Stance at Address

photo credit: billypoonphotos   One of the constant problems I see with my students is that they either stand too tall over the ball or they lean too drastically when in the address position.  What follows is a great way to tell if your address “lean” is correct:  Stand in an erect position and place your driver through your belt in the small of your back.  Make sure the shaft extends just above your head.

Bend from your hips as if you were in the address position.  The distance between the club’s handle and the back of your head should be the same as it was when you were standing upright.  If the distance is greater, you are slumped over too far, if the distance between the club and your head is smaller than you are standing too erect.

The Skied Shot

photo credit: SouthAsiaGolf   Even the best of players will hit a skied drive.  This simply means the ball goes straight up with a loss of about 70% of it’s distance.  This type of shot is incredibly embarrassing to all golfers. 

Skied shots are caused by an excessively upright backswing.  It’s the result of picking the club up too steeply with the hands.  The swing arc that is created is too narrow.

Fix:  Start your takeaway low and slow which will widen your backswing arc.  Sweep the club away from the ball while turning your back towards the target.  Through the impact zone (about one foot behind the ball), try to sweep the ball off the tee instead of “chopping” at it.  Create  a longer flat spot at the bottom of your swing.

Test Your Grip Pressure

photo credit: rioncm   Holding the club with the proper grip pressure is paramount to playing good golf.  If you are holding the club too tightly you are limiting your ability to play the game well.  What follows is a great way to tell if you are using the proper grip pressure:

Hold the club in the address position (as if ready to play a shot) and pick it up in front of you so that the clubhead is pointing straight at the ceiling or sky.  Now slowly release your grip pressure until the club flows through your hands and towards the floor.  Now try it again and just as the club starts moving downward, squeeze just enough to stop it from doing so.  Now you have the ideal grip pressure.

Grip Types

photo credit: Neil Rickards   There are three accepted types of golf grips.  1.)  the baseball grip.  2.)  the overlapping grip.  3.)  the interlocking grip. 

The Baseball Grip > Hold the club as you would a baseball bat with the little finger and forefinger next to each other.  This type of grip is ideal for young golfers, those with arthritic problems and seniors.  The baseball grip is the least common. 

The Overlapping Grip > is the most popular grip.  The little finger of the right hand rides “piggyback” over the forefinger of the left hand.  This grip is used by most PGA Professionals.

The Interlocking Grip > the little finger of the right hand fits between the forefinger of the left hand.  Used by Jack Nicklaus.

Simple Steps for More Power

photo credit: Lazurite   The Problem > more shot distance required.  The Fix >  1)  improve your launch angle by teeing the ball higher and hitting it on the upswing for tee shots.  For fairway shots, play the ball more forward in your stance.  2)  Turn your back foot slightly away from the target which will allow for a fuller backswing.  3)  Turn your lead foot slightly toward the target which will make for a powerful follow-through.  4)  Play the ball closer to your your body.  This allows you to hit the ball on your clubface’s sweetspot, whereas, a ball teed farther from you will cause the ball to be hit off of the toe of the clubface.  5)  Hold the club with very light grip pressure.

Greater Shot Distance

photo credit: nsaplayer   The surest way to increase shot distance is to create more clubhead speed.  The way that it’s done is to increase the arc of your backswing and bring the club farther back at the top.  The trouble with this, however, is that it will create a lack of control.

In order to generate the maximum amount of clubhead speed it is important to maintain very good balance.  One of the keys to good balance during the golf swing is too keep your lead heel on the ground during the backswing.  Many players lift their heel high enough to cause them to sway which can easily lead to a reverse pivot.  Keep your lead heel planted on the ground for maximum balance and shot distance.

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).

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