Bobby Eldridge's Golf Instruction Blog

How many Strokes could you Cut off your scores if you could hit the ball high, low, left, or right at will?

How about draws or fades? Or out of deep rough or off hard pan lies? Do windy conditions hurt your scores? These are conditions that we have all faced on the course. They're part of the game, and they're part of what makes golf so tough... and so incredibly satisfying when we can navigate the course effectively. To get around the course effectively though, you'll need to have what we call "Trouble Shots" mastered. We've come up with a 66 minute video that will give you the tools needed to hit these shots... and lower your scores.
Here's a summary of what you'll learn:

Trouble Shot: Hard Pan – Hitting off hard ground with no grass or turf.



What typically happens: The leading edge of the golf club is rounded. So, when it comes into the ground it won’t dig. When you have a hard pan lie (since the ground is so hard), what happens is that the back end of the golf club bounces off of the ground and hits into the back of the golf ball. It won’t glide through the turf because the ground is too hard. As the bottom edge of the golf club comes into contact with the ground, it bounces up into the air. When you have a hard pan lie, you will very often top the golf ball. The ball flight is very low, and the ball generally doesn’t go very far.

What the video is going to teach: We’re going to show you specific changes to implement in your setup and mechanically with your golf swing that will ensure that you will catch a more of the bottom of the ball. The changes will help you get loft on the golf ball, more distance, and play the shot as it meant to be played. We’re going to make the swing steeper, which will turn the club into more of a digging tool than one that was meant to bounce.

Trouble Shot: Deep Rough – Hitting where the ball is buried deep in the grass.

What typically happens: When the golf ball lies too deep in the rough and the leading edge cannot get to the bottom of the golf ball, this would be considered deep rough. The problem is that you usually can’t get the golf club on it. The rough gets between the clubhead and the ball so the club can’t make good contact, and also, this slows down the clubhead. If the rough is too deep, the grass will grab the hosel of the club and twist the clubface at impact.

What the video is going to teach: First of all, you will not believe the solid contact you’ll start making. We’re going to make adjustments to your setup in order to make the golf club swing more vertical. And the reason is you’re swinging so vertical is to catch ball first and you’re not going to catch any grass in the hosel. Since you won’t be catching grass, your clubhead speed won’t be slowed down either. This will give you the distance you are used to from the fairway, but out of the rough.

Trouble Shot: Punch Shots – When you need to hit the ball low.

What typically happens: If you don’t have this shot in your bag, you don’t have much choice but to take your regular swing. So you can’t go directly at the target, you’ve got to aim left or right instead.

What the video is going to teach: We’re going to show you how to hit the ball low so you can attack the target. Aiming left and right isn’t the best option is the vast majority of cases. You are much better hitting the ball under the obstacle and letting the ball roll up to the target.

You’ll also learn all of the below:

Trouble Shot: Into Wind

* The #1 mistake most amateurs make in club selection. I’ll show you which club and why.
* Why it isn’t about swing speed. Hitting harder isn’t the answer. I’ll show you what is.
* The last thing you want to do when hitting against the wind. And how to avoid doing it.
* Why a full backswing is a no-no. And how to positively alter yours.

Trouble Shot: Down Wind

* How to avoid choosing the wrong club. It’s the most common mistake amateurs make and it can cost you big time.
* How to modify your swing to take maximum advantage of the wind. Your regular swing won’t help you here.
* How to keep the ball from running past where you want it to stop.
* What you want the ball to do in a downwind situation. It’s the exact opposite of hitting into the wind.

Trouble Shot: Flop Shots

* You’ll learn when to flop and when to stop and think it over.
* You’ll learn how to add loft to your flop shots. Without sacrificing accuracy.
* I’ll show you the club to use and the technique that goes with it.
* I’ll teach you how to modify your swing. It’s a subtle change but it makes all the difference between a good flop and one to try to forget.

Trouble Shot: Uneven Lies (when the ball is above your feet, when it’s below them, when the ball is uphill and when it’s downhill). I give each lie its own special segment. Because each one is a different situation.

* How to hit like you’re on level ground – even if you’re halfway up a hillside. (The secret? Your shoulders.)
* The technique to use for each lie. It’s different for each one.
* The club to use for every uneven lie you face. No more second-guessing yourself.
* How to modify your grip. Same grip, different location.

Trouble Shot: Draws and Fades

* When to hit a draw and when to go for a fade. You’d think it would be obvious, but for some golfers it isn’t.
* The changes you need to make to your grip for both shots. Naturally, it’s a little different depending on whether you’re going for a draw or a fade.
* Why it’s important to visualize your shot. You won’t get where you want to go if you don’t.
* Why so much depends on your club face. And what to do about it.

Learn more or get your [URL="http://www.purepointgolf.com/troubleshots/troubleshots.php"]Trouble Shots DVD by clicking here[/URL].