PGA professional and former PGA Tour player John Abendroth co-hosts Hooked on Golf at KNBR radio San Francisco and is an advisor to the Alternative Golf Association. Here, he shares his ideas for incorporating two possible Flogton competitions into the practice program for golf.
Flogton for traditionalists: Best or worst ball
Even a golf traditionalist can put Flogton to good use. Here's a practice primer for two diverse but lesson-packed formats: the "solitary scramble" or the "worst ball."
With a best-ball or solitary scramble format, you hit two shots and then play the best of the two. This can be a fun competition or a confidence builder for you game. It can show you what is possible and teach you to concentrate properly to hit your best shot every time.
I recall the imagery a friend of mine used on tee shots. Alan Tapie, a golf professional from Southern California, would hit his first tee shot and then no matter where it landed he would imagine he had hit it out of bounds and was now hitting three. Really, how many times do we all hit our provisional ball and say, why didn't I do that the first time. It worked for him even though he was playing his first shot over again.
The worst-ball format requires an entirely different mentality. You hit two tee shots and your opponent selects the ball you should play -- which means you might as well just head over to the worst position and then hit two from there. I have played this format against friends and played in practice and it can be fun while also helping your actual golf game.
You've got to visualize hitting that 7-iron onto the green, really focus in, so you are sure to hit the next one even better. What about the 6-foot putt that you make on the first ball -- you're going to have to make it again for it to count.
The art of concentration is very important in every sport, especially golf, and if you have fun playing alternative formats that teach you to concentrate at a higher level, you will be ahead of any game.
What do you do now to practice for a golf tournament or competition? How much fun is it? How could it be adapted to Flogton formats? Click here to share!