By Bruce Lewis
Don’t you hate it when you hit a perfect drive straight down the
middle of the fairway only to find your ball resting in a
divot?
Sometimes a divot was made by a bird in search of food or by a
lawn mower. But most of the time, another golfer was just too lazy
to replace their divot. Although this can be frustrating, there are
ways to make it a less difficult shot.
By Bruce Lewis
Don’t you hate it when you hit a perfect drive straight down the middle of the fairway only to find your ball resting in a divot?
Sometimes a divot was made by a bird in search of food or by a lawn mower. But most of the time, another golfer was just too lazy to replace their divot. Although this can be frustrating, there are ways to make it a less difficult shot.
First, we must evaluate how deep the hole is, to make our club selection better. Because of the divot, always allow one extra club. If the hole is deep, add two extra clubs for the shot.
To improve shooting out of a divot, use more of a “punch shot.” Strike the ball with a sharper angle of attack – like you are chopping down on the ball – and the ball will fly out lower and roll much further.
Do not worry if the divot will change the direction of the shot, the only change will be in the height of the ball’s flight.
Sometimes, very deep divots can cause the ball to pop up but there is no need to fall into the trap of hitting the ball harder because it is lying in a hole. Use the same swing tempo and change only the angle of attack. Plan for your shot to run up to the green rather than fly at the hole.
Look for a safe opening to the green rather than trying to fly over a bunker.
Donation to Women’s Wellness Center
The Ladies Niners Club at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club held their invitational on June 23 and raised $500 for the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Women’s Wellness Center.
This is quite the achievement for the 10 ladies – way to go ladies.
“Gimmie” your wallet
Rule No. 1 – Nothing drops your handicap like all those “gimme” putts.
Rule No. 2- Nothing costs you as much money, and brings out more anger, when you miss short putts. Regardless, a player still needs to make the putts. If a player asks “Is that good?” and wants to move on, just respond “not bad, putt it” or “there’s a little meat left on that bone.”
We need to practice those short putts and putt out on all holes. Five minutes of practicing your short game before your round is time well spent and always putting out during your regular rounds will help steady your nerves during tournament rounds.
When it comes to tournament time or just a friendly bet, the player who practiced short putts will have better odds to bring home the bacon.
