Don’t give up on my column or your short game
By Scott Dunford
For those of you who have missed my column in the past three months, it’s not because I’ve fallen off the face of the earth. It has to do with a balance of revenue vs readership. I’ve always believed that one of the major revenue sources for our area is golf! Resort fees, hotels, green fees, restaurants, housing etc. Not just from our locals but those visiting from Canada, Salt Lake City, Wyoming, Colorado, back east, and internationally. For the past 22 years, The Independent has been the No. 1 source for everything entertainment and local events. It’s only been the last four or five years that I’ve had the golf column. The bottom line is that I need more advertisers in the golf industry to maintain this column. I’m working on it, but I need your voice added to the comments below. So please say something if you appreciate this column and the personal insights of others in the industry.
Enough about that. Let’s talk golf.
Watching the Houston Open a week prior to the Masters, I can’t help but wonder why some professionals maintain a top 10 position and others remain stagnant, not that much different than us amateurs in some respects. It’s all about the short game … right? Seems that’s where the greats have an advantage over the field. They all can hit fairways and greens, but it’s that short game that determines winners. Phil Michelson in his late 40’s has won 43 PGA wins and five Majors and continues to prove his strengths are in his short game. Sure, it’s a power game, but let’s face it: If you want to beat your buddies and move on into collegiate golf and beyond, it’s all about improving your short game. That’s where single-digit and higher handicappers need to focus their practice sessions. In my humble opinion, we should spend about 70 percent of our practice time on the short game, spending that time on 40 percent chipping within 20–30 feet of the target and 20 percent putting. That leaves 5–10 percent working on edgy lobs and left-handed bump and runs. It’s a neverending effort, so don’t get discouraged. Even with all this practice you’ll still have … dare I say it, the yeps along the way.
When that happens, go right back to the basics: a lighter grip, slightly firmer on the left hand, humming bird light on the right. Count out your tempo (1, 2, 3, downswing), and don’t let that flying right elbow happen again. You’ll start to feel that confidence again once you’ve seen seven out of 10 shots fly the way you want them to. It’s not a cure-all, but it will help you find the center of the ball again. Golf is a magical experience that can exalt or defeat you. It’s all about how we deal with adversity and challenges. Failure is part of the learning experience. Take a positive approach and love the journey. I’ve said it often in previous articles that golf emulates life in so many ways. Get out there regardless of a bad day on the course, and never, never say “I suck! I’ll never be good at this stupid game!” That’s not true! You’re in control of your own emotions, or you’re not. Give yourself a break and enjoy the ride. See ya on the links.
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