FORE the DUFFER Golf Blog

Why do they refer to someone who can work magic around the greens with their wedges as having “soft hands”?  Now I know for a fact that it’s not because they use hand lotion on a regular basis.  I have never seen anyone with the touch that Mickelson has and the shots he comes up with and executes inspire awe.  It’s one thing to envision a shot but to consistently execute that shot is plain unbelievable.  Or how about John Daly.  Wish that he could get rid of the demons in his life and return his concentration to the game cause the man is a joy to watch.  But you constantly hear announcers making comments about Daly’s soft hands around the greens.  I must admit that I occasionally execute one of those shots and let me tell ya … It feels great.  The imagination is there, the body is willing but the talent doesn’t always keep pace with my visions.  One of my favorite wedges is the lob wedge and many of my fellow Duffers are often asking me how I could swing that hard and create such a nice soft touch with the ball.  I just say that it’s the technology but in reality it’s the practice, practice, and more practice.  Now that the weather is changing and the nights are getting longer – what kind of a statement is that?  Nights don’t get any longer, daylight does.  Anyway, I need to get back to hitting 75 to 100 balls every night with each of the 4 wedges I carry.  Pitching, gap, sand, and lob wedges is what helps define your game.  That and putting.  The flat stick and pitching is probably some of the most overlooked parts of a game when you visit the driving range.  You know the old saying – “you drive for show and you putt for dough”.  There’s a lot to be said for that.