Leave it in the bag
So, now that you know that we're here to talk golf, let's get started and talk about more applications of the the Uncle Dennis rule.
Conversely, how many times have you seen Tiger hit a 3-wood or that trademark 2-iron stinger off the tee to put a ball nicely on the fairway? Here was a guy who could drive, long, and he chose to leave it in the bag.
That's why you're sitting amid the pine trees trying to figure just how the heck you're going to get back in play and not mess up the next shot even more. And why is that? It's because you had to try and show off how powerful that driver was that looks more like an Easter ham on the end of a broom handle than a golf club. You proved it. That ball went at least 300 yards...230 out and 70 to the right. You were hitting banana balls on the range before you even began the round, starting on the left side of the driving area and crossing all the way over to the trees on the other side. So why you chose to take the head cover off in the first place is beyond reason.
I also give myself more options by playing the white tees rather than the blues. Frankly, I can get into as much trouble from further back, but I'm trying to enjoy a round of golf, not qualify for the tour. It's more beneficial then to poke a 3- or 5-wood into play and give myself a good next shot. Here's where I'll make another comparison and draw the parallel.
I used to play pool with my brother-in-law back in the day, mostly 9-ball. He could spin the cue ball all over the table, left, right, draw it all the way back almost to where he made his initial contact. I'm coordinated and fairly athletic, so I tried to follow suit. After enough nights of limited success, but mostly chipping the ball in air, off the table and into some other pair of players at a neighboring table, or just missing my shot completely, I finally got smart. It was better to leave myself some slight angles, strike the object ball and let the ball move, carom off a cushion and let the ball move gently into position for another shot. Pool is more about the leave for the next shot than the shot itself. Which leads into my next point...
Pros already know the course they are playing, which is not always a luxury that you may have unless you have a regular club you frequent or have a course guide that you can purchase at the clubhouse, which I highly recommend. Elite golfers know where they want to be for their approach shot. So let's say there's nothing tricky about the green, pin off edge enough, green gently sloped toward the front (pros want to leave an uphill putt, speed is the factor here.) They want to leave about 125 yards so they can take a full wedge shot. A full shot is more consistent, the swing is normal, they'll know how much the ball will bounce and spin, they can control it with more ease. Each shot before that approach will be designed to leave a full shot, at the right approach angle, so they can make a good shot to get up and down.
Most average golfers are trying to advance the ball down the hole because the thought process is, the closer to the hole, the easier the next shot. Then you're standing over the ball from 110 yards knowing that a wedge isn't quite enough and the ball will spin back a bit, but a 9-iron is too much club. So you say to yourself, "I'll just hit an easy 9-iron." Then what happens? You don't muscle up, you take an easy swing and BOOM!..10 yards over the green.
So, The Uncle Dennis Rule is not only about getting out of trouble, it's about staying out of trouble and giving yourself a solid next shot. The best way to make those shots is to have the right clubs in your bag, we'll take that talk next time.
Leave it in the bag
I know this is one of those stupid things that one of your buddies with a lower handicap suggests as you pull your driver out on the tee, but it can be the best way to stay out of trouble in the first place. How many times have you been sitting watching a tour event and Phil Mickelson was heading down the stretch near the lead, or in a playoff, and you found yourself pleading for Lefty to do just that?Conversely, how many times have you seen Tiger hit a 3-wood or that trademark 2-iron stinger off the tee to put a ball nicely on the fairway? Here was a guy who could drive, long, and he chose to leave it in the bag.
That's why you're sitting amid the pine trees trying to figure just how the heck you're going to get back in play and not mess up the next shot even more. And why is that? It's because you had to try and show off how powerful that driver was that looks more like an Easter ham on the end of a broom handle than a golf club. You proved it. That ball went at least 300 yards...230 out and 70 to the right. You were hitting banana balls on the range before you even began the round, starting on the left side of the driving area and crossing all the way over to the trees on the other side. So why you chose to take the head cover off in the first place is beyond reason.
Stay out of trouble
Much like life, the best way to stay out of trouble on a golf course is by not getting yourself into bad situations by making good decisions. I keep track of how I am playing during any given round and I gauge the risks of using my driver. I leave it in the bag more often than I used to, especially since I began employing The Uncle Dennis Rule.I also give myself more options by playing the white tees rather than the blues. Frankly, I can get into as much trouble from further back, but I'm trying to enjoy a round of golf, not qualify for the tour. It's more beneficial then to poke a 3- or 5-wood into play and give myself a good next shot. Here's where I'll make another comparison and draw the parallel.
I used to play pool with my brother-in-law back in the day, mostly 9-ball. He could spin the cue ball all over the table, left, right, draw it all the way back almost to where he made his initial contact. I'm coordinated and fairly athletic, so I tried to follow suit. After enough nights of limited success, but mostly chipping the ball in air, off the table and into some other pair of players at a neighboring table, or just missing my shot completely, I finally got smart. It was better to leave myself some slight angles, strike the object ball and let the ball move, carom off a cushion and let the ball move gently into position for another shot. Pool is more about the leave for the next shot than the shot itself. Which leads into my next point...
Where do you want to be
Similar to a billiard table, a golf course is less about where you want go and more about where you want to be. Pro golfers essentially play each hole backwards. Now, they know each club intimately and the reason that they hit the clubs they do and leave themselves in certain locations is determined by a variety of factors, none more important than leaving themselves in position for a full shot. What do I mean by that?Pros already know the course they are playing, which is not always a luxury that you may have unless you have a regular club you frequent or have a course guide that you can purchase at the clubhouse, which I highly recommend. Elite golfers know where they want to be for their approach shot. So let's say there's nothing tricky about the green, pin off edge enough, green gently sloped toward the front (pros want to leave an uphill putt, speed is the factor here.) They want to leave about 125 yards so they can take a full wedge shot. A full shot is more consistent, the swing is normal, they'll know how much the ball will bounce and spin, they can control it with more ease. Each shot before that approach will be designed to leave a full shot, at the right approach angle, so they can make a good shot to get up and down.
Most average golfers are trying to advance the ball down the hole because the thought process is, the closer to the hole, the easier the next shot. Then you're standing over the ball from 110 yards knowing that a wedge isn't quite enough and the ball will spin back a bit, but a 9-iron is too much club. So you say to yourself, "I'll just hit an easy 9-iron." Then what happens? You don't muscle up, you take an easy swing and BOOM!..10 yards over the green.
So, The Uncle Dennis Rule is not only about getting out of trouble, it's about staying out of trouble and giving yourself a solid next shot. The best way to make those shots is to have the right clubs in your bag, we'll take that talk next time.
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