+ LEARN FROM A LEGEND + THE ARCHIVE + MENTAL GAME
STATS AT A GLANCE
SCORING AVG: 69.24 (8th)
BIRDIE AVG: 4.89 (4th)
GREENS IN REG%: 75 (10th)
SAND SAVE%: 62.50 (20th)
DRIVING ACC%: 66.67 (50th)
DRIVING DIST: 300 yards (80th)
LEARN
Putting
START PUTTS ON LINE
USE AN ALIGNMENT GUIDE FOR PEACE OF MIND
There aren’t too many players on the European Tour these days
who don’t incorporate some type of alignment aid on their golf ball
– whether that’s hand drawn, or part of the ball’s paintwork or
design. My preferred alignment guide is the simplest and most
common of all – a straight black line. I draw one on every ball I use
– in practice and out on the course in tournaments.
For me, it’s all about peace of mind, especially on those three- or four-footers
where confidence is absolutely everything. I want to know that I’m going to start the
ball rolling on my chosen line every single time. The European Tour stats tell us
that holing putts from three to 12ft is the most important factor when it comes to
good scoring. Having a line on my ball helps me accurately line up putts within that
range every time. It’s reassuring to know I have one less thing to think about once
I’m over the ball. I can trust where that line is pointing as I get into my address
position and set the putter head down square to that line.
You can learn a lot from watching the line as your ball rolls. The line will stay
straight as the ball rolls end over end if you’ve struck it out the middle of a square
face. If the line is wobbling, it tells you your face wasn’t square or you’ve not hit it
out of the centre of the face.
I advise you to go through your pre-shot routine and use the line for every putt
in practice. It might take a little more time, but it will stop you being lazy in practice
and it will groove the routine so that putts on the course don’t feel any different.
– Lee Slattery is a European Tour Professional
IMPACT
The epitome of the modern
power swing. Xander’s hips are
almost facing the target at the
point of impact. It’s a young
person’s move, for sure, but it
reinforces the point that if you
want distance, you need fast hips
and a very active lower body.
Learn from watching
your alignment aid as
your ball rolls. It will
stay straight as the ball
rolls end over end if
your strike was out the
middle of a square face.
GolfPlus
APRIL
2020
39