Shotshaping Formulas
How to make the shots you need to play your best
It’s a “how-to” world these days.
Everywhere you look, you’ll find someone, somewhere or something
dedicated to what I like to call, “HTH” (How-To Hysteria). “How to bake
a cake, how to wire a motorcycle, how to build an arboretum, how to fix
a car”—we as a culture have become so fascinated by the “how-to” genre
that dozens of magazines, Websites and even television channels have
been developed to help you help yourself. Luckily, Golf Tips is no
exception, as the authors in every instructional story provide you with
the scoop on how to become a better player. In this particular feature,
we’re going to follow suit and get into the nitty-gritty of how to
become the ultimate shotmaker. Brace yourself—this is the stuff you’ve
been waiting for. We’ve outlined eight different shots that you need to
know to play your best, as well as the formulas for what kind of setup,
grip, stance and magic move it takes to make them happen. But before we
get started, here’s a bit of insider info: I’m a left-handed golfer!
Even though I play from the other side of the ball (forgive me, my
fellow southpaws), I’ve been able to prove the following formulas work
by implementing them into right-handed swings for you to see. (Hey, if
they work for me, they’re definitely going to work for you.)
Caution! These pages are full of powerful golf shot formulas and may result in exceptional shotmaking on the golf course. This may cause serious damage to the scorecard and/or your opponent, requiring him/her to pay more nassaus and skins in your favor. Use with care and consideration of others.
High Draw: How to hit a high draw for a few extra yards off the tee.Body Position It may look like my ball is back in my stance from this angle, but check out my arms and shoulders. They’re well behind the ball. Play the ball a couple balls forward of normal with a widened stance. Be sure to add some tilt to the shoulders away from the target to encourage the needed upward blow into the ball at impact.
Grip As you can see by my grip, both my left and right hand are stronger than usual. This is crucial for ensuring that the clubface closes through impact as well as to impart the sidespin needed to hit a draw. Point the “V” formed by the fold between the thumb and index fingers of both hands toward the right shoulder for power.
Clubface Despite what you may think, a high draw doesn’t require a shut or closed clubface at impact. Keep the clubface square to the target as you normally would. The path of the clubhead is what makes the ball curve, not the clubface angle at address or impact. Tee the ball higher than normal, with the equator of the ball above the driver’s topline.
Magic Move The key to hitting the high draw is twofold: Be sure you hit the ball on the upswing and, secondly, from an inside swing path. The strong grip will help to square the clubface naturally, so don’t force the club to turn over. As you take the club back, take it back inside the target line and delay the hinge of your wrists until the club reaches near thigh high. This will stretch out and flatten your swing to help you hit a draw. Swing through the ball and allow your weight to favor your rear foot through impact.
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