TIGER AND THE LOB WEDGE

In the January 2009 Issue of Golf Digest, Tiger Wood's caddie Steve Wiliams indicated that Tiger normally only hit a lob wedge of 60 degrees up to 85 yards. I would have thought it would be a little longer than that. As an amateur who drives the ball about 30-40 yards behind Tiger, I would have to think, based on Tiger's standards, that I would be unwise to try to hit a lob wedge more than 55 or 60 yards. What is the longest you use your 60 degree wedge for? If the best player in the world only hits it 85 yards, he must only be half swinging his wedge shots. There should be a huge lesson in this for us all. So who out there dares to hit a lob wedge with a full or even 3/4 swing? Does anyone think Phil Mickleson hits a 60 degree wedge no more than 85 yards? So is it smart to hit any wedge shot inside of 100 yards with more than a 1/2 swing?

Laser or GPS?

Which in your experience is best for club distance decision making, a laser gun or a GPS device like Sky Caddie?

PUTTING PRACTICE GAME

I have been trying a new putting practice game that seems to be real confidence booster. Take 5 golf balls and start by stepping off 20 feet from a hole (7 paces is 21 feet more or less) and putting those 5 to the hole. Then step off 5 paces, or 15 feet, and putt those 5 to the hole. Then step off a little over 3 paces plus a little, or 10 feet. Then putt the 5 balls from 2 paces or 6 feet. Then 1 pace or 3 feet. See if you can make more out of 5 as you progress closer to the hole. By putting the same line from 20 feet in you will dial in and it is amazing how many of the 6 foot and 3 foot putts you will make. Even more amazing is how many out of 5 you will make at 10 feet. I found you make a lot of these putts in a quick routine, and your putting confidence goes up quickly and dramatically. Try it and let us know if this routine helps your putting any.

IS SKYCADDIE WORTH IT?

I have been thinking hard about buying a Skycaddie GPS locator for yardage and wanted to find out if any of you think it is worth the money - the devices are not cheap. Tell us your experience with Skycaddie and let us know if I should pull the trigger.

What is the longest ball on the market today?

Is it the Titleist NXT Extreme or another make or model?

What is the Best Technique You Have Found to Quickly Develop Putting Speed Control?

One great idea is to read Dave Peltz's book on putting.

Why Smart Golf ?

This blog provides very useful insights into competitive golf improvement for serious golfers. We hope to encourage discussion on rapid improvement techniques, smart strategy, fitness and long term golf improvment and development. Plus we hope to generate opinion and debate about the topics of the day relating to what top professional and amateur players are on top and who is up and who is down in the tournament golf world. If you are a college golf team member, a scratch club golfer or a professional, amateur tournament golfer or just someone who loves golf a lot, this is the blog site for you.