Instruction
What Tiger taught us about hitting pitch shots
Watching Tiger struggle around the greens at the Hero World Challenge was both astonishing and enlightening. It was astonishing because it was Tiger Woods, and enlightening because it was more proof that feel and technique are equally important in golf.
Touring professionals make the game look ridiculously simple at times. They make it look so easy that we often take their technique for granted. We assume that their form is so grooved that all they concern themselves with is feel. But when we see a player of Tiger’s caliber completely flub no less than seven greenside pitches in four rounds — a few of them flying 5 feet or less — it reminds us that technique is a big part of short shots, and that even the world’s best struggle when they lose form. Granted, Tiger was not the only player to struggle with the grainy lies on the greenside slopes around Isleworth Country Club during the event, but he did seem to have a serious case of the chipping yips, a rare occurrence for a player of his caliber.
Greenside pitches and chips are played from a variety of lies and slopes from a wide assortment of different grasses. That’s why the very first thing a player needs to do before they hit a pitch or chip is assess the lie of the golf ball. Golf club selection, setup and stroke are all based on the lie. My students often ask “what shot should I play from 35 yards,” or some other distance. The answer is based completely on what the course will allow — the lie, needed carry, room for the ball to roll out, etc.
Pitching over a hazard or to an elevated green from a tight lie is a completely different shot than one from deep grass. To complicate matters, a shot from the rough into the grain is a drastically different than a shot that is downgrain.
Let’s take a look at some things that might help make us more comfortable around the greens in sticky situations.
A pitch, which is a short, lofted shot played near the green, is all about attack angle and loft. When you’re in the rough and the golf ball is sitting DOWN, the attack angle needs to be sufficiently steep. To play the shot, you want to flex at the knees a bit more than usual, play the ball slightly forward-of-center in your stance and emphasize the weight on the lead foot with a slightly open face. I would be careful of placing the hands too much in front of the ball from deep rough, as it tends to take too much loft off the shot. Hands in front is a steepening technique, but in the rough the ball may not pop out sufficiently, so be careful.
The swing for a pitch should be wristy, elevating the club abruptly and being fairly aggressive through the hitting area. Deceleration is a killer on this shot, because it is played very similar to the blast shot from a greenside bunker. Once you’ve decided to go with this shot, HIT IT! Expect the ball to roll out a bit when it lands.
Conversely, if the ball is sitting UP in the rough consider not grounding the club at address. This will help guard from going under the ball and hitting it high on the face — it will also help avoid incurring a penalty stroke for moving the ball. Depending upon how high the ball is sitting and how far you have to carry the shot, a firm-wristed chipping motion is not a bad method here, but the ball needs to be hit with a very LEVEL attack angle for a clean, center-struck shot. Shots off the top of the face have reverse vertical gear effect, which makes them fly shorter. You can generate a little spin on this shot if it’s hit perfectly.
Pitching from tight lies is a bit different than shots from the rough, but again, attack angle is critical. Depending on the bounce of your wedge, which is the angle of the sole from the leading edge to the trail edge, you might need to employ a different entry into impact. If you have a wedge with a good amount of bounce, say 12 degrees or more, you will need a steep attack angle. A shallow, wide-bottom swing can cause the leading edge of the club to hit the belly of the ball instead of the bottom and the dreaded skull shot is predictable.
To ensure a steep angle of attack, narrow the stance, keep your weight on your lead leg with the ball slightly back in the stance and set your hands ahead of the ball. The setup here is similar to chipping, but you’re using a club with a lot of loft. Where the shot differs from a standard chip is the swing — it’s more UP, so set the wrists a little in the backswing. I also recommend a little turn though the ball with the body into impact. I see too many pitch shots hit fat from tight lies because players try to remain stationary with the body.
With a low-bounce wedge, say 10 degrees or less, it’s best to keep the attack angle more shallow. The leading edge can dig into the turf behind the ball if the attack angle gets too steep. I’d recommend a little wider stance (never too wide with a pitch), your weight fairly evenly distributed and the hands above, not in front, of the golf ball. The swing secret with a low bounce wedge is to use little-to-NO wrists. Push the arms away on the backswing to ensure a wider swing bottom and a more shallow attack angle. Use little-to-no wrists on your takeaway to avoid having the leading edge stubbing the ground behind the golf ball.
This may sound overwhelming, but all I’m really suggesting here is a setup and swing technique to complement the shot at hand. Avoiding skulls or chili-dips can be simply a matter mental preparation. And remember to never fight the slope! The same spine angle you’d set for uphill and downhill shots from the fairway apply around the greens (shoulders parallel to slope, spine perpendicular).
Finally, if you play in Bermuda grass, be careful of the grain. An into-the-grain pitch is a really tough shot. Any slight miscue is magnified greatly. Again, do NOT set the hands too far ahead for fear that the leading edge will dig into the grain, which will cause you to hit the shot fat. The ball can be back, but leaning too forward or de-lofting too much also runs the risk of hitting it fat. Set up over the ball with the hands above it, not in front, and weight fairly evenly distributed. I’d recommend more of an arm swing than a wristy one.
Remember my tips the next time you set up to a pitch shot that makes you uncomfortable, and remember to always read the slope and lie before you choose on your shot.
If you’d like me to analyze your swing, go to my Facebook page and send me a message, or contact me (dennisclarkgolf@gmail.com) about my online swing analysis program.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Josh
Dec 21, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Click Here!
sixty7
Dec 12, 2014 at 10:52 am
I laughed when I saw this title. You’re reading way too much into fatting a couple chips. What did Tiger teach us about hitting pitch shots? He taught us the hitting pitch shots off grainy thin lies are hard when you’re rusty.
Alan
Dec 11, 2014 at 3:54 pm
I practice short shots with the Floppy ball in my living room. Its really, really great for getting over the yips and learning to strike down on the ball.
Try them if you can find them. They are really good.
Pure
Dec 12, 2014 at 2:19 pm
My sons learned how to hit that shot using plastic balls in the basement and hitting them off carpet onto the pool table. You either have to clip it really well or open the face a bit and let the bounce take care of the shot.
Billabong
Dec 11, 2014 at 2:06 pm
Jeff, please!! We will not worry about you threatening to win a spelling bee. Looser? Really? Loser.
Harvey Lonn
Dec 11, 2014 at 6:33 am
I wish that I could have read this article when I first started playing out of Bermuda rough! It would have saved me many years of frustration and lost opportunities.
Better late than never.
Thank you Mr. Clark!
Dennis Clark
Dec 11, 2014 at 5:56 pm
you’re welcome harvey, hope it helps
Happyday_J
Dec 11, 2014 at 12:23 am
Love your articls Dennis, very well written as well as insightful. I just finished college golf and will be hitting the mini tour circuit next season. CANT WAIT!!!
I found, for myself the most difficult shot was into the grain and trying to hit it on a lower trajectory. Mid to high wasn’t a problem b.c I was able to open the face to expose more of the bounce to have more room for error, along with the ball more forward to further aid in solid contact.
I finally had a UREKA moment. Maybe this might help others. What I started to do to bring the trajectory down was use less loft. Pitching wedge, 9 iron, but still open the club a fraction with the ball center to forward in my stance. The less loft helps bring down the flight and with the ball position and slightly open keeps the leading edge exposed.
Hopes that helps….
Dennis Clark
Dec 11, 2014 at 5:14 am
Very true. Less loft when possible from Bermuda rough is never a bad idea. Risky over hazards at times.
Happyday_J
Dec 12, 2014 at 12:45 am
Yes absolutely, risky over hazards. Thats why I resort to that when I am attempting to hit a lower trajectory shot. Over a hazard, you almost always need some sort of elevation.
I just found using less loft, while still opening the face to expose the bounce is easier to hit it more solid when hitting a lower trajectory shot, rather than taking a wedge and delofting it, which exposes more of the leading edge.
Pure
Dec 10, 2014 at 8:42 pm
Tiger does not have enough bounce on his wedges.
Dennis Clark
Dec 11, 2014 at 5:19 am
I believe it’s the same bounce that won 100+ events around the world, no?
RG
Dec 10, 2014 at 6:58 pm
If it happens once, it’s a fluke. Twice and its an issue, seven times and there’s a bona fide problem. Tiger is dealing with mental issues and its not pretty. Four coaches? back to my old swing? So you admit it was a mistake to change in the first place, and you’ve wasted the last 12 yrs. doing the wrong thing. So you can make mistakes, you are fallable. I nwas at Isleworh this weekend and I believe Tiger has lost his nerve. Old Tiger was infalable and fearless. This Tiger knows what can go wrong and plays with that fear. SEVEN (7)! greensiode chunks!he’s scared.
Kyle
Dec 10, 2014 at 7:28 pm
He is not scared. He could fix it in a week’s work, maybe less. It’s not yips. It’s bad form.
RG
Dec 11, 2014 at 7:27 pm
You mean he doesn’t know how to hit a chip and needs to take a lesson?
You’re saying that the 37 years he’s been playing is not enough, he just needs 1 more week to learn how to properly hit a chip of of Bermuda?
Isleworth used to be Tiger’s home course, he’s literally, and I mean literally, played thousands of rounds there. He shot 59 on that course in a practice round. He hit 7 chunks in competition because he accelerated and was totally calm. Or not.
Dennis Clark
Dec 11, 2014 at 5:17 am
Interesting. He was fearless once; not so now. But he’s still Tiger…don’t count him out quite yet. It was strange though! Thx
RG
Dec 11, 2014 at 6:59 pm
When Tiger hit bad shots he knew they were a fluke. He knew his talent and that he could pull off anything. Think about it, it wasn’t the shots he would hit, it was that he was brave enough to even try it. Now he has spent 12 years of what he now admits was a futile effort to change his swing. Now he knows failure, now he’s tasted fear, now if he hits a bad shot it’s not a fluke, it’s and issue.
I was there and he decelerated on all those chips. He was scared, he hesitated and he chunked them. I’ve played Isleworth and those shots and that turf isn’t as difficult as it has been made out to be. Seven times he did this in competition Dennis, Seven times. He’s eyes and his body language told me everything, he’s bound up inside. His make-up is centered around being the best, and he’s not. He’s experiencing emotions he’s never felt before and he has no frame of reference to cope.
The game is better when he’s in it.No one moves the meter like he does, but if he keeps fighting himself all the swing coaching in the world isn’t going to help.
Dennis Clark
Dec 11, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Again, this was not meant to be a Tiger debate, simply using him as an example. But since that’s what it us…I agree. His inner self belief was the very pillar of his monumental athletic accomplishments. He never allowed doubt to enter his consciousness before, during, or after a round. But it seems to more present at this point in his career. And doubt in golf is every players worst nightmare. I also believe it’s why great champions in our game have such a shirt time at the top. They sit on a powder keg day in and day out, and the smallest explosion can shake them to the point of no return. I DO NOT think TW is there but he’s certainly closer to there than ever he has been. Thx RG
RG
Dec 11, 2014 at 10:56 pm
De nada, mi amigo.
Dennis Clark
Dec 10, 2014 at 5:04 pm
Let’s remember I only used Tiger as an example of someone who had a tough weekend. This is not by any means an anti-Tiger piece. He’s the best. Period. And I do think he’ll have a great 2015 including a major.
Putt
Dec 10, 2014 at 4:15 pm
There’s a reason why all great players say that you should putt whenever you can around the greens.
Of course, coming out of the thicker stuff you would chip – but it’s also slightly easier to chip from the rough. When it’s tight, it’s easy to blade it or chunk it, so why not just putt it and get it rolling, eh Eldrick??? Would have save half of the shots then.
Dennis Clark
Dec 10, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Putt whenever you can, chip if you can’t putt and pitch only when you must. Thx
Al385
Dec 10, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Very useful article. I appreciate it came at the right time after chipping like Tiger Woods on the last weekend.
Dennis Clark
Dec 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm
Thank you glad it helped
DG Jei
Dec 10, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Thank Mr. Clark for this timely, thoughtful article.
Dennis Clark
Dec 10, 2014 at 4:57 pm
You’re welcome DG
Ian
Dec 10, 2014 at 2:27 pm
TW shows no sign of the yips. Unless you have a different definition of yips than I’ve ever heard. I do appreciate the article I think it’s excellent. I think it’ll be a short term correction for TW to shore up the short game. As you know he’s considered the best “small ball” player ever. From the looks of the now Haney like swing…I expect him to win many more times.
Dennis Clark
Dec 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm
He’s the best. Period. That was a temporary bump in the road. That’s it.
tom stickney
Dec 10, 2014 at 1:43 pm
Wonder if the “chunks” will get in his mind as it would if he shanked nine shots over two days? Be interesting to watch…
Dennis Clark
Dec 10, 2014 at 1:50 pm
It will. He has the strongest mind of any player I’ve ever seen but that many HAS to bother him a bit.
M.
Dec 11, 2014 at 1:29 am
…all it takes is one good one under pressure to get that confidence flowing again;)
BamBam
Dec 10, 2014 at 1:30 pm
The game is much more simple if you just KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL until after you hit it, which Tiger was not doing. Most bad shots are simply that.
Steve
Dec 10, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Rubbish… You can hit it with your eyes closed if your set up and technique are good… Eyes on the ball stops the body motion at impact for most Amateurs…
Greg
Dec 10, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Most golfers coming back after an injury tend to “ease ”
their way back with chipping and putting while paying attention to what their body is telling them. I would have thought Tiger would have put in many “reps” this very same way and would have been sharp. Time will certainly dictate the future. As for Spieth, the freight train has left the station. Wonder if the kid was in HIS head.
lef
Dec 10, 2014 at 1:16 pm
commit to the shot! tiger looks like he bailed on the flubs. i won’t get down on myself for an overly aggressive chip. at least it means I went for it, fully committed, and I accelerated thru the ball
tom
Dec 10, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Good article as usual, Dennis. Thanks!
Dennis Clark
Dec 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Thx Tom
Pat
Dec 10, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Tiger is obviously rusty and his putting still sucks. He’s not winning another major until his putting improves dramatically. Don’t care what you slurpers think.
Daniel Bailey
Dec 10, 2014 at 11:46 am
*I think you meant loser?…. What a looser doesn’t make much sense
Bill
Dec 10, 2014 at 11:37 am
What an insightful and well thought out point Jeff! If Tiger is a “loser”, what would that make someone with a small fraction of his skill and accomplishments such as yourself?
Double Mocha Man
Dec 10, 2014 at 11:30 am
I will email this to Tiger, directly. That was painful to watch.
JEFF
Dec 10, 2014 at 11:21 am
Who cares about the scum bag! What a looser!!!!
Jason
Dec 10, 2014 at 11:28 am
Why did you read it then?
louis
Dec 10, 2014 at 12:24 pm
yeah…why did you read it? I mean you obviously care enough to read it, AND THEN COMMENT!!! Must have had too many double mochas. And Tiger is not a “looser” he’s a winner, 2nd most of all time. Your turn buddy.
Double Mocha Man
Dec 10, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Louis… I was commiserating with him. We have all done this before…
Forsbrand
Dec 10, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Absolutely let’s not get branded TIGER haters for goodness sakes…….but there is no way he’s winning another major until he sorts his short game out.meanwhile planet mcilroy is still turning. Rory May just win all four next year!
OzoneRaiders
Dec 10, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Thanks Jeff for your self evaluation. Tiger should have been a littler looser when he played but he had not played competitively in a couple months.