• PICK YOUR LINE: "You hear it a lot on putting. Pick your line or pick your spot. On the green it helps to pick a spot about 18 inches in front of you, a point where you want the ball to travel on the line you've chosen to the hole. Try to hit the ball off that mark instead of paying attention to the total roll of the ball."

• LONG IRONS: "You have to hit down on the ball with the long irons. A lot of people want to help the ball in the air. You have to have a good firm grip on the club because it causes back pressure on the blade due to its vertical position. You have to hit down with a descending blow. The advent of hybrid clubs has helped players with their long iron shots.

• WEDGE PLAY: When striking the ball with a lofted wedge like a nine iron or pitching wedge, the hands must lead the clubhead through impact. If the hands fall behind the clubhead the increase in loft becomes too great and you lose control of the ball distance and direction.

• DOWNHILL SHOT: You have to ensure your weight stays on the left foot (for a righthanded golfer) so that you can swing with the slope of the ground. The shoulders and feet should have somewhat a feeling of following the contour of the ground, otherwise you can come up on the shot and blade it or miss-hit it.

Don't change the position of the ball. The slope of the ground will increase or decrease the loft of the club. On a downhill shot you may have to use a more lofted club — just physics."

There, just a few seconds with one of the best.

I asked Korns how he was holding up, being 84 and all. He said he still golfs with friends, but he has to watch it pretty close.

Said Billy, "Things wear out, you know."

Yeah, Mr. Korns, we know.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com