There are many legends in the game of golf but few are held in higher esteem than Gary Player, and he’s been taking time out on social media to help the average golfer once again.
Player – a nine-time major winner – is still getting himself involved in the game and featured in the Hero World Challenge just a few weeks ago.
At nearly 90, Player continues to show that age is just a number when it comes to playing golf.
But more crucially, Player is also keen to use modern forms of technology to pass on his vast knowledge and help everyone who plays golf.
Gary Player says why hitting a straight drive is a ‘fluke’ for most golfers
Taking to X to give out another useful tip for the amateur golfer, nine-time major winner Player recalled a comment from another legend, Ben Hogan, and explained that trying to hit the ball straight can actually be counter-productive.
“I believe the mistake most golfers make is that they try to hit a straight ball. Ben Hogan said hitting it straight was a “fluke”,” Player wrote.
“If you aim up the right side and draw it or vice versa, then you make the fairway as big as possible. If you aim up the middle, you then you cut the fairway in half.
“This means a shot that draws too much ends up in the rough on the left and a ball that fades too much ends up in the right rough. The game is tough enough, so try to give yourself as much advantage as possible.”
Gary Player is making a habit of giving out hints and tips
With so much golf content out there, it can be hard to concentrate on just a few people when it comes to trying to improve at the game.
However, much like Padraig Harrington tries to do with his Paddy’s Tips videos, it seems like Gary Player is doing his best to funnel his knowledge back into the game.
Player recently explained how to best get out of bunkers which when coupled with the advice Tony Finau gave on bunker play, can only help the average golfer.
Indeed, the 89-year-old seems to have always been on hand to help and Player even offered Rory McIlroy some advice back in 2009.
“I would say that I played with this young boy, Louis Oosthuizen today. Wow, I was impressed with this young guy. He’s having quite a meteoric rise and I had never played with him,” he said.
“I said, you play well enough to win, you must understand that. And same to Rory. He must not come here just as an experience. This guy, Rory, Mark O’Meara said he’s as good at this age as Tiger was. I was quite shocked to hear that, because I’ve never seen Rory play.”
Player was one of the most successful golfers to ever walk the fairways and to see him offering up advice despite his advancing years is charming to say the least.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
