March, 2010 Archive
March 9th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: inottawa A fat shot is when the clubhead hits the ground behind the ball. A thin shot is when the sole of the club hits the top half of the ball. Both shots are “dribblers.”
Thin shots are caused by: A) Helping the ball in the air (scooping). B) Bending over too much during address (during the swing the body usually rises, therefore, if your address posture is too low your swing-arc will be raised causing a topped shot).
Fat shots are caused by: A) playing the ball too far forward – at address, play the ball back farther. B) Picking up the club to quickly. Turn your upper body going back, don’t tilt it. C) Reverse pivot = body moves away from, rather than towards the target on the downswing.
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March 9th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: DavidHBolton By studying your shot pattern you can self-correct your swing faults.
With the correct swing (righ handers), the clubface approaches the ball from inside the target line, is square at impact and moves back inside on the follow-through (inside-square-inside). A common fault is to keep the club moving outside the target line after impact (inside-out). A square clubface to the inside-out path is a push. Open clubface > a slice. Closed clubface > a hook.
An outside-in swing brings the club from outside to inside the line. Square clubface at impact > pull. Open clubface = a slice. Closed clubface > a very huge slice.
To correct the inside-out swing, simply bring the club straight back along the target line as long as possible.
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March 8th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: D.Hilgart If you prefer long irons, opposed to hybrids, keep reading. Did you know that the 1 iron (now an obsolete club) has more loft than the average 3 metal-wood? Yet long irons can terrorize the average golfer. To hit long irons you must alter your setup.
The ball must be swept off the ground, shaving a very shallow divot. Experiment by playing the ball in proximity to your lead heel. Keep your hands in line with the ball or just slightly ahead of it. Keep your head behind the ball at address. Make a one piece takeaway keeping the clubhead low to the ground.
With long irons, tee the ball up about a half an inch for use on long par three golf holes.
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March 8th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: D.Hilgart For most golfers, the fairway metal-wood is the hardest club to hit. Do you hit up or hit down on the ball? The answer: you hit the ball at the bottom of your swing-arc and sweep the ball off the ground.
Check Points: 1) Be sure to set the clubhead flat on the ground at address. 2) Play the ball left of center towards lead heel. 3) Low sweeping takeaway. 3) Use your entire body in the swing, do not make an arms-only swing which will tend to give you a more descending blow to the ball. 4) From a good lie in a bunker, play the ball back, widen your stance and keep your legs “quiet” during the swing.
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March 6th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: foxypar4 When some golfers want to hit the ball farther they tend to tense up and swing harder. Nothing could be more injurious for more shot distance. Tension is the root of all bad golf shots.
It starts with the grip. You should hold the club lightly enough so that someone can gradually pull it from your grasp. Your upper body must also remain relaxed. Prior to your shot, inhale deeply, taking four or five deep breaths to relax your upper body. To relax your legs try bouncing slightly up and down by flexing your knees. This will keep them relaxed and useful during the swing. For maximum swing results you must remain relaxed over the ball and during your swing at all times.
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March 6th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: nsaplayer How should a good swing really feel? A. Address – keep weight on the insides of both feet. B. Waggle – a mini swing that relieves tension and duplicates the actual swing. C. Backswing - the shoulders start the backswing by pushing the arms back, followed by the hips. The lead knee turns slightly away from the target, the lead heel rolls inward. D. Top – Weight should be loaded on rear foot, club is near or close to parallel. E. Downswing - started by the hips and legs. F. Impact – Weight move from rear to lead foot. Lead foot flattens, rear foot comes up on toes. G. Finish – weight on lead side, body facing target (maintain position until ball lands).
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March 5th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: bradleypjohnson In weightlifting, the muscles have to be taught to lift well. It works in reverse for golf, during the address the muscles have to be extremely relaxed to swing well. There are two good ways to relax: clear your mind and maintain a relaxed grip on the club. Too much grip pressure makes your arms tense.
On the backswing, be sure to stay behind the ball while sweeping the club back to assure a wide swing arc. Raise your chin to allow a full shoulder turn and bring the club back as far as you comfortably can. Start the downswing by turning your hips and knees towards the target first. Pull the club down with your lead arm. Concentrate on a full follow-through.
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March 4th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: Claus Rebler The ball position that is correct for you may not be correct for me. The guideline is that the ball should be played in line with your lead armpit which approximates the lowest part of your swing arc. This creates perfect clubface position at impact.
Check Your Low Point: take a few swings with your 5 iron without a ball. Wherever your divots begin is the low point of your swing.
For amateurs, with mid and short irons, try playing the ball further back in your stance (1-3 inches behind the lead armpit). This will assure that your club will hit the ball first prior to contacting the ground. Keep hands ahead of the ball at address. With practice, you can determine the correct ball position for your swing.
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March 4th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: USACE Europe District Without a club, stand straight up and flex your knees as if you were preparing to sit down. Bend slightly at the waist but keep your back straight and your head up. Lowering your head causes your body to move forward.
Once comfortable, let your arms hang down naturally and bring your hands together. They should be 6-8 inches in front of your thighs. Repeat this process with a club.
A common problem with amateurs is that they reach for the ball. Reaching seems to convey a feeling of power but it actually decreases your ability to generate clubhead speed (power). Remember, once in the proper set-up, the sole of your club should be resting flat on the ground. This is a sign that your clubs are fitted properly.
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March 4th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: nsaplayer One of the biggest faults of amateur golfers is when they stretch their arms during the address position. Their arms are held away from their body in an effort to reach for the ball. Holding the arms away from the body tends to make the golfer chop at the ball thus creating an outside-in swing path, a slice. Some players feel that reaching for the ball makes their swing more powerful, the opposite is true. Reaching creates a loss of power.
After taking your stance, set your arms last. Allow the arms to hang loosely from the shoulders with the right elbow bending naturally. If your arms are positioned correctly, there should be a six to eight inch gap between your hands and thighs.
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