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Alex Elias
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@Linksgems)
Earlier this week, following his ace on No. 16 at Augusta National, Tommy Fleetwood tweeted:
While the average golfer will more than likely never know what it’s like to hit an ace at Augusta, every golfer knows the feeling that Fleetwood described: the gap between expectations and reality.
"I think from an expectations standpoint, people love watching golf on TV, but the average golfer often doesn’t realize how skilled you need to be to play on Tour. For example, the gap between your club champion and someone on Tour is much wider than most can imagine," said Jack Davis, Head Golf Professional at Essex County Club (Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA). "The golf industry is set up to influence you, from the PGA Tour down — through what players are wearing, the clubs they’re playing, and the courses they’re playing. As a result, a golfer’s expectations are often shaped by what they see on TV," said Davis. "It’s important to remember that you’re watching the top one hundred players in the world do what they do. That’s a good benchmark for understanding what real life is like. Even the most successful players in the world are only hitting about 75% of the greens and 60% of the fairways." 
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@Linksgems)
Once realistic expectations are set, the drive to lower one’s handicap can truly begin. However, according to Davis, improving one’s game often has more to do with course management than a specific swing change.
"As a Head Professional at a private club, most of our members play here regularly," said Davis. "The easiest way for them to improve, without making any changes to their swing, is simply by learning the golf course. It’s about making smarter decisions, making better club selections, being able to read lines, and understanding the wind. Without spending extra time on the range or buying a new driver, a change in mindset can already help you navigate the course more effectively." "We still need to execute, but when I’m doing an on-course lesson, I almost feel like I’m trying to pretend to be a Tour-level caddy," said Davis. "I always tell my students, 'If I were caddying for you, without worrying about technique for a single minute, I could save you five shots simply through better decisions, better leaves, and reading putts more accurately.' It may sound like a non-glamorous answer, but the key to becoming a better player isn’t just time on the range or buying a new driver — it’s mastering course management."
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Alex Elias  Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@Linksgems) While a Holderness & Bourne or B. Draddy piece is great on its own, there’s something even more special about wearing apparel with the logo of a prestigious club, especially one like Maidstone Club (East Hampton, NY). Jessica Cavolina, Golf Shop Manager at Maidstone Club, spoke about the membership, saying, "They take great pride in where they belong and are eager to represent it. They want to showcase that pride." But it doesn’t stop with the members. If anything, the enthusiasm grows even stronger with guests, and Cavolina is in the perfect position to witness it firsthand. "I remember one guest last year in particular. He came into the shop with a list of items and asked, 'Do you mind?' I said, 'Do I mind? That’s awesome!'" Cavolina recalled. "And that’s not unusual. Many guests come in with lists and end up leaving with purchases for eight people—friends, family, you name it." In Cavolina's view, the reason members and guests are so devoted is simple: "It [the logo] tells a story. When you see someone wearing a certain logo, it instantly sparks a conversation."  Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@Linksgems) Over her twenty-one years in the golf industry, Cavolina has witnessed the constant evolution of golf fashion.
"It’s always changing and very cyclical," said Cavolina. "When I started, cotton polos were the go-to, and we barely sold any polyester ones. Then, when Tiger started wearing the mock short-sleeve shirt, members began asking for those. Next, it was all polyester and hardly any cotton, and now we’re seeing a return to cotton." Another example, according to Cavolina, is rope hats. "Those were huge in the '80s and '90s, and now they’re back. I can’t keep them in stock." Cavolina also pointed out the growing trend in the golf industry: "The whole industry is shifting towards a lifestyle approach. Golf apparel isn’t just for the course anymore; they’re making clothes that can easily transition from the course to dinner." "You have to constantly pay attention to what people are asking for and what they’re buying. My goal is to provide an outfit that takes you from the car, onto the course, and straight to dinner," said Cavolina. Alex Elias  Tee Time: 12:24, Fred Couples, Francesco Molinari and Ollie Osborne (amateur) Charles "Ollie" Osborne, a junior at Southern Methodist University, earned his spot in the field by finishing runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon, OR). Now set to make his Major Championship debut, Osborne reflected, "Augusta was always a place I only dreamed of playing as a kid. To be here now for the Masters is just unbelievable. It’s amazing to compete alongside the best golfers in the world — it’s like Disneyland for me!"
On Monday, Osborne played his first practice round alongside former SMU golfer Bryson DeChambeau and Kevin Na. After the round, Osborne was asked about the experience of playing with DeChambeau and shared his thoughts with reporters: "I'd say it's a lot more mental than physical. Bryson has taught me a lot about how to approach this week — how to take it all in and have fun with it. It's tough to treat it like a regular week, but you just have to get back to the basics and focus on hitting those putts like you do every day." On Tuesday, Osborne played alongside 2020 Masters Champion Dustin Johnson and 2019 U.S. Open Champion Gary Woodland. Reflecting on the experience, Osborne said, "It was amazing to play with guys I look up to and watch on TV. They were incredibly welcoming, offering great advice not just about the course, but also about life. It’s awesome to see them in their element and to experience how nice they are." Osborne will tee off in Round 1 at 12:24, playing alongside Fred Couples and Francesco Molinari. He is one of three amateurs in the field, joining Tyler Stafaci of Georgia Tech, the winner of the U.S. Amateur, and Joe Long, the winner of The British Amateur. |
