Master Your Betting Strategy: Genesis Invitational Picks

Hello, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, your golf instruction editor, ready to help you elevate your game. As a PGA-certified instructor with over 15 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with golfers of all levels, from tour pros to dedicated weekend warriors. My firm belief is that with the right instruction and a consistent effort, anyone can improve. Today, we’re diving into some crucial aspects of golf that are often overlooked but can make a monumental difference in your scores, particularly when faced with a challenging course like Riviera Country Club, home of the Genesis Invitational.

The recent Genesis Invitational at Riviera provides us with a fantastic case study on what separates good golf from great golf. While the pros often make it look effortless, even they battle elements like challenging turf, undulating greens, and tight fairways. It’s not just about hitting the ball far; it’s about precision, adaptability, and a sharp short game. Let’s break down some key areas inspired by the action at Riviera and how you can apply these lessons to your own game.

Mastering the Short Game: Especially Around Tricky Greens

One of the recurring themes when discussing Riviera is the crucial role of the short game. We heard Brady Kannon, our expert prognosticator, emphasize this when he said:

“The fairways are relatively narrow here at Riviera… The Greens in Regulation numbers at this course are some of the toughest on the circuit. This makes Scrambling extremely important, and as I mentioned, pitching and chipping out of the greenside Kikuyu can be especially challenging.”

This really resonates with my experience. Many amateur golfers spend countless hours on their full swing but neglect the areas that truly save strokes: chipping, pitching, and putting. When you can’t hit every green in regulation, your ability to get up and down becomes your best friend. The Kikuyu grass at Riviera, which “props the ball up beautifully in the fairway but is a sticky, nasty turf to deal with in the rough and around the greens,” is a perfect example of why adaptability in your short game is vital. Different grass conditions require different approaches.

So, how do we tackle this? The key is versatility and understanding how the lie of the ball and the grass type will affect your shot. Around the greens, especially from thicker rough, you need to be prepared to pick the ball cleanly or use a club with more bounce to glide through the turf.

Try this Drill: The “Sticky Lie” Chip & Pitch

Find a patch of thicker, perhaps slightly wet, rough around your practice green. Place 5-10 balls in this tough lie. Your goal is to get a feel for how the club interacts with the grass. Experiment with slightly opening your clubface and using a more upright swing plane to prevent the club from digging. Focus on accelerating through impact. Don’t be afraid to try different clubs – a sand wedge might be ideal for a high, soft shot, but a pitching wedge might be better for a lower, running chip if the greenside real estate allows. The more you practice from these challenging lies, the less daunting they become on the course.

Putting on Undulating Greens: Poa Annua Proficiency

Another element that challenges even the best players is the greens themselves. Riviera features large, undulating, and Poa Annua greens. Poa Annua is known for being a bit inconsistent, growing throughout the day, and often rolling slower in the afternoon. We saw players like Sam Burns excel on these surfaces, as Kannon noted:

“While Bermudagrass is typically figured to be the preferred putting surface for Burns, he was masterful last week on Poa Annua at Pebble Beach, ranking fifth in that field for SG: Putting.”

The takeaway here is that adapting to different green speeds and undulations is crucial. Many golfers struggle with speed control, especially on unfamiliar greens. On undulating greens, understanding the break is only half the battle; hitting it with the right pace is what gets the ball in the hole.

Here’s a Drill: The “Gate” Speed Drill

On the practice green, find a relatively straight putt of about 15-20 feet. Place two tees in the ground slightly wider than your putter head, creating a “gate” about 6-12 inches past the hole. The goal is to putt the ball through this gate, just barely. This emphasizes speed control and encourages you to roll the ball with enough pace to reach the hole and slightly beyond, but not so much that it’s rushing past. Repeat this several times, then try it on a breaking putt, adjusting your aim to account for the break, but maintaining that same “gate” speed. This teaches you to hit your putts with conviction without blowing them past the target. Remember, a putt that dies in the hole or just past it has the best chance of going in.

Course Management: Playing “Major Championship Golf”

Finally, let’s talk about course management. Riviera, with its narrow fairways, abundant trees, barrancas, and elevation changes, demands strategic decision-making. Brady Kannon wisely observed:

“Much like a major championship venue, Riviera will test every part of one’s game.”

This isn’t just true for the pros; it’s true for us as well. Thinking like a major champion means making smart choices even when you don’t feel like you have your A-game. Sometimes, the heroic shot isn’t the best shot. Playing to the fattest part of the green, aiming for the center of the fairway when trouble lurks, and knowing when to lay up are all hallmarks of good course management.

In my teaching experience, the biggest difference between a good amateur and a great one often comes down to course management. It’s about minimizing mistakes and capitalizing on opportunities. Before your next round, take a few minutes to walk through each hole in your mind, or even better, with a course guide. Identify where the trouble is, where the safe landing areas are, and where you absolutely cannot miss.

Drill: Pre-Shot Routine with Intent

Before every shot on the course, don’t just “go through the motions” of your routine. Use it to internalize your strategy for that specific shot. Stand behind your ball, visualize your target and the intended flight path. Consider the wind, the lie, and any potential hazards. Have a clear, positive thought about the shot you’re about to execute. This mindful approach helps you commit to your plan and execute with confidence, even when the course is challenging.

Every round of golf is an opportunity to learn and grow. By focusing on your short game, adapting your putting to different green conditions, and improving your course management, you’ll not only shave strokes off your scores but also gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances of this incredible game. Keep practicing, stay positive, and remember that every shot holds a new possibility!