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I prefer old-world wines like Lafite Rothschild and Margaux.
Ernie Els
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Something I've really enjoyed learning more about is course design.
Ernie Els
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For the average player, most three-putts happen because of a poorly judged first putt from long range.
Ernie Els
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Grip pressure - not mechanical flaws - is the biggest factor when you're nervous. You unconsciously grip it tighter, which keeps you from making a smooth swing with a natural release. Keep your grip pressure light, and you'll be surprised how much your mechanics stabilize.
Ernie Els
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I've got my life. I'm very serious about my business. I've got my family. And I've got my game.
Ernie Els
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You should never get set over the ball and then aim your putter face. If you do it in that order, you can easily lose sight of your intended line. Instead, aim the face down your line first, then settle your body into position.
Ernie Els
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Spin is a tricky thing. When you're trying to avoid it - say, on a tee shot, where sidespin puts you in the trees - it's easy to make it happen.
Ernie Els
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Brushing up on your short game at the practice area is fine and good, but taking it with you to the golf course - when your score is really on the line - is another story.
Ernie Els
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Because of the grass and open face, I take one more club for shots from the rough, unless the ball is sitting on top of dry grass. Then, I use more loft and swing softer, trying to hit it about 70 percent to avoid a flyer over the green.
Ernie Els
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One of my tendencies is to let the ball drift too far forward in my stance, and it's something I've been working on with David Leadbetter.
Ernie Els
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When I'm swinging the club at my best, it's because I'm not thinking about mechanics at all. I feel like my body is loose. My arms are soft in front of me when I'm setting up, and my chest and shoulders feel as if they can move and turn easily.
Ernie Els
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The biggest mistake is trying to pinch down on the ball and ripping out a big divot, often hitting the ground before the ball. You'll dig up some turf, but you won't create much backspin.
Ernie Els
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I'm sure you have a hole at your course where you love to hit the tee shot. You can't wait to get up there and bomb away because the fairway is wide, or the hole always plays downwind.
Ernie Els
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If you can hit your 3- and 5-woods with confidence from the fairway, par 5s become birdie opportunities, and 420-yard par 4s are a lot less scary.
Ernie Els
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Ball position is everything in iron play. If you aren't careful about it, you can create some major problems in your game just by getting an inch or two off.
Ernie Els
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The key is to hit the ball first, then the sand. Even if you catch it a bit thin, you'll still get plenty of run. Hitting it fat is what you want to avoid.
Ernie Els
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From the rough, I'd use a 6-iron, play the ball back an inch or two and swing down on a steeper angle to catch the ball first. It also helps to aim slightly left and open the clubface at address. You'll get more height on the shot, and the club will cut through the grass more easily.
Ernie Els
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Contours on the second half of a long putt have more impact on how the ball rolls because it's going slower. Adjust your speed if that last part is playing uphill or downhill. Don't get fooled by an early slope or break.
Ernie Els
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You don't have to be long off the tee, and we know the amazing effect an Open crowd can have if you're on your game and how they can lift you.
Ernie Els
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I plot the par 5s back from the green and make my plan. If I can reach the green in two shots, I'm going to be aggressive off the tee. But if 's a three-shot hole, the goal changes. You want to put yourself in position to hit your favorite shot to the green.
Ernie Els
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There's so much more to life than golf. Family is always first.
Ernie Els
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I'd like to win the Masters and the PGA and complete the career Grand Slam.
Ernie Els
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I never thought I'd be comfortable living outside South Africa, but we love London. Our two kids were born here.
Ernie Els
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Playing from deep grass is a fact of life in professional golf.
Ernie Els
