Gary Player is a nine-time Major Champion and is regarded as one of the best golfers in the sports history. Over his career he has accumulated a total of nine major championships on the regular tour and 6 Champions tour victories, alongside three Senior British Open Championship victories on the European Senior Tour.
Player is also known for his golf course architectural work, designing more than 325 different projects across five continents. He has also authored or co written 36 golfing books.
He currently runs organisation ‘The Player Foundation’ with the primary objective of giving sporting opportunities to under privileged children around the world. The organisation began in Johannesburg, South Africa, before spreading worldwide. They have raised over $60 million, and have ran events in major cities such as London, Palm Beach, Shanghai and Cape Town.
Here he talks about the importance of practicing your short game.
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“Always remember if you want to improve your handicap don’t come out here and hit a lot of drives. That’s not going to lower your handicap.”
“You want to improve your game? Practice from a hundred yards in. Jordan Spieth doesn’t hit the ball anywhere near Rory, Adam Scott or Jason Day, not in the same league. But he beats them (sometimes), because golf is played from a hundred yards in, bunker shots, chipping and putting.”
“That’s how you will lower your handicap. Go to your local pro, have lessons on your short game.”
Gary Player was appearing at the Mercedes-Benz patrons’ day at Royal Troon. Mercedes-Benz is an official patron of The Open Championship.
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