Who is this kid? A virtual unknown!
A 23-year-old who had never won on the PGA Tour until May 6.
Ricky Fowler is his name and he is arguably the most colourful golfer on the PGA Tour. And now he has his first win.
Ricky shot a 3-under-par on the final day of the Wells Fargo Championship at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.
A great final-round score put him in a three-person playoff with two other players which included Rory McIlroy and D.A. Pointe.
Ricky hit a great shot to within four feet on the first playoff hole and sunk the putt for his first PGA Tour win.
Arguably the most colourful player on the PGA Tour, you will see Ricky wearing his traditional orange slacks and golf shirt accented with his flat brim orange hat and golf shoes in the final round each week he plays.
Not unlike Tiger’s tradition of always wearing red on the final day, Ricky has taken colour to a whole new level.
Largely due to his colourful flamboyancy, Ricky was signed to a multi-year deal to be the face of Cobra Golf.
It is amazing to me that a player who is just 23 years of age, who has only played a couple years on the PGA Tour and, until now, has never won a PGA Tour event becomes a highly-paid spokesperson responsible for propelling Cobra brand and Puma golf to the forefront of the golf equipment and merchandise race.
This is only half the story, though. Over the four days of the Wells Fargo Championship, Ricky led the entire field in total driving distance averaging 340 yards off the tee. 340 yards!
That is unbelievable.
Not that I am even close to the calibre of those that play on the world’s top tours, but on my best day, hitting my best drive ever, in favourable conditions I may be lucky enough to hit one, and only one shot that rolls out to that distance.
To average 340 yards over four days is insane!
What makes these numbers even more impressive is the fact that Ricky is a mere five-foot-nine and 150 pounds soaking wet.
Could it be that the equipment that is being used these days is simply that much better and hits the ball that much further than in years past or could it be something else?
Simply put, it has everything to do with speed and skills Sure the golf equipment does make a difference, but the fact remains that the faster you swing the club making square contact, the further the ball will travel.
So then, how does a young man who is small in stature by today’s standards outdrive his peers over this past weekend?
One word — athleticism.
I heard the other day that the average tour player will spend on average two and a half hours warming up prior to them teeing off for a tournament round. Two and a half hours!
I would be ready for a nap if I spent that much time preparing for my tournament rounds let alone a regular round of golf.
For the average golfer, warming up like a tour player is unachievable.
Most golfers simply do not have the time nor the energy as golf is a recreation, not our employment.
Having said that, the real story is not how long their pre-game warm up routine is, but what they focus on prior to their first swing on the golf course.
Understanding the importance of warming up prior to stepping on the first tee and incorporating some of their secrets into your own pre-game prep routine will most certainly assist you in playing your best while on the golf course.
Many golfers arrive at the course too late to do any form of warm-up.
In fact, many players race into the parking lot with only a few minutes to spare.
If timed properly and there is no lineup in the pro shop, in 10 minutes you can get your clubs out of your vehicle, put on your shoes, pay your green fee, purchase a beverage and a hot dog, eat the hot dog, load your clubs on a power cart and make it to the first tee on time!
Now if that is not a workout then I do not know what is.
Time after time I see players race straight to the first tee without any form of warming up.
In order to play your best golf you need to properly prepare your body and your mind prior to taking your first swing.
In other words, you need to do some stretching, warming up your joints and muscles so that your body is limber enough to efficiently repeat the swing shot after shot.
Upon planning your game of golf ensure that you have enough time to properly warm up.
Whenever possible, plan on arriving at the golf course 45 minutes to an hour prior to your tee time to properly check into the pro shop and get to the driving range for a proper warm-up. Keep in mind that you are simply warming up.
You are not there to hit a million golf balls.
Start by completing a routine of stretching exercises.
Ideally, walking briskly for at least 15 minutes prior to starting your stretching routine will assist in warming up your muscles.
Most of us do not have the time to do this, therefore a stretching routine is a crucial part of the pre-game warm-up.
Be sure to at least complete a few stretches that target your shoulders, spine, lower back, abdomen, quadriceps, hamstrings and hips.
Doing so will enable your body to work much more efficiently therefore allowing you to play your best golf.
Enjoy the great weather this week while out on the golf course.
Scott Bergdahl is the teaching pro at Lakewood Golf Resort near Sylvan Lake.