Q&A: Brad McCluski, Director of Golf at Dedham Country & Polo Club
Alex Elias
Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)
As Dedham Country & Polo begins with a difficult opening hole, followed by perhaps the toughest approach, and a challenging Redan on Hole 3, it’s easy to play the first few holes over par. If someone does, how can they mentally forget about those first three holes and move on with the rest of their round?
It’s difficult to do. I think that’s what separates professionals from even the best amateur golfers. If you start becoming too scorecard-heavy, it can become draining. Unless you’re playing in an event, I don’t always agree with writing down your score after every hole. It’s easier to focus on the next shot when you’re not thinking about the score on the previous hole.
When we talk about playing poorly, golfers tend to speed up. Why is that, and how can golfers learn to slow down?
When golfers start playing poorly, they speed up because they want to get the next shot over with. That’s why breathing is really important. If you look at a player like Patrick Cantlay, he stresses breathing and sticking to his routine. It might not sound like much, but it allows you to focus on what you need to focus on.
As I played with JB [John Broderick] this morning, I started to realize that while I once thought he was a very good putter, it’s actually that he’s a very good iron player and, therefore, always has makeable putts. How true is that of elite golfers?
I would definitely agree with that. And it’s a reminder that each shot is connected to the next one. Another way to look at it is, on the flip side, if you’re a bad chipper, then your iron play suffers because you fear missing the green. It all trickles down.
Whether it’s here or Wannamoisett Country Club, where do you believe amateurs can improve the most?
Inside 100 yards and putting. Members, and especially junior golfers, love to hit balls, and they can hit the ball great, but then three-putt or four-putt. Wedges and speed control can save more shots than people realize.
When I was 16, in just one year, my handicap went from a 3 to a +2, all because I worked from 100 yards in. I was so much more confident.
