Skull or Scald

I have a long-running debate with a friend, who shall remain nameless, about whether the proper term is skulled or scalded when describing a bladed iron shot.

My friend insists that the correct word is scald because he once heard a PGA Pro, Kenny Perry, was once quoted:

"I played good last week," Perry said. "We played in 30 mph winds on a golf course that was set up in major championship form, and I just didn't handle it very well. I mean, I hit one really bad, horrible, horrible golf shot when I scalded out of the bunker at 15 and made triple. But I take a lot from last week."

On the other hand, I maintain that there are many videos and practice drills all over the internet by playing and teaching professionals who refer to the mis-hit as a skull or skulled shot. The following definition is also provided:

Definition: To "skull" the ball, or to hit a "skulled shot," means to contact the ball with the leading edge of the iron. Ideally on an iron shot, the ball first makes contact with the face of the club as the leading edge slips underneath the ball. On a skulled shot, the leading edge hits the ball near the ball's middle, sending the ball screaming off on a low trajectory with little or no spin. A skull often travels farther than expected or desired, especially on skulled shots around the green. If you've ever caught your chip shot very thin and watched as the ball screamed over the green and off the other side, then you know skulls all too well.

Also Known As: "Thin" and "skulled" are sometimes used interchangeably, although "skulled" is usually reserved for a more dramatic mis-hit.

Of course, our debate is humorous in nature but I expect my friend to eventually concede and realize that you can scald water or an egg. Not a golf ball!

Zach
Founder and Owner, PTR Labels
http://www.ptrlabels.com/

Tim Clark win the 2010 Players Championship

Tim Clark captures his first victory on the PGA Tour by winning the 2010 Player Championship. Clark was one of only 16 golfers in the field to break par on Sunday en route to a final round 67 and -16 for the Championship. While regarded as one the most popular and affable players on tour it’s hard to not cheer for the 5’7 golfer from South Africa.

In his post-round interview with the media, Clark credited his ability to remain confident under pressure seven times as he fielded questions from the media. He also attributed trusting himself or his ability several times during the Q&A.

On his emotions immediately following the round:
Yeah, obviously I'm over the moon. I knew it was going to be a tough day out there today, and I just tried to sort of channel what I did yesterday. I played a great round of golf yesterday and kind of hoped that I'd come out today and have the same sort of confidence and sort of trust in what I was doing, and I was able to do that.

When asked about his second place finishes on tour:
And it could have easily happened today. I had a very similar putt on 18, and I knew I needed that putt, and I knew I needed it at the Colonial. You know, today I just trusted myself and just tried to get into that shot and tried and hit that shot as best as I could. That's really the whole key.

On the 17th hole's island green:
I mean, all I could do was pick my club and trust it again. That's all you can do on that hole.

There was no mention of mechanical changes with his golf swing, posture, or grip.  Just the simple concepts of applying trust and confidence.

Zach
Founder and Owner, PTR Labels
http://www.ptrlabels.com/

Fun Golf Game For Juniors

There are numerous challenges that make it difficult for any golfer to play the sport. And it’s especially difficult for golfers learning the game for the first time. The humbling progression of success is usually; making contact with the ball, hitting the ball out of your shadow, and then hitting the ball in the air. It sounds so easy but once you’ve gotten the ball airborne that’s when the challenges really begin! It can be a very humbling experience for a golfer, who otherwise might be considered an athlete, to play a game that more closely resembles hockey than that of golf. In truth, we all know it doesn’t get a lot easier and at the conclusion of most rounds, we describe the pitfalls with, “I played decent but had 4, 3-putts” or “I got stuck in the woods and made that 8” or “I would’ve played well had I not lost 7 golf balls”. Additionally, keeping the interest your junior golfer has for the game of golf may also not be easy.

Somewhere between the ages of 4 and 12, try getting your junior golfer to play a round of golf; without any 3-putts, without hitting any trees, and to finish with the same ball with which he started. The thought being that finding small wins in the middle of round filled with chunks and worm-burners is important to keeping the game fun. I guarantee they’ll find more enjoyment from avoiding the pond filled with frog, turtles, and ducks, than learning the intricacies of the spine angle and body alignment.

Try introducing this game to your junior golfer and let’m hack away!


Zach
Founder and Owner, PTR Labels
www.ptrlabels.com

PTR Labels & Southeast Junior Golf Tour

Beginning in May and June, PTR Labels will be contributing samples to the boys and girls of the Southeast Junior Golf Tour. 

The SJGT has approximately 1000 members and normally have between 90 and 120 golfers at each of their events.  2009 was the 16th season for the SJGT and the number of events exceeded 38.  Over the last 15 years the SJGT has not only expanded in the number of events and members but there have been changes in the geographical area where the events are hosted. The SJGT will cover the following six states in 2009: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee.  Some of the courses include: TPC Sawgrass, Fallen Oak, Huntsville CC, RTJ Courses in Dothan, Muscle Shoals and Opelika, Saugahatchee CC, Willow Creek GC, Point Clear and many others.

I encourage you to learn more about membership on their tour if you have a junior golfer of your own or know of another who might be interested.  Thanks again to Tournament Director, Todd Thompson.  We are very excited to be partnering with you!

Zach
Founder and Owner, PTR Labels
http://www.ptrlabels.com/