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LESSON TEE
OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE
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SPRING 2017
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obsports.com
"Not everyone has access to a
launch monitor, but most people these
days have a rangefinder, and I'm al-
ways working with my students to
make sure they know their carry dis-
tance and I'll even have players chart a
couple of their iron shots when the
temperatures start to get a little
warmer," Summerhays said. "During
the warmer months, the golf ball will
go so much farther than at
other times of the year – not
only because of the air tem-
perature, but because the
ball rolls more when course
conditions are hot and dry."
Playing in this type of weather
can be likened to the experience of
mountain golf, where the ball flies far-
ther in the thin air at high elevations.
You may be excited to be getting a
bump in how far you hit your driver,
hybrids and long irons, but where the
conditions will likely affect you most
is on your shots into the greens.
Taking the time to make note of
your adjusted yardages could yield a
direct payoff when it comes to the
shots that are key to scoring.
"Golfers make birdies because they
hit it close," Summerhays said. "So
being accurate with your irons is re-
ally important."
For golfers unaccustomed to
playing in the heat, they may often
find themselves in between clubs on
their approach shots because their
adjusted 7-iron carry may be too long
for the shot, but don't quite feel they
can hit their 8-iron far enough to
land the ball where they want to, for
example.
Summerhays suggests that high
handicappers and most amateurs pull
the shorter club and hit a full shot,
rather than trying to finesse the iron
with a three-quarters swing using the
longer club.
Noting the pin position can also
help an amateur with club selection,
Summerhays says.
"If the pin is in the back, I'd rather
have an amateur player err on the side
of the shorter club so the ball doesn't
go off the back of the green," he said.
"If the pin is in front, then go with the
longer club, because you have more
room to work with behind the hole."
TEN
TIPS FOR
PLAYING IN
THE HEAT
