+ LEARN FROM A LEGEND + THE ARCHIVE + MENTAL GAME
LEARN
STRATEGY
A SHORT PAR 4
STILL REQUIRES
STRATEGY
A short par-4 like the 18th at
St Andrews still demands respect.
POINT 1 It’s easy to aimlessly
smash your tee shot when you’ve
got such a wide target to hit, but
that’s when you get into trouble.
Apply the same focus as any
other tee shot. Pick a specific
target, visualise the shot and
commit to its execution.
POINT 2 You want the easiest
angle into the flag for your
second shot, especially if there’s a
tricky feature like the Valley of Sin
in play. Decide where you want to
play your second shot from and
hit your tee shot into that position.
Allow enough margin for error
that your usual miss will still be OK.
POINT 3 The pin position
dictates how aggressive you can
be. If it’s close to a hazard, you
play to the safe side of the flag,
especially if you’re not hitting a
full shot so won’t be able to
generate the height or spin you
need to stop the ball quickly.
FIVE-MINUTE LESSON
– Geoff Ogilvy is the 2006
US Open Champion
SERGIO GARCIA
3
The Spanish Ryder Cup hero and 2017 Masters champion is renowned as one of the game’s
premier ball-strikers. We quizzed him for a few pointers that we could use.
GW You’re known for the huge ‘lag’ you create in your downswing? How do you do it?
SG: “Anytime I see an analysis of my swing on TV or in a golf magazine, I can guarantee the
observer will always reference the amount of lag I create in my downswing. I’m often asked
how I create it, but in all honesty it’s just one part of a chain of downswing movements that
start when I drop my hands and rotate my hips to initiate my move towards the ball. If you
want to take anything from my swing, look at my hips and see how open (aiming left) they
are at impact (above). That’s the key to my ball striking.”
2
GW What is the next stage of your practice putting routine?
SG: “My focus is maintaining my smooth tempo and staying down through the shot, so the
ball launches straight and I finish in a balanced position. It’s really nothing more complicated
than that, to be honest.”
GW Do you prefer a backswing or downswing thought to keep your swing on track?
1
SG: “I don’t really have any backswing thoughts. The only thing I consciously focus on is
starting the downswing by feeling like I’m pulling a chain down with both hands. I make sure
my right arm stays connected to my body to stay on plane and to deliver maximum pressure
on the ball through impact.”
GolfPlus
APRIL
2020
41