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Written by gaby
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Monday, 11 May 2009 |
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Tip 12: Hit Far with the Ball Forward
Your position over the ball should vary according to the club you're using. For instance, the ball should be in the middle of your stance with the shorter irons (7, 8, 9, PW). As the loft of the club decreases, the ball should be incrementally farther toward the front foot, until it's just inside the left heel when hitting the woods. Also, remember that if you want to purposely hit lower shots, the ball should be back in the stance. For higher shots, it should be forward.
Tip 13: Rock-Solid Right Knee
On the backswing, it's crucial to keep weight on the inside of the right foot, and maintain a slight bend in the knee. Failure to do this can mean poor contact and a loss of power. As you take the club back, imagine that the right knee is braced and solid like a wall. This helps your upper body coil behind the ball, so you can make an aggressive move through it--and really send it flying!
Tip 14: Grip it Light on the Right
In general, you need to keep the right side solid for a strong shot. But don't let this carry through to your grip. Many golfers tend to grip the club too tightly with the right hand, which leads to unnecessary tension. It can also make you swing "over the top" and cut across the ball. Here's the fix: Check your right-side grip, arm, and shoulder tension before each swing. You should sense that have muscle tension corresponding to a "6" or "7" on a scale of 1-10: Light muscles are better than tight muscles!
Tip 15: Muscle It!
Golf isn't a wrist game. To achieve a powerful swing, you need to employ the big muscles of the legs and trunk. The common instinct of many amateurs is to hit at the ball with only the arms and wrists. Every once in a while this may connect, but for real consistency and power, use the whole body, not just part of it. Muscle it!
Tip 16: Go Crosshand
One common error in putting is a breakdown of the wrists. Try using a "crosshand" grip. To do this, place the left hand down the grip where the right hand would normally be, and put the right hand atop the grip. This may feel odd at first, but it forces the hands to work as a unit, which is one of the fundamentals of good putting. And remember: Always keep the hands in front of the ball during the stroke, and the left wrist flat!
Tip 17: "Splash" Some Sand
Next time you're in a bunker, focus on sliding a thin "divot" of sand from under the ball and onto the green. Open the clubface a few degrees (clockwise) and line up slightly to the left. "Splash" the sand toward the target and the ball will follow!
Tip 18: Putt with Your Eyes Closed!
Can you play golf with your eyes closed? You'd be surprised. By practicing putts with your eyes shut, it's easier to feel body movements. You should sense your shoulders working like a pendulum. Next thing, you'll hear the ball hitting the bottom of the cup!
Tip 19: Hit Low Into the Wind
Many players feel that they need to hit it harder into a breeze, but this causes them to put more spin on the ball and hit it higher. To hit it lower and more controlled, put the ball back in your stance a few inches and keep your hands forward. Use a longer club than you would otherwise, and swing easy. Remember the old saying, "Swing with ease into the breeze."
Tip 20: Wiggle Your Toes
Over time, many golfers move farther from the ball at address. Be sure that you're not reaching for the ball or putting too much weight on the balls of your feet. Here's a test for this that many pros are fond of: Wiggle your toes at address! This ensures that you aren't placing too much weight on the forward part of the foot.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 11 May 2009 )
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