Seeing White, But Thinking Green

Today's record snowfall that blanketed the Delaware Valley has everything looking white, but it has me thinking--or more appropriately--longing for the green fairways of the golf course. Hopefully, sometime in the next six weeks or so, the weather will permit heading to the Driving Range to start knocking off the winter's rust and honing the swing for the upcoming golf season.

The Driving Range at Fisher's Glen in Juniata

As you know from previous posts, all the nearby Driving Ranges have artificial mats as opposed to natural turf. While a lot of golfers I know proclaim that they would never hit golf balls off an artificial mat, my view is you need to make due with the facilities that are available. This view is also shared by Golf Digest Top-20 under 40 teacher Zach Heusser.

The Driving Range at Bethlehem's Golf Complex

"Golf doesn't happen only on grass," writes Heusser in the February issue of Golf Digest. "I teach at a driving range that has synthetic mats, the kind of place where a lot of people do their practicing. Sure, mats have limitations--you can hit a fat shot and get a deceptively good result--but they're cheaper to maintain than grass. As a result, you can find these ranges all over, probably one close to you. But hitting off mats doesn't mean you can't make meaningful improvements in your swing."
Heusser shows how incorporating such range accessories as ball buckets, bag stands and the mats themselves into drills can help a player visualize and feel the proper motion for a swing. "On the next few pages (see above and below), I'll show you how to develop your golf swing at the practice range--and get ready for the real grass on the course," he says.

(Click images to enlarge pages)

So hurry up and melt snow. Let the temperatures rise. I'm getting that golf itch and I can't wait to hit the Driving Range and try out these drills.

Photos by The Muni Golfer