Tip of the Month

September 2006

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

Let's say we made a pilgrimage to holy Medinah, the one in Illinois, site of the 2006 PGA, where Tiger did the preying last month. After the tournament, if I said only Tiger did not look upon the cockatrice, you'd just about guess the meaning of this obscure word. The dictionary defines it "a fabled serpent whose look caused death". AP's Tim Dahlberg says,"Woods has opponents scared to compete" followed by "as Tiger advanced at the PGA competitors folded".The cockatrice was there for all but Tiger Woods, #1 in the world and in the hearts and minds of his fellow golfers and fans. Consider these facts. Tiger's winning score was 270. Eighteen under par. Five shots clear of Shaun Micheel(the 2003 PGA Champion). His 21 birdies led the field and he's 12-0 when leading or tied for the lead after 54 holes. Not only that,since the Open Championship in July, Tiger won five consecutive tournaments. He is #1 in scoring average, #1 in money won, and #1 in greens in regulation. One of the most telling stats to describe his dominance is birdie average. He averages 4.63 birdies every round. Phil Mickelson is second with 4.38. Obviously Tiger is rock solid when it comes to making putts: here's Tiger's favorite drill for putting which is the Tip of the Month. When he was warming up at the Open and PGA he was using this drill on the practice putting green. It's known as The Gate Drill and actually useable and useful with every club in your bag.

1) The Gate Drill. Stick a tee in the ground 1/2 inch just outside the toe of the putter and another tee 1/2 inch just outside the heel of the putter. This forms a gate. Hit practice putts swinging the putter between the gate. This gives you immediate feedback. You'll feel center-face club-ball contact and if you watch impact you'll see a square club-face. This is the essence of all properly struck shots in golf.

2) Modified Gate Drill. Also an excellent way to develop and feel square contact. Move the tees two inches apart and parallel to each other. Place the ball between the tees. Hit some putts. The tees will stop the putter at impact, but you'll feel a square club-face.

Think about this. Don't underestimate the importance of your putter. Unless you make a hole-in-one you'll be putting on every green once for sure, twice with luck, or more. These putting drills will help you hole more putts thus making you like Tiger at least on the greens.