This past week Rory Mcllroy was talking about his strategy (PLAN) for playing in this week’s US Open:

“I’m probably not going to go at a pin all week and hit it at the middle of the green every time. You have to keep the big numbers off the card.”

Question – during the last 18 holes you played … how many times did you aim away from the flag and aim to the middle (or biggest part) of the green? Rory is prepared to do this for 72 holes this weekend. Are you prepared to do it for 18?

Newsflash – Rory has a better golf swing than you, I and probably 99.9% of the people on this earth. He can hit the golf ball farther and with more accuracy than just about any person alive! Watch this video if you need proof.

Yet, his PLAN is to play to the “middle of the green” this weekend … while you’re going after the flag with your 3 wood and hybrids.

Now, someone might say that the conditions at the US Open make that necessary. However, based on skill level – the difficulty for Rory at Pinehurst #2 is still less than it is for 99% of Golfers on your usual golf course. Meaning that your golf course in normal conditions will play much tougher for you than the US Open will play for Rory.

Yet he is playing to the middle of the green and you’re aiming at the flag.

The key to playing your best is to get the golf ball on the green in the least amount of strokes and then take 1 or 2 putts. However, most Golfers average less than 3 Greens in Regulation per 18 holes. That means you are missing the green at least 15 times per round. Many of these misses are because you are aiming at the flag … which might be set in a smaller, less accessible area of the green.

Thus, you are aiming at a smaller area than necessary … bringing down your chances of stopping your ball on the green. And creating more opportunity for big numbers (Blow-up Holes).

Now when you miss the green – what is your percentage of having 1 chip and 1 putt? 50%? On missed Greens, the aforementioned Rory McIlroy has 1 chip and 1 putt “only” 52% of the time. And remember … he is better than you and I in every phase of golf. To look at that number and say that Rory has a bad short game would be ridiculous.

To give you a comparison of Rory’s skill level versus the average Golfer’s ability:

Rory averages 305 yards with his Driver (and probably hits his 3 iron 240 yards … more than most people hit their Driver)
He scores better than par on 26% of the holes he plays (meaning he makes a Birdie or Eagle at least once every 4 holes … most people don’t make Birdie more than once every 4 rounds!)
He averages 12 Greens in Regulation each round (which is more than 400% better than the average Golfer)
Oh, and I almost forgot … he does this on courses that play 7,200+ yards.

So based on comparing the other parts of Rory’s game to yours … if he is making 1 chip and 1 putt “only” 52% of the time – would it be fair to say that you are most likely at a maximum of 25% because he is at least twice as good as the average Golfer.

The point that I am making is that it’s in your best interest that your strategy should be to get the golf ball onto the biggest area of the green. Now, if the flag is in that area … fantastic, that’s a bonus. But if it’s not in the biggest area … ignore the flag.

Next time you play, remember – it’s easier to get your first putt closer to the hole than it is to get your first chip closer to the hole … which means … your #1 priority should be to aim for the biggest part of the green.

If Rory gave you a swing tip … would you listen and try it? Of course you would. Well he just gave you some fantastic advice about your PLAN. Are you going to take it?

The Monkey thinks the PGA Tour Player is always aiming at the flag

The Player knows it’s much easier to 1 or 2 putt from the green than it is to 1 chip and 1 putt

Go ahead, Be a Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon – Your Instructor For Life