Tag: Florida

Swing into Spring at These Southeastern Golf Destinations
While the blooming dogwoods and azaleas of the Southeastern U.S. and the 2021 Masters are behind us, the golf season is just getting started. And oh, what a season it is shaping up to be.

Golf participation surged in 2020 as avid golfers played even more golf, new players were introduced to (and stuck with) the game, and an influx of juniors has the future of the game looking brighter than ever. And if 2020 was the year for playing golf around town, 2021 is looking like the year to grab the clubs and hit the road.

Fortunately, this golf-rich region serves up some of the best golf destinations the country has to offer. Here’s a sampling of top shelf resorts from the land of BBQ, bourbon and college football.

Florida

Innisbrook Golf Resort –Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course is a favorite among PGA TOUR pros, and it’s also one of the most difficult on the circuit. This highly amenitized resort west of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico houses four courses along with a variety of rooms, suites and vacation rentals.

PGA National Resort and Spa – Palm Beach County is a hotbed of golf, and it doesn’t get any hotter than PGA National Resort and Spa, home of the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic. Five courses, including the Jack Nicklaus designed Champ, await golfers willing to test their mettle against this tournament tested venue.

PGA Golf Club – The flagship public property of the PGA of America, PGA Golf Club is a 54-hole golf panacea with a world-class practice range, short game area and short course. Catch a bite to eat in the Taplow Pub and stay a few nights in the adjacent Perfect Drive Villas or neighboring Hilton Garden Inn.

Streamsong Resort – One of Florida’s newest golf resorts got even newer with the opening of its Gil Hanse-designed Black Course in 2018. The resort’s Red and Blue courses have also quickly moved atop the national rankings, and the Streamsong Lodge is the perfect place to kick back and relax, post round.
- Streamsong Red
Georgia

Callaway Resort and Gardens – Golf may not be the first thing that comes to mind at this famous water-skiing stronghold, but the 18-hole Lake View and Mountain View Courses are a couple underrated gems. Golfers can chose from the AAA Four Diamond Lodge, cottages or villa accommodations.

Reynolds Lake Oconee – Reynolds Lake Oconee is to Georgia as Pinehurst Resort is to North Carolina. That is to say, a seemingly endless supply of golf in the form of six highly-ranked layouts designed by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, Bob Cupp and Jim Engh. Lodging ranges from cozy cottages to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Lake Oconee.

Sea Island Resort – While Georgia is better known as the home of The Masters, the RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort is a PGA TOUR player favorite. So much so, several pros make their home at this golf haven on Atlantic. The Seaside Course is a Tom Fazio redesign perched hard on the Atlantic, the Plantation Course was recently renovated by natives Davis and Mark Love, who also recast the Retreat Course in 2001.
North Carolina

Grandover Resort – Golfers need only veer off I-85 in Greensboro to access this 36-hole collection designed by Gary Panks. A full-service onsite hotel offers all the accoutrements, from casual and fine dining to a spa and fitness center.

Pinehurst Resort – Nine 18-hole courses, including the famed No. 2, frequent U.S. Open host course, make Pinehurst Resort the largest golf resort in the U.S. Golfers also love The Cradle, a nine-hole short course designed by Gil Hanse, and Thistle Dhu, a 75,000 square-foot putting course. Golfers can choose from three hotels, including the recently renovated Manor Inn, just a short walk to the new Pinehurst Brewing Co.

Rumbling Bald – Spring in Western North Carolina means mountain golf and Rumbling Bald along scenic Lake Lure obliges with two 18-hole tracks, Apple Valley and Bald Mountain, designed by W.B. Lewis and Dan Maples. Spacious vacation rentals are available for stay-and-plays, and the lake offers endless off-course activities.
South Carolina

Cherokee Valley Course and Club – Upstate South Carolina’s premier golf destination, Cherokee Valley is home to a P.B. Dye mountain-style layout, on-site cottages and a brand-new casual dining restaurant, Core 450. Get game ready at one of South Carolina’s most expansive practice facilities.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort – For golfers who want to play where the pros play this year, Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course is hosting the 2021 PGA Championship in May. If Pete Dye’s diabolic oceanside layout it too tough to tackle, four other 18-hole courses adorn this majestic barrier island near Charleston. Catch a good night’s rest at the Sanctuary at Kiawah, a AAA Five Diamond hotel.

Myrtle Beach – While it’s not a resort, per se, the Grand Strand one of the world’s most iconic golf destinations. Accommodation options are limitless, and lineup cards can be filled with vaunted venues like Tidewater Golf Club, Grande Dunes Resort Course, King’s North at Myrtle Beach National, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort – Hilton Head is known as “Golf Island,” and the three brawny layouts at Palmetto Dunes are a big reason for that moniker. The Robert Trent Jones features one of the island’s only oceanfront holes, and the George Fazio and Arthur Hills courses round out the bill. Golf groups love the popular “Birdies and Beer Getaway” and the resort’s comfy vacation rentals.

Sea Pines Resort – Settled along Hilton Head Island’s south end, The Sea Pines Resort is home of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage tournament and famed Harbor Town Golf Links. Two other championship caliber tracks reside inside the gates, Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III. The Inn and Club at Harbor Town is just a pitching wedge from the clubhouse and the famed Yacht Basin is a short jaunt away.
- Sea Pines – Harbor Town Golf Links
May 5, 2021
True Spec Golf: Next Level Club Fitting

Most people are familiar with the concept of club fitting, and most golfers have probably been through some kind of fitting for their clubs at one point or another. As equipment has evolved, fitting has evolved with it. Adjustable drivers and interchangeable shafts have greatly benefitted club fitting professionals, allowing them to tune the clubs for each golfer. With the amount of technology available in the modern game, club fitting has become even more precise and important to get the best possible performance out of your clubs.

The Technology

Like many companies, True Spec Golf is taking advantage of technology to provide advanced club fitting for golfers of every ability. Unlike manufacturer specific fitting carts at those big box stores, True Spec Golf is brand-agnostic. Because of that, their fitting matrix stocks more than 30,000 combinations of club heads and shafts from all the leading equipment manufacturers. They combine that amazing selection with high performance launch monitors from industry leaders TrackMan and Foresight, and they use advanced tools like their patented Club-Connex adapter system to fit any shaft to any head, and the SST Pure Shaft Alignment System to ensure you get the best performance from your shafts.

The Mission

I visited True Spec’s fitting studio at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida to get fitted for a three-wood. For years, finding a three-wood that performs the way I want has been like finding my personal golf unicorn. I primarily use a three-wood off the tee, so want one that has low spin and mid-low ball flight for distance, but I also want the club to perform well from the fairway if I want to go for a long par five in two from 250+ yards. Finding the perfect combo has been tough. I came very close last year with the Exotics CB Pro and have had some success with my newest gamer (an Exotics EX10 beta), but after several months of testing both clubs are just too spinny for me.

The fitting process takes place in a clean, modern fitting studio that opens into the driving range at Trump National. No indoor hitting bays here! I want to see the actual ball flight, not a computer simulation. My fitter Matthew welcomed me and let me hit some warm-up shots with my own clubs to get loose while he watched and gathered some swing and ball flight data from the Trackman. Watching my swing and Trackman data while I warmed up helped him select a few shafts and heads to get the fitting process started with.

The Process & Results

Even though the True Spec fitting studio has over 30,000 possible shaft/head combinations available, an experienced fitting professional like Matt can use that Trackman data to quickly eliminate the shafts he knows won’t work for me, streamlining the process and saving time. Using True Spec’s Club-Connex system, Matt set up a trio of three-woods for me to hit, each with a different shaft & head combo. I would hit 4 or 5 shots with each and switch back and forth between clubs while he made loft/lie adjustments or changed out shafts and kept handing me different combos to try. All told, I hit fairway woods from Ping, Exotics, Taylor Made, Titleist, PXG, Callaway and a few others.

After hitting about 50 shots, we started to zero in on the best performing head and shaft combinations. When you are using a top of the line TrackMan launch monitor you can be certain that the data you get will be accurate. In my case, the numbers don’t lie. Compared to my gamer three-wood, (Exotics EX10 beta with 13 degrees of loft fitted to a Graphite Design G70x shaft) the club Matt put together for me (Ping G400 14.5, turned down to 13.9 degrees fitted with Fujikura ATMOS Tour Spec Red 80x) was giving me 8.6 yards more carry distance and 10.3 more yards total distance. That’s a huge increase for me!

How’d He Do It?

How did Matt help me gain 10 yards with a new three-wood? Again, it’s all about the numbers. By selecting a club head (Ping G400) with a hot face and low spin, we were able to decrease my spin rate by an average of 678 RPMs! Because of the lower spin, we needed to increase my launch angle to maximize carry distance. By selecting a Fujikira ATMOS Red shaft with a slightly lower kickpoint, he was able to bring my launch angle up from from 9.3 degrees to 11. High launch – Low spin. That, my friends, is the recipe for greater distance.

As I mentioned in another recent article, finding the right shaft & head combination for you can pay off big, with more distance and consistency. In that post I mated a Ping G400 driver with the new shaft from TPT golf to gain 9 yards off the tee over my previous gamer – the Ping G. Was it purely by chance that the G400 three-wood also happened to be the best performing fairway wood for me?

I’m mildly shocked but very pleased about gaining 9+ yards with both my new Ping driver and three-woods, considering both clubs were fitted for me independently of each other. What that says to me is the Ping’s G400 line are very good clubs, especially when fitted with the right shaft by an expert club fitter. Even better, I finally found my golf unicorn – a versatile, consistent performing three-wood!

You Probably Need A Fitting

What is it worth to you to gain distance throughout the bag, while improving the feel and consistency of all your clubs? True Spec’s fitting process works, and it’s guaranteed. For more information, visit https://www.truespecgolf.com/ I’ve been preaching the benefits of club fitting for years, and I’ll continue to champion the cause. It really does make a difference in your game, no matter what your handicap.

February 27, 2018
Imperial Coolcore Headwear

You may not know much about Imperial headwear, but they’ve been around for a long time. Since 1916 to be specific. Chances are good that one or more of the hats you own were made by Imperial. I have several Imperial products in my closet, but my favorite is the new Coolcore hat.

Coolcore is a technology similar to modern golf shirts that helps to wick moisture away from the wearer and keep you cooler. When wet, the hats claim a 30% lower surface temperature compared to regular cotton hats. The material is very light weight and comfortable to wear. The hats also provide UPF 45 sun protection and are offered in several styles and colors. For maximum protection, try the Old Norse model with wide brim for total sun protection.

Playing golf during the summer months in Florida, we have to deal with a scorching sun and brutally hot and humid weather. The three things you need to play golf in these conditions are a hat, a good towel and plenty of water. I found that the best way to use the Coolcore hats is to wet them with cold water and wear them wet for maximum cooling. I just rinse the hat in cold water every few holes and my head stays nice and comfy.

Naturally, much of Imperial’s business comes in the form of custom logo sales. After all, most (if not all) of the hats you have probably have a pro sports team, golf company or golf course logo on them. With that in mind, you may be interested in Imperial’s new Tailgate Collection. These models feature hats with the state of origin on them in colors that mimic the popular collegiate teams from that state.

The next time you are looking for a hat in your local pro shop or golf store, make sure you check under the lid for the brand name. Not all hats are created equal. Imperial’s headwear is top quality, so look for the name and happy shopping!

https://vimeo.com/127868395

October 6, 2015
Streamsong Resort – Florida’s Hidden Gem

The History

Several years ago the Mosaic Company, the world’s largest combined producer of potash and phosphates, was about to reclaim 16,000 acres of land near Fort Meade, Florida that had been mined for nearly 100 years for phosphate. Instead, Mosaic CFO Richard Mack proposed building a golf resort. When Mr. Mack invited the design teams of Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (and later Tom Doak) to tour the area, they were stuck by the unique assortment of dunes, elevation changes, sand and native grasses that distinguish the property from your typical Florida landscape. It is estimated that the mining process stockpiled 15 million cubic yards of sand. The land sat untouched for over 50 years, and what nature gave back was a spectacular collection of dunes, lakes and sandy soil on which to build golf courses. Tom Doak famously said about the property: “”If you parachuted me into Streamsong, and you gave me 75 guesses as to where I’m at in the world, my 73rd guess might be somewhere in Florida.”

Streamsong Resort opened in January of 2013 to rave reviews. The Coore & Crenshaw designed Red course is ranked fourth in Florida (#18 in the US) and the Tom Doak designed Blue course is number six (#24 in the US) on Golf Digest’s Best in State Rankings. Both courses were built and opened at roughly the same time. In fact, Doak and Coore collaborated on the overall routing of both courses and even shared the design of some holes on each course, the details of which seem to be closely guarded. Because of the collaborative effort and clever routing of both courses, players can play some unique non-traditional six or twelve hole loops, including six holes on the Red and six on the Blue.

Streamsong Blue #13

The Courses

The Red course measures 7148 yards (74.2 / 130) from the longest tees and 5184 from the shortest, giving everyone a course that is challenging but fair. I found the Red course to be a little more forgiving, with shallow bunkers, fewer forced carries and greens that were flatter and featured prominent chipping and run-off areas. The Blue course stretches to 7176 yards (74.1 / 131) from the back tees and down to 5531 from the gold tees. The Blue course has larger, more undulating greens and deeper bunkers, but like the Red course, it generally offers plenty of space off the tee. The relative lack of trees and exposed elevations of both courses means that the wind is always a factor, especially when playing from, over or around any of the large dunes that dot the landscape. My first round on the Blue course in late January was negotiated in constant 30 mph winds with gusts into the 40s. The terrain tends to play hard and fast, giving golfers many options for approach shots along the ground. For example, on the 18th hole of the Blue course my playing partner Jay and I waged a “closest to the pin” contest for fun from 125 yards out in the fairway. With our putters. The contours of the hole and the shape of the green gives you the option to run the ball up along the ground, and we both managed to get the ball on the green. Many holes on both courses set up the same way.

Streamsong Red #17

These Boots Are Meant For Walking

During peak season from January 1 to April 15 Streamsong is walking only. They have an experienced roster of professional caddies available at all times. (At additional cost) During the summer months when temperatures usually hit the mid 90s, golf carts are available, but the use of a forecaddie is mandatory. This walking-only policy may turn away some visitors, but Streamsong believes walking is by far the best way to appreciate the subtleties of the golf courses while keeping the turf in excellent shape year-round. Of course those with physical disabilities are allowed to use a cart, and caddies are not required when walking but highly recommended. Most of them have lots of experience on both layouts and are of great assistance in plotting your way around the course.

Architecture

Almost as striking as the dramatic landscape is the architecture at Streamsong. The golf clubhouse is a modern looking structure designed by Alberto Alfonso. It sits between the dunes and next to a lake that golfers must carry the ball over on both courses at one time or another during the round. The building has everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Besides the pro shop and 4500 square feet of conference space, the steak and seafood restaurant Fifty-Nine and and outdoor terrace, the clubhouse also has twelve guest rooms that served as the only on-site accommodations when the resort first opened.

Streamsong Lodge

Since opening in January of 2014, the Lodge has become the center of off-course activities at Streamsong Resort. This 216 room luxury hotel sits on the shores of a pristine private lake teaming with wildlife and stocked with bass. The horseshoe shape of the building gives every room a great view of the lake, outdoor fire pits and beautiful infinity pool. AcquaPietra, the 7000 square foot subterranean grotto-style spa with seven bathing pools and and nine treatment rooms will help melt away stress and treat those aches and pains.

AcquaPietra Spa

Dining

With four top notch restaurants on site, you’ll never leave hungry. SottoTerra features traditional Italian cuisine, P2O5 serves traditional Floridian favorites like oysters, conch chowder and fried chicken, and is named after the chemical symbol for phosphate. Finally, take a short elevator trip to the rooftop grill of Fragmentary Blue to enjoy Sriracha glazed chicken skewers, buffalo pork rinds and other casual fare while having a drink and enjoy the views that go on for miles in all directions.

Off Course Activities

The virtually untouched lakes and streams surrounding Streamsong offer some of the best bass fishing in the state, and guided tours depart from the docks just a short walk away from the Lodge. For shooting sports enthusiasts there’s also a well designed Sporting Clays course led by certified instructors just a short drive away on property. For large groups, there is 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, but who expects to get any work done at a place like this?

What makes Streamsong Resort so unique is the location and topography. Situated just over an hour from Tampa and about 90 minutes from Orlando, it is close enough for a quick weekend trip, but the property itself is so remote and isolated that you don’t feel like you are that close to any civilization. Some people have compared Streamsong Resort to Bandon Dunes in Oregon or Cabot Links in Nova Scotia, and perhaps the comparisons are valid in terms of remoteness, but to me comparing repurposed phosphate mines in rural Florida to true seaside links land isn’t fair. Bandon and Cabot are on the coast, but Streamsong is over 40 miles from the Gulf or Mexico and the weather is much better!

The Future is Black

Where all these resorts do compare however is in the accolades they have received. In just a few years Streamsong has managed to get everyone’s attention and rank highly in many golf industry rankings. Both courses sit in the top 20 nationally in rankings from Golfweek, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and others. But if you thought Streamsong would rest on their laurels, you were wrong. 2016 Olympic course designer Gil Hanse was recently announced as the architect for a third golf course that will start construction this summer with an anticipated opening in 2017. The new Black course will have its own clubhouse and dedicated practice facility and be located a short distance away from the Red and Blue courses. The terrain for the Black course isn’t quite as dramatic as the original two, but there is no shortage of interesting land forms and vegetation to route a course through. There are also rumors about a fourth course in the future. With 16,000 acres to work with and given the stellar golf Streamsong has produced so far, perhaps the comparisons to Bandon Dunes will continue – Minus the ocean breezes and rain of course.

Fragmentary Blue Restaurant

At Streamsong Resort, the course designers proved that you don’t have to move tons of dirt and sand to make beautiful and playable golf courses. The leadership team also proved that when executed properly, a piece of seemingly useless land can be transformed into a place people really want to go. In many respects, Streamsong is a collection of contradictions. It’s remote enough that you could never find it by accident, but close enough to Tampa and Orlando for a day trip. The golf is played on foot with caddies, but valet service and complementary shuttles transport guests to and from the course. The post modern architecture of the clubhouse and lodge clash with the unkempt wilderness that surrounds them. The land that sat untouched by humans for decades now attracts people from all over the world.

Streamsong Resort is a must-visit for all golfers. The courses are among the best in the US, the accommodations and dining are excellent, the amenities are a perfect complement to the golf and the service is exceptional. Stay and play packages range from $139 to $199 per person depending on the time of year and size of your group. For more information visit http://www.streamsongresort.com/

April 28, 2015
Rod Perry Wins 2013 PGA Professional National Championship
Congratulations to Rod Perry for winning the PGA Professional National Championship! This story is significant for us at into the grain because Rod is a local boy and a personal friend. We are headquartered just a few minutes from Crane Lakes Golf Club in Port Orange, Florida where Rod is the head professional. There are many great teachers and many great players in the game of golf, but it is very rare to find someone that is both a great player and teacher. Mr. Perry is one of those rare talents. He’s no stranger to competing at the highest level, having played in several PGA Tour events and last year’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. Congrats Rod!

Below is the press release from Taylor Made that summarizes his victory and gives you a look at their overall club usage at the event.

CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 27, 2013) – After placing second in last year’s event, TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Staff Professional and Rod Perry claimed a three-shot victory at the PGA Professional National Championship in Sunriver, Oregon. Perry, wearing adidas Golf apparel and footwear, played a full bag of TaylorMade equipment highlighted by the RocketBladez Tour irons. With the win, Perry receives a guaranteed entry to play in the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

Perry, the PGA head pro at Crane Lakes Golf and Country Club in Port Orange, and seven other TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA staff professionals punched their tickets to the season’s final major by placing in the Top 20. Those players include:
- • Jeff Sorenson – Columbia Golf Learning Center
- • JC Anderson – Missouri Bluffs GC
- • Chip Sullivan – Hanging Rock GC
- • Bob Sowards – New Albany CC
- • Sonny Skinner – River Pointe GC
- • Jeffrey Martin – Norton CC
- • Caine Fitzgerald – Murphy Creek GC
For the first time in tournament history, TaylorMade was the No. 1 driver brand played at the event, played by more than 45% of the field. Also of note, the Ghost Spider S was the No. 1 putter model, with 18 in play while the Daddy Long Legs ranked No. 2 with 10 in play. This also marked the first time TaylorMade has been the No. 1 putter model at this event.

In the Bag:

Lethal golf ball

RBZ Tour 10.5

RBZ Stage 2 Tour 14.5

Adams hybrid 17.0

RocketBladez 4-PW, AW

ATV 54, 60 wedges

Ghost Spider S

adidas Golf apparel

adidas Golf footwear – adidas Tour 360 ATV
June 27, 2013
Orlando’s 10 Best Golf Courses
Living in central Florida provides me with an opportunity to play golf year round. Since May of 2007 I have played in over 50 golf tournaments all over the state, which has allowed me to enjoy many different courses. Florida’s golf courses have great variety, despite having very little elevation. In fact, the highest point in FL (in the panhandle) is only 345 feet above sea level, and the mean elevation is 100 feet above sea level. Heck, the highest point in the state south of Orlando is a land fill, so it should come as no surprise that most of the elevation and contours on the golf courses have to be manufactured by bringing in dirt or digging lakes to give the designers dirt to play with. Florida has almost 1500 golf courses, and some of the best in the state are within a 30 minute drive of Downtown Orlando. Being one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country not named Hawaii (Check here for Hawaii tee times) there is no shortage of things to do when not playing golf. Tourists from all over the world come to Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, Cypress Gardens and nearby Busch Gardens. With that in mind, I will present my list of the ten best golf courses or destinations in the greater Orlando area.

This was not a scientific study, just a subjective list based on my personal experience and the feelings of some of my fellow Floridians. Most of these courses have been a mainstay of the Orlando top ten list for years, and some are newcomers. Tee times at many of these courses can also be booked at discounted rates through Orlando Tee Times. So, without further ado...
Ten Best Greater Orlando Golf Destinations
There you have it, in no particular order. Before the discussion starts and everyone throws a list of courses that should have made it on the list my way, I'll present my list of Honorable mentions, since there are many fine courses worth playing.
Honorable Mentions
The amount of quality courses in the Orlando area makes it very difficult to select the best courses, since there are probably another 10 or 15 courses that deserve mention. I've listed 20 courses or resorts here that any visitor will enjoy, with greens fee ranging from $35 to over $200. I could have listed more, or moved a few of the honorable mentions into the top ten list, and Sugarloaf Mountain almost didn't make the list because of the unfortunate condition of their greens lately, but the design stands on it's own as one of the best in the area, and would probably make my top 5 list. So with my opinions put to paper - let the discussion begin! {This post was originally written on 18 June, 2009 by John Duval}
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March 6, 2010
How to putt better on grainy greens

Since I named my website “Into The Grain” and I intend to publish pointers and tips, I thought a tip on putting the grainy greens of Florida would be a great place to start.

As if putting wasn’t hard enough already, anyone who plays golf in the Southeast is used to Bermuda grass greens, and putting with, against and across the grain. It took me about 2 years to figure out the grain on my home course when I first moved to Florida. There is no magic trick to putting well on grainy greens. You can get a general idea of which way the grass is growing, but you still have to guess how much it will affect a putt. There are a few tricks that can help you, but it takes time and practice to apply them effectively. The grain generally follows either the direction in which water drains off the green, or it grows towards the setting sun or a water source. On severe slopes it will grow towards the drainage path. The shiny/dark rule works also when looking at the grass on a golf course. Take a look at a putt standing both behind the ball and behind the hole. If the grass on the green looks “shiny” or is a lighter shade than the grass in the other direction, it means you are down grain and the putt will tend be faster and roll out a bit more. When the grass is growing away from you it reflects the light at a different angle than when it’s growing towards you, that’s why it looks different. If you see no change in color, take a look from either side, as you may have a cross grain putt. Cross grain putts are even more frustrating, because even if the slope of the green indicates that a putt will break slightly from left to right, the grain may hold it. Conversely, a right to left putt with right to left grain might break quite a bit more that it appears.

To help you learn the grain on greens, take your putter and drag it along the green in each direction. When it starts to hop and the grass pops up, you are going against the grain. Keep in mind, that doing this is against the rules! (see rule 16-1d) Do this only in a practice round or better yet, on the practice green!

Another way you can combat the grain, especially on shorter putts, is to roll your ball with more speed. This is good practice for all greens, regardless of grain. The theory behind that is that the faster the ball is rolling, the more it skims the tops of the grass blades on the surface. As the ball slows down, gravity takes over and the ball settles slightly lower into the grass and the direction in which it grows is more likely to influence the ball’s direction. Therefore, on the shorter putts especially, roll the ball with more speed and reduce the amount of break you play to counteract the effect of grain. Most pros and scratch golfers do this anyway since they have putting strokes that consistently roll the ball on target. This allows players to eliminate most or all of the break on shorter putts of 5 feet or less and aim right at the hole. You see the pros do this on television all the time, that’s why the ball rolls 2 or 3 feet by when they occasionally miss a short one. The average player is left with a tap in putt when they miss a short one, because they tend to decelerate and hit the short putts too soft.

So to review, check the grain of the putt by the shade or the grass, hit your short putts harder with less break, and you should see your scores drop. Eliminating just a few strokes because of missed putts can make a big difference in your handicap! Hope this tip helps, and we’ll see you next time.

April 2, 2009