I’m playing in my first-ever Pro Am. Here’s how I’m preparing my golf game

In my 27 years round this sport, I’ve but to play in a aggressive match — till this upcoming Monday, after I’ll be taking part in my first-ever golf Pro Am.

There are nerves, pleasure and nonetheless quite a lot of work to do to completely put together, however I’m slowly getting my thoughts proper for the problem forward.

After all, I’ve seen the movies of different gamers at Pro Ams — and absolutely don’t wish to go viral for all of the improper causes.

Now I’m positive a lot of you’re considering how the hell I could be GOLF’s Instruction Editor and have by no means performed in a golf match, however, hey, right here I’m. Like a lot of you, I’ve all the time simply performed the game for enjoyable — so the stakes get a bit larger come Monday.

I’m attempting to keep away from occupied with the strain and the eyeballs, particularly since my teammate is Ryan Young, a top-notch golf trainer at Chambers Bay (web site of the 2015 U.S. Open).

I’ll be leaning on Ryan as a lot as attainable, absorbing all types of educational ideas all through the spherical. The excellent news? Each of it is best to profit, as I’ll be sharing BTS photographs and movies on each Instagram and YouTube of particular photographs that Young provides recommendations on through the Pro Am.

In the meantime, I’m attempting to only management what I can — all in hopes of avoiding embarrassment. So have a look under on the six issues I’m doing to prepare for this golf Pro Am; they could allow you to play your greatest subsequent time you tee it up!

Drills to sq. the clubface

I’ve been a piece in progress all summer season lengthy — which I’ve detailed in different Shaving Strokes items — with most of my efforts specializing in each setup and rotation.

After a current lesson with GOLF Top 100 Teacher Brian Mogg, he helped me perceive that these points are correlating with my open clubface, which is inflicting the ball to slice.

Says Mogg, “with your driver, you’re way too close to the ball and erect with your spine. So you’re standing upright, and when you go into your backswing, you fall into the ball a little bit — which will open up the clubface all day long.”

To assist me appropriate this, Mogg had me again away from the ball by about three inches, drop my fingers to about mid-zipper on my shorts, rotate my left forearm inward in direction of me, after which soften up my proper elbow (virtually permitting it to relaxation on my again hip).

By making these changes, I’ve been capable of sq. the clubface by means of my complete backswing till influence, resulting in rather more stable (and longer) photographs.

Short putts

The distinction between simply playing nicely in my first-ever golf Pro Am and truly competing in it would come right down to placing.

While I’ll not be capable of hit each fairway off the tee or the vast majority of greens in regulation with my strategy photographs, if I’m capable of shave just a few strokes off putts inside 3-5 toes, I can provide Young and I a possibility to attain low.

To assist me observe on these 3-footers (execs make about 98% of putts from that vary), Young has me doing a enjoyable drill to hone in my placing stroke.

Setting up 9 golf balls from a 3-foot radius across the gap, I’m shifting across the horn attempting to make all 9 with out lacking. If I miss only one, I’ve to start out your entire course of over.

While the drill appears intense; that’s the purpose!

The sole objective is to lock in mentally and keep centered, preserving with the identical routine earlier than every shot — so it’s not a pace drill, it’s a precision drill.

If I could make about 75% of my putts inside 3-feet through the Pro Am, I’ll be happy with myself. But the observe is the place I’ll discover my rhythm and routine.

Using coaching aids

I get despatched golf coaching aids on a regular basis, and I’ve by no means actually been one to benefit from such a hook up — till not too long ago.

While it could actually really feel a bit humorous to go to the driving vary with a few of these merchandise, I’ve discovered to recover from it and put them to good use — no matter a few of the humorous seems to be I get after I present up.

There are two particular coaching aids which have actually helped me throughout my Pro Am prep.

The first is this putting mirror. Not solely is it the identical support that helped Brian Harman run away from the sphere to win this yr’s Open Championship, but it surely’s additionally like having a coach proper there on the inexperienced with you, reminding you to align over the ball and to maintain the face sq..

Another coaching support that’s been actually useful in my prep is the KZN GPS Shot Tracker from Game Golf.

I’ve written about this product in the previous, however after utilizing it in a bunch of rounds since, I stand by it much more!

Essentially, the KZN Shot Tracker has allowed me to actually get to know every one in all my golf equipment. Instead of ballparking what membership to make use of from a sure distance, it exhibits me chilly arduous information, permitting me to make an informed resolution off of my tendencies; not only a guess.

Since it tracks each swing — from the driving vary to rounds with heavy wind that will influence ball flight — it’s an ideal coaching support to study a helluva lot about your self as a golfer.

Chiropractic care

I’ve had a cranky proper elbow for the previous few months, and whereas there’s no actual analysis for it fairly but, early indications are that it might be tendinitis, per my physician.

While that’s an even bigger problem in and of itself, it’s clearly one thing that has been impacting my golf game.

It’s a part of the explanation why I’ve began chiropractic care over the previous three weeks.

The ache is intense throughout sure actions (one in all which is swinging a golf membership), so my chiropractor is adjusting my backbone and neck to take some strain off these nerves that run down my arm.

So as an alternative of feeling fatigued (and sore) after about 13 holes — inflicting me to get lazy with my swing to lower the painful sensation — I’m proactively taking good care of myself.

I’ve all the time been one to give attention to restoration; as I’ve been a protracted distance runner for about 20 years now. But I had by no means actually labored on preventative care till now, with the chiropractic care serving to me strengthen all elements of my physique.

Not solely am I getting stronger in my again, shoulders, wrists and neck, however I’m rising my capacity to rotate — permitting for extra energy as I come by means of my golf swing.

With diminished ache, I’m capable of give attention to my golf game and never the harm, which, hopefully, will permit me to face up to the bodily and emotional toll of playing aggressive golf in Monday’s Pro Am.

Tom Brady as soon as said that chiropractic care helps him “feel like I’m one step ahead of the game.” So if it’s ok for the GOAT to endorse, it’s one thing I figured I might attempt for myself as nicely — and the advantages have already been constructive.

Chip photographs from across the inexperienced

Throughout the summer season, I’ve experimented utilizing each my 60-degree and my pitching wedge whereas chipping. The former is far more durable to hit with precision (for me anyway), however the latter is producing good outcomes through the use of the previous bump and run technique.

When doing this, I merely open the face, choke up on the grip — which helps restrict the rotation of my backswing and comply with by means of — and use the bounce of the membership to place some good spin on the ball.

One of the issues I had been battling not too long ago is chunking the ball from this space; no matter which membership I selected.

To assist appropriate the difficulty, Young discovered a evident cause why it was taking place — I felt like I used to be placing my weight ahead, however I used to be truly counteracting the transfer by preserving my head again with my eyes over the ball.

This video is an efficient instance of my former setup, and Young acknowledging the issue.

As the video exhibits, by merely correcting one easy setup place (leaning again over the ball), I used to be in a position to make use of the bounce because it’s supposed for use. This resulted in the 2 photographs in my Instagram publish coming inside a foot of the opening.

Studying the course

An enormous piece of psychological recommendation I not too long ago acquired got here from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Scott Munroe.

When talking with him about my operating habits, he requested me the next.

“You’re a big runner, right? What do you do to prepare for a race? What music do you listen to? How do you breathe? Do you feel more comfortable running a route you know versus one that you’re doing for the first time?”

When I answered his questions — which concerned my admission that I take heed to classical music whereas operating to calm my respiratory and take my focus off of my tempo — he abruptly stated, “we need to get your mind to the same place on the golf course, bud.”

That’s why I’m finding out the course that’s internet hosting my first-ever golf Pro Am.

From seeing the course structure to understanding yardages, I’m making notes about what holes have obstacles like bunkers or ponds, and which golf equipment I’ll want to make use of on every.

Most amateurs most likely wouldn’t care this a lot. But I do know myself too nicely, and I do know if I’m uncomfortable and unprepared, these nerves might get the most effective of me early on.

By placing collectively a game plan, I’ll know what’s forward of me and gained’t be stunned in the second — which can launch pressure and simply permit me to hit my shot through the occasion.

All of our market picks are independently chosen and curated by the editorial group.
If you purchase a linked product,
GOLF.COM might earn a price. Pricing might fluctuate.

Alignment Ball

$39.99

Close to twenty toes of retractable cable! The Alignment Ball will allow you to work on begin line simply and rapidly on the placing inexperienced. Built in spokes make setup simple and environment friendly.

BUY IT HERE

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor