Just FYI, my brother didn't pose for this picture. I sent him the one of Stricker and asked if he had any of himself in a similar position in his swing. He did... and they're even wearing the same hat.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The Look-Alikes
Consider this an addendum to my US Open itinerary, in which I noted how much my brother and Steve Stricker look alike. Well, judge for yourself:
Sometimes I love the internet.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The On Course Apps
I am, by nature, an analytical person. I create Excel spreadsheets for everything. On the golf course, that also means that I want to know all the little things before I take a shot -- which way is the wind blowing, where does the ball funnel on the green ahead, and, of course, what's my yardage to the hole?
But "about 150 yards" won't do for me. I want to know if it's 147 or 153. Does that finite level of detail really make a difference? Probably not -- hitting an "about 150 yards" shot will do just fine in either case. But mentally I feel better if I know the exact number, and feeling good about the shot is definitely the first step to execution.
When you want to know the exact numbers these days there are basically 3 options: (1) hire Steve Williams to carry your bag, (2) get a laser rangefinder, or (3) get a GPS.
It turns out Stevie doesn't come cheap (though lately he has some free time on his hands). So the question ultimately comes down to rangefinder vs. GPS. There are pluses and minuses to both -- rangefinders are more precise, but you are limited to targets you can actually see; GPS's can give you a hole overlay and allow you to measure distances to a variety of spots on the course quickly, but ultimately operate on more of a "plus or minus a few yards" basis.
Because of the convenience of having an iPhone, I ultimately decided on a GPS system a few years ago. After a great deal of research (and a good recommendation from my brother), I started using the Golfshot app 2 years ago, and honestly, I can't recommend it enough. Here are the features I like about it:
Hole Overlays It's quite difficult to play a course you've never seen before unless you have a map; Golfshot gives you a crystal clear aerial view of every hole so you can see where you're going. Plus, because you can choose any spot on the hole as your target for distance measurement (just by touching it on the map) it allows you to really know if you can cut that corner or carry that sand trap.
Automated Measurements In addition to user defined targets, almost every point of interest (hazards, obstacles, doglegs, etc) are defined and measured on the "main" screen. It also gives you the front, back and middle of the green distances.
Scoring and Stat Tracking I never use a scorecard anymore because I can easily and quickly keep my score as I go with Golfshot. It also automatically keeps tracks of my statistics -- fairways, greens in regulation, scrambling, sand saves, putts/hole and putts/green in regulation. Both on the native application on the phone and on their website you can view your past rounds and scorecards, and you can customize date ranges for your statistics to see how your game is changing. Here's a snapshot of my last 20 rounds:
35,000 Courses There are over 35,000 courses in the database with visual overlays and GPS distances -- that means essentially every course in North America, and then some. The aerial images are updated almost constantly (or at least it seems that way) so I don't think I've ever been looking at an out-of-date measurement. And unlike many other GPS systems, you don't have to pay to download more courses, and there are no annual fees. You get everything for just a $30 one-time fee. It's pretty incredible.
The bigger question, of course, is does all this help? Obviously it's not the only factor in these calculations, but since I started using Golfshot on 9/2/09 my fairway percentage has gone up from 42.7% to 44.8%, and my greens-in-regulation have increased from 38.5% to 39.2%. Plus it's the envy of almost every one I play with -- and maybe that gives me an edge, too.
Screen Shots:
[Many thanks to reader Neil who suggested this as a topic for a post!]
[And no, I'm not affiliated with golfshot.com in any way.]
But "about 150 yards" won't do for me. I want to know if it's 147 or 153. Does that finite level of detail really make a difference? Probably not -- hitting an "about 150 yards" shot will do just fine in either case. But mentally I feel better if I know the exact number, and feeling good about the shot is definitely the first step to execution.
When you want to know the exact numbers these days there are basically 3 options: (1) hire Steve Williams to carry your bag, (2) get a laser rangefinder, or (3) get a GPS.
It turns out Stevie doesn't come cheap (though lately he has some free time on his hands). So the question ultimately comes down to rangefinder vs. GPS. There are pluses and minuses to both -- rangefinders are more precise, but you are limited to targets you can actually see; GPS's can give you a hole overlay and allow you to measure distances to a variety of spots on the course quickly, but ultimately operate on more of a "plus or minus a few yards" basis.
Because of the convenience of having an iPhone, I ultimately decided on a GPS system a few years ago. After a great deal of research (and a good recommendation from my brother), I started using the Golfshot app 2 years ago, and honestly, I can't recommend it enough. Here are the features I like about it:
Hole Overlays It's quite difficult to play a course you've never seen before unless you have a map; Golfshot gives you a crystal clear aerial view of every hole so you can see where you're going. Plus, because you can choose any spot on the hole as your target for distance measurement (just by touching it on the map) it allows you to really know if you can cut that corner or carry that sand trap.
Automated Measurements In addition to user defined targets, almost every point of interest (hazards, obstacles, doglegs, etc) are defined and measured on the "main" screen. It also gives you the front, back and middle of the green distances.
Scoring and Stat Tracking I never use a scorecard anymore because I can easily and quickly keep my score as I go with Golfshot. It also automatically keeps tracks of my statistics -- fairways, greens in regulation, scrambling, sand saves, putts/hole and putts/green in regulation. Both on the native application on the phone and on their website you can view your past rounds and scorecards, and you can customize date ranges for your statistics to see how your game is changing. Here's a snapshot of my last 20 rounds:
35,000 Courses There are over 35,000 courses in the database with visual overlays and GPS distances -- that means essentially every course in North America, and then some. The aerial images are updated almost constantly (or at least it seems that way) so I don't think I've ever been looking at an out-of-date measurement. And unlike many other GPS systems, you don't have to pay to download more courses, and there are no annual fees. You get everything for just a $30 one-time fee. It's pretty incredible.
The bigger question, of course, is does all this help? Obviously it's not the only factor in these calculations, but since I started using Golfshot on 9/2/09 my fairway percentage has gone up from 42.7% to 44.8%, and my greens-in-regulation have increased from 38.5% to 39.2%. Plus it's the envy of almost every one I play with -- and maybe that gives me an edge, too.
Screen Shots:
[Many thanks to reader Neil who suggested this as a topic for a post!]
[And no, I'm not affiliated with golfshot.com in any way.]
Monday, June 20, 2011
The US Open | What I Learned from Brian Gay
This weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the 111th US Open at Congressional Country Club. My good friend Kevin lives in Bethesda and was able to score us tickets to the 3rd round.
I've been to live golf events before (the Deutsche Bank Championship, twice), and although professional golf affords you the chance to stand amazingly close to some of the real icons of the game, in general it's somewhat difficult to actually follow the tournament when you're there because so much is happening away from wherever you might be standing. For that reason I find that more often than not I'd rather watch the events -- and in particular, the final round -- from the comfort of my couch on my plasma screen.
All that being said, seeing the Open was a truly incredible experience. I give tremendous credit to the USGA for making the event both a real test of golf and a true spectator sport.
I'll give you my impressions of the course and, more importantly, what I took away from the event that is going to help me reach even par below. If you'd like to see a detailed itinerary of our day at the Open, CLICK HERE.
I've been to live golf events before (the Deutsche Bank Championship, twice), and although professional golf affords you the chance to stand amazingly close to some of the real icons of the game, in general it's somewhat difficult to actually follow the tournament when you're there because so much is happening away from wherever you might be standing. For that reason I find that more often than not I'd rather watch the events -- and in particular, the final round -- from the comfort of my couch on my plasma screen.
All that being said, seeing the Open was a truly incredible experience. I give tremendous credit to the USGA for making the event both a real test of golf and a true spectator sport.
I'll give you my impressions of the course and, more importantly, what I took away from the event that is going to help me reach even par below. If you'd like to see a detailed itinerary of our day at the Open, CLICK HERE.
CONGRESSIONAL COUNTRY CLUB
To put it simply, the course is a beast. I know the scores didn't reflect that this weekend -- and Rory McIlroy in particular made it look quite tame -- but that is because the conditions could not have been more ideal for golf. With rain every night and then dry days with no wind whatsoever, the greens were receptive to long irons and hybrids instead of kicking those balls off as we're used to seeing in US Open conditions.
Trust me, it's 7574 yards but plays much longer than that with almost every green elevated, or, in some cases, straight up hill. The greens, too, are treacherous -- we watched about a dozen or more groups play the 12th green and saw only 2 or 3 one putts; and those were all essentially tap-ins on up and downs after missing the green. It seemed nobody could correctly read the double break that every angle to the hole presented if the putt was more than 5 or 6 feet.
The course is very nicely routed, with the front 9 somewhat compact and the back 9 a little more spread out. The green-to-tee distance is essentially zero except between the 9th and 10th, the 11th and 12th and 17th and 18th (all of which require the players to hike a good distance to the next hole, mostly uphill). Because the holes do generally flow so well it was logistically quite easy as a spectator to essentially walk the whole course.
The USGA set up a number of crossing areas on most of the holes which further facilitated getting around. It also meant we could stand in the middle of several fairways -- and let me tell you, they are immaculate. Even the areas that were trampled by the crowds were better than most of the fairways at courses I play.
Even the practice area is impressive, with enough space for about 50-60 people to use the range, a great variety of target flags, and (obviously) pristine grass hitting areas. And that brings me to...
WHAT I LEARNED FROM BRIAN GAY
Brian Gay is far from the most exciting PGA tour player. If it wasn't for his typically colorful outfits and the fact that (through a hard to describe series of circumstances) he once left passes for my parents at the Deutsche Bank event, I probably would hardly know he existed. He's currently the 127th ranked player in the world, ranks dead last in driving distance but first in fairway percentage, and probably gets mistaken for Ian Poulter more than he gets recognized as himself.
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| Brian Gay |
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| Ian Poulter |
I certainly had no intention of studying Brian Gay closely, but when we sat down around lunch time to watch some players on the range he came out and set up shop right in front of us. There were a number of more fascinating players also out on the range (defending champ Graeme McDowell and number 3 in the world Martin Kaymer come to mind), but the eye is naturally drawn to that which is right in front of you. That meant we were able to see his entire pre-round routine... and it was so impressive that I'm planning to duplicate it.
Obviously I'm not privy to his thought process, but it seemed fairly evident to both Kevin and I what he was trying to accomplish. So some of this will be editorializing and assumptions based on what we saw, but I think it's fairly accurate. Here are the steps:
- Pick a hitting area that is straight in line with one of the closest target flags. Set up any alignment tools that you wish to use to keep yourself on line.
- Warm up and get a feel for the type of crisp contact you want to make by starting with very simple chips or half-shots with a wedge aimed at the target (even if they won't reach that target).
- Advance to 3/4 wedge shots again aimed at the same target flag, and then full wedge shots, maintaining that same pace and contact feel as from the chip shots.
- This is most important: as you work through the longer clubs in your bag, don't pick a new target. Instead, continue to hit balls aimed over the same short flag that you started with. This creates a mental picture of keeping the ball on line in a narrow scope, like you're hitting the balls through a tube.
- Work your way up hitting roughly every other club. Hit 5-6 balls with each, up to and including your driver.
- After hitting driver, drop back down to wedges, then 3/4 wedges, then half-wedges/chip shots to again accentuate that straight shot controlled feel.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Pace of Play
Rhythm.
It's probably the single most important aspect to my golf game. When I got fitted for my current set of irons, the pro I was working with said as much after watching me take just a half dozen swings. When the pacing of my swing is on, then I can predict the flight of just about every ball without looking. When my tempo is off... well, then it's anybody's guess where the ball is going.
When I do get in the groove I try everything I can to limit the wait time between shots (for that reason I'd generally much rather walk than ride if the pace is going to be slow... but if the pace is fast I'd rather ride so that I can get to the ball and hit again as soon as possible).
Today I rode.
I played Quail Ridge Country Club, which opened in 2003 but has a real "Old New England" course feel. I've now played it four times, and I'm really starting to appreciate the layout -- challenging but fair, with great hole variety. From the black tees it clocks in at 6412 yards, par 71, rating 73.8/slope 138.
I started on the first tee with no one in sight, which certainly meant that the pace of play was going to be in my favor. The opener is a tough par 5, 579 yards initially downhill but then back up on the approach to the green, and complicated by a brook/waste hazard that runs across the fairway about 260 yards out and forces a lay-up off the tee. It's by far the hardest hole on the course (according to oobgolf stats, out of 374 rounds to date the average score is a full 2.2 strokes over par, with only 4.5% of people hitting the green in regulation). I started by lacing a 2-hybrid down the middle, then hit 2-hybrid again but pulled that one into the fescue about 150 yards from the green. I was able to get a clean shot with a 7-iron to the back of the green, and 2 putts yielded par.
The second is a sharp dogleg left, only 362 yards but no real possibility of cutting the corner. I hit 1-hybrid to the right side of the fairway, then a smooth wedge to the middle of the green. Two more putts and I was even through 2.
At that point I ran into a foursome of gentlemen who were kind enough to wave me straight on through. My 5-iron on the 205 yard par 3 came up just short of the green, but with the pin in front I had an easy up and down opportunity. I have to admit I rushed a bit with the group waiting now behind me, and I shorted the chip, then pushed my 6 footer to ultimately make bogey.
The fourth is a short par 4, only 297 yards from the tips, with a downhill finish. The challenge is that the green is blind from the tee, and the fairway pinches with a small water hazard on the right and woods on the left as you approach the green. In the past I've played it well, making 2 pars and a birdie (after driving the green) in my previous rounds. Today I hit a good drive, a little down the left side, which I though might end up in the trap to the left of the green. However, when I came up over the ridge there was no ball to be found. A search left in the woods, behind the green, and on the 5th tee yielded nothing. I was left to assume the ball was in the woods and so took a drop, pitched over the sand trap, and then rolled in a no-brainer 25 footer for a sort-of-par.
I played the next 3 holes about as well I could. On the all-carry par-3 5th I hit 4-iron pin high just on the fringe and 2-putt for par. On the par 4 6th and 7th I had matching holes -- 300 yard drives down the middle of the fairway, then 54-degree wedges to within 3 feet for easy birdies.
So yes, at that point I was 1-under-par through 7 holes.
On the 8th I had to scramble to make bogey after my tee ball ended up left of the fairway and my 2nd hit a tree branch ending up 60 yards short of the green. So right away I was back to even par.
The 9th though presents another birdie opportunity. It's a short, mostly down-hill par 5 -- it's the easiest hole on the course by far, averaging only 0.8 strokes over par for all comers. I hit a good drive out over the fairway bunker on the right side of the fairway, which then funneled down to the left side due to the slope. I only had about 165 yards left, but the tall trees that guard the front left of the green were directly in my path. I tried to hit a hook 8-iron -- and hook it I did, directly into the aforementioned trees. I got a fortunate bounce and ended up through the trees and in front of the left side of the green. From there it was an easy up and down for a 3rd birdie in 4 holes.
OUT: -1. In 1 hour and 15 minutes.
As I stood over my approach shot on 9 I had to wait to hit for the first time of the entire round as there was a foursome on the green. Remember the kind gentlemen who let me play through on the 3rd tee? Meet their counterparts.
I came off 9 and drove up to the 10th tee where the two men in the group ahead were still getting ready to hit; their women playing partners were in their cart.
They did not acknowledge me.
All 4 players ultimately teed off. And then spent the next 10 minutes searching for balls in the waste area in front of the tee. Then hit again. And again. And again. After a full 20 minutes (20% of the time it took me to play the entire front 9) they were finally out of range. Immediately I did not feel comfortable on the tee. I ended up popping up my drive a bit, about 250 yards out, but within the fairway and reachably 220 yards from the green (on the par 5). I hopped in my cart and drove up to my ball.
And stood in the fairway for another 10 minutes without a single player in the group ahead getting anywhere near the green.
At last one of the guys in the group waved me up. And I promptly hooked a 2-hybrid into the hazard on the left side.
Rhythm: gone.
After a drop I did manage to hit a nice 54-degree wedge to about 2 feet to save par. But my round would never be the same.
On 11 I pulled an 8-iron left of the green and settled for bogey. On 12 it was a pulled/hooked 1-hybrid into the left rough that gave me no shot at the green (another bogey). On 14 and 15 I again pull-hooked 1-hybrids, both nearly out of play, though in both cases I had a chance at saving par (3-putted the 14th green for bogey -- I HATE 3 PUTTS!! -- but got up and down for par on 15). In between I did have a routine pare on the par-3 13th.
The 16th was another pull left -- this time into the woods -- and another bogey. 17 was a nice par. And 18 was again a pull left into the woods, and yet another bogey.
IN: +5. In 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The final tally was a solid 4-over with 4 penalty strokes. Shot efficiency: 0.752. But of course I have to wonder what might have been had I zipped through the 10th hole without 30 minutes of wait time.
On the other hand, let's be realistic -- 18 holes of golf are not played in 2 hours. If I want to reach even par I'm going to have to learn to keep my rhythm even when the pace is not what I want it to be.
It's probably the single most important aspect to my golf game. When I got fitted for my current set of irons, the pro I was working with said as much after watching me take just a half dozen swings. When the pacing of my swing is on, then I can predict the flight of just about every ball without looking. When my tempo is off... well, then it's anybody's guess where the ball is going.
When I do get in the groove I try everything I can to limit the wait time between shots (for that reason I'd generally much rather walk than ride if the pace is going to be slow... but if the pace is fast I'd rather ride so that I can get to the ball and hit again as soon as possible).
Today I rode.
I played Quail Ridge Country Club, which opened in 2003 but has a real "Old New England" course feel. I've now played it four times, and I'm really starting to appreciate the layout -- challenging but fair, with great hole variety. From the black tees it clocks in at 6412 yards, par 71, rating 73.8/slope 138.
I started on the first tee with no one in sight, which certainly meant that the pace of play was going to be in my favor. The opener is a tough par 5, 579 yards initially downhill but then back up on the approach to the green, and complicated by a brook/waste hazard that runs across the fairway about 260 yards out and forces a lay-up off the tee. It's by far the hardest hole on the course (according to oobgolf stats, out of 374 rounds to date the average score is a full 2.2 strokes over par, with only 4.5% of people hitting the green in regulation). I started by lacing a 2-hybrid down the middle, then hit 2-hybrid again but pulled that one into the fescue about 150 yards from the green. I was able to get a clean shot with a 7-iron to the back of the green, and 2 putts yielded par.
The second is a sharp dogleg left, only 362 yards but no real possibility of cutting the corner. I hit 1-hybrid to the right side of the fairway, then a smooth wedge to the middle of the green. Two more putts and I was even through 2.
At that point I ran into a foursome of gentlemen who were kind enough to wave me straight on through. My 5-iron on the 205 yard par 3 came up just short of the green, but with the pin in front I had an easy up and down opportunity. I have to admit I rushed a bit with the group waiting now behind me, and I shorted the chip, then pushed my 6 footer to ultimately make bogey.
The fourth is a short par 4, only 297 yards from the tips, with a downhill finish. The challenge is that the green is blind from the tee, and the fairway pinches with a small water hazard on the right and woods on the left as you approach the green. In the past I've played it well, making 2 pars and a birdie (after driving the green) in my previous rounds. Today I hit a good drive, a little down the left side, which I though might end up in the trap to the left of the green. However, when I came up over the ridge there was no ball to be found. A search left in the woods, behind the green, and on the 5th tee yielded nothing. I was left to assume the ball was in the woods and so took a drop, pitched over the sand trap, and then rolled in a no-brainer 25 footer for a sort-of-par.
I played the next 3 holes about as well I could. On the all-carry par-3 5th I hit 4-iron pin high just on the fringe and 2-putt for par. On the par 4 6th and 7th I had matching holes -- 300 yard drives down the middle of the fairway, then 54-degree wedges to within 3 feet for easy birdies.
So yes, at that point I was 1-under-par through 7 holes.
On the 8th I had to scramble to make bogey after my tee ball ended up left of the fairway and my 2nd hit a tree branch ending up 60 yards short of the green. So right away I was back to even par.
The 9th though presents another birdie opportunity. It's a short, mostly down-hill par 5 -- it's the easiest hole on the course by far, averaging only 0.8 strokes over par for all comers. I hit a good drive out over the fairway bunker on the right side of the fairway, which then funneled down to the left side due to the slope. I only had about 165 yards left, but the tall trees that guard the front left of the green were directly in my path. I tried to hit a hook 8-iron -- and hook it I did, directly into the aforementioned trees. I got a fortunate bounce and ended up through the trees and in front of the left side of the green. From there it was an easy up and down for a 3rd birdie in 4 holes.
OUT: -1. In 1 hour and 15 minutes.
As I stood over my approach shot on 9 I had to wait to hit for the first time of the entire round as there was a foursome on the green. Remember the kind gentlemen who let me play through on the 3rd tee? Meet their counterparts.
I came off 9 and drove up to the 10th tee where the two men in the group ahead were still getting ready to hit; their women playing partners were in their cart.
They did not acknowledge me.
All 4 players ultimately teed off. And then spent the next 10 minutes searching for balls in the waste area in front of the tee. Then hit again. And again. And again. After a full 20 minutes (20% of the time it took me to play the entire front 9) they were finally out of range. Immediately I did not feel comfortable on the tee. I ended up popping up my drive a bit, about 250 yards out, but within the fairway and reachably 220 yards from the green (on the par 5). I hopped in my cart and drove up to my ball.
And stood in the fairway for another 10 minutes without a single player in the group ahead getting anywhere near the green.
At last one of the guys in the group waved me up. And I promptly hooked a 2-hybrid into the hazard on the left side.
Rhythm: gone.
After a drop I did manage to hit a nice 54-degree wedge to about 2 feet to save par. But my round would never be the same.
On 11 I pulled an 8-iron left of the green and settled for bogey. On 12 it was a pulled/hooked 1-hybrid into the left rough that gave me no shot at the green (another bogey). On 14 and 15 I again pull-hooked 1-hybrids, both nearly out of play, though in both cases I had a chance at saving par (3-putted the 14th green for bogey -- I HATE 3 PUTTS!! -- but got up and down for par on 15). In between I did have a routine pare on the par-3 13th.
 |
| Notice any trend to my misses this round? |
IN: +5. In 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The final tally was a solid 4-over with 4 penalty strokes. Shot efficiency: 0.752. But of course I have to wonder what might have been had I zipped through the 10th hole without 30 minutes of wait time.
On the other hand, let's be realistic -- 18 holes of golf are not played in 2 hours. If I want to reach even par I'm going to have to learn to keep my rhythm even when the pace is not what I want it to be.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Blog Update
Just a quick post to point out a few changes I made to the blog over the past few days [*and even this post is updated!]:
- There's a new header (obviously) at the top, featuring a picture of the 15th green at Butter Brook Golf Club in Westford, MA.
- There are
23 new tabs at the top of the page with links to my recent rounds and some statistical graphs via oobgolf.com, plus one to a page detailing "The Mission" itself. - At the
bottomleft of the page are links to the most popular posts, in case you're new and want to see what others have enjoyed.
Hope you like the changes!
In other news, I'm traveling to Bethesda, MD this upcoming week and will be attending some golf tournament that is taking place at Congressional Country Club; if that turns out interesting then I'm sure I'll have something to say about it.
Until then....
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The Photo Shoot
Going to do something a little different for this blog entry. I played Butter Brook today (shot 80, was +3 after birdie on the 12th, but triple bogey on 13 was again my undoing; shot efficiency 0.698). But I also brought my camera along, and instead of boring myself with the blow-by-blow, let's just look at some shots of a different type.
Butter Brook | 6th Green
Butter Brook | 7th Fairway
Butter Brook | 8th Tee
Butter Brook | 10th Tee (B&W)
Butter Brook | 12th Green
Butter Brook | 15th Green | The Pump House
Butter Brook | Kennedy Bros.
Butter Brook | 16th Green
Butter Brook | 17th Tee | "Intimidation"
Butter Brook | 18th Green
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