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Sometimes in life you just get lucky.  Boy did we luck out!  A friend of ours just built a house for a guy in Pinehurst.  Come to find out he swings a big ax in the world of golf.  So we sent an invite out to see our operations and he showed up.  We have become great friends and he thinks he will enjoy blogging for us all.  The column is going to be “Ask Bob Anything Golf” and it should be fun.  Let me tell you some things about Bob Thatcher and his career.

• PGA Member 35 years
• 2 time PGA Top 50 Teaching Professional
• Teacher of the Year Philadelphia
• Teacher of the Year New Jersey
• Teacher of the Year Delaware
• Played PGA Sr. Tour 3 years
• Played UK  Sr. Tour  2 years
• Played Japan Sr. Tour 1 year
• Played 10 Sr. PGA’s
• Played 2 Sr. US Open’s
• Played 6 British Sr.  Open’s
• Played 7 British Sr. PGA’s
• 2 time Philadelphia Sr. Champion

Bob still owns and operates The Old Masters Golf Club in Newtown Square PA.  He has had a very successful playing career as well as golf business career.  So this column will be not  just for those who want a swing tip on how to hit  golf balls but for anyone in golf.  If you need advice on how to make your club or  driving range make more money “ask Bob”.  If you are a young PGA member and can’t quite figure out some things. “ask Bob” If you just have general interest questions about the game “ask Bob”  “Just ask Bob anything about Golf.  He assures me if he doesn’t have the answer he knows who does.  So with all that said we got really lucky don’t you think?  So let’s all support Bob and get this show on the Road!

Sam

This is the strangest Tour season I can ever remember.  First Zack Johnson at the Master, then out of nowhere came Angel Cabrera at the Open.  So based on this years performances, we are probably in store for another surprise.  I’m not sure if these surprises are good or not.  It seems this season has a lack luster to it.  This will be another interesting week end.

     You can never count Tiger out if he is hitting golf balls straight.  Has fatherhood hampered his preparation or is he on a mission to win one for his daughter?  Phil basically blew it again this past week end, so you know his head is a wreck.  Ernie was hitting the golf ball at the Scottish Open so maybe he is our surprise.  I’m going out on a limb with my pick.  I think Jim Furyk will get it done this week.

sam

Your pre-shot routine is an integral part of your golf swing. A consistent routine will send a signal to your body that you are ready to start your swing. Over time this becomes automatic. By doing the same thing each time you will stay relaxed over the shot. If you watch the Pros on TV, you’ll notice each has their own routine and they do the same thing each time. Have a routine for each shot, not just full swings. I have a specific one for putting, chipping, and bunkers because these are shots that require more feel.
Use your routine as a step by step approach to a shot. Make sure you are aligned correctly; watch the wind direction, elevation, breaks on the green, club selection, grip and posture. These thoughts happen quickly but must be used each time. After awhile you start to have the confidence knowing that you are prepared to hit the shot. We all know what confidence can do for your game. I have heard a lot of people say that they don’t want to hold anyone up behind them. Your pre-shot routine should only take about 35-40 seconds, and that should include one practice swing. While someone else is hitting or preparing to hit their shot, you can check your yardage, wind direction, etc. Then when it’s your turn, you are ready to start your routine.
Remember to think positive thoughts. Have you ever thought don’t go in the water and then the ball goes into the water? Well, your last thought was water, and we are target oriented by nature, so the golf balls goes in the water. Next time you have to hit a shot over water or a bunker try this, picture the ball going up in the air and landing on the other side. Be specific, if you want to see it on the green, picture the golf ball landing there and rolling up next to the flagstick.Practice your pre-shot routine. I know this sounds silly but use it on the driving range, the more you use it the more it will become automatic. One last thought; “Good players stare at the target and glance at the ball. Average players stare at ball and glance at the target”.

Give a call if I can Help!

Here is a tip for anyone having trouble with their chipping. First let’s start with the difference between a chip and a pitch. A chip has minimal air time and more roll, where the pitch has maximum air time and less roll. The chip is often referred to as a bump and run. That is all you have to do just bump the ball onto the green and let it run from there. Now that we have that cleared up, let’s get to the tip.

Most problems with chipping start in the set-up. I see a lot of people with their weight on their back foot or on both feet. They feel that by setting up that way, they can get under the ball. What happens is that they end up hitting behind the ball or the scooping it up in the air and then ball doesn’t roll. We can correct this set-up by placing most of you weight on the left foot and getting your hands ahead of the ball. Just remember this;

get your head ahead of the golf balls. If you do that your weight will move to the left side and you’ll have to get your hands ahead too. This set-up will encourage you to hit down and through the ball, which makes the ball go up. With the hands ahead of the ball, this delofts the club face and encourages the roll.

If you have anymore problems with your chipping, just give me a call, I will be glad to help you.

Cheryl Brankel

Is it just me or does this seem like the weirdest tour season ever?  I really can’t put my finger on it.  To me I don’t feel the usual sizzle to this season.  Normally I play golf on Sunday.  I record the final round.  I am always thinking to myself. “well I got good TV tonight watching the final round”  I have yet to watch a single final round I have recorded since the Masters and it really hasn’t mattered much.

Well its Major time again.  I know just about one thing.  If Tiger is on it’s a no-brainer.  If not, then it’s another, who is that leader board.  I have great respect for all the tour players as enormous athletes with amazing ability to hit golf balls.  I feel like the tour is undergoing a change of the guard.  I thought that Davis Love, Ernie, Ratief, VJ, Phil and those guys would have stayed in the hunt longer.  I would have thought with the addition of the Fed Ex Cup, more would want to win the inaugural title.  I guess they all got plenty of money now and we have a new class of talent to watch.  Well here is to a great US Open.  Who will win?  My prediction…..well…….I’m clueless

sam