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Alex Elias
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@Linksgems)
Earlier this week, after his ace on No. 16 at Augusta National, Tommy Fleetwood tweeted:
While the average golfer may never record an ace at Augusta, every golfer can relate to the feeling 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 just how skilled you need to be to play on Tour. 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 designed to influence you—from the PGA Tour down—through what players are wearing, the clubs they’re using, 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 you’re watching the Top-100 players in the world do what they do. That’s a good benchmark for understanding reality. Even the most successful players hit only about 75% of greens and 60% of 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 your game often has more to do with course management than any 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 changing their swing—is simply by learning the course. It’s about making smarter decisions, selecting the right clubs, reading lines, and understanding the wind. Without extra time on the range or a new driver, a shift in mindset can already help you navigate the course more effectively.” “We still need to execute, but when I’m giving an on-course lesson, I almost feel like I’m pretending 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, smarter leaves, and more accurate reads on putts.’ It may not sound glamorous, but the key to becoming a better player isn’t just time on the range or a new driver—it’s mastering course management.”
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Alex Elias  Tee Time: 12:24, Fred Couples, Francesco Molinari and Ollie Osborne (amateur) Charles "Ollie" Osborne, a Junior at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX), 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 SMU alum Bryson DeChambeau and Kevin Na. Afterward, he 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, he 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 is set to 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 U.S. Amateur champion, and Joe Long, the winner of The British Amateur. |
