Crossfield: Understand your misses to avoid Augusta-style disasters
This series of videos will be posted every Tuesday (8:30 p.m. UK time). I make them to help golfers learn and improve their golf with fun, educational and fact-based golf coaching. Let’s keep sharing this info so we can all improve together.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
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I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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No touchy
Apr 8, 2016 at 2:58 am
I was hoping he would hate on all shafts and blame it on that, saying that the shaft makes no difference is how you can prepare for your bad shot since the shaft shouldn’t have done that
Spaulding
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:35 am
Mark Crossfield gives Hank Haney and Michael breed a run as the biggest bozo in golf instruction.
Iman
Apr 5, 2016 at 8:20 pm
It is particularly important to understand our misses, but most of the amateurs like us don’t have access to GC2, Trackman or Flightscope.
Mat
Apr 5, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Wait, if you plan on your bad shot, isn’t it more likely you’re going to hit a bad shot? I know my misses, but if I plan on that, isn’t that a good shot then? I mean, that bailout fade Mark’s last shot… just aim differently? I guess my point is that you should be rewarded for hitting the shot you want, as long as a miss goes safely. Otherwise, why not play the safe shot to begin with?
Ben
Apr 6, 2016 at 1:18 am
I think he’s saying that you should take out the trouble on the course, not actually play for a bad shot. You’re not planning to hit a bad shot, you’re planning to hit a good shot, but if you “know” where you miss, then you will still avoid trouble. If you miss both left and right on equal occasion that obviously makes it a bit harder to plan for, but if your bad shot is a fade, then you allow yourself to “miss” in the right areas still.
Simon
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:17 pm
He’s easily the best golf coach/analyst in the media. This video is a must watch for us amateurs.
Jack
Apr 5, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Agreed, Mark is the best!