Harrington putting at Augusta
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Most of the world's top players are in Florida this week sharpening their game in preparation for the US Masters at Augusta National which starts on April 2.
The WGC invitational event, at Doral's Blue Monster course, has attracted a star-studded field including Wilson Staff's Padraig Harrington and Anthony Wall.
The US Masters also coincides with Wilson Staff's Di7 Challenge, which starts on Thursday April 2 in the UK with a series of demo days, offering the chance for golfers to compare the new Wilson Staff Di7 irons with their current clubs.
We thought it a neat idea to list a few golfing short cuts which Golfmagic visitors may like to try in preparation for their new season, which traditionally starts when TV cameras focus on Augusta.
1. The eyes have it
Sort out your best putting position by taking your natural stance and dropping a ball from between your eyebrows onto the putting surface. Mark the spot where it lands, place a coin behind it and concentrate on the position of that coin (rather than the ball) every time you putt. It will help you make a positive up stroke.
2. Square the shoulders
We all know that we try to keep our shoulders, hips, knees and toes parallel to our target line at address. But as a right-hander, placing our left hand on the grip as we take our stance for a tee shot or mid-iron approach, then adding your right ,almost automatically tends to move our trailing or right shoulder closer to the ball line and the lead shoulder away from the line.
Try it now while sitting at your computer. Extend your lead arm take your imaginary grip, add your other hand and feel the shoulders move.
Ball drop technique
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It's even more pronounced with a club in your hand at address and the longer the club the more open your shoulders become. Result: a tendency to slice.
So consider adjusting your shoulders and posture back to parallel to the target, AFTER you've taken your grip.
3. Introduce the Texas wedge
Never be too proud to putt from off the green. Just because the pros play exquisite chips from the fringe or short of the green, don't think it's easy.
After all they spend hours a day practising.
Even a slightly miss-timed putt from off the green will get you closer to the hole than a miss-hit chip, so until you've built some confidence as the season progresses, go for the 'Texas wedge' and when conditions allow, use your putter from off the green.
4. Accelerate your pitching
The reason for many of us hitting our pitches badly is lack of confidence. We tend to ease up on the downswing and inadvertently try to scoop the ball into the air, often flipping with our right hand.
Practice accelerating through the shot (think about 'the late hit') even on short shots. Also develop more confidence by using the same club and merely adjusting the loft.
5. Only practice with a purpose
Don't practice for the sake of it, if you don't feel like it on a particular day. It probably won't do you any good if you're not in the mood.
Practice with a purpose
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However, when you do, concentrate on building a rhythm from the wedges through to the mid-iron rather than just diving in and lashing with your driver.
6. Hard pan; firm wrists
Chipping from a firm, bare lie - known as hard pan - is one of the trickiest shots in golf for amateurs. And though it's a shot unlikely to be played at Augusta, it's inevitable on the UK's fast-drying courses after a wet winter.
Play the ball back in your stance, keep the head still and make a firm, brisk stroke that collects the ball and throws it on to the green. Don't let the clubhead overtake the hands and keep your wrist action firm and unbroken. When you thin the ball it's because there's too much hand action.
7. Don't get short-sided
It's amazing how so many of us see a hazard - a bunker beside a green, for example - and are drawn to it. No matter how many times we convince ourselves we're not going there, we end up in the sand!
Imagine your dispersal pattern for a short iron on the range (30-40 feet wide, perhaps?). More than enough room to fit most of them on to a green. Some shots will finish close, others wide but at least you're left with a putt.
If the flagstick errs towards a bunker, aim away from it to the middle of the green. Don't 'short side' yourself.
8. Judging the wind
Don't wait until the last minute to check the wind direction.
Top players check it out on the range and then mark each hole on their course planner accordingly. As part of their pre-shot preparation they will immediately know which way it's blowing in advance without having to make last minute adjustments.
On tree-lined courses at this time of year where the wind can swirl, advance knowledge can be a real help.
9. Focus on the positives
Most amateurs stand on the tee and think to themselves 'I DON'T want to go there or there.' Professionals however, consider 'where DO I want to hit it?'
There's a huge difference and if more club golfers could focus on where they want to hit it, rather than where they don't, they would get better results.
10. Watch and learn
The US Masters is a great event to watch and learn. You may never get to play the course but remember that if anywhere, this is the place where even the pros get nervous.
Watch how they cope by retaining their rhythm, their focus on every shot their lightness of touch with their putting.
If you're off to a demo in the next few weeks, make the most of it with our tips and don't forget to take you own clubs along if there's a
Wilson Staff Di7 Challenge near you.
Wilson Di7 Challenge dates
April 2: Silvermere Golf Club, Surrey (5-8.30pm); April 3: American Golf Top Golf Centre, Addlestone, Surrey (5-9); April 4: Chipping Sodbury GC, Bristol (3-7); April 5: Portsmouth Golf Centre, Burfields Road, Portsmouth (3-7); April 7: Sandown Park GC, Esher, Surrey (10-6); April 10: Rayleigh Golf Range, Essex. (3-7); April 11: Wexham Park Golf Centre, Berkshire (3-7); April 12: Garforth Golf Range, Leeds, Yorkshire (4-8); American Golf Drivetime Range, Warrington(4-8); April 14: American Golf Playgolf Range, Trafford Park, Manchester (11-3); April 15: Heysham Golf Club, Morecambe, Lancs (10-3); April 16: True Fit Golf Centre, Cuerdley, Lanc. (4-8); April 17: Gary Mitchell Clydeway Range, Uddingston, Glasgow (3-7); April 18: Playfair Golf, Motehill, Glasgow (3-7); April 19: The Belfry Golf Centre, Wishaw, Warwickshire (3-8).
