The March Break is almost upon us, and with that, you may have some vacation golf in your future. If you are one of those lucky enough to have a tee off time next week I thought I’d pass along my very first golf tip…on this blog. Pay attention.

“Understanding Your Game” is of vital importance in order to peak perform or to play to your actual talent level. You can be a very talented golfer who is not capable of managing your skills and you would shoot higher scores than a less talented golfer who is an extraordinary “self manager” of their golf game. We all know who I’m talking about…I’m talking about your playing partner, you know, the one who you shake your head at when they aim down the right side of #5 only to hit that block/fade they ALWAYS hit. You’re afraid to say something – and instead – you listen to their tired explanation of what they were trying to do…which is the same thing they always try to do – attempt to hit a shot they wish/hope to pull off. Another way of putting it – it’s likely that you could manage your partners game FAR better than they can. If you’re nodding in agreement remember this – you’re playing partner is also nodding. Get the picture?

You’ll notice a video of Paul Sherratt, Tim Sewter and myself (Matt Robinson) hitting our tee shots on the 17th hole (Road Hole, Old Course St. Andrews) from November 2009. The three of us – while all having different strengths and weaknesses in our game – all manage our talent quite well. When it comes to being a good manager – you need to understand the current state of your game – in other words, be dynamic. Watch it a couple of times and take a look at where we set up on the tee, our choice of club, our physical alignment, and, where we are looking, because that’s really important.

Analysis

Paul – Paul had actually twisted his ankle earlier in the round and was struggling getting from his back swing position into a nice balanced finish position. The result for him was hitting a solid “pull” off the tee, or, a weaker cut that flared to the right. At this point in the round he and Tim were having a pretty good match. Paul focused on the steeple in the background, that’s where he was looking. His physical alignment (which is difficult to pinpoint because of the camera angle) was slightly to the right of where he was focused. The result of aiming in this location? If he hit his weak shot to the right – he would be in an okay position – if he hit the pull, he had plenty of room to pull the shot. Paul hit the pull and his shot finished in the rough on the left side of the hole. Good shape.

Tim – Tim had struggled for most of the 2009 campaign with his driver. He had switched manufacturers (PING to Cobra) and made some adjustments to his posture and that combination led to a less than obedient tee shot. The first couple of holes went as much as the season at Rideau View had and he quickly went to using his 3 wood off the tee. Tim hits the 3 wood about 260 yards off the tee…nice. He is pretty accurate with that club and there’s not really a “miss” for him with that club, but, he either hits a little fade or little draw. Tim also took aim at the steeple, physically and he looked a little right of that when trying to visualize his ball flight. He was focused on a draw ball flight – that was his intention. He managed his game perfectly because with that aim/target – a fade would be perfect and a draw would be more perfect. He hit a draw.

Matt – Nothing like doing an analysis of yourself, is there? I hit a draw/hook almost always with my tee shot (and 12 other clubs in my bag) and I had the benefit of hearing Susan Cole, a long time Rideau View member who resides in St. Andrews say “You don’t want to go left of that steeple…You can go over the middle of that sign, I swear to God.” You’ll notice I look back and change my strategy on the fly. Quarterbacks call it an audible. If she says I can hit it over the middle of that sign…I can aim right of the middle. I physically aimed right of center (though it looks more severe because of the camera angle) and visualized a draw ball flight. If I hooked it extremely (my miss) I’d be fine…if I hit my draw which I had done mostly all day…I’d be better than fine. I hit the draw.

Now, hindsight’s 20/20 – I know that. But think about how you play Rideau View week in and week out – do you play it the same way everyday? Have you ever wondered why your playing partners say nothing when you describe what you were trying to do? Are you always in the same spot on the same hole? If you answer “yes” to any of those questions…become a better manager. If you are fortunate enough to be playing golf this upcoming week – think about your strengths and weaknesses – develop a game plan – and be prepared to manage on the fly. I think you’ll experience lower scores and you’ll have more FUN.