Walk Confidently Into the Shot

[JAM]

Here's an interesting article about how golfers claim to have improved their golf-swinging capabilities by learning how to shoot pool! :smile:

Harrison Frazar shot a 59 during his fourth round at the six-round PGA Q-School. His last putt was a tap-in. Despite his heroics, Frazar didn't automatically assume he'd earn a 2009 PGA Tour card (he did, finishing as the medalist by a margin of eight shots).

Frazar joins a very short list of players who shot a 59, except it doesn't count in the record books because Q-School is not an official event. He averaged just 3.28 strokes per hole. Frazar's iron shots were pretty much on-target, but his most-used club was probably his putter. Even he seemed surprised that his putts were dropping with regularity. The spectators watching Frazar putt practically taste his confidence.

Confidence breeds reassurance, poise and more confidence.

I like that line!

Continuing:

...I frequently practice putting by playing what I call "carom." I use two golf balls. One is the target ball and the other is the "cue" ball. This works well if the putting green is crowded as it fine-tunes my aiming. It also trains my brain to look for, aim at and make minuscule adjustments with my club head. And if I can hit the target golf ball with the "cue ball," my confidence soars.

Many years ago I learned to play pool and shoot snooker on a competition-sized pool table in the basement of my grandfather's house. That's where I learned the fine art of "carom." So as I analyzed that upcoming putt a couple of years ago, I realized that the echo in my brain was what I had learned playing snooker. I thought that if one could learn snooker or pool that those skills might just improve putting.

I researched tips for shooting billiards and snooker and noticed how remarkably similar the snooker tips sounded to golf tips. Both golf and snooker are considered gentleman's games. Both are played by men and women, as singles or paired matches, and can be a team sport. You can even purchase your own equipment.

Here's just one snooker-billiards tip I found on www.billiardsforum.info: Walk confidently into the shot.

"Because you have already chosen, planned and envisioned your desired shot from stroke to pocket, you should be able to confidently approach the table and take the shot. Approach the table in the direction of the shot, with your body facing the direction in which you intend to shoot and assume your stance. If you are not properly aligned, back away from the table and repeat this step. All the while you should still have the vision of your shot in your mind."

When Yani Tseng won on the LPGA Tour and was asked what she would do with her money, she related that she wanted "to buy a billiards table because it helps me with my putting." I knew then that I had an idea that deserved to be shared.

There are other notable golfers, like Arnold Palmer, who also mastered shooting pool. Then I discovered there are some notable snooker players who are single-digit handicappers at golf.

Canadian Cliff Thorburn, a World snooker champion and avid golfer, told me, "When I teach snooker skills I sometimes use golf examples." I saw Cliff last month at an exhibition match. Music blared, spectators chatted, cameras flashed, and yet through all these distractions his concentration and analyzing techniques were truly impressive.

There are golf courses that have snooker/billiards rooms and even winter snooker leagues. Malahide Golf Course in Ireland is one.

I don't know if Harrison Frazar shoots pool or plays snooker. But he certainly mastered his putting skills during the fourth round of the PGA Tour's Q-School. His aiming and confidence were remarkable.

So while winter snow blows blizzards or rain and lightning pelt your fairways, tune up your putting stroke by learning to play snooker. Sometimes you might be snookered and have to sink a putt to win a hole, a match or a tour card.

J.J. Gowland's e-book, "Snooker 4 Golfers - Improve your Putting without Actually Golfing," was released November 20, 2008, and is available at www.lulu.com/content/4992736. Snooker 4 Golfers includes tips for playing snooker and putting, as well as scorecards from famous golf courses.

Article source: http://www.cybergolf.com/golf_news/putt_with_a_snooker_players_confidence

Looks like golf and pool can utililze the same strategies. Interesting articles. No wonder Earl, Johnny, Corey, et al., enjoy playing golf! :thumbup:

Harrison Frazer below!

 

[JAM]

Arthur Sarnoff, one of two famous artists of the poker-playing dogs, also drew this pic of golf-playing dogs entitled "Tuff Ruff." :thumbup:

Three perplexed pooches stare at the golf ball in the ruff, trying to figure out how to get out of this difficult situation.

 

[JAM]

Here's another one by Sarnoff, entitled "A Cooling Experience."

After barely avoiding the water trap, this dog is able to get his ball closer to the green, giving himself a bath in the process.

 

[JAM]

I think I like this one the best by Sarnoff, entitled "Scratched at Dawn."

A big mean bull dog gets dragged away by his poodle girlfriend as his pool playing buddies laugh at his emasculation.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

I am not going to play Golf because you have to wear funny cloths.

 

[Big Perm]

Jam, great post.....I actually got to see a number of his holes during that 59....considering the pressure of Q-school, that was an amazing feat.....I believe both of his playing partners from that day also shot well and qualified....

The similarity between both sports is amazing.....I never really thought about how touch and speed shots realy mirror putting....also, the break is much like the driver....needs to be hit solid, but with control to avoid hazards.....good stuff....

 

[justin.powell]

Good post thanks for sharing.

 

[ctyhntr]

I recall in one of Willie Mosconi's instruction books, he compared the similarities between golf and pool, and why he enjoyed playing both.

 

[ShootingArts]

hmmmm . . .

I seem to see certain resemblences there! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Hu

I think I like this one the best by Sarnoff, entitled "Scratched at Dawn."

A big mean bull dog gets dragged away by his poodle girlfriend as his pool playing buddies laugh at his emasculation.

 

[jason]

The military uses a set of 4 criteria to train their soldiers to perform under stressful circumstances. They are...

1. Goal Setting
2. Visualization
3. Self Talk
4. Arousal Control

I found it very similar and useful to achieving your potential in pool (or any other sport for that matter).

1. Goal Setting-Set you goals high.

"Reach for the stars, if you don't get one, you won't end up with a handful of mud either" - Leo Burnett (founder of one of the largest advertising agencies in the world)

2. Visualization-Sometimes known as "be the ball". Think through the shot. Feel the speed, the collision, the angles, the felt, the path in your head first. Think about the run out and the patterns and potential problems.

"Think with the end in mind" -7 Habits of Highly Effective People-Stephen F. Covey

3. Self Talk-Plain and simple Confidence. I think I can, I think I can.

I once told myself "If I can run a rack, I can beat anyone in the world." This may not be totally accurate, but I sure have gotten a lot of mileage out of it!

4. Arousal Control-One word, Composure. Never get too high or too low in a match. If you get down in a match go back to step 3!

 

[pooltchr]

Jason. Thanks for the post. I may have to incorporate it into my classes.
Steve

 

[bud green]

Archer, Schmidt, Strickland, Deuel, Putnam and others including Dave Bollman (pro golfer at one point) are all excellent golfers as well as some of the USA's greatest pool players in the last few decades. I think both games help with the mental side of performing in the other discipline.

I've always been a fan of Frazer, but now I'm a big fan knowing he's a pool and snooker player.

Too bad I don't like Great Whites's music...they said the guitar player was a knowledgeable pool player on the TAR SVB vs Alex marathon match.

Thanks Jam.

 

[JimS]

Good stuff! Thanks.

 

[Shortside K]

Jam, I feel I have to say it is always a treat to read your posts.
They always are informative and insightful.
You are one of a very few people on this forum that give thought and consideration to what they have to say.

Mega-reps to you.

 

[Jadssons]

I think the biggest aspect of these two greats sports that should be compared are the mechanics and fundementals. While there are exceptions, if you can conquer these two things...you will be on your way to playing better.

 

[JAM]

Archer, Schmidt, Strickland, Deuel, Putnam and others including Dave Bollman (pro golfer at one point) are all excellent golfers as well as some of the USA's greatest pool players in the last few decades. I think both games help with the mental side of performing in the other discipline.

I've always been a fan of Frazer, but now I'm a big fan knowing he's a pool and snooker player.

Too bad I don't like Great Whites's music...they said the guitar player was a knowledgeable pool player on the TAR SVB vs Alex marathon match.

Thanks Jam.

I had forgotten that Dave Bollman was a pro golfer at one time, but you're right. Today, I think he's House Pro at Q-Masters, or at least he used to be. :smile:

Picture of Dave Bollman on the left and The Rifleman on the right. Man, I'd had to run into these two big boys down a dark alley!