Do Golf Pros hit it straight when playing Golf?

Rory Mcilroy

Hitting it straight is the subject of my blog this week. Firstly I congratulate Rory McIlroy who stepped back into the winners circle with a fine win at The Players this year. He certainly displayed shot shaping mastery over 72 holes to rein supreme at TPC Sawgrass. Now back in control of his golf ball from tee to green will Rory complete the career grand slam at Augusta next month?

Ball flight control leads me onto my tip for this edition of Better Golf Fortnightly. When I meet a golfer coming for a lesson for the first time I ask “what would like to achieve from lessons?” The answer more often than not is “I would just like to hit it straight”. Now let’s discuss that ball flight… Firstly I’d like you to watch this pro tracer video taken from season footage of professional players on the European Tour. I would like you to count how many straight ball flights you see.

TOUR PROFESSIONAL SHOT TRACER VIDEO 

Now how many did you spot? Some from slightly skewed camera angles I know but I counted 2. So 2 out of 29 shots by pros were hit straight, less than 7%. Let me tell you a secret…. The vast majority of pros don’t try to hit it straight!! 

Why?
(1) You can easily miss either side of straight, creating a two way miss problem.
(2) Golf holes aren’t all straight!
(3) Flags are often cut into corners of greens, some in very tricky locations.

Playing Golf

So how do the pros make their curve work? Well firstly and most importantly they REPEAT it. If you can repeat a certain ball flight you can then manage it very easily by aiming it in the correct direction. I explained in previous editions of Better Golf Fortnightly: The Art of Scoring.

Art of scoring in golf

In my most recent YouTube video I explain and demonstrate how to practice shaping shots and manage your ball’s starting line.

SHOT SHAPING DRILL FOR PRACTICE VIDEO

The good news is you don’t have to fix your curving golf ball just learn to repeat it and manage it.

Don’t forget I am always hand to help and advise, just reach out and ask. If you are not local did you know I also offer online lessons via Whatsapp, the process is explained here – Online lessons with Steve Furlonger

If you enjoy YouTube, why not visit my channel and check out more of my instructional videos, subscribe for your chance to when a Shot Scope V1 – Steve Furlonger Golf Performance.

I have had many lessons over the years with some of the big names in golf coaching and I was more than impressed with Steves's depth of knowledge and his keen eye to spot areas in my swing for improvement and able to give good drills and feels to aid the changes necessary which is really the difference between great coaches. Thank you Steve, look forward to seeing you again soon.
Dennis Hastings

About Steve Furlonger

Steve Furlonger is a highly experienced golf coach with a wealth of knowledge to pass on to his clients. With his modern and holistic coaching style, Steve gives his players the platform to develop self-sufficiency, which is necessary for becoming a successful, self-organised golfer.

Achieve Your Potential

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