The first track I tackled was a great course in Pickerington, OH called Turnberry Golf Course. I almost didn't play because the day started out with rain. I wanted to play in the morning because the party was at night and I did not want to be rushed. Around noon I decided to get out there figuring that it would not be busy due to the weather. I was glad I decided to play.
The course was in great condition despite the steady drizzle which remained for the entire round. This course demands an accurate drive off of every tee. A lot of the fairways are narrow, some with over hanging trees just off the tee boxes which force you to play a draw or a fade to keep it out of the branches.
A nice(or not so nice) touch were the mounds of fescue grass that were strategically placed on different locations of the course. It almost gave it a links style feel while retaining the features of more traditional courses. I managed to stay out of them, but a ball hit into this "rough" would most certainly be lost.
The following day I played Sharon Woods Golf Course which is a part of the Hamilton County Park District in Cincinnati, OH. This course was a lot different from the courses I am used to playing in South Florida.
The main difference was the severe elevation changes. Good course management is a must on this style of course. There were many times I would hit great shots only to discover that my next shot was in the fairway but on a steep uphill or downhill lie. Now I truly understand why the pros and their caddies really pay attention to every detail of a course. Laying up to the proper place on a hole makes all the differences if you want to score low.
This week I will be working on hitting shots from and uphill lie. I faced a few shots that I had no idea how to play simply because I had never been in that position before. All of the top players practice trouble shots. They put themselves in difficult spots so that when it happens during a round they are prepared because they have "been there and done that."
It's time to start practicing a variety of shots from a variety of lies. Phil Mickelson pulled off one of the greatest shots in Masters history from the woods this past April. I can almost guarantee that at some point he had practiced that or a similar type shot before.
Practice the conventional as well as the unconventional. Preparation and knowledge in all areas breeds success. Have a good one and always hit your target.
| |||
Posted: 5/21/2010 • | |||
Turnberry Golf Course (Turnberry) | Tees: Regular, Par: 72 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Posted: 5/22/2010 • | |||
Sharon Woods Golf Course (Sharon Woods) | Tees: Green, Par: 70 |
|
|
|
|
|
Claim Your Free Weekly Golf Swing Videos Here!
0 comments:
Post a Comment