Ernie Els

Ernie Els
Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Elsis a South African professional golfer. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature) along with his fluid golf swing. Among his 71 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He is one of six golfers to twice win...
NationalitySouth African
ProfessionAthlete
ball delighted good hitting swinging week
I've been swinging good and hitting the ball really well this week and I'm delighted to be back in contention.
ball bit flatter game hard hitting last plane steep trying worked
I worked really hard on my long game the last two week, especially last week. I'm working on a bit of a flatter plane through the ball. I got a little bit steep on the ball so I'm trying to flatten it out a little bit through the hitting area.
downward hitting promote
With shorter clubs, your ball position should be just back of middle, to really promote hitting the ball first on a downward strike.
biggest dig ground hitting pinch ripping trying
The biggest mistake is trying to pinch down on the ball and ripping out a big divot, often hitting the ground before the ball. You'll dig up some turf, but you won't create much backspin.
ball builder club confidence delighted hitting swinging
It's a real confidence builder after such a long layoff. I was swinging the club well and hitting the ball great, and I was delighted to be back in contention.
coming cover estate hitting instinct power worried
When you're hitting a fairway wood, you've got a lot of real estate to cover to get to your target. Your first instinct is probably to give it a little more power because you're worried about coming up short.
clubs conscious hit hitting mind shot swing
I almost never hit a shot all out, and I make a conscious effort to swing my long clubs just as I do my wedges. Keep this in mind when hitting your fairway woods.
ball bit chances feels hitting middle putt stroke
I didn't putt well at all today. I had many chances but didn't take them. However, I feel I am hitting the ball nicely. My stroke feels goods, but I was a little off bit off. I must get into middle 60s to have a chance of winning.
ball came cannot complain confidence game given happy hitting knee practice sitting time
I cannot complain about the way I came back. I could be sitting here without any confidence now, hitting the ball all over the place. But the knee has been pretty good, and it's given me time to practice and get my game back in shape. So I'm happy where I am right now.
good hitting spin
The good kind of spin - backspin - comes from hitting the ball cleanly, then making a divot after impact.
ball bit catch fat hit hitting key plenty
The key is to hit the ball first, then the sand. Even if you catch it a bit thin, you'll still get plenty of run. Hitting it fat is what you want to avoid.
athletic club good posture
When I stay athletic with good posture and get the club away in a good position, I get through it better.
coming penalty rough
The rough is pretty thick. It's a half-shot penalty coming out of there.
america asia game helped playing won
I've won tournaments in Europe, Asia and America and I think playing around the world has really helped me game playing in different conditions, not just one-dimensional golf.