Butch Harmon’s Playing Lessons, (17) Hole 17, Notes

Post date: Apr 20, 2018 1:07:05 PM

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

Hole 17: Oak Hill Country Club, Par 4: 452 yards

• 1. Tee Shot

     1. On a hole that dog legs right, if capable of hitting through the dog leg, start the ball a little right of center with a slight fade. This allows the ball to land in the right half of the fairway so that even with the fairway bending right and the terrain sliding left, we can keep the tee shot in the fairway.

     2. To hit the ball lower, so the ball runs farther once it lands, play the ball opposite the left heel. Only when looking to carry the ball longer in the air should it be positioned forward of that spot.

  2. Approach Shot

• • 1. With the pin on the back level a solid wedge distance away, instead take out an 8 or 9-iron and play a lower, more controlled shot in. Land the ball just below the top level, from where it will skitter up to the level the pin is on.

       1. Play the ball from a narrow stance that’s just a touch open, with the ball centered and the hands ahead.

       2. Make a swing that feels three-quarters in length and hit down and through decisively, accelerating the club through the impact zone, keeping the wrists firm.

• 3. Greenside

• • 1. To prevent hitting pitch shots short of the hole, focus on the top of the flag. This helps to fly the ball all the way to the hole.

    2. For greenside ‘flop’ shots, ground the club an inch or two behind the ball to measure how the ball is sitting in the grass. Sometimes, it sits up more than we think. The tendency will be to cut under it, so it is necessary to apply a little more force in the swing than if the ball is sitting down. Soleing the wedge provides a better idea of where the base of the ball is.

    3. On a 35 yard bunker shot, align the body and the clubhead more squarely to the target then we would for a shorter sand shot. This helps the sand wedge swing along the target line with the clubface less lofted, so that the same amount of swing force will produce a shot that comes out lower and longer. Focus on a spot one to two inches behind the ball and swing down and through the sand firmly. Never try to pick the ball cleanly out of sand, as that’s an extremely risky shot. On even longer bunker shots of over 50 yards, try hitting a pitching wedge or even a 9-iron, opening the blade just slightly and making a normal swing. A tough one for anybody, the tendency is to try to scoop the ball out. Play this shot pretty much as if it were off the fairway. But get a feel first for the length and tempo of the swing needed by taking a few practice swings in the grass outside the bunker.

• 4. Putting

• • 1. On uphill putts, it pays to imagine a second hole a couple of feet behind the real one. This mental imagery produces a more firm stroke on the ball, so it can ‘get up.’

    2. Take the time to read the break and rehearse the intended stroke on the ball. This preswing work will pay off.