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On the range players tend to hit ball way to quickly. There is a place and time for repetition. But if you want to see where you are in the game relative to playing. Then once you get a feel for your swing. Then put at least one minute between each shoot. Then you will start to see what is going to happen on the course. The biggest difference between the range and the course is time between shots. So put time between each shot. Watch what it did. If you like it replay it in your mind. If you do not like it then make a correction. Make some practice swings. Then see if the corrections you are making work.

PRACTICE TIME BETWEEN SHOTS

A Malaska Golf Member has a question about forward press, where at setup, you push your hips a little open and then swing back.Mike has studied the history of golf, which started in the 1800s, the original teachers and what they did, and numerous videos. Mike was on a quest to find out what happened to his swing after he finished playing professionally.&nbsp;Mike has studied from the beginning what these guys learned and how the swing developed based on equipment and all the different variables.Mike returned to the member's question about forward press. He said about 90% of golfers up until 1982 had a slight forward press. The reason for this is that they wanted to start the swing with some sort of ‘kick start.’Then someone decided you shouldn’t forward press after getting into the setup position. The new thought was to bounce or take a deep breath to start your swing. According to Mike, this was from someone who wasn’t even a golfer.This new setup didn’t even get you into an athletic motion; it just froze you up.Dr. Kwon, a prominent biomechanist, says when you set up to the ball, you should go left to go right to go left. This concept Mike has been preaching for years.&nbsp;Mike demonstrates the motion. Mike uses the analogy of other sports to reinforce this idea. In basketball, if you are guarding someone and they move right, then you have to go left first to go right, and the opposite is true if they go left. This is how sports work.Back to golf, Mike says if you want your backswing to go to the right, you have to go left to go right. Doing this gets the sequence moving and gets you where you aren’t static.What Mike does is he has a little left to right to go left in his swing. When he does this, it times his swing, and he is not starting from a static position.Having a slight kickstart, like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Bobby Jones, or Ben Hogan, is probably a good thing. Mike thinks it’s crazy that we stopped doing this, and now everyone is putting it into their swings.Mike is a big proponent of this because it triggers the motion athletically.

TRIGGER YOUR BACKSWING

Know how to use the ground to make confident chipping and pitching shots.

LEARN HOW TO USE THE GROUND

On long irons, rescues and fairway woods you want very small amount of downward hit. Weight is more in your trail foot and the ball is slightly more froward in your stance. This makes it easy to hit the ball then jus slightly brush the ground in-front off the ball. You still want a downward hit but very slight.

RESCUES AND FAIRWAY WOODS

Flip the driver around and hold it at the hosel. Make swings with the handle of the club and switch back. You want to feel the weight and the arc.

FEEL FOR THE DRIVER

In this first video of the Player Lesson series, Mike Malaska works with Jimmy Pearcy to uncover the unique elements of his "golf DNA" and build upon them to improve his game. Jimmy, a 24-handicap golfer, is eager to find more consistency in his swing, stay in play off the tee, and reduce his reliance on scrambling. His ultimate goal is to lower his handicap and enjoy a more reliable golf game.The lesson begins with Jimmy sharing his background and objectives, explaining that he struggles with striking the ball consistently and often finds himself out of position on the course. Mike, ever focused on personalized coaching, takes the time to understand Jimmy not only as a golfer but as a learner and a person. Through their conversation, Mike learns that Jimmy is analytical and thrives on structure, preferring to follow clear, step-by-step instructions when learning new skills. This insight shapes how Mike approaches the lesson, ensuring that he delivers information in a way that resonates with Jimmy.Jimmy also shares his professional journey, transitioning from a career in education to consulting in technology sales for school districts. His ability to bridge the gap between administrators and technical staff reflects his knack for understanding and communicating complex ideas—a trait that influences how he learns and processes golf instruction. Mike uses this as a foundation to explain how learning styles vary and why it’s essential to present information in a way that aligns with a person’s natural tendencies.To gain a better understanding of Jimmy’s physical movements and natural athleticism, Mike engages him in a series of simple yet revealing exercises. Using a baseball bat, Mike has Jimmy simulate swings and practice tapping a tree to observe his range of motion and body coordination. He also asks Jimmy to throw golf balls into the fairway, further analyzing how his body moves during these actions. Through these exercises, Mike identifies that Jimmy’s hips, shoulders, and arms tend to move together in unison, with minimal separation. This finding highlights the influence of Jimmy’s athletic background, which includes over a decade of playing travel softball after college.During the session, Jimmy mentions a torn labrum in his hip and ongoing tightness, which affects his range of motion. Mike reassures him that these physical traits are not a limitation but rather factors that must be considered when refining his golf swing. He critiques the common industry approach of forcing all players into a standard model, emphasizing instead the importance of tailoring instruction to fit each golfer’s unique biomechanics and natural tendencies.Mike introduces the concept of "golf DNA" to explain how each player’s natural movement patterns, athletic history, and physical traits form the foundation of their ideal golf swing. For Jimmy, his softball background and instinctive coordination provide a strong starting point. Rather than attempting to overhaul these patterns, Mike’s goal is to build upon them, adapting techniques that feel natural and effective for Jimmy.Throughout the lesson, Mike’s coaching philosophy becomes evident. He focuses on leveraging the strengths and abilities Jimmy already possesses, rather than attempting to mold him into an arbitrary ideal. By aligning the swing with Jimmy’s natural motions and respecting his physical limitations, Mike ensures that the changes are both practical and sustainable.This initial session provides Jimmy with valuable insights into his game and his learning process. He gains a deeper appreciation for how his unique "golf DNA" influences his swing and begins to understand how to work with, rather than against, his natural tendencies. With Mike’s guidance, Jimmy is set on a path to achieving greater consistency and lowering his handicap by playing to his strengths.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR GOLF DNA

Flop shots are easiest when the ball is sitting up.

FIRST CONSIDERATION - CHECK THE LIE

Determining where your swing bottoms out is how you decide on ball position. Learning to hit the sand in the same place is critical to consistent bunker shots. Draw a line and hit the line. That is a very important skill.

ANGLE OF APPROACH & THE LOW POINT OF THE SWING

Mike introduces the importance of finding and keeping a light grip pressure.

LIGHT GRIP PRESSURE

Tom Sorenson helped me tons when I was a kid. Learn how Nibley Park changed my life.

STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE AT NIBLEY PARK

This week's Mulligan Monday is all about working on your setup.

Using three alignment sticks, form a "T" shape with the sticks. Place a tee on a ball where the sticks intersect. 

First, place your right foot into the lower right quadrant. 

Second, set your grip and address the ball. 

Third, drop your left foot in the lower left quadrant. 

Four, drop you're your right foot back. Make your backswing from there.

This setup practice routine is like a dance step: one, two, three, four, and swing the club.

Tour Players have a similar routine.

A DANCE STEP CALLED SETUP

When we talk about release. We are not taking about letting go of the club. We are talking about how your hands direct the momentum of the club to the ball. And how they react to that momentum as the club goes through the ball and into the finish. So the question is how do your hands work or direct the momentum of the club.

RELEASE THE CLUB

Hi everyone, I'm Billy Fitzgerald, a Malaska Certified Instructor. Tom Pivotone writes in with a question about posture and what he's been reading. I'll demonstrate, but essentially, he keeps reading that people shouldn’t push their hip sockets back.Tom notes that for balance, once you get into your posture, you should flex your knees to get off your toes, putting your weight on the balls of your feet. However, from my teaching experience, I’ve found that if I flex my knees to bring my heels down more, it locks up my hips, which is critical to avoid in the golf swing.I need my hips to move freely to create space for my arms and allow for a proper turn. For the typical golfer, this locked-hip position is one of the biggest mistakes, as it restricts movement. If we can set up correctly before the swing begins, we’re already one step closer to better performance.To establish the correct posture, start by standing straight up. Your toes should be on the ground, but without gripping or lifting. Maintain that feeling as you lean over the golf ball. To counterbalance your posture, begin by pushing your hip sockets back, which lets your shoulders move forward. You don’t need excessive knee flex—just enough to feel grounded without locking your hips.For a good setup, hold the club out in front of you, push your hip sockets back, and let your shoulders move forward. In this position, your hips are free to move, so when you swing back or forward, your hips can clear away from the ball, giving your arms room to swing.Remember, the posture you take to the course has to make sense and allow for athletic movement. Too much knee flex will lock up parts of your body, making it difficult to play your best. Aim for a functional posture—it's the foundation for better golf.

FREE YOUR HIPS WITH KEY POSTURE

The club length doesn't matter much if you are a shorter player. Many shorter tour players used standard-sized clubs. However, your swing arc will be on a slightly different swing plane and less vertical than a taller player.

With all the varying heights of players, their golf clubs typically only go from one-half to one inch under or one to two inches over standard-sized clubs.

The key when you hold the club is not to hold the club at the end of the handle. Holding the club at the end of the handle tends to move around and tear your glove. 

Your little finger should be about an inch from the end of the club; the cap shouldn't be touching your hand. You will find that you have much more control of the club. It is like having a counterbalance weight on the end of the club.

If you choke down on the club, you won't lose too much distance in your shots, but you will have more control of the club.

HOW TO PUT THE CLUB IN YOUR HANDS

Golf has a lot in common with almost all sports. Being good at other sports can benefit your golf swing.

CONNECTING OTHER SPORTS TO GOLF

The tour players release feels "under" after impact.

THE TOUR PLAYER RELEASE

Mike Malaska talks about learning to understand the teeing ground. Golf architects challenge golfers with how they design the teeing grounds, the angles and tricks they play on your eyes, and the ability to aim the ball.

Mike sets up some alignment sticks to show where the teeing ground is aimed. It almost lines up with a house on the right. If you look at the tee markers, they're aimed toward the golf cart. Your brain is trying to line up to 90-degree angles.

If you get out of your golf cart and come up to the teeing ground letting it dictate where you aim, then you will be so far right on your shot.

You need to pay attention to the teeing ground. Mike has an alignment stick set up to where you should aim the ball, and that's different from the tee markers.

Mike looks for a parallel line to create a 90-degree angle, and the alignment stick in front of the ball becomes his line. Mike uses the line on top of the ball to aim where he wants it to start relative to his curve, so the ball ends on the fairway.

When Mike sets up to the ball, he has a 90-degree angle to aim. Mike makes a nice swing down the left of the fairway.

Don't be fooled by the beautiful tee markers. They are not doing you any favors with alignment. The teeing ground and tee markers aren't necessarily pointed in the direction you want your ball to go.

Study the teeing ground to find the right angle to hit your ball onto the fairway.

UNDERSTANDING THE TEEING GROUND

Either place a band around your hips and connect it to the ground or a cable system connected to your belt buckle. Then create tension in the cable. It is now pulling your towards it. Then start your backswing and increase the tension in the cable or band. Notice where your force goes in your trail foot. Towards the inside of your trail heel. Then start to rotate back to the start point. Keeping the tension in the cable. Now move onto your lead leg and continue to push away or create more tension in the cable as you move to the follow through side. Again your instinct to keep tension in the cable will give you the feel for your swing.

CABLE PULL

If your knees bend too much, you will create tension. Practice standing normally.

BALANCING WITH YOUR KNEES

SMASH FACTOR-TEE DRILL

IN THE CLUBHOUSE WITH FRIENDS, PLAYERS AND LEGENDS
Sometimes the best part of the game is talking about the game. Find out what’s really going on inside players’ heads. Hear the stories that become legends firsthand. Get a better understanding of the mental side of the game, the highs and lows. Explore what players and instructors think about how the game is taught, practiced and played. This is how I end every day at the course. Now, it’s here for you to enjoy as well. These are the clubhouse conversations that keep the game going long after the sun has set and the clubs have been put away.

GOLF TALK

Don't focus too much on exactly when your wrists hinge. Let the momentum of the club do it for you.

WRIST EXTENSION

Set up is a skill. You need to be in a position where your body is ready to move. To achieve this first you need to know what balance feels liked. When you stand if you are on balance your toes are quiet. If they are grabbing or lifting you are not in balance. Then you need to push your hips back. Your knees stay over your ankles but your hips move back which angles your upper body. Then you use a club down the front of your body. You bend first. The club will go between your legs. You then tilt so that the club touches your lead leg. This is because your trail hand is lower on the club than your lead hand. Now you are in a position to move any direction. Plus your structural muscles are relaxed so it is easy to rotate your body.

POSTURE

AIM AND ALIGNMENT

Take a ball and just throw it overhand. That action is the same action your trail arm does in a golf swing. It is a universal action in sports. Wether you are throwing a ball. Or shooting a basketball. Or throwing a bowling ball. The wrist and hand works the same. If you take that same over hand throw. Then throw side arm then under handed. You start to feel how your hand and arm works on different planes. Put that same action into your golf swing. The other thing is that when you throw a ball there is no tension in your shoulder socket. That should be the same in a golf swing. 

THROW DRILL

In the fourth video of the Player Lesson series, Mike Malaska shifts his focus to one of the most fundamental elements of the golf swing: the grip. This session emphasizes how the way a golfer holds the club directly impacts every aspect of their swing, from power and control to ball flight and consistency. For Jimmy Pearcy, learning to perfect his grip is a transformative step in his journey to improving his game.Mike begins by explaining that the grip is the connection between the golfer and the club, and getting it right is essential. He walks Jimmy through a step-by-step process for properly positioning his hands. Starting with the left hand, Mike instructs Jimmy to grip the club in his fingers rather than his palm. The hand should fold naturally over the club, with the thumb resting gently along the side. The right hand then fits snugly over the left thumb, with the "V" formed by the thumb and index finger of both hands pointing toward the same spot.Mike emphasizes a critical checkpoint for grip alignment: when Jimmy looks down, he should see three knuckles on his left hand. This alignment ensures that the wrist and forearm are positioned to support the natural movement of the clubface. Mike warns that if this alignment is off, the rest of the swing will falter, making it impossible to strike the ball consistently.To illustrate the role of grip in swing mechanics, Mike draws on analogies from other sports. He describes how a baseball player grips a bat to generate leverage and power. Similarly, in golf, the grip allows the wrists and hands to act as levers, creating speed and control. Mike shows Jimmy how this lever system works by having him practice a "lever-and-hit" motion, where the hands guide the club into the ball with a fluid release.As Jimmy practices, Mike identifies an issue with tension in his grip. He explains that excessive tightness robs the swing of speed and power. A relaxed grip, on the other hand, allows the club to move naturally, maximizing both efficiency and control. Using a series of drills, Mike encourages Jimmy to let the weight of the clubhead dictate the motion, focusing on a smooth hinge and release of the wrists.Mike connects these concepts to ball flight and spin control, introducing Jimmy to the idea of shaping shots. Just as a tennis player learns to apply topspin for greater control and precision, a golfer must master the clubface to produce a consistent draw. Mike explains that a proper grip ensures the clubface aligns correctly at impact, allowing Jimmy to hit powerful, controlled shots that start slightly to the right and curve back toward the target.The lesson continues with Jimmy hitting shots while applying these principles. Initially, he struggles to adjust, but as he loosens his grip and focuses on the lever action, his swings become more fluid and powerful. He begins to hit solid shots with less effort, a testament to the effectiveness of a proper grip and relaxed motion.Throughout the session, Mike emphasizes the importance of practicing the fundamentals. He reminds Jimmy that the grip is the foundation of a successful swing and that consistent practice is key to making it second nature. He advises Jimmy to spend time hitting balls into his net at home, focusing on his grip and the lever system until it becomes an automatic part of his swing.By the end of the lesson, Jimmy experiences the difference that a correct grip can make. He learns that the hands and wrists play a crucial role in controlling the clubface and generating power. With Mike’s guidance, Jimmy begins to see how mastering his grip can unlock greater consistency, accuracy, and distance in his game.This session marks a significant milestone in Jimmy’s journey. By focusing on the grip, Mike equips Jimmy with a foundational skill that will improve every aspect of his swing. With this newfound knowledge and practice, Jimmy is poised to take his game to the next level.

PERFECT YOUR GRIP STEP BY STEP

How the clubface directs the ball with the leading edge.

A-HA MOMENTS - 201707

Consistently position the ball where your swing bottoms out.

BALL POSITION

The golf swing is like a tug of war. You are constantly offsetting the force of the club. As it starts to swing back you are pushing forward. Once the club changes directions you are again constantly pushing away from it. So your body becomes and offsetting and stabilizing force for the club. As the club swings through impact you are pushing back and away from it. The same happens throughout the follow through. This is something you do daily. Once you understand it the swing starts to time itself.

TUG OF WAR

Learning to love practice is learning to love improvement

LEARNING TO LOVE PRACTICE

Take the club and turn it around. Hold the club head end. Swing the club back and forth. Try to feel the weight of the club as it swings and the arch it is in. Then turn the club around hold the grip end and do the same thing. It will be much easier to feel the force in the club as it swings. And the arch it is in. Next do the same thing but let the weight and force in the club make your wrists hinge unhinge and rehinge.

WEIGHT OF THE CLUBHEAD

When you set up to the ball you need to make sure that your eye line and your shoulder line are parallel to your target line. You can also have hips and feet parallel but the most important is to make sure that your eyes and shoulders are parallel. This is critical because your club will tend to follow your eye line.

ALIGNMENT

Kory Budinger joins Mike Malaska at Superstition Mountain for a one-on-one lesson.

KORY BUDINGER

Most people don't know what the change of directions feels like. Practice other sports to get a better feel.

DIRECTIONS & SWING STRATEGY

Wrist flexion and extension and the range of motion in your hands and wrists are essential in hinging your wrists in the golf swing.

WRIST FLEXION AND EXTENSION

Pitch and chip shots require face control. Practice adding loft to the face.

OFF GREEN PUTTING

Use the momentum of the club to create your backswing.

FRONT LOADER DRILL

In this lesson, Mike Malaska works with Billy Fitzgerald to correct the initial movement of the backswing. Mike points out that both he and Billy have developed a habit where their forearm’s external rotation locks up early in the swing, which affects the shoulder and causes the club to go up and across the line. Mike explains that without unlocking this movement and re-engaging the scapula, it becomes difficult for Billy to recover in the downswing, leading to rerouting and inconsistent shots. By focusing on keeping the club on the correct path, Billy can avoid these issues.Mike emphasizes the importance of using momentum properly throughout the swing. He instructs Billy to let the club move back while keeping the handle straight, ensuring the arc remains steep enough to allow for smooth directional changes. By doing so, Billy can avoid letting his arms get pulled in, which would disrupt the swing. Mike demonstrates how maintaining this momentum allows the club to stay in a natural arc, leading to more consistent ball contact and a powerful, controlled swing.Mike uses Rory McIlroy’s swing as an example to explain the importance of early movements. Rory, like Billy, has struggled with his arms getting too deep, which affects his consistency. Mike tells Billy that if he can focus on getting the first two feet of his backswing right, it will set up the rest of the swing. He shows Billy how to set his wrists and externally rotate his arm early on, so he can load properly and then just turn back and hit the ball with confidence.As the lesson progresses, Mike draws on his experience as a former pitcher, explaining how incorporating natural athletic instincts can improve the swing. He tells Billy that by using the natural load of his wrists and arms, similar to pitching, he can create forward force and keep his swing in sync. Mike encourages Billy to focus on maintaining that load and smooth movement throughout the backswing and downswing for better control and consistency.Finally, Mike stresses the importance of arm and club positioning. He explains to Billy that if his arms get too deep too soon, the club will reroute and fall off the intended path. By keeping his arms and club moving away in sync, Billy can prevent the swing from going over the top and losing control. Mike’s adjustments help Billy maintain the right path for the clubhead, ensuring more consistent, powerful shots.

PERFECT YOUR SWING MECHANICS

ELIMINATING CLUBFACE ROTATION

This Malaska Golf Member wants to know if the swing plane is the same with different clubs.

To demonstrate whether this is true, Mike holds three different clubs together, angled out to where they would hit the ball at impact. The driver is on the most inclined plane, with the putter having the steepest plane. So they do change a little.

Mike doesn't feel them change much. To him, it feels like he is swinging in the same arc. When Mike sets up to the ball, he takes the weight of the club and lets it drop behind the ball. That sets the club up, and then he hits the ball from there.

Mike does the same thing with a sand wedge; however, the arc is a little steeper. Mike takes the driver, sets ups, and lets the club drop again. The club is on a different arc when Mike swings, but he doesn't necessarily feel much difference.

Relative to his body and upper arms, when Mike swings, he feels like they are the same for the most part. Yes, the clubs swing on a different plane arc, but those angles aren't that drastic, and Mike lets the clubs do the work.

IS THE SWING PLANE DIFFERENT

These are the shots that everybody loves.  Here we will take a look at what they are, how to do them, and what the basic concept is.

UNDERSTANDING HIGH RISK LOB SHOTS

You use your trail arm. Set up with the ball off your back foot. You swing your arm but your shoulder stays fairly stationary. You are learning to swing your arm independent of your shoulder moving. This is an important skill for speed. You catch the ball on the face and let your arm swing through impact. Your trail arm lines up with the shaft just like in putting and chipping. For this skill there is almost no pivot of the lower body.

PITCHING WITH ONE ARM

To get into impact. Take your posture and set up. Then move just a little bit of weight or force into your lead leg. As you are doing that push your lead hip back away from the target line. This will pull your trail hip forward. It will drop your trail shoulder and your trail arm will now be no the shaft plane. Once you feel that portion. Then go back to address and do it again. Keep duplicating the process of set up and impact. The more you understand that feeling the easier it will be to develop your swing.

IMPACT

DRILLS ON THE GOLF COURSE

This conversation with Eric Cogorno about hip movement in the full swing is one of the most important concepts I think every golfer must understand. The idea of turning vs. rotating is key to building a solid foundation for your swing.

ERIC COGORNO

In this six-part Player Lesson series, Mike Malaska works with Jimmy Pearcy to transform his golf game by focusing on core fundamentals and personalized instruction. Starting with an exploration of Jimmy’s “golf DNA,” Mike identifies how Jimmy’s athletic background and natural movement patterns shape his swing. By tailoring the lessons to Jimmy’s strengths, Mike provides a foundation for improvement that is both effective and sustainable.The series begins with grip fundamentals, as Mike emphasizes the critical role of a proper grip in supporting every aspect of the swing. By positioning his hands correctly and reducing tension, Jimmy learns how to maintain control of the clubface and create consistency in his shots. This foundational step sets the stage for unlocking greater speed and power.In subsequent lessons, Mike introduces Jimmy to the concept of speed generation. Using drills that highlight the importance of relaxation and leveraging the natural hinge and release of the wrists, Jimmy discovers how to create effortless power. Mike reinforces that tension-free motion, combined with proper sequencing, is the key to maximizing clubhead speed with minimal effort.The series progresses to the concept of leverage, where Jimmy learns to let the club’s weight and momentum dictate the swing. Through exercises that focus on feeling the club’s natural movement, Jimmy develops a deeper understanding of how to generate power without relying on force. This approach not only improves his swing but also enhances his confidence in controlling the club.In the final two lessons, Mike focuses on advanced concepts of shot shaping and control. Jimmy practices manipulating the clubface to produce hooks, fades, and straight shots, gaining the ability to navigate different course conditions and play with more versatility. By mastering the relationship between his hands and the clubface, Jimmy unlocks a new level of creativity and precision in his game.Throughout the series, Mike’s personalized coaching helps Jimmy develop a relaxed, efficient swing that capitalizes on his natural strengths. By addressing fundamental issues and progressively building new skills, Jimmy gains the tools and confidence to approach the game with a deeper understanding. This series marks a significant transformation in Jimmy’s golf journey, equipping him with a more powerful, controlled, and versatile game.

JIMMY PEARCY-PLAYER LESSON

Andy Pierce and I were both introduced to Nibley in similar ways. Learn how got to where I am today.

GROWING UP AT NIBLEY PARK GOLF COURSE

Taking time between shots helps you understand your game and what you need to practice.

HOW TO PRACTICE CORRECTLY

So, we're going up to what was the 16th tee in the tournament, a par three. At this point, I only had a one-shot lead, and everything was getting pretty tight. I was playing well, but things were tense. This par three, the pin was right where it is now.Everyone said I hit a fade around the bunker, but my target— I can still remember—was just inside those big pine trees on the right-hand side. I aimed right over the center of the bunker with a little draw, hit the shot, and it landed about six to eight feet from the hole. I made birdie, which gave me a two-shot lead with two holes to play.Now, looking back at the end of my career, after everything I’ve learned, when I was playing a lot, people would say, "You’ve got to watch out for the hole. Start in the middle of the green and work it." This hole is set up for a fade—that's the shot. You cut it around the bunker, but that’s not my shot, even to this day.As I got more into playing and took lessons, instead of hitting the shot I wanted to hit, people told me what shot I should hit. So, I kept trying to hit the shots I "should" hit, not the ones I felt comfortable with. As a result, I was always a little more uncomfortable than I needed to be.But today, I'm going to hit a draw again because that's my shot. We’ve got 188 yards to the flag, and 157 to carry the bunker. The pin is at the front of the green, but it's the same shot I hit back then. I just don’t hit it as far as I used to. Back then, I hit a 7-iron; today, I hit a 6-iron and still came up a little short. But I aimed at the center of the bunker, let it turn back, and ended up on the green. Again, it’s all about knowing what you can do, and I knew it back then too.That’s what makes me reflect—when I was a kid, nobody told me what to do. I knew what I could do, and I played with what I had. I figured I could beat anyone with what I had. I didn’t need to do anything else. So, I hit the shots I was comfortable with, based on what I saw.What do I see people doing now, even tour players I work with? They start trying to hit shots they aren’t comfortable with. Under pressure, maybe you have to sometimes, but your go-to shot is crucial. Under pressure, you need something you can rely on, and for me, that’s my draw.After birdieing 16, I came to 17. This hole was perfect for my draw. I aimed at the right-hand trees, hit it, and turned it into the fairway. Visually, it fit my shot, so I aimed down the right side of the fairway, made a good swing, and hit a little draw, right in the middle of the fairway.At this point, I had a two-shot lead, and the hole set up perfectly for the shot I liked. So, I just stood up and let it go.Now, it was tournament time. I had a two-shot lead, and this hole didn’t set up for a draw. You can see how the trees on the left slope into the rough. The hole really sets up for a cut. But I didn’t feel like hitting a cut. My caddie, who has known me forever, said, “Mike, you haven’t miss-hit a drive all day. Just get over here on the left side of the tee, aim at the left edge of that right-hand tree, and let it curve back into the fairway.”You're probably thinking, "Those trees are pretty close." But I wasn’t thinking that. I was just looking at the left edge. There’s a power pole just beyond what is now the clubhouse. I aimed at that power pole, and all I wanted to do was start the ball there and let it gradually drift to the left.That’s pretty much the shot I hit, although about 70 yards shorter than where I hit it back then. But again, here I was—never having won a tournament this big—on the last hole, with a two-shot lead. I needed to get it in the fairway. I could have gone with a 2-iron, but I was hitting my driver the best. I hadn’t miss-hit a driver all day, so I just stuck with it.Sometimes, the driver is the club to go with, and sometimes it’s the worst club. If you can’t hit it well, choose something else that’ll keep the ball in play. For me, that day, the driver was the best choice, and my caddie talked me into it. I’m glad he did because I ended up 80 or 89 yards from the front edge. Game over, tournament over.I’ve hit a few balls into those trees before. So, let's recap what we’ve done here. We had some weather issues, so we didn’t get to do everything we wanted. But the reality is, all these shots I had a chance to hit, there’s value in them for everyone. You need to hit the shots you know you can hit.The game doesn’t have to be that complicated. When I was 19 years old, I had never taken a formal lesson. Yet, I came here and won one of the biggest state opens in the country. It was incredible and a lot of fun. It changed my life.This was the last hole—the 18th. Here’s where the pin was. I hit my drive, hit my shot, lagged it to about here, and gingerly rolled it up, leaving it just short. Then I tapped it in for a one-shot win.This place, for me—like many of you with your favorite golf courses or memorable rounds—brings back so many memories. When you play, remember the good shots you’ve hit. I can tell you there are shots on this course that we talked about today, and I still remember hitting them. When I find myself in similar situations, I try to remember those exact shots because I can still recall what they felt like.It’s even better now, even though I’m 70 years old. Back then, I was 19 or 20, but something about it still resonates with me. So, remember those old shots you hit well. Remember what you did, how it felt, and then try to replicate that.This is such a marvelous game. Here we are, 50 years after I first won this tournament, and I’m still playing in it. I’m still having a lot of fun with golf and trying to help every one of you play your best golf, enjoy the game for a long time, and be competitive. I hope you enjoy this, and I look forward to the rest of the Utah Open and the future of Malaska Golf.

FINISHING STRONG

How fixing your eye-line can often fix your swing.