Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/68546
1st Tee Continued From Page 13 When he did, it was on a medical exemption in which he was given five tournaments to earn enough money to retain full privileges for the season. He was unable to do it. Weir said the injury to his tendon affected his play last season, but refused to say it was the only reason for his struggles. "I'm not going to blame it all on that," he said. "I believe it caused me to be hesitant, and that probably led to some confusion where I was not only hesitant with my golf swing, I was questioning myself and I lost some confidence." Since the shutdown after surgery last year ,Weir's focus has been on getting stronger in an attempt not only to get back onto the PGA Tour full time but also be competitive and hopefully find the winner's circle again. If he manages to do that at least one more time he will become the all- time leader in wins by a Canadian on the PGA Tour as he's remained tied with George Knudson at 8 victories since his last triumph in 2007 at the Fry's Electronics Open in Arizona. Weir has also endured more than his share of swing machinations in the last few years, jumping back and forth from the 'stack and tilt' tandem of Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer to Mike Wilson and then back to Bennett and Plummer again. The road back continues to be an uphill climb for Weir who, as of this writing, had played in 7 events on the PGA Tour in 2012 failing to make the cut in any of them while posting a putrid scoring average of 76.00. His frustration level just continues to grow and it certainly wasn't helped by his finish in the Wells-Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow where Weir bogeyed 3 of his final 4 holes to miss by one shot his first opportunity to play on the weekend on the PGA Tour this year. So, the journey for Mike Weir continues but the question remains, just where will it lead? Bryan Outram has been Senior Editor for Inside Golf for the past eleven years. He can be reached at editor@insidegolf.ca For More " 1st Tee," Visit insidegolf.ca Simulated Practice INSTRUCTION WITH BRENT MORRISON BY BRENT MORRISON When playing golf, we rarely have the luxury of hitting a shot from a flat lie with the ball teed up on the grass. Given the fact we are always seeing visual obstacles before we swing, negative thoughts can pop up into our consciousness before we even choose the proper club for the shot. One way to help you deal with this is to work on your imagination in your practice sessions. Think about hitting different shots from varied lies during your practice. Standing on the driving range - especially hitting from a mat with a perfect lie with hundreds of balls (second chances) in front of you - does very little to help you improve on the course. You must make your practice as close to your potential game as possible, and try to "shape" shots out of troublesome situations, before you encounter them on the golf course. Many of the shots I have learned in my life have morphed out of situations on the course when I had to get creative, and "try something different". While playing in a tournament in the 1980s, I found myself in a position where my ball was in a green side bunker, with a very high lip. I had over-hanging trees behind me, forcing my hands to be very low at address, and then had to pick the clubface up immediately in the takeaway to avoid more branches. So, I got into the position I was forced into and took a swing, feeling like I was smashing the heel of the club into the sand behind the ball. The ball exploded straight up, giving me the highest trajectory I have ever seen from the sand. Twenty years later, I still keep this shot in my mental golf bag, and teach this technique to students who need to add a high bunker shot to their repertoires. It is a "something different" shot that works, and one I have found that can be called upon reliably when needed. Try this yourself! Brent Morrison is the Director of the Brent Morrison Golf Academy, located at 1025 Qualicum Road, Qualicum Beach, B.C., V9K 1M5. For information on the BMGA Collegiate Golf Preparatory Program, call (250) 752-8786; Toll Free 1-877-407-4653 or email info@brentmorrisongolf.com. 1. Set up with your hands very low around your knees, wide stance open to the target, and clubface open so the grooves are pointing at your front foot, with the toe of the club off the ground. 2. Swing straight back in an upward motion, feeling as if your arms and hands are lifting the club up. 3. Swing down very aggressively: ensure the heel of the club contacts the sand behind the ball, without the toe of the club passing the heel. When you play golf and are presented with different situations, get creative. Don't be afraid to try new things, and don't hesitate to consult your local CPGA Professional for practice and playing support. Good luck! 89