[Hennybogan]

I'm game . . .

How far do most pros actually hit the ball? I see Tiger hit seven iron from freakin' 210 and then the next hole he hits it 160 . . . how does that work?

Do you advise the weekend player to learn exactly how far he hits his clubs or does it matter?

How do you advise a player to play when he don't have is A game? Do you just keep trying stuff . . . in other words . . . If I don't have it maybe I just try to cut it around the golf course?

Which tournament has the hottest chicks? Is it really Houston?

Could you take us through how you and your guy prepare for a major with regards to strategy?

Sorry but I'm full of 'em!

Rock out!

Bucket

Bucket comes through. Thread number two.

Conditions play a huge part in how far the ball goes. As far as Tiger and Bubba, who knows how far they can hit it. Most tour players hit the seven iron around 170. Some of the numbers you hear on TV seem off the charts, but it can be because of the conditions. Let's take a 200 yard shot on a par 4. Tour yardage might be 175 front and 25 pin--200 hole. Normally a five iron. It's a little downhill (say four yards), touch of help (five yards), now it's a six. But the greens are firm, so we only want to pitch it 190 to allow for release. Now it's a seven, but it's still a 170 seven iron. Add in a little grass behind the ball or a damp fairway or a really hot day, and you have rocket launch conditions.

Length varies through the bag (relative to the field). The guys who deloft the club at impact can hit short irons miles, but they will not carry the longer clubs as far. Some guys hit the driver hard but don't carry it. They can be long under the right conditions. The really long guys are flying the driver 280 plus. It opens up alot of options.

Every golfer should know how far they hit it. How would you think your way around the course otherwise? You can chart it on the range for a baseline, but you really need to pay attention on the course. When you arrive at the green after a reasonable shot, notice where the ball pitched (in yards), how much it released, and judge your selection. It it an easy thing to do. You will start to create a database. As the file gets larger, you will notice patterns. You will be able to adjust to the conditions (balls carrying today). It also reduces the stress of club selection. You will have data to quiet your mind. You should play for a good shot. Not your best possible shot, but base your club selection on a quality shot.

No "A" game. Difficult answer. Some guys would be more conservative off the tee. Others would say, "If I'm gonna be in the rough, I want to have as short as club as I can." When a tour player is off, it means his misses are wider and more often. When there is big trouble you give it more berth. On a normal hole, you still try to make birdie and trust your short game.

Once in a while a player will say, "You did a great job clubbing today." What the caddie thinks (not said usually) is "I did the same job I always do, but you hit it more consistantly than normal, so it was easier to pull clubs." I had a player who was struggling with his iron game, and I started trying to caddie accounting for keeping the bad shots out of trouble. It just did not work. Good shots need to be good. Get some help if you can't hit good shots. Tour players have the ability (mostly shortgame) to get it around with a decent score without hitting a shot.

Standard answer would be Dallas and Phoenix.

Strategy for a major. I would have a look on Monday morning. It's really the same as any other tournament, but there will be more X's in my book. X's mark where you just can't go. Pin postions will dictate so much about places to miss. I've posted about hitting the driver often. On a hole where you don't, I'll look for the best place to hit it. There's often a spot that the designer thinks you should play from. I'll find that spot and laser back to the tee. Say it's 240, you use that number with the current conditions to choose the club.

I'll come up with suggestions for tee shots on every hole. He'll try those and some others. Sometimes a hole will feel right, and the player will be more aggressive. Sometimes the other way. I will point out some bad spots as well, so I don't have to during the tourney. So much of it is getting in the mindset and used to the conditions. I'll also ask questions or make suggestions to make sure we are on the same page. None of this is rocket science--it's a skill set. Walk the course, get the info you need, and soak it up so you can come up with the answers when they are needed.

Majors are the ultimate test of your total game. Better bring the total game. And don't worry about the score. Process.