Elevating Your Comfort Level
By Tim Mahoney
GolfDigest.com exclusive
Tim Mahoney writes the "Weekend Tips" column every week.
There have already been three scoring records established this year on the PGA Tour, including Mark Calcavecchia at the Phoenix Open and most recently Joe Durant at the Bob Hope Classic.
Why are these old records being shattered? One reason is Tiger Woods, via his sensational run in 2000. He has elevated the bar of competition for evveryone. Following Tiger’s record season, fellow golfers realized that the only way to compete with Tiger was to use his tactics -- improve their games and change their mindsets. All golfers can benefit from the attitude change of the top PGA Tour professionals. Follow these points:
1. Play conservatively off the tee and aggressively with the approach. Off the tee, the ball must be in the fairway with a favorable lie, allowing the golfer to attack the flag. You can only lose matches off the tee, not win them.
2. Forty-two percent of your strokes are putts. Master putting and establish the attitude that you are a great putter. Spend time with good putters.
3. Develop a consistent routine for all shots. This routine should be maintained for practice, play, great rounds and poor rounds.
4. The only way to survive in life is to change. Evaluate your equipment and your technique. Keep learning. Golf is not a destination but a journey.
5. Control the ball. Develop a solid set-up and consistent swing shape.
6. Develop a consistent shape to your shot. Eliminate one side of the fairway.
Expect lower scores on the course. Develop the attitude of the PGA Tour professional and go out with the mindset that it is time to elevate your game and set some records.
Tip of the Week
Make plenty of rehearsal swings in the short game.
Whenever you are faced with a partial shot -- a short shot around the green -- make yourself take several practice swings. During the swings focus on the length of motion, the pace of motion, and locate the bottom of your swing. After determining the correct pace, make exactly the same motion with the ball. Hold the finish until the ball comes to a rest.
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