U.S. stars: We’re giving Ryder Cup pay to charity

Several U.S. Ryder Cup players have pledged to donate their match fees and appearance money to charity, teh latest demonstration of solidarity as the American side prepares to defend the trophy at Bethpage Black. The move, announced ahead of the biennial contest, highlights players’ efforts to use the spotlight for community causes while the team, led by captain Keegan Bradley, finalizes it’s lineup.

The Open creates a new qualification path for LIV golf players, allowing spots through set performance criteria and qualifiers, expanding major access and easing tensions in professional golf

With recent changes that expand major access for players moving between tours, elite and aspiring competitors must adapt instruction and strategy to perform on links and championship setups. Coaches should prioritize wind management, trajectory control and strategic tee selection: move the ball back in the stance by ~1.0-1.5 inches to lower flight when into a stiff breeze, close the clubface slightly (1-2°) to encourage a controlled draw, and play an extra club when the wind is into you at more than 15-20 mph. In practice: focus on setup checkpoints that produce repeatable ball flights for links conditions, including a slightly stronger grip, narrower stance for stability, and a forward shaft lean for penetrating ball flight. These adjustments are especially relevant for LIV players gaining access through the new path and for U.S. stars preparing for majors under varied conditions. Useful setup checkpoints include:

• Ball position: middle to slightly back for low trajectories
• Weight distribution: 55/45 front foot at address for controlled descent
• Shoulder tilt: ~10-15° down the target line for better launch angles

Essential swing mechanics and shot shaping determine whether a player converts access into low scores. Begin with a reproducible swing plane: set a neutral grip, rotate the torso to create a 45-50° shoulder turn for full shots, and maintain a 5-7° downward attack angle with irons to ensure crisp compression.For advanced shaping (fade/draw), adjust path and face relationship by 2-4°-practice with alignment rods to build feel. progress step-by-step with measurable goals: increase clubface control to under ±2° at impact and improve carry-distance consistency to within ±8 yards for each iron. Drills:

• Gate drill with tees to stabilize low-point and encourage clean contact
• Ball-position ladder: hit three shots per position to see effect on trajectory
• Face-to-path tempo drill: use slow-motion swings to feel clubface alignment at impact

Meanwhile, recognize the mental element: some U.S. stars have publicly redirected Ryder Cup pay to charity, using that cause-driven focus to reduce performance anxiety; emulate this by setting process goals (pre-shot routine) rather than outcome goals to maintain composure under pressure.

Short game and green reading seperate good rounds from great ones on major-style greens. Prioritize a consistent wedge setup: 60-65% shaft lean for bump-and-run shots, hands ahead of the ball for crisp contact, and open the face 10-30° for high, soft chips. For putting, aim to leave lag putts inside 3 feet on long approaches-practice with a target that reduces your average lag distance by 50% over four weeks. Read grain and slope by observing run-off areas and grass direction; when the wind blows across the green, lower your aim point by the equivalent of 0.5-1 ball diameter per 10 mph lateral wind. Practice routines:

• Clock drill for short putts to build stroke repeatability
• up-and-down challenge: 10 different bunker and chip lies; record scramble % with a weekly improvement target of +10%
• Grain-reading walk: before practice rounds, walk the greens to note grain direction and speed

These techniques benefit both beginners-by giving concrete setup cues-and low handicappers-by refining touch and read accuracy for tournament conditions.

Course management and equipment choices complete an integrated approach to lowering scores in majors and qualifiers. Make decisions from the scorecard backward: no hole yardages to hazards, play to miss areas that fit your miss shape, and favor the club that gives the highest proximity-to-hole expectancy, not necessarily the longest distance. Equipment considerations include checking wedge loft gaps (8-10° between wedges) and testing shaft flex for control in windy conditions. Set measurable practice targets and routines: weekly session of 60 minutes on short game, two range sessions focusing on targeted yardages with ±5 yard accuracy goals, and one simulated-round situational practice dealing with wind and pin placements. Common mistakes and fixes:

• Over-swinging into wind: shorten backswing and focus on acceleration through impact
• Poor alignment: use two-rod alignment check to correct feet/shoulder aim
• Ignoring green speed: practice with varying hole locations and pace awareness

adopt multiple learning approaches-visualization, feel drills, and slow-motion mechanics-for different physical abilities, and maintain a simple mental checklist (breath, target, routine) to convert technical improvements into lower scores and consistent performance on qualifying stages and majors.

U.S.stars pledge Ryder Cup pay to charity, outline donation framework

U.S. stars who have pledged their ryder Cup pay to charity are not only making headlines for philanthropy but are also modeling an evidence-based, transferable framework for performance improvement that amateurs can emulate. Start by defining measurable goals – such as, reduce your average score by 1.5 strokes on a specific test course or cut three-putts by 30% in 12 weeks – and tie each milestone to an actionable practice plan. In practice, this looks like setting a weekly routine (as an example, 3×30-minute focused sessions on the range plus two short-game sessions) and tracking objective metrics such as strokes gained, greens in regulation (GIR), and putts per round. For context on course conditions, apply these goals to realistic venues (tight, tree-lined parkland vs. firm, fast links): adjust targets and practice content to account for surface speed, wind exposure, and green undulation so that training transfers directly to tournament-like situations.

Technically, the swing should be deconstructed into repeatable checkpoints that align with elite standards used by touring players. Begin with setup: stance width should be roughly 1.0-1.5× shoulder width, with a 2-3° shoulder tiltshoulder turn of ~90° (men) / ~80° (women) with a controlled hip turn of ~45°, allowing the weight to shift to the trail foot on the backswing and to the lead foot at impact (roughly 60/40 lead-side pressure at impact). To refine impact mechanics, practice drills below; each drill isolates a critical element and includes a measurable target so progress is clear.

• Impact tape drill: Use tape on clubface to confirm consistent center strikes; aim for >70% center-contact in 50 swings.
• Slow-motion 3:1 tempo drill: Three seconds backswing, one second downswing to ingrain sequencing; use a metronome app for consistency.
• Divot-depth test: For mid irons, aim for a shallow divot beginning just past the ball and 1-2 inches deep-record with video to compare week-to-week.

Common errors include early extension,casting the club,and excessive grip pressure (keep at 4-5/10); correct these with video feedback and by progressively increasing swing speed only after repeatable technique is established.

the short game is were U.S.stars often salvage par and convert momentum into lower scores, and the same philosophies apply at every handicap level. for putting,use a distance-control rule of thumb – for example,a compact stroke producing approximately 1 inch of putter travel per foot of putt for short to mid-range strokes – and pair that with green-reading routines that factor slope and grain (read the fall line,then compensate by 1-2 degrees per noticeable slope increment). Chipping and bunker play require explicit club selection and face manipulation: use a 56° wedge with 10-12° bounce for most greenside shots and open the face 8-15° for higher soft shots; for bunker shots, aim to enter the sand 1-2 inches behind the ball. Drill examples:

• Clock-face chipping: Chip to 6 targets at 5-25 yards to practice trajectory control and landing spots.
• Bunker blast lines: Mark entry points 1 inch behind the ball; practice hitting 30 shots focusing on consistent sand contact.
• Two-tier putting drill: Place tees to define a narrow gate on a 6-foot putt; make 20 in a row to prove stroke path reliability.

These drills scale for beginners (shorter distances, slower tempo) and low handicappers (increase target tightness and add pressure through scoring games).

effective course management, equipment choices, and the mental game link technique to scoring – a point emphasized by touring pros when they outline charitable donation frameworks tied to team performance. Play to your strengths by mapping each hole into preferred and bailout zones: such as, on a 420-yard par 4 into the wind, favor a 3-wood or long iron off the tee to keep the ball in play rather than chasing distance. equipment checks are practical: ensure lie angles fit your swing (adjust by ~1° increments) and that lofts produce desired carry; a launch monitor session can give you baseline numbers like carry,spin,and attack angle to set measurable improvement goals. For mental and situational training, simulate pressure with charity-style targets – e.g., commit $X per missed up-and-down – to practice clutch short-game shots under consequence. Troubleshooting checkpoints:

• If you miss fairways: simplify setup and focus on alignment and a narrower arc; reduce driver loft or use a more stable shaft for control.
• If you three-putt frequently enough: increase lag putting practice to 15 minutes/day and practice read visualization for 10 minutes before rounds.
• If you struggle in wind/rain: lower ball flight with forward shaft lean and stronger grip, and practice shots with less spin to control roll.

Through measurable practice, equipment tuning, and smart strategy – the same principles touring U.S. players use when linking performance to charitable giving – golfers at all levels can translate technique improvements into consistent scoring gains.

Selected causes to benefit include veterans support, junior golf and cancer research

In a practical roundup of swing fundamentals, coaches emphasize that reliable ball-striking begins with a repeatable setup and sequenced motion. Start with a neutral grip, shoulders square to the target line and a ball position that shifts with the club: driver teed inside the left heel, mid-iron centered, and wedge slightly back of center. Maintain spine tilt of roughly 5-10° away from the target for driver and a more neutral spine for irons, with knee flex enough to enable rotation but not vertical bobbing. From there, work on a two-part sequencing checklist: 1) a controlled takeaway with the clubhead on plane for the first 30-45° of arc, and 2) a full shoulder turn of roughly 80-100° with the hips rotating near 40-50° on the backswing. to internalize this, try the following drills to diagnose and correct common faults:

• Mirror takeaway drill – check that hands, arms and club form a single unit for the first 6-12 inches.
• Resistance-band hip-turn – promotes correct hip rotation and weight shift toward a 60/40 finishing bias toward the front foot.
• Gate drill with alignment sticks – enforces inside-to-square club path to reduce slices or pulls.

These progressions are applicable from beginners establishing fundamentals to low-handicappers refining micro-movements, and they translate directly into improved accuracy and tighter dispersion on the course.

Short-game proficiency accounts for the largest stroke-saving potential, so instruction focuses on contact, launch angle, and speed control. for chip and pitch shots, select a loft that matches the desired roll: for a 20-30 yard pitch use a sand or gap wedge with a medium swing length (approximately 60% of full), keeping the wrists firm to control spin and contact. In bunker play, open the face to increase loft and use a wider stance with weight favoring the front foot; swing through the sand with an entry point 1-2 inches behind the ball. Putting instruction centers on green speed and line: read the putt from the low side, feel a stroke that would carry the ball to stop within 6-12 inches past the hole on a flat putt, and use the clock-face or rhythm drill to stabilize tempo. Practice drills include:

• landing-spot drill – pick a target and land the ball on a specific spot to learn carry vs. roll percentages.
• 3-putt elimination – from 25-40 feet, limit yourself to two practice strokes and assess pace.
• Bunker contact drill – use a towel 1 inch behind the ball to enforce sand contact before ball impact.

Common mistakes-such as scooping chips,excessive wrist break on pitches,or decelerating in bunkers-are corrected by isolating the low point and rehearsing the same impact position at reduced speed.

Course-management instruction interprets technical skills into scoring decisions and situational strategy, and U.S. Ryder Cup stars’ match-play choices-often highlighted when they pledge pay to veterans, junior golf, or cancer research-offer teachable moments.For example, when the wind is 15-20 mph into the face on a par 4, a conservative strategy is to hit a 3-wood or long iron into the fairway rather than forcing a driver over trouble; this reduces risk and lowers expected strokes. Read greens by combining slope, grain and Stimp speed-if a green is running at a Stimp 10-11, expect breaks to be amplified and aim proportionally more uphill. practical on-course drills include:

• Club-limitation nine – play nine holes using only seven clubs to sharpen creativity and wedge play.
• Wind-yardage practice – hit 10 shots into a steady crosswind and record carry differences to build a personal adjustment chart.
• Pressure-simulation – practice must-win lag putts with a partner to mimic match-play nerves like those seen in ryder Cup scenarios.

These situational habits help players of all levels make smarter risk/reward calculations and preserve pars into birdie opportunities, mirroring professional-level thinking while supporting charitable narratives tied to high-profile events.

integrating equipment, measurable goals and the mental game completes a complete instructional plan: assess shaft flex, loft and lie angle for consistent center-face contact, and choose a golf ball designed for your spin profile to optimize scoring around the greens. Set specific benchmarks such as reducing average putts per round by 0.5 within eight weeks or cutting scoring dispersion by 10 yards off the tee; then structure practice blocks accordingly. A sample weekly routine might be: two 60-minute short-game sessions focused on landing-zone and distance ladders, one 90-minute range session emphasizing tempo and transition, and one on-course strategy session working only on decision-making. Troubleshooting steps include:

• If launch is inconsistent, check ball position and shaft lean at address.
• If you three-putt frequently, reduce backstroke length by 10-20% and rehearse speed control from 20-40 feet.
• For persistent slices, close the face slightly and promote an inside-to-out path with an alignment-stick drill.

Moreover, incorporate mental routines-pre-shot breathing, one clear target and a rehearsed swing thought-to translate practice gains into competition, ensuring improvements not only lower scores but also reinforce the charitable message when players and U.S. stars commit prize money to causes such as veterans support, junior golf and cancer research.

Team and PGA Tour coordinate on payment routing and public reporting

In a coordinated announcement that reads like both a policy update and a coaching brief, team leadership and the PGA Tour have emphasized clarity in payment routing and public reporting while drawing on goodwill examples such as We’re giving Ryder Cup pay to charity insights to reinforce team culture. This same clarity translates directly to swing setup: begin with a repeatable baseline by setting a stance width roughly equal to shoulder width, a spine tilt of about 10-15 degrees away from the target for irons, and a driver ball position 1-1.5 ball widths inside the left heel. For all players, from beginners to low handicappers, check these fundamentals before every shot:

• Grip pressure: light-to-moderate, about a 4/10 on a tightness scale to preserve wrist hinge and feel;
• Alignment: clubface aimed at the intended target with feet parallel to the target line;
• Posture: knees slightly flexed, back flat, and weight balanced evenly between the balls of the feet.

These simple setup checkpoints mirror a public-reporting mindset: measurable, consistent, and easy to audit during practice sessions.

Turning to swing mechanics and shot shaping, coaches recommend structured drills that quantify progress and correct common faults. Establish a measurable goal such as increasing fairways hit by 10 percentage points over 12 weeks by working on three key areas: plane, face control, and rotation. For plane and rotation, practice the towel-under-arm drill for 10 minutes daily to promote a one-piece takeaway, then perform a half-shot impact drill using a 7-iron to rehearse a shallow approach angle of attack (~-2° to +2° depending on club) and a hip rotation of 45-60° on the backswing for full shots. Use these unnumbered practice items to structure a weekly routine:

• Warm-up: 10 minutes of dynamic mobility (hip circles, thoracic rotations) to protect the spine;
• Technique block: 30-40 ball repetitions on swing plane and face-path awareness using alignment sticks;
• On-course simulation: 9 holes focusing on predefined targets and club selection choices.

Common mistakes include an early release (fix with impact bag drills) and lateral sway (fix with lead-foot pressure drills), and teachers should record clubface-to-path numbers with a launch monitor to track improvements objectively.

Short-game and green-reading instruction must be equally precise, especially when situational play and charitable exhibition formats with U.S. stars create pressure-packed scenarios. For chipping and pitching, emphasize a landing spot strategy: for a 20-40 yard pitch, aim for a landing spot 6-8 yards short of the hole to control rollout, and use loft to control spin-open the wedge by 5-10° for softer landings on firm greens. Putting fundamentals include a pendulum stroke with limited wrist action, a putter loft of about 3-4°, and a stroke arc of 2-4 inches for most players; practice these with specific drills:

• Gate drill for square impact on 10-15 ft putts;
• Landing-spot drill for chips and pitches using intermediate targets;
• Pressure simulation: play a charity exhibition hole with a small wager to recreate nervous conditions like those faced by Ryder Cup participants.

These exercises are scalable: beginners start with 5-10 minute blocks per drill, while low handicappers perform tempo and feel work with performance metrics such as strokes gained: putting.

effective course management and mental-game routines complete the performance loop and mirror the accountability of public reporting: keep a concise practice log and weekly KPI sheet (such as,GIR percentage,average putts per round,and up-and-down rate) and review it as a team or coach. On the course, employ situational strategy-lay up to a preferred yardage when wind exceeds 15 mph, choose a shot shape to avoid hanging hazards, and use club selection charts that factor in temperature and elevation (every 10°F drop reduces ball carry by roughly 2-3 yards). equipment considerations should follow USGA rules: check groove conformity and select shaft flexes that match swing speed (e.g., 85-95 mph driver speed = regular or stiff shaft). Troubleshooting tips for players at all levels include:

• if mis-hits persist, return to the setup checklist for 3 weeks and measure change in ball flight;
• If short game is inconsistent, allocate two 20-minute sessions per week to dedicated chipping and putting drills;
• Use mental reframing-charitable goals, such as donating exhibition fees-can reduce pressure and improve execution under stress.

Taken together, these instructional elements provide a transparent, measurable pathway from practice to lower scores, linking individual technique work with team-oriented accountability and public reporting principles.

Players recommend independent audit and annual impact reports for transparency

in a move that has implications beyond philanthropy, several prominent U.S. stars who pledged their Ryder Cup pay to charity have also advocated for greater accountability in how player-led funds are deployed, prompting clubs and instruction programs to publish independent audits and annual impact reports. For instructors and coaches, that transparency translates into clearer funding for practice facilities, data-driven lesson plans, and measurable player outcomes. Practically, teachers should document baseline performance (carry distances, dispersion, GIR, putts per round) and set quantifiable goals-for example, a 10-yard reduction in driver dispersion or increasing greens in regulation by 8-10% within three months-so donors and members can see the instructional return on investment. Furthermore, instructors must adopt standard measurement protocols: use a calibrated launch monitor for clubhead speed and launch angle, record impact location on the face, and report results in consistent units (yards, degrees, percent) to support any independent audit.

From a technical standpoint, teaching should begin with setup fundamentals that are repeatable under pressure. Emphasize stance width (shoulder-width for irons; 1.25-1.5× shoulder-width for driver), ball position (center for 7‑iron, just inside left heel for driver), and spine tilt (3-6° away from target for driver). Then progress through a step-by-step swing checklist: smooth takeaway to waist height, coil the torso to achieve a shoulder turn of roughly 90° for men and 80° for women, maintain a stable lower body through transition, and achieve a forward shaft lean of 1-2 inches at iron impact. To diagnose and correct common faults such as early extension or an overactive hands release, use these drills and checkpoints:

• Impact tape drill: 10 shots at a fixed target to monitor strike location and achieve a consistent center-face pattern.
• Feet-together drill: 30 swings to improve balance and sequencing.
• Half-swing to full-swing progression: 3 sets of 10 swings at 50%, 75%, and 100% intensity, tracking dispersion and tempo.

These exercises benefit beginners by simplifying motor patterns and help low handicappers refine subtle sequencing for shot shaping.

Short game and green reading remain the fastest routes to lower scores, and instructional programs funded transparently should prioritize measurable short-game curricula. For chipping and pitching,teach students to control loft and bounce: encourage matched club selection (e.g., 56° wedge for medium peak-spin bunker shots, open-faced for high-release shots) and landing-zone planning-aim to land chips on the green 6-12 feet past the hazard to use forward roll.For bunker play, instruct players to open the clubface, aim to enter sand 1-2 inches behind the ball, and accelerate through the sand to a follow-through of at least shoulder height. When addressing putting, present a systematic green-reading routine: read the high point, evaluate grain and wind, and practice speed control with a ladder drill (putts from 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet) to build a target conversion rate such as 40% from 20 feet within six weeks. In tournament or spectator-driven scenarios-illustrated by U.S. stars using charitable rounds to promote junior programs-coaches should simulate pressure with crowd noise and time constraints so students learn to execute under realistic conditions.

course management instruction must connect tactical choices to measurable score outcomes and be reflected in any annual impact reporting so donors see how strategy training reduces scores. Teach a simple decision tree: 1) identify safe carry and landing zones; 2) choose a club that leaves a cozy yardage for the next shot (e.g.,leave 90-120 yards into a green rather than pin-seeking long irons); 3) adjust for wind using a rule of thumb of one club per 10 mph change in wind direction; and 4) execute conservative shot shape-fade into tight landing areas,draw when needing extra roll.for diverse learners, offer multiple approaches: visual learners use landing targets and alignment rods, kinesthetic learners practice tempo drills (counted backswing: “1-2” rhythm), and analytical players review video and stat-tracking. Moreover, integrate mental-game techniques-pre-shot routines, controlled breathing (inhale for 3 seconds, exhale for 4), and process-focused goals-into lessons so improvements are durable. When instruction programs publish independent audits and annual impact reports, these documented methods, measurable targets, and demonstrated outcomes provide stakeholders with a transparent account of how coaching converts resources into lower scores and stronger community programs.

Tax implications and guidance offered to players and recipient organizations

In recent high-profile examples where players elect to direct appearance fees or match payments to charity-such as when Ryder Cup stipends are routed to non-profit causes-there are immediate tax consequences that both players and recipient organizations must understand. For U.S. taxpayers, prize and appearance payments are generally taxable income unless the payer issues the check directly to a qualified 501(c)(3) organization and documents the payment as made to that charity. Therefore, players should obtain contemporaneous written confirmation from the tournament organizer showing the payment was issued to the charity; otherwise the player will likely receive a Form 1099-NEC/1099-MISC and must claim the amount as income. From an accounting perspective, players who receive funds first and then donate can claim a charitable deduction only if they itemize, subject to AGI limits (commonly up to 60% of AGI for cash gifts to public charities) and carryover rules. for receipting purposes, donors must secure a written acknowledgement for any single contribution of more than $250, and non-cash gifts over $5,000 may require a qualified appraisal and Form 8283.

Beyond legal documentation, there are practical implications that affect on-course readiness and resource allocation: players who plan to donate significant event pay should coordinate timing with coaches, equipment purchases, and practice investments so that cash flow does not interrupt training cycles. In practice, this can be organized as a step-by-step plan: first, confirm whether the event payer will remit funds directly to the charity; second, if payment flows to the player, plan the donation method (cash, check, appreciated securities) and gather receipts; third, consult a tax advisor to determine whether to itemize deductions and to calculate any carryover. Concurrently, maintain improvement goals to protect performance continuity-set a measurable target such as lowering handicap by 2 strokes in 3 months with a weekly practice cadence. Useful, cross-disciplinary drills and checkpoints include:

• Setup checkpoint: ball position one ball forward of center for a mid-iron; feet shoulder-width apart; shaft lean ~5° at address.
• Short game drill: 30-minute daily work on 40-yard pitch using a 52° or 56° wedge-focus on consistent acceleration through impact.
• Swing mechanics drill: three-set tempo series (3:1 backswing to downswing) to groove 90° shoulder turn and ~45° hip rotation for full shots.
• Course management checklist: identify driving zones on each hole, favoring landing areas that allow 100-140 yards approaches to hold greens in windy conditions.

These steps ensure charitable intent does not unintentionally degrade preparation, equipment selection, or practice frequency.

Recipient organizations have reciprocal responsibilities to issue proper acknowledgements, value in-kind donations, and understand unrelated business income considerations when hosting fundraisers or receiving equipment. Non-profits should:

• Provide a contemporaneous written acknowledgement for cash donations ≥ $250 that specifies whether any goods or services were provided in return.
• Record and report non-cash donations (used clubs, shoes, signed memorabilia) at fair market value and issue Form 8282 if the organization sells donated property within three years under certain conditions.
• Monitor unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) rules when engaging in commercial activities-excess UBTI can trigger tax liabilities and affect exempt status.

Moreover,charities hosting golf events should supply documentation that clarifies whether an honorarium was paid to a player or to the charity directly; this clarity reduces audit risk and preserves the player’s tax position.If the charity intends to sell donated clubs or run a pro-am, retain records of appraisals and donor acknowledgements and consult a CPA before issuing receipts exceeding $5,000 in non-cash value to avoid improper substantiation.

consider the psychological and strategic benefits of resolving tax logistics early so players can concentrate on technical execution during competition weeks. For example, when a player knows Ryder Cup payments are being handled cleanly for charity, that reduced financial distraction can improve decision-making-leading to calmer shot selection, better green reading, and refined shot shaping under pressure. To translate clarity into performance, pair tax and logistical planning with targeted on-course drills:

• Pressure putt drill: simulate match conditions by requiring 10 consecutive putts inside 6 feet with a time limit to reinforce composure.
• Wind-adjustment routine: practice 20 shots with club selection changed by ±1 club per 10 mph crosswind to internalize trajectory control and spin rates.
• Shot-shaping practice: work on a 20-yard draw and fade with consistent face-to-path relationships, measuring release at impact to within 5° of intended path.
• Mental cueing: brief pre-shot routine under 10 seconds to anchor breathing and target visualization when external obligations are settled.

By integrating tax-savvy decision-making with measurable practice goals and equipment considerations, players and recipient organizations can both protect their financial positions and improve on-course performance-yielding better scores, reduced stroke averages, and clearer compliance with IRS requirements.

Charity selection process to involve player panel and community nominations

In a structured selection framework, a mixed player panel and community nomination process will determine which organizations receive donated funds – including high-profile contributions from U.S. stars where we’re giving Ryder Cup pay to charity insights – with transparency and instructional impact as the guiding principles. First, nominations open to the public will be time‑boxed with a 30‑day submission window, followed by a vetting phase that checks nonprofit status, program scope, and measurable outcomes. Next, a player panel composed of touring professionals, coaches, and local teaching pros will evaluate nominees against clear criteria: reach (number of students), instructional rigor (certified coaches), and measurable improvement (baseline and follow‑up metrics). selections are ratified by a simple majority vote with a 60% consensus threshold to ensure broad support; this mirrors course management decisions where players weigh risk and reward before committing to a shot, and it helps ensure funds prioritize programs that teach repeatable, rule‑compliant skills such as green reading and course strategy.

To ensure donations translate into improved player performance, funded programs should emphasize foundational mechanics and short‑game mastery with concrete practice routines that serve all abilities.For example, a short‑game clinic supported by the fund might use the following drills to build feel and consistency:

• Chipping ladder: 10 minutes, 5/10/15‑foot targets, focus on landing spot and roll ratio (aim 1:2 roll for low runners).
• Putting clock drill: 6 balls at 3/6/9 feet, clockwise rotation, goal: make 80% to improve 3‑putt avoidance.
• Half‑swing control: 50 repetitions with a 9‑iron using a metronome at 60-70 bpm to stabilize tempo and contact.

Additionally, setup checkpoints should be taught and reinforced:

• Neutral spine angle: hip hinge with 20-25° forward tilt;
• Ball position: center for wedges, forward of center for driver (approximately 1.5 ball diameters inside front heel);
• Grip pressure: maintain 4-5/10 to promote release and feel).

These measurable drills and setup fundamentals enable novices to build reliable repeats while giving low handicappers precise work on trajectory, spin, and distance control.

Course strategy and shot shaping are integral to long‑term scoring gains, so selected programs should incorporate situational play sessions that include on‑course management and shot construction. coaches should teach shot shapes with clear technical cues: for a controlled draw, set the ball slightly back in stance, close the clubface ~3-5° relative to target, and swing along a path ~3-5° inside‑out; for a fade, open the face ~3-5° and adopt a slightly outside‑in path. Attack angle guidance is similarly specific: irons typically use a -2° to -4° attack angle to compress, whereas drivers often benefit from a +2° to +4° upward strike to maximize carry. Practice drills include:

• Gate drill for path/face awareness using alignment sticks to create a 6-8 inch window;
• Flighted‑ball work on the range (50 balls, target ratios: 40% neutral, 30% draw, 30% fade) to develop intentional shaping;
• On‑course decision simulations: play three holes with a conservative target (aiming for fairway) and three holes with aggressive lines to quantify strokes gained from strategy.

Coaches should also address common mistakes – such as overturning the forearms to force a draw (correct with shallow inside‑out feel) or standing too tall at setup (correct by lowering spine angle) – and link each correction to expected scoring results, like improved GIR or scrambling percentages.

accountability measures and inclusive practices ensure community nominations produce measurable instructional outcomes across skill levels and physical abilities. Funded programs should track baseline and post‑intervention metrics – for example, reduce average putts per round by 0.5, increase fairways hit by 10%, or improve scrambling by 15% – and provide adaptive instruction options such as shorter clubs, slower tempo progressions, or single‑axis swing alternatives for those with physical limitations. Monitoring checkpoints include:

• Monthly performance summaries (strokes gained, GIR, putts per round);
• Participant feedback on confidence and course management decisions;
• Weather‑adjusted lesson plans that teach wind lines and firm/soft green reactions.

Moreover, integrating mental‑game training – pre‑shot routines, breathing at a 4‑count tempo, and visualization of target lines – complements technical work and mirrors how U.S. stars allocate charitable funds to programs that emphasize both skill and competitive composure. In this way, the combined player panel and community nomination process not only distributes resources responsibly but also fosters instruction that yields quantifiable improvements across the golfing community.

Organizers urge other teams to adopt similar pledges to maximize social impact

In the modern instruction room, improving ball-striking starts with a repeatable setup and measurable swing mechanics. Begin with address fundamentals: feet shoulder-width apart for mid-irons, a narrower stance for short game, and a wider stance for driver; position the ball one ball left of center for a 7‑iron and one ball inside the left heel for a driver. Emphasize a shoulder turn of 90° on the backswing for full shots and maintain a shaft lean of 5-8° at impact for iron compression. For staging practice,use these checkpoints:

• Grip pressure: light enough to feel the club but firm enough to control the face (about a 4-5/10 tension).
• Eye line and ball position: relative to stance for trajectory control; move the ball back a half ball for lower flight in wind.
• Tempo target: a 3:1 ratio of backswing to downswing for most players.

Progression drills include slow‑motion swings to ingrain the plane, impact tape to monitor face contact, and a swing‑speed radar for measurable gains; these are suitable for beginners through low handicappers and provide objective feedback for instructors and students alike.

Short game instruction focuses on control, feel and green management. Teach chipping and pitching with specific loft and trajectory control: use a 56° wedge for higher, softer stops and a 48°-52° gap wedge for bump‑and‑runs. For putting, introduce green reading that combines slope awareness with speed measurement-read the putting surface considering Stimp meter speeds (such as, adjust stroke length on a Stimp 10 green versus a Stimp 12 green). Practical drills:

• Clock drill around a hole at 3, 6, and 9 feet to train pace and alignment.
• Landing‑zone drill: mark a 10‑foot target on the green to practice landing angles and backspin control with partial wedge swings.
• Gate drill: place tees to ensure a square putter path through impact.

Also address common mistakes-such as flipping the wrists on chips or taking excessive loft on bunker shots-and offer corrections like maintaining a slightly open clubface and accelerating through the sand to ensure consistent contact and escape from penalty areas (bunkers) under the Rules of Golf.

Course management and shot‑shaping tie technical skills to scoring decisions, and real-course scenarios can illuminate the stakes: when U.S. stars pledged their Ryder Cup pay to charity, as an example, it highlighted how social commitments can influence aggressive versus conservative play under pressure. teach players to pick target lines that minimize risk-aim for the larger part of the green instead of the flag when the pin is tucked behind a bunker-and to shape shots using setup and swing adjustments: for a controlled fade,align body slightly left,open the clubface 2-4° and swing along the body line; for a draw,close the face and swing from inside to out. Use situational drills including:

• Wind play: lower ball flight by moving the ball back one ball width and choking down 1-2 inches on the grip.
• Forced carry practice: practice hitting to a 150‑yard carry with a 7‑iron by adjusting loft and swing length to simulate hazard conditions.
• Risk‑reward simulation: play “match play” scenarios on the range where one poor shot costs a point to mirror tournament pressure.

Explain the thinking behind each choice so beginners learn decision frameworks while low handicappers refine percentage play under changing conditions.

deliver structured practice plans and mental strategies that produce measurable improvement. Recommend a weekly schedule with two technical sessions (30-45 minutes) focused on swing mechanics, two short‑game sessions (30 minutes) emphasizing distance control, and one on‑course session to practice strategy and pre‑shot routine under realistic conditions. Provide specific, measurable goals-reduce three‑putts by 50% in eight weeks, increase fairways‑hit from 55% to 65% in three months-and drills to reach them:

• Impact tape progression: 50 repeated strikes per week aiming to center the face within a 1‑inch target.
• Speed ladder putting: vary putts from 6,12 and 18 feet to build a consistent stroke that corresponds to green speed.
• Mental rehearsal: two minutes daily visualizing preferred shot shapes and recovery options to decrease indecision on the course.

Also include equipment considerations-shaft flex matching swing speed, loft gapping by 4° between wedges, and premium urethane‑cover balls for increased greenside spin-and common troubleshooting tips so players of all abilities can adjust drills to fit physical limitations or learning styles, thereby connecting technical excellence to lower scores and broader social impact initiatives like team charity pledges.

organizers welcomed the pledge as emblematic of team unity and community focus. players say details on recipients and amounts will be disclosed in coming weeks as attention shifts toward Ryder Cup 2025 at Bethpage Black.