6 minute read
Stroke Index 1
Struggle no more with the Middle East’s toughest holes. In the latest instalment of our monthly series, Al Zorah Golf Services Manger Sam Markram helps you safely negotiate stroke index 1 at Ajman’s Nicklaus Design gem
13th PAR 4
Black Gold Silver Jade 450 yards 415 yards 383 yards 355 yards
HIRTEEN IS an
Tunlucky number for some. At Al Zorah Golf Club, it is the number of a hole that can make you feel like a really unlucky golfer, a proven a scorecard wrecker for those who approach without a prudent strategy. Even the pros at past MENA Tour events have run up big numbers here. Water on the left side will play on your mind from the moment you stand on the tee box with your driver until you drop your fi nal putt. The approach shot, yeah that’s a nerve-jangler too. Summed up, making par on this hole is an achievement in its own right but it’s not impossible.
Sam Markram
Here’s my strategy:
tee shot: This is the most demanding tee shot on the golf course as water lies to the le and out right. The perfect shot would be a so draw off the bunkers. Playing a draw off this tee is still a daunting prospect with all that wet stuff le but trust yourself to set up a decent approach.
approach: Find the fairway and you’ll likely be le with long to mid iron in. The challenge? The water hazard hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still hugging the entirety of the hole which means any shot which has a touch of le in it ends up wet. The bailout is short and right which can leave a straightforward pitch shot into the pin. If you go long and right then a treacherous chip shot to the
bunkers wait for anyone who bails pin with water in the background will give all but the surest of short game exponents pause for thought.
finishing off: The green on the 13th has an array of movement which can easily lead to annoying threeputts. If the pin is at the back and you come up short with your approach, you’ll need to negotiate a multitude of breaks and undulations. If the pin is on the le side, then putting into the water can also be a real threat. This is a hole where you need to maintain concentration on every shot until your ball disappears into the cup. A pure par or one with the assist of a stroke or two? Perfectly acceptable. A birdie? Well played indeed. – with kent gray
Sergio Garcia Garcia
Still puring Still puring the ball the ball a er all this time a er all this time
ERGIO GARCIA turns
S41 in January. This is noteworthy for two reasons. First, he’s been on the PGA Tour longer than 2020 tournament winner Matthew Wolff has been alive. Second, Garcia is still competing at a level that makes him a threat to win. “He’s one of the greatest ball-strikers I’ve ever seen,” says Golf Digest Teaching Professional Jim McLean. Garcia was a top-25 performer on tour in strokes gained/tee to green and strokes gained/approach the green in 2019, two key statistics that verify his ability to consistently work the ball any way he wants. “And he’s got all the power he needs to compete,” McLean says. “The way he loads, creates width and unleashes all that energy in his signature downswing has always been impressive. Last year he averaged well over 300 yards off the tee—not bad for a guy around 40.” Here are some keys to his swing. —RON KASPRISKE
SHORT, BUT SWEET
▶ Sergio’s never had a long backswing, because he doesn’t need it, says Golf Digest Teaching Professional Jim McLean. “You can fully load into your right side without letting the club run off . When the shoulders stop turning, the arms should stop swinging.”
SIGNATURE LAG
▶ “We’ve marveled for decades at how far behind his hands the clubhead lags,” McLean says. “He describes it as a pulling motion, but it’s more like his arms are falling as he unwinds from the ground up. Note how his right elbow dives into his right hip.”
Swing Sequence Play
BIG TILT, SOFT KNEE
▶ Garcia’s spine tilts away from the target as the clubhead approaches the ball, so he can hit up on it, McLean says. And he delivers the club with some fl ex in his lead knee. “So much for thinking that leg needs to be braced straight to generate power,” he says.
sergio garcia 40 / 5-10 / 180
Castellon, Spain
driver TaylorMade Sim (9.5 degrees)
average drive (2019) 302.5 yards
clubhead speed 121 miles per hour
LETTING GO
▶ Full extension of the arms and club through impact is a sign of a great driver swing, McLean says. “A good feel for this is to let the lead shoulder move up and away from the target line as the club releases. And keep grip pressure light. No holding on!”
