It’s been a hectic period after The Open looking after my players on LIV Golf, but I’m delighted to see Brooks bag the win over Rahm at Greenbrier. The pair of them were just throwing darts over the last two rounds and looked like they could birdie every hole. That’s the issue when courses play soft, as the power players with great wedge control can just take courses apart.
Valderrama shows courses don’t need to be long
However, that wasn’t the case at Valderrama. I just loved that event, as the course hasn’t changed over the years, and at just 7,100 yards, it’s a tough challenge regardless of how far you hit the ball. It’s also a great atmosphere, as everyone is on site all week, and the closing holes are so iconic. It’s a shame the JCB event in the UK wasn’t the same; despite the course being in great condition, there were too many blind shots, and logistically, the spectators struggled to access and exit the event. This is the challenge in the UK for non-links setups. When you get more than 10,000 spectators a day, we just don’t have the car parking and road networks, as most land neighbouring a championship course is likely to be a housing estate.
I’m also struggling to think of a new course that could deliver not just on logistics but also on the standard needed to give the leading pros a challenge. Having said that, the Centurion Club on the outskirts of London did a decent job and should be considered again.
A Belfry moment that makes me laugh
One classic course that delivers is The Belfry, and I’m off there this week for the British Masters to keep an eye on Danny Willett. No matter how many times I’ve been there, the 2002 Ryder Cup still leaves a sour taste in my mouth, but it did provide me with a great memory as a player. I was once paired with a young Ian Woosnam there, and he went on to card two rounds in the mid-80s. My mother-in-law was at the side of the final green and heard him say to his caddy, “I’m done with this game and might as well get a job as a club pro and sell balls in the shop.” Thankfully, the young Welsh lad picked himself up and went on to become a Major champion, a Ryder Cup stalwart, and lifted 52 professional titles.
Don’t try to emulate the power hitters
Woosnam would always draw a crowd with his raw power, and that addiction to seeing the big hitters up close continues today. You can’t beat watching the likes of Rory, Bryson, Brooks, and Rahm up close, as the speed these players generate is lost when you try to view it at home on television. However, don’t try to emulate them, as they are on a different level to even good pros, let alone amateurs. These players are able to drive comfortably at 120 mph with a ball speed of 180+ mph. Bryson figured out that once the ball gets above 185 mph, the dispersion and stability are affected, so he’s dialled the speed back. It’s a bit like running downhill; the moment you go past that sweet spot, your feet lose their rhythm, and things can go sideways quickly.
Simple way to improve your game
For amateurs looking to improve their game, don’t focus on speed too much; focus on controlling and understanding where the clubface is during the swing. The easiest way to achieve this is to fit a putter grip to a couple of practice clubs, making sure the flat part of the grip mirrors the face angle. Unfortunately, you can’t fit putter grips to your full set, as it’s prohibited by the R&A rules for any form of competition. I think that is madness, as you can fit a club grip to a putter but not the other way round. However, my tip must work, or they wouldn’t have banned its use.
Why Callaway Opus Wedges are their best
While helping Alex out this month with a few gear tests, we tried out the latest Opus wedges from Callaway. Although I’ve had them to try for a few months, it was interesting to see how Alex was struggling with his distance control despite having the latest equipment. This showcased a common problem I see when players lose the wrist and shaft angle when chipping, as the butt end drives the club forward and the low point in the swing is lost. I got Alex chipping left hand below the right (as he’s right handed), like Matt Fitzpatrick, to get the wrist, arm, and shaft angle aligned so the low point remained constant. In no time, he managed to control his ball flight and appreciate the tungsten weighting in the Opus Platinum and how it gave a stronger flight over the standard Opus wedge. I think most golfers would benefit from chipping this way, and remember, it works for a US Open champion.
