The slice is golf’s most major problem with over 80 percent of players suffering from this fault that leads to a loss of distance and direction. And yet it can usually be corrected in less than 15 minutes. Most players don’t understand what causes them to slice the ball. Ask most and they reply, “I’m swinging across the ball” or “I’m swinging outside-in”. This can contribute to a slice but it isn’t the basic cause.
Regardless of what you’ve read or been told by your golfing buddies the basic cause of a slice is a clubface that is open to the swing line at impact. The ball slices because the clubface is open or pointing right of the direction that the club is traveling. This problem stems from a faulty grip so the first thing we must do is find a grip that allows you to square the clubface to your swing line at impact. For most this means positioning the grip handle more in the fingers and rotating your hands to the right or clockwise The last thing most players want to do is change their grip, but please realize this is an essential step in squaring the clubface to the swing path at impact.
Next is to aim the clubface to the target and to square your shoulders to the target line. At first you may feel your shoulders are closed – aimed right of the target. This is extremely important however because squaring your shoulders makes room for your arms to swing up and then down on the inside.
In your takeaway feel that the clubface is closing so that it continues facing the ball during the first few feet. This is imperative because most all chronic slicers, because of their open set up were forced to roll the club face open with their hands and wrists to get the club away on the right path.
Having your shoulders square now allows your arms to swing up on the inside in the backswing. From here the arms can now swing down on the inside so that the right shoulder will trail the arms instead of leading them.
Most slicers also have their head positioned too far to the left at address or even in front to the ball. If this is the case with you make sure your head is positioned behind the ball at address so that you are looking at the back of ball – the part of the ball that you want to hit.
By mastering the proper grip, set up and arm swing your slice will be a thing of the past. You will be delighted with the feeling of solidly struck shots and a straight ball flight. For many of you this may be the first time you have experienced applying the club head solidly into the back of the golf ball.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Why golf is the greatest game
Golf is truly unique because it offers a challenge found in no other game. The golf course is your opponent presenting you with new situations to challenge you each time you play.
Golf provides solace and relief from the stress and tensions of everyday life. It can provide great satisfaction and recognition from our peers. One of golf’s greatest gifts is the friendships it creates among strangers.
Golf’s environment is fresh air, green grass, trees, lakes and beautiful landscapes. Golf is a great source of exercise that you can play at your own pace. Play nine holes or thirty six holes. You can play for the fun of it or decide to compete in tournaments. Golf is a great family activity providing a lifetime of enjoyment for each generation.
Golf is a great builder of character. It requires discipline, self control and the ability to deal with success and failure. It demands integrity because unlike other sports there are no referees or umpires. You call your own penalties under an honor system. There is no better game for young people. They learn to respect the game’s values of sportsmanship, etiquette and honesty.
Golf gives you the opportunity to watch the best players in the world compete and then have the opportunity to test your skills on the same course. Golf teases us with brief success but refuses to let us ever master it. Golf’s allurement is the never ending desire to learn more and play better.
Whether you are a scratch player or a beginner, male or female, young or old golf is a game that tests your skills, provides serenity and demands poise under pressure.
What makes golf the greatest game of all is not only the enjoyment it provides us over a lifetime, but also what it teaches us about ourselves and others.
Golf provides solace and relief from the stress and tensions of everyday life. It can provide great satisfaction and recognition from our peers. One of golf’s greatest gifts is the friendships it creates among strangers.
Golf’s environment is fresh air, green grass, trees, lakes and beautiful landscapes. Golf is a great source of exercise that you can play at your own pace. Play nine holes or thirty six holes. You can play for the fun of it or decide to compete in tournaments. Golf is a great family activity providing a lifetime of enjoyment for each generation.
Golf is a great builder of character. It requires discipline, self control and the ability to deal with success and failure. It demands integrity because unlike other sports there are no referees or umpires. You call your own penalties under an honor system. There is no better game for young people. They learn to respect the game’s values of sportsmanship, etiquette and honesty.
Golf gives you the opportunity to watch the best players in the world compete and then have the opportunity to test your skills on the same course. Golf teases us with brief success but refuses to let us ever master it. Golf’s allurement is the never ending desire to learn more and play better.
Whether you are a scratch player or a beginner, male or female, young or old golf is a game that tests your skills, provides serenity and demands poise under pressure.
What makes golf the greatest game of all is not only the enjoyment it provides us over a lifetime, but also what it teaches us about ourselves and others.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
How and what to practice
Unlike professionals who make their living playing golf most weekend players live busy lives which doesn’t allow for as much practice time as they would like. This fact makes it all that more important that your practice time emphasize quality rather than quantity. Effective practice should include three elements:
1. Be goal oriented
2. Be organized
3. Create a realistic environment
Goal Oriented - Limit yourself to one pre-swing thought and one swing thought. If you are working on swing technique use a 6 or 7 iron rather than a driver and choose a target that is 20 yards closer than where you would normally hit it. This creates a slower tempo allowing your mind and body more time to absorb the command they are unfamiliar with. Stay focused on the specific technique or thought until you begin to feel and sense it.
Be organized - Effective practice helps you to develop the skills you’ll need on the golf course. Hitting 150 balls with only your long clubs may be fun, but it isn’t sensible considering your short game constitutes over half your score. Create a schedule to work on different areas of your game. Spend the first half of your allotted time on the long game and swing technique. Devote the second half to your short game including pitching, chipping, putting and bunker play.
Create a realistic environment - When hitting full shots visualize you are on the golf course. Always choose a target and make note to the distance to each target. Go through your set up process on every shot so that you’re using the same routine in practice as on the course. Work on specialty shots that you may encounter on the course such as low punch shots, slices or hooks around an imaginary tree, uneven lies, etc. The key is to create a practice environment as realistic as possible making for an easier transition to the golf course.
When you do have the opportunity to practice make the most of it. By having specific goals in mind, organizing your practice regiment and creating a realistic environment you’re using your time more effectively resulting in better performance on the course and lower scores.
1. Be goal oriented
2. Be organized
3. Create a realistic environment
Goal Oriented - Limit yourself to one pre-swing thought and one swing thought. If you are working on swing technique use a 6 or 7 iron rather than a driver and choose a target that is 20 yards closer than where you would normally hit it. This creates a slower tempo allowing your mind and body more time to absorb the command they are unfamiliar with. Stay focused on the specific technique or thought until you begin to feel and sense it.
Be organized - Effective practice helps you to develop the skills you’ll need on the golf course. Hitting 150 balls with only your long clubs may be fun, but it isn’t sensible considering your short game constitutes over half your score. Create a schedule to work on different areas of your game. Spend the first half of your allotted time on the long game and swing technique. Devote the second half to your short game including pitching, chipping, putting and bunker play.
Create a realistic environment - When hitting full shots visualize you are on the golf course. Always choose a target and make note to the distance to each target. Go through your set up process on every shot so that you’re using the same routine in practice as on the course. Work on specialty shots that you may encounter on the course such as low punch shots, slices or hooks around an imaginary tree, uneven lies, etc. The key is to create a practice environment as realistic as possible making for an easier transition to the golf course.
When you do have the opportunity to practice make the most of it. By having specific goals in mind, organizing your practice regiment and creating a realistic environment you’re using your time more effectively resulting in better performance on the course and lower scores.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Tee Shots - Lack of Distance
Obviously length off the tee combined with reasonable control gives players a huge advantage over their shorter hitting competitors. Longer drives allow you to hit shorter irons into the greens giving you opportunities for more birdies and lower scores. I often see amateurs fail to maximize on their distance potential not because of their strength or club head speed, but rather because of their set up with the driver.
In order to hit long, high flying tee shots a player must create a sweeping motion that strikes the ball while the club head is ascending or on the upswing. Unfortunately many players address their tee shots in the same manner as if they were hitting an iron. Their weight is even or favoring their left side, their hands are forward and the ball is positioned back in their stance. This set up creates a steep, downward angle of attack on the ball in the downswing resulting in a weak glancing blow and a loss of power. Topped or skied shots are often the result.
I recommend making these adjustments in your address to improve your impact and trajectory. Tee the ball higher and more forward so the ball is opposite the instep of your left foot. Widen your stance slightly and put 60% of your weight on your right side. Your head and hands will now be slightly behind the ball. Keep your grip relaxed so your arms feel soft and not rigid.
This new set up creates a wide arc and full shoulder turn so that your upper body is fully coiled behind the ball at the top of the swing. The increased coil allows for the natural transition back to your left side and the club to accelerate through the ball on a more sweeping ascending path.
Keep your head behind the ball through impact so that you feel you are sweeping the ball off the tee without removing the tee from the ground. Practice this new set up and you’ll soon be hitting shorter irons into the greens and enjoying more birdie opportunities.
In order to hit long, high flying tee shots a player must create a sweeping motion that strikes the ball while the club head is ascending or on the upswing. Unfortunately many players address their tee shots in the same manner as if they were hitting an iron. Their weight is even or favoring their left side, their hands are forward and the ball is positioned back in their stance. This set up creates a steep, downward angle of attack on the ball in the downswing resulting in a weak glancing blow and a loss of power. Topped or skied shots are often the result.
I recommend making these adjustments in your address to improve your impact and trajectory. Tee the ball higher and more forward so the ball is opposite the instep of your left foot. Widen your stance slightly and put 60% of your weight on your right side. Your head and hands will now be slightly behind the ball. Keep your grip relaxed so your arms feel soft and not rigid.
This new set up creates a wide arc and full shoulder turn so that your upper body is fully coiled behind the ball at the top of the swing. The increased coil allows for the natural transition back to your left side and the club to accelerate through the ball on a more sweeping ascending path.
Keep your head behind the ball through impact so that you feel you are sweeping the ball off the tee without removing the tee from the ground. Practice this new set up and you’ll soon be hitting shorter irons into the greens and enjoying more birdie opportunities.
Monday, August 30, 2010
General Poor Putting - No confidence on shorter putts
The common thread of good putters is they consistently have the putter face square to their intended line at the moment it impacts the ball. Although putting is certainly the most individualistic component of the game you'll find the best and most consistent putters use a pendulum type stroke. Using this method the triangle formed by their arms and shoulders at address stays intact through the stroke.
When we lose confidence in our putting we start trying to “help” the ball in the hole resulting in our head and body moving out of position. This disrupts the alignment of the putter face leading to inconsistent contact with the ball and little control over the direction or speed of the putt.
In general the fewer moving parts in our putting stroke the more consistent we are. Developing a shoulder stroke pendulum action minimizes those moving parts.
To feel this stroke take your stance then place your palms together forming a triangle with your hands, arms and shoulders. With a steady head and lower body rock your shoulders so that you move the triangle back and through. Make sure to keep your chest square to the target line rather than opening your shoulders and body to the hole.
Your left shoulder should work down on the backstroke and up on the forward stroke. Your shoulders now control the path of the putter head and keep the putter on line through impact. A good habit for shorter putts is to not look at the hole until you hear the ball fall into the cup.
If you're struggling with your putting spend some practice time with this method and you'll soon be making more putts and shooting lower scores.
When we lose confidence in our putting we start trying to “help” the ball in the hole resulting in our head and body moving out of position. This disrupts the alignment of the putter face leading to inconsistent contact with the ball and little control over the direction or speed of the putt.
In general the fewer moving parts in our putting stroke the more consistent we are. Developing a shoulder stroke pendulum action minimizes those moving parts.
To feel this stroke take your stance then place your palms together forming a triangle with your hands, arms and shoulders. With a steady head and lower body rock your shoulders so that you move the triangle back and through. Make sure to keep your chest square to the target line rather than opening your shoulders and body to the hole.
Your left shoulder should work down on the backstroke and up on the forward stroke. Your shoulders now control the path of the putter head and keep the putter on line through impact. A good habit for shorter putts is to not look at the hole until you hear the ball fall into the cup.
If you're struggling with your putting spend some practice time with this method and you'll soon be making more putts and shooting lower scores.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Playing from Slopes
Playing from slopes
Unlike football fields and baseball diamonds golf courses are not built on level playing surfaces. Players are often faced with shots from sloped lies that make a relatively easy shot suddenly more challenging. By making a few adjustments to your stance, alignment and swing you can successfully hit these shots solid and more accurately.
Uphill lie - Hitting up the hill
When faced with an uphill lie stand perpendicular to the slope which will position your right shoulder lower than normal. This allows you to swing parallel to the slope so you won’t hit into the ground after contacting the ball. Swing down the slope on your backswing and up the slope on your forward swing. Your weight will remain on your rear side and because we tend to hook the ball from this position aim slightly right of your target. This position also creates more loft so you’ll generally want to use more club.
Downhill lie – Hitting down the hill
With a downhill lie you will also want to stand perpendicular to the slope. This stance will put more weight on your left side and your hands will be ahead of the club. Pick the club up on your backswing and swing down and through on the forward swing. Feel that you are chasing the ball down the slope with the club head. Downhill shots are easier played with more lofted clubs. Because the ball will fly lower and run farther you will want to use less club than normal.
Side hill lie – Ball above your feet
When playing a ball that is above your feet you will need to stand more erect at address and stand farther away from the ball. This posture creates a more rotary swing and a flatter swing plane. This swing path often produces hooked shots because of the added rotation of the hands and arms. This action added to the more upright lie angle of your club will cause the ball to go left so aim right of your intended target
Side hill lie – Ball below your feet
This type lie requires you to bend over more to reach the ball which also results in you standing closer to the ball. This position creates a more upright swing plane than usual. Because your body turn becomes restricted your swing will be predominantly an arms and hand movement. The steeper swing path combined with the flatter lie angle of your club will cause the ball to go right so aim left of your intended target.
Unlike football fields and baseball diamonds golf courses are not built on level playing surfaces. Players are often faced with shots from sloped lies that make a relatively easy shot suddenly more challenging. By making a few adjustments to your stance, alignment and swing you can successfully hit these shots solid and more accurately.
Uphill lie - Hitting up the hill
When faced with an uphill lie stand perpendicular to the slope which will position your right shoulder lower than normal. This allows you to swing parallel to the slope so you won’t hit into the ground after contacting the ball. Swing down the slope on your backswing and up the slope on your forward swing. Your weight will remain on your rear side and because we tend to hook the ball from this position aim slightly right of your target. This position also creates more loft so you’ll generally want to use more club.
Downhill lie – Hitting down the hill
With a downhill lie you will also want to stand perpendicular to the slope. This stance will put more weight on your left side and your hands will be ahead of the club. Pick the club up on your backswing and swing down and through on the forward swing. Feel that you are chasing the ball down the slope with the club head. Downhill shots are easier played with more lofted clubs. Because the ball will fly lower and run farther you will want to use less club than normal.
Side hill lie – Ball above your feet
When playing a ball that is above your feet you will need to stand more erect at address and stand farther away from the ball. This posture creates a more rotary swing and a flatter swing plane. This swing path often produces hooked shots because of the added rotation of the hands and arms. This action added to the more upright lie angle of your club will cause the ball to go left so aim right of your intended target
Side hill lie – Ball below your feet
This type lie requires you to bend over more to reach the ball which also results in you standing closer to the ball. This position creates a more upright swing plane than usual. Because your body turn becomes restricted your swing will be predominantly an arms and hand movement. The steeper swing path combined with the flatter lie angle of your club will cause the ball to go right so aim left of your intended target.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Poor Long Putting
The biggest reason weekend golfers so often three putt 30 to 40 foot putts is they simply don’t practice them. Because of this they haven’t developed a feel or “touch” for putts of this length. They end up hitting the ball and hoping rather than stroking the putt with a level of confidence.
Great putters through regular practice have developed a keen sense of feel for longer putts. They also have set a more realistic goal of leaving the ball close enough to the hole to have a short second putt rather than thinking about making the first putt.
When confronted with longer putts I would first recommend visualizing a larger target. Imagine a three foot diameter circle around the hole, and then focus on leaving your first putt within the circle. If successful the longest putt you’ll be left with is 18 inches.
On longer putts stand slightly taller at address and make a longer stroke with more relaxed hands and wrists. This allows you to sense and feel the acceleration and release of the putter head. Also before each long putt make a number of practice strokes to help sense the length of stroke and pace needed for the required distance.
An excellent drill to help you develop your feel is after making your practice strokes to close your eyes just before beginning your actual stroke and keep them closed until the finish of your stroke. You'll be surprised how this enhances your feel and touch.
Make sure to include longer putts in your putting practice regiment if you’re not already doing so. With continued practice you’ll see far fewer three putts on your scorecard.
Great putters through regular practice have developed a keen sense of feel for longer putts. They also have set a more realistic goal of leaving the ball close enough to the hole to have a short second putt rather than thinking about making the first putt.
When confronted with longer putts I would first recommend visualizing a larger target. Imagine a three foot diameter circle around the hole, and then focus on leaving your first putt within the circle. If successful the longest putt you’ll be left with is 18 inches.
On longer putts stand slightly taller at address and make a longer stroke with more relaxed hands and wrists. This allows you to sense and feel the acceleration and release of the putter head. Also before each long putt make a number of practice strokes to help sense the length of stroke and pace needed for the required distance.
An excellent drill to help you develop your feel is after making your practice strokes to close your eyes just before beginning your actual stroke and keep them closed until the finish of your stroke. You'll be surprised how this enhances your feel and touch.
Make sure to include longer putts in your putting practice regiment if you’re not already doing so. With continued practice you’ll see far fewer three putts on your scorecard.
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