Cold, almost winter, morning question

[smith5606]

Seems to be time of year for stray thoughts.

I was wondering last night - if I was asked to name the most important thing I have learned about golf in the last 50 years or so, what would it be?

Since I asked the question: (although I have absolutely no empirical data to support my position) I believe that the single most crucial element in a golf portfolio is the ability to consistently sink a five foot putt. Obviously, its not the only element, just the most singificant predictor.

Care to comment?

[iPutt]

Inside out stroke for me at least. I started playing the game with a nasty slice.

[bogeyhitter25]

I second iPutt's post. I've had a horrible slice up until about a month ago. I'll have to take around 4 or 5 practice swings just to make sure I make an in to out stroke.

[pshizz]

I second iPutt's post. I've had a horrible slice up until about a month ago. I'll have to take around 4 or 5 practice swings just to make sure I make an in to out stroke.

if you slice and you want to fix it, then an out to in stroke is what you want to practice. An in to out stroke promotes a over the top move which is the cause for most slices.

[MiniMoe]

Attitude is the most important. There are a lot of Jack A$$es that can sink a 5 footer. It only really counts if you have a good attitude.

[PiKapp23]

I would have to agree that knocking down the 5 footer is huge, but I've come to believe that the long lag is just as important. You'll have a lot less big 5 footers if you can lag them close.

I like what MiniMoe says about attitude, but have to disagree about one thing. Knocking in the 5 footer counts if you're a Jack A$$ or not. Just look at any number of PGA Tour golfers over the years who fit that bill. One current one that has a bad reputation is Robert Allenby, but he's still making a good living.

[TommyD69]

The first thing for me is "Swing Hard... In case you hit it"...

But the most important thing is your SHORT GAME...

Any (long drive) non golfer can hit the ball a mile, but only a real golfer can get up and down from a down hill lie, over a bunker to a "short" pin...

that's where you need to spend MOST of your practice time IMHO.....

[Dub]

Practice quality vs. quantity. Have a couple of objectives for each session.

More focus should be on short game shots.

Eliminate tension in my set-up.

Follow through on every shot...putts as well.