Q&A with Former Tour Pro Winner Warren Bennett - Your Questions Answered

Golfing Philosophy & Improvement

• 💡 Warren emphasizes the sentimental relationship golfers develop with their putters, citing his old blade putter, Odyssey Two-Ball, and Ping Pal as examples.
• ⚠️ He cautions against the "take game to the next level" mindset, stating that improvement comes from consistency and continuity, not over-analysis or excessive lessons that can lead to losing feel.
• 🎯 While driver swing speed can be beneficial, Warren prioritizes hitting the ball straight and consistently over raw speed, suggesting mobility drills for natural speed gains.

Recommended Practice Drills

• 👣 The feet together exercise is recommended for recreational golfers to reduce excessive body movement and promote efficient arm swing, especially for those with limited flexibility.
• ✅ The hit and hold drill helps golfers sequence their body movements (legs, body, arms, hands) correctly, leading to greater consistency in their swing.
• 🛠️ The hinge drill focuses on achieving proper wrist hinge early in the backswing, which helps create a wide backswing and allows the club to drop into the "slot" for a better downswing.

Mastering Swing Mechanics

• 🧠 Warren explains that while the club head swings, the control is felt in the handle (butt end of the club), influencing the club head's reaction.
• 🚀 For short iron approach shots that pull left, he advises focusing on shaft lean, correct ball position, and ensuring hands are slightly forward at address with the head over the ball.
• ⛰️ When facing uphill pitch shots (60-80 yards), the advice is to take one more club, stay over the ball, and twist through with a hand and arm shot to avoid chunking.

Insights from a Tour Pro

• 🔑 An underrated aspect separating scratch golfers from tour pros is the short game around the greens and a consistently accurate starting line for shots.
• 💬 Warren's golfing heroes are Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros, and he considers Colin Montgomerie the best player he played with due to his exceptional consistency.
• 🏆 Memorable career moments include winning a silver medal at the Australian Amateur, enjoying team events, and the pressure of making three crucial birdies to secure his challenge tour card.

Chipping Technique

• 🌱 Choking down for chipping offers significant advantages, primarily enhanced control and encouraging a more unified, "one-piece" swing by minimizing independent wrist movement.