Wind can certainly be a hazard when playing golf, but it also offers the opportunity to use your shot making skills and strategic thinking to produce more satisfying results. Playing in windy conditions requires patience, well thought out decisions and the ability to hit a variety of shots. As a result experienced players with more proficient ball striking skills have less difficulty playing in extreme wind than novice players. Here are some tips that will help you when playing in the wind.
1. Don't make the mistake when teeing off into a headwind of teeing the ball lower and playing the ball back in your stance. Doing this actually causes more backspin which results in the ball flying higher than normal. Instead position the ball normally at the regular tee height and sweep the club solidly through the ball at ground level.
2. When hitting into a headwind take more club (often 2 or 3 more clubs) and swing easily. You'll make more solid contact and because the ball flies lower it will be less effected by the wind.
3. Players often toss grass into the air to test the wind strength and direction. Generally the wind at ground level is not the same as the altitude you ball is flying. A better choice is to check the tree tops for wind speed and direction and adjust accordingly.
4. When hitting downwind off the tee consider a three wood rather than your driver. The additional height allows the ball to fly farther than the lower trajectory created by your driver.
5. When hitting into a headwind with wedges and short irons it is important to keep the trajectory as low as possible. To do this widen your stance slightly and swing the club in a shallow sweeping motion with minimum wrist hinging. Think of keeping the clubhead as low to the ground as possible in the backswing and follow through.
6. Most players don't realize it but when hitting with a crosswind you need to hit about a half more club than normal.
7. When hitting into a headwind backspin and sidespin are magnified while hitting with a tailwind they are minimized. That is why your ball slices and hooks more when hiting into a headwind and curves less when hitting downwind.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Get a grip on your game this Spring
As the golf season gets in full swing (no pun intended..) it is important to start with sound fundamentals. Your grip should be at the top of that list to help develop consistency and solid ball striking.
Lay the club diagonally across the fingers and palm of the left hand so the handle runs from the top joint of your forefinger across the middle of your heel pad. After closing your hand over the club you should be able to see atleast two knuckles of the left hand with your left thumb resting down the right side of the grip. The V formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand will point just inside your right shoulder.
In positioning the right hand on the club your fingers should be underneath the handle, then wrap the palm of your right hand over your left thumb. After closing the right hand your right thumb will rest lightly against the left side of the grip with the V formed by your right thumb and forefinger pointing just inside your right shoulder.
A ten-finger grip is often well suited for juniors and beginners because having the entire right hand on the handle promotes more hand action. As a players' priority moves from distance to accuracy they would probably benefit from either an overlapping or interlocking grip.
In regards to grip pressure use equal pressure with your fingers and hands holding the club firmly, but not the point of your arms being rigid. On a scale if holding the club as light as possible was a 1 and as tight as possible was a 10 I would start at a 5 or 6. Occassionally you will vary your grip pressure depending on the shot your trying to hit. To keep the ball low as when hitting into a headwind or trying to hit a punch shot you'll need a firmer grip. If you're trying to hit a high, soft lob shot to the green you'll want to hold the club much lighter.
If you've been holding the club differently than what I have described this new position will probably feel strange at first. Keep with it and through practice not only will it become more comfortable, but you'll hit straighter and more solid shots. I can't think of a better way to start off the golf season.
Lay the club diagonally across the fingers and palm of the left hand so the handle runs from the top joint of your forefinger across the middle of your heel pad. After closing your hand over the club you should be able to see atleast two knuckles of the left hand with your left thumb resting down the right side of the grip. The V formed by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand will point just inside your right shoulder.
In positioning the right hand on the club your fingers should be underneath the handle, then wrap the palm of your right hand over your left thumb. After closing the right hand your right thumb will rest lightly against the left side of the grip with the V formed by your right thumb and forefinger pointing just inside your right shoulder.
A ten-finger grip is often well suited for juniors and beginners because having the entire right hand on the handle promotes more hand action. As a players' priority moves from distance to accuracy they would probably benefit from either an overlapping or interlocking grip.
In regards to grip pressure use equal pressure with your fingers and hands holding the club firmly, but not the point of your arms being rigid. On a scale if holding the club as light as possible was a 1 and as tight as possible was a 10 I would start at a 5 or 6. Occassionally you will vary your grip pressure depending on the shot your trying to hit. To keep the ball low as when hitting into a headwind or trying to hit a punch shot you'll need a firmer grip. If you're trying to hit a high, soft lob shot to the green you'll want to hold the club much lighter.
If you've been holding the club differently than what I have described this new position will probably feel strange at first. Keep with it and through practice not only will it become more comfortable, but you'll hit straighter and more solid shots. I can't think of a better way to start off the golf season.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
PGA Free Fitting Month
April is PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month. As a participating facility Golf Rx will be offering free 15 minute clubfittings. This is a great opportunity to receive expert advice on how to modernize your golf equipment while trading in your obsolete clubs. By getting fit in April you will also be eligible to win a trip for two to the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits Golf Club. Learn more at PlayGolfAmerica.com/FFT. At Golf Rx we offer custom fit golf equipment from Callaway, Taylor Made, Adams Golf and US Kids Junior clubs. For more information on the services at Golf Rx visit www.kirkpatrickgolf.com or call us at 615 288-4539. I look forward to seeing you in April.
Steve Kirkpatrick
Owner and PGA Professional
Golf Rx
Steve Kirkpatrick
Owner and PGA Professional
Golf Rx
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Information Overload
During a lesson with one of my students I couldn't help but notice a distinctive change in his rhythm. He was also taking the club too far inside creating a too flat swing plane for his 6 foot 2 inch stature. He was complaining of hitting fat shots that were going right of the target. After inquiring he confessed reading an article that convinced him he wasn't coiling his shoulders enough during his backswing. Aha ! Now I knew the reason for this contorted movement he was attempting to make. Forty five minutes later we had his swing path and plane corrected and he was hitting straight, solid shots once again.
Just out of curiosity I picked up the lastest issue of a golf magazine and read no less than nineteen swing tips to help you play better. Now imagine I wanted to learn how to throw a baseball or shoot a basketball, but first I'm given nineteen different directives on how to do this correctly. The last time I put a stopwatch on a baseball pitcher, a basketball player or a golfer it took about one and 1 /2 seconds for them to complete their throwing, shooting or swinging motion. Can you imagine what they would look like if I gave them multiple directives to perform during that short time?
Unfortunately this is exactly what is happening to many golfers after a winter of reading their favorite publications loaded with all the latest breakthroughs in the golf swing. The golf swing hasn't changed over the years - only the amount of information available to golfers.
My first recommendation is to put the instructional magazines down. My second is see you golf professional and let him or her determine what areas of your game need attention. One thing I have learned through years of teaching is the less thinking we do during the swing the more success we have.
Just out of curiosity I picked up the lastest issue of a golf magazine and read no less than nineteen swing tips to help you play better. Now imagine I wanted to learn how to throw a baseball or shoot a basketball, but first I'm given nineteen different directives on how to do this correctly. The last time I put a stopwatch on a baseball pitcher, a basketball player or a golfer it took about one and 1 /2 seconds for them to complete their throwing, shooting or swinging motion. Can you imagine what they would look like if I gave them multiple directives to perform during that short time?
Unfortunately this is exactly what is happening to many golfers after a winter of reading their favorite publications loaded with all the latest breakthroughs in the golf swing. The golf swing hasn't changed over the years - only the amount of information available to golfers.
My first recommendation is to put the instructional magazines down. My second is see you golf professional and let him or her determine what areas of your game need attention. One thing I have learned through years of teaching is the less thinking we do during the swing the more success we have.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Get a grip on your game
I am surprised how many players are not aware that golf grips are available in different sizes. This is an important component of the clubfitting process because the player's only physical contact with the club is through the grip. A properly sized grip provides a player the right "feel" at address and consistent control during the swing.
A grip that is too small, too large or slick and worn can negatively affect a player's confidence due to poor feel. Generally a too large grip reduces wrist action causing pushed shots. The player will often choke down on the grip where the diameter is smaller and feels better. This reduces swing speed because of a shorter swing arc. A too small grip often increases wrist action resulting in pulled shots. To improve the feel players will hold the club too far out on the end because the diameter is larger. This often causes the player to lose control of the club at the top of the backswing.
A grip is properly sized when the middle two fingers of the left hand just touch or almost touch the heel portion of the palm. The grip is too small if the fingers dig into the palm. The grip is too large if the gap between the fingers and the palm is 1/4 inch or more.
Whether you're in the market for a new set of clubs or your existing one's are in need of new grips it is important to consider the many variations of grip sizes, shapes and materials available. Properly fitted grips will certainly give you a better grip on your game. At Golf Rx we offer same day service on in stock grips.
A grip that is too small, too large or slick and worn can negatively affect a player's confidence due to poor feel. Generally a too large grip reduces wrist action causing pushed shots. The player will often choke down on the grip where the diameter is smaller and feels better. This reduces swing speed because of a shorter swing arc. A too small grip often increases wrist action resulting in pulled shots. To improve the feel players will hold the club too far out on the end because the diameter is larger. This often causes the player to lose control of the club at the top of the backswing.
A grip is properly sized when the middle two fingers of the left hand just touch or almost touch the heel portion of the palm. The grip is too small if the fingers dig into the palm. The grip is too large if the gap between the fingers and the palm is 1/4 inch or more.
Whether you're in the market for a new set of clubs or your existing one's are in need of new grips it is important to consider the many variations of grip sizes, shapes and materials available. Properly fitted grips will certainly give you a better grip on your game. At Golf Rx we offer same day service on in stock grips.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Forces at Work
Here are some interesting facts regarding what occurs during the golf swing.
1. At impact your shaft has bowed downward and forward. It has actually shortened about 1/4 inch.
2. The time from the top of a player's backwing to impact is 1/5 to 3/5 of a second.
3. The ball stays on the clubface about 5/10,000 of a second. During this time the club travels
about 3/4 to 1 inch.
4. The energy applied to the ball at impact approaches 2,000 pounds and compresses the ball
15 to 30 percent of its original diameter.
5. At 100 MPH clubhead speed the clubface slows to 82 MPH at impact and the ball leaves the clubface at about 135 MPH.
6. The ball is 10 to 12 inches from the clubface when the player feels impact.
7. 40 to 60 pounds of centrifugal force is pulling downward from a player's hands at impact.
8. With a driver if the ball is hit on face center the face angle will have 60 to 70% influence on initial ball direction and path will have 30 to 40% influence.
1. At impact your shaft has bowed downward and forward. It has actually shortened about 1/4 inch.
2. The time from the top of a player's backwing to impact is 1/5 to 3/5 of a second.
3. The ball stays on the clubface about 5/10,000 of a second. During this time the club travels
about 3/4 to 1 inch.
4. The energy applied to the ball at impact approaches 2,000 pounds and compresses the ball
15 to 30 percent of its original diameter.
5. At 100 MPH clubhead speed the clubface slows to 82 MPH at impact and the ball leaves the clubface at about 135 MPH.
6. The ball is 10 to 12 inches from the clubface when the player feels impact.
7. 40 to 60 pounds of centrifugal force is pulling downward from a player's hands at impact.
8. With a driver if the ball is hit on face center the face angle will have 60 to 70% influence on initial ball direction and path will have 30 to 40% influence.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Information on the groove issue
At a recent PGA Education Seminar I had the opportunity to hear Bob Renegar speak regarding the spin effect of the new groove requirements. Bob is a design engineer who has worked with companies including Titleist and Callaway Golf and holds several design patents. He also serves on the USGA Technical Board and is considered a leading expert on wedge design and performance.
Bob explained that basically the new designs will result in a 40% reduction in groove volume. We will continue to see a variety of designs that will include versions of V and Square grooves.
After extensive testing between new and old grooves these were the results on full swings:
Good Lies from the fairway - No Change
Heavy Rough - No Change
Explosion shots from bunker - No Change
Light to Medium Rough - Yes
Partial Shots (Chips and Pitches) - Yes
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) can continue to sell old groove irons through 2010. Beginning in 2011 OEM's can only make and sell new groove clubs. Effective Jan. 1, 2010 PGA tour players and competitors in USGA events must play new groove conforming clubs. Otherwise you will be allowed to play with the non-conforming clubs until 2024.
Check with your PGA Professional if you are in the market for new irons and have questions regarding the groove design.
Bob explained that basically the new designs will result in a 40% reduction in groove volume. We will continue to see a variety of designs that will include versions of V and Square grooves.
After extensive testing between new and old grooves these were the results on full swings:
Good Lies from the fairway - No Change
Heavy Rough - No Change
Explosion shots from bunker - No Change
Light to Medium Rough - Yes
Partial Shots (Chips and Pitches) - Yes
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) can continue to sell old groove irons through 2010. Beginning in 2011 OEM's can only make and sell new groove clubs. Effective Jan. 1, 2010 PGA tour players and competitors in USGA events must play new groove conforming clubs. Otherwise you will be allowed to play with the non-conforming clubs until 2024.
Check with your PGA Professional if you are in the market for new irons and have questions regarding the groove design.
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