Sobe Tip: Crosswinds

Sobe Tip - Crosswinds

Sobe Safe? Sobe Smart!

Sobe_logoSince I started playing Golden Tee, players have been razzing me about playing "safe." Henceforth why "Sobe safe" is a key term in the Golden Tee glossary of words. But I don't think "safe" is the right term. It's not like I'm laying up! I am still aggressive. Instead I like to refer to it as "Sobe smart." Every shot I take I think about what is the smartest way to hit it, and often the smartest way is the safest. You’ve heard the phrase, “if you play with fire, you will eventually get burned.” Well, that holds true in Golden Tee too. I see a lot of players hitting dangerous shots, when a smarter, safer shot would have done the trick. That's why I’m going to touch on a few key areas in this next series of Sobe Tips where I feel improvement can be made just by playing smarter golf.

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Crosswinds

Are they your friend… or your enemy? Depending on the particular scenario, crosswinds can be both. They can make easy shots harder and hard shots easier. Knowing how to play these winds will make a difference in the consistency of your scores.

The most important factor to consider when facing a crosswind is the trajectory (height) of your club selection. The higher the trajectory, the more the wind will effect your shot. When facing a 12 mph crosswind to the right and hitting a 4 iron, stay lined up to the pin and play a small cut-shot back into the wind. With the 4’s low trajectory, the wind will have a limited effect. Now with the same scenario, but a 9 iron in your hands, turn left once and play a "straighter" shot that allows the wind to blow the ball towards the pin. The reason is, trying to cut a 9-iron into a large crosswind doesn’t leave much room for error. This specific shot would require placing a large amount of "cut" to the trackball. With the club’s high trajectory, and such a strong wind, any slight inaccuracy is magnified. The chart below shows examples of different clubs and their respective trajectories. Remeber, the higher the arc, the more affect the wind will have.

Trajectory_chart

Also take note of the green. The size and shape of a green should play a significant role in your decision to turn or not. Every green is unique so all I can only tell you to examine the green for trouble areas. Visualizing your shot can help you with this decision.

Didyouknow

 

A 7 mph wind is exactly one turn away from the pin with a LW. With a SW, it’s 11 mph. Turn, hit it straight, and watch it burn the cup for yourself. Elevation does matter, so it may be a hair off on certain holes. But for the most part, it’s money.

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Sobe Question:

Hey Sobe. I had a question for you in regards to consistently breaking -20. I typically average -16 to -17 and of course I realize that I may blow and eagle put here and there. But is there a secret to reaching far beyond -20? I see some crazy score of -26 to even -30. Any advice?

- Bryan McLaughlin
St. Louis, MO

Bryan,

Several things factor into the equation when you are talking about consistently achieving scores upwards of –20. And no, there aren’t any secret codes or super clubs. Simply put, you just can’t make many mistakes.

Typically, the 2008 courses setup “mistake free” within a range of –24 to –27. The player community commonly refers to this number as “GT PAR”. These numbers will vary from course to course and may fluctuate per game depending on what tee boxes you see.

Here is my mentality:
Par 5’s - Getting home in two. I expect to make Eagle on almost every par 5 I come across but once in awhile, the setup just may be impossible and you’ll have to settle for birdie. Utilize your C-3’s and A-1’s to maximize distance, especially off the tee. Examine the hole, look around, landing areas and “shortcuts” aren’t exactly hidden.

Par 4’s 450 yards+ – Make birdies. Par 4’s of this length are typically not reachable and are often a good opportunity for a hole-out from the fairway. Be aggressive but the last thing you want to do is to screw up a “straight forward” hole.

Par 4’s 275-450 yards - Check your options for driving the green. Par 4’s of this length may be drivable but you need to understand that there’s not a concrete answer as to what distance is always drivable. Wind and elevation play a major role in how far a ball will fly on a particular hole.

Par 3’s -Make birdies. Stay out of the water/hazards to avoid score killing bogeys.

Chipping - Don’t settle for just trying to get on the green. Utilize your 6,7,8 and 9 irons for a bump and run into the hole.

Got a question about Golden Tee LIVE?
Need a tip to help you break par, -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.

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