Rinker’s Golf Tips Gary Koch NBC Announcer and PGA Tour Player grew up in Tampa, Florida where he was introduced to the game at a summertime city recreational department golf clinic. As an only child, golf was something he could do by himself, and he fell in love with the game right away. By the time he was 13-14 he realized this is what I want to do and let’s see how good I can get at this game of golf. Another junior that played on Gary’s high school team was Eddie Pearce, who won the U.S. Junior in 1968, and lost in the final in 1969. Gary would win it in 1970 and you would have to believe they both honed their skills playing against each other on a daily basis. They didn’t have video analysis or a whole lot of instruction so they learned by playing and making the putts that “you need to.” Gary developed a solid short game and learned how to score. In 1969 Gary won the Florida Open and walking off the final green an old pro named Pete Cooper said, “Son, you better not ever forget how to putt.” Gary one putted 9-10 times in the final round and ended up winning six PGA Tour events.
Gary went to the University of Florida, they won the NCAA in 1973, and in 1974 things were very close with Wake Forest with just a par five to play. I asked Gary about that final hole and he said, “I’d like to tell you that I’ve gotten over that, but I probably haven’t.” Gary was playing with and tied with Curtis Strange for the individual title and the Gators were one stroke behind Wake Forest. Gary hit his second shot just through the green and Curtis hit a one-iron 12 feet away. Gary felt like he needed to chip in to give the Gators any chance and he chipped it inside a foot and tapped in for birdie. Curtis proceeded to roll the ball into the cup for an eagle three and Gary said, “I’m almost over it now some 40 years later.”
We had a caller ask about how to get more speed in his swing and Gary said that flexibility is one of the biggest keys and he has been doing Pilates for 7-8 years. Stretching and keeping the joints where they can move keeps the body lean and strong. Secondly watching what you eat and the portions that you eat is another key to well being.
Gary talked about Rory McIlroy and how he’s ok hitting just one shape shot when he plays, which is a high draw, even on holes that would call for a fade. Find a shot that you can play and stick with it. Jack Nicklaus did pretty well with a high fade. Got to go with what you are confident with and the more confident you are, the better you will play. Good course management is not doing more than what you can do. Even the tour pros are more conservative around the greens because their worst shot will be better than their worst shot trying to get too cute. Lastly Gary talked about keys to putting and he said he’s a firm believer in being able to control distance. “I have a sense of feel as to what the length of the stroke I need and the effort level. If you can’t control distance it’s going to be very hard to read greens, they go hand in hand,” he stated. A good putting drill is to lay the flagstick 18” behind the hole and hit some ten footers that get to the hole but don’t hit the flagstick. Don’t worry about making the putt. “I still do that drill today. It’s amazing how many putts go in if the speed is correct.” Watch for Gary Koch on NBC and Golf Channel in 2015.