Top 10 - Gary Player Quotes

Gary Player will always be considered one of golf’s greatest champions. Eloquent and well-spoken, Mr. Player is a man respected for his wisdom on issues pertaining to golf and life. A winner of 9 major championships and 156 other worldwide victories between 1955 and 2010, when he speaks, it pays to listen. Thankfully he has always been gracious enough to share his knowledge with those who ask. Let’s take a look at what we can learn from some of his most famous quotes. 

10. “My goal was to break 80. When you get to 70, if I can break 80, I consider that a victory.” Golf is a game for every age, and victory is satisfying at every age. It may look a little different than it used to, but a victory is still a victory.

9. “If there's a golf course in heaven, I hope it's like Augusta National. I just don't want an early tee time.” Many would agree that Augusta National is golf’s Garden of Eden. Although it’s not a quote we can necessarily learn from, it is certainly one which many can appreciate.

8. “The best way to break out of a slump is to pretend you’re a player whose swing is rhythmic and beautiful.” Mr. Player has said that when slumping, he used to watch players with beautiful swings, and then try and imitate them. While in a slump it can be very easy to focus on all the negatives surrounding your game, but as this quote points out, focusing on something positive is the best way to bring about positive results.

7. “I used the same blade putter almost exclusively for more than 35 years. Won over 100 tournaments and the Grand Slam with it.” There is something to be said for sticking with what works. It would be great to hear what Mr. Player thinks about Tiger’s constant coach and swing changes.

6. “Golf is a puzzle without an answer. I've played the game for 40 years and I still haven't the slightest idea how to play.” It is refreshing to hear these words come from a man whom many would argue has in fact mastered the game of golf. Every golfer can always improve, and every golfer is constantly searching for the answers which will allow this to happen.

5. “We create success or failure on the course, primarily by our thoughts.” If you expect to play well, you need to think well. When your thoughts turn mediocre, expect mediocre results. It is for this reason that you see so many tour pros turning to mental coaches to ensure that they stay competitive. When Tiger Woods was at the top of his game back in 2000, there is no doubt that he could pull off some physically demanding golf shots, but this is not what allowed him to win as often as he did. It was his mental capabilities that were primarily responsible for his success on the golf course. His ability to think well allowed him to get the most out of his game.

4. “Arnold (Palmer) played 50 times. I'd like to play 51 times and then hang it up.” In a day full of conceited, arrogant athletes, it is refreshing to look to individuals like Mr. Player who were warriors in competition, but at the same time respected gentlemen. Mr. Player always had the utmost respect for his competition, including Arnold Palmer, but that didn’t mean he would pass on an opportunity to “one up” his competition.

3. “A good golfer has the determination to win and the patience to wait for the breaks.” Here is described one of the many qualities of a champion, and Mr. Player is one of the finest. In golf, it isn’t necessarily the competitor who wants it badly enough who will achieve victory. It’s the golfer who wants it, but is smart enough to wait for the appropriate time to make their move. A champion golfer also recognizes that they will not always get the breaks needed to defeat their competition, however; the one who is determined to patiently wait for such breaks will often be rewarded.

2. “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” Many don’t realize that it was Mr. Player who coined this phrase. He tells the story that he coined it after taking money off of a gentlemen who challenged him to hole a bunker shot. Mr. Player holed three in a row.

1. “You must work very hard to become a natural golfer.” In most sports, the premier athletes are often viewed as “naturally gifted”, but Mr. Player points out that to be a natural it requires significant time and effort. Playing the game of golf in a natural way requires complete trust in your mental and physical techniques. Developing each portion takes time, effort and experience. Implementing both simultaneously, in order to play naturally, requires exponentially more. The career of Gary Player teaches us that hard work can be rewarded when the effort is deliberate. It is important to have the physical tools necessary to compete, but combining them with mental strength is necessary for one’s potential to be manifested. Mr. Player personifies such qualities.


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This article was written by Jonathan Carr as part of our Eat Sleep Golf 'Top 10' series. Jonathan is a talented and passionate golfer surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter (@JonathanWCarr) or read some of his other articles here.

Top 10 - NHL Golfers

One could argue that NHL hockey players should be terrific golfers. Their off season is peak time for golfing. The only thing preventing a good 3-4 months out on the links would be a deep playoff run chasing Lord Stanley’s Cup.

While the golf swing is different from a slap shot, there are similarities in the weight shift as well as the inside angle of attack. Perhaps the most significant similarity between professional golfers and NHLers is the necessity to possess soft hands. Gracefully cradling a puck prepares many for stepping onto the course and using that feel to execute the wide variety of delicate shots, most often around the green.

Let’s take a look at 10 of the top NHLers, both past and present, who know how to get it around the course.

10. Joe Sakic - The highly regarded captain of the Colorado Avalanche, had the shot of his life at the 2011 American Century Championship. Sakic recorded a hole-in-one on the Million Dollar Challenge hole. He took home half, with the other half going to charity. You can see his shot here:

 

9. Mike Cammalleri - A golfer who consistently shoots in the 70’s, Cammalleri has stated that he credits the attitude he has developed on the ice to what he has learned on the golf course. Just like in golf, he seeks to focus what he can control and pay no attention to anything he can’t.

8. John-Michael Liles - Defenseman who has played for the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and presently the Carolina Hurricanes. As a scratch golfer, it can be assumed that he is enjoying playing hockey in a climate which allows him to golf year round.

7. Marc Savard - Now retired from the NHL due to repeated concussions, Savard is now taking a crack at golf. Has received sponsors exemptions to play in PGA Tour Canada events. A talented athlete, it will be interesting to see what he can accomplish as a golfer.

6. Jamie Langenbrunner - Retired in 2013, played in 1,109 regular season games, recording over 600 points. A scratch golfer, Jamie has been known to return home to Minnesota during summers to compete in local events. In 2010, recorded a T8 finish in the prestigious American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe where celebrities and professional athletes hit the links to compete while at the same time raise money for charity. Read more about Jamie’s game.

5. Brett Hull - An avid golfer since early in his career with the St. Louis Blues, Hull has worked to get his game into the plus-handicap digits. A man known for his strong forearms and quick hands, they have certainly served him well both on the ice as well as the links.

4. Jeremy Roenick - Always a fan favourite, played for five different NHL clubs, netting 1,216 points in 1,363 games. Roenick is regarded as one of the most competitive golfers among celebrity players. Between 2008 and 2014 he has finished in the top ten all but once at the American Century Championship.

3. Mario Lemiuex - Regarded as one of the best to ever play the game of hockey. His 1,723 points ranks 8th on the all-time list; this despite a career plagued by injury and illness. A skilled golfer throughout his days in the NHL, he claimed the American Century Championship back in 1998. Mario shot rounds of 67 and 69 in the final two rounds of the 54 hole event.

2. Grant Fuhr - Has made golf his second career since retiring from the NHL in 2000. Is currently the Director of Golf at Desert Dunes Golf Club in Palm Springs, Ca. An established tournament golfer, Fuhr has made an attempt at professional golf in the past.

1. Dan Quinn - As a youngster, received scholarship offers in both hockey and golf. Has established himself as one of the premier players on the celebrity golf circuit, having won the American Century Championship five times between 1990 and 2014. With an eye on one day possibly attempting to play his way onto the Senior PGA Tour, Quinn is a part-time caddie for Ernie Els on the PGA Tour. Listen to Els & Quinn:

 

And lastly, someone who has some work to do prior to cracking our top 10 list, Alex Ovechkin.  As seen in the video below, playing golf for the first time, it takes Alex a few tries before connecting with the ball, but when he does, the results are unbelievable...

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This article was written by Jonathan Carr as part of our Eat Sleep Golf 'Top 10' series. Jonathan is a talented and passionate golfer surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter (@JonathanWCarr) or read some of his other articles here.

Top 10 - Lessons We Can Learn From Jordan Spieth's Masters Play

Jordan Spieth is the hottest player on the planet. His 64 in Thursday’s first round of the 2015 Masters was very close to being a historic round at Augusta National. Let’s take a look at some valuable lessons that golfers of every ability can learn from his near record-setting performance. 

10. Do your homework 

While describing his first round, Jordan consistently stated with confidence the exact breaks of putts that he had throughout the day. He was describing putts from earlier that day, but he made those putts because he knew ahead of time what they were going to do. Great players do their homework. 

9. Have fun 

Did anybody else notice how much Jordan seemed to be enjoying himself on Thursday? It makes a difference. A positive attitude is a very important strategy that many of us amateurs forget to implement. 

8. Accept the results 

Jordan mentioned a couple times in post-round interviews that he was disappointed by his club selection on the 15th which led to a bogey. Even following a great round of golf, there will always be shots that you can replay in your mind and wonder “what if?”. It’s important to accept what happens during the course of a round. Focusing too much on the past can only prevent you from performing your best as you move forward. 

7. You are never too good to seek advice 

This year’s Masters will serve as Ben Crenshaw’s last. As a man known for his putting prowess, Jordan took advantage of playing practice holes with “Mr. Crenshaw” earlier in the week. Spieth was quick to give credit to the golf legend for advice he received around the greens. The best become better when they accept advice and make the knowledge gained their own. 

6. Practice smart 

Once getting off the golf course, one of the first things Jordan mentioned was that leading up the the tournament he was trying to find the balance between “resting and solid, good practice”. Practice is not about how much you complete, but about being wise in your plans to accomplish what is required to be successful. 

5. Great performances often involve great breaks 

Spieth mentioned that he felt he got a lot of “lucky breaks”. He was right. On 7 he had a clear opening to the green after blocking his shot into the trees. On 12 he watched his putt roll in for birdie as he walked toward the cup, frustrated by a poor putting stroke. Two holes later he hit the pin on a shot from the right rough which required a fade around trees. Without the pin he would have been at the back of the green instead of putting from 2 feet for birdie. Ben Crenshaw alluded to this point earlier in the week when he said, “Something really good usually happens to the champion that I think is a little out of the ordinary. It seems to happen here a lot”. 

4. Treat every shot the same 

When asked if he treated the birdie putt on the 18th, which he made, any differently than some of the others during his round, Jordan quickly stated, “No, it was just another stroke. Just another birdie putt”. Whether it be a par save, a rare birdie putt, or a putt to win the club championship, it is important to remember that each putt is simply that - a putt. Getting in the habit of treating all shots the same can significantly improve performance and consistency. 

3. Stay in the moment 

“I didn’t really know how many under par I was on 13, 14”. With this statement Jordan shows the value of focusing on the task at hand, rather than the scorecard. When playing well, focus on the process. Dwelling on your score only draws attention away from what is necessary to perform your best. 

2. Never focus on the outcome 

Focusing on the final outcome of a round, instantaneously takes you out of the moment and brings distractions that hurt performance. Jordan mentioned that on 15 he saw the scoreboard and realized that he could accomplish a personal first as a professional - shooting 10-under. It led to his lone bogey of the day. “I saw the scoreboard on 15 and maybe tried to push it a little bit”. It was when he got out of the moment and began thinking about final results that he began making errors. Focus on the moment, not the outcome. 

1. It doesn’t have to be “textbook” 

Something I really like about Spieth’s game is the fact that it isn’t overly polished. Don’t get me wrong, he has a great golf swing and rolls putts as good as anyone, but I like how he does it in a way that works for him. Too often we amateurs, and many professionals for that matter, will fall into the trap of thinking that if our games don’t look elite, they can’t be elite. Jordan Spieth has a front foot that moves during the follow through, a non-conventional grip, and a lead arm which bends slightly on the backswing as well as the follow through. But don’t go sounding any alarms. He just used that swing to shoot 64 at the Masters.

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This article was written by Jonathan Carr as part of our Eat Sleep Golf 'Top 10' series.  Jonathan is a talented and passionate golfer surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family.  Connect with Jonathan on Twitter (@JonathanWCarr) or read some of his other articles here.

Top 10 - Drills Pros Use and You Should Too

Think you aren't good enough to do some of the drills that the pros work on from time to time? Think again. There are several old standby drills for every part of the game that the pros know and you should too. whether you are a high handicap player or a scratch golfer, there are fall back drills that can help every player improve.

Even if you aren't having a particular problem in your swing, it's good to visit the following drills from occasionally to help keep your game in sync. We all lose consistency and need some check points to make sure we are staying on track. If our swings or timing never changed, we'd all be on tour AND winning week in and week out. There are just too many variables with the human body and mind to have that be the case.

These drills are there to help with basic timing, path, club face, power and contact. They are my Top 10 Best Easy Drills that can help everyone regardless of skill level:

Full Swing Drills:

Feet Together
This drill eliminates lateral swaying and helps you make a more efficient pivot. The result is improved contact (clean hits) and increased distance. If you find yourself moving around too much or having problems with your timing, this is a drill that will surely help. It is also just a great pre round warm up drill in general.

• Place your feet together and make a few practice swings. This will help you get a feel for your balance.
• Then try hitting balls with your feet together. This will teach you how to pivot in place and help eliminate a sway.

Impact Pre-Set
This drill helps train you on getting to the proper impact position. If you find yourself with poor contact (fat or thin shots), this drill will help you make sure everything is lining up correctly at the moment of impact.

• Start with your usual address position. From here, forward press yourself into your impact position. Your hands should be left of your zipper if you are a right handed player. Your back foot heel should be in the air just a bit and your stomach will be facing the target. Make sure your shoulders remain square to your target line. If you have gotten yourself in the correct position your weight will be on your front leg.
• Hold this position for a few seconds and then rotate going back and forth from impact to address. You will soon feel a clear difference between the two and it will help you identify where you want to be at impact.

Connection
This drill helps keep your arms connected with your pivot. If you are struggling with inconsistent contact and hitting errant shots or shanks it could be because your arms are moving away form your body. It's the perfect drill to work on your timing.

• Place head covers or a large towel under your armpits. Make practice swings holding the head covers in as you swing back and forth. This will give you the feel of a "connected swing."
• Once you've got the feel down try hitting balls.

Chipping Drills:

Descending Blow
This drill helps prevent those fat and thin chip shots around the green. If you are struggling with poor contact and distance control due to lack of clean contact and spin, this is one you will like.

• Lay a swing plane pole flat on the ground about 5 inches behind your ball. Start without a ball and practice swinging down over the top of it and hitting down into the ground with a nice descending blow.
• Once you get the hang of it and you are letting the club make contact with the ground, then try placing a ball about 5 inches in front of the pole. You should soon feel you are hitting down on your chips with a descending blow as opposed to trying to help it up.

One Foot Only
This drill will teach you how to hit down on the ball and compress it. If you have had problems getting the ball to pop up and spin when you are chipping this drill will help.

• Stand only on your front foot. You can place your back foot on the toe and rest it on the ground behind your front fooot for balance. Keep your center of gravity over your front foot and don't allow yourself to back up and scoop.
• Keep you weight balanced on your front foot practice hitting down into the ground without a ball. This allows you to make a descending blow.
• Once you get used to "letting" the club hit the ground, try hitting some balls.

Putting Drills:

Flag Stick
This drill will help ensure you get each of your putts to the hole, but also leave your misses as just a short tap in. If you have been having big problems with distance control, this is the drill for you.

• Take a club or the flagstick and place it a foot and a half or two feet past the cup. Work on getting all of your putts from different lengths and different breaks, along with up hill and down hill putts to finish between the hole and the stick. If you do, you putting the correct speed on each putt that will allow it to stay on the break line without dying off too soon, but not too much speed that it won't take the break.

Track It
Whether you putt on a straigh line or an arc, this drill will help you groove a consistent path.

• If you prefer to move your putter on a straight line, you can either purchase a straight putting track or simply make one with two of your clubs. Just lay them on the ground just a little further apart than the width of your putter. If you prefer to putt on an arc you will need to purchase The Putting Arc, or one similar to ensure you are making the same arc every time.
• Start at about 3 feet, aim your track and make 10 putts in a row. Then step back to 6 feet and do the same and so on. - If you iss any of the 10 putts at any distance, pull them all back and start over until you get 10 in a row.

Portal
Learn how to hit your putts dead center on your putter face. Hitting in the center of the face is the only way to increase accuracy and control speed.

• Start by placing a tee just outside the toe of your putter and another one just behind the heel. This creates your portal.
• Roll 3 footers and focus on moving your putter between the tees.
• When you are able to get through the tees easily and sink putts, drop back to 6 feet and so on to see how far out you can go.

Sand Drill:

Two Lines in the Sand
This drill will help learn to enter the sand at the same point every time. If you are having problems entering the sand to soon, taking too much sand, or not taking enough sand, this is a great drill for you.

• Use the bottom end of your grip and draw two lines in the sand aimed towards your target. They should be about 8 inches apart from each other.
• Make a few practice swings in the sand to try monitoring the depth of your splash. Your club head should enter at the first line and exit at the second.
• Once you are making a nice shallow splash you are ready for a ball. You should soon have a consistent angle of attack and depth on your bunker shots.

Driving Power Drill:

Coil Cranker
This drill helps you calm down excessive leg action on your backswing that can weaken your coil. It will also help deter any unnecessary movements.

• Use a stability or physio ball and place it between your legs. (Note that this is a drill for the backswing only.) Squeeze the ball with your knees to help resist too much hip turn.
• While squeezing the ball see how far back you can coil your shoulders (your goal should be to at least get your left shoulder to the ball and well past your left knee). You will feel a lot of resistance and that is the feeling of power!
• Once you are able to do this without a ball, try hitting some drives.

Not everyone is equally fexible so you might not be able to go back that far, but the like anything else, you may have to start small and work your way up stretching more and more each week.

Again, even if you aren't having specific issues, if you want to work on getting your swing in sync, adding power and stability and gaining accuracy with your path and clubface, these are great drills to have in your arsenal. Use them to perform self checks between rounds. They are good enough for the pros and will help you stay on track too!

About the Author - Maria Palozola

Maria Palozola is an LPGA member who has been instructing for over 20 years. She is ranked a Top 50 Teacher with the LPGA having been voted by her peers as the Midwest Section Teacher of the Year in 2013, 2011 and 2008. She is ranked a Top 5 Teacher in the State with Golf Digest.

Maria coaches online at her game improvement site www.mygolfinstructor.com and gives private lessons at www.stlouisgolflessons.com.

Top 10 Par 3 Holes in the World

Whilst the selection of the best par 3 hole in the world may come down an individual's personal taste, there is no doubt that certain par 3's stand out above others. Many par 3's are incredibly difficult where as others are made purely to delight. Here is a run down of the top 10 par 3 holes in the world.

10. Trump International Golf Club - Hole 14 - Ireland

Designed by Greg Norman, Doonbeg Golf Club, Ireland features a very short par 3 of just 111 yards. However, do not be deceived in to thinking it will be a stroll in the park, located on the coast, as soon as the wind picks up the tee shot becomes a very tough challenge. Any slight misjudgements will be punished.


9.  Whistling Straits - Hole 17 - USA

Stretching over 220 yards, the par 3, 17^th hole on The Straits is enough to send a shiver down your spine. Looking up from the tee, the huge, deep bunkers are the first, obvious dangers that catch the eye but drift too far left and the sharp decline towards the water comes in to play.


8.  Vale Do Lobo Royal - Hole 16 - Portugal

One of the most photographed holes in European golf, the 16^th hole at Vale Do Lobo Royal measures in at a total of 224 yards. The tee is situated on the edge of a cliff, which provides an additional adrenaline rush for those suffering with vertigo. Clearing the gap in the cliffs between the tee and green is the first task and making par is a job well done.


7.  TPC Scottsdale - Hole 16 - USA

The difficulty or the design of this par 3 hole would probably not be enough for it to make the list, however, to witness this hole during the Phoenix Open is something else. The set-up is something more regularly seen in gladiator movies, with spectators screaming and shouting from stalls situated around the hole. The intimidation factor can be enough to beat many players on this hole.

 6.  Cypress Point - Hole 16 - USA

The Pacific Ocean provides the main hazard of this magnificent par 3, 16^th hole at Cypress Point. However, successfully sending your ball over the water does not necessarily guarantee results. Well placed bunkers and an average sized green can provide difficulties, especially to those who start to relax having made it over to the other side.

 5.  Royal Troon - Hole 8 - Scotland

Known as the Postage Stamp, the 8^th hole at Royal Troon is the shortest hole in Open Championship golf. On the face of it, the hole looks as if it should make for a comfortable par 3, however, the reality is much different. The green is difficult to hit and even by finding it, getting the ball to stick is another matter entirely. A less than perfect shot will be punished as the ball rolls off in to one of the deep, unforgiving hole side bunkers.

4.  TPC Sawgrass - Hole 17 - USA

The famous 17^th hole at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most famous holes in the world of golf because of it's island green. Yes, it is possible to make birdies on this hole and plenty of players do. Having said that, it has also been responsible for destroying a round of a golf, with many balls finding the surrounding water.

3. Punta Mita - Hole 3B - Mexico

Not the first par 3 to feature in the list that requires a shot over the Pacific ocean, hole 3B at Punta Mita boasts the world's only natural island green. In low tide, it's possible to reach the green using a golf cart but in high tide, an amphibious vehicle awaits to take those players over, who were good enough to find the target.


2.  Augusta National - Hole 12 - USA

Easily one of, if not the most famous par 3 hole in the world of golf, the par 3 12th at Augusta National has provided plenty of drama over the years. Guarded by three well placed bunkers and Rae's Creek, the green is very shallow and the hole combines with the second shot at the 11th and first two shots of the 13th holes to make 'Amen Corner'. Featuring the Ben Hogan bridge and always beautifully manicured, this hole looks picture perfect but the wind can cause havoc with any tee shot.


1.  Coeur d'Alene Golf Club - Hole 14 - USA

If, having seen the island par 3 holes at both TPC Sawgrass and the Pacifico Course, you were thinking that island holes could not get any better, think again. The 14th hole at Coeur d'Alene Golf Club features a green that is completely cut off from the rest of the course. The man made island is only reachable by boat and not only that, it can be moved, meaning the hole can play differently every time. The par 3 14th at Coeur d'Alene Golf Club really is one of a kind.