Raise Your Chin At Address

One of the key characteristics of Jack Nicklaus’ swing, was the manner in which he raised his chin at address.  Just as he started his swing he would raise his chin slightly and tilt his head to the right, or slightly away from the target.  This move allowed him to generate maximum shot distance. 

Very few golfers, including PGA Tour Players, exhibit Nicklaus’ characteristic chin movement.  Elevating your chin is a very important part of the address position.  When the chin is elevated it does not block your lead shoulder from making a full turn.  Nicklaus not only elevated his chin but turned it to the right to allow for even more shoulder room.  Try this for good results, Nicklaus did and won 18 major championships.

Address Position Rudiments

photo credit: diskychick   After gaining perspective of the target from behind the ball, step into the address with both feet close together.  Too many golfers set their feet first at address and then the club-face.  Most of the time their aim will be incorrect.  Set the club-face and shaft in position first to find the correct angle to the target line.  Once that is completed you have a correct angle to the target line and a guide for getting the body square.  Aim the club-face and shaft first, then fit your body to them.

More shots are ruined because of incorrect aim than any other factor.  Many players overlook the importance of making the proper aim for each and every shot.  Aiming each shot correctly should be priority one with every serious golfer.

Weight Distribution

photo credit: mandj98    Proper weight distribution is one of the key elements in a powerful golf swing.  It is the shift in weight, created by body movement, that produces good timing and plenty of club-head speed.

In the address position the weight should be distributed evenly, on the insides of both feet (this does not apply to short approach shots).  During the back-swing (right handed players) the weight shifts to inside of the right foot (not the outside of the foot), at impact the weight is as it was at address and on the follow-through the weight should shift to the outside of the lead foot and inside of the right foot.

Tip:  In the address position, try to keep your knees slightly inward to keep your weight on the inside.

PurePoint Golf Instruction

PGA Professional Bobby Eldridge (pictured above) is the director of the PurePoint Golf instructional program which is one of the most successful and popular teaching programs on the worldwide web.  Prior to joining PurePoint Golf, Eldridge owned and operated his own golf academy with schools located throughout the southwest.  Devoting his entire career to the game of golf, Bobby Eldridge has become one of the country’s foremost teaching Professionals.

The Bobby Eldridge instruction method at PurePoint Golf covers every aspect of the game and is the culmination of a lifetime of teaching experience.  The program offers a DVD series that entirely simplifies even the most difficult aspects of the game.  This program, without a doubt, should be a part of every serious golfer’s collection.  For more information see www.purepointgolf.com.

Golf Lesson Fundamentals

photo credit: preciouskhyattLet’s face it, not everyone can afford golf lessons but if you are fortunate enough to be taking lessons make sure that your instructor is zeroing in on all of the basic swing fundamentals.

When the golfswing is broken down, as it should be, there are two categories:  Preswing and Swing. 

Pre-swing, or address position, consists of:  (1).  Grip  (2).  Posture  (3).  Ball Position  (4).  Alignment of Feet  (5).  Body Alignment  (6).  Aim  (7).  Weight Distribution.

Swing consists of:  (1).  Clubface Angle During Swing  (2).  Left Arm, Shaft and Clubface Angle  (3).  Follow Through.

If these topics are not being addressed write them down and present them to your PGA Professional Instructor or check out www.purepointgolf.com for the best in affordable online instructions.

Short Game Basics

photo credit: TheCameronsShort Game Tips:  (1). Grip the club so that it runs down in your fingers, not up across the palms.  (2). A neutral grip is always best for all short game shots.  (3). Keep your arms and hands loose, tension kills feel and touch.  (4). Maintain a norrow stance since it promotes a pivot instead of a slide back and forth.  (5).  Set up square, not open, to your target with your toes.  (6).  Place 65% of your weight on your left foot.  (7). Play the ball in the center of your stance.  (8). Left wrist (right handers) position is critical: it should be bowed on a chip shot, neutral on a pitch shot and cupped on a bunker or flop shot.

Over The Top Correction

photo credit: diluviProblem:  high, weak drives to the right - you have the feeling of falling backward during your swing.  These are signs of the classic over the top swing…  Check your ball position at address.  Playing the ball too far back can lead to shots that fly up to 20 yrds. to the rightof target.  Play the ball off your lead heel with feet shoulder width apart, this will prevent the feeling of “falling back.”

Unlike iron shots, make sure you keep the handle behind the ball.  Addressing the ball in this maner will assure that you “sweep” the ball off the tee instead of hitting down on the golf ball as you would with iron shots.  Also, make sure your forearms are parallel to the target line.

Take The Wide Side

photo credit: lrargerich For some players, aiming directly at the pin can be a big mistake, doing so will keep your handicap exactly where it is. Lately, pin placement next to the edges of the green has become common-place. This type of placement will cause most players to miss the green time after time.

It’s a lot simpler to improve your putting than it is to improve your approach play. It’s much more difficult to “stick” a pin shot than it is to two putt from 30 ft. Golf is a game of odds. You can improve your odds by aiming for the wide side rather than going directly at the pin. Doing so requires discipline but the real payback is much lower scores.

Fade or Draw?

photo credit: mandj98 Some golfers have a natural tendency to hit a draw or a fade even though most players actually have to learn to hit one or the other. If you are able to manage both how do you decide which one to hit?

There are many factors in the decision to hit a draw or fade: are you playing a dogleg, what is the wind direction, is your ball in the fairway or rough, what are the hazard locations (if any) and where is the pin located?

Lee Trevino’s favorite shot was the fade which he hit consistently. Generally though, the draw is favored by most Professional golfers because they claim they have better control with that type of shot. Learn one or the other, or both and watch your handicap plummet!

Putting Grip

photo credit: danperry.com The reverse overlap putting grip is the most popular grip in the game today and using it will improve your scores dramatically.

The grip of the putter should be placed in the center of the left hand along the lifeline. When in this position the back of the left hand faces the target. The right hand is then placed on the grip in the same manner with the lifeline resting on the second finger of the left hand. The right hand faces away from the target.

The left forefinger overlaps the fingers of the right hand. The right little finger overlaps
fingers of the left hand. Using this type of putting grip squares both forearms to the target line. Both thumbs should be on top of the handle and be pointed straight down.

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