John Daly Back at Pinehurst

This average golfer has been struggling to get in some good golf here in the Northeast lately.  Although I will be going out to rural Susquehanna County to play a course called Panorama today, I am anxiously awaiting my return in the next four weeks to Pinehurst!  There is just no place like Pinehurst when it comes to golf and I love every moment that I am there.  John Daly recently returned to Pinehurst also and here’s a nice video clip from his visit that I thought you would enjoy,  as it is a conversation about his “shot” in the 1999 US open.  Happy golfing from this average golfer!

http://www.pinehurst.com/news/john-daly-returns-pinehurst-talks-shot-1999-u-s-open/

Pitching Made Easy H.A.T.

As an average golfer, I need constant reminders about all aspects of the game to make improvement. I also know that the short game is always what makes or breaks your game for the most part. Getting to the green sometimes seems easy and after that the challenge begins. I recently played a difficult par four hole and was just off the green in two after putting together two nice shots. My pitch shot was over the green (3), next pitch was on but well past the flag (4) and then proceeded to three put for a seven!!! Sound familiar? Well, this would never have happened if my first pitch shot was accurate and near the pin. That pitch shot on to the green is one of the most important shots most days. Here’s a video that talks about a drill to help avoid those disasters around the green. I think I ‘ll watch this one often. Happy golfing from this average golfer!

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/gca-understand-pitch-shot/?cid=twitter-gca-v-understand-pitch-shot-040515

Stop Slicing Your Putts

One of the things that I have learned to use my scorecard for is keeping track of my putts. I am always amazed to look back after each nine and total my putts and see just how many strokes are won or lost on the putting green! If you don’t track your putts I would recommend that you give it a try and you will have your eyes opened. The short game, especially on the green, is where we win or lose the battle most times. If I have 18 or less putts for nine I know that I’m okay, but not great. Over 18 and my score is really climbing. When I exceed the 18 putts per nine, I know that my stroke is poor and more practice is needed. Here’s an interesting putting drill to try! Happy golfing from this average golfer.

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/golf-fix-stop-slicing-your-putts/?cid=twitter-gca-v-stop-slicing-your-putts-040415

Drive It Like Sam Snead

This average golfer played a round of golf today at Stone Hedge here in Pennsylvania. Stone Hedge is located near Tunkhannock, Pa. north of Scranton. The course has a beautiful setting in the Endless Mountains as it is known. In a future post, I’ll give your more details of the course. Although it is a nice course, I am spoiled by the great golf available in Pinehurst, North Carolina and I am looking forward to heading back there in late June. Getting off the tee as we all know sets you up for a good or bad hole every time and today I was fortunate to be getting off the tee quite well. I have always read with interest about Sam Snead and his thoughts on driving the ball. Here’s a nice video from the Golf Academy that talks about how Sam approached his drives. Happy golfing from this average golfer!

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/school-golf-drive-it-sam-snead/?cid=twitter-gca-v-driving-it-like-snead-040415

Clubhouse at Stone Hedge

Clubhouse at Stone Hedge

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Approach to Par four 6th at Stone Hedge

Clock Your Wedge Distance

Playing golf in Pennsylvania has gotten off to a slow start as the weather hasn’t been very good. I did get in a few rounds at the Scranton Muni course and also a round at a course called Panorama. More on those courses in a later post. For now, it seems that I practice more than I play since leaving the wonderful golf mecca of Pinehurst, North Carolina! I’ll be back there in late June for summer golf which isn’t that far off. You can never practice the short game enough and for me, getting the right distance on the wedge is sometimes a challenge. I’m either short of the green or over past the flag. Here’s a video from the Golf Academy to help with the wedge distance. Happy golfing from this average golfer!

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/school-golf-clock-your-wedge-distances/?cid=twitter-gca-v-clock-in-wedges-050115