PGA Preview: 2013 Open Championship

It is (British) Open Championship week. What a great week for professional, and amateur golf. The Open gives us Americans a chance to watch golf the way it was originally intended to be played, on the ground. For the most part, we Americans play the air game while the UK, where golf began, plays the ground game. How does links golf differ from American golf? Meaning of Links What does “links” mean? Links golf courses “link” the ocean to the land. Links golf courses occupy the area between the ocean and the mainland. Green vs Brown We all know the scene, Augusta National and the Masters. In the spring the Masters broadcast shows a green and plush course. That couldn’t be farther from what links golf and golf in the UK is about. Golf in Scotland is played on brown, hard courses. The sandy ground is typically compacted very tightly because of the conditions of the area. Hard vs Soft American golf is like throwing darts compared to links golf. In the USA we fly out shots to the pin and the ball sticks right there. In links golf flying the ball to the pin will most likely result in a 50 yard shot from behind the green. The ground is so hard there that a running shot which lands considerably short of the green is usually the only way to get a ball to stop close to the pin. Those running shots can be hit with just about any club in the bag, even putter. Perhaps not a lob wedge unless you're Phil Mickelson. How The Pros Adjust Pros this week at the Open will adjust their game and their gear. The conditions at Muirfield will call for a lot of great ball striking and iron shots off the tee, not a lot of drivers. Phil Mickelson has taken his driver out of the bag for the week (though it may return if his strategy sours). Look for many low finish swings and punch shots, especially if the wind kicks up.