If you’re one of those players who often hits thin, topped, skulled, fat or even shots off the heel, bottom groove or toe of the club, your spine angle is likely to blame for your inconsistency. Truth be told, the age old adage of “not looking up” isn’t necessary if you can retain your spine angle – case and point, Annika Sorenstam’s swing.
Golf Drills
The Most Common Short Game Mistakes
Continuing from our post yesterday, we’re now going to look into the most common mistakes in the short game. These mistakes are the difference between 90’s shooter and those who break 80. If you get your game in shape from 100 yards and in, I assure you, you’ll start shooting lower scores. Enjoy!
The Most Common Long Game Mistakes
As a golf instructor, I tend to see some very common faults and mistakes displayed in the swings of many levels of players we instruct. This post, describes the most common faults I see in the long game, tomorrow we will discuss the short game. Enjoy!
How to Properly Videotape Your Golf Swing
There are countless videos and movies on Youtube of amateur golfers looking for some advice on their golf swing. Many are quick to provide their advice, but without a properly recorded swing, the camera can play tricks on the eye. Much like when you’re watching golf on TV and Tiger Woods looks as though he shanked one, because the ball jumps quickly off to the right of the screen – the same happens for amateur video.
Altitude & Golf Ball Distance
Did you know that your altitude or elevation can drastically affect the distance your ball can travel? Thicker, heavier air, like the air near sea-level is actually lighter, and will not produce as much friction against the ball during flight as dry air. There are some studies on the affects of altitude on distance, but few provide actual numbers in terms of added yardage… and that’s likely because there is so many factors involved in the equation.
Y Chipping Drill
The most common fault I see with amateurs and their chipping is that they try to scoop the ball at impact. The main problem with scooping is that it causes inconsistency. To scoop at chip shot, you have to add a lot extra wrist movements, this is asking for trouble. A good mental image you should envision when chipping is to create ‘Y’ at address and keep it throughout your stroke.
1234 Greenside Bunker Drill
Getting the ball out of a bunker effectively is a difficult concept to master. To do so a player must understand the specific differences between a sand shot and a normal shot. The swings are completely different, setup is different, and contact is very different. This drill will specifically help your setup and swing path into the ball, an essential part of sand fundamentals.
Hit & Resist Putting Drill
Quite often I see players who suffer from unwanted body movements throughout their putting stroke. This fault leads to missed putts of all distances, often caused by the face angle of the putter being either open or closed at impact.
How to Get Out of the Deep Rough & Hay
The same techniques that help the pros get out of knee-high hay and scraggly plugged lies in deep grass will help the average player as well. Listen up and take some of these tips to the course the next time you find yourself in the deep stuff.
Choke Down and Tighten Your Grip
Control of the club is imperative in the deep rough. Having to swing through all that grass will twist and move your club as it comes into impact. For added control, tighten your grip pressure and choke down on the club.
Start Forward Rhythm Drill
A tight, stiff golf swing is not conducive to consistent results and low scores. You’ll never see a better player look stiff and rigid while swinging – they will always be smooth, relaxed and in control. A tight, rigid swing will reduce your ability to create swing speed significantly. Lag production is significantly reduced, as the smaller muscles are locked and tight. The hands are wrists are some of the most important parts of the body to have relaxed in a golf swing – for the wrists to release naturally and properly into impact, they must be relaxed.