Big Play With Kent Cayce
ANALYSIS
WINNERS SWING aggressively but use a conservative strategy during crunch time. Alex Cejka, Chris DiMarco and Tim Petrovic all did the opposite, and it cost them a chance to win the International. Pampling prevailed because he made safe decisions on drives, approaches and chips, and because he always accelerated through the ball to a full and balanced finish. At the par-5 17th he selected a seven-iron, which would require a full, hard swing, and aimed at the flatter right side of the green. The ball landed on the fringe, and Pampling made the 30-foot putt for the eagle that gave him the lead.
THE TIP
Follow Through For Accuracy
THE BEST way to control your ball is to accelerate through impact to a full finish. This drill will help you do that. Using an iron or a wood, address the ball with your hands even with or just behind your right leg and the club parallel to the ground (left). Without taking the club back any farther, swing down as fast as you can and follow through until the club is over your left shoulder (inset). Hold the finish until the ball hits the ground.
AND ANOTHER THING ...
“THE PROOF that driving accuracy is the most overrated stat: Phil Mickelson ranks 81st, Vijay Singh 140th, Ernie Els 151st and Tiger Woods 167th.”
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“IT WOULD be a crime for Hal Sutton not to make John Daly a captain’s pick. He’d bring firepower to fourballs, hold his own in singles and energize the team.”
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“THE BEST golfer on earth--male or female--is Annika Sorenstam, by a landslide.”
Kent Cayce teaches at the Laurel (Md.) Golf Center and is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.
COLOR PHOTO
ERICK W. RASCO (CAYCE, 3)
COLOR PHOTO
COURTESY OF CBS (PAMPLING)
COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE
ERICK W. RASCO (CAYCE, 3); TODD BIGELOW/AURORA (BACKGROUND)
Finish
COLOR PHOTOMONTAGE
ERICK W. RASCO (CAYCE, 3); TODD BIGELOW/AURORA (BACKGROUND)
Start