Struggling to get a good rhythm? Swing feeling forced?
Try this drill. Take your dominant arm (right arm for right handers) and make some full swings including the body turn just using the one arm. Put your other arm behind your back or in your pocket. You will feel the club swinging freely and not rushed. This is correct swing tempo and it can trigger the motion needed when we make a full shot.
As the sand slows the club down when it impacts, we must make sure we make a full length swing in order to generate the momentum to get through the sand. It doesn’t need to be a hard swing but just a full length swing both back and through. If the club stops, the ball will stop.
Golf balls are not indestructible. The force exerted on them shot after shot means they can and will eventually be put out of shape, scuffed or even cracked. A ‘hurt’ golf ball will most certainly not fly well or roll well making the game even harder if using a ball of this description.
Bite the bullet and purchase new golf balls regularly. A ball should not be used for more than two rounds if you want to get the most out of your game. So dig through your bag and throw out all the balls you know have had more than two outings or are scuffed etc.
Last week I watched in amazement at Rory McIlroy stepping up to awkwardly tap in a putt after missing his first putt and continue to avoid the hole resulting in a careless bogey.
You could just see the frustration in his face as he asked himself “why the hell didn’t I just wait?”
Its not worth the rush. If you have a tap in where you are manipulating your body into a position so as to not stand on someones line MARK IT. If you miss it you can then carry on the frustration through the next few holes resulting in even more dropped shots.
Be patient. There is no point risking a missed simple putt by rushing.
As the wind is currently causing havoc on the course I thought it fitting to add a point on how to be more successful in the wind.
Never try and fight the wind. It will always win! Simply allow for it. If playing with a cross wind take aim to the side of the target the wind is coming from and let the wind hit it back. Down wind take less club and let the wind take it. Into wind take more club and let the wind hit it.
The main thing is that you are just making the same smooth swing each time and simply changing your alignment or the club to allow the wind to adjust it to the target.
When you practice are you sure you are clear on what to work on? If you get it wrong you will simply be making a bad habit worse by ‘grooving’ it.
If you are having trouble with an area of the game make sure you have a lesson so to know EXACTLY what to work on not just what you THINK you should work on.
I will be able to put you on the right path so you are making the most of your practice time not making your game worse.
If you are faced with a shot from just off the green but the ball is sitting down or on a tight lie try using your fairway wood like a putter. The loft on the club helps to pop the ball out of the bad lie and get it rolling. This is definitely a safer way to play the shot than trying to chip it with a wedge, it takes very little effort to get the ball rolling up onto the green.
Unless the pin is in the centre of the green it more than likely isn’t the target line you should be taking. Most greens are designed to have trouble either side and if the pin is on the same side as the trouble and your shot misses on that side then it becomes an almost impossible shot to get close to the pin (also known as short siding yourself).
Try aiming at the middle of the green for all approach shots. then if you push or pull slightly there is a good chance of it still being on the green.
Whether you are playing well or poorly make sure you stick to your routine. Quite often I see people somewhat giving up on their routine because they are starting to play bad. Do you think this will help you to start playing good? I think you know the answer to that. Accept bad shots or bad scores but keep doing your routine and it will give you the best chance of turning your round back on track.
If your body stops before the swing has finished, the arms tend to take over and it becomes a slap at the ball. If this happens a wide variety of shots can occur. Have a swing and hold your follow through, now look down at your back foot. It should be up on the toe with all your body weight on your front foot. This is a sign of a completed body swing which is ideal. If this is not the case try some swings without the club and rehearse the full motion of the swing including the feet position at the end of the swing.
