| Many golfers judge golf course distances | | | | gauged precisely. This is fine for short distances but |
| subconsciously. They look at the hole and "feel" the | | | | is difficult to do for distances over 100 yards. Up to |
| distance. This is not as accurate as consciously | | | | 60 yards is easily handled. When the distance is |
| computing how far you are from the green. The | | | | greater, I move to the side of the ball, estimate |
| "feel" can be made much more accurate if it is helped | | | | where the halfway mark is, divide this into yardage, |
| mechanically and psychologically. This is particularly | | | | multiply it by 2, and that is it. |
| true when you are within pitching distance of the | | | | Of course feel or the subconscious, is still important, |
| green. | | | | but even this can be developed consciously. A |
| The soundest method seems to be that of Bobby | | | | general rule which should guide you is in the |
| Jones, which involves the control of distance simply | | | | development of feel is always to use muscles which |
| by shortening the grip on the shaft. If you will drop | | | | have the greatest potential for touch. Proper muscles |
| balls at one-yard intervals back from the green for | | | | can build a physiological fence around the shot and |
| about 100 years, you will find that you can control | | | | prevent bad judgment. |
| the length of the shot by simply holding the club at | | | | This means that your estimate is more accurate if |
| spots higher and higher on the grip. With this | | | | the more sensitive muscles are used for the shorter |
| mechanical method Jones was then free to | | | | distances. You must avoid using a yardstick when a |
| concentrate on direction. The balls automatically were | | | | ruler is needed. |
| close to the hole if he computed the yardage | | | | The most delicate touch is in the tip of the index |
| correctly. | | | | finger; then the other fingers, wrists, forearms, arms |
| Gauging the distance involves certain psychological | | | | and body. Smaller muscles are more sensitive |
| factors. Hitting the golf ball the correct distance is a | | | | discriminators than larger ones. Also if few muscles |
| psychological horse of another color. Having read | | | | are used, the additional variables that accompany the |
| Bobby Jones techniques some years ago, this is how | | | | moving of many muscles are eliminated. |
| I did it. In order to practice hitting precise distances, I | | | | Since all shots do not require equal amounts of |
| measured the distances from the practice green 100 | | | | touch, there comes a point at which strength |
| yards back. Whenever I hit practice balls I did not | | | | becomes a factor. Otherwise, what is gained in touch |
| play shots from one position, but scattered them at | | | | is lost in accuracy if, for instance, the golf club is |
| one yard intervals from the green on back. I noted | | | | loose in the hands. |
| my finger position on the grip at each distance. On | | | | The right combination of distance and direction on |
| the golf course, the sole problem was to estimate | | | | the golf course can only be achieved through varied |
| the distance, hold the grip at the point indicated for | | | | practice. There are additional factors such as wind, |
| that yardage and pull the trigger. | | | | bounce, and temperature whose influences need to |
| I found out that if I would break up the distances to | | | | be appraised. |
| the flag into intervals of 10 yards, yardage can be | | | | |