What a Master's - wow! I've been watching The Masters for more years than I want to count but this one takes the cake for excellence.  Think about it: right though the final group and last hole any one of several players had a legitimate chance to win; the golf was outstanding, dramatic, and highly competitive; course conditions were perfect - and Tiger finally made a charge. In the final analysis, however, as is so often the case, winning came down to putting... just ask Tiger.

Drive For Show & Putt For Dough: The players were the best in the world and generally had little trouble from tee to green. However putting was a different story. The greens at Augusta are unlike any other the touring pros encounter during the year because of the complexity of their slopes and high rates of speed.

Regardless of practice rounds, the pin placement is changed daily and most importantly, even these great golfers cannot stop their approach shots exactly where they want to every time. This places great emphasis on their short game around the green and assures some difficult putts throughout the tournament. Fortunately for viewers, we were treated to some remarkable chips and putts being executed - only as a result of years of practice developing touch around and on the greens.

The Approach Shot: While the pin placements are different each day the players know the various distances their approach shots must fly to certain areas on the greens from information gathered by lasers during practice rounds. This critical information minimizes the chances of hitting the wrong club into the green and having a very long putt. However, the player must still strike the ball solidly and land it in the target area close to the pin to ensure at least a two putt.

Lower Your Scores: I'm not an "I told you so" kind of guy... but if poor approaches, chipping, and putting are adding strokes to your game a review of my past Newsletters that address these important components would surely help. They have been discussed in depth including tips and drills for improving each and consequently, lowering your score.

Here I go again... but, various types and brands of lasers have also been  discussed at length in previous Newsletter and a review of that topic might also be worthwhile. Please remember this: using a laser to determine distance to the pin will be meaningless if you don't know which club to use for that specific distance.

My Guarantee:  If you review the foregoing information in my Newsletters, implements the associated tips and drills, and practice them your scores will soon get lower.

Super Guarantee:  Spend time with me on the practice greens and range so we can address these issues together to accelerate your progress and have you on the path to better, more enjoyable golf and lower scores. 

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