Tip jan 10

Two important Check points in the Backswing

1st checkpoint is making sure that the club is parrallel to your feet when it is horizontal to the ground, club face at the same angle as your back. See Photo 1

2nd checkpoint is getting the butt end of the grip pointing to the ball aaround chest height, this creates the correct angle of attack to the ball on the downswing. See Photo 2

This drill is very good to practice the pitch shots with the wedges. (half swings for the short distances)

Photo 1	Photo 2

Well done to Rob Den Elzen,(photo"s)  it"s easy with the pro ;-)

Tip Feb 10

Ball Position & Body Alignment 

• Ball position for the Driver opposite the inside of the left heel / under the left armpit. (see photo 1)
• Ball position for the 3 wood, 1/3 from the left foot, 2/3 from the right.
• Ball position for the Hybrid / Rescue club is the same as the fairway woods 1/3 from the left. (see photo 2)
• Use the 1/3 from the left foot ball position for the long irons until the 6 iron
• Ball position from the 7i to the lob wedge, place the ball opposite the centre of your stance (see photo 3)

The ball position is very important for the alignment of the shoulders

If the ball position is too far back in your stance (too far right) then you will setup with a closed shoulder position. (aiming right of target)

If the ball position is too far forward in your stance (too far left) then you will setup with an open shoulder position. (aiming left of target)

Photo 1.;	Photo 2.	Photo 3

Tip March 2010

Chip and Run (using 9i through to 6i)

• Ball position back in stance and hands in front of the ball  (see photo  1) 
• Begin with 60% of your weight on the left side, keep the weight on the left side while making the swing (This will improve the contact on the ball)
• Rotate the chest slightly to make the swing, keep the wrists very quiet during the swing  (see photo 2)
• Concentrate on the triangle between the shoulders and hands, keep the weight on the left side when swinging through the ball !! (see photo 3)

Photo 1	Photo 2	Photo 3

Join me again for the tip in April !!

Swinging away from the trouble!

• When playing your tee shot, it"s important that you tee the ball up in the correct place
• If  there is for instance a bunker or hazard on the right side of the fairway tee the ball on the right hand side of the tee box
• This will make you hit away from the trouble towards the left side of the fairway
• Of course, always keep in mind what your natural shape is!

Putting Tip with Training aid

• You can also train without this putting aid
• You need to draw a line in the centre of the golf ball
• Try and putt the ball in a straight line without the line on the ball moving from side to side
• This wil help you putt in the intended direction and will in turn improve the strike on the ball

Chipping (bump & run)

• When you are faced with a long green and you would normally chip the ball from just outside the green
• Take your rescue/hybrid club (if you don’t have one yet you have to buy one as soon as possible!)
• Grip the club right at the bottom of the grip
• Take your normal chipping stance, you will have to stand further away from the ball to allow for the length of the club
• Make a very easy putting motion with the rescue not using your wrists
• A big advantage is when you are against the apron,(just outside the green) the rescue/hybrid club will glide easily through the grass
• It will take some practice to get the distances correct but when you do, watch how easy it is to “Bump & Run” the ball to exactly the right distance.

Rotation & Balance practice

• At the start of your practice session take your normal stance but with your feet really close together.
• Make some practice swings then start hitting balls with your feet in this position, first with a 9 iron nice and easy hitting the balls with roughly 50% power.
• This position ensures that you rotate better and keep your balance while swinging the club around your body, don’t try and hit the ball too hard or you will fall and lose your balance.
• This is a good rotation and balance practice and helps to feel the weight transference when you go back to hitting balls as normal.
• At the end of your practice session repeat this process for the last 10 balls.

For this practice drill you will need a 1 meter steel strip, approx 3cm wide, (You can always buy one from me to practice ;-)

• Place the strip on the floor with the ball at one end (in the hole provided for you)
• Try to putt the ball along the steel strip without the ball rolling off the side of the strip.
• This is a great practice to see if you can strike the ball on the target where you are aiming, make your normal stroke and don’t try to steer the ball.
• Your stroke and contact on the ball will improve in no time!

• Put a ball 1m away from the hole (A straight putt)
• Take your normal stance and aim the putter to the hole
• When you are happy with your alignment, turn your head so you are looking directly at the hole and not at the ball
• Now make your stroke and putt the ball into the hole
• This is a great practice for the putting stroke, only focusing on the target and not worrying about how the club head goes back and through the ball!
• Try it then from further away, 2m, 3m.
• Remember only on the practice putting green ;-)

Visit me again for the tip in February!

Check points in backswing.      

• 1st checkpoint is making sure that the club is parrallel to your feet when it is horizontal to the ground, the club face should be at the same angle as your back.
       

• 2nd checkpoint is getting the butt end of the grip pointing to the ball, this creates a consistant angle of attack to the ball on the downswing.  Also this is a very good position for practising the pitch shots with the wedges. (short distances with the half swing)