3 minute read
Top Pro Tips
DIRECTOR Don’t forget to work on OF GOLF KIERAN STAUNTON, PGATOP 2 0 2 2 PRO It is tough to play good golf without good set up fundamentals. It might seem boring and unnecessary to work on them and practice them, but they will set you up for success. your fundamentals… TIPS Grip, aim, posture, balance, ball position, distance from the ball, are all details that you can work on before you even hit a ball and having them consistent will make playing good golf much easier. Know what works for you, so that if you are having a bad day you can re-settle and get back to basics!
Q: Dream foursome?
HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL A: Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Ben Hogan
STEPHANIE GEORGE, LPGA Q: Favorite hole at Berkeley Hall? A: South #5
Perspective is everything.
Most of us think we hit the ball better on the driving range than on the golf course. This is because there are no consequences for hitting a bad shot on the driving range and if we make solid contact we assume it would be a good shot. However, the solid shot may have been 20 yards to the left or right of where you aimed on the range and may result in a less than desirable shot on course. When practicing full shots, use an alignment stick to pick out a specific target. Practicing without an alignment stick or lines on the ground is comparable to driving on a multi-lane highway without lines. Having a target offers perspective of where your shots are starting and ending up and trains you to pick out specific targets throughout your round. Remember, smaller targets yield smaller misses. Enjoy this great game!
Q: Dream foursome? A: John Daly, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer Q: Favorite hole at Berkeley Hall? A: South #17
SENIOR ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL
ASHLEY HYLTON, PGA Practice like you play
I often get asked, “Why can I hit good shots on the Practice Tee without being able to translate it to the Golf Course?” When practicing, we get the ability to hit shot-after-shot with minimal pressure on where the golf ball is going. While on the golf course, we only get one take at a shot, with a few minutes in between swings. Next time you go out to practice, try playing the golf course on the Practice Tee! Once confident in what you are working on, try hitting each shot with a different club, to a different target. This will force you to focus on what you’re doing, rather than recalling the last motor pattern you executed.
Q: Dream foursome? A: Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, James Hylton Q: Favorite hole at Berkeley Hall? A: North #8
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL
LUKE GROGAN Winter is a great time to practice your game.
If you can’t hit the course on cooler days, find your buddies and get some practice in at the learning center! A fun chipping game I like to play is called 7UP. It can be played with 2 or more players. Bring 1 wedge and a putter to the chipping green. The objective is to make Up & Downs. If you make the Up & Down you go 1UP, if you miss it you go 1Down. The winner is the first one to make it to 7UP. Playing partners take turns picking holes. This game simulates on-course play and it’s a great way to add a competitive edge to practicing!
Q: Dream foursome? A: Rory McIroy, Trey Smith, Garrick Higgo Q: Favorite hole at Berkeley Hall? A: South #14
ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL
CHRIS WILDS Alignment is king.
One of the best tools in golf whether during practice or warm-up is an alignment rod. Using an alignment rod will help with making sure you are set up square to the target and your golf ball starts on the intended target line. This will transfer to the golf course and help to shoot lower scores.
