What's the best stretch for hip motion to generate
extreme power?
The lower body is your base to your golf swing, but
generating power -- especially in your downswing --
comes from the transfer from your upper body through
your lower body.
If you have tight hip joints, you will have a very difficult
time trying to generate any clubhead speed. There has
to be a certain amount of hip rotation on the backswing
and definitely on the downswing.
So what can you do if you are restricted in this area?
STRETCH!!!
Did I get my point across?
Okay, now...what stretch, right?
Well, like all the stretches and resistance exercises I
have golfers do, it's a very easy one; and can be done
anywhere.
It's called the Seated Groin Stretch.
Here's what you do!
* Sit on the floor and bring the bottoms of your feet
together.
* Both knees will bend and there will be tension in your
inner thigh and groin area.
* Place you elbows on your knees while grabbing your
ankles.
* Apply pressure with your elbows on your knees to
provide a bigger stretch in your groin.
* Hold for at least 15 seconds and repeat once more.
Here's how you'll benefit from doing this stretch daily:
* It allows more freedom in the hip area during your
swing, while reducing strain on your lower back.
* It reduces tension in your hip and inner thigh on your
backswing and follow-through for more freedom in your
swing.
* It creates a coiling effect in your hip region for
increased leverage and power.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Hamstring Stretches
If you're like most of us, you daydream about the
best and newest golf "goodies." Yet, many
golfers give little thought to the missing link
between their golf clubs and their golf scores.
Don't know what that is? Look in the mirror! The
missing link is you!
For example, 80% of all amateur golfers have
extremely tight hamstrings. As a result, they
can't get into their ideal golf posture. Here's a
golf stretch to help you maintain a better golf
posture while relieving pressure on your lower
back. I call it my "Standing Hamstring Stretch."
Find something that's about the height of your
groin area -- a counter or the back of a couch
will do fine. Gently pick up one leg and put your
foot on the counter or couch. Bend your knee
slightly, and then lean over that leg with your
upper body. Hold that position for a count of 10.
Then repeat.
Do this stretch every day, and I guarantee your
golf posture and performance will improve
greatly.
best and newest golf "goodies." Yet, many
golfers give little thought to the missing link
between their golf clubs and their golf scores.
Don't know what that is? Look in the mirror! The
missing link is you!
For example, 80% of all amateur golfers have
extremely tight hamstrings. As a result, they
can't get into their ideal golf posture. Here's a
golf stretch to help you maintain a better golf
posture while relieving pressure on your lower
back. I call it my "Standing Hamstring Stretch."
Find something that's about the height of your
groin area -- a counter or the back of a couch
will do fine. Gently pick up one leg and put your
foot on the counter or couch. Bend your knee
slightly, and then lean over that leg with your
upper body. Hold that position for a count of 10.
Then repeat.
Do this stretch every day, and I guarantee your
golf posture and performance will improve
greatly.
Golf Carts
You don't need a driver's license to drive a golf cart on the course, but you do
need some common sense . If you are driving a motorized cart, drive at a
moderate speed and keep your eyes open for other golfers. Depending on
weather conditions and other variables, courses will post different rules relating
to the use of carts. Be sure to obey the course rules regarding carts such as:
Keep carts on paths at all times -- this is a rule that courses use if the ground is
very wet and they don't want the tires of the motorized carts to damage the fairway
grass. 90 Degree Rule -- this rule requires you to stay on the cart path until you
are even (at a 90 degree angle) with your ball. Then you may drive your cart
straight out to your ball. When you've taken your shot, drive straight back to the
cart path. Adhering to this rule minimizes damage to fairway grass as well, but
still allows golfers to drive right up to their ball. Always, under all circumstances,
keep all carts, motorized or pull-carts away from the greens and off the teeing
ground. Often the course will post signs giving directions as to where they want
you to park your cart; follow the directions.
need some common sense . If you are driving a motorized cart, drive at a
moderate speed and keep your eyes open for other golfers. Depending on
weather conditions and other variables, courses will post different rules relating
to the use of carts. Be sure to obey the course rules regarding carts such as:
Keep carts on paths at all times -- this is a rule that courses use if the ground is
very wet and they don't want the tires of the motorized carts to damage the fairway
grass. 90 Degree Rule -- this rule requires you to stay on the cart path until you
are even (at a 90 degree angle) with your ball. Then you may drive your cart
straight out to your ball. When you've taken your shot, drive straight back to the
cart path. Adhering to this rule minimizes damage to fairway grass as well, but
still allows golfers to drive right up to their ball. Always, under all circumstances,
keep all carts, motorized or pull-carts away from the greens and off the teeing
ground. Often the course will post signs giving directions as to where they want
you to park your cart; follow the directions.
The Mental Game
The right attitude and strategies are essential for success in any sport (or any
human endeavor for that matter), but they seem to be especially important in golf.
In so many other sports, your actions are reflexive, which leaves little time to think
about anything.
But in golf, the ball just sits there – giving you practically all the time you need to
decide what you’re going to do this time to pull off a successful shot. And how you
handle yourself mentally on the golf course, starting with your basic attitude and
including general and specific strategies toward the game, have a very important
influence on your results.
So this section of Tom’s Golf Tips is devoted exclusively
to tips I’ve collected on the mental game of golf. They are
worth checking out.
Technique is everything in this game and it doesn’t come
naturally to most people. Don’t hesitate to see a pro to
learn the proper technique. It will be a good investment.
Think before you hit and play within your capabilities.
Don’t try to execute a shot when your chances of
success are minimal.
Learn the terminology and basic rules of golf.
Understand that golf is more a game of precision than brute force. Distance is
fine, but not helpful at all if the ball ends up in the woods.
Don’t try to think of more than one swing key at a time when you’re making a shot.
It’s counter-productive.
During the swing, it sometimes it helps to think about a short mantra, such as
“Am—ster—dam” to keep other thoughts (especially negative thoughts!) out of
your mind and improve your tempo.
Don’t dwell on a bad shot after it happens. Focus on the shot ahead of you.
When you do have a bad shot, try to determine what caused it and turn it into
something that helps your game.
Don’t try to slug a seven-iron when a six-iron will get you there comfortably. Most
high-handicappers err by underclubbing themselves.
If long irons are giving you trouble, switch to fairway woods and metals. They are
much easier to hit.
Don’t hesitate to use a three-wood off the tee for more control.
Rather than easing up on a club if you’re concerned about hitting
it too far, take a club with more loft and swing away.
Try your best on every shot.
Make a conscious effort to remove tension from your grip and body.
Tension is a swing killer.
Take a few seconds to visualize the shot you are about to make. It helps.
If you tend to slice (as a right hander), hit your tee shots from the right side of the
tee – and do the opposite if you tend to hook. This gives you more fairway to work
with.
Always give yourself room for some error. If you need to fly the ball over a tree, and
you think a seven-iron will do it, hit an eight-iron.
Pick out a precise target on every shot, and always try to put yourself in the best
possible position to hit the next shot.
Wind strength and direction can have a big bearing on ball flight. Try to
learn through experience what one-club and two-club winds feel like.
The same goes for uphill and downhill shots.
If you have a sidehill shot with the ground falling away from you, aim left.
If you have a sidehill shot with the ball above your feet, aim right.
Pay close attention to where you are losing strokes, and devote your practice
sessions to those areas.
While on the course, don't think about your final score. Concern yourself only with
the shot at hand and the process of producing the best shot possible.
Above all, try to develop confidence in all your shotmaking. Negative thinking is
probably the biggest score-wrecker in golf, especially on short putts. Convince
yourself you can make that shot, or sink that putt, and good things will happen.
human endeavor for that matter), but they seem to be especially important in golf.
In so many other sports, your actions are reflexive, which leaves little time to think
about anything.
But in golf, the ball just sits there – giving you practically all the time you need to
decide what you’re going to do this time to pull off a successful shot. And how you
handle yourself mentally on the golf course, starting with your basic attitude and
including general and specific strategies toward the game, have a very important
influence on your results.
So this section of Tom’s Golf Tips is devoted exclusively
to tips I’ve collected on the mental game of golf. They are
worth checking out.
Technique is everything in this game and it doesn’t come
naturally to most people. Don’t hesitate to see a pro to
learn the proper technique. It will be a good investment.
Think before you hit and play within your capabilities.
Don’t try to execute a shot when your chances of
success are minimal.
Learn the terminology and basic rules of golf.
Understand that golf is more a game of precision than brute force. Distance is
fine, but not helpful at all if the ball ends up in the woods.
Don’t try to think of more than one swing key at a time when you’re making a shot.
It’s counter-productive.
During the swing, it sometimes it helps to think about a short mantra, such as
“Am—ster—dam” to keep other thoughts (especially negative thoughts!) out of
your mind and improve your tempo.
Don’t dwell on a bad shot after it happens. Focus on the shot ahead of you.
When you do have a bad shot, try to determine what caused it and turn it into
something that helps your game.
Don’t try to slug a seven-iron when a six-iron will get you there comfortably. Most
high-handicappers err by underclubbing themselves.
If long irons are giving you trouble, switch to fairway woods and metals. They are
much easier to hit.
Don’t hesitate to use a three-wood off the tee for more control.
Rather than easing up on a club if you’re concerned about hitting
it too far, take a club with more loft and swing away.
Try your best on every shot.
Make a conscious effort to remove tension from your grip and body.
Tension is a swing killer.
Take a few seconds to visualize the shot you are about to make. It helps.
If you tend to slice (as a right hander), hit your tee shots from the right side of the
tee – and do the opposite if you tend to hook. This gives you more fairway to work
with.
Always give yourself room for some error. If you need to fly the ball over a tree, and
you think a seven-iron will do it, hit an eight-iron.
Pick out a precise target on every shot, and always try to put yourself in the best
possible position to hit the next shot.
Wind strength and direction can have a big bearing on ball flight. Try to
learn through experience what one-club and two-club winds feel like.
The same goes for uphill and downhill shots.
If you have a sidehill shot with the ground falling away from you, aim left.
If you have a sidehill shot with the ball above your feet, aim right.
Pay close attention to where you are losing strokes, and devote your practice
sessions to those areas.
While on the course, don't think about your final score. Concern yourself only with
the shot at hand and the process of producing the best shot possible.
Above all, try to develop confidence in all your shotmaking. Negative thinking is
probably the biggest score-wrecker in golf, especially on short putts. Convince
yourself you can make that shot, or sink that putt, and good things will happen.
What to do to break par
You have to find the time to do some serious work on the short game. If it's
difficult to make it out to the course, you can always chip and pitch balls in your
backyard and putt on an indoor carpet every night. This dedication to the short
game is what will allow you to still shoot good numbers when your swing is
not at it's best. It will also reduce pressure on your approach shots because if
you can get the ball up and down regularly, it's not that big of a deal if you miss
the odd green. When you do work on your full swing try to work on the weaker
clubs in your bag and hitting the ball from poor lies. Also, forget distance. At
your level you are probably long enough. Concentrate on never swinging over
80% of your ability. If you can resist the temptation to hit the ball too hard your
miss hits will not stray to far off line, eliminating the need for that miraculous
shot to get you back it the game. Finally, have fun out there. If you lighten up a
little you will reduce your stress levels allowing you to switch into automatic
mode instead of having to grind it out all of the time.
difficult to make it out to the course, you can always chip and pitch balls in your
backyard and putt on an indoor carpet every night. This dedication to the short
game is what will allow you to still shoot good numbers when your swing is
not at it's best. It will also reduce pressure on your approach shots because if
you can get the ball up and down regularly, it's not that big of a deal if you miss
the odd green. When you do work on your full swing try to work on the weaker
clubs in your bag and hitting the ball from poor lies. Also, forget distance. At
your level you are probably long enough. Concentrate on never swinging over
80% of your ability. If you can resist the temptation to hit the ball too hard your
miss hits will not stray to far off line, eliminating the need for that miraculous
shot to get you back it the game. Finally, have fun out there. If you lighten up a
little you will reduce your stress levels allowing you to switch into automatic
mode instead of having to grind it out all of the time.
Chips & Pitches
BEST TIP: Let left arm control club with little
wrist action.
Choke down on the club an inch or two for chips.
Use a narrow, open stance. Open the clubface and keep it
square to the target.
Use the same basic swing for a chip and pitch.
For chips, stand tall and raise your hands to get the heel of
the club up and the toe down. This promotes crisp shots.
Play ball off right foot, angle shaft toward target, open
stance, let shoulders control swing, keep left arm against
left side, let clubhead swing to left of target after impact.
Don't rush the downswing.
Make sure the shaft is leaning toward the target at impact.
To avoid hitting chips and pitches fat:
don’t sole the club at address.
use an open, narrow stance.
keep arms connected to chest and rotate body rather than
sliding hips laterally and jabbing at the ball with your hands.
focus eyes on front of ball, with weight on front foot and
wrists ahead of ball at impact.
be sure to make a complete follow-through.
Use arm and shoulder swing, not hands, for short chips.
Let gravity do most of the work on downswing.
Let left arm control club throughout swing with little wrist
action.
Play ball back in stance with hands and weight towards
target.
For high pitches, start downswing with legs.
Open stance, square shoulders. Club should go straight
back and through. Rock (like a clothes hanger on a hook),
don’t turn shoulders. Let arms drop to start downswing.
Use a light grip.
Clubhead should trail, not lead, hands and wrists at impact.
Use inside out swingpath and be sure to pivot.
To avoid "scooping" chips and pitches, keep wrists ahead
of ball at impact.
In pitches, ball and shaft should be centered and weight
should be divided evenly.
For distance control, don’t let right hand take control of
clubhead speed.
Control the distance on short shots by limiting your
backswing.
To avoid thin chips, don’t try to help the ball into the air.
Use a low running shot when conditions permit for more
control.
For a low running chip, use a very narrow stance, play ball
off right foot, keep hands ahead of ball, and swing straight
back and through with firm hands. Keep your hands low at
the finish.
For a short, pop chip, use an open and narrow stance, an
open clubface, play the ball in the middle, hit ball from out to
in. Don’t flip wrists.
When chipping, keep butt of club pointed at belt buckle.
For short shots, move feet closer together and take shallow
divots.
Keep lower body still on short chips just off the green.
For long chips, keep lower body relaxed and let it react
naturally to actions of arms and upper body. Start
downswing by shifting knees toward target.
To improve your rhythm, make your backswing and forward
swing equal in length.
wrist action.
Choke down on the club an inch or two for chips.
Use a narrow, open stance. Open the clubface and keep it
square to the target.
Use the same basic swing for a chip and pitch.
For chips, stand tall and raise your hands to get the heel of
the club up and the toe down. This promotes crisp shots.
Play ball off right foot, angle shaft toward target, open
stance, let shoulders control swing, keep left arm against
left side, let clubhead swing to left of target after impact.
Don't rush the downswing.
Make sure the shaft is leaning toward the target at impact.
To avoid hitting chips and pitches fat:
don’t sole the club at address.
use an open, narrow stance.
keep arms connected to chest and rotate body rather than
sliding hips laterally and jabbing at the ball with your hands.
focus eyes on front of ball, with weight on front foot and
wrists ahead of ball at impact.
be sure to make a complete follow-through.
Use arm and shoulder swing, not hands, for short chips.
Let gravity do most of the work on downswing.
Let left arm control club throughout swing with little wrist
action.
Play ball back in stance with hands and weight towards
target.
For high pitches, start downswing with legs.
Open stance, square shoulders. Club should go straight
back and through. Rock (like a clothes hanger on a hook),
don’t turn shoulders. Let arms drop to start downswing.
Use a light grip.
Clubhead should trail, not lead, hands and wrists at impact.
Use inside out swingpath and be sure to pivot.
To avoid "scooping" chips and pitches, keep wrists ahead
of ball at impact.
In pitches, ball and shaft should be centered and weight
should be divided evenly.
For distance control, don’t let right hand take control of
clubhead speed.
Control the distance on short shots by limiting your
backswing.
To avoid thin chips, don’t try to help the ball into the air.
Use a low running shot when conditions permit for more
control.
For a low running chip, use a very narrow stance, play ball
off right foot, keep hands ahead of ball, and swing straight
back and through with firm hands. Keep your hands low at
the finish.
For a short, pop chip, use an open and narrow stance, an
open clubface, play the ball in the middle, hit ball from out to
in. Don’t flip wrists.
When chipping, keep butt of club pointed at belt buckle.
For short shots, move feet closer together and take shallow
divots.
Keep lower body still on short chips just off the green.
For long chips, keep lower body relaxed and let it react
naturally to actions of arms and upper body. Start
downswing by shifting knees toward target.
To improve your rhythm, make your backswing and forward
swing equal in length.
Curing the Slice
BEST TIP: Keep left arm straight and rotate it before
impact.
Line up ball on heel of club at address to promote inside-out
swingpath.
Use a strong grip, light grip pressure and relaxed
forearms. This helps square the clubface at impact.
Grip club in fingers. This also adds distance.
Take club straight back on backswing, and change the swing plane
to inside-out on downswing.
To get proper swing feel, pretend that an elastic cord connects your
right elbow to your right hip and your left elbow to your left hip.
On takeaway through downswing, keep your left
wrist straight and your right wrist cupped.
Don’t let your body get ahead of your arms and
hands on downswing. Try to hold your body back.
Square shoulder alignment is critical.
On downswing, pull down with both arms, as if
you’re ringing a bell.
Flatten swing plane.
Transfer weight from top of swing diagonally toward right of target,
while letting right elbow come down. Also corrects "toe shots."
Keep back towards target longer and delay hipturn on downswing to
avoid outside-in swingpath.
Practice hitting the ball with back to target to get proper feel.
On downswing, swing with arms and hands, not shoulders and body.
Align shoulders to right of target at address. On downswing, move
right shoulder down rather than out toward target line. Tuck right
elbow in close to torso. Avoid spinning shoulders too early.
Always turn. Never sway. Full turn sets stage for proper downswing.
Lower body first. Shoulders and arms second. At impact, belt buckle
should be even with the ball and majority of weight should be on left
foot
Avoid spinning of hips at start of downswing. From top of downswing,
focus on shifting hips laterally toward target. Hips will turn, but it will
happen naturally. Don’t force it.
Keep hands in front of chest and both arms extended well into
backswing
Keep left arm in line with shoulders at top of backswing. Don’t drop
left shoulder during backswing.
Keep right side low at address. Play the ball
even with your left armpit and with your spine
tilted away from target.
Delay hand and chest rotation on downswing.
Start your downswing with arms moving down
rather than forward.
Don’t let chest outrun arms and hands on
downswing. Keeping chest back gives arms
room to swing down from inside out.
Don’t swing inside to out. Instead, swing
inside to square to inside and rotate forearms
along with body through hitting area.
Don’t exaggerate taking club inside on backswing. Maintain spine
angle.
Try to make the toe of the club reach the ball before the heel. Avoid
opening hips.
To help square the clubface at impact, pretend you are hitting a ball
well behind the actual ball.
Keep your left arm straight through impact and rotate it as it
approaches ball.
If you rotate your left forearm properly through impact, you can hit
hard with your right hand without slicing.
If your divots on practice swings are well behind the ball, it is a sign
you are making an improper inside arm swing when you take the
club back.
Relax the thumb and forefinger on your right hand. This relaxes the
right arm and makes it easier to swing the club along the right plane.
To avoid swinging "over the top," start your downswing with your
arms while keeping your back to the target.
With a neutral grip and a "frisbee throw" with the left hand, try to make
the back of your left hand parallel to the ground at impact.
impact.
Line up ball on heel of club at address to promote inside-out
swingpath.
Use a strong grip, light grip pressure and relaxed
forearms. This helps square the clubface at impact.
Grip club in fingers. This also adds distance.
Take club straight back on backswing, and change the swing plane
to inside-out on downswing.
To get proper swing feel, pretend that an elastic cord connects your
right elbow to your right hip and your left elbow to your left hip.
On takeaway through downswing, keep your left
wrist straight and your right wrist cupped.
Don’t let your body get ahead of your arms and
hands on downswing. Try to hold your body back.
Square shoulder alignment is critical.
On downswing, pull down with both arms, as if
you’re ringing a bell.
Flatten swing plane.
Transfer weight from top of swing diagonally toward right of target,
while letting right elbow come down. Also corrects "toe shots."
Keep back towards target longer and delay hipturn on downswing to
avoid outside-in swingpath.
Practice hitting the ball with back to target to get proper feel.
On downswing, swing with arms and hands, not shoulders and body.
Align shoulders to right of target at address. On downswing, move
right shoulder down rather than out toward target line. Tuck right
elbow in close to torso. Avoid spinning shoulders too early.
Always turn. Never sway. Full turn sets stage for proper downswing.
Lower body first. Shoulders and arms second. At impact, belt buckle
should be even with the ball and majority of weight should be on left
foot
Avoid spinning of hips at start of downswing. From top of downswing,
focus on shifting hips laterally toward target. Hips will turn, but it will
happen naturally. Don’t force it.
Keep hands in front of chest and both arms extended well into
backswing
Keep left arm in line with shoulders at top of backswing. Don’t drop
left shoulder during backswing.
Keep right side low at address. Play the ball
even with your left armpit and with your spine
tilted away from target.
Delay hand and chest rotation on downswing.
Start your downswing with arms moving down
rather than forward.
Don’t let chest outrun arms and hands on
downswing. Keeping chest back gives arms
room to swing down from inside out.
Don’t swing inside to out. Instead, swing
inside to square to inside and rotate forearms
along with body through hitting area.
Don’t exaggerate taking club inside on backswing. Maintain spine
angle.
Try to make the toe of the club reach the ball before the heel. Avoid
opening hips.
To help square the clubface at impact, pretend you are hitting a ball
well behind the actual ball.
Keep your left arm straight through impact and rotate it as it
approaches ball.
If you rotate your left forearm properly through impact, you can hit
hard with your right hand without slicing.
If your divots on practice swings are well behind the ball, it is a sign
you are making an improper inside arm swing when you take the
club back.
Relax the thumb and forefinger on your right hand. This relaxes the
right arm and makes it easier to swing the club along the right plane.
To avoid swinging "over the top," start your downswing with your
arms while keeping your back to the target.
With a neutral grip and a "frisbee throw" with the left hand, try to make
the back of your left hand parallel to the ground at impact.
Fairway Woods & Metals
BEST TIP: Keep the club low on takeaway
and low through impact.
Swing fairway woods with the same tempo used for a
seven-iron.
Avoid trying to lift the ball with the club by either
collapsing the left arm or straightening up.
Position the ball opposite your left heel, which should
be the bottom of your swing arc.
Keep your head steady throughout the swing.
Keep the club low on takeaway and low through
impact, creating the feeling of hitting the ball forward --
not up.
Ball should be hit with a slightly descending blow.
Make an aggressive swing and follow-through without
steering the ball.
Brush the grass rather than taking a divot.
Seven woods should be played in the middle of the
stance, with hands in front of ball at address.
and low through impact.
Swing fairway woods with the same tempo used for a
seven-iron.
Avoid trying to lift the ball with the club by either
collapsing the left arm or straightening up.
Position the ball opposite your left heel, which should
be the bottom of your swing arc.
Keep your head steady throughout the swing.
Keep the club low on takeaway and low through
impact, creating the feeling of hitting the ball forward --
not up.
Ball should be hit with a slightly descending blow.
Make an aggressive swing and follow-through without
steering the ball.
Brush the grass rather than taking a divot.
Seven woods should be played in the middle of the
stance, with hands in front of ball at address.
Fat & Thin Shots
PROBLEM: Hitting behind the ball or too high on
the ball.
This is often caused by swaying during the swing. Any side-
to-side or up and down head movement should be avoided.
To get the right feel, hit some practice shots with feet together.
During your weight shift, concentrate on keeping the weight
on your right foot on the inside of your foot.
Check your progress by taking practice swings with sun
behind you and watching your shadow.
Don’t let the clubface get ahead of your hands at impact.
To avoid hitting chips and pitches fat:
Don’t sole the club at address.
Use an open, narrow stance.
Keep arms connected to chest and rotate body rather than
sliding hips laterally and jabbing at the ball with your hands.
Focus eyes on front of ball, with weight on front foot and wrists
ahead of ball at address and through impact.
Be sure to make a complete follow-through.
the ball.
This is often caused by swaying during the swing. Any side-
to-side or up and down head movement should be avoided.
To get the right feel, hit some practice shots with feet together.
During your weight shift, concentrate on keeping the weight
on your right foot on the inside of your foot.
Check your progress by taking practice swings with sun
behind you and watching your shadow.
Don’t let the clubface get ahead of your hands at impact.
To avoid hitting chips and pitches fat:
Don’t sole the club at address.
Use an open, narrow stance.
Keep arms connected to chest and rotate body rather than
sliding hips laterally and jabbing at the ball with your hands.
Focus eyes on front of ball, with weight on front foot and wrists
ahead of ball at address and through impact.
Be sure to make a complete follow-through.
Heel Shots
Heel shots, scoobies, go rights, or the dreaded "S" word are caused by one
thing -- "coming over the top." Coming over the top or swinging across
your downward swingpath is perhaps the most common swing fault in golf. The
path or arc of the golf swing should be circular (about 45 degrees) on the
backswing and a little less circular (about 43 degrees) on the downswing. That
variance in plane is called swinging inside. A great cure for coming over the
top is to let your right shoulder (for R/H players) come UNDERNEATH your
chin on your downswing. You may also feel that you are hitting the ball (in
baseball terms) to right field. Dropping your right shoulder will free up the
club to extend out toward your target and eliminate the possibility of Mr.
Scoobie!
thing -- "coming over the top." Coming over the top or swinging across
your downward swingpath is perhaps the most common swing fault in golf. The
path or arc of the golf swing should be circular (about 45 degrees) on the
backswing and a little less circular (about 43 degrees) on the downswing. That
variance in plane is called swinging inside. A great cure for coming over the
top is to let your right shoulder (for R/H players) come UNDERNEATH your
chin on your downswing. You may also feel that you are hitting the ball (in
baseball terms) to right field. Dropping your right shoulder will free up the
club to extend out toward your target and eliminate the possibility of Mr.
Scoobie!
Hooking
PROBLEM: Hitting the ball with a closed clubface, causing
shots to curve to the left.
The first thing you should do is check your grip. The Vs in
each hand should point over your right shoulder. If they
point farther right, your grip is too “strong” and could
produce a closed face and a hook at impact – when the
hands return to their normal position.
If your grip is proper and you are still hooking, try weakening
your grip by gradually moving both hands to the left.
Check your stance to make sure that your feet, knees, hips
and shoulders are parallel to your target line.
One cause could be the ball location. If it is too far back, it
could produce an excessive in-to-out swingpath.
Grip club more in the palm of your hands, rather than the
fingers, to reduce wrist action and premature closing of the
clubface.
Make sure that your left wrist is not too relaxed at impact. If
it is, your right wrist will take over and close the clubface too
early.
On the downswing, make sure that the action begins with
your legs and body to guard against wrists unhinging and
closing the clubface too soon.
shots to curve to the left.
The first thing you should do is check your grip. The Vs in
each hand should point over your right shoulder. If they
point farther right, your grip is too “strong” and could
produce a closed face and a hook at impact – when the
hands return to their normal position.
If your grip is proper and you are still hooking, try weakening
your grip by gradually moving both hands to the left.
Check your stance to make sure that your feet, knees, hips
and shoulders are parallel to your target line.
One cause could be the ball location. If it is too far back, it
could produce an excessive in-to-out swingpath.
Grip club more in the palm of your hands, rather than the
fingers, to reduce wrist action and premature closing of the
clubface.
Make sure that your left wrist is not too relaxed at impact. If
it is, your right wrist will take over and close the clubface too
early.
On the downswing, make sure that the action begins with
your legs and body to guard against wrists unhinging and
closing the clubface too soon.
Trouble Taking the Putter Back
To Cure the "yips," Take a regular length putter and grip it with your left hand really low on the shaft below the grip. Use your wrist to press the handle against your forearm and keep it there. Now add your right hand below the left with an ordinary ten finger grip. Keep your head completely still, make sure the handle is still pressing against your forearm, and use your shoulders to make the stroke.
I use an open stance and center ball position for this, but you can experiment with whatever stance and ball position that works best for you. Of course you will have to bend over quite a bit, so find a comfortable stance, but if this hurts your back, get a longer putter and you will not have to bend over so far. If this works for you, consider getting your putter re-gripped with a much longer grip so your hands do not have to grip the skinny shaft.
I use an open stance and center ball position for this, but you can experiment with whatever stance and ball position that works best for you. Of course you will have to bend over quite a bit, so find a comfortable stance, but if this hurts your back, get a longer putter and you will not have to bend over so far. If this works for you, consider getting your putter re-gripped with a much longer grip so your hands do not have to grip the skinny shaft.
Topping the Ball
To cure topping, place the ball on a penny and hit the
penny out from underneath the ball. If you can hit the
penny with regularity, your hands are well trained. If you
can not hit the penny consistently, you must learn to aim
the club head into the bottom of the ball as a tradesman
learns to hammer a nail. You must hit the bottom of the
ball to utilize the club's loft. Start out with a very lofted club
making small chip swings and gradually increase the
length of your swings as you get better. Practice with just
a penny and no ball at times. Even practicing penny chip
shots off the welcome mat if you cannot get to the driving
range has helped many students. Training the hands to
aim the club head is a high priority as the chances are
that you did not lift your head or the 100 other things you
may have worked on. You simply missed. Practice this
until you do not miss anymore.
penny out from underneath the ball. If you can hit the
penny with regularity, your hands are well trained. If you
can not hit the penny consistently, you must learn to aim
the club head into the bottom of the ball as a tradesman
learns to hammer a nail. You must hit the bottom of the
ball to utilize the club's loft. Start out with a very lofted club
making small chip swings and gradually increase the
length of your swings as you get better. Practice with just
a penny and no ball at times. Even practicing penny chip
shots off the welcome mat if you cannot get to the driving
range has helped many students. Training the hands to
aim the club head is a high priority as the chances are
that you did not lift your head or the 100 other things you
may have worked on. You simply missed. Practice this
until you do not miss anymore.
Toe Shots
PROBLEM: Toe of the clubhead
contacts the ball, resulting in weak
and erratic shots.
Swaying can cause this problem.
When you sway back in your backswing and you
do not sway forward during your downswing, your
clubhead bottoms out and begins to move inside
well behind the ball.
This misaligns the clubface at impact.
It can also be caused by, or in combination with,
an out-to-in swingpath.
With the right tempo, let your lower body start the
downswing, keep your elbow tucked against your
side, and keep your left side firm through impact.
Transfer weight from top of swing diagonally
toward right of target, while letting right elbow
come down.
contacts the ball, resulting in weak
and erratic shots.
Swaying can cause this problem.
When you sway back in your backswing and you
do not sway forward during your downswing, your
clubhead bottoms out and begins to move inside
well behind the ball.
This misaligns the clubface at impact.
It can also be caused by, or in combination with,
an out-to-in swingpath.
With the right tempo, let your lower body start the
downswing, keep your elbow tucked against your
side, and keep your left side firm through impact.
Transfer weight from top of swing diagonally
toward right of target, while letting right elbow
come down.
Slicing
PROBLEM: Clubface is open at impact, causing the ball to
curve to the right.
This is one of the biggest problems for the average golfer. That's why
there are a lot of tips.
Here are some solutions.
Check you grip to make sure the Vs in both hands are pointing toward
your right shoulder.
If this doesn’t work, try strengthening your grip by gradually rotating both
hands to the right.
Check you stance to make sure that your feet, knees, hips and shoulders
are parallel to your target line.
During the downswing, try to keep the clubhead along the target line a few
feet before and after impact.
Concentrate on leading the club into the impact area with a straight left
arm and rotate the arm to the left before impact.
Line up ball on the heel of club at address to promote an inside-out
swingpath.
Use a strong grip, light grip pressure and relaxed forearms. This helps
square the clubface at impact.
Grip club in fingers.
Take club straight back on backswing,and change the swing plane to
inside-out on downswing.
To get proper swing feel, pretend that an elastic cord connects your right
elbow to your right hip and your left elbow to your left hip.
On takeaway through downswing, keep your left wrist straight and your
right wrist cupped.
Don’t let your body get ahead of your arms and hands on downswing. Try
to hold your body back.
Square shoulder alignment is critical. On downswing,
pull down with both arms, as if you’re ringing a bell.
Flatten swing plane.
Transfer weight from top of swing diagonally toward right of target, while
letting right elbow come down.
Keep back towards target longer and delay hipturn on downswing to avoid
outside-in swingpath.
Practice hitting the ball with back to target to get proper feel.
On downswing, swing with arms and hands, not shoulders and body.
curve to the right.
This is one of the biggest problems for the average golfer. That's why
there are a lot of tips.
Here are some solutions.
Check you grip to make sure the Vs in both hands are pointing toward
your right shoulder.
If this doesn’t work, try strengthening your grip by gradually rotating both
hands to the right.
Check you stance to make sure that your feet, knees, hips and shoulders
are parallel to your target line.
During the downswing, try to keep the clubhead along the target line a few
feet before and after impact.
Concentrate on leading the club into the impact area with a straight left
arm and rotate the arm to the left before impact.
Line up ball on the heel of club at address to promote an inside-out
swingpath.
Use a strong grip, light grip pressure and relaxed forearms. This helps
square the clubface at impact.
Grip club in fingers.
Take club straight back on backswing,and change the swing plane to
inside-out on downswing.
To get proper swing feel, pretend that an elastic cord connects your right
elbow to your right hip and your left elbow to your left hip.
On takeaway through downswing, keep your left wrist straight and your
right wrist cupped.
Don’t let your body get ahead of your arms and hands on downswing. Try
to hold your body back.
Square shoulder alignment is critical. On downswing,
pull down with both arms, as if you’re ringing a bell.
Flatten swing plane.
Transfer weight from top of swing diagonally toward right of target, while
letting right elbow come down.
Keep back towards target longer and delay hipturn on downswing to avoid
outside-in swingpath.
Practice hitting the ball with back to target to get proper feel.
On downswing, swing with arms and hands, not shoulders and body.
Don't Look Up Yet!
PROBLEM: Anxious to see where your shot is going, you begin to look up during the
downswing and before the clubface makes contact with the ball. This moves the
body, which misaligns the swingpath and produces terrible shots -- or even a
complete whiff!
Many feel that this is the number one mistake that golfers make.
To minimize this problem,
Rotate your hips properly through impact,
Keep arms fully extended through impact,
Concentrate on a low follow-through.
Wait until you see the ball “disappear” before taking your eyes away from it.
downswing and before the clubface makes contact with the ball. This moves the
body, which misaligns the swingpath and produces terrible shots -- or even a
complete whiff!
Many feel that this is the number one mistake that golfers make.
To minimize this problem,
Rotate your hips properly through impact,
Keep arms fully extended through impact,
Concentrate on a low follow-through.
Wait until you see the ball “disappear” before taking your eyes away from it.
There Are Always "Special Situations"
BEST TIP: With bad lies, forget distance and
concentrate on good contact.
Sweep the ball off "fluffy" lies.
Hitting into the wind, move ball back in stance, take more club, make
three-quarter backswing and swing easy.
With sidehill lies, aim to right of target when ball is above feet. Aim to left
of target when ball is below feet.
For downhill lies:
play ball back in stance
lean a little left at address
set your shoulders parallel to the slope
keep the clubhead low to the ground past impact
ball tends to go right.
For high iron shots, play ball forward one inch. Hands should be even
or slightly behind ball, weight on back foot.
For "flyer" lies, take one less club.
When you have a bad lie, forget distance and choose a club that will
maximize your chance of making good contact.
When pitching from an uphill lie,
play ball in back half of stance.
When hitting from hardpan:
-- play ball in center of stance
-- keep most of weight on left side
-- keep hands ahead of ball at impact
On "digable" hardpan, play ball back two inches from center, use an
almost wrist-free swing and hit ball and ground at the same instant.
The ball will go lower with more roll.
When you need to hit the ball a certain distance, but the normal arc of a
ball might bring it into a tree, take a lower-lofted club and choke up on
the grip.
For uphill lies, play ball off inside of left foot with most of weight on left
foot. The ball will tend to go left.
Use only 80% of effort on all hilly shots.
When ball is in a sand divot, play it back in your stance, stand tall, take
one extra club and swing easy.
On tricky downhill pitches, use your most lofted club, play ball back
slightly in stance, set perpendicular to slope, draw right foot back and
swing along slope.
When hitting from deep grass, choke down on the club and play the ball
back farther in stance.
When you're between clubs, use the stronger club and choke down on
the grip.
When you want to keep the ball low:
-- play it in the middle of your stance.
-- take half your normal backswing.
-- make a limited follow-through.
-- sweep the ball off the ground with no divot.
-- don't swing hard.
When the ball is in deep greenside grass, use your most lofted club, a
light grip, an open stance and a long swing.
concentrate on good contact.
Sweep the ball off "fluffy" lies.
Hitting into the wind, move ball back in stance, take more club, make
three-quarter backswing and swing easy.
With sidehill lies, aim to right of target when ball is above feet. Aim to left
of target when ball is below feet.
For downhill lies:
play ball back in stance
lean a little left at address
set your shoulders parallel to the slope
keep the clubhead low to the ground past impact
ball tends to go right.
For high iron shots, play ball forward one inch. Hands should be even
or slightly behind ball, weight on back foot.
For "flyer" lies, take one less club.
When you have a bad lie, forget distance and choose a club that will
maximize your chance of making good contact.
When pitching from an uphill lie,
play ball in back half of stance.
When hitting from hardpan:
-- play ball in center of stance
-- keep most of weight on left side
-- keep hands ahead of ball at impact
On "digable" hardpan, play ball back two inches from center, use an
almost wrist-free swing and hit ball and ground at the same instant.
The ball will go lower with more roll.
When you need to hit the ball a certain distance, but the normal arc of a
ball might bring it into a tree, take a lower-lofted club and choke up on
the grip.
For uphill lies, play ball off inside of left foot with most of weight on left
foot. The ball will tend to go left.
Use only 80% of effort on all hilly shots.
When ball is in a sand divot, play it back in your stance, stand tall, take
one extra club and swing easy.
On tricky downhill pitches, use your most lofted club, play ball back
slightly in stance, set perpendicular to slope, draw right foot back and
swing along slope.
When hitting from deep grass, choke down on the club and play the ball
back farther in stance.
When you're between clubs, use the stronger club and choke down on
the grip.
When you want to keep the ball low:
-- play it in the middle of your stance.
-- take half your normal backswing.
-- make a limited follow-through.
-- sweep the ball off the ground with no divot.
-- don't swing hard.
When the ball is in deep greenside grass, use your most lofted club, a
light grip, an open stance and a long swing.
Advice for Putting
BEST TIP: Stay down through
impact
At address, keep left hand ahead of or
over the front of the ball.
Soft hands improve feel and relieve
tension.
Maintain constant pressure in both
hands throughout the stroke.
Keep eyes over ball.
Keep head and body still.
Work on consistent tempo.
Make sure back of left hand and palm
of right hand face target through impact.
Stand tall, point elbows toward hips
and concentrate on distance.
Play ball slightly ahead of center.
Hit ball slightly on upstroke.
Take the club back slow and follow
through.
Putt with your arms, not your wrists.
Accelerate into the ball.
Avoid left wrist breakdown.
Aim for back of cup on short putts.
For long putts, concentrate on speed
and aim for an intermediate target.
impact
At address, keep left hand ahead of or
over the front of the ball.
Soft hands improve feel and relieve
tension.
Maintain constant pressure in both
hands throughout the stroke.
Keep eyes over ball.
Keep head and body still.
Work on consistent tempo.
Make sure back of left hand and palm
of right hand face target through impact.
Stand tall, point elbows toward hips
and concentrate on distance.
Play ball slightly ahead of center.
Hit ball slightly on upstroke.
Take the club back slow and follow
through.
Putt with your arms, not your wrists.
Accelerate into the ball.
Avoid left wrist breakdown.
Aim for back of cup on short putts.
For long putts, concentrate on speed
and aim for an intermediate target.
What to do to get more distance!
BEST TIP: Maximize coil and keep body relaxed with
a light grip.
At address, keep most of your weight on right foot.
Widen your stance, with toes pointed out.
Tee ball high and hit it with an ascending blow.
Use a strong grip and light grip pressure.
Waggle to relax muscles and rehearse hinging of
right wrist.
Make a wide arc and strive for maximum extension.
Maximize coil and get left shoulder and hip behind
ball on backswing.
To maximize coil, don’t lift left foot on backswing.
Hinge wrists fully at top of backswing.
Be sure to complete the backswing to put the club
in the right position.
Don’t let your left arm bend at the top of the backswing.
Start your downswing by pointing the butt end of the club toward the
ball.
Relax arms, make a shallow approach, delay turning of shoulders
on downswing, let arms extend and pull shoulders into finish.
Accelerate the club slowly on downswing.
Rotate shaft through impact.
Try to generate maximum clubhead speed when the clubhead
passes the ball, not at or before impact.
Keep head and upper body behind ball throughout swing.
Try to keep your right heel on the ground longer on downswing to
help keep your body back.
Hit the ball on the upswing.
Throughout the swing, the only pressure point in your grip should be
at the point where the lower pad of your right thumb meets the
knuckle of your left thumb.
a light grip.
At address, keep most of your weight on right foot.
Widen your stance, with toes pointed out.
Tee ball high and hit it with an ascending blow.
Use a strong grip and light grip pressure.
Waggle to relax muscles and rehearse hinging of
right wrist.
Make a wide arc and strive for maximum extension.
Maximize coil and get left shoulder and hip behind
ball on backswing.
To maximize coil, don’t lift left foot on backswing.
Hinge wrists fully at top of backswing.
Be sure to complete the backswing to put the club
in the right position.
Don’t let your left arm bend at the top of the backswing.
Start your downswing by pointing the butt end of the club toward the
ball.
Relax arms, make a shallow approach, delay turning of shoulders
on downswing, let arms extend and pull shoulders into finish.
Accelerate the club slowly on downswing.
Rotate shaft through impact.
Try to generate maximum clubhead speed when the clubhead
passes the ball, not at or before impact.
Keep head and upper body behind ball throughout swing.
Try to keep your right heel on the ground longer on downswing to
help keep your body back.
Hit the ball on the upswing.
Throughout the swing, the only pressure point in your grip should be
at the point where the lower pad of your right thumb meets the
knuckle of your left thumb.
Full Swing Golf Shots
BEST TIP: It's like throwing a frisbee with your left
arm.
Strive for a "one-piece" takeaway. Move shoulders with arms and
hands. Extend left arm.
Take club back low and slow.
Let your body start the backward movement of arms and club.
On backswing, coil with your shoulders first, then hips.
On takeaway, when club is halfway back, shaft should be lined
up with toes, and right arm should be a little higher than left arm.
At top of backswing, keep weight on inside of right foot.
Feel "lazy" at top of backswing to promote the right tempo.
On backswing, keep arms in front of your chest. Make
sure left arm stays with your chest on downswing. If
arms go slack on downswing, club will fall behind,
producing weak pushes or slices.
Drop arms into downswing by gravity alone.
On downswing, right elbow should lead right arm to
impact.
On downswing, pull rather than push the club along
the swing plane.
Start downswing by transferring weight to left foot and
by moving body toward target.
On downswing, chest leads arms to create pulling action. It's
like throwing a frisbee with your left arm. Forget the hips on
downswing. Level rotation of chest squares clubface without
conscious forearm rotation or wrist-flipping.
On downswing, try to keep shaft at 90 degree angle when arms
are waist-high.
On downswing, keep the hinge in your right hand as long as you
can.
Left side should start the downswing and right side does the
hitting.
On downswing, let right elbow fall to right side to keep ball
straight.
Make a shallow approach to the ball. For shallow, inside-out
swings, start downswing with body.
Proper sequence on downswing is shift weight, rotate hips,
release hands and arms.
Hands should be in front of ball at impact on all fairway shots.
Think about swinging only the handle of the club to get a
smoother swing motion.
Keep height level and left arm straight throughout swing.
Maintain flex in right knee throughout swing.
Keep arms and shoulders loose throughout swing. It generates
extension and speed.
To help square clubface, try to touch your left forearm with your
right forearm at impact.
Keep clubhead moving along target line.
Keep your elbows together throughout the swing.
Keep spine angle (the forward bend) constant throughout swing.
Divots should point toward target.
keep head and body behind ball throughout swing.
Hit with 80% of power.
When in doubt, use more club.
Point your chin at a spot just behind the ball throughout the
swing.
To get correct feel for swing, practice with right foot drawn back
and flared to the right.
Swing path controls the direction of ball flight. An open or closed
face controls fades or draws.
Accelerate through shot.
Make sure left shoulder and arm are in the same position at
impact as they are at address.
Keep body behind ball to prevent "skyed" shots.
Move the ball with the clubhead, not your body.
Drill to promote correct feel: Freeze midway into downswing and
make sure that handle of club points to target line, right arm is
pressed against side of chest and shoulders are lined up to
right of target.
Keep both feet flat on ground longer throughout swing for better
balance.
Control shot with speed at which you unwind your body, not with
hands and arms.
arm.
Strive for a "one-piece" takeaway. Move shoulders with arms and
hands. Extend left arm.
Take club back low and slow.
Let your body start the backward movement of arms and club.
On backswing, coil with your shoulders first, then hips.
On takeaway, when club is halfway back, shaft should be lined
up with toes, and right arm should be a little higher than left arm.
At top of backswing, keep weight on inside of right foot.
Feel "lazy" at top of backswing to promote the right tempo.
On backswing, keep arms in front of your chest. Make
sure left arm stays with your chest on downswing. If
arms go slack on downswing, club will fall behind,
producing weak pushes or slices.
Drop arms into downswing by gravity alone.
On downswing, right elbow should lead right arm to
impact.
On downswing, pull rather than push the club along
the swing plane.
Start downswing by transferring weight to left foot and
by moving body toward target.
On downswing, chest leads arms to create pulling action. It's
like throwing a frisbee with your left arm. Forget the hips on
downswing. Level rotation of chest squares clubface without
conscious forearm rotation or wrist-flipping.
On downswing, try to keep shaft at 90 degree angle when arms
are waist-high.
On downswing, keep the hinge in your right hand as long as you
can.
Left side should start the downswing and right side does the
hitting.
On downswing, let right elbow fall to right side to keep ball
straight.
Make a shallow approach to the ball. For shallow, inside-out
swings, start downswing with body.
Proper sequence on downswing is shift weight, rotate hips,
release hands and arms.
Hands should be in front of ball at impact on all fairway shots.
Think about swinging only the handle of the club to get a
smoother swing motion.
Keep height level and left arm straight throughout swing.
Maintain flex in right knee throughout swing.
Keep arms and shoulders loose throughout swing. It generates
extension and speed.
To help square clubface, try to touch your left forearm with your
right forearm at impact.
Keep clubhead moving along target line.
Keep your elbows together throughout the swing.
Keep spine angle (the forward bend) constant throughout swing.
Divots should point toward target.
keep head and body behind ball throughout swing.
Hit with 80% of power.
When in doubt, use more club.
Point your chin at a spot just behind the ball throughout the
swing.
To get correct feel for swing, practice with right foot drawn back
and flared to the right.
Swing path controls the direction of ball flight. An open or closed
face controls fades or draws.
Accelerate through shot.
Make sure left shoulder and arm are in the same position at
impact as they are at address.
Keep body behind ball to prevent "skyed" shots.
Move the ball with the clubhead, not your body.
Drill to promote correct feel: Freeze midway into downswing and
make sure that handle of club points to target line, right arm is
pressed against side of chest and shoulders are lined up to
right of target.
Keep both feet flat on ground longer throughout swing for better
balance.
Control shot with speed at which you unwind your body, not with
hands and arms.
Great Tips for Sand Shots
BEST TIP: Hit with the force necessary to throw a
handful of sand onto the green.
With an open stance, keep weight evenly distributed and play ball
one inch forward of center, with club face slightly open. Make
smooth three-quarter swing, letting chest turn away from target on
backswing.
For plugged lies, keep more weight on left foot to let the club dig into
the sand. Play the ball in the middle with a square club face and
shaft leaning toward target. You don't have to swing hard.
To avoid leaving the ball in the sand, keep weight on front
foot and rotate chest throughout swing.
Angle shaft away from hole.
To avoid blading ball in sand, don't let left arm break down
in downswing.
Try to take a shallow cut of sand -- about 10 inches long.
Dig in with toes of shoes more than heels to set bottom
of swing below surface of sand.
Hit with the same force you would use if you were throwing
a handful of sand to the hole.
For uphill sand shots, play the ball forward, keep more
weight on the right foot, don't open the club face and
swing along slope.
For downhill sand shots, keep your head steady with more weight
on left foot. Play the ball back, open the club face, make a steep
backswing, full wristhinge and swing along the slope.
For long bunker shots, make a relaxed pivot and full follow-through.
Take a longer club, say a nine-iron, to get the right distance.
When hitting from hard sand, use a pitching wedge and play a
normal pitch shot.
For fairway bunkers:
-- take two clubs more than normal
-- dig in with your feet and keep your weight on the inside of both feet
-- choke down one inch with a light grip
-- play ball in the middle with weight evenly distributed
-- keep lower body quiet
-- use a three-quarter swing
-- make a full, relaxed pivot and try to clip the ball off the sand
-- swing at 70% of normal speed
-- you'll have better luck with a lofted wood than an iron
handful of sand onto the green.
With an open stance, keep weight evenly distributed and play ball
one inch forward of center, with club face slightly open. Make
smooth three-quarter swing, letting chest turn away from target on
backswing.
For plugged lies, keep more weight on left foot to let the club dig into
the sand. Play the ball in the middle with a square club face and
shaft leaning toward target. You don't have to swing hard.
To avoid leaving the ball in the sand, keep weight on front
foot and rotate chest throughout swing.
Angle shaft away from hole.
To avoid blading ball in sand, don't let left arm break down
in downswing.
Try to take a shallow cut of sand -- about 10 inches long.
Dig in with toes of shoes more than heels to set bottom
of swing below surface of sand.
Hit with the same force you would use if you were throwing
a handful of sand to the hole.
For uphill sand shots, play the ball forward, keep more
weight on the right foot, don't open the club face and
swing along slope.
For downhill sand shots, keep your head steady with more weight
on left foot. Play the ball back, open the club face, make a steep
backswing, full wristhinge and swing along the slope.
For long bunker shots, make a relaxed pivot and full follow-through.
Take a longer club, say a nine-iron, to get the right distance.
When hitting from hard sand, use a pitching wedge and play a
normal pitch shot.
For fairway bunkers:
-- take two clubs more than normal
-- dig in with your feet and keep your weight on the inside of both feet
-- choke down one inch with a light grip
-- play ball in the middle with weight evenly distributed
-- keep lower body quiet
-- use a three-quarter swing
-- make a full, relaxed pivot and try to clip the ball off the sand
-- swing at 70% of normal speed
-- you'll have better luck with a lofted wood than an iron
How to Fade the Ball
The easiest way to fade the ball is to simply open your stance. For right-handed players, simply set up with your feet, hips and shoulders facing about 20 degrees left of your normal alignment; and allow your swing plane to follow the line (or path) of your feet. Mechanically, you will be creating a swing plane from out to in (picture Lee Trevino) that will move the ballfrom left to right. The easiest way to practice and learn this shot is to use a club to help you by laying the shaft down along the
ground along your feet and practice swinging the club along that path.
ground along your feet and practice swinging the club along that path.
How to Draw the Ball
BEST TIP: Regulate the amount of hook
by how much you close the clubface at
address.
Use slightly wider stance and:
play ball slightly back of center and aim feet, hips
and shoulders squarely but to the right of the target.
take club back low and wide along line of feet.
regulate the amount of hook by how much you
toe-in the club at address.
hit the ball with big muscles and a sweeping
motion.
Make sure shoulders are square.
Stand taller at address to create flatter swing plane.
On drives, set body to right of target, aim club at
target, and swing along body line.
Keep left hand grip light and right hand grip firm.
Make left foot perpendicular to target line, and turn
right foot out.
Use a strong grip and light grip pressure.
Make right hand overtake left through impact.
by how much you close the clubface at
address.
Use slightly wider stance and:
play ball slightly back of center and aim feet, hips
and shoulders squarely but to the right of the target.
take club back low and wide along line of feet.
regulate the amount of hook by how much you
toe-in the club at address.
hit the ball with big muscles and a sweeping
motion.
Make sure shoulders are square.
Stand taller at address to create flatter swing plane.
On drives, set body to right of target, aim club at
target, and swing along body line.
Keep left hand grip light and right hand grip firm.
Make left foot perpendicular to target line, and turn
right foot out.
Use a strong grip and light grip pressure.
Make right hand overtake left through impact.
Your Golf Drive
BEST TIP: Keep a relaxed grip and
swing with the force of a
seven-iron.
Think smooth takeaway, full extension, long,
slow, sweeping swing and smooth
acceleration on downswing.
Start with 60% of weight on right foot.
Keep body relaxed and grip soft.
During swing, think only of following through
and finishing the swing down the target line.
For accuracy, pretend you are throwing a
basketball down the fairway underhand with
our right arm.
Hit with the same tempo you use for a seven
iron.
You should feel as though you are throwing
the driver straight (not far or hard) down the
fairway.
Make sure your left hip never passes your left
foot on the downswing.
swing with the force of a
seven-iron.
Think smooth takeaway, full extension, long,
slow, sweeping swing and smooth
acceleration on downswing.
Start with 60% of weight on right foot.
Keep body relaxed and grip soft.
During swing, think only of following through
and finishing the swing down the target line.
For accuracy, pretend you are throwing a
basketball down the fairway underhand with
our right arm.
Hit with the same tempo you use for a seven
iron.
You should feel as though you are throwing
the driver straight (not far or hard) down the
fairway.
Make sure your left hip never passes your left
foot on the downswing.
Loosen That Grip!
BEST TIP: Don't squeeze the
toothpaste out of the tube.
Your grip should be in the fingers of both hands,
not the palms.
Most of the grip pressure should be felt in the last
three fingers of your left hand. There is much less
pressure in the right hand. There should be no
pressure at all in the thumb and forefinger of the
right hand.
Keep your overall grip pressure light. Don't
"squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube."
Make sure your grip is strong enough, with both V's
pointing over your right shoulder.
A strong left hand grip produces solid shots.
Keep hands close together.
For low ball flight, keep grip pressure firm
throughout swing.
To promote a fade, keep left grip firm and right grip
light.
When putting, keep palms facing each other.
For better accuracy when putting, make both V's in
your grip point to your chin.
To avoid trouble on the right, strengthen your grip.
To avoid trouble on the left, weaken your grip.
toothpaste out of the tube.
Your grip should be in the fingers of both hands,
not the palms.
Most of the grip pressure should be felt in the last
three fingers of your left hand. There is much less
pressure in the right hand. There should be no
pressure at all in the thumb and forefinger of the
right hand.
Keep your overall grip pressure light. Don't
"squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube."
Make sure your grip is strong enough, with both V's
pointing over your right shoulder.
A strong left hand grip produces solid shots.
Keep hands close together.
For low ball flight, keep grip pressure firm
throughout swing.
To promote a fade, keep left grip firm and right grip
light.
When putting, keep palms facing each other.
For better accuracy when putting, make both V's in
your grip point to your chin.
To avoid trouble on the right, strengthen your grip.
To avoid trouble on the left, weaken your grip.
Perfecting Your Golf Stance
BEST TIP: Play ball far enough away to
get full extension.
Aim clubface first. Then align your body.
At address, your hands should be about four inches
from your thighs.
Keep your head up.
Bend forward from the hips about 33 degrees and tilt
body toward right at address.
Let your arms hang naturally.
Elbows should be bent slightly inward at address.
Keep your chin up. Maintain minimal knee bend.
Keep right knee flexed and stable. Don’t let it slide or
straighten throughout swing.
For drives, set up with 80% of weight on right foot.
Make sure the ball is not too far forward. For drives, it
should be at a point below left shoulder.
Position ball under the logo on your shirt.
Play ball far enough away from body to get full
extension.
The longer the club, the more the left foot should be
flared out – from perpendicular for short irons to 45
degrees for the driver.
get full extension.
Aim clubface first. Then align your body.
At address, your hands should be about four inches
from your thighs.
Keep your head up.
Bend forward from the hips about 33 degrees and tilt
body toward right at address.
Let your arms hang naturally.
Elbows should be bent slightly inward at address.
Keep your chin up. Maintain minimal knee bend.
Keep right knee flexed and stable. Don’t let it slide or
straighten throughout swing.
For drives, set up with 80% of weight on right foot.
Make sure the ball is not too far forward. For drives, it
should be at a point below left shoulder.
Position ball under the logo on your shirt.
Play ball far enough away from body to get full
extension.
The longer the club, the more the left foot should be
flared out – from perpendicular for short irons to 45
degrees for the driver.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)