There is no doubt that there’s a boat load of golf talent in Kenya. People who can absolutely hit the ball and play various shots. Why is it then that we don’t see many scores under par from our pros and top amateurs? Well, I am here to give you the reason and the keys to better golf for top amateurs and pros.
Every casual golfer will tell you the same things if asked why our pros don’t perform in big events like the Kenya Open. Discipline ranks up there closes followed by bad course management. These casual golfers are absolutely right. Discipline off the course is as important as discipline on the course or what we call course management. Below are keys to better golf for top amateurs and pros.
Focus on the Short Game
Most of the top amateurs and pros are more concerned about how far they hit their drivers or long irons. Dustin Johnson is known as one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour. In a recent Golf Digest article, he said he became a complete golfer when he focused on being better with his wedges.
The shot game is key to scoring. Let’s break it down. If you get on the green in regulation, you have two putts on every green to make par. 2 x 18 = 36. 36 is exactly half of the strokes on a par 72 course. That makes putting 50% of the game. Statistically, most players play 70% of their shots from 120 in towards the green. That makes pitching, chipping and putting 70% of the game. Why would one them spend most of their focus on the long game or long irons?
Therefore, the first of the keys to better golf for top amateurs and pros is to focus on their shot game. They need to practice and dial down their distances from 120 yards in. They should be able to play 4 different distances with their wedges and their 8 and 9 irons. 1/4 shot, 1/2 shot, 3/4 shot and full shot.
Course Management
Jack Nicklaus was never known for his ball striking prowess. Neither was he known for his putting prowess. There are names in his era that feature better in this skills. However, he has the record for most majors. What was his secret? He had better course management than his peers. He prepared himself just as good as them, but he was lethal when it got to course management (or what I call course discpline). This makes course management the second the keys to better golf for top amateurs and pros.
Most of the weekend golfers will be quick to point at the fact that most of the pros and top amateurs should not use a driver on every hole. But course management starts well before getting to the first tee. It starts on how one prepares for the particular tournament. From scouting the course and finding the probable pin positions. To preparing a game plan for how he’ll play each hole with multiple options for each hole. To knowing which pins to attack and which greens to just find the center and be happy with a par. And in the course of play, how to manage when they get themselves in bad positions. All these and more play a role in course management and are important keys to better golf by top amateurs and pros.
Mental Strength
Someone might wonder what the difference is between course management and mental strength. Well, course management specifically deals with how one prepares and plays the course. Mental strength dictates ones confidence as well as mental and emotional status on the course.
The quality of thought one has directly affects their emotional status. Negative thoughts always lead to bad results. Positive thoughts don’t guarantee better results but they always lead to confidence and a better chance at good results. If one walks into a competition with the believe they cannot win, they certainly won’t win. But if one walks in with the believe they have a chance at winning, they’ll put every effort to make every shot count and put themselves in a position to win. How one reacts when they have a bad shot or a bad score, determines how well they play from that point onwards. If one fears their opponents, they’ve already given away their power to the opponents and cannot beat them. So mental strength dictates one believes in their ability to perform under the circumstances. Believes that they can pull off a certain shot, or carry over water to their desired position.
Physical Fitness
Tiger Woods popularized the idea that golfers have to be physically fit to play at a high level. In previous eras very few players worked out much for golf (Gary Player is one of the few exceptions). But golf now requires one to be physically fit and healthy to compete at a high level. Professional golfer and top amateurs around the world now have fitness coaches as well as dieticians to help their body get and stay in shape for optimum performance.
It’s high time Kenya’s pros and top amateurs embrace this fact. They need to develop routines for weeks they are in competition as well as weeks they’re not. Physical fitness need to be part of their routines. A proper diet need to be part of their routine. They need to plan how they will snack and hydrate during the round. The snacks needs to have the correct nutrition to help their body stay energetic and perform optimally.
Conclusion
These 3 areas are critical keys to better golf for top amateurs and pros. For them to perform at world standards, they need to understand that their chosen careers are businesses and should be run as such. Most PGA pros practice 6-8 hours a day. Kenyan pros should do the same. I have always argued that one has to choose whether to be a playing pro or a teaching pro in order to excel. Doing both robs one of the time to practice to play at the level a playing pro is supposed to play at.
There’s also need to embrace coaching. Even the best golfers in the world have coaches. A coach does not necessarily have to have played at a high level. But they need to be qualified and understand the game. As good as one might understand the game, it’s hard for them to fix their own swing. It usually requires another pair of eyes. There’s an article on how to select a golf instructor, it might be helpful of them to consider those tips and work with a qualified trainer.
