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 INSTRUCTION ARTICLES 21 / 07 / 03
 

Learn from the Links


Keep hands ahead through impact like Robert Allenby.

Over a few days of practice, Open champion Ben Curtis learned a lot - and quickly - about links golf.

Here's some of the tips we can learn from his success when playing seaside courses in similar condition to Royal St George's…

*Off the tee, unless totally confident with driver, use 3-wood or long iron for accuracy.

*Stay patient if you get a bad bounce - the good ones will even up over the round.

*From the rough and from fairway bunkers with steep rivetted faces, get the ball back into play to the nearest point available.

*From the fairway and semi-rough avoid attacking the pins. Aim for the centre of the green.

*From fluffy lies expect 'a flier' so club down (more loft) to allow for extra distance in flight.

*Keep your hands ahead through impact to keep the ball low into the wind and when it blows from the side.

*From off the green use straighter faced clubs - don't try to get cute with wedges. Get the ball running with an 8-iron, using a putting grip.

*In bunkers, dig deep with a wedge to ensure you get the ball out. Take your punishment. Too much finesse can leave the ball in there or see it roll back in.

*On the greens lag it to the hole for safety - two putts are good. The occasional lag will often drop in.

*Finally keep your head, don't get frustrated. Links golf is not meant to be easy but will give back as many surprises as it takes away if you retain your patience.

If you have any tips that work for you on links courses, tell us on the forum.


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