The First Foot Back

photo credit: stanik2007   The first 12 inches of your backswing can determine the outcome of your swing.  Drag the clubhead back, keeping it low to the ground.  Once it’s back approximately one foot it will automatically rise.  The whole process is started by your shoulders, not your arms as some believe.  Tip:  place a tee about about eighteen inches behind the ball.  Hit the tee on the way back. 

Drag the club back on the inside of the target line to promote an inside-out swing-path. 

The takeaway should be a smooth, one piece motion.  Some players find that hovering the clubhead above the ground is an ideal way to achieve good tempo and promote good timing.  It can also prevent the club from snagging on the grass.

Choose Another Club

photo credit: B_cool   There are no rules that say you have to use a driver on every tee shot.  Try using a club other than a driver if:  A)  you are wild with your driver try using your 3-metal, hybrid or even a long-iron.  B)  on short doglegs a driver may put you in the rough, hazards or woods.  C)  hazards, such as water or traps may require something other than a driver.  D)  pin position may demand a layup for your second shot.  E)  if with a strong tailwind using a driver could get you in trouble.  F)  for tight fairways, a driver may not be the best choice. 

Don’t play macho, play the game by using the proper strategy.

Don’t Squeeze

photo credit: USACE Europe District   Grip pressure has a huge effect on your golf shots.  A grip that is too tight can cause blocked shots and prevent you from releasing the club properly (cracking the whip through the impact zone).  The blocked shot keeps the clubface open at impact causing the shot to go to the right. 

If the club is held too loosely, the club may get out of control during the swing which can lead to various problems during impact.  One of those would be the closing of the clubface at impact causing the ball to go left.

Grip the club so that it doesn’t move in your hands during the swing.  You should be able to make an  unrestricted waggle at address when your grip is correct.

The Big Three

photo credit: eric.acevedo   Your grip is where a good golf swing begins, it is your “attachment” to the club.  There are three types of grips used in the game of golf:  1)  Overlap.  2)  Interlock.  3)  10-Finger (baseball). 

Overlap > also called the Vardon Grip, is when the little finger of your lower hand overlaps (placed in the channel) the index and middle finger of your upper hand.  Interlock > the little finger of the lower hand intertwines with the index finger of the upper hand which links both hands as one.  10-Finger (baseball) >all 10 fingers are on the grip just as if it were a baseball bat.  The lower little finger butts up against the index finger of the upper hand (a good grip for beginners and some seniors).

More Swing Thoughts

photo credit: OCVA   1)  What you would find out in sixth months of tedious practice, you can learn from a PGA Professional golf instructor in only one lesson.  2)  Let the right hip start the swing going back and then allow the left hip to start the downswing and follow-through.  3)  During the downswing, try holding the right shoulder back as long as possible in order to give your left side an opportunity to get through the shot.  4)  If you suffer from a good deal of muscle tension, don’t ground the club in the address position, hover it behind the ball.  5)  Let the hands start slightly ahead of the ball when beginning the backswing (Bobby Jones perfected this particular swing method).

Swing Thoughts

photo credit: Rob Poetsch   Swing Thoughts:  1)  During the downswing, the crossing of the forearms puts the snap into the golf ball, not the wrists.  2)  The majority of poor shots are created by a misaligned clubface.  3)  Make a good backswing and reduce greatly the chances of a bad shot.  4)  Learn to pick the ball cleanly.  5)  Imagine your shot following a straight line to the target.  6)  Create a relaxed grip by joining the hands.  7)  Clip off the top of the tee with your drives.  8)  Don’t think of “hitting” the ball, just let it get in the way of your swing.  9)  Don’t try to pick the ball up, that’s what the club is for.  10)  Hit behind the ball when weight is too far on back foot.  11)  Picture the shot as you would like to see it.

Quick Cures

photo credit: Edd Morgan   A shot that starts left and hooks sharply in the same direction is called a “pulled hook.”  Usually this requires the attention of a professional golf instructor. 

A hook, on the other hand, is not so serious and can be easily corrected.  When gripping the club make sure that both V’s of either hand are pointing directly at your chin.  Be sure to concentrate on just brushing the club to the top of the grass or just clipping the tee.  Doing so will take the club straight through the impact zone.

For the slicer, point the V’s of either or both hands towards your right shoulder and be sure to clip the top of the grass.  Don’t swing from the outside-in, swing from the inside-out.

The Correct Stance

photo credit: D.Hilgart   Try This Method: (for right handers)  1)  Stand as if you are going to shake hands with someone.  2)  Point your toes the way you walk, otherwise, maintain a square right foot to the target line.  3)  Toe of left foot turned slightly toward the target.

If your backswing is slightly restricted, try opening (turn to the right) the right foot slightly.  This allows for more flexibility and a greater body turn going back.  Squaring the right foot tends to restrict the backswing especially where amateur golfers are concerned.

In order to open your stance bring the left foot back.  To close your stance, bring the right foot back.  If you tend to swing from the outside in (slice), try closing your stance to encourage an inside to outside swing-path.

A Very bad Habit

photo credit: kulicki   There is a very bad habit that receives little attention amongst players, students and teachers alike.  The habit being referred to is when a golfer actually watches their club move backward as the backswing begins.  It is one of the most popular faults that occur. 

Usually, a player develops this habit for a number of reasons.  Perhaps they have become self-conscious about correcting a swing flaw that their instructor has pointed out to them or maybe it’s because of a lack of concentration on their part.  Whatever the reason, it’s about the worst habit a golfer can have.

I just don’t think looking at the ball is enough.  I suggest looking at the back of the ball (which concentrates your eyesight even more) until impact occurs.

Aim Past the Pin

photo credit: D.Hilgart   How many approach shots do you hit past the pin during a typical round of golf ?  If your answer is “not many,”  consider yourself average.  The next question is, why are most of your approach shots short of the pin ?

There are two good answers: 1) poor club selection.  2)  you are “letting up” on the shot.  Most of the time you just don’t swing as hard as you normally would.  If the shot is between an 8 iron and a 7-iron (distance-wise), always choose the higher numbered club and don’t baby the shot.  Doing so will increase your chances of ending up pin high  If you are between clubs, and need 5 yards less, simply choke-up on the club you choose.

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