2021 CENTRAL OREGON GOLF PREVIEW • THE BULLETIN • SUNdAy, MAy 23, 2021 7
Tips
Continued from 6
“Everyone can pick up a
magazine chock-full of swing
ideas, or watch endless You-
Tube videos on how to fix your
slice,” Kitt said. “The key is de-
ciphering all the information
and realizing what is best for
your game. Taking lessons from
a qualified professional is key to
the process.”
Across the board, area pro-
fessionals see their respective
driving ranges full of all levels
of golfers banging away at driv-
ers and 7-irons. While the driv-
ing range business is good for
the bottom line, these practice
habits are not always the quick-
est way to start shooting lower
scores.
“Practice your short game,”
advised Zach Lampert, facility
manager at Meadow Lakes Golf
Course in Prineville. “For most
players, half of their shots are
chipping and putting, yet most
people spend the majority of
their practice time on the driv-
ing range, and very little time
on the chipping and putting
greens. At least half of practice
should be around the greens.”
Lampert is not alone in this
philosophy.
“Work on your short game
as much as possible,” suggested
Kevin Story, lead professional
at Eagle Crest Resort. “Im-
proving contact, speed, and
distance-control are the fastest
ways to start shooting lower
scores.”
It is human nature for golf-
ers to want to get better at what
they’re already good at. Un-
fortunately, too many people
neglect working on their weak-
nesses.
“Spend time learning where
you’re losing strokes during
your round,” said Howie Pruitt,
director of golf at Aspen Lakes.
“If you’re leaving putts short, go
work on your speed. The same
Dean Guernsey/The Bulletin
PGA professional Tam Bronkey, left, conducts a lesson with Rolf Armstrong at Bend Golf Club.
goes for off the tee if you’re not
finding fairways.”
Central Oregon professionals
also acknowledge that playing
well involves a monetary in-
vestment, as ensuring that you
have the proper equipment is
an essential part of the equa-
tion.
“Reach out to a PGA profes-
sional to get fit for a set of golf
clubs,” said Brasada Ranch’s di-
rector of golf operations, Zach
Swoffer. “All too often we see
spouses or juniors using hand-
me-down clubs that are too
heavy and too stiff. There will
be an upfront expense for a
new set of clubs, but the enjoy-
ment factor will be more than
worth it with a set of clubs that
“Everyone can pick up a magazine chock-full of swing ideas,
or watch endless YouTube videos on how to fix your slice.
The key is deciphering all the information and
realizing what is best for your game. Taking lessons from
a qualified professional is key to the process.”
— Nate Kitt, area PGA professional and founder of the Modern Golf Club
are made just for you.”
Playing within yourself is an-
other aspect of the game ama-
teurs seem to struggle with.
“Don’t try the hero shot,”
Pruitt added. “Sometimes tak-
ing a penalty stroke and lim-
iting the damage is a better
option than risking a com-
pounded mistake.”
James Billings of Juniper
Golf Course in Redmond
agreed that being honest about
your capabilities is important.
“Take enough club to get the
ball to the hole with a smooth
swing,” Billings said. “Most
golfers try to hit the ball too
hard with not enough club.”
In the bigger scheme of
things, the best thing golfers
can do is ask for help.
“Take a lesson,” advised Jer-
rel Grow, director of golf at
Pronghorn. “Ask the instructor
to keep it simple, maybe two
things you can work on. And
then go work on it. Most peo-
ple don’t invest the time they
need to get better.”
Above all, remember why
you play golf.
“Never forget that golf is a
game and games are meant to
be fun,” said Taylor Giacom-
ini, head professional at Widgi
Creek in Bend.
In a game that’s endlessly
complicated, there’s no shortage
of advice to go around. If you’re
going to get better and enjoy
your time out on the links, it
might be a good idea to seek
the help of one of Central Ore-
gon’s respected professionals.