Pre-shot routine revisited

I last wrote about this when Lucas Glover won the US Open [16 Seconds to Victory] but Ian Baker-Finch smartly brought it up in his 2nd round commentary of the John Deere Classic when he remarked about the consistency of Steve Stricker's routine.  Some years ago I had the great pleasure of spending a few days at the Kohler resort (Whistling Straits +) in the excellent company of Ian - I guess I once did get invited somewhere...  At dinner one night we got Ian talking about his British Open win and I specifically asked how he handled the tremendous pressure of playing the back 9 with a slim lead.  He acknowledged the intense pressure and said that he dealt with it by relying totally on his routine.  I remember vividly how he went into a mini-trance recalling exactly what he did as he approached every shot, right down to the "...Ok set, one waggle and GO!" almost knocking over a glass of wine.  We should all learn from this and practice our routines whenever we practice - it's that important.

I put Steve Stricker on the clock this week and he consistently took 15 seconds to strike the ball from the time he stepped forward from his position behind the ball.  When I put Tiger on the clock in the 2007 PGA, his routine was a speedy 10 seconds.  The difference, Steve includes a practice swing EVERY TIME, Tiger did not.   Let me be clear about exactly what I count as the pre-shot routine.  All the decisions have been made, the club and shot selected and visualized.  What I time is when the player stands behind the ball facing the target.  I start the watch when he moves forward from that position to begin his setup and I stop the watch when the shot is struck.  In other words, it is not the thinking or decision making part, it is strictly the execution of the planned shot.

I see so many amateurs that take two and three practice swings before every shot.  There should be a legal limit of ONE.  But bottom line consistency is the key to a winning routine - at every level of play.  Coaches and instructors should be helping their students develop an effective and efficient pre-shot routine.  It should serve to get them set up for a successful shot and occupy their conscious minds with positive, process oriented keys.  Finally, it should be quick - no need for more than 15 seconds but 10 is even better.  Don't hesitate to put your students on the clock.       

So Sorry Patrick Cantlay but Blame the Tour - Again!

As Monday was a fairly major holiday, I had other, more important, things to do than capture the  weekend's AT&T data from ShotLink.  I felt secure in putting this off until Tuesday because the data is generally available until Wednesday morning.  Not this week!  It vanished as of Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.  So sorry Patrick, I cannot add these rounds to the account that I set up for you as promised.  I will also miss Nick Watney's winning rounds and the analysis thereof.  How about a story instead?

I finally got invited somewhere and had the pleasure of partnering with an good friend for the first time in his Member/Guest event at the Townsend Ridge CC in Townsend, MA.  To add to the experience, my thoughtful host had his close friend invite my side-kick and VP Sales, Tommy (AKA "Mini-Pete").  I have been fortunate enough to play in my share of these events but this one was unique in so many ways.  First, the format was Ryder Cup-style where the field was divided into two teams.  For the first 27 holes, my partner and I played three 9-hole matches against 2-man teams from the other squad.  First,  a full scramble, next Pinehurst (both drive, alternate from the best into the hole) and finally, best ball.  The final 18 holes was a straight up, one-on-one match play and, of all people, I had to play against Tommy - NOT FAIR!
    

Other unique features: 

1.  At 5,814 (White tees) the course is a bit shorter than Tom and I are used to, but by no means easy.  It is the most narrow course that I have ever attempted to navigate.  I actually think they could mow the fairways with two or three passes of a hand mower.  

2.  The Head Professional and his 1st Assistant not only ran the event but  THEY ALSO HAD GUESTS AND PLAYED.  I was thoroughly confused to see contestants asking other contestants for explanations of how the rules worked until I finally figured it out - albeit, not until late the first day.  My hat goes off to Derick Fors (GM/Head Pro.) for how smoothly he pulled off this unusual feat.  It was clear that he has earned the respect and admiration of his members to be able to so easily tread on both sides of this line.  

3.  To follow on #2, the members, and their predominantly local guests, all seemed to share the right attitude - a celebration of good competition but better friendship.  Tommy and I were readily accepted and made to feel at home - I think Tom may have joined. 

Great job Townsend Ridge!  If it is up to me, I'LL BE BACK!       

Why Don't Americans Win?

My great friend Bruce, and 30+ year Member/Guest partner, had the treat of playing in a ProAm with Padraig Harrington - I never get invited ANYWHERE!  First, Bruce reported that Padraig could not have been more fun, but I have no doubt that Padraig said the same to his friends about Bruce.  When the topic was raised of why there are so few Americans in the Top-20 and why Europe dominates the majors, Padraig's response was interesting.  In short, he blames the overwhelming money on the PGA Tour.  The best US players go directly from college to the PGA Tour, and learn to survive  - but not to WIN - on Tour.  By contrast, on the far less lucrative European Tour (or Asian Tour) players must contend and win in order to make big money.  Padraig also suggests that this explains the lack of success the US is having in the Ryder Cup.  Makes sense to me!

Patrick Cantlay is having a pretty good summer!  

If you watched the US Open and/or the Traveler's, Patrick's travels were frequently discussed.  From the Palmer Cup at The Stanwich Club, Greenwich, CT (my home course!), on to the US Open at Congressional where Patrick not only took the Low Amateur honors but contended (T21).  Next, back to CT and TPC River Highlands where he posted 67/60 to hold the lead after the 2nd round.  This week he is on to Aronimink GC in PA for the AT & T.  WHEW!

Back to Padraig's point, as an amateur Patrick passed up $46,425 for his T24 finish in the Traveler's.  Out of curiosity, I checked the European Tour's BMW Championship in Germany this week and the money is slightly less than half.  24th place paid $27,832 (I did the Euro conversion to $).  The BMW winner made $473,000 vs. $1,080,000 at the Travelers.

What does Patrick need to do to win?  

Simply stated, he must avoid errors off the tee and improve his putting.  While Patrick's long game was excellent (13.5 GIR's), he incurred two penalties off the tee.  Our winner's profile incurs one of these tee shot penalties only once in every 10 rounds.

As the ShotByShot.com %1-Putt graphic above shows, Patrick needs to increase these numbers, especially in the important ranges inside 10 feet.  The Tour's new Strokes Gained stat supports this as Patrick ranked 33rd with .46 strokes gained on the field.  The five winners that I have tracked since this stat was launched have averaged 1.27 strokes gained and Fredrik Jacobson blew the Traveler's field away by gaining 2.25 strokes.

Finally, Patrick, if you see this I have set up an account for you on ShotByShot.com and will try to add your AT&T rounds to get you started.  If you contact me, you may continue to use the program with my compliments.        

Is Harrison Frazar simply a "Blind Squirrel?"

There was not much star power to this week's FedEx St. Jude Classic.  No doubt THEY were all getting better acquainted with the rough at Congressional.  That said, I found Harrison Frazar's story compelling, and was delighted to see him prevail.  Until this week, he had competed in 381 professional events (27 Nationwide/Nike, 354 PGA Tour) with only one Nike Tour win to show for it.  But how bad was it?  Since earning his Tour card in 1996, Harrison had earned over 9 million dollars - over $650,000 per year - for playing golf!  Sign me up - I'll take that job!  Oh, and add $1,142,053 for this week's work.

What happened this week?

Harrison's key stats jumped dramatically this week to vault him into the winner's circle.  To illustrate, I will cite his YTD Average and (Ranking) vs. his performance This week % (Ranking):

GIR's:  60% (178)  vs.  69% (8)

Scrambling:  57% (140)  vs.  82% (1).  [He saved 18 of 22 opportunities.]

Putting - Strokes Gained:  .18 (111)  vs.  1.39 (7)  

In my opinion, the rankings suffer from serious inflation as one retreats from the top level players; however, they do illustrate that Harrison had well over 100 players on Tour that were doing these important things better than he has been - that is, UNTIL THIS WEEK.  Golf is such a confidence game that, having put it all together and finally won, his new confidence may carry him to great heights.  Or, he may have finally stumbled upon that all-elusive acorn.  It will be interesting to see which way he goes.  

Muirfield's Front 9 Must be EASY?

In four rounds, Steve Stricker was 24 strokes lower on the front 9 than he was on the back!  If the opening track is not much easier, perhaps he needs an energy bar or a beer at the turn?

A brief story about my tour around Muirfield Village

Actually, the 9's are not anywhere near that different.  I have walked, no ran them.  Years ago, I was asked to provide our unique ShotByShot.com analysis for the marquee group in the Wednesday, Pro Am prior to the Memorial.  The Group: Jack, the CEO of the named sponsor, and two prominent clients.  Realizing that it would be inappropriate to expect this group to learn our system and record data during what could be the most pressure-packed round of three of their golfing lives, I agreed to walk with the group and record the data myself.  What could be more fun -  walk 18 holes with Jack Nicklaus???  NOT EXACTLY, as the gods or the PGA Tour was not on my side - they would not allow me inside the ropes.  Believing that a commitment is a commitment, I agreed to accomplish my task from the OUTSIDE looking in.  It proved to be one of the most difficult feats I have ever undertaken.

During Saturday's telecast Ian Baker-Finch mentioned that the course featured water hazards on 13 holes.  I can confirm this because I jumped over or trudged through all 13.  Further, most meander along the entire hole, crossing the fairway multiple times.  A good friend, and member of Muirfield Village, refers to it affectionately as a 6 to 10 ball round for the average 15 handicap golfer.  I looked it up and the USGA's "Bogey rating" is 105.3.  That says that the average 18 handicap golfer is expected to shoot 33 strokes over par here.  Incidentally, the Course ratings for the front and back 9's are less than one stroke different:  Front 38.1 vs. Back 38.8. 

  

What else was remarkable?

Just before the Masters, I listed a few things that I have noticed that the Winners of PGA Tour events have in common.  One is Off Shore Holeouts - or that most winners will hole out from off the green once in their four rounds.  But Stricker's FOUR holeouts is outrageous!  OK, two were short game opportunities - not that uncommon.  The other two were special:  

• 2nd Round, Par 3, 8th hole:  Ace from 185 yards.
• 3rd Round, Par 4, 2nd hole:  116 yard approach shot - holed - Eagle.

I can't explain it but, like the two above, most of Steve's fireworks happened on the front 9 and, given these thunderbolts, NO WONDER HE WON!