Ernie Els Hitting Quotations

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.

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.

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.

I've been swinging good and hitting the ball really well this week and I'm delighted to be back in contention.

With shorter clubs, your ball position should be just back of middle, to really promote hitting the ball first on a downward strike.

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.

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.

The good kind of spin - backspin - comes from hitting the ball cleanly, then making a divot after impact.

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.

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.

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.