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Quick Tips To Play Better

Get better, fast!

This Article Features Photo Zoom

WORK THAT KNEE CORRECTLY
How your legs work during the swing can affect the path you swing on. In particular, let's look at how the right knee works. In the case of some of my higher-handicap students, I see a lot of straight, or nearly straight, knees at the top of the swing. When this happens, I see a lot of clubs laid off and in a position like the one you see here.

NO
How your legs work during the swing can affect the path you swing on. In particular, let's look at how the right knee works. In the case of some of my higher-handicap students, I see a lot of straight, or nearly straight, knees at the top of the swing. When this happens, I see a lot of clubs laid off and in a position like the one you see here.

Midway through the downswing, check out my right knee. It's actually protruding out toward the golf ball. When this happens, I'm in real danger of swinging over the top of the golf ball. Not to mention it makes me swing really steep.

Oh no! As a result of my knee bending and protruding out toward the golf ball, I've created a vicious, outside-in swing path. In addition, the hosel of the iron is closer to the ball, and I'm in real danger of shanking the golf ball. Why? All because my knee didn't do what it's supposed to do.

YES
Here we are at the top of a good golf swing. My right knee has retained some flex, and I'm poised to make a swing without coming over the top. The key, shown in the next couple photos, is in how the right knee moves in the downswing.

As I transition my weight from my right side to my left side, I begin the necessary move of the right knee toward my left knee. You can see that happening here as I drop the club on the downswing and rotate my hips open. As the right knee gets closer to the left knee, the left knee straightens out.

Here we go. At impact, you can clearly see that my knee didn't protrude toward the target. Instead, it bent toward the left knee. This is indicative of a solid rotation of the body, and a weight shift to my forward (left) side. Practice this sequence here and get your right knee moving correctly. You'll see more consistent shots right away.

WATCH YOUR EAR
This article is meant to be quick and easy, right? Here's another tip that's a real no-brainer for better, longer tee shots with the driver. Instead of focusing on hitting up on the ball (the driver is the only club where that's okay), think of something else. In this case, make sure you keep your left ear behind the ball through the hit. By doing that, you'll not only swivel your body around your head better, but also retain the needed ascending angle into the back of the golf ball. It's a simple tip to learn, and a valuable thing to remember while out on the course.

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