Dan's Papers - June 27, 2008 - Get a Grip, Trust your Feel, from Tee to Green

Years ago, on a clammy, damp and windy Florida day, I had an opportunity to caddy for a low handicap amateur in a PGA event. This wasn't your regular Pro-Am, which precludes almost every tour event, but the real deal - amateur and PGA professional are partners. With Rick Reilly, the columnist, caddying for the tour professional while researching his book "Who's your Caddy?" and yours truly on the bag, our team was leading the field of 140 players. As we came upon the last stretch of holes, it seemed as if the tournament was our oyster. Together, Rick and I had already begun planning our selection of beers for toasting.

Throughout the round, my player exhibited a level of fluidity in his swing - a rhythm repeated each and every time I handed him a club. And while I pride myself on 30 years of experience as an amateur golfer with on course knowledge and management, it was his gentle hands that facilitated an unforgettable scoring round. With two holes left, we came upon one of the nastiest par 5's I've ever witnessed. Forget the yardage. It was meaningless with 40 mph winds blowing in your face and a dog leg turn that would put blonde hair on the back of a zebra. The professional creamed a driver off the tee, which landed way off the fairway in about six inches of thick, wet rough behind a massive tree. My guy positioned a perfect drive off the tee. Our second shot to lay up to the green was an easy one. Handing the amateur a fairway wood, he spanked the ball, which came to rest just on the apron of the green, about 50 feet from the pin. Whoa! Holy cow! No one had reached this par 5 in two during any of the rounds thus far. The CBS TV tower quickly hit the green light to start filming as thousands of fans in the stands roared with delight.

As we sauntered down the fairway towards the green, I nodded over to Rick, who was still looking for the elusive ball and professed, "We got you covered." Reaching our ball almost perched on the green, my player began a lengthy discussion regarding the next shot, insisting on chipping with a wedge just to get close to the pin. His conversation reflected a rush of nerves and lack of confidence. Nonetheless, I convinced him to not only trust his next shot, but to concentrate on putting the ball in the hole for an eagle. There was no doubt he was capable, so I boldly argued against his desire, handing him the putter, looking into his eyes and begging him to trust his feel.

Then, in one beautiful motion the ball rolled into the four-inch cup.

As the thousands of fans screamed in delight at witnessing the only eagle produced on that hole, the amateur player told the CBS interviewer his successful round was due to his hands, something that he works on day after day, swing after swing. Ask any golf professional the single most important element for a solid golf swing and the majority will comment: "It's all in your hands." Conversely, ask them what's wrong with their game, and most will comment: "I've lost my feel."

Jack McGown, director of golf at Hampton Hills Golf & Country Club in Weshampton Beach is a firm believer in teaching his students about creating a foundation for a solid swing. "There is more merit in gripping soft than anything else in the golf swing," he said. "Structure covers function." With 31 years of teaching and tournament experience, McGown offers his members a simplistic approach in achieving this important component so, in turn, golfers can go out and enjoy the game. "Teaching amateurs requires the student to first understand the process of being a student, and becoming a student is to learn to be a listener and embrace the process," he said. Easier said than done. Amateur golfers look for quick fixes and many, if not all, aren't willing to embrace this concept. When asking Jack what he witnesses most with amateur players, he's quick to say tension, stress and anxiety. He added, "You can see it all in the hands."

Ben Hogan said, "I never know why I hit the ball well. I just know when I'm doing it." For the most part, he was referring to keeping his feel. Suffice to say, eliminating strain and stress will enable you as a golfer to truly enjoy utilizing every club in the bag - all 14 of them.

By the way, for those who don't know about McGown's home base, HHG&C is one of the best kept secrets in the Hamptons. Upon its opening in 1964, the press referrred to it as "Miracle on Moriches Road," although it was named Northampton Golf Club. Playing on this golf course today however is much different that when it first opened. After purchasing the property from the Teamsters in 1987, Stanly Pine, Barry Beil and a group of investors have shelled out over $11 million to date and upgraded every corner of this interesting and challenging facility. The eclectic and friendly mix of members attest that each round played is a unique experience. The 18 holes here are not for the faint hearted or weak; tough decisions require managed golf shots, and physical elevations require paying attention. McGown notes, "Playing golf here is all about becoming a better, well rounded, multi-dimensional golfer." Eric Harbauer, the Superintendent, is a genius as he's transformed the playing surface and every inch of the fairway to green into a notable facility. With educated and skillful application so impressive, tour professional and Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman told me after playing HHG&C that he was considering kidnapping Harbauer to join his design team out West. Watch out Stanley.

Thoughts or comments? E-mail Kay Davidoff-Ziplow at evenpar4u@aol.com.

Throughout years of instruction, clinics, seminars and forums, one constant remains the single, most absolute in achieving the correct feel necessary for any shot - grip pressure. There is more merit in holding the club than anything else, simply because with this softness, many, if not all, of the fundamentals in golf can be achieved. If you can't feel the weight at the end of the club, then the pressure is too great. Remember, a wrecking ball hits with enormous force, yet it appears in motion to glide. Gripping with pressure, introducing muscle and hand tension, keeps the club head from working. In order to promote fluid swings, you must feel the club head!