It's U.S. Open week and to help celebrate the 119th edition of our National Championship, we're happy to present some exclusive golf instruction, all related to the unique challenges players will face at Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is hosting the U.S. Open for the sixth time. These U.S. Open tips come to us courtesy of some of the finest teachers in the game – all of whom, we're proud to say, are Titleist staff members.
We hope you enjoy the videos and insights that follow from Matt Barr, and for additional tips to help you play your best on demanding tracks like Pebble Beach, check out the following:
Layne Savoie - Flighted Wedge Shot on No. 7 at Pebble Beach
Justin Parsons: The Tee Shot on No. 18 at Pebble Beach
Skip Guss - Controlling Irons by Controlling Trajectory
Jonathan Yarwood - Short, Delicate Bunker Shot
Justin Parsons - Final Round Bonus Tips
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Keys to Success at Pebble Beach
Each year, the USGA's mission statement for the U.S. Open is to present competitors with the most thorough examination of skill in championship golf. Ask the best players in the world and they'll tell you that the U.S. Open is the toughest test of shot-making ability, mental resolve and physical stamina that they'll face all year. Through this trial by fire, the thinking goes, only the strongest players will contend and only the most worthy will be crowned champion.
Bringing such a test to life requires a venue that can ask all the right questions of players. And this year's host course, Pebble Beach Golf Links certainly qualifies. Though not overly long by U.S. Open standards (7,075 yards, par-71), Pebble Beach demands excellence in every phase of the game.
To get a sense of the wide variety of challenges that we're likely to see at Pebble, we reached out to Titleist staff member Matt Barr for his insights and advice in a few key areas of the game that will be tested and possibly exposed this week.
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Driving
Matt:
Winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach won't be all about length off the tee, but you can bet that hitting the fairway will be a premium. HELLO ROUGH! Striking the center of the club face with your driver will ensure the most control when it comes to hitting fairways. Do you know where your striking the ball with your driver?
Hint: Foot Spray is a great tool for showing exactly where on the club face you're striking the ball.
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Chipping
Matt:
The average Pebble Beach green is 3,500 square feet, the smallest on tour! That means there will be a lot of short game shots around the greens this week at the U.S. Open. Keep an eye on the players when they are around the green, study their habits, and pay attention to how quiet and stable their lower body is.
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Putting
Matt:
If you want to win the US Open on Pebble Beach's Poa Annua greens, you better be sure that your putts are starting on line. When getting into your setup, be sure that you place the putter down first and then settle into your stance. Club face is what rolls the ball on its intended line, so make sure it is pointed where you want it to be!
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For more great instruction from Matt, visit his website and check him out on Instagram!
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