Grove Life | Winter 2021

Player’s Corner Dan Pendola, Head Golf Professional

WGA 3-Lady Choker Tuesday, January 5 WGA Charity Scramble Tuesday, January 14 WGA Individual Criss Cross Tuesday, January 19 WGA 1 BB of 3 Tuesday, January 26 WGA Individual Quota Tuesday, February 2 MGA Plantation Partners February 5 & 6 WGA Color War Tuesday, February 9 WGA Valentine Scramble Tuesday, February 16 WGA Member Guest Thursday, February 25 MGA 2-Man Stableford February 26 & 27 WGA President’s Cup Tuesday, March 2 League Events

I n this edition of Player’s Corner, we will discuss the importance of putting and share useful insights. In Gary Player’s Black Book, he reveals the secret to putting. He mentions different putting styles such as how Jack Nicklaus would crouch over the ball and use more of a jabbing stroke. He also talks about Tiger Woods’ dominance in 2000-- it was not only his distance off the tee, but he made virtually every putt he needed to during that great stretch. Mr. Player also goes on to speak about Jordan Spieth and his amazing year in 2015 as well as what he learned from Bobby Locke and his influence on Mr. Player. Bobby Locke’s influence on Mr. Player’s approach to putting is contradictory to what most people think today. His philosophy was that it was always better to leave a putt a little bit short than to run the putt past the hole. Normally, people are shocked at this statement because we are always told “never up, never in.” He then goes on to explain that he has never seen a putt that goes past the hole, go in either. The point Mr. Locke makes with this philosophy is that if your speed is just right, the ball has a better chance at going in where he calls the “front door and two side doors.” The idea behind this philosophy is that the hole, in essence, plays larger than if a putt is struck too firm. If a putt is struck firm, it needs to go in right in the center of the hole. The ball has more of a chance to fall in if your speed is just right. This is achieved by honing in your speed control on the practice putting green. Speed is the most important aspect of putting. Choosing the right line comes second, but they do work hand in hand. Personally, I use this approach to putting as well. My feel for the speed of the putt dictates the amount of break I account for when choosing my line. I tend to play more break because of this. The ball will have a better chance of going in if I play more break than less break. If you play less break and the putt misses below the hole, then it has no chance of going in. On a fast green, the ball can end up moving farther and farther from the hole. In order to help you work on your speed control, try the following drill. Practice putting using three balls. 1. Hit three putts from five feet in this order. The first ball should go right in the center of the hole. If you do miss on either side, the ball should end up no more than a couple inches past the hole. 2. The second ball should fall in a bit slower. For the final ball, try to have it fall in on its last revolution.

WGA Nassau Tuesday, March 9

After you complete the five-footer move back to ten feet and then fifteen feet and repeat the drill. Practicing this drill will ensure that, when done correctly, you will always end up very close to the hole and avoid three putting. I hope this helps, and as always feel free to reach out for a putting lesson if you feel this part of your game could use some help.

WGA Step Aside Tuesday, March 16 WGA Sadie Hawkins Tuesday, March 23 WGA 5 Club Challenge Tuesday, March 30

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