / risky shot. And you must always take the BIG NUMBERS out of play. A bogey never hurt anyone or anyone’s score. Doubles, Triples, Others…. these are problems. And when you “take your medicine” as we call it, make sure and lay up to a position / distance you are comfortable with if possible. Don’t randomly punch out to a spot that you are not comfortable with if possible.
Overall – I believe I did well in these events because of “Smart Golf” over Distance / Other golf.
Maybe using these tips can help you next time you play or in particular are playing for something and those nerves are “kicking” a little… Smart Golf is Winning Golf…
