Muddy Buddy

Winter is coming and it’s going to get muddy! A few adjustments can be made to help navigate the tough conditions:  

1. The feet will be sinking lower than normal, so gripping down on the club slightly will help accommodate for the feet being lower than the ball.
2. Play the ball slightly farther back in the stance than normal to promote ball contact first and lessen the chances for catching the ground first (with a fat chunk of mud splattering the face. . . avoiding embarrassment )
3.  Hit 1-2 extra clubs for distance.  The ball is not rolling anywhere, and carry yardages are often underestimated.
4.  Commit to effortless tempo with good balance.  The slippery surfaces are much easier to negotiate when smooth tempo and balance are a priority.
5.  Have a contest with your playing partners: Who ever is the muddiest walking off the 18th hole wins!

Dodie Mazzuca is the author of “Golf Sutras: Lessons for Transforming the Mental Game with Yoga’s Inner Wisdom” and founder of Golf PROformance. She teaches golf and Mindfulness for Golf programs in Santa Cruz, CA.