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Over the last few months I have given a number of playing lessons to Members and Guests. A playing lesson is all about learning how to play the Game to the best of your ability, not about hitting perfect golf shots. Our course is one where you must manage your game to play well. Through such clever golf course design and variable pin positions, the golfer is tested to see who comes out on top.
However, history tells me that the course is in front at the moment and unless you change the way you play, then it will stay in front. Currently the greens are a little firm, yet day after day I see players trying to take the airborne route to the flag, only to see their ball finish over the back of the green. Only when you use a balata ball, have clean grooves in your wedges and you can guarantee that you will hit the ball cleanly (with a slightly steeper angle of attack), is the airborne route for you. If you don’t, or can’t, then an alternative must be used for you to stay in front. The third hole approach shot is a classic example of where I see members trying to fly the ball to the flag, instead of playing a “chip and run”.
When it comes to club golfers, the flag tends to have magnetic properties; however for the club golfer to succeed you must resist the temptation. Quite often, the shot that is required is what I call a “British Shot” or a “Chip and Run” where you land the ball short of the green using a less lofted club, so that the ball will roll onto the green. Another example of this is on the twelfth hole, when the flag is at the back of the green. There is a lot less risk involved in this shot and this is what good course management is all about.
Evaluate the risk, then establish a game plan that will see you playing shots that you genuinely know you can play - not playing the shots that you wish you could play.
Chris Rutherford
Head Professional
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