Page 20 - Westchester Golf Guide - May 2022

YOURGAME | Instruction
Fairway Approach
Accuracy is obviously the name of the game for irons. Labritz says, “The first step is to choose your target based on how aggressive you need or want to be.” In other words, can you (or must you) take dead aim at the pin, or should you play for the center of the green?
“Clubface control is the key to accu- racy,” according to Labritz. “Keep your hands on the club with the same pres- sure and position throughout the swing. It will feel like you’re shortening your swing, but you’re not, so stay with it. If you let go even just a little at any point, the clubface will flip open or closed, and there goes your accuracy.”
Another good practice, he says, is to “complete the swing and hold the finish, even if you’re hitting a half- or three- quarter swing.”
Putting
Labritz had no three-putts during eight pressure-packed rounds of the two stages of PGA Tour Champions qualifying, so his putting advice is well-founded. “People think putting is all about feel, but it’s not,” he says. “Putting is about data.” Labritz walks off every putt before he hits it. “Speed changes, but distance doesn’t. Pacing it off also gives me a feel
for the slope of the green,” he says.
“Alignment is the second key to good putting,” he continues. Labritz recommends using any one of several alignment
aids during practice, to make sure you are set up on the line you want. “You would be surprised how often you feel you’re aimed in one direction, but you’re actually set up to hit the putt somewhere else.” •
18 GOLF 2022 WESTCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM Photos by John Fortunato