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How to Avoid Bogey
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When the game's on the line, do you hit the big shot or fall short? For most of us, the iron lands short, the drive finds the rough and we hit way too many two-putts. You can have the greatest intention not to screw up, but sometimes you can’t help yourself, especially if you have no idea that what you’re continually doing is filled with risk. Joe Rehor, director of golf at Bethpage State Park, knows the common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Mistake # 1: Under-arming yourself.
Wherever it is on the course, guys won’t use enough club. Part of it is ego, the other part is the memory of nailing a shot perfectly and believing that’s your default level forever more. The fact is that you need more stick. If you want to test it out, play one round and use more club than you ever imagined on all shots. If that’s too much, when you’re 150 from the green and reaching for your usual 7-iron, try the 6 just this once.
Mistake # 2: Over-relying on the driver.
It seems like the obvious club for the first tee, but distance is addictive and it’s overused. The reality is that most courses have narrower fairways and thicker roughs to keep scores elevated. Unless you consistently hit it down the middle, go more often with a 3-wood or hybrid, which is shorter, easier to control and gives more loft and less spin, making for a straighter shot. When the fairway is wide enough and the hazards are out of your normal reach, then it’s time to open it up.
Mistake # 3: Overlooking the essentials.
While driving gets a lot time on the range, you’re probably avoiding the more fundamental elements to success: pitching, chipping and putting. “The three most neglected parts,” Rehor says. A good round is predicated on hitting shots so that you can putt from a reasonable distance. These three shots will do that, and they won’t improve without learning the proper technique from a pro and then practicing it so it’s entrenched.
Mistake # 4: Shooting for the ideal.
Golf is a game of misses, and most of the time, you’re going for damage control. You can’t rely on hitting your best shot every time, because it’s not realistic. “The club is too small. The ball is too small and the swing is too big,” Rehor says. You have to have the mindset of making the smart play, knowing your limitations and minimizing trouble. There will be a time for the great shot. It’s just not as often as you think. “Once in 18 holes is job well done,” Rehor says.
About The Author
Steve Calechman – Steve Calechman is a contributing writer for CorePerformance.com. He has published articles for Men's Health, Natural Health, The Robb Report and Women's Health magazine.
