Tip boosts Baker’s confidence Sugarloaf pro to play Deutsche Bank Classic

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NORTON, Mass. – Mike Baker is a teaching pro at Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carrabassett Valley, but even a teacher can use a little instruction sometimes.

That’s what Baker received Thursday from Paul Piveronas, an assistant pro at The Woodlands in Falmouth. In addition to his teaching load at The Woodlands, the players Piveronas works with range from amateur Jesse Speirs of Bangor to PGA Tour regulars such as Robert Gamez.

Baker is playing in this week’s PGA Tour event, the Deutsche Bank Classic at the TPC of Boston, and he tees off today at 1:40 p.m. on the first tee and at 8:30 a.m. Saturday off the 10th tee. He’s playing with Jason Dufner of Auburn, Ala., and Marcel Siem of Duesseldorf, Germany.

Piveronas was down to see if any of the players he works with wanted his help.

Baker asked for Piveronas’ help when Piveronas came over to say hello while Baker was practicing on the driving range.

“Here, take a look at this,” said Baker as he set a ball in place and prepared to hit it with a 7-iron.

Baker felt he was pulling the ball to the left too much, overswinging with his arms, and he wanted to know if Piveronas could see what he was doing wrong.

Piveronas spotted it right away.

“You’re not lifting your right heel,” said Piveronas.

Baker wasn’t using his legs enough in the swing, forcing him to swing more with his arms to compensate.

Lifting his heel means Baker can turn his right side and keep the clubhead on the correct line longer, hitting a straighter, more accurate shot.

“I knew he’d be coming over here,” said Baker. “I wanted him to take a look at it.”

Piveronas wanted to see Baker, too.

“I’ve been wanting to tell him that for five years,” said Piveronas.

Baker now feels his whole day of work was worth it in order to get the tip he received.

“Oh, sure,” he said. “Before, I was tinkering with things, making little changes. Then I’d change something else.

“I was getting it to work about 60 percent of the time.”

That’s not good enough when you’re playing in a field that includes Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk.

Baker said Piveronas got him thinking back to what he used to tell himself, what used to work for him.

“Now I have something clear to work on,” said Baker. “And I can use it, too, with the people I teach.”

That wasn’t the only help Baker received Thursday. The representative for the Cleveland Golf Co. was only too happy to help.

“I left my clubs overnight and they regripped them,” said Baker, “and he built me a new 5-wood.”

In addition, he’ll be trying out another 3-wood, and the Mizuno rep built him a hybrid driving iron.

“I have a couple of new putters I’m tinkering with,” said Baker. “It’s like a candy store.”

Baker has an equipment deal with Cleveland, which explains why the rep was working closely with him, but Baker doesn’t have to use only Cleveland clubs.

“I have to play the irons, one wood, and wear a hat,” said Baker. For doing that, Cleveland pays him a bonus when he qualifies for special events.

“I got lots of money for qualifying for the Club Pro Championship – and the PGA Championship,” said Baker. “I get some for a tour event but not so much.”

After what he called a good practice round Wednesday and then getting the help Thursday, Baker is more confident entering today’s first round.

“One of the deals about playing these guys,” said Baker, “is they play all the time. I’ve got to play to my strengths and not make any mistakes.”