A course that does take some adjusting to, Le Tousserok, Mauritius

Travelling golfers tips

By Premium Golf Consultant, Jim Christine

The travelling golfer has a number of issues to deal with before embarking on their journey. Depending on your standard of play, whether your trip is purely recreational or you are going to play in a more serious event, you will have to consider your equipment. At the very least you are going to have to make sure you can transport your clubs safely and that you are not going to be in line for an, unexpected, excess baggage charge!

A lot depends on what equipment you currently have, how good it is…..be honest(!?) and how much golf you play. If your equipment is reasonably up to date and you play regularly, then it makes sense to take it with you. If, on the other hand, it’s a bit long in the tooth, the grips are a bit dodgy (you meant to have them re-gripped, but now you haven’t got time!) and there are one or two clubs missing that you have misplaced over time, then consider hiring some at you destination. Get your travel company to check what’s available before you set off, hiring just might be your best bet!?

Let’s see if we can help you make some good decisions both on and off the course.

Tee Shots

Tee shots sometimes need to carry the ball as far as possible, sometimes need to stay low and run further down the fairway. If the course is well watered, destinations like the USA or South Africa, you need maximum carry; the ball just will not roll. Some players would maximise their distance from the tee by playing with their three wood.

If the conditions are windy and the fairways are running, links land……… this requires a different strategy. Angle of approach is the key, we want to keep the angle your club is approaching the ball on as shallow as possible. Tee the ball up not down! Play the ball a little further forward in your stance and try to sweep the ball of the top of the tee leaving the tee in the ground. Unless there is a long carry to the fairway, a half topped shot can work wonders!!

Approach Shots

These are the shots that have a green waiting at the other end. What is that green like? Is it a plateau well guarded by cavernous bunkers? Is there long grass just short of the putting surface? Are the greens firm or receptive? Do you need to fly the ball high all the way onto the green and have it stop or can you run it in between the well positioned, front bunkers.

Trajectory is king, and, largely, this is controlled by the club you are using, mainly its loft, but also the head design and once again your angle of approach. For most players, hybrids are the best choice for high flying approach shots. To fly the ball into a green and make it stop reasonably quickly with a three iron is beyond the scope of all but the very skilled, strong ball strikers. Unless you are going to be playing in very windy conditions, these are the clubs for you. In general continue with the shallow angle of approach, don’t let the ball position creep too far back in your stance. If you do have to play in the wind, don’t fight it. Take plenty of club, maybe a couple of clubs longer than you would normally need for the distance, play the ball a little further back in your stance, but above all keep your swing rhythm smooth and think of hitting the ball a little less hard than normal. This will keep the trajectory lower for you, much better than battling against the elements; that’s a fight that you will never win!

Short Game

Let’s talk lie this time. Is the ball sitting on top of some long, lush grass, or right at the bottom of it? Is the lie tight on those fine, links grasses?

On top of that lush grass once again you must keep your angle of approach shallow. If it becomes too steep you risk going right under the ball without moving it at all. However, if it’s lying deep in the grass you must make your angle of approach steeper. Move the ball position back, just behind the centre of your stance should do it, keep your weight a little more on your front foot than normal and make sure you accelerate the club through the impact zone. Keep your swing going as best as you can, disaster awaits if you don’t commit to this shot.

A tight lie strikes fear into the heart of those not used to playing shots of this type. Be strong, commit to the shot and remember it is not your job to get the ball into the air. Let me explain. If I gave you your putter and asked you to produce a golf shot that flew into the air, you’d think I’d lost the plot! Unless I gave you a tee, which, if high enough, would allow you to make an upward strike on the ball, or you employed a scooping action, illegal by the way, there is no way you can do this. See what I mean? It’s the club’s job to get the ball into the air, not yours!! Choose the club that will give you the trajectory you want, play the ball just forward of centre in your stance and go for it. Commitment to accelerate through impact and follow through will win the day.

Putting

First and foremost putting is all about pace, rolling the ball the correct distance because pace also affects the line. Make good use of the practice putting green. Yes I know, they are not always the same pace as the greens on the course, but it’s the best you’ve got. Don’t make the mistake of putting the same putt over and over again; you won’t get a second chance on the course! Play as many different putts as you can, different lengths, uphill, downhill, short and long. You’re programming your brain to the pace of the surfaces you are about to play on. When you’re out there on the course trust your brain to come up with the appropriate amount of power to reach the hole, it’s judging distance automatically for you every day of your life in almost everything you do. It’s one of the best computers on earth!

Well, what do you think, does your equipment fit the bill? If you don’t have the clubs you think you need do consider hiring. If your destination has a well equipped Professional’s Shop they will almost certainly have some hire sets and also some trial clubs for you to have a go with. You just might find that wonder club we’re all looking for!!!! Happy Golfing

Biography

Jim Christine, one of the few men to be awardedthe status of Master Professional within the PGA, Jim has been a top level coach for over 25 years and his experience has helped his role as Head of Swing at the PGA training academy. Here he has been responsible for introducing the latest knowledge and thinking on the game into the programme. Jim has long been a member of the Ryder Cup committee and is a regular contributor to Golf International magazine.

To book a lesson or find out more call 01483 487664.