Butch Harmon’s Playing Lessons, (02) Hole 2, Notes

Post date: Aug 13, 2017 11:40:58 AM

Butch Harmon’s Playing Lessons by Butch Harmon with John Andrisani

Hole:2 Olympic Club, Par 4-380 Yards. Never doubt yourself. Negative thinking alway leads to problems. Sacrifice some playing time to spend more time on the range. Work extra hard on proper alignment. The ball will go further and straighter and we will enjoy the game more when we do get the opportunity to play.

• 1. Drive.

     1. Don’t flirt with slopes. Land the ball on level areas of the fairway, even if it means playing a slightly longer approach into the green.

     2. Use a 3 wood off the tee if more control is needed.

     3. Make a smooth practice swing, an exact rehearsal of the intended swing.

     4. If playing a fade, set up on the right side of the tee box and aim for the left side of the fairway to give the ball more room to work left to right. Set up square to the left side and let the ball fade back into play. The feet, knees, hips and shoulders need to be set up square to the target.

  2. Approach:

• • 1. Take the time and care to consider all course conditions. Simply give yourself more time to think strategic thoughts, as well as swing thoughts. A wet fairway will cause moisture to come between the ball and clubface at impact. The grooves will not be able to grab hold of the ball and impart backspin on the shot, so the ball will fly around 10 yards farther than normal. The same dampness also reduces sidespin, so the shot will fly straighter. It is better to play a straight shot than to try work it right to left or left to right.

    2. Following a poor drive, it is still possible to make a good score by keeping our head and playing strategic golf.

    3. A B. or C. player should be thinking of the best way to ensure a bogey while still leaving a chance for a par.

    4. The smart play is to hit the shot to the open area, or ‘fat,’ part of the green.

    5. Swing long irons smoothly and confidently. Do not try to put more oomph into the ball. This will cause a pull.

    6. Drill for slowing down swing speed on iron shots. Practice hitting irons off a low tee. On the course, imagine the ball being on a tee. This smooths out the swing, allowing for a square face at impact and more accurate shots.

• 3. Greenside:

• • 1. Bunker Shots - To hit short shots over a high lip play the ball up in your stance, open the clubface a little more than usual for a bunker shot, make the left-hand grip a little weaker, cock the club up steeply on the backswing and slap the sand with the right hand on the downswing, taking very little follow-through. The ball will pop right up, landing softly just over the lip and on the green.

    2. To play a short shot off of cushioned grass use the following technique:

       1. Take an open stance.

       2. Open the clubface wide and set it down behind the ball.

       3. Swing the club back on an upright arc by exaggerating the hinging action of the hips.

       4. Swing down hitting a spot just behind the ball. This allows the ball to loft high and roll gently once it lands.

• 4. Putting:

• • 1. Once on the green concentrate on the task at hand. Figure the break in the green and make a smooth stroke.