Ernie Els
Ernie Els
Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Elsis a South African professional golfer. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature) along with his fluid golf swing. Among his 71 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He is one of six golfers to twice win...
NationalitySouth African
ProfessionAthlete
clubs conscious hit hitting mind shot swing
I almost never hit a shot all out, and I make a conscious effort to swing my long clubs just as I do my wedges. Keep this in mind when hitting your fairway woods.
areas certain clubs coming days experience field four hit longer narrow
Experience is going to be big, even more than it used to be, because you're coming in with longer clubs and you've got to hit certain areas more than you used to. Over four days it's going to narrow the field dramatically.
angle catch club cut height helps inch left open slightly swing
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.
ball builder club confidence delighted hitting swinging
It's a real confidence builder after such a long layoff. I was swinging the club well and hitting the ball great, and I was delighted to be back in contention.
changes club difficult flags game greens miss seems selection stick
Club selection was the most difficult part of the game today. It seems like it changes all the time. You've got to get your yardage and stick to a club that you're comfortable with and go with that. If you miss those greens on the flags on top, it's very difficult to get it up and down.
arms bit club conscious cracking loosen smash whip
Make a conscious effort to loosen your hands and let your arms feel soft when you're at address. Take the club back a bit shorter, and feel as if you're cracking a whip on the way down - not tensing up to smash something hard.
club couple maybe next thinking trying utility weeks work
I was thinking about that, trying to maybe work on a utility club the next couple of weeks to use it at Augusta.
average ball body change club dig feet good lower middle sand selection sitting slightly stable swing
From a good lie in the middle of a fairway bunker, I'll make the same swing as I do from an average fairway lie. I'll dig my feet in slightly and keep my lower body stable so I won't slip, but I don't change my club selection or setup. It's only when the ball is sitting down in the sand that I'll make some modifications.
favorite felt golf greens
This is one of my favorite golf courses. I felt comfortable and the greens were perfect.''
left shot shots
I've shot 69 but I feel like I've left some shots out there today,
almost goes masters
He just goes out and goes about his business. So I think Phil, almost more than Tiger, has got more Masters in him, maybe.
david far tendencies
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.
drives longest swinging
Your longest drives will come when you feel you're swinging at 75 percent.
courses good grew love reminds south
I like the course, I love the way it's set out. It reminds me a lot of courses that I grew up on in South Africa. I've got a good feel for the place.