ShareThisBy RICK MARTINO
Scripps Howard News Service
Monday, May 21, 2007
The 17th hole at the Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass is a treat for casual and serious golf observers alike every year because it offers continuous high-risk, high reward iron play from the best players in the world. This year's TPC, won by Phil Mickelson, was no exception, and there were a number of observations that can apply to our weekly games.
On the first day, 50 players out of the field of 144 missed the 139 yard shot and went into the water. Why did such a huge number of premier players miss on such a short shot? The main cause was strong, gusty winds. Of all the clubs in our bags, the 8-iron thru the wedges are most affected by wind. These are the most lofted clubs, so the higher trajectories make these shots most susceptible to being blown off line.
Though the small, surrounded-by-water landing area on the 17th effectively eliminates the option of playing a lower trajectory shot on a windy day, even when a player has that option, the trajectory of these short irons would still be at a height that the wind would be very much in play.
Pin position also plays a large role in the players' decisions on shot selections. The 8-iron thru wedges are truly the scoring clubs, but each player must look closely at the pin position on a given day, because all hole locations in this scenario do not unilaterally present a green light to go right for the pin. The proximity to trouble, i.e., water and sand, and the terrain of the green, must be factored into each shot selection.
Other decisions the players must make at No. 17 concern the circumstances. Sean O'Hair made a calculated decision to go for it last Sunday because he knew it was his only hope to overtake Mickelson. Much was made of the fact that it didn't work out for him and his quadruple bogie seven ended up costing him hundreds of thousands of dollars, but you can't totally fault him for playing to win, as opposed to playing for safe seconds.
There are not many golf holes like No. 17 at Sawgrass, but if you find yourself fortunate enough to play one like it, you will find yourself faced with similar decisions as the Tour pros in the Players Championship. But before you hitch up your pants and go for the pin, be realistic about your skill level. While we all would like to hit every shot close enough for a one-putt birdie, it's more prudent to pick clubs and aiming points that you can perform with a high percentage of accuracy and consistency.
Improving your accuracy and consistency with these clubs takes patience and dedication, as well as proper instruction. As May is PGA Free Lesson Month, now is a great time to get in touch with a participating PGA Professional to get a free, 10-minute instructional snapshot of his or her teaching style. Visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com and click on the "PGA Free Lesson Month" banner, then use the zip search to find a PGA Professional near you who is offering this promotion.
Whether you are watching or playing, the short irons provide some of the games most thrilling shots -- some successful and some disastrous. With practice and the right instruction program, you might find yourself executing more of the former than the latter.
(Rick Martino is director of instruction at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Golf Tips is a feature of Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers, The Stuart News, Fort Pierce Tribune and Vero Beach Press Journal.)
