Pinch That Ball Off the Turf

By:Jeff Gustafson

“Just pinch the back of that ball, son”; “swing inside out”; “keep your head behind the ball”...words of wisdom that still echo in my head to this day.

My brother and I had a good role-model to follow since dad had won the Tacoma Amateur in the early 30’s and followed that up with 20+ amateur titles over the next 30 years.

We both enjoyed the game but in my case there were other priorities such as baseball and basketball - If only I had known then what I know now.

Golf, as you know, is a game that you can play your entire life. And although dad tried his hardest to pass on his legacy, I didn’t make it easy for me. “Pinch the ball” what does that mean? “Keep your head behind the ball…” aren’t you already ‘behind’ it facing it?

By the time little “cocky me“asked someone to show me what pinching the ball looks like” it was too late. I had already pissed off the messenger.

The one thing that dad did get through to me that made sense was to play more strategically when it came to golf - always put your self in a position to make the next shot. He modeled perfectly with each round.

You see, golf is no different than most anything else. Those that succeed understand that preparation and planning are the keys to success. That includes practice as well as laying out a game-plan that one can follow during the golf round.

Even when dad had a miscue he was never out of the hole. You would see him wandering off somewhere other than in the fairway after hitting an errand shot yet the next thing you know you look up and there he is 20 feet from the pin putting for his birdie.

Dad’s theory was quite simple: always play the smart shot, keep your mind in the game and things will eventually take care of themselves. (In fact, that was his basic theory in life – “it will all work out” was his pet phrase).

Dad would let the big “bangers” flirt with the trees flexing their muscles with every shot while he strategically stayed with his game-plan always giving himself a shot at the pin.

Even his miscues would leave an open shot.

Did he always win? Of course not but no one does. What he did do was always win more often than the other three in his foursome put together. Dad was consistent – never counted out. And if you were to beat him you would have to do it with your best game straight up.

Dad could get beat but he never lost.

As the years have gone by I have thought about the lessons that dad tried to convey on the golf course and even though they did not register nor seem important at the time they have grown in clarity with each passing year. He was not only a great “sticker” but a great human being and I wish he were still here to show me how to “pinch that ball off the turf”. I think I just might ‘get it’ now.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: Strategy golf, game-plan, golf strategy, playing smart golf, envision the course, how to get more out of

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Article by Jeff Gustafson - the creator of the Pocket Pro Personal Game-Plan and Strategy System

http://www.the-sixth-man.com
http://www.managingthecourse.com

Top Golf Articles
1). Golf Tips - Getting Started By : ArtL History has it that the game of "golf" was born in 15th century Scotland. Then around 1744, the first rules of play were codified and established in Edinburgh by The Company of Gentlemen Golfers. Golf has become one of the most popular sports in the world; played in countries as far reaching as Mexico and Ireland, South Africa and China. And, of course, Scotland.
2). Stance and swing 7 tips for better golf power By : dave4 Golf is a sport that requires you to correct and change things with almost every shot in search of the perfect shot. So many things come into the perfect shot that for one person to master them all can take a lifetime so we all need to take and find advice where we can, reading can never take the place of playing a round or two but when you are unable to get to the course then learning is the next best thing, here are a few tips that I hope will improve your power and accuracy which in tern will improve your game.
3). Stance and swing 6 tips for better golf By : dave4 The perfect stroke is that elusive thing we all strive for, asleep in our beds at night with a smile on our faces as we dream of that drive going straight and true down the middle of the fairway or that putt dropping in to the cup at the end of its smooth 50 yard run. Unfortunately reality bites when we get to the tee and make our shot, those niggling.
4). Abolish Your Comfort Zone - It's killing your golf game! By : Wade Pearse We all have what I call an inner game thermostat. It governs your inner game temperature, so to speak. Your comfort zone is like a climate controlled room. If it gets too cool then it's time to heat up. If it gets too hot the air conditioner turns on to cool things down. Your inner thermostat does exactly what it is preprogrammed to do - bring your game back to normal! How? By producing what appears to be the "wrong swing at the wrong time".
5). Core Exercise For Golf Will Improve Your Driving Distance The Quickest By : Mike Pedersen Core exercise for golf. You’ve probably heard this phrase mentioned on the television a time or to. This is the area that Vijay works on the most with his golf trainer and it seems to be working for him. He’s driving it longer and straighter and winning tournaments. When we talk about core exercise for golf the key term that needs to be thrown in there is rotational.
6). Ball Position For Different Clubs By : Jack Moorehouse Ball position is a critical component that’s often overlooked by players with high golf handicaps. Ball position decides a shot’s initial direction. While theories on ball position abound, you need to find one that’s right for you. Ball position affects a clubhead’s swing path, as I explain in my golf lessons. If the ball is too far back, the clubhead moves on an in-to-out swing path at impact, sending the ball to the target’s right.
7). Golf Practice Isn’t Important If… By : Mike Pedersen Golf practice can only help your game if your body can do what you ask of it on the range. Does that make sense? How often have you taken time out of your day to go to the range for golf practice only to leave more frustrated than when you did when you first got there? Now come on…be honest! Every amateur golfer has experienced this more times than we can count.
8). Golf Swing Improvement Secrets To Stop The Insanity By : Mike Pedersen Golf swing improvement can be elusive for most golfers. I have read many articles and studies on the huge number of golfers quitting the game every year. They are tired of putting in the time, buying equipment, taking lessons, and purchasing every golf training aid on the market only to see no golf swing improvement. You can’t fault a frustrated golfer who experiences the above and quits.
9). Three Golf Tips For Balance During Your Golf Swing By : Mike Pedersen Golf tips for balance. Balance is very essential in executing the right golf swing and in this article I point out three reasons why you may be having difficulties achieving the required balance and I also give three golf tips for balance to correct the situation. A) Poor setup A good setup as you approach your shot is essential to helping you maintain balance throughout the golf swing.
10). Golf Flexibility Is A Key Component For Senior Golfers By : Mike Pedersen Golf flexibility is a common term among senior golfers. Most senior golfers know they have a declining level of golf flexibility and distance. But why then do most of them not participate in a golf flexibility program? If you are in this group of golfers, do you walk off the course frustrated with your performance? Are you dissatisfied with your driving.

New Golf Articles
1). Is A Free Golf Swing Tip A Lifesaver for All Golfers? By : Eddy Kong This article is to discuss a free golf tip is really a lifesaver to all golfers or not.
2). What Type Of Putter Length Is Right For You? By : Eddy Kong This article is to explain what type of putter length is more suitable to you. There are various type of conventional types of putter. Read on.
3). The Legendary Jack Nicklaus By : Jonathon Hardcastle The general consensus seems to be that, at the rate he is going, Tiger Woods is destined to be the greatest golfer of all time before his career is over.
4). To Play Better Golf - Putting Consistently Will Help By : Mike Pedersen Do you get excited at the thought of putting? Does it give you a high to go to the range it spend an hour on your putting? I ask these questions leading into the idea that your putting could be costing you several strokes every round.
5). The Importance of Hip Rotation in the Golf Swing By : Rick Hendershot The basic principle here is one taught by golf teachers since teachers first started analyzing the swing: upper body follows lower body. Coming to a better appreciation of this principle can only have a positive impact on your golf swing.
6). Why Good Golf Shoes Are So Important? By : Tomas Labas A good pair of golf shoes is very important to your golfing experience, because it helps to protect your feet which is very important. And, aid your golfing skills such as swinging and so on.
7). How To Improve Your Putting Practice Golf Drills? By : Eddy Kong There are some tips for getting the most out of the time you spend on practice putting greens. Lot of golfers are doing that on courses.
8). Exotic Bangkok Golf Vacation Mini Guide By : Reed Langdon Thinking of places to enjoy a golfing vacation and want to go somewhere exotic?
9). Golf Swing Trainers Are A Dime A Dozen By : Mike Pedersen The golf training aid market is a booming market. Golfers are rabid and will pay any amount of money in hopes to play better golf. There is a new golf swing trainer coming out every month it seems like!
10). More Women Enjoying the Game of Golf By : Leslie Wright With more women joing the game of golf, more golf teaching aids are becoming available, as well as new marketing opportunites such as golf/spa combo packages!