June 19th, 2009 |
Published in
PGA Tour, U.S. Open | 1 Comment
Lets take a look at a few of the interesting features from the Bethpage Black course set-up. These features show the difference a few feet can make for the US Open players.
For a front pin position at the 8th hole, if you hit a little short and have too much spin on the ball, the front slope will work against you and you very well might find the water. There is also a tree just right of the front of the green (which David Toms just hit and made a 6) which can deflect balls into the pond.
Front of 8th green 2009 Bethpage, US Open
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June 16th, 2009 |
Published in
U.S. Open
Son Eddie and I walked Bethpage Black on Tuesday a week ago, to get an idea of how the USGA will set her up for the 2009 U.S. Open. We then left to go up-state NY for a photo shoot for GOLF Magazine at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino near Syracuse. We continued at Turning Stone (four really beautiful courses) getting in three days of fun work with the world’s best golf photographer Leonard Kamsler on the follow-on to our new book Damage Control (in bookstores October 29). Then back to Long Island for US Open week on Monday.
Rain background on entrance driveway
We’ve been in NY for over a week now, and its rained almost every day. Some days had downpours, others only light rains, but there’s been almost no time to dry out the course since the 3 inches of rain 10 days ago plus the 2 inches overnight last Monday night and Tuesday morning. The photo above is what the front drive looked like as we chatted last Tuesday morning with friend Craig Currier, the superintendent and man in charge of conditions at Bethpage Black for the Open. Eddie and I actually worked for him before and during the 2002 US Open at BP Black: he is a great guy and VERY talented. He kept all 18 greens rolling at the same green-speed all week during that Open, which is quite a feat (I hope the weather will allow him to do it again this year).
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June 1st, 2009 |
Published in
Golf.com Pelz Vault | 3 Comments
Most golfers don’t open their wedge enough before they attempt to blast shots from sand, because they don’t know how far it’s supposed to be opened. That’s about to change.
Body aimed two steps left of target. Clubface aimed slightly right of target
The photograph at right depicts the perfect sand setup. The line through the ball points directly at the flagstick (my target because the green is flat). This is the direction I want the ball to fly. The line across my toes points two steps left of the flagstick. That’s the line for my body alignment and swing path. I don’t swing across the ball to the left, but rather I aim left and swing along my body line. The dashed line shows that I’ve positioned the ball off the instep of my left foot, allowing my natural swing arc to enter the sand behind the ball and bottom out under the ball. Read the rest of this entry »
May 1st, 2009 |
Published in
Golf.com Pelz Vault | 1 Comment
Early in my career, I had the chance to play several rounds with Jack Nicklaus. On these occasions I studied his putting intently, because he was killing me on the greens. One thing that consistently caught my eye was how he held his finish and watched his putts roll out. It didn’t take me long to realize something: Good putters learn from both their makes and their misses. You can watch Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on today’s Tour do the same thing: they store information in their memory banks about how their putts roll versus how well and in what direction they stroke them.
Holding your finish is good for your game.
The main benefit from holding your finish comes from internalizing the feel of the stroke you just made, and then correlating that feel with its result, good or bad. This system works because the feel of your stroke is still strong in your system. Once you stand up or move your feet, the feelings of your stroke disappear.
Holding your finish will also help keep your body still and improve the consistency of your stroke. I’m sure you’ve been told to not move your head until you hear the putt drop, but I don’t like that advice. Instead, rotate your head while keeping the rest of your body still, so you can watch the ball roll and get a feel for your stroke. You’ll learn how solid your stroke was, if your ball speed was good or bad, and whether your line allowed for the proper amount of break.
Holding your finish is such a good idea, I can’t believe more golfers don’t do it. I’m sure it will improve your putting over the coming years. Read the rest of this entry »
March 1st, 2009 |
Published in
Golf.com Pelz Vault, PGA Tour | 1 Comment
The USGA has created a new rule to limit the backspin performance of grooves on lofted clubs. The rule downsizes groove volume and limits edge sharpness for all grooves manufactured after January 1, 2010 so they’re equal to or less than the previously approved V-groove dimensions. PGA Tour players must use wedges conforming to the rule beginning 1/1/10. The ruling will decrease backspin and increase stopping distances pros typically achieve from grassy lies, and place more of a premium on hitting fairways. Read the rest of this entry »
