Tip From the Archives

Watch a Pro

Problem

You are going to a professional tournament and want to learn to become a better golfer as you do.

Cure

Find a player that has about the same height and body type as you have. Follow them from hole to hole, take notes on how they stand to the ball and swing. Notice small details and sketch or write them down in a hand held notebook. This can be better than a photograph because you will be emphasizing on a key aspect or on something that they do differently than you do in that position. Maybe it will remind you about something you have been meaning to correct with your swing. Change your focus each time they repeat a similar shot and take notes on what you saw. Something that seems simple to you while watching might help you out a lot later when you are practicing your own swing.

Therapy

Watch their pregame routine starting from when they approach their bag. Do they stand behind the ball as if they are finding their line? Is there a point they appear to focus on a few feet ahead of where they tee their ball? Look at their set up. Do not focus on just the distance to the ball but look to see how tall they stand, tilt their upper body, bend their knees, and the angle their arms and clubshaft form with the ground. Watch their swing to see it they take the club back or attack from the inside and how they swing the clubhead with a curved path into impact. Do not watch the ball leave the clubface, instead watch the club and the player during each swing. See the impact position of the clubface and watch their follow through. How do their arms move around their body after impact? The next time they take a similar shot, focus less on the technique but on their timing and rhythm. Do they use yardage charts to help determine which club to use next? When they chip, do they usually hit the ball past the hole? How much of a follow through do they use? Make sure you watch their head movement during their sand shots, chips, and putts. Do they pace out their putts or use the plumb bobbing technique?

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