golf instruction Category
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 3rd, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf Setting the shaft at address is the major difference between pitch and chip shots. With a chip shot your hands are set further ahead of the ball at address and as the ball is hit, the grip end of the club is leaning forward and in this manner you have essentially delofted the club. The leading edge of the club hits the ball first and then contacts the ground.
During a pitch shot, as the clubhead strikes the ball the shaft of the club is nearly vertical and the grip is just slightly ahead. The bounce of the club hits the ground as the ball is struck. The bounce of the club does not allow the leading edge of the club to dig into the ground.
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March 3rd, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: mfury Not that long ago players had only two wedges to choose from, the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. For more than a few years now, wedges have become available in a variety of lofts. In today’s game, it’s not uncommon for many PGA Tour players to carry three wedges in their golf bags.
The typical lofts are: 1) Pitching wedge > 48 degrees. 2) Gap wedge > 52 – 56 degrees. 3) Lob wedge > 60 degrees. Keep in mind that as the loft of the club increases two things happen: A) shot distance will be shorter. B) shots will fly higher. Most full approach shots (approximately 100 yards) can be hit with a pitching wedge. The gap and lob wedges are used closer than 100 yards.
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March 2nd, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: nsaplayer If your ball lies in the center of a divot, play it like a chip and run. The key to this shot is to hit the ball first. If the clubhead is allowed to hit the ground before the ball it may bounce, left or right, from the edge of the divot and throw your shot off line. You must dig hard with the leading edge of the club.
If you lean back and try to scoop the ball from the divot lie, you will hit it fat (well before the ball) with extremely poor results. You must keep your weight on your lead side in order to strike the ball cleanly. Don’t try to help the ball in the air. If you hit the ball first, the shot will come off perfectly.
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March 2nd, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: SergioDJT Amateurs tend to skull (hit the ball in the center) hardpan shots. The key to this shot is to hit the ball first. In many cases the sole of the club will make contact with the ground first and then bounce into the ball causing the skulled shot.
The bottom of the swing arc must be at the point of contact with the ball, if the arc moves back, you will hit behind the ball and skull it. Keep in mind that there is no grass between the ball and your clubface, therefore, you will get more backspin on this type of shot. Be sure to keep your weight on your lead side and make a good strong follow-through. Don’t quit on it!
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February 28th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: nsaplayer The two most famous par 3’s in the world are the 17th TPC Sawgrass (“the island green”) and hole no 16 at Scottsdale’s TPC. These little giants have earned their reputation as “game changers.”
The 17th at Sawgrass is 130 yards but the landing area is tiny (15 to 20 yards) by tour standards. The green sits deceptively at only 3 feet above the water. This little par 3 has got to be the most costly hole in golf
The 16th at Scottsdale’s TPC is known as the “stadium” hole and can intimidate even the most confident golfer. The attendance usually tips the scales at 20,000 wild and woolly fans. Booze, boos and cheers flow as the golfers enter the amphitheatre. The 16th is what the game is all about, pure fun.
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February 26th, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: mihirvaze The GOLF DIGEST Challenge is a yearly contest which requires the contestants to tell, in 60 words or less, how playing in the Open Challenge would change their lives. Contestants may describe their game and what they think they would shoot on a US. Open setup at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.
Tiger Woods made a famous statement before the first US. Open Challenge where he said “I doubt any average golfer can break 100 on a course that’s set up for the US. Open Championship.” It’s probably safe to assume that you have to play a respectable game. Players can enter the contest by going to www.gdopencontest.com.
The winner will play a round with celebrities which will be broadcast on national TV.
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February 23rd, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: USACE Europe District Stan Utley is one of the most sought after golf instructors in the World. Playing out of the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ., Utley ranks No. 6 in GOLF DIGEST’S, “America’s 50 Greatest Teachers.” He is a former PGA Tour winner who decided to devote himself to helping golfers at all levels of play.
Stan Utley has helped such PGA superstars as Sergio Garcia, Jay Haas, Craig Stadler, Peter Jacobson, Darren Clarke and Rocco Mediate, (just to name a few). He is known for his simplified and innovative instructional techniques specializing in the short game.
He has written several excellent instructional books including “The Art of Putting,” and “The Art of the Short Game,” which should be standard reading for every serious golfer. Stan Utley can be reached at http://StanUtley.com.
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February 22nd, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: foto footprints From the pages of GOLF DIGEST: 1) Lowest Course in Elevation > The Death Valley, CA. Furnace Creek Golf Course is 214 feet below sea level. 2) Longest Hole-in-One > Michael Crean at the 517-yard, par-5 ninth at Green Valley Ranch in 2002. 3) Lowest Score Using One Club > Durham N.C., the club was a 6-iron, the score was a 70 (two under). 4) Longest Golf Course > Bolton Mass., par 73 Pines Course at the International is 8,325 yards from the blue tees. 5) Longest Putt > Bob Coughlin sank a putt of 149 feet, two inches at Schalamar Creek golf Club in Lakeland, FLorida. 6) Oldest Masters Contestant > Ernie Ball, age 99, is the only living golfer from the first Masters, played in 1934.
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February 21st, 2010 by admin in golf instruction
photo credit: danperry.com GOLF DIGEST commissioned a test to determine if longer shafts created more distance. 37 players hit 10 shots each with a 44 1/2 ” driver and 10 shots with a 46 1/2 ” club. The results follow:
1) The Range – The 44 1/2 ” drivers had more centralized shot patterns. 2) Club Length – players swung the 46 1/2 ” driver faster with a gain in clubhead speed of 1.7 %. 3) Ball Speed – increased for more than half the players using the longer shaft but the advantage was inconsistent. Those that gained speed showed a 1.7 % increase. Those who lost speed had an average decrease of 3.2% because of off-center hits. 4) Accuracy – no difference. 5) Distance – improved in about 1/2 the players with the longer shaft. Findings: Shaft length is not a universal standard.
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