Clever tricks tournaments use to keep their players calm

All players know the disappointment of coming up short with a club they were sure was “perfect”. Most of the time we blame the conditions, the wrong range finder, or the assumption that we must not have hit it as well as we thought.

But the truth is, it’s usually not the club OR conditions – is the player. And fixing the problem starts with understanding one key concept: the difference between carrying distance and total distance.

For those who don’t know, carry distance is how far the ball travels in the air, while total distance includes the distance your ball gains after landing. Unfortunately, most amateurs focus only on total distance – and this mistake not only distorts their understanding of their game, but also leads them to overestimate how far they hit the ball.

Like Joey Wuertemberger, a GOLF Top 100 Teachersexplains, “most amateurs always think they hit it farther than they actually do.”

To fix this, Wuertemberger says to focus on your haul distance rather than total distance.

“I rarely focus on yardage totals because players need to understand what it takes to hold a bunker, a hazard or any penalty area – rather than how far the ball rolls afterwards.”

THE determine your carry distancesWuertemberger says you can use a launch monitor to figure out exactly how far the ball is flying. But, there are a few extra keys that will help you dial in your cuffs like the pros.

Don’t just use your best shots

When most amateurs work out their carry distances, they tend to focus only on their best shots – the ones that travel the farthest. But if you ask any high-level player, they’ll tell you it’s a mistake. To get an accurate number, you need to factor in off-center hits and those slightly shorter strides, because that’s a more honest reflection of how far you hit it on the course.

“Players have to understand that they’re not always going to be perfect,” says Wuertemberger. “If you just rely on your best shots, the numbers are skewed. Sure, if you hit it perfectly, you can go the full distance—but nine times out of 10, it’s not going to be as strong and you’re going to miss a few yards.”

Follow the markings of your ball

If you really want to dial in your irons, Wuertemberger has a clever trick he learned from former caddy Zach Johnson: track your ball marks.

Here’s how it works: After your approach goes to the green, notice where your ball mark is in relation to the pin and where the ball actually came to rest. This allows you to see if you had the right club. Did you sit short and roll to the pin, or were you up? Tracking how far your ball spins also helps you understand how shots react to course conditions – such as if the firm greens are giving you extra spin.

“All of this is a benchmark to work from,” says Wuertemberger, “Then, later in the round you can draw from these past shots. Remember that shot you made on the four that was 120 yards? That’s that shot again.”

It’s a simple, tournament-tested system: know your carry, record ball marks and play to the middle. Here’s how the tees keep their players high—and how you can start hitting more greens.

KIT FullSwing launch monitor

The Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor is designed with the most advanced radar technology and a high-resolution camera to give you 16 data points and video to see your swing in perfect clarity. Tested and trusted by Tiger Woods, designed for everyone. Enhanced machine learning radar paired with powerful dedicated radar and media processors gives you the cleanest and most accurate data in the industry. A customizable OLED display designed to show you exactly what you want to see with every move or use the included free app to view your data and videos on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and even listen to your selected data via Bluetooth headphones. Using the included durable case, bring it to the course and set up in less than a minute. Its battery life of up to 5 hours will help you get the most out of your commute, whether on the range or with a home network in your backyard, garage or basement. Included Items: FS Kit Launch Monitor Charging Block with USB-C Charging Cable Travel Protective Case Tracking: Patented, 24GHz Dual Mode, Enhanced Radar ML Display: 5.3” Ultra Bright, Full HD (1920×1080) OLED 16:0pps Full 16:0p Camera or 16.7M Color Process A9 Dual-Core Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth® 5.0 BR/EDR/LE Battery: Built-in 8000 mAh Lithium-ion Approx. 5 hours of use (depending on conditions) Carrying Case: Easy Charging Port: USB4-C; 110-240v, 50-60 Hz Charging Cable: USB-C, 3′ (1m) Unit dimensions: 10.23” H x 6.57” W x 2.32” D (3.74” with extended support leg (260mm x 167mm x 59mm) 40mm Kg) Case dimensions: 13” L x 8.11” W x 3.86” H (330mm x 206mm x 98mm) Unit, Case, Charger Weight: 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) Package Dimensions: 16.5” L x 10.47” L x 10.47” W x 10.47” H x 10.47” 122 mm) Package Weight: 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) Return Acceptability If you are not satisfied with your Full Swing device within fourteen (14) days from the date of delivery, the Full Swing device may be returned for a full refund or replacement device.E6 Connect Software within fourteen (14) days of the perpetual license activation date, the license may be returned for a full refund Returning Your Device To initiate the return of your device, you must contact The Net Return Sales Support by phone at +1 (973) 636 -7354 or by email at sales@TheNetReturn.com Not Accepted Net Returns Unit will be returned with all accessories, including AC adapter and cables with travel case, and in the original return box Purchases made through Affirm will be subject to the special terms set forth by Affirm at https://www.affirm.com/lenders, with iOS 14 and above iPad® (7th generation and above), with iOS 14 and higher iPad® Air (iPad® 4 and higher), using watchOS 7 or higher Apple AirPods® or most Bluetooth® headphones

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