March 5, 2007

Curve On Command

If you want to take your scores even lower, you’ve got to be able to control the spin on your golf ball, and that means being able to curve it when you want to. This skill is called working the ball, and it takes practice. But most low-handicappers don’t rehearse this part of their game correctly–they’ll hit 20 draws in a row, then hit a bunch of fades. This practice sequence doesn’t realistically represent what you’ll face on the course. In golf, you only get one chance, not 20. That’s why I recommend the Diamond Drill. The Diamond teaches you how to work the ball on demand using the geometry of the setup.

March 5, 2007

Lead With Your Left

When you want to get some extra distance out of your drives, it’s natural to think that your right or dominant hand (for right-handed golfers) should supply the power. In reality, however, maximum power is a result of a left-hand lead.

November 1, 2005

Finishing School

Look at the end of your swing to find and fix hidden flaws

Basically, there are only two positions in the golf swing: the address

and the finish. Everything else is a motion and, as such, difficult to

analyze. But the finish is static and allows for serious self-analysis.

If you know what to look for, then how you end your swing can give you

some good ideas of what’s going on in your motion.

November 1, 2005

Two Wrongs Make A Right

Don't fear flaws, use them to correct any type of ballflight

No matter how fundamentally superior the swings of the world’s best players are to those belonging to the rest of us, there has never been, nor is it likely will there ever be, a golf swing without at least one flaw.

August 1, 2005

Its Your Turn

Most recreational golfers think the pros are playing a completely different game and that they struggle with totally different mistakes. Of course, touring pros are more advanced than weekend golfers in terms of technique and ability level, but believe it or not, there are some problems that almost all golfers struggle with from time to time._Ê

June 1, 2005

Bunker Magic

4 different shots with four different clubs from greenside sand

Bunkers are the only place on the golf course where you’re not always

required to hit it perfectly. It’s okay—even encouraged—that you

sometimes hit it fat, hold the face open through impact and minimize

your weight shift and rotation. So why, then, are golfers terrified of

what seemingly should be one of golf’s easier shots? Astonishingly, the

top player on the PGA Tour through 20 rounds of golf this year—Luke

Donald—has nearly a 90 percent success rate from the sand. There’s no

reason you can’t be at least half that good.

May 15, 2005

Hip Work

The three components for proper hip movement–a critical component of a fundamentally solid downswing–are weight shift, a slight lateral slide and hip whip (the explosive rotation just before impact that generates power). Good players know how to mix these components in the proper proportion to achieve both maximum power and outstanding accuracy.

May 1, 2005

Drive With Control & Power

Serious advice and drills for big, big hits

Each of my students completes a pre-instruction questionnaire,

indicating wants, needs and goals. I’ve used this questionnaire for 20

years, and easily the most oft-noted goal is “more distance with more

control.” Many of these golfers own sound fundamentals, solid iron

swings and good short games, but nonetheless lack the skill to

consistently produce pure and powerful drives. In your own attempts to

improve, does it seem like the harder you try to gain distance, the

worse it gets? Trust me, you’re not alone. I’m confident that learning

from four typical driving faults and comparing those to the moves of

golfers who hit it forever with a seemingly effortless flow of motion

will help you do the same.

May 1, 2005

Five Strategies For Lower Scores

Change your game without changing your swing

There’s little doubt that proper swing fundamentals and short-game techniques are important parts of a consistent golf game. Good golf, however, isn’t purely about perfect mechanics; it’s also largely about strategy. Fortunately, there are several key strategies anyone can easily utilize to produce lower scores. Better yet, using your smarts is a lot easier than trying to create a fundamentally perfect backswing or impact position. In this regard, the title of this story holds true–you can score better without changing your swing.

February 14, 2005

Red-Letter Days

Use the alphabet to groove a solid, power-rich, accurate swing

Good days and not-so-good days on the course are part of golf, creating the personal challenge avid players crave. For most golfers, good rounds are those defined by solid ballstriking with ideal direction, distance and trajectory. It’s these special red-letter days–the days when golf seems effortless–that every golfer wants more often.