22 Dec It’s harder if you are smaller in stature

Even the best golfers have a shot shape they are comfortable with. It is rare that they will look to hit iron shots which is a draw on one approach and a fade on another. A sensible approach to course management will improve your scores. Remember, even the best players in the world don’t attack every pin.

If you have time on a practice round, play nine holes with two balls on approach shots. On each hole, when you are about to play to the green, play one to the sensible safe part of the green away from the trouble and strike the other straight at the pin. Keep a count of your hit and missed green tallies along with your score with both balls. Better and smarter course management will cut strokes off your next round. Everyone loves to hit the ball long. Without a doubt, those who hit it farther off the tee mean shorter approach shots but longer tee shots don’t automatically mean lower scores.

Technology, science and physics that now go into clubs and balls is staggering compared to when I first stepped up to the ball with a half set of cut-down wooden shafted cast-offs. It’s funny, but whenever I find myself thinking back to those early tournament rounds, distance was never talked about — it was always accuracy.

The trend in golf now is the emphasis on being in top shape. You’ll see many people calling golf a sport rather than a game due to the increased attention on the athletic prowess of its top athletes. Increase your strength and flexibility and you’ll see you’ll be hitting your next shots from a little further down the fairway.

Notice also the incredible lag and shaft angles on the downswing of these bombers on the tour. They really hold that wrist angle for as long as possible and then just snap the club through the hitting area. This creates incredible clubhead speed which, of course, means longer distance. This is not something you should just try on the first tee, as it will take quite a bit of practice to feel comfortable with this action.

Size does matter in golf now if you wish to hit the ball a long way. Being 6 feet and above will definitely help because you’re creating a larger swing arc that helps generate additional swing speed, which is crucial for long shots. There’s no doubt about it — if you are of shorter stature, you are at a disadvantage to the big guys but that’s not to say the smaller framed golfers can’t get it out there — it’s just harder if you are smaller.

Concentrate on your balance and making good solid contact with a club head that’s swinging as fast as possible, and you’re going to hit the ball farther than you ever thought possible.

Out of Bounds: Blessed is the golfer who has learned how to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained.