“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.”
Arnold Palmer
Golf is as as ingrained in the southwest Florida lifestyle as the beach and sunshine. Visitors from all over the world flock to our sunny coast to hone their skill and swing to their heart’s content. Residents and guests alike will spend their summer out on the green, improving their golf game, and hoping to beat their opponents in a friendly, competitive game.
Estero Country Club is committed to your success out on the green! Try these top tips from the professionals and hone your skills!
It’s All About Drive
“Your posture is very important with tee shots,” Martin Laird, winner of the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational, illuminates on some of golf’s best kept secrets. “You want that athletic stance—feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart. it’s not quite as low, but it’s kind of like defense in basketball.”
Think of yourself like a spring; coil tight and release for a long drive. “The power in golf comes from your legs and lower half, not from your arms,” Laird says. Start off strong and put yourself in a good spot before the closer shots.
The Perfect Shot
The most common mistake golfers make is improper alignment. Your shot starts with the club, ensure that you’re reaching your potential by lining up the clubface.
The correct way to align your shots is to always begin by first assessing your target from behind the ball. This will give you a perspective of the entire hole and help you aim right where you want the ball to go. The trick is to align your clubface and ball with the target before you get into your stance. Don’t wait until afterwards because your perspective can be warped.
The next time you’re watching a game, carefully look at the professionals on the green. You’ll see them all lining up their shots the correct way.
Green, Lean, Knowledge Machine
The grass on the course can tell you more than you realize.
“The color and shade of the grass is helpful.” Martin Laird says, “If you turn and look one direction and the grain is darker and you look the other way and it looks lighter and shinier, the darker the color the more into the grain you are. It can make a huge difference on the pace of the putt.”
Knowing and understanding the direction of the grass will help you know where the ball is going to break. Brush up on your observation skills and it will make all the difference in your score.
Master the Putt
The trick to great putt technique is stance and grip. As discussed above, your stance should be shoulder-width apart, with a slight bend of the knees. When it comes to the grip, think toothpaste! Martin Laird explains, “Grip it like a tube of toothpaste with the lid off—you don’t want to squeeze the toothpaste out,” he says.
Practice makes perfect. If you’re not feeling confident about your putt, take some time beforehand for a few practice rounds.
Swing with the Right Club
We’re not talking about Estero Country Club, but your actual club!
Many beginners find club’s confusing and it’s easy to see why. With so many to choose from, it’s difficult to know what club is best for which shot. There are two things that you need to know when determining your shot and subsequent club; distance to the target and how far you hit with various clubs. That means you need to take the time to know how far you hit with each club. This takes time and lots of practice.
While you’re practicing, write down your averages on a sheet of paper for reference. Eventually, you’ll know them by heart. As you improve, you’ll know the difference between swinging with an 8-iron versus a 7-iron. All it takes is practice and perseverance.
Swing Hard in SWFL
Estero Country Club offers a pristine, green course for members and guests. Playing at 7,072 yards from its championship tees, our par 72 course sits on 105 lush acres surrounded by 38 acres of sparkling lakes. The course features six sets of tees to challenge the skills of players at every level. We also offer an outstanding practice range, as well as large putting and chipping greens.
Perfect your game and improve every swing with ECC. Take a tour of our course, or give us a call today to learn more: 239-267-7000!
