Sobe Tip

Sobe Tips - The C-3

C-3: Reality Revealed

Steve Sobe Divulges the Secrets About
the Most Misunderstood Shot in Golden Tee

Having traveled the world for the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of players. Good ones. Bad ones. Average ones. Good ones who thought they were bad. And bad ones who… well you know. But having played against - or taught - all of them, one thing was evident: most players have a difficult time executing and understanding the C-3 shot.

Whether it's hitting it too often, not enough or simply just plain wrong, players of all skill levels struggle with it.

And that's where I come in…

I may not be the "greatest" Golden Tee player to walk the earth, but I know my way around a trackball. In the twelve years I've been playing this game, I've learned a thing or two and this is what I've learned about this difficult shot.

What is a C-3?

Swing
With trees blocking your chance at the green on this dog-leg left, this is the perfect opportunity to use a C-3 to get around the trees and leave yourself a short approach
Swing_with_arrow
The flight path will vary depending on the speed of your shot, but a typical flight path of a C-3 looks like the one above.
Overhead
Here's an overhead view of the same shot. Note how the ball lands far up the fairway, leaving a short approach.

Generally speaking, the C-3 is the most extreme hook shot in Golden Tee. This shot travels the furthest, which is why people like it so much. Problem is… it's also the toughest to control.

Is it different from an A-1? Yes and no. An A-1 is the same shot as a C-3 but in the opposite direction.

The C-3 is commonly used for maximizing distance off the tee, especially when trying to get around tricky doglegs on Par 5’s. I cannot stress enough that it is very difficult to have pinpoint control over this shot. That's why it's a low percentage shot for approaching greens, but sometimes it may be the only option - distance wise - to get there. For the most part though, it should be viewed as a last option.

While it's tough to completely break down the best way to hit a C-3 in writing, here are a few techniques that should help you out.

Hit down on the ball:
Top players know that hitting down on the trackball is not the proper way to play Golden Tee. Hitting across the ball smoothly is the way to maximize performance. But hitting down on the trackball is the most important element of a successful C-3. It will take practice and a little patience but trust me; it really works. Some shots, especially softer ones, have a tendency to come off the clubface straight even though you hit out towards 3. This is caused by the movement of the trackball within its casing. So, by hitting down on the trackball you'll help prevent this from occurring. Try it - you’ll notice the results right away.

Square your body to '3':
I see a lot of players just jab at the ball with their hand, or fling the trackball in a sideways motion. Instead, move your entire body and square up to the direction you're hitting forward. Open your shoulders slightly so that you're allowing your arm to swing freely back and forth. You’ll find that you’ll be more consistent in the accuracy department. See, Golden Tee really is a "video sport."

Be Sensitive:
People just don't realize how sensitive the trackball really is. By pulling back a hair inside of C, you're not getting the full amount of cut and it will alter your distance/direction. For a full cut of C on the ball, slowly pull it back to the “dead area” between C and “choose club." This guarantees the maximum amount of cut on your shot.

Don't Overcompensate:
When you hit the trackball forward outside of 3 (towards 'choose club') the shot will actually cut inside as if it was hit closer to 2 1/2. No, the trackball isn't broken - you just missed your line, my friend.

Speed Matters:
A powerful C-3 will stay to the outside longer before curling back in than a soft C-3 will.
So yes, speed plays a vital role in the flight pattern of your shot.

Roughin' It:
When in the deep rough, a C-3 shot isn’t very effective.
The shot only curves slightly and will likely travel far short of what the yardage indicators say. Go up a few clubs and experiment with it. This knowledge can only help you in the long run.

 

 

Full C, How Far:
It's very important to know how far your ball is going to go when you hit a C-3. That's why I'm writing this section. These figures aren't exact by any means but I want to show a rough estimate on distances when pulling back to full “C”. Keep in mind that elevation changes/wind will also have an impact on distances achieved.

Chart

Mythbusters, Sobe Style:
A 'Spinny' C-3 adds distance… Fact or Myth?

First off, what the heck is a 'Spinny?'

Basically it's a C-3 shot that is hit (forward) while the ball is still in motion (spinning) in the direction of C. You pull back to full C, keep it spinning in that direction and while the trackball is still in motion… BOOM… you hit forward towards 3.

The myth is that by spinning the ball, you actually add distance to your shot. So… does it?

Hate to burst your bubble but no. Sure it looks cool when you pull it off, but your ball won't go any further.

Trackball
Not for the squeamish! Behold the inner workings of a trackball. Notice how the rollers (above) lay in conjunction to the arrows on the control panel (below)
Trackball

What this shot does do is this: It simply helps you achieve a maximum result of the C-3 shot more consistently. Here’s the technical version: Striking the ball forward towards "3" while it’s still spinning helps you achieve the maximum amount of curve to the outside that the game/trackball will allow. Combine that with a powerful shot, and you have the potential to generate the maximum distance possible in GT. Typically, you only need to spin the ball if you need to reach the farthest point outside or need maximum distance. Meaning you don't have to spin a C-2 ½.

So, can you achieve the maximum hit to the outside without spinning the trackball?

Absolutely... But I don’t think you’ll hit the MAX nearly as often. The 'spinny' technique just makes it easier to achieve.

Can I 'spinny' an A-1 shot?

Yes, but I don't recommend it. Because of the way the trackball is designed, spinning the ball towards 1 can cause your club to inadvertently come down prematurely and, BAM, you just hit a 3-yard drive. Not exactly the power drive you were hoping for, huh? Years ago, this shot actually cost me a tournament match so I made the decision that it would be the last time. And it was. In today's GT community, the matches are too close to take such a gamble.

Well there you have it. The trickiest shot in the game broken down as I see it. I hope this explanation gives you a better idea of what a C-3 does and how to use it better. Remember, these are just my opinions. They were not scientifically explored. But over the last 12 years I have gained valuable knowledge about the game of Golden Tee not only through playing but also working for IT. The main thing is that there's some useful information here that you can take away to make you a better player.

 

SobeSobeWatch Sobe hit this difficult shot!

The Hard C-3

The Soft C-3

The 'Spinny'



 

Got a question about Golden Tee LIVE?
Need a tip to help you break even, -10 or -20?

E-mail Sobe at sobetips@itsgames.com to get firsthand advice from one of the greatest players to ever roll a trackball.

Goldentee.com

You're Online Home for Everything Golden Tee Golf