Hitting the 3-Metal

photo credit: teamstickergiant   It’s ironic that the 3-metal can be so difficult to hit off the fairway but relatively easy to hit off the tee.  How many really good 3 metal shots have you hit off the fairway?  Now think of how many really good 3 metal shots you’ve hit off the tee.  Quite a difference isn’t it?

When  using the 3-metal off the fairway think in terms of not “forcing” the ball in the air.  Do not try to hit the ball any harder than you would a 5-iron shot.  TIP:  Think fluid.  Even if the ball is slightly miss-hit with the 3-metal, it will usually travel farther than your best 3-iron shot.  It’s easy to spray 3-metal shots so concentrate on alignment and your set-up at address.  Also, try moving your hands slightly down on the grip which automatically makes the clubshaft shorter thus allowing for more control.

Chin Up

photo credit: Clintus McGintus   Described for right handed players - The chin can act like a brake during the backswing.  If the chin is held too low during the backswing it will prevent the left shoulder from going under it, thus, preventing a full turn going back. 

TIP:  When assuming the address position make sure that your chin is raised high enough to allow clearance for your left shoulder during the backswing.  Doing so allows the golfer to take the club back fully to the parallel (with the ground) position.  Most players make this adjustment just before they start their backswing.

Taking the club all the way back to parallel on the backswing generates greater clubhead speed which results in more shot distance.  Remember, in order to create length in your game you’ve got to find ways to create more clubhead speed.  This method is one of them.

Don’t Squeeze the Club Handle

photo credit: Matt Seppings   To the amateur, the only way to get more distance is to take a harder swipe at the ball, in doing so it means that their grip automatically gets tighter.  Just the opposite is true.

In order to achieve more shot distance you have to increase clubhead speed which isn’t accomplished by gripping the club tighter or swinging harder.  The real key is to loosen up your muscles which would be completely tense if you were to take a hard swipe at the ball. You must swing easier with more fluidity.  This all starts by exerting as little pressure as possible when gripping the club, doing so will free-up your wrists, arms, shoulders and entire body.  This obviously goes against normal instincts but it works and that’s all that counts.

Three Aspects of a Golf Swing

photo credit: D.Hilgart   There are three aspects of a positive golf swing if  you make the proper swing commitment:  (1)  Good acceleration > it is imperative that you accelerate through the hitting zone.  This means that your clubhead should be gaining momentum and speed as you move through the bottom of your swing arc.  (2)  Make the Proper Weight Shift >  Make your address with your weight firmly on your forward side and when you swing through the hitting zone your weight should begin to shift further towards the target.  (3)  Your clubhead loft should remain exactly the same as at address.  Changing the loft of your club (angle of attack) through impact, changes the height and distance of the shot.