April 21, 2008 -- Boo Weekley wins the 2008 Verizon Heritage Classic to add to his 2007 victory.

In doing this he was number 1 in only one statistical category and that was scoring! He was sound in all categories. His weakest tour ranking is in the putting category. This week's ranking improved to 23rd all the way from the season ranking of 144th. He had total putts of 31,26,24,26, for and average of 26.8 down from his season's average of 29.8.

Why did he have 3 less putts per round on the small green Harbour Town?

1. Small greens averaging at 3700 square feet per green. No other course but Pebble Beach can compare to this tiny size. This is a ball strikers dream course and why many Senior Tour players return to play here. Boo tied for 8th in greens for regulation for the week. This improvement was from and already strong ranking of 27th. Boo was required to shape his irons ball flight around the tree branches and with winds to considered.

2. The base grass on the greens is Tifeagle bermuda grass. This is the top of the line Bermuda grass that has relatively little grain in it. However, there is grain it and the experience the Milton, Florida trio of PGA tour players bring is knowing how to read the grain. Many southeastern golfers can identify the direction of the grain which has a strong influence on putts, chips and pitches.{ read how to read grain below} Bo chipped in once the final day from 60 feet. He also lagged his long putts well making a 30 footer on 14 which was a difficult down hill and down grain putt.

3. Boo did not have one three putt during the tournament

4. Boo shortgame had touch. Boo chipped in the final day from 60 feet. He also putted in off the fringe from 29 feet.

The lessons I have learned from observing Boo for the week in person as he practiced and played as well as studying his statistics are about ball striking and feel and touch around the greens.

Ball striking points:

1. Boo's personality is fun and relaxed. I watched and listened to him talk with his caddy and playing partners about other topics than the golf game at hand. As he approached his turn to play he stopped the conversation and focused in and quieted his mind and body. His strong lower body creates a sound foundation for balance and also a great source of power.

This allows his hands and forearms to relax and release the clubhead giving him the feel for trajectory and distance control. Great ball striking elevating him from 27th for the season to 8th in greens in regulation for the week. This means he is putting for birdie more than all but seven others.

Drill: take the club and hold it up side down, gripping near the clubhead. From this position swing it and pay close attention to the feel.

Now hold the club normally. Swing the club and try to sense the difference in the two swing feels. If you grip it light like Boo you will become more aware of the clubhead weight and how it snaps or releases through impact.

Remember grip it tight and you have to fight. Let it go and power will flow.

This flowing feeling is how Boo can shape his shots to play the wind and avoid tree branches and well as be sensitive to distance control. Boo said he was so pumped with adrenaline the final round that he knew the ball was going 7 yards farther than normal.

Many club players when pumped with adrenaline on the first tee feel out of sorts with no rhythm and tempo. Many say they are not the same golfer that was on the practice range.

My advice to you is to be aware of this change within each golfer at all skill levels that takes place involuntarily as we approach the first tee.

To avoid the first tee jitters:
• Anticipate that it will happen
• During your warm up practice your drive on the first tee " act it out"
• Pay attention to your heart rate.
• Increase your deep breathing
• Wiggle the tension out of your body
• Tense your grip pressure then release it to help you with stress management.
• Complete practice swings
• Unrushed routine

Exercises:
Keeping your hands, wrist and forearms supple and pliable allow you to create more lag in the downswing and therefore clubhead swing.
• Throw any type of ball-Phil Mickelson often does this in the parking lot to warm up.
• Do forearm curls with light weights and high reps: reversing your hand position
• Take the pages of the newspapers and wad them up individually
• Put your hands flat on the wall and gently increase the angle of your wrist

How to read the grain
• Grain is a term referring to the tendency of grass to grow in one or more directions relative to ball roll
• The three major influences are: sun exposure, water and slope
• Read the putt / chip as you approach the green from the lowest point
• Look for changes in the color of the grass
• If it is shiny you are looking down grain
• This means the putt / chip going in the direction of the shiny grass will be faster than normal and will roll much farther
• If it is darker then you are looking up grain
• This means it will be slower that normal
• Read you putts / chips from the sides
• If you are putting / chipping across the grain line the putts will break more in the direction the you see the dark grass
• Boo knows how to judge the subtle influences of the grain
• Reading the grain is an art form that adds to the mystique of what it takes to be a true champion

Also keeping your own statistics can help you identify what your strengths and weaknesses are. Have your PGA Professional analyze them and design a training program for you to lower your scores and increase your smile.

Former PGA Tour Pro and US Open record holder, Doug is also a Golf Digest South Carolina Top-Ten Instructor and Golf Magazine Top in the Region Instructor. His daily TV Show and monthly golf tips have made him something of a celebrity on Hilton Head Island. Doug has years of teaching experience under his belt, and has played and practiced with Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Tom Watson, Payne Stewart, Fred Funk and many others. Let Doug show you what he's learned! He can be reached at pgaweaver@aol.com