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Long Drive
“85% Is Always
Better Than 110% "
by Doug Kreitner, National ReMax
Long Drive Qualifier
Throughout U.S. Open week, Johnny
Miller constantly mentioned how much emphasis was placed on hitting
the fairway off the tee. There are very few players, if any, that
will achieve success without putting the ball in the short grass.
You cannot deny the direct correlation between hitting fairways and
success at the Open. How else do you explain players like Fred Funk,
Jeff Maggert and Corey Pavin all finding their names near the
leaderboard on Sunday?? Each of those players can barely hit the
ball outside their shadow, but when the pressure is on, a large
percentage of their shots find the middle of the fairway.
When you stand on the 18th tee and
you start to feel the pressure, step back, take a deep breath, and
think 85% rather than 110%. I know that there are some of you who
are saying to yourself right now, “I never swing more than 100%.”
Okay, let’s be honest. Everyone has the mindset of “grip it, and rip
it” and normally I would agree, but this is about hitting the
fairway when the pressure is on. So take these tips and try to find
the zoysia rather than the fescue.
1. Relax and take a deep breath.
Try not to stress too much, if that $10 bet with two presses might
prevent your oldest from going to college then maybe you should
scale it back to five bucks.
2. Take a looser grip on the club.
As Tin Cup would say, “quit trying to ring the club’s neck.”
3. Swing the club at 85%, the
distance that might be lost will be more than made up for by playing
from the fairway.
4. Be positive and stay confident.
Having the right mental state when the pressure is on can make all
the difference. What is done cannot be changed, focus on this shot.
Try these tips and I guarantee that
more shots will find the fairway. Good Luck.
Doug Kreitner recently qualified
for the District stage of the National Remax Long Drive Championship
in Indianapolis hitting a shot 403 yards with his custom fit driver.
His success in Indianapolis marks the 2nd District qualifier he has
qualified for in route to the National Remax Long Drive
Championship. Kreitner has already qualified for the National
competition as part of the Pinnacle Extreme Long Drive Challenge.
Recent Articles:
"Be
Humble"
"Take a
Lesson from Jack"
“Sweep the
Tee”
“Save the chicken wings for the
19th hole”
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