Phil’s Success Strategy

My dad was a scratch (zero handicap) golfer with an absolute passion for the game. The village of Elmsford, NY in Westchester County, where he was born and raised, was a weekend golfing haven for New Yorkers eager to get out of the city and play in the fresh air and sunshine. Most of the private golf clubs in Westchester were like resorts, with sprawling three and four story clubhouses that operated like hotels, and offered youngsters many opportunities for employment as caddies, bus boys, lifeguards, bell boys and locker room attendants. Most of the local “urchins” worked in some capacity at these clubs, and got to play on Mondays, which were usually designated as “course maintenance” days. I was among them.

Elmsford was also the home of the “Turnesa Brothers”, seven brothers who were all great golfers, three became PGA touring pros, three became PGA club/teaching pros, and the youngest, “Willie the Wedge”, remained an amateur and went on to win both the US (’38,’48) and British (’47) Amateur Championships. These were my dad’s “golfing buddies” and contemporaries with whom he competed very well. Through them he got to know and play with Tony Manero (1936 US Open Champion) and Jimmy Demaret ( 3 times Masters Champion). I caddied for most of them at least once and caddied for my dad while he played with them in club tournaments.

They used my dad as a “ringer” in member-guest tournaments where big money, thousands of dollars, could be won in Nassau bets. Dad would get paid $200 plus 10% of the team winnings just to play as some members “guest”. His $200 was guaranteed regardless of how they placed, but in a partners best ball or two ball foursome format, they always finished in the money, to say nothing of their side bet winnings. Dad often netted $500 to $1000 over the weekend because the Member picked up all his expenses.

I was able to pick up a lot of pointers from these guys, and they often let me play along during practice rounds, which became playing lessons for me. I was able to improve my game enough to make the golf team as a walk-on in college, and have continued to enjoy the game all my life, 62 years playing so far. One thing that bothers me no end is when I see someone struggling to execute a shot in a manner that shouts out ” I am clueless as how to do this”! Most often, Tiger Woods would not even attempt to do what they are trying to do, i.e. it can not be done! (Take your unplayable lie penalty and move on.) However, in a very small percentage of situations there is “trick” or useful tip that will make it possible to do or at least save a stroke or two. I take pleasure in sharing “stroke savers” that I have picked up over years on the links.

THE TIP FOR TODAY

Choose the right ball to match your club head speed and “feel” at impact. Whether you play a two piece ball for its durability or a three piece ball for more spin and “feel” control, you have to be able to compress it enough to get the distance you need on a consistent basis. The new player and the occasional player will fare better playing a low compression (80) ball. If you are a regular two or three times a week player, you are probably consistent enough in making solid contact to play a mid-compression (90) ball. Only if you are an avid, highly competitive, almost fanatic low handicap (<9) player should you play a high compression (100) ball. Even some pros like David Love III prefer a lower compression ball because of its “feel”. He regularly plays a 90 compression Titlelist Pro V III, black lettering with a red number, instead of the all black 100 compression. So, don’t get caught up in the macho high compression thing. Mishitting a high compression ball feels like hitting a rock, and will probably not go as far as the rock would!

THE LAW OF GRAVITY ALWAYS APPLIES! When you have a side hill lie and a really awkward stance with the ball well above or below your feet, remember gravity when you are deciding where to aim. If you are right handed, your normal swing will produce a hook (go left) if the ball is above your feet, and a slice (go right) if the ball is below your feet. In both cases the ball will move toward the bottom of the hill, just as gravity would predict. Keep this in mind when deciding where to aim if toward the bottom of the hill is not where you want to go!

Sometimes, the best way out of trouble is the same way you got in! While there is always a compulsion to “advance the ball toward the hole”, there is no law or rule that says you have to. Explore all your options, including going backwards or sideways, if that will ensure that your next shot will give you a chance to reach the green in the least number of shots possible from the trouble you are in.

RECOMMENDATIONS

I have stumbled upon a few instructional programs that have solid content to improve the scoring for players of any capability. Here are three of my favorites:

The Simple Golf Swing-Back to the basics of what it takes to develop a reliable, repeatable and accurate swing that will keep your ball in play and your scores down.Whatever your skill level, the tips and instruction you learn will improve your game and shave 7 to 10 strokes off your score. To get all the details now, Click Here!

Better Golf Right Now- Offers 397 tips, techniques and strategies that can have an immediate impact on your game and lower your scores. It is applicable to all golfers regardless of their handicap or how long they have been playing.

Playing smart can save as many, and sometimes more strokes than just learning to strike the ball well. Planing your play to take advantage of the shots you have the most confidence in and usually strike well, is a big part of the strategy known as course management. Learning to think your way around the course and adjusting your plan to meet unexpected conditions will save you many strokes.

I have found this book to be a valuable addition to my golf library, and I am sure you will too. If you are serious about lowering your scores and want quick results,Click Here!

Master Your Putt-Goes after what is surely the most important element in scoring well. Putting accounts for 67% of the strokes allocated toward PAR on all par threes, 50% on all par fours and 40% on par fives. Thirty-six of the 72 strokes on a typical regulation 18 hole course are allocated to putting! That is half the game. It stands to reason that if you are going to score low, you must keep control of your putting!

This is an absolute, “must learn” part of the game for anyone who truly wishes to compete at any level playing golf. Handicaps were devised to “level the playing field” so that everyone could compete out on the golf course. It is, after all, a gentleman’s game where you play against the course and prevailing conditions, to the best of your ability, and are free to applaud good play by both partners and opponents. Having confidence on the green goes a long way in increasing your enjoyment in the game. To learn more,Click Here!

Golfing Guides-Frank J. Peter and a staff of PGA affiliates have compiled a set of instructional guides to teach the fundamentals of the golf swing to those interested in learning or improving their game. Frank realized that people of all ages, both men and women, are taking up golf as a recreational outlet in increasing numbers. Consequently, he put together guides for beginners, ladies and seniors. Each addresses the special needs and capabilities of these three distinct groups. If you are just starting to play, or have been playing for a while without benefit of instruction, you can improve your performance by using these guides. Chose the one that best suits you, and get started lowering your scores. Just click on the image of the book you are interested in and you will be taken to that site.

GET RID OF THAT SLICE!

One of the biggest banes of the occasional golfer is the persistent slice! It robs you of distance and is impossible to control, leading to missed fairways and missed greens and dreaded snowmen (8’s) on the scorecard. Finally, you can lose it,forever!
Imagine being able to play on the fairway instead of out of the rough! How about having confidence that you can hit the green? How would that change your outlook on things? Well, it is possible to do, all you have to do is,Click Here!

VISIT AGAIN SOON FOR MORE GOLF TIPS!