It’s The Masters week and for some, this is quite the healing potion after a tough weekend of college football. For me, to think about this event opening our true golf training season, then opening the 2021 Spring golf season is superexciting.

The lesson this week is short and simple. If you truly want to improve your golf game, use November through February to address your games weaknesses.

I love Ryan Stack’s favorite basketball coaches quote, “Winter for summer and summer for winter.”

Stack was a former Gamecock, then NBA Player and European basketball star.

The Masters has a unique mystique and this is why. It’s an event founded by golf’s first American legend, Bobby Jones.

The Masters is one of men’s golf’s 4 majors and the only that never changes venues. Each year it’s played on the same course.

To me, the biggest separating factor between majors is this. It’s the only event that stirs a player to set the goal of winning a regular season PGA Tour event just so he can play in The Masters. From the time children get into the game, they know this fact and set goals early.

For the American born, many of the first comments after a victory is the reference of the invitation to Augusta. It’s quite an odd dynamic, but true.

This is likely the reason for the epic performance collapses. Occasionally, players at the top of their games seem to falter dramatically.

Since it’s golf’s pinnacle, the stakes are high. Nerves and tension can squeeze out the worst.

The performance hiccups are sensationalized and add to the story line. The Masters is constantly in the top 5 of all world sporting events. It’s also not by accident but intentional that the last 9 holes at Augusta National are a stage for the dramatic to happen.

This back 9 has the scope of variety in which to fully test a player’s skill. History proves this point and repeats itself.

Incidentally, if you are questioning the interest in a repeated story, it would be crazy at this point to reference the Hallmark TV channel.

The back 9’s got fun, easy, and tough covered in depth. It’s not by chance there is not a 9 holes in golf that can challenge The Augusta Nationals. It’s unapproachable, not comparable to any other, and has never disappointed the fans.

It’s the stage and the standard for golf excitement.

This year could be extraordinary because of the fall season. There is one fact that could be another invisible variable to add to the lore.

Many are surprised to learn winter rye is the center piece and the star grass that causes the course to glow bright green.

Bermuda grass serves as the unseen base, but it’s what the winter rye seed requires that serves as the foundation for the bright green grass blade.

This Bermuda base could be a hidden monster. Fall Bermuda is simply strong, course, and thick. The thickness of the grass adds much difficulty to distance control of the golf ball. Typically in the early spring, the Bermuda is young and not as hearty. Putting from the proper place on the greens is the key to scoring and if distance control is even more challenging, scores could soar.

It’s possible for the course to play tougher than ever before.

Tim Dupre of Lexington placed 3rd in the Amateur Division of Carolinas Net amateur championship with a 2-day total of 147.

Cecil Dupre placed 2nd in Senior men’s division.

My intention is to do my research to see if this is the father-son family connection I think it is, so tune in next week.

We now have a complete variety of family golf winter options now in the Midlands.

The “Winter Tour” is the first family golf option. In this program children, brand new in the game ages 8 to 18 years old participate with parents either serving as caddies, guides or fans.

Close to 20 area golf courses support this program and has since 1993. It’s now possible to register through any of your community park so visit your local recreation centers website for more information.

For live phone questions, call 803-603-1718.