By Ken Martin, PGA, Director of Instruction
Last week was PGA Show week in Orlando, FL; an annual event to showcase everything new in the world of golf. In conjunction with the Show, the PGA hosts a number of 18 hole, two-person team bestball events known as the Pro-Pro series. These events are for PGA Members only and are very popular among Show attendees as they present the opportunity for friendly competition among peers at some great venues.
I partnered in two of these events with good friend and fellow Moe fan Tim Graves, co-founder of the Graves Golf Academy and brother of "Little Moe", Todd Graves. In our first event we were paired with Gerry James of The Golf Channel's Big Break Mesquite fame and his partner. Gerry is of formidable stature standing 6'5" tall with the physique of a body builder (he was Mr. California in 1990) and is well known as one of the most decorated Long Drive Champions in the game. I was fortunate to have met Gerry a few years ago while on a coaching trip with Sandy Lyle in Ponte Vedre, FL, but this was the first time I was paired with him in an event.
The event was an 8am Shotgun start and our starting hole was 18B (the second group off that hole). It was a cold and blustery morning (temp in the mid 40's and winds gusting from 15-20mph), so getting warm and staying warm was a bit of a challenge. I had the honor on this 430 yard par 4 with the wind into and off the left. I hit a nice drive down the center leaving about 160 yards left to the hole. My drive was followed by a beauty from Tim and Gerry's partner. We were all in the fairway about the same distance and now it was Gerry's turn. Gerry had arrived just in time to tee off without warm-up and proceeded to "heel" his first drive of the day down the left side of the fairway and 50+ yards past us all! In fact, his "miss hit" held up all day for the "Long Drive" that was contested on that hole.
It turned out that my 6 iron was inside of Gerry's wedge shot and I holed the putt for birdie, so Tim and I were off to a great start! It also turned out that Tim and I teamed for a total score of 66 (-6) to their 69 (-3). The low round of the day was 65 so we finished in a tie for 2nd...a fine showing for the Single Planers (thanks Moe)!
Reflecting back on the round I realized it represented confirmation that advice like "play your own game" and "play one shot at a time" are truisms to heed. While it was great to watch Gerry bomb it off the tee, his game could have absolutely no effect on my game, unless I allowed it to. I've been waiting for a "growth spurt" since I was 16 and it just hasn't happened yet...so I have learned to play within my 5'8" slender frame. I built my swing on the solid fundamentals of the single plane swing and for the most part, I know I will find my ball in the fairway and on the green after I hit it. It goes as far as I can comfortably find it and from there I usually have a chance to make birdie or par, even if it is a bit further away from the hole than some of my fellow competitors.
So here is the tip: Golf is a game of hitting your ball from point A to point B to point C, etc... Pick "points" that make sense for you and your ability. Play YOUR game and enjoy watching others play theirs.
Each shot is an opportunity to recreate. In other words, RE - CREATE what you imagine prior to swinging. Play each shot you have by first imagining what you want to take place...then setup and do it.
By the way, Tim and I teamed for a 66 (-6) in the second event too and also finished in a tie for 2nd (64 was low that day).
Keep it simple and have fun!
Ken
Ken Martin was certified in 1995 and has been Natural Golf's Director of Instruction since June 2006 as well as a PGA Member since 1988.
Ken teaches in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
Ken's personal motto on the golf course is: "Experience and Enjoy".
Send comments to kmartin@naturalgolf.com