| I love the first tee. I know a lot of people hate | | | | is to assume that you have to annihilate the ball |
| that part of the game, but I always look forward | | | | to get any distance - That's simply not true. Of |
| to it because it gives me a chance to see golfers | | | | course, as you get better, you might want to |
| at their best (or worst). Within the space of 5 | | | | open up a little and use some of that power, but |
| minutes (or however long the line-up is), you get | | | | it's not necessary to get respectable distances as |
| to see golfers of all abilities in action. | | | | a beginner. Actually, in your attempts to kill the |
| One thing I can tell you is that you can't judge a | | | | ball, your body is most likely tensing up, and the |
| book by its cover. I've seen the fittest, most | | | | natural rhythm of your swing is being impeded. |
| confident people burn the golf ball through the | | | | The angle of approach and the centeredness of |
| grass, hook, slice, top the ball, or simply miss | | | | contact are much more important than the speed |
| altogether (ouch). I've also witnessed the most | | | | of the club. Once you start hitting the ball |
| unassuming players connect so solidly that the | | | | properly, you should start seeing very respectable |
| echo is heard around the course as the ball | | | | distances in your drives. |
| explodes down the fairway, straight and true. | | | | Remember: Concentrate on your technique (your |
| This tells me that there is hope for us all. It also | | | | grip, your stance, and the mechanics of your |
| says that technique is infinitely more important | | | | swing). You must master this first - there are no |
| than brute force. | | | | shortcuts. |
| I think one of the mistakes most beginners make | | | | |