EVERYONE WHO watched the 2015 U.S. Open has been alerted of the uniqueness of Chambers Bay. Where are you going to play on your golf vacation? How is it different from your course? How should you prepare? Here are a few great golf tips for women from the experts on how to take your golf game ANYWHERE.
HOW DOES THE GRASS GROW?
Are you putting on bentgrass or Bermuda? If you’re in Arizona, Hawaii, Florida or other warm-weather states, that’s probably Bermuda, which means you have to pay attention to the grain — the direction the grass grows — to figure out how hard to hit your putt.
Where does the sun set? The grass will grow toward the west.
Is the green shiny or dull? Shiny is with the grain; dull is against it.
Which side of the cup has the greenest, healthiest grass? Greener is with the grain, browner against.
NOW: Stroke the ball 20 percent harder into the grain and 20 percent softer downgrain. Make an aggressive stroke to hold the intended line. Pick your line and commit to it.
–Elena King, LPGA Class A, Aurora, Colo. www.experiencegolf.biz and www.commongroundgc.com
DO WHAT JUDY DOES
Best rain tip: Get a short-sleeve rain jacket. Helps so much to not feel encumbered!
Downwind: Trying to hit little shots downwind is difficult. In this case take the shorter club if you cannot decide. Hit it full.
Into wind: Few people take enough club into the wind. It is hard to knock it over a green with wind hurting. If there is 8 to 10 yards between your clubs, into a significant wind it shrinks to 5 to 7 yards. Or less.
–Judy Rankin, NBC/Golf Channel broadcaster and 26-time LPGA Tour champion
BEAT THE WIND
When you play links-style courses like St. Andrews, prairie courses in the Midwest or oceanside courses around the world, you’ll want to know this shot:
If pulled off correctly the ball will fly in low, bounce once or twice and then quickly put on the breaks. The amount of spin you will get depends on your technique (how clean you hit the ball and the amount of speed you can create), the equipment you use (high-spinning ball and lofted club with good grooves) and the course situations (a clean lie and a green that slopes back toward you will add more spin).
–Maria Palozola, LPGA, St. Louis, Mo. www.stlouisgolflessons.com and online at www.mygolfinstructor.com
It would have been even better if she actually executed after the instruction…..