Min Woo Lee's Course Recognition at the RBC Heritage
Min Woo Lee provides a step-by-step breakdown of the first leg of his course walk at the RBC Heritage. We see how a tour player chooses his starting club, adjusts the spin to the hole’s layout, and uses the course walk to identify out-of-bounds areas and assess the feel of the greens.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Right from the start of Chapter 1, Min Woo Lee is torn between driver and mini driver: The ground is firm and the fairway narrows further on, so the mini driver is the safer option. He also likes it because it hit a draw with everything except the driver, which tends to curve from left to right; so he chooses his club based on the layout of the hole and the wind. On the 6th, after an iron that veered right, he decides that a hybrid coupe will be his shot in the tournament, because the ball comes in fast from the left with a draw.
Reconnaissance is also important around the greens: he tries the right side of a redesigned green to knowing where to fall short, tests a flag beyond a ridge, plays a few chips and putts to get used to grass that’s different from the previous week’s. He notes that a ball that’s too hot with the lob wedge teaches him not to go behind it. Beyond technique, he emphasizes two habits: eating on the course and stretch to stay flexible.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- At each tee, compare your club options based on the width of the fairway and the wind.
- Choose the club that produces the right effect for the hole's layout.
- Make a note of the moves that aren't appropriate, and decide which move to play in a tournament.
- Around the greens, try playing from the rough and challenging flag positions.
- Play a few chips and putts to get a feel for how the ball rolls on today's grass.
- Eat and stretch during the game.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Reaching for the driver out of habit even though the fairway is narrowing.
- Play a shot that heads toward the dangerous side of the hole.
- Do not identify weak spots before the tournament.
- Forgetting to eat on the course.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Reconnaissance round, noting the tee box for each hole
- Shots around the greens toward the rough
- Chips and putts to get used to today's grass
Your Questions
Why does Min Woo Lee use a mini driver?
As a safer option when the fairway narrows, and because he likes to hit a draw with this club, whereas with his driver he tends to hit from left to right.
What does he do around the greens during the course walk?
He tests out tricky spots, such as the right side of a redesigned green, tries a pin beyond a ridge, and plays a few chips and putts to get a feel for the grass.
What shot did he choose for the 6th hole?
A hybrid iron. Its 4-iron with a draw draw curves to the right, and the left side comes into play quickly if you put spin on the ball.
Does he offer advice on non-technical matters?
Yes: eating on the course—something he used to do poorly earlier in his career—and stretching to stay flexible.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Min Woo Lee). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.
