Bernhard Langer’s Sage Advice
Bernhard Langer's Sage Advice
Greetings Golfers,
Bernhard Langer is on the cover of the latest GOLF DIGEST magazine.
Langer flies under the radar. He was a great player on the Tour … but his success on the Champions Tour is mind-boggling. He’s won a record 47 tournaments since he turned 50 … and finished in the top five an incredible 156 times.
So when Bernhard wants to tell his secrets for old age success … I’m listening!
He advocates a narrow stance to eliminate sway and ease your turn. Makes sense to me. And he recommends turning your ahead away on the backswing, like Nicklaus used to do. Makes sense … if you can do it.
Then, on the downswing, he recommends more of an emphasis on trapping the ball and reducing the amount of spine tilt through impact. Basically, just letting your body move through the shot … it’s a lot easier on your back. And he recommends trying to create club speed with more emphasis on getting your forearms and wrists more involved in the strike … than emphasis on leg strength and hip rotation.
And he especially emphasizes to work on your short game. Get really good at chipping. You don’t have to be young to be a good chipper (Thank God!).
I think it’s wise advice … and not just for seniors. I think it's good for most people … maybe not for young Tour players … but most of us aren’t young Tour players.
Speaking of young people … remember how much fun it was to go sledding as a kid? Whether on sleds or toboggans or saucers … it was a gas. And we’re pretty understanding of that on the golf course. However, we need the kids to stay off the greens. Please help … we don’t need to start the season with screwed-up greens. The latest Tee Times Readers poll ranked us with the 3rd best greens. It’s VERY important.
And speaking of very important … tomorrow is our Sale. Open from
9-2. People show-up early. I arrive at 7am … and there’s always guys waiting in the parking lot. I hope the weather will be warmer than the -6 outside as I’m writing these words.
Well … no matter the temp outside … we’ll have fun inside. Even us seniors who are older than Bernhard Langer.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com