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Ed. note: In this column, GOLF’s playing editor and 2020 U.S. Open champ explains what he’s learned over the years competing at Augusta National.

I’ve played in five Masters so far in my career. I still have so much to learn before I accomplish my lifelong dream of winning a green jacket, but, every year, I get a little bit closer. These are a few things I’ve learned so far.

1. You have to manage spin

A big challenge for me has been adjusting to my speed gains by learning to control spin. I’m constantly tweaking my lofts and diving down rabbit holes trying to understand more about it. On Augusta’s par 3s- you don’t want the ball “ripping” backward after it lands. The key is to control the backspin. To do that, I’m practicing placing the ball way back in my stance, which creates a steeper angle of attack and less dynamic loft. I’ll narrow my stance slightly, too, to prevent excessive weight shift and swing softer. If you see me holding par-3 greens this year, then the plan worked.

2. Learning not to rely on my green book

I’m still trying to figure out how to putt my best without the tools I usually rely on, especially my green book. It’s definitely a test for me, but it’s also a challenge that I love. I’m going to stand up and try my best to conquer it. Like any Masters competitor, you can’t ever stop working.

3. Cut shots are king

I was excited to play my first Masters in 2016. It was a lifelong dream, and to finish in the top 25 as an amateur was awesome. One shot I used a lot that week was what I used to call my “fairway finder” — a low cut that hits and gets lots of roll down the fairway. I used it every day on the 7th, 8th and 15th holes that week. Look for more of the same this year.

4. You need to know where not to miss

My first Masters since increasing my strength and swing speed was in 2020. I wasn’t feeling my best physically that week, and I didn’t hit my driver as well as I know I can. I missed left on the 4th hole and right on 11 and 13. Tough then, but now I know to avoid these spots in the future!

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The post ‘Best experience of my career’: Bryson on the Ryder Cup and a surreal Long Drive week appeared first on Golf.

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Ed. note: In this column, GOLF’s playing editor explains his love of team events, a cool new business venture for his former caddie, and why you should “firm up” your grip.

The joy of team play — and hitting bombs

The 2021 Ryder Cup was the best experience of my career. I can’t even put into words how much it meant to hear the fans chanting my name. All week, the team’s unity was unbelievable — Brooks Koepka and I even shared a hug! But, in all seriousness, the team came together and did something amazing at Whistling Straits, and I really believe it signals the start of an epic Team USA Ryder Cup run. Expect some incredible things in Rome in 2023 and beyond.

I couldn’t enjoy the celebrations afterward maybe as much as I wanted to, because the next day I had to fly to Nevada for the PLDA World Championships — The U.S Open of long-driving. To make it to the round of 16 was something I was really proud of and surpassed my expectations. Before I set my sights on the 2022 PGA Tour season, I wanted to do another big speed push. My current Tour average is about 190 mph ball speed. My goal is to get to 200 mph. Training for and competing in the PLDA was an important step. It’ll make me a better golfer — and help grow the game too.

A cool opportunity for my former caddie

Tim Tucker isn’t caddying for me anymore, but he’s still plenty busy. 

Tim’s new company, LOOP Golf Transportation, provides first-class transportation to and from all three airports that service Bandon Dunes (three courses in GOLF’s new Top 100 in the World), allowing golfers a stress-free journey to utopia. No more hassling with rental cars. Simply hop on the bus and get the party started. 

According to Tim, “We want your trip to start when you land, not when you land, drive a few hours on the road and then finally get there.” The LOOP bus fleet gives golfers a dream-like start and finish to their trip with accommodations including live TV, bathrooms and a full bar. Plus, there’s no need to worry about not reaching the destination safely since each driver in the fleet has over 10 years of experience. 

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With knowledge of the high-end clientele that makes the pilgrimage to the Oregon coast, Tucker and his partner knew there was a market for this type of travel. 

Best of all? It won’t break your wallet. While the sticker price might be daunting (between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the airport), when split between the eight people a bus can accommodate, that price comes down quickly. And, considering the amenities included, that price comes as a bargain. 

“It’s as nice as any private jet I’ve ever been on,” Tim says. “It’s like getting a first-class ticket somewhere — but better.”

Check it out for yourself here!

Why you need to firm up your grip

Fact: You can move your body faster than you think you can. What’s stopping you, likely, is your brain telling your body to slow down because it’s afraid of getting hurt and losing control of the club. A huge part of my speed training focuses on breaking these neurological barriers so my brain knows it’s safe to move at higher speeds.

One way I do this — and you can too — is to simply grip the handle firmer. When I’m trying to up my speed, I’m literally gripping the club as hard as I can — and I have the blisters to prove it! This may run against what you’ve been told in the past, but gripping strength correlates to overall strength, and gripping firmer sends signals to your brain that your club isn’t going anywhere, which means it’ll allow you to swing it faster.

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The post ‘I’m making progress’: Bryson DeChambeau fills out his major report card appeared first on Golf.

Ed. note: In this column, GOLF’s playing editor breaks down his performances in all seven majors from 2020 to 2021.

My 2020–2021 major report card

It seems like an eternity ago now, but when the original 2020 PGA Championship was canceled in March of that year, I didn’t know what was going to happen with the majors — or with anything at all. In some ways, though, the break was a blessing. It allowed me to work harder than I ever had in my life and transform my body to perform better in golf ’s biggest events. That’s what the top players in the world do — and I want to be a top player.

When the majors came back online, I placed T-4 at the PGA and won the U.S. Open. I haven’t fully cracked the major code yet, but I’m making progress. As I look back over the past 12 months, there’s a lot I’ve learned and am proud of.

2020 PGA: A

I played great golf the whole week at Harding Park, and to finish in the top five in a major for the first time was super validating for all the hard work I put in over the quarantine period. It gave me the belief that I was ready to take the next step and win a biggie.

Finish: T-4 
Scores: 68-70-66-66=270 
Driving distance: 318.1 yds (2nd)

2020 U.S. Open: A+

Winning my first major was surreal and validation for the blood, sweat and tears me and my team put into it. My putting was so good all week, and I felt super comfortable with my driver—except for Saturday. That explains my late-night range session. The rest is history, I guess. 

Finish: 1st 
Scores: 69-68-70-67=274 
Driving distance: 325.8 yds (7th)

2020 Masters: C-

At the beginning of the week, I felt like I could have a great chance to win if I just played my game. I made enough birdies and eagles to have a chance, but my health wasn’t 100 percent. It was more like 60 percent; I was tired and struggled to focus. Lessons learned.

Finish: T-34
Scores: 70-74-69-73=286
Driving distance: 324.4 yds (1st)

2021 Masters: D-

Winning the Masters is a huge goal of mine, but this time I forced things in too many areas. You have to experience failure in order to understand what success is. I’m learning every time I play. Augusta baffles me sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t win there.

Finish: T-46
Scores: 76-67-75-75=293
Driving distance: 323.6 yds (2nd)

2021 PGA: C

Kiawah Island was a diabolical golf course when the wind got up — it was an awesome test. I struggled on the greens all week, but I thought if I could shoot a low round on Sunday, I’d have a chance. A few drives just got away from me on the last, which you can’t do at that course.

Finish: T-38
Scores: 72-71-71-77=291
Driving distance: 327.6 yds (1st)

2021 U.S. Open: B+

Sometimes the scores or the finish don’t tell the full story. On Sunday, I didn’t hit the ball particularly well, but some of those shots were really unlucky. But, hey, that’s golf. Defending a title is really difficult. I can hold my head high knowing that I gave myself a chance on Sunday.

Finish: T-26
Scores: 73-69-68-77=287
Driving distance: 333.9 yds (2nd)

2021 Open Championship: C

Admittedly, I was frustrated the whole week but ended up posting my best round ever in the Open on Sunday (65). I’m still learning the ins and outs of links golf, and hopefully I’ll study enough to give myself a chance to win one day.

Finish: T-33
Scores: 71-70-72-65=278
Driving distance: 305.3 yds (4th)

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The post Bryson DeChambeau: This is the 1 swing move I’ll never change appeared first on Golf.

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Ed. note: In this column, GOLF’s playing editor and 2020 U.S. Open champ explains a swing move he’ll never change, how to ensure solid impact, his equipment rabbit holes and a UFO conversation with Phil Mickelson.

The one move I’ll never change

My swing has changed a lot over the years, and probably will keep changing. When I decided I needed more distance to take my game to the next level in 2020, I didn’t just change my body. I changed my swing too. I used to hit a fade (because I wanted to be like Ben Hogan). I won the U.S. Amateur and NCAA Championship with it, but now I hit a draw on almost every shot, something I worked on with my coach, Chris Como. We added movement and momentum — and a bunch of yards. 

One thing I haven’t changed is my wrist position at setup. I use ulnar deviation: left wrist lined up with my forearm and fingers pointing down. Draw or fade, this arrangement sets the radius of my swing so my joints have the correct amount of space to move. It’s something that can help you too.

How to ensure solid impact

As you swing down from the top, centrifugal force pulls your left arm straight, so that by the time you reach impact, your arm and the shaft form a straight(ish) line. That’s why I set up with ulnar deviation (above, right). Why the majority of golfers set up with their arm and shaft at an angle (above, left) is beyond me. It’s just one more compensation to worry about!

My crazy equipment ‘rabbit holes’

I go down a lot of rabbit holes with my game, my swing and my equipment. Sometimes, those rabbit holes lead nowhere and that’s okay. Just because something doesn’t work doesn’t mean it’s a failure. Learning why certain things don’t work is just as helpful as knowing why they do. It’s all information I can use to help get me closer to my goal. 

As for what I was thinking with these clubs in the photos above? It’s complicated, but it has to do with generating optimal launch and moving weight around to see how it affects spin and CG.

My UFO conversation with Lefty

I recently played a practice round with Phil Mickelson and started nerding out about UFOs, wormholes, time travel and space. My take: Something is out there that we don’t fully understand. It’s really fun to think about. I’m not sure Phil agreed!

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Ed. note: In this column, GOLF’s playing editor and 2020 U.S. Open champ shares how he transformed his putting, what went right at Winged Foot, how to stop hitting hooks, and why he loves his car.

My putting transformation

The biggest thing in my life has been trying to figure out how to reduce variables. That was the approach I took to improving my putting when I got on Tour. I had struggled with my putting my whole life — in college and junior golf. I had some good memories, like winning the U.S. Amateur and NCAAs, but I was never as consistent as I liked.

My first experiment with the arm-lock method came in 2017 when I tried a side-saddle technique. Just because the technique didn’t stick, that experiment wasn’t a failure. Going through that process allowed me to learn from it and develop the technique with my partners at SIK putters and LAGP golf shafts that I use today. The biggest change from college to now has been my setup. That’s something that would improve a lot of average golfers’ strokes: Standing a little closer to the ball, with the putter shaft more upright, will reduce the arc the putterhead traces. It’ll swing more straight back and straight through.

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What went right at Winged Foot

Winning the U.S. Open at Winged Foot was such a special week, something I’m not going to forget for a long time. 

During quarantine last year, I worked harder than I ever had in my life. I was doing two- and three-a-day speed-training sessions. If one of my muscles was sore, I would immediately work through it in the gym. I wanted to train my body to push its threshold and not let little tweaks linger. When the Tour started back up again, I felt like a different golfer. Winged Foot was the reward of all that work, and I hope it inspires people so they know that with hard work, they can accomplish anything they want to in life. 

A lot of people talked about how I drove the ball that week, but I think they forget my whole game was firing that week. I was in the top three in SG: Approach and SG: Around the Green, I putted great and mentally I was in a good place. You can’t win the U.S. Open doing just one thing well. It tests every part of your game.

How to stop hitting round-wrecking hooks

When I studied Jordan Spieth’s swing after his amazing 2015 season, I realized that his left elbow stayed facing the target for a long time after impact. Some people call it a “chicken wing.” I call it reaching the max end range of upper and external rotation in the lead arm. If you struggle with hooks, all you need to know is to keep your left elbow pointing at the target through the ball.

When you let your lead arm fold in, and the elbow points behind you, the clubhead passes your hands and closes. When you keep your lead elbow pointing at the target, the clubface can’t close. When I started doing this, I realized quickly that I couldn’t ever hit it left. I went from being a top-100 player in the world to a top-10 player in the world.

Why I love my car

When I’m not studying the biomechanics of the golf swing, I’m probably geeking out over cars. I’m so blessed to be part of the Bentley family and to have worked with their Dallas office to custom-design a 2021 Bentayga model, which I’ll be using when I’m home during the off weeks.

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Ed. note: In this column, GOLF’s playing editor and 2020 U.S. Open champ shares a six-step program
to add 12 mph of swing speed, a simple way to supersize your backswing, and a gear tweak to hole more putts.

My speed training formula

Speed training is about breaking neurological barriers. Your body can move faster than you think — you just need to convince your brain first! Here’s a basic outline of how I do it. It’s not easy, so if you want to set your own goals, go for it. And don’t worry about technique — you’re going to hit it everywhere. 

1. Hit a normal drive and record the ball speed. This is your baseline. 

2. Hit balls rapid-fire until you hit a ball 10 mph above baseline. 

3. Drop to and maintain 5 mph above your previous baseline. This is your second ball-speed baseline. 

4. When you’re ready, ramp up until you hit 8 mph above your second baseline. 

5. Drop down to and maintain 3 mph above your second baseline. This is your third baseline. 

6. Push an extra 2 mph from your third baseline. 

If you do all this, you’ll have just gained 12 mph of ball speed. Time to relax!

How I’m helping a long driver fix his putting

Long-drive champ Kyle Berkshire is a close friend of mine, and he’s been helping me with my speed training. I decided to repay the favor and help him with his putting. He got fitted for the same arm-anchor, upright-lie style SIK putter that I use, and he’s been working hard on technique. I’d do the same with you. Try a putter with a more upright lie angle (mine’s 78 degrees) and stand closer to the ball. It’ll lessen the arc in your stroke and help you take the putter straight back and through, which I believe delivers the most consistent results.

How to “stretch” out your backswing

Everybody’s biomechanics are unique, but there’s one thing all our muscles are designed to do: expand and contract. When you see me hit a drive, that’s my main swing thought, and it’s my advice to any golfer looking for their own power boost. 

On the right you can see me performing a few stretches, like I’m just getting out of bed in the morning. That’s how I want my backswing to feel. I’m trying to extend my spine and stand as tall as possible and get my arms straight and my hands as far away from my body as I can. 

I keep the wide-and-high feeling all the way to the top when I swing. When it comes time to start back down, it’s the opposite — it’s like I’m going down for a squat. I pull the club down hard from the top by contracting my muscles all at once — and sending the club 150 mph along with it. 

My latest tech adventure

I’m always looking for innovative ways to bring more people to the game, so when I learned about NFT trading cards (a digital highlight reel you can own and trade) I got excited. In March, I became the first pro golfer to launch my own. They’re like unique pieces of moving art. Check ’em out!

Why I went for it on Bay Hill’s 6th hole

The par-5 6th at Bay Hill is so fun. On Saturday, I carried my drive 377 — it felt like I had won the event right there. I was nervous, but I wanted to give the fans a treat, and it felt great. My reaction was totally spontaneous. I also cranked one 370 yards that week, giving me the two longest drives on that hole on record. (Need I tell who has the third-longest?)

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Ed. note: In this column, GOLF’s playing editor and 2020 U.S. Open champ fixes your swing and explains how he plans to get leaner — and even faster — in 2021.

What “swing radius” means and why it’s critical

My golf swing has changed a lot over the years, but two things have stayed very consistent over the course of my career: I keep my head relatively still and I set up to the ball with lots of ulnar deviation in my lead wrist. If you’re not sure what that means, think about how your wrists move when you cast a fishing rod. When you release the line, your wrists are fully unhinged — that’s ulnar deviation. Learning how to master it can help golfers of all skill levels. 

I really believe in these two things. Together, they have always helped me hit the ball solidly, because they help me control the radius of the golf club. This is super important for weekend golfers. If you’re struggling with bad contact, it’s because the radius of your swing is getting messed up. Your brain doesn’t know where your clubhead is in relation to the ground, so you end up hitting too far behind the ball and chunking it or too far ahead and topping the ball. 

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Think about your golf swing as a big circle. Your chin is the center, and your lead arm draws the outline around it. The bottom of the circle is where the ball is, and you want it the same every time. That’s the theory. Down below, learn how to put it into action.

How to fix chunked irons once and for all

1. Establish your swing radius
Hold the club out in front of you with only your lead arm and set it behind the ball. It’s important to make sure your lead arm is straight, with your wrist fully unhinged, so your arm and the club shaft form a straight line.

2. Setup to the ball
Keeping your left arm the same, take your setup. Without hitting the ball, make short backswings and return the club to setup, keeping your lead arm straight the entire time. Repeat this motion, using your right hand to hold your chin in place.

3. Start swinging 
When you’re ready, use your new setup to hit some short shots using the same feeling. Your chin should feel like it’s up and steady. When I see people hitting chunks or tops, it’s because their head moves out of position.

Why I’m trimming up

In 2020, my goal was to put on mass and get as strong as I could. I was eating tons of eggs, steaks and protein shakes. I transformed my body and my game. This year, I have a different goal: Get trimmer and get faster. Long-drive champ Kyle Berkshire’s a good example of a guy who’s lighter than I am but faster because of it. So, I’ve cut back my calories to 1,500 a day. I still eat lots of lean protein, but fewer carbs. I’m also chewing more when I eat, so I can absorb more nutrients.

Why I love Cypress Point

When I’m not playing in tournaments, I almost never play golf on a golf course. Occasionally I’ll play a hole or two when I need to test something out, but I can be so much more efficient with my time practicing in the studio or on the range.

Cypress Point is maybe the only exception. I played a round there in January, and it’ll probably be the only round I play for fun this year. The scenery is just so beautiful. It’s probably too short to host a PGA Tour event nowadays, but wouldn’t it be cool if it did? It’s my favorite course by far, and one of the few places I’ll make time to play whenever I get the chance.

My new partnership with Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg really takes care of his body. He’s in the gym at 4 a.m. every day — he’s a beast. When we had the opportunity to go into business together, I jumped at the chance. I’m now part owner of Performance Inspired. It uses only clean, all-natural ingredients. In the coming months I’ll be creating golf-specific products. Stay tuned!

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The post Bryson DeChambeau’s 12 ways to get the most out of your gear choices appeared first on Golf.

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GOLF’s playing editor, Bryson DeChambeau, doesn’t take any decision lightly. In honor of GOLF’s latest gear launch, ClubTest 2021, we asked the 2020 U.S. Open champ to break down his crucial gear decisions. And yes, his thought-process can help you, too.

Why I use graphite shafts throughout the bag

Like all golfers, I go graphite in the driver — but not for the reason you may think. People think that you don’t have to be precise with a driver because the fairways are 25 to 30 yards wide. Wrong. Precision is part of the reason everybody uses graphite in drivers. A good graphite driver shaft should be just as stable and repeatable, or even more so, than steel.

I use an LA Golf Partners (LAGP) shaft in my driver. I’ve always been blown away at how stable it is considering how fast I swing, so I eventually thought I’d try one in my putter (where a different kind of stability is important). It really worked well! I’ve won a lot of tournaments with an LAGP graphite shaft in the putter, so I won’t be going back to steel anytime soon.

You can guess where my mind went after that: What if I could replicate the stability of graphite in my irons as well? So I got together with LAGP and we decided to go with the stiffest graphite shaft they could build, knowing we could always back off from there. Like the putter experiment, the one for my irons worked really well. I had been spinning my iron shots too much, and the new graphite shafts lowered my spin rates and helped reduce deflection. First time out I grabbed a top-five finish at the Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas. That was 2020. I was off to the races after that.

LAGP shafts have some unique technology. The dampening mechanisms make their graphite feel like steel. They’re really comfortable — not light or flimsy. And they’re super precise and predictable, with no manufacturing imperfections. I’m all about quality control in every part of my bag — shafts, club, ball, grips. It all has to be up to the highest standards in order for me to play my best possible golf. There’s no reason you shouldn’t set the same benchmarks.

My fascination with monster-sized grips

I’ve been using JumboMax grips on my clubs since 2011. Even as an 18-year-old I could swing the club pretty hard, and with the interlocking grip I used at that time, my fingers would hurt. I started getting weird pains in my hand. I decided I wanted to try something bigger.

My coach, Mike Schy, came back with JumboMax. I kid you not — zero pain from the first swing on. My initial JumboMax grips were mediums. I quickly went to their XL model. It was the greatest thing I’d ever experienced. It started making sense: Grips are naturally bigger in almost every other sport. You hold a bowling ball more in the palm of your hand. Tennis rackets, baseball bats — much bigger grips than a golf club. I soon thought, Why isn’t every golfer doing this? For fun, check out your favorite NBA player when you see them on TV in a pro-am or charity event. They all use JumboMax grips, because their hands are so big. That said, almost nobody gets fitted for grips and they should.

How I test out new golf balls

Any ball I use has to work with my driver. No compromise there. And I think that’s where amateurs should start too. Then you get to the business of making sure it works for your irons. (For the record, I do indeed test a ball with every single club to make sure all of the spin rates and launch angles are correct.)

When you’re testing a new golf ball, pay particular attention to the last three-quarters of ballflight, especially the end. That’s where you’ll really see if it’s stable or not. There’s a lot more that I could go into, but that’s how I start the test process. The last time I went through it, the Bridgestone TOUR B X came out on top.

My team and I used to test every ball to see if the core was centered. Painful! What’s good about playing Bridgestone (one of their models has been in my bag since the 2016 Masters) is that their quality-control standards are so high I don’t have to worry about it anymore.

The most important design element to consider when buying a wedge

You won’t believe me, but it’s the shaft. Most people go with whatever stock option is offered. That may not “kick” properly for your swing speed or what you’re trying to accomplish. You need a shaft that responds consistently. It’s extra important if your swing speed is erratic, which is probably true for a lot of recreational players. This causes a wide variance in dynamic loft at impact, meaning you need a stiffer shaft, which probably isn’t the one coming off the rack.

When you know a club gives you the best chance of optimizing launch

I would say this: Check your lofts. You know how everyone says “An 8-iron is X loft,” “a 7-iron is Y loft” and so on? Don’t think of it that way. Think of it as “I’m unique in the way I deliver the golf club.” My advice: Match loft to spin rate and the launch angle you need. You have to be okay with changing lofts. And if this all sounds very confusing, then you’re starting to realize the importance of working with a professional clubfitter.

If I’ll continue with the one-length irons approach

Absolutely! Flash back to 2011. I was trying to figure out a better way to practice — work half the number of hours while getting twice as good. One thing I looked at was my irons. It’s really difficult to master a 3-iron all the way through the wedges. That’s something I struggled with. I saw every single club was being swung on a different plane, and I was in a different body posture. I thought, Why are all of the iron lengths different? Why can’t they all be the same length and just have different lofts?

Mike Schy said, “That’s an easy question to ask and a very difficult one to answer.” We went down the rabbit hole of trying to figure it out. We got all the same club lengths, grips, shafts, club-head weight — just different lofts.

We went out and tried it. It took me less than an hour to get used to those clubs. Over the course of time, it integrated even more. I felt like this was something — if people would really think about it — that could completely revolutionize the game. I still do. And it’s why I partnered with Cobra on their One Length offerings.

Here’s the rub: When I practice with my pitching wedge, I’m also practicing my 3-iron. When I’m practicing my 7-iron, I’m practicing with my pitching wedge. On every swing I’m getting reps with the same club, because I’m using the same posture, stance, setup — everything. Talk about efficiency!

The biggest equipment-buying mistakes I see amateurs make

I’m deeply ingrained into trying to figure out what I’m working on. As such, I’m no expert on the amateur game. But, for the most part, I see a lot of rec players simply opting for the “coolest” clubs they see. You know, the blade iron or the driver with the super-stiff shaft or whatever. That isn’t going to cut it. You must find a club that fits you, whatever it is. Look at my bag — I sort of have a cavity-back thing going on with the Cobra King Forged Tour irons. Maybe that surprises you. Don’t let it. I go with what works.

What putting or putter feature to focus on the most

Stability is the important thing, whether you’re on the course or just practicing. Always look for ways to get more stable through impact so that it feels more comfortable on any length putt. That’s what I’m looking for in a design feature, whether it’s high MOI, a stiffer shaft, arm-lock technique — anything that allows me to be more stable and more repeatable on the greens.

One equipment change rec players can make to instantly lower their scores

Going with single-length irons is the answer. It’s just super easy to do because they’re all the same. In the beginning you may think, The pitching wedge, it’s longer. No, it’s just your 7-iron with a different loft. Just think of every iron as a 7-iron and you’ll start noticing consistently better — and centered — contact.

Why you should never test gear in the absence of a launch monitor

This depends on where you’re at in your game, but if you can understand the data, you can always make better decisions.

The correct way to demo a longer shaft

My advice is to try 45, 46, 47 and then maybe 47.75 inches — just short of 48 inches, the current legal limit. Spend the time testing out the different products to get comfortable with whatever it is you ultimately decide is right for you.

Are we going to see 47 or 48 inches from me this year?

Probably at some point, if there’s a course it makes sense on. If I’m moving it and controlling the longer driver in practice, yes, you’ll see it.

Need help with your game? Get fit for new clubs from the experts at our sister company, True Spec Golf.

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The post Bryson DeChambeau explains the lessons he learned at Augusta National appeared first on Golf.

The post Bryson DeChambeau explains the lessons he learned at Augusta National appeared first on Golf.

Ed. note: In his debut column, GOLF’s playing editor breaks down his 2020 Masters, why family matters most and how shoes can make or break your round.

Lessons learned at Augusta National

I was so excited to play the Masters back in November. Coming off my U.S. Open win at Winged Foot the month prior, I really did like my chances at Augusta National. The T34 was a disappointment, but looking back on that week, it’s obvious that I wasn’t feeling my best physically. Truth be told, I was feeling pretty darn tired as soon I stepped on the grounds. But, hey — no excuses.

I certainly made enough birdies to win (18). I just made too many mistakes. Lesson: No matter how far you hit it, golf is still very much about missing in the right spots and holing putts — two things I did a great job of at Winged Foot and maybe got a little loose with at Augusta. The silver lining? The next Masters is but three months away.

I can’t wait to compete for a green jacket again. One positive takeaway was my experience in dealing with all the media hype. It was crazy and really does add to the pressure. Now, I have more familiarity with how to handle it.

You’re always learning in this game, and it’s not all swing positions and shot shapes. I walked away with an even greater appreciation for what Tiger Woods has had to deal with for so many years. It’s part of the journey. It’s why I play this game: to win at the highest level no matter what it takes. That’s my goal. I know I’m doing all of the right things, and I have a great team around me. Again, April can’t get here soon enough!

Why I haven’t added a 48-inch driver to my bag (yet)

Instruction

I go down lots of rabbit holes. Sometimes they lead nowhere, and that’s okay. You can learn a lot from why something doesn’t work, which only makes you smarter for next time. I underestimated how hard it was going to be switching to a 48-inch driver as quickly as I wanted to.

At the speed I’m swinging right now, I can’t simply attach a longer shaft to my driver head. But I’m still testing it every day and constantly finding out new things, so I’m confident we’ll see it sometime in 2021.

How to pick the perfect golf shoe

The ground is your only point of leverage. That’s why shoes are such an important piece of golf equipment. They need to give you enough stability for when you push into the ground but also allow mobility so you can rotate through without adding undue stress on your joints. A lot of shoes out there do one or the other, so shop wisely. Oh, and, of course, they have to look good!

My go-to? The Puma IGNITE PWRADAPT Caged.

3 Augusta findings that can help you, too

1. On many of ANGC’s par 3s I played the ball slightly back in my stance. This always helps me keep my weight forward, which in turn helps me compress the ball with less dynamic loft. If you’re looking for a piercing flight with less spin, give it a try.

2. You saw it on TV: I got greedy at times at the fall Masters, which put me in places I would have rather avoided. Let this be a lesson for you too: The best way to stop a bad shot from becoming a bad hole is to take your medicine and move on.

3. Green books aren’t allowed at Augusta, which means I had to adjust my green-reading approach. The simplest advice is to look for the high spot around the hole as soon as you get to the green and remember that everything will feed off that slope.

Why family matters most

Last season was great. I won a major. But with all of the Covid restrictions, it was hard not seeing my family as much. We were able to Facetime after the U.S. Open win, and I lost it. I thought about everything they’ve done for me and all their sacrifices. I owe so much to the people who helped me become the person I am, and I was grateful I got to spend time with them at Thanksgiving.

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