Be Your Own Teacher

photo credit: DavidHBolton   By studying your shot pattern you can self-correct your swing faults. 

With the correct swing (righ handers), the clubface approaches the ball from inside the target line, is square at impact and moves back inside on the follow-through (inside-square-inside).  A common fault is to keep the club moving outside the target line after impact (inside-out).  A square clubface to the inside-out path is a push.  Open clubface > a slice.  Closed clubface > a hook.

An outside-in swing brings the club from outside to inside the line.  Square clubface at impact > pull.  Open clubface = a slice.  Closed clubface > a very huge slice.

To correct the inside-out swing, simply bring the club straight back along the target line as long as possible.

Mastering the Long Irons

photo credit: D.Hilgart   If you prefer long irons, opposed to hybrids, keep reading.  Did you know that the 1 iron (now an obsolete club) has more loft than the average 3 metal-wood?  Yet long irons can terrorize the average golfer.  To hit long irons you must alter your setup.

The ball must be swept off the ground, shaving a very shallow divot.  Experiment by playing the ball in proximity to your lead heel.  Keep your hands in line with the ball or just slightly ahead of it.  Keep your head behind the ball at address.  Make a one piece takeaway keeping the clubhead low to the ground. 

With long irons, tee the ball up about a half an inch for use on long par three golf holes.

Sweep the Ball

photo credit: D.Hilgart   For most golfers, the fairway metal-wood is the hardest club to hit.  Do you hit up or hit down on the ball?  The answer:  you hit the ball at the bottom of your swing-arc and sweep the ball off the ground. 

Check Points:  1)  Be sure to set the clubhead flat on the ground at address.  2)  Play the ball left of center towards lead heel.  3)  Low sweeping takeaway.  3)  Use your entire body in the swing, do not make an arms-only swing which will tend to give you a more descending blow to the ball.  4)  From a good lie in a bunker, play the ball back, widen your stance and keep your legs “quiet” during the swing.

Feet Placement

photo credit: stanik2007   The position of the feet at address, can determine the distance of your shot.  Example:  Step in front of a mirror with a club and assume the address position with both feet square to your target line.  Start your backswing and stop.  Take note of where your club is (the plane).  Now turn your back foot slightly towards the target, take your backswing and stop at the top.  Note that at the top, your club has not gone back as far as when you had a square stance.  Now proceed again, this time with your back toe pointed a few inches away from the target.  Take your backswing and stop at the top again.  Note how much farther back it is.  A longer backswing means more shot distance.

Assemble Your Game

photo credit: marine_perez   To maximize your ability to play well, it is essential to assemble all that you have learned prior to every shot (presuming you have taken lessons or read many books).  The information being referred to concerns the swing, the game itself and the opponent. 

Every good player prepares for each shot knowing exactly how to hit the ball using the correct grip, stance, aim and posture.  Jack Nicklaus makes this point very clearly in his instructional book GOLF MY WAY when he says ”every well executed shot is 80% set-up and 20% swing,” 

The high handicapper stands besides the ball bewildered and expects a good shot without the required preparation.  Good shots don’t just happen, they are “made” to happen.  Assemble all that you know and use that knowledge for each and every shot you take.

Let Your Muscles do the Work

photo credit: nsaplayer   Concentration is the capacity of eliminating and keeping out all disturbing details prior to your swing.  Decide your shot before you start your backswing then just allow your muscles to do the work. 

Many players think that concentration means being buried in serious swing thoughts and making every effort to hit each shot perfectly. . .  not so.  The perfect place to “think” about the details of your swing is on the practice range where no strokes are at stake.

True concentration is the ability to keep your mind clear of all foreign and disturbing thoughts that could interfere with your ability to swing naturally.  Achieving full concentration is very difficult for most players but for a few, the power of concentration made them into champions.

The 8-Iron

photo credit: star5112   For all players, amateurs and Pros alike, the 8-iron is the perfect club to use when practicing and should be considered your ”ace-in-the-hole,” during actual  play. 

On the range, the 8-iron is a no-brain-er, it is the easiest club in the bag to use.  With the club’s high loft, getting the ball airborne is done with ease;  shot accuracy is the norm rather than the exception.  The 8-iron should be the most useful club in your golf bag because of it’s versatility.

A golfer can recover from errant drives, fairway woods or long iron shots but if you miss an 8-iron shot you are going to lose a stroke.  This short iron, should be your “go-to” club.  It can be used for approach shots, shots from the rough, chip shots, pitch shots, bunker shots, pitch and run shots etc.  Drop your handicap, learn how to use an 8-iron.

Quick Hinge

photo credit: Brian J. McDermott   If you want more power in your golf swing, especially if your an older player, hinge your wrists early in your backswing.  This pre-cocking of the wrists will compensate for a shorter backswing or, in the case of an older golfer, a narrower swing arc.

When starting your backswing, immediately start hinging your wrists.  You may have to use a slightly stronger grip, but making this small change will be well worth it.  You will generate more clubhead speed and a better release through the impact zone.

Another important shot characteristic, with an early wrist hinge, is that your shots will fly higher since an early wrist hinge brings your clubhead int0 the ball at a steeper angle.  Practice this new technique to improve your game.

Playing From the Rough

photo credit: nsaplayer   There are two types of shots from the rough:  1.  When trying to advance the ball as far as possible.  2.  Approach shots with the green for a target. 

TIPS:  When trying to advance the ball a long distance from fairway rough, use a lofted metal wood because the metal wood will slide under the ball.  If an iron is used, the long grass tends to wrap around the hosel, causing erratic shots.  Also, the metal wood results in more distance, much more than the typical long or mid iron shot. 

The shot should be played off your forward heel; using a sweeping action.  A three-quarter swing works perfectly.  When facing an approach shot, play the ball back in your stance.

Golf-swing Physical

photo credit: mrnoy9n   Periodically, give yourself a golf-swing physical to fine tune your game.  Here’s how:

A.)  Go Back to Basics – check your grip, address, ball location, alignment, aim and posture.  B.)  Waggle – try hovering your driver above the ground to ease tense arm muscles.  C.)  Tee Height - for drives, tee the ball so half of the ball is above the clubhead.  For tee shots with irons, tee the ball 1/4 to 1/2 in. above the ground.  D.)  Back-knee – upon completion of the backswing, fire the back knee towards the target promoting a good weight shift.  E.)  Make Square Contact – focus on striking the ball in the middle of the clubface.  F.)  Pick Your Target - aim for a specific target to hit to, not just a “general” area.

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