(00:00) French Lick Golf Course Discussion

This chapter features an engaging conversation with Dave Harner, the Director of Golf at the French Lick Resort in Indiana, as we explore the unique challenges and beauty of the Pete Dye course, host of the Corn Ferry Tour finals. Jeff Smith, a Golf Magazine Top 100 instructor, shares his insights on the course's demanding layout, emphasizing the tight fairways and steep slopes that test even the most skilled golfers. We also discuss the resort's history of hosting prestigious events, including the Senior PGA and NCAA championships, and how having the PGA Tour involved this time around has streamlined the event setup. Join us as we highlight why the French Lick Resort is a top destination for golf enthusiasts and what makes the Pete Dye course a formidable challenge.

(09:06) French Lick Golf Courses Analysis

This chapter takes us to the French Lick Resort in Indiana, where the Korn Ferry Tour Finals are set to take place, providing golf enthusiasts the opportunity to either attend in person or watch live on the Golf Channel. We explore the resort's renowned courses, particularly the challenging Pete Dye and Donald Ross courses. Dave Harner, the Director of Golf at French Lick Resort, shares insights into the history and intricacies of these courses, including the technical challenges presented by the Ross course's notorious number eight green. We also discuss the resort's appeal to both avid golfers and families, highlighting the numerous activities available for all visitors. Join us as we celebrate one of our favorite golf destinations and discuss why it's a must-visit for any golf lover.

(15:57) French Lick Golf Course Stories

This chapter covers an engaging discussion about the challenging pin placements at the Ross Course, with Dave and Sean sharing their personal experiences on specific holes like 8, 10, and 17. We also reminisce about the historical and culinary delights at Hagen's, including tales of Al Capone and the origins of tomato juice at the French Lick Resort. The conversation takes a historical turn as we talk about FDR's presidential announcement and the reconstruction of an antique bar. We wrap up by celebrating Pete Dye's wisdom and his initial skepticism turned into brilliance while designing a golf course, complete with his memorable quote about the fairness of golf.

(20:28) Pete Dye's French Lick Golf Course

This chapter recounts an engaging story about the iconic golf course designer Pete Dye's initial skepticism and eventual commitment to building a golf course at French Lick Resort. We explore the humorous and determined interaction between Pete and the narrator, highlighting the challenges and eventual triumph in the development of the Pete Dye Course. Additionally, we discuss the significance of Pete Dye in the golfing world, particularly in Indiana, and the various prestigious tournaments hosted at the French Lick Resort, including memorable moments from past events. The chapter wraps up with insights into the course's design complexities and its role in shaping future PGA stars.

(33:06) French Lick Golf Resort Expansion

This chapter explores the abundance and affordability of high-quality golf courses in the Indiana-Kentucky area, with a special focus on the French Lick Resort. I, along with Top 100 teacher Jeff Smith and French Lick Resort's Director of Golf Dave Harner, discuss the diverse golfing options available, including the Pete Dye course, the Donald Ross course, and the Valley Links course. We touch on the value of different greens fees, the appeal of short courses, and how these offerings can enhance one's short game. Additionally, we mention the new suite hotel attached to the casino, the recent installation of pickleball courts, and the enjoyable atmosphere of the resort's amenities. We also share anecdotes about the local golf scene and the playful, competitive spirit of golfers who frequent the resort and its casino.

(45:00) French Lick Golf Course Reservations

This chapter explores the necessity of making advance reservations for golf trips, particularly as the fall season approaches. We discuss the seasonal closures of various courses at French Lick Resort, noting that the Dye course will close on November 10th and others by the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with Valley Links and the short course expected to remain open through winter. Highlighting the high demand for next year's bookings, we emphasize the importance of planning ahead. Additionally, we introduce Alex Whiteman, a PGA member and golf groups expert at French Lick Resort, as the go-to person for organizing group golf trips. To get in touch with Alex, listeners are advised to call the resort's 800 number and ask for the golf salesperson.

(00:00) Improving Golf Scoring Techniques

This chapter is all about improving your golf scoring by mastering the ups and downs of the short game. Jeff Smith, a Golf Magazine Top 100 teacher, explains the importance of having two key shots: the firm-handed scrape (or bump and run) and understanding how to position yourself on different slopes. We explore how to maintain a stable base on various terrains, focusing on the importance of aligning your shoulders with the slope and adjusting your posture before determining the length of the club. Jeff emphasizes the significance of balance and stability, especially when dealing with upslopes around the greens, to ensure precise and predictable shots.

(13:39) Effective Short Game Techniques

This chapter delves into the nuances of controlling hand and wrist movements in various activities, such as tossing a tennis or golf ball, throwing a dart, or shaking hands. We explore the concept of maintaining a balance between being too loose and too stiff, emphasizing the importance of the "Goldilocks zone"—a middle ground where movements are neither too rigid nor too floppy. By examining how this principle applies to golf, particularly in shots like the "firm-handed scrape" or "bump and run," we discuss how to achieve a stable and balanced setup. This approach helps to avoid common pitfalls like thin and fat shots, resulting in more consistent, crisp contact. The importance of prioritizing balance, club length, and ball position is also highlighted as key factors for successful execution.

(23:57) Mastering Golf Short Game Techniques

This chapter focuses on the techniques required to execute precise short game shots around the greens, especially from challenging lies like bunkers or slopes. We explore the critical concepts of establishing a stable base by planting the downhill leg firmly and matching the shoulder line to the slope. Two primary shot techniques are discussed: the firm-handed scrape and the hinge and thump. The hinge and thump shot involves hinging the wrists to get the club vertical on the takeaway and then unhinging to thump the ground at the lowest point of the swing, typically near the front hip joint. This technique allows the ball to pop up softly, making it ideal for high, soft shots like lobs or flops. We emphasize the importance of ensuring the club gets below the ball, whether in grass or sand, to achieve the desired shot outcome.

(34:12) Enhancing Putting Skills for Lower Scores

This chapter is all about improving your golf score by focusing on two lifesaver shots—the firm-wristed scrape shot and the hinge and thump shot—and honing your putting skills beyond just stroke technique. We emphasize the importance of speed control, advocating for putts that stop just past the hole to avoid negative feedback from missed putts. By practicing putting to the fringe, golfers can develop better distance control without the discouragement of missed holes. We also explore the importance of aiming and consistent putting mechanics, suggesting drills like hitting the flagstick from two feet away to ensure straight putts. Finally, we discuss effective green reading techniques, highlighting the importance of keeping your eyes level to accurately assess the tilt of the green.

(42:55) Improving Green Reading Techniques

This chapter emphasizes the importance of holistic green reading in golf, particularly using the Aimpoint method. We explore the necessity of assessing the entire terrain between the ball and the hole, not just the immediate ground. By reading with your feet and feeling the slope through various parts of your body—legs, hips, torso, and overall body lean—you can gain a better understanding of the green. We address common resistance to this method and explain how defending ineffective green-reading techniques can hinder improvement. For those seeking to lower their golf scores, adopting this approach is crucial. A reference to a previous detailed episode on this topic is also mentioned for further learning.

(00:01) Golf Statistics and Instruction Discussion

This chapter explores the intriguing statistics of golfers' performance, highlighting that only 45% of golfers can break 100, while 29% can break 90, 5% can break 80, and a mere 1% can break 70. We discuss whether these figures might be skewed due to golfers not following or knowing the official rules, and the potential impact of this on their scores. We also consider the phenomenon of players manipulating their handicaps and the motivations behind it. Our discussion emphasizes the disparity between casual golfers and those striving for competitive excellence, and how this affects the broader golfing community.

(12:15) Reducing Golf Penalties and Errors

This chapter begins with a lighthearted piece of trivia about Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra's golfing habits, including their insistence on drinking while playing, which led to the innovation of the booze-filled golf cart. From there, we take a nostalgic journey through some of Las Vegas' iconic spots like the Desert Inn and the soon-to-be-redeveloped Mirage. Shifting focus to the game of golf, we break down "basic golf math," highlighting how every player starts with 54 shots and what factors contribute to increasing this number. We categorize different types of penalties that affect a golfer's score, including out-of-bounds shots, water hazards, and various "idiot penalties" such as poor club choice, bad alignment, and loss of focus. We emphasize the importance of smart decision-making on the course to minimize these penalties and ultimately improve one's game.

(20:44) Improving Golf Scores Through Smart Decisions

This chapter focuses on the often flawed decision-making processes golfers use when selecting clubs and planning shots. We discuss the common mistake of opting for a driver to hit a narrow landing zone instead of using a Threewood to land safely in a wider area. By questioning whether hitting a sand wedge from a perfect driver shot really improves scores significantly over using a pitching wedge, we highlight how minor differences in club selection rarely impact overall performance. We emphasize that trying to emulate professional golfers with advanced shots can lead to unnecessary penalties and higher scores. Through exploring statistics, such as the small percentage of golfers who break 70, we underscore the importance of practical shot selection and avoiding risky plays. We also touch on the common pitfalls of trying to make putts aggressively, which often results in longer return putts and inflated scores. The overall message encourages smarter, more strategic play rather than attempting overly ambitious shots.

(34:16) Analyzing Golf Math and Statistics

This chapter explores the intricacies of golf statistics, particularly focusing on the importance of distance versus accuracy off the tee for PGA professionals. We examine how the strategy of hitting longer drives, even at the expense of fairway accuracy, can be beneficial in the pro game due to the correlation between driving distance and earnings. We also discuss how the course setup, including rough thickness, impacts the effectiveness of different strategies. Additionally, we consider how statistics might not fully capture a player's intent or success, especially in cases where a shot meets the player's goals but misses the fairway by a narrow margin. Finally, we touch on how amateur golfers might find hitting from the rough more manageable than from tightly mown fairways, further complicating the relationship between fairway accuracy and overall performance.

(43:09) Golf Mental Shift for Fairway Success

This chapter explores the mental game of golf, particularly the importance of maintaining a positive perspective when approaching shots. We discuss how golfers often psych themselves out, causing tension and impacting their performance. By visualizing the fairway as being filled with 643 golf balls, each representing a possible successful shot, we can shift our mindset and reduce anxiety. This change in perspective helps golfers feel more confident and relaxed, leading to straighter shots without any physical adjustments. The chapter emphasizes that much of the challenge in hitting fairways is mental, and with the right mindset, anyone can improve their game.