What is wheat and how does it affect your setting and chopping?

grains – the catchphrases that golfers love to feed on, blamed for everything from missed putts to flubbed chips.

“The wheat caught that time, Johnny,” you heard the messengers say.

But did he, really? And what exactly is wheat? What effect does it have on the shots we play? And how should we adapt to it?

Those seem like good questions to ask an agronomist and a golf instructor. Mark Patterson is the superintendent at a pair of Florida courses (Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch and Serenoa Golf Club) and Scott Munroe is a GOLF Top 100 Teachers. We asked them for their reading on wheat.

What is it wheat

We all have tendencies. Turf as well. Grain is the tendency of grass to grow horizontally in one or more directions. “And some species exhibit more than others,” Patterson says. You’re more likely to encounter grain in common warm-climate grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and paspalum, all of which have lateral growth habits, than in finer-textured, cool-climate grasses like poa, bentgrass and fescue. Other factors, such as environmental conditions and maintenance practices, can also affect the amount of grain in the grass. In high-end clubs and courses prepared for elite tournament play, the turf is so pampered (with regular washing and sanding and other care) that the grain is often minimal. Low mowing heights further minimize grain, as the grass is cut so tightly that it essentially stands straight.

How grain affects shooting

Thanks to advances in turf science — and increasingly sophisticated maintenance practices — wheat isn’t as important on many courses as it once was. But while golfers — and golf announcers — tend to overestimate its impact, Patterson says, the grain still has an impact. phrase with wheat AND against the grain they exist for a reason. Balls roll and bounce more slowly when teeing and chipping against the grain (and faster when chipping or setting the grain), as the club has a greater chance of catching in the grass. And, yes, it’s true: the grain can also affect the amount of break in a chip or putt.

How to tell if he is with you or against you

Contrary to popular perception, wheat does not grow in the direction of the setting sun. But it tends to increase in the direction of drainage. When in doubt, look for different shades of green in the grass. If the grass looks dark, it is growing towards you (you are playing against the grain). If it’s a lighter shade of green, the opposite applies. At the end of the day, the grass around the rim of the cup can be another indicator. If one side of the cup looks browner or more worn, that’s the direction the grain is growing.

Like shooting against the grain

Some of the most difficult shots, Munroe says, are uphill shots on fast greens against the grain. Speed ​​dialing is simply difficult. Much depends on practice. There is no better way to develop the feeling. But for all the brazenness, this much is certain: you will need to hit the ball with more authority. For this, Munroe recommends a slightly tighter grip, which, he says, will give the goal “more pop.” It will also help keep the shooter’s head forward if it happens to get caught in the grain. Something similar applies to approach shots from the fairway when the grain is working against you: grip a little tighter.

How to chop against the grain

You know that old saying about putting the ball in your position and pressing your hands forward? Well, forget it, says Munroe. He doesn’t recommend it when you’re torn against the grain; this only increases the likelihood that you will short the club and the leading edge will get caught in the rough grass. The best way to chop against the grain, says Monroe, is to not chop at all. Use a 3-wood or a hybrid instead, using the club like a nail. “What we’re most concerned about here is getting a clean shot,” says Munroe. “And this is the best way to guarantee that.” Speed ​​control can be a challenge at first, but you’ll get the hang of it the more you practice and eliminate it from your repertoire.

How to fight against the grain on a risk

Playing a shot from the green with a 3-wood or a hybrid is a reliable way to go, but it won’t work if there’s a bunker in your path. For a high kick, you’ll want a wedge. Here again, Munroe cautions against returning the ball to your position for the same compelling reasons mentioned above. Instead, drive the shot with the ball positioned in the middle of your stance and your hands pressed ever so slightly forward. “You want to feel like you’re just mowing the grass,” he says. The length of your return and finish will be dictated by the length of the stroke itself. But if it’s a short, high shot, focus on the club grip moving left through the shot.

“>