Playing Smart , livre ebook

Troubador Publishing Ltd - David Richards

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114 pages

English

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Amongst regular golfers of the same raw ability, some repeatedly out-perform others. These players consistently score better than the quality of their ball-striking, the accuracy of their short games and their putting skills. Why? These golfers are playing smart. They make better decisions and fewer mistakes than those with similar skills. They assess the challenge of each shot and reach sound conclusions. They prepare well and do everything possible to ensure a good outcome. They focus on reducing the number of shots per round. They use their minds to get ahead. Playing Smart explains what this means in practice. David Richards sets out the principles that smart golfers use to get an edge. He examines every area of the game: on the tee, from the fairway, in trouble, around the green, and on the putting surface. He shows how to analyse your play and single-out the non-swing related problems that repeatedly cost shots. He also discusses the key factors that contribute to accuracy and consistency, and explains how good preparation, 'routine', and a rational attitude all contribute to better and more enjoyable golf. Playing Smart offers something to players of every ability. All golfers will be able to see clearly how they measure up against a 'smart golfer'. Better standard players can check where there is still room for improvement. And beginners should be able to put sound principles in place at an early stage.

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Golf

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Publié par	Troubador Publishing Ltd
Date de parution	28 novembre 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781784628147
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0300€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

Playing Smart
Transform Your Golf Without Changing Your Swing
David Richards

Copyright © 2014 David Richards
www.playing-smart.com
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.
Matador ®
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Tel: (+44) 116 279 2299
Fax: (+44) 116 279 2277
Email: books@troubador.co.uk
Web: www.troubador.co.uk/matador
ISBN 978 1784628 147
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Matador ® is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd

Converted to eBook by EasyEPUB

***

I would like to thank the many golfers I have played golf with over the last 20 years who have inspired me to write this book. I have learned much by witnessing all manner of problems and observing smart play in its many forms.

I would also like to thank the people who encouraged me to write the book. I am particularly grateful to those who spent their time reading drafts and providing constructive comments. You know who you are and I thank you all.

***
Contents

Cover

FOREWORD by BARNEY PUTTICK

INTRODUCTION

OVERVIEW – THE SMART GOLFER

GROUND MATTERS

1. ON THE TEE

2. LIES

3. SLOPES

ACCURACY

4. DISTANCES

5. CLUB-YARDAGES

6. SHOT VARIATION

7. WIND AND ELEVATION

CONSISTENCY

8. AIM AND ALIGNMENT

9. SETUP AND POSTURE

DECISION MAKING

10. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

11. RISKY SHOTS

12. AGGRESSIVE OR CONSERVATIVE?

HANDLING TROUBLE

13. LOST BALL?

14. FAIRWAY BUNKERS

15. ROUGH AND TREES

16. NO PROBLEM

LONG GAME IMPROVEMENT

17. GOOD, AVERAGE OR POOR

18. PRIORITISE AND FOCUS

AROUND THE GREEN

19. PITCH SHOTS

20. CHIP SHOTS

21. LOB AND BUNKER SHOTS

22. SHORT GAME IMPROVEMENT

ON THE GREEN

23. THE PUTTING STROKE

24. PACE IS EVERYTHING

25. READ, AIM, PACE AND LINE

26. SHORT PUTTS

27. PUTTING MATTERS

THE BIGGER PICTURE

28. PREPARATION

29. ROUTINE

30. POSITIVE ATTITUDE

31. PLAYING THE GAME

CONCLUSION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE BOOK
FOREWORD by BARNEY PUTTICK

Senior Golf Professional and Fellow of the PGA

Over the years I’ve taught many people, from beginners to the elite golfers. In common with other teaching professionals, my typical clients mainly want to work on their full swings. Second to this come technical aspects of the short game, especially putting.
But very few ask about game management. This is despite the fact that ‘thinking your way around the golf course’ will for many be an obvious and immediate way of improving their scores.
I met David some years ago when he came to me for some help with his swing. During our sessions it struck me how knowledgeable he is about golf in general. He is what I would describe as ‘an observational golfer’, with an open and enquiring mind. He has witnessed literally thousands of rounds played by all manner of regular golfers, so he really understands the challenges that they face.
I was intrigued when he mentioned one day that he had started writing about golf, in particular about the non-swing related aspects that helped him to get his handicap down to single figures.
When he produced the manuscript I was immediately taken with it. I am well read on the subject of golf but cannot think of any other book that addresses the principles of good course and game management to this extent. It is obvious that many golfers could benefit from this.
He has managed to cover ‘the fundamentals of good golf’ in a practical and clear way, focusing on sound principles, whilst not being too prescriptive. The book also explains how to assess non swing-related weaknesses in the long and short game, and gives sound suggestions about how to go about improvement.
One thing that comes through in the book is that David really knows his subject. Traditional golf book authors tend to be golf coaches who spend the majority of their time at the driving range. Compared to this, he has far more experience of the problems that average golfers face on the course.
David also has a way of bringing out the key points that make the most difference to a golfer’s play. It is clear that he has an analytical and insightful mind.
I was delighted when he asked me to write a foreword for this book, and I’m only too pleased to do so. I have no doubt that the vast majority of golfers will, in some way, find this a useful read. And I fully expect many to get their handicaps down as a result.
Barney Puttick
Senior Golf Professional
Fellow of the PGA
INTRODUCTION

The game of golf is captivating. Once you are taken in there is no escape. It offers the promise of great rounds, fantastic shots, pressure-putts and glorious victories. But it also frustrates in equal measure. It’s in the nature of the game that, on average, our scores and individual shots are never quite what we want them to be.
This creates the desire to improve. Or at an absolute minimum to maintain our current standard of play, and certainly to arrest any possible decline. Hence a good proportion of golfers can be seen at the driving range. The default response to the desire to improve seems to be to hit more balls in the hope of grooving a better swing.
Other golfers frequently change their equipment in the belief that they will play better. The golf industry’s product marketing machine is formidable. It gives us hope that there is a longer and more forgiving driver or set of irons out there; we just need to buy them.
Some players look for expertise and turn to golf professionals for help. Typical requests are to improve my swing , be more consistent , stop slicing or get more distance . Many try self-improvement and read books, watch DVDs or study video clips.
Serious players know that the short game and putting are where a good proportion of shots are lost and gained. They can be seen practising, chipping from the fringe, or stroking putts to and from the flags on the practice putting green.
These approaches can help, but improvements are often short-lived, or there comes a point where progress halts. More practice, lessons, new equipment or reading has no further effect. A natural limit is reached based on the golfer’s fundamental ability to strike the ball, and chip and putt.
Yet amongst players of the same raw ability, some repeatedly out-perform others. These golfers consistently score better than the quality of their ball striking, the accuracy of their short games, and their putting skills. How can this be? What is it that they do or know that others don’t?
These golfers are playing smart . They make better decisions and fewer mistakes than those with similar skills. They assess the challenge of each shot rationally and reach sound conclusions. They prepare well and do everything possible to ensure a good outcome. They use their minds to get ahead.
Little has been written about this. The majority of self-help books concentrate on the full swing. ‘How to use your existing skills to score better’ is generally only mentioned as an afterthought, if at all. Yet nearly every golfer I know wants to do the best he can with what he’s got .
I wrote this book to fill this gap. In every area of the game I describe a set of principles that ‘smart golfers’ repeatedly use to get the edge over other players. I also explain how a golfer might analyse his game to properly identify the non-swing related problems that repeatedly cost shots.
The book is suitable for the vast majority of golfers. If you are a competent player, it should help you to score better. If you already play to a good standard, it should provide a means to highlight where you still have room for improvement. If you are a beginner, then you could stand to gain even more.
Incorporating the principles in this book should help to accelerate your journey to better golf, whatever your starting point.
At a minimum, this book provides a checklist of ‘good practice’. At a maximum, the approaches suggested could make a real difference to your ability to score well.
I hope it will provide you with a means to transform your game. Read on and let’s see.
OVERVIEW – THE SMART GOLFER

On the tee the smart golfer considers the angles and finds a good spot to play from. He works out the best line of play and appreciates that a drive is ‘just another layup’. He also makes a point of aiming well.
When playing from the fairway or from the first cut of rough he routinely examines lies and slopes. He knows that these can restrict what is possible, reduce accuracy, and might require a modified shot or change of target.
When the smart golfer needs to compromise, he does so unhesitatingly. He has a favourite layup distance from which he is usually very accurate, not least because he practises this yardage as a matter of course.
He calculates distances easily and well, allowing for wind and elevation. He knows how far he hits the ball with each club in his bag and is realistic about this. His well-struck approach shots are therefore nearly always ‘pin-high’ or thereabouts. He also consistently makes the right club and shot selections when playing to uphill and downhill greens.
The smart golfer appreciates that from 100 yards and in, being able to hit the ball the right distance is cr