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Pro’s Corner

Controversy or Help for
Your Golf Game?

Larry Ringer, PGA Teaching Professional
MAPGA Hall of Fame 2011

Musket Ridge Golf Club, Myersville, Maryland

I have been asked by friends why I do not write
about the controversies going on in professional golf,
and my answer is that I do not know all the facts to
give a sound answer. I also have some of those same
friends ask me why I do not write these articles with
an emphasis on instruction. Well, I am far more
experienced in the teaching and playing aspects but find some people get bored
reading and turn the page to check out the great deals to play golf somewhere in
our area.
Now, if we talk about Tiger and his current troubles, we would have to include his
private and golfing life. It seems as though every time we pick up the paper or look
on the Internet, Tiger is either dating someone or he is trying to hook back up with
his ex. None of this interests me, but I am interested in his on-course activities,
especially his “consultant” who is not really a teacher but someone he can “bounce
ideas off of.” Now, those words came from someone close to him, and I am sure he
is listening to someone but maybe not the person who can make him better. I truly
feel he will win again, but I do not know when or where. In fact, I am willing to bet
as much as a nickel that he will eventually be able to get around the golf course in
72 holes without chunking a chip shot or hitting one out of bounds.
“Larry, how about that instruction you mentioned?” – If I were to guess the
number of times I have played with amateurs, I would bet it would be in the
hundreds over the years, and I am still amazed at the mistakes made when they
mark their golf balls on the greens. I see players throw their coin AT the ball, I see
them mark the ball very close to the ball and moving their ball forward, and finally
I see them pick up the ball before their marker actually hits the green. How should
you mark your ball on the green? Simply use a small coin or medallion and place
it directly behind the ball BEFORE you pick up your ball. Then, when you replace
your ball, you just place the ball as near to that coin as possible and then remove
your marker. Now, I have used a little trick for many, many years and that is to
make sure that I place the coin “heads up” on the ground behind the ball before
removing the ball. If I am asked to move my coin to the side so that my marker is
not in my playing partner’s putting line, I just move it over one putter head length
and then turn the coin over to show the “tails” side. That way, when I get ready to
putt, I will notice that “tails up” is not where I originally started, and I reverse the
process before I putt.
Hopefully, with these little tidbits of controversy and instruction, your days will be
better and you will look out for the next issue and get your “fix” of all that I have
to offer.
Larry Ringer, PGA Teaching Pro at Musket Ridge Golf Club
304-279-7524
larryringerpga@hotmail.com

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