One of the most impressive things about players on the PGA TOUR is the incredible consistency that these guys show; hole after hole, round after round, tournament after tournament. These players understand about playing in the present, they know they can't do anything about a shot they have already hit, and they can't worry about a shot later in the round. The most important shot to them is the next shot -- something we should all try to emulate.
And consistency doesn't always mean the same scores. Consistently making pars won't win you too many tournamnets on the PGA TOUR (the majors being a notable exception.) For the TOUR, consistency means consistent excellence. Staying true to your swing and your commmitment to the shot.
If you take a look at the scorecards of the contenders in the final round of this week's Canadian Open, you'll notice that where there's one birdie, there's usually two or three -- in a row. Hunter Mahan birdied 14 and 15, and Vijay Singh started his back nine making birdies at 10, 11, and 12. Eventual champion Jim Furyk also started his back nine with three birdies, in addition to following a birdie at the third with an ace at the fourth! In fact, Furyk started his day going four under through the first four holes!
Contrast this to many amateur golfers. In my experience as an instructor, I've found that most amateurs, after one birdie, are usually so thrilled to have made that birdie that all they worry about is not making a bogey or worse on the next hole! How come TOUR players make it look so easy to peel-off two and three birdies in a row? I believe it all has to do with the consistency of the proper set-up and routine for every shot throughout the entire round of golf. In other words, a TOUR player's game "flows" very well.
Have you noticed that some of the best putters on TOUR set-up to hit a ten-foot putt much in the same way they set up to hit a 150-yard approach shot, or even a tee shot? Repeatability comes from doing the same thing over and over again, so it would make sense that trying to be in similar set-up positions with every club in the bag would help with producing a more repeating stroke, regardless of the type of shot. As a result, a round of golf becomes easier and more efficient because the player's conscious mind doesn't get involved as much. When a player says they're in "the zone", they really just have their game flowing very well.
Jim Furyk is a wonderful example of this. Even though his set-up and resulting swing may look a little out of the ordinary, it is one of the most efficient and productive moves on TOUR. Watching him set-up to hit a full-shot, you notice that he stands rather close to the ball, the weight on his feet favors his heels, and his arms hang straight-down rather close to his body. What amateur players can learn from this is that Furyk looks the exact same way when he putts and chips. When you are so meticulous and consistent with what you do, it is easy to get into a good rhythm. Getting into a good rhythm gives you a great chance to make multiple birdies.
So what can we take away from the Canadian Open this week that will make an immediate impact on our games? Insure that your pre-shot routine and set-up are similar with every shot you play -- it will give you the best chance of getting into a good rhythm and an even better chance of making a couple of birdies -- in a row!
Scott Szymoniak is the Director of Instruction for Canongate Golf Clubs in Atlanta, Georgia. He has coached professionals on six different tours worldwide who have combined to earn over $4 million in prize money. He has also led players to collegiate victories at the Division I and II levels. Scott created and developed the Learning Center at Country Club of the South in conjunction with the Mizuno Test and Research facility before joining the Canongate group. Scott can be reached at sszymoniak@canongategolf.com.
