May 2006

Instruction

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  Money Shots

  Every round requires at least one money-shot situation to win a few skins or to stay competitive when the chips are down

  By Paul Ito, PGA and Todd Stewart, PGA, with Ryan M. Noll, Photography by Warren Keating
  It doesn’t matter how great or poor you’re playing, any given round requires at least one spectacular shot to win a skin, save a much-needed stroke or, in some cases, avert a disaster. We like to call these “money shots,” as opposed to “miracle shots,” because we believe that with practice, these types of shots will be your go-to plays when the game is on the line. Better yet, learning a few money shots will not only help you lower scores, but your overall game is likely to improve, thanks to a newfound confidence in knowing you can face anything that comes your way.
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  The Secret To Speed

  For more clubhead MPH and more yards, turn to your hips

  By Joe Thiel, PGA Master Professional; Photography by D2 Productions; Opening Photo by David Johnston
  If there’s an absolute truth in golf, it’s that the faster you can move the clubhead, the greater the potential for extra distance. Granted, you still need to make solid contact in the center of the face and with the club moving on the proper plane, but all other things being equal, more speed definitely means more yards. The big question is: Where does speed come from? Your hands can move fairly quickly, and there’s no faster part of your body than your fingers. But where the golf swing is concerned, a fast clubhead almost always results from fast hips moving correctly and in the proper direction.