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Golf

Don Farquhar

2013-05-29 10:30:14

Q-Thank goodness we don’t have as much of it around here as they do in other places, but from time to time, the rough can get really heavy. When one finds their self in this gnarly and wiry stuff, how do you get out of it?

A-As anyone who’s played golf knows, it’s inevitable that at some point during a round you’re going to find yourself in the rough. And while the rough certainly presents challenges that don’t exist when playing from the fairway; playing from the rough doesn’t have to ruin your round. Below are a few points regarding playing from the rough that will help you keep your round on track. The first key to playing effectively from the rough is accurately assessing the lie of your ball: how deep or buried is your ball? The club you hit and what type of shot you play are dictated by this because the rough creates resistance as the club enters the grass, causing the club to slow down or decelerate before impact. The heavier the rough, the more rapidly the club slows down. Obviously, the club head slowing down results in a loss of distance. So, judging how much grass is going to interfere with the club head before impact is critical. If your ball is sitting where some portion of the ball is above the tallest blades of grass (See Image 1), the loss of club head speed will be minimal and therefore so will be the loss of distance. In this circumstance, take one more club than you’d normally hit from that yardage and let it rip. High lofted fairway woods and hybrids can be especially effective in this circumstance. For a lie where the top of the ball is even with the top of the grass (See Image 2), you’re also going to take an extra club than you normally would for the given distance, but now you also need to alter your technique slightly. In this situation you want to make your swing plane steeper or more upright so you approach the ball with a more vertical angle. This technique minimizes the amount of resistance from the rough. Doing so requires a few minor adjustments to your set-up. First, at address open both your stance and the club face slightly. Next, play the ball in the middle of your stance. And finally, increase the grip pressure in both hands. This will help keep the club face from closing rapidly as the club enters the grass (the long grass in the rough often wraps around the hosel of the club before impact causing the club face to close and the ball to come out low and left). With your set-up adjusted, begin your swing by focusing on taking the club away more with your arms than by turning your shoulders, as is normally desired. Initiating your backswing with your arms together and an open set-up will promote a more upright swing plane, resulting in the desired more vertical angle of attack. When executed correctly, it should feel like you’re hitting a cut shot. The worst case scenario in the rough is when the entire ball is deep under the top of the grass. In this case, your best option the majority of the time is going to be to take a high lofted club and put the ball back in the fairway. As you may have witnessed in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, this is the option even the best players in the world chose most often. One thing you will notice when the pros play back to the fairway from the rough is that if it’s at all possible, they lay up in the fairway to a favorite yardage. For some that yardage maybe 90 yards, for others it may be 75 yards. This is a great lesson for amateurs also. When you’re at the driving range, determine how far your sand wedge or lob wedge goes with a normal swing and then try laying up out of heavy rough to that distance. It won’t take long for you to realize laying up to a specific yardage from heavy rough and relying on your wedge game is far more practical than lashing at the ball with a long iron or fairway wood. So remember, playing from the rough is part of the game and it doesn’t have to destroy your score. If you learn to assess your lie correctly, alter your set-up and swing plane as needed and choose the correct club you’ll prevent the rough from wreaking havoc on your score card.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2013-04-29 13:39:09

Q-What does it mean when someone says I have a “chicken wing” swing?

A-If your right elbow gets above your right shoulder, you do indeed have a flying elbow. The term flying right elbow and “chicken wing” are synonymous. The term “chicken wing” can also be used to describe your arms on the follow through. This elbow problem will ultimately cause you to come over the top in your swing and hit a slice. Anytime that our swing plane is out of whack chances are that it is a problem with the right elbow. Something that you might think about would be to fold your right elbow immediately upon the start of the backswing. As the shoulders turn back, the elbow will start to leave your side, this is as it should be. Upon starting down, the right elbow should return to your side in a folded position. If you have a flying elbow (“chicken wing”), then you probably slice the ball. This problem is going to make your swing path outside in and this produces a right hand spin on the ball. With the elbow flying, the hands get too high and it makes you come over the top. If some of this sounds familiar, then you might make sure that you shorten your swing and keep that elbow down!

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2013-03-25 14:16:33

Q-I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A-Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com under recent issues. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfers…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. We have talked about what are called “fat” or “thin” shots, the in-to-out swing and recently about the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...that of the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The destructive side of this lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other things), the obvious way is not always the right way. We have talked about pulling the ball, pushing the ball, scooping and the dreaded s----k shot. We have talked about getting in and out of golf trouble, and other things like skied shots, swaying, spraying, toe shots, looking up, losing distance, not improving and too many three putts. This month, we will answer some individual questions we have received throughout the course of this series. Q: What should the wrists look like at the top of the golf swing if they are cocked properly? Is this an unconscious maneuver or should one think about “cocking the wrists?” A: That is an excellent question and one that many people ask. Everyone is slightly different in their swings so this position will vary from player to player. At the top of the swing the left wrist should be flat and firm. The position of the wrist should be parallel to the left arm and the face of the club should also be along this same line. The face of the club should be pointing at approx. 45 degrees toward the ground. This position is called square to the target line. Any other position and the club face will either be open or closed to the line. In order to achieve this position with the wrists it is not necessary to cock or manipulate the wrists. If the trunk is turning and the arms swing up during the backswing, then the wrists will be in the right position at the top. The correct position of the wrists looks the same as if you were to hold your left arm in front of you and make a fist, stick a club in the fist and there you have the proper position. If cocking the wrists is a conscious decision, then chances are that the club, hands and left arm will not be in the proper position at the top of the swing. A player could hit a good shot from a poor position, but will likely be inconsistent in his ball striking. Working in front of a full length mirror is an excellent way to achieve the right position, and the right feeling. Stand with the mirror to your right and "looking" down the target line. Swing back to the top of your swing and hold it, turn your head to the right and look in the mirror. You should be able to see your left wrist flat, and your clubface parallel to the left arm. Repeat this movement several times until you see the proper results.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2013-03-01 11:02:27

Q-I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A-Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com under recent issues. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfers…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. We have talked about what are called “fat” or “thin” shots, the in-to-out swing and recently about the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...that of the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The destructive side of this lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other things), the obvious way is not always the right way. We have talked about pulling the ball, pushing the ball, scooping and the dreaded s----k shot. We have talked about getting in and out of golf trouble, and other things like skied shots, swaying, spraying and toe shots. This month, we will talk about some more problems and some remedies. Looking Up Problem: Anxious to see where your shot is going, you begin to look up during the downswing and before the clubface makes contact with the ball. Remedy: This moves the body, which misaligns the swing path and produces terrible shots…or even a complete whiff. Many feel that this is the number one mistake that golfers make. To minimize this problem, rotate your hips properly through impact, keep arms fully extended through impact, concentrate on a low follow-through, and wait until you see the ball “disappear” before taking your eyes away from it. Losing Distance Problem: Not hitting the ball as far as you have been hitting it with the same club. Remedy: Be sure to make a full turn. Maintain a relaxed body with light grip. Keep left side firm with left knee bent through impact. Swing through the ball, not at it. Keep arms fully extended through impact. If you are battling with a lack of distance, one of the first things you should concentrate on is releasing your hands through the ball correctly. Make sure that your forearms are close together at impact, and after impact, your forearms should form an “X” or be crossed. This will ensure that you are not blocking the ball, it will help with the slice, and will do wonders for your distance. When You Play a Lot But Can’t Improve Problem: You play frequently but you are stuck in the same score range. Remedy: It’s time to go back to fundamentals and see a pro. Keep a record of where you are losing strokes and concentrate on improving those parts of your game. Start with a review of your grip and stance. That’s where most problems begin. Also, try to swing with the proper tempo and with 80% of your power. Too Many Three-Putt Greens Problem: You are losing far too many strokes in your putting game. Remedy: When this happens, it often means that your first putt was a very poor one. On long putts, concentrate on distance more than direction. Aim for a circle about three feet around the hole. Keep your head down and focus on making good contact and using the amount of force needed to reach that circle. Be especially careful on a downhill putt, and try to make the ball “die” at the hole.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2013-02-01 10:10:41

Q-I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A-Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com under recent issues. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfers…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. We have talked about what are called “fat” or “thin” shots, the in-to-out swing and recently about the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...that of the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The destructive side of this lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other things), the obvious way is not always the right way. We have talked about pulling the ball, pushing the ball, scooping and the dreaded s----k shot. Last month we began talking about getting in and out of golf trouble. This month, we will talk about some more problems. SKYED SHOTS PROBLEM: Your tee shots look more like sand wedge shots. Make sure that you don't let your hands get too far ahead of the club head at impact. Also keep your head behind the ball throughout the swing. Keep your backswing shallow and maintain a shallow swing through impact. If you often find your tees smashed into the ground, it is a sign that your swing path is too steep. SWAYING PROBLEM: Your body moves from side to side during your golf swing. This can produce some terrible shots because it is very difficult, after swaying back during the backswing, to bring the clubface to the ball in the proper alignment. Although there is some slight head movement during a swing, any significant side-to-side (or up-and-down) head movement should be avoided. To get the right feel, hit some practice shots with feet together. During your weight shift, concentrate on keeping the weight on your right foot on the inside of your foot. Check your progress by taking practice swings with the sun behind you and watching your shadow. Don’t let the clubface get ahead of your hands at impact. SPRAYING PROBLEM: Shots are off-target but without any consistency. Check your grip and stance. Try to make sure that your head stays behind the ball through impact. Don’t let your legs get too far ahead of your arms and hands in the downswing. Keep your head steady and your arms fully extended. TOE SHOTS PROBLEM: Toe of the club head contacts the ball, resulting in weak and erratic shots. Swaying can cause this problem. When you sway back in your backswing and you do not sway forward during your downswing, your club head bottoms out and begins to move inside well behind the ball. This misaligns the clubface at impact. It can also be caused by, or in combination with, an out-to-in swing path. With the right tempo, let your lower body start the downswing, keep your elbow tucked against your side, and keep your left side firm through impact. Transfer weight from top of swing diagonally toward right of target, while letting right elbow come down. More next month…

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2013-01-02 14:09:07

Q-I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A-Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfers…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. We have talked about what are called “fat” or “thin” shots, the in-to-out swing and recently about the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...that of the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The destructive side of this lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other things), the obvious way is not always the right way. Last month we talked about pulling the ball, pushing the ball, scooping and the dreaded s---k shot. This month we will continue by talking about getting in and out of golf trouble. On a golf course, as a rule, golf trouble comes at us swiftly and unexpectedly. There are times when we do not quite expect to carry a brook or a cross trap, or when we know we can easily miss a green with a wood or a long iron. Then we are not surprised when we find ourselves in difficulties. But much more often we stand on a tee, with a wide fairway beckoning, swing — and find ourselves in the woods or heavy rough. Generally, there are three kinds of trouble we can reach with a shot off the fairway: woods, rough, or a fairway trap. The first thought in each case should be to get out of golf trouble, whatever it is. Good golf players have often made great shots from seemingly impossible positions. That's fine, for them. But not for most amateurs. Woods In the woods, unless you are extremely deep, there is an opening of some sort. Play out through it, even if you have to play the shot back toward the tee. But get out on the fairway. If, by any chance, you are going to make a great shot, the fairway is the place to do it, not the woods. Any golf club that will get you out safely is the club to use. Rough From the rough, much depends on the distance you can safely try for and still get the golf ball into the fairway. Rough is of almost an infinite variety, from thin, short, scraggly grass, which often gives you a lie no worse than one in the fairway, through short, dense, clinging grass to high grass and weeds. There is probably no rough so thick that a golf ball cannot be extricated from it and delivered a short distance with a sand wedge. The trouble with us is that we try to get real distance from the rough and often wind up with the ball advanced only a few yards and still in the long grass. In making almost any shot from long or heavy grass, the point to remember is that we must hit down on the ball with a golf club lofted enough to be sure we get the ball out, regardless of distance. To get a sharp downward stroke we will make it easy for ourselves if we play the ball back to a point midway between our feet and, if the grass is at all heavy, take a slightly more upright golf swing. It is impossible to give any rules as to what golf club should be used. That depends entirely on the texture and height of the grass, the lie of the ball, and the distance you think you can get while still, with safety, getting clear of the rough. You should remember, though, that if an iron is used the golf ball will come out with less backspin on it— even none at all — and therefore will run farther than you expect. This is because the grass, getting between the ball and the face of the club, reduces the golf club's "grip," the normal friction between ball and club face. A shot from the rough is less likely to hold a green but it will pick up distance on a fairway. It is also worth mentioning that surprising success is quite often possible with a No. 4 wood, if the lie is not bad. The more rounded head of the wooden golf club slips through the grass more easily than the bar - like head of an iron. The latter catches a lot of grass, slowing the speed and cushioning the blow. That is why, with the irons, we strike a more sharply descending blow in the rough, to get as little grass as possible between the golf club face and the ball. Fairway Bunkers Perhaps one of the best golf tips I ever received was on hitting out of fairway bunkers. The entire essence of the tip is as follows…keep your lower body as still as possible when hitting a fairway bunker shot. It was a long time ago. It seems eerie that years later, I still think about it every time I enter a fairway bunker. Because of this, I have always felt comfortable and most often have been able to execute out of a fairway trap. A big thing to remember is that because it is a less aggressive swing, you will need to take extra club. As for the over the top slicer, this softer lower body will result in less spin of your hips. Anytime you spin out and get that right side moving out and over, this will lead to chopping. Whenever you chop, especially in a fairway bunker, you have almost zero chance of executing the shot. Instead, you need to pick the ball as clean as possible. This quiet lower body will help you do this. To further encourage this "picking it clean" action, your right shoulder should feel like it remains stationary to begin the downswing. Here is a checklist for you when you enter the sometimes “dreaded” fairway bunker: • Take one or two extra clubs. • Place the ball a little farther back in stance than normal. • Dig in a little (sand can be slippery if you don't get to the bottom of it) • Swing while keeping your lower body as still as possible. A couple of good images to help achieve this are to “freeze your lower body like a camera tripod,” or pretend like you are “playing on ice.” Use these thoughts on shots from about 80 yards and out. Anything less than this is a separate animal altogether and takes a few adjustments. I will get to these in a future article.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-11-19 10:24:39

Q- I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A- Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfers…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. We have talked about what are called “fat” or “thin” shots, the in-to-out swing and recently about the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...that of the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The destructive side of this lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other things), the obvious way is not always the right way. This month we will continue talking about some more related topics. PULLING THE BALL: This is when the ball goes straight but left of the target. This is often caused by rushing the downswing, maybe when you’re trying to swing too hard. Let the lower body lead the downswing in the proper tempo, so that the arms and hands can deliver the club head along the right swing path. Also, when you don’t have enough coil in your backswing, this can produce an out-to-in swing path that can result in a pulled shot. PUSHING THE BALL: This is when the ball goes straight but right of the target. Check your stance to make sure that your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are parallel to the target line. Another cause may be the position of the ball in your stance. If it is too far back, it produces an excessive in-to-out swing path, which results in the club head meeting the ball before it has a chance to square up to the target. Try moving the ball forward in your stance. SCOOPING: This happens when you hit behind the ball or high on the ball when chipping. It usually comes about because you are trying to get the ball in the air by hitting up on it instead of down. The upward motion results in the club head passing the hands before impact. This bottoms the club out before it reaches the ball, resulting in either a fat or a thin shot. To correct this problem, keep your hands ahead of the club head at address and through impact. Be sure to follow through and don’t flip your right wrist (for a right handed player). THE DREADED S_____K: This happens when the club head hosel meets the ball at impact and sends it scurrying crazily to the right, and too often in big trouble. This is one of the scariest problems in golf. While it can and often does get into a golfer’s head and cling there stubbornly, the good news is that nothing really moves the ball in any direction until someone swings a club at it. And that’s a physical, not a mental action. It happens when the swing plane extends too far from the body, causing a misalignment at impact. Here are some possible cures. Don’t stand too close to the ball. Don’t let your weight come forward toward the ball during the swing. Settle back in your stance and keep your weight more on your heels. On the downswing, don’t “cast” with the hands and shoulders from the top. Let your legs and body start the downswing, and pull the club down. Keep your head still. Make a confident (not tentative) swing with soft hands and a smooth follow-through. I will be back with more next month.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-11-01 14:55:35

Q- I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A- Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfers…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. We have talked about what are called “fat” or “thin” shots, the in-to-out swing and recently about the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...that of the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The destructive side of this lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other things), the obvious way is not always the right way. This month we will continue talking about some more related topics. HEEL SHOTS: On wood shots, the heel of the club, rather than the club face, makes contact with the ball, resulting in a miserable-looking ground ball to the extreme left. This can result from your weight being too far forward at impact. Try to keep weight more on your heels. Make sure you are not standing too close to the ball. Extend arms fully at address. This will help make sure that the clubface arrives in the proper alignment at impact. Heel shots, scoobies, go rights, or the dreaded "S" word are caused by one thing… “coming over the top.” Coming over the top or swinging across your downward swing path is perhaps the most common swing fault in golf. The path or arc of the golf swing should be circular (about 45 degrees) on the backswing and a little less circular (about 43 degrees) on the downswing. That variance in plane is called swinging inside. A great cure for coming over the top is to let your right shoulder (for R/H players) come UNDERNEATH your chin on your downswing. You may also feel that you are hitting the ball (in baseball terms) to right field. Dropping your right shoulder will free up the club to extend out toward your target and eliminate the possibility of a heel shot. LOSING DISTANCE: If you are battling with a lack of distance, one of the first things you should concentrate on is releasing your hands through the ball correctly. Make sure that your forearms are close together at impact, and after impact, your forearms should form an “X” or be crossed. This will ensure that you are not blocking the ball, it will help with the slice, and will do wonders for your distance. Good points are: Be sure to make a full turn. Maintain a relaxed body with light grip. Keep left side firm with left knee bent through impact. Swing through the ball, not at it. Keep arms fully extended through impact. POOR TEMPO: The problem comes from improper speed and timing of golf swing that produces errant shots. During the golf swing, all those moving parts must proceed with the proper speed and sequence to produce good results. This is called tempo. Poor tempo results mostly from swinging too fast, either out of anxiety or the desire to hit the ball as far as possible. To correct tempo problems, try to swing the club using the large leg and body muscles rather than your arms and hands. Hit with 80% of your power, using the same effort you would use with a seven-iron. Don’t rush the downswing. Take a full coil, start the downswing with your legs and hips and let your arms drop into the hitting position before turning on the power. More next month…

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-10-02 14:02:11

Q- I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A- Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfer…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. Last month we talked about hitting what are called “fat” or “thin” shots. Last month we talked about the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...that of the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The destructive side of this lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other things), the obvious way is not always the right way. I would like to thank all of you who commented on this article. Last month we also began to talk about the in-to-out swing. This month we will continue talking about related topics. Looking up…this comes about because you are anxious to see where your shot is going, so you begin to look up during the downswing and before the clubface makes contact with the ball. This moves the body, which misaligns the swing path and produces terrible shots…or even a complete whiff. Many feel that this is the number one mistake that golfers make. To minimize this problem, rotate your hips properly through impact, keeping your arms fully extended through impact and concentrate on a low follow-through. Wait until you see the ball “disappear” before taking your eyes away from it. To waggle or not to waggle…the essence of rhythmic swinging is to be smooth, for only the smooth swing can be rhythmic. But if you get undue club head agitation into your preparatory movement (which is what the waggle is) you will get all the feel in your hands, arms, and shoulders and not in your legs, hips, and back, which is where you should feel that you swing from. Quite often, in many amateur golfers’ waggles, the club head is pulling the body, so the tail is wagging the dog. It should be the other way round. You need to be subdued and waiting for the action of the body to set up club head movement. That is why the preparatory movement of the good golfer is smooth and tiny and controlled. The hands should not waggle the club. You see, the hands are not direct agents in producing the power of a golf shot; they are a connection between the lower part of the body (where the power comes from) and the club head, and they must remain nothing more than a connection. If you use your hands, consciously or not, you break the connection. You might ask, “Must a good swing be 'connected?’” Indeed it must. The great player is great because his swing is connected and therefore reliable. He makes an indifferent shot only when he does lose connection. The reason why he uses only a three-quarter swing is because that is as far back as he can go without the risk of breaking the connection. What breaks the connection? Here is a gross example. If I intentionally “open” my hands at the top of the swing, I lose connection and have to put in compensatory movements on the way down, to try to correct the results of the error which they cannot fully do. The result is unreliable and at its best unsatisfactory. More next month…

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-08-29 13:08:27

Q- I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A- Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfer…the slice, and the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. Last month we talked about hitting what are called “fat” or “thin” shots. This month, we will talk about what I consider to be the most seductive and destructive medium in the game...and begin to talk about the swing from inside to out. First, what could possible live up to the description I used as the most “seductive an destructive medium in the game?” It took me many years of my golfing life to discover it, and even then I could not formulate my ideas about it or counteract it effectively in my teaching until I had come to a proper understanding of the relation between the physical and mental in golf. Now I think I can better present it to you properly. It is the natural urge to act in the obvious way to achieve the desired result. The seductiveness of the idea is clear. Its destructiveness lies in the fact that in golf (as in many other affairs in life) the obvious way is not always the right way. Frequently the obvious way is the wrong way and unless the urge to follow it can be inhibited the right way cannot be taken. To use the words of a great teacher of the game, “The man who follows the obvious way is an end gainer.” He is so keen and intent upon gaining his end (getting his ball onto the green and into the hole) that he concentrates upon that rather than upon the employment of what he knows to be the correct technique or the means whereby the end can best be gained. He is so intent upon his end that he tries to take short cuts to it…or…to put it more accurately, he no longer remembers that it is necessary to go round by a certain road to get there. I won’t go into this in any more depth right now, but I will leave it and hopefully let it sprout some “roots” as we move along. Now, let’s talk about the swing from in-to-out, a thing of which many people realize the importance without being able to put it into practice. What is it? It is the feeling of swinging the club head not directly down the line of flight, but from inside this line as the ball is approached to outside the line in the follow through. The feeling that this is the path taken by the club head is essential to a good swing. Therefore the fact that scientific analysis can prove that at the impact the club head does actually follow the line of flight exactly can be ignored. You play golf by feeling, not by scientific analysis. This feeling of in-to-out is intimately connected with that other feeling referred to in a previous article that we will review again at a later time, “The things you do before the swing,” that of being set inwards and behind the ball. The long straight drive that covers the pin all the way is the result of a swing which you feel travels from in-to-out. This is what we all refer to as an in-to-out swing; a shot in which the club head does actually take this path (as distinct from being felt to take it) is only played by the first-class golfer when he wants to put pull on the ball. And if you will think it out, that suggests why the in-to-out feeling is something that we teachers try to instill into every student. The point being that, while an exaggerated swing in-to-out feel gives pull, the correct in-to-out feel gives straightness and no in-to-out feel (that is, the feeling that the club head goes along the line of flight) gives slice. The advantage of the modern in-to-out swing is seen in both the flight and the run of the ball. Hit with the correct in-to-out feel, the ball is given the very minimum of backspin-consequently it “floats” through the air and, when it pitches, takes its natural spin forward, instead of kicking sideways as an undercut ball tends to do, as every lawn-tennis player knows. Next month, we pick up from where we left off here.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-08-02 09:13:50

A- I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

Q- Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. We have talked about the biggest problem of amateur golfer…the slice. Last month we talked about the other way the ball can bend badly…the hook. This month, we will talk about hitting what are called “fat” or “thin” shots. This problem stems from hitting behind the ball or too high on the ball. This is often caused by swaying during the swing. Any side-to-side or up and down head movement should be avoided. To get the right feel, hit some practice shots with feet together. During your weight shift, concentrate on keeping the weight on your right foot on the inside of your foot. Check your progress by taking practice swings with sun behind you and watching your shadow. Don’t let the clubface get ahead of your hands at impact. To avoid hitting chips and pitches fat: Don’t sole the club at address. Use an open, narrow stance. Keep arms connected to chest and rotate body rather than sliding hips laterally and jabbing at the ball with your hands. Focus your eyes on front of ball, with weight on front foot and wrists ahead of ball at address and through impact. Be sure to make a complete follow-through. There are a number of possible reasons for hitting behind the ball. If you are not shifting your weight properly on the downswing, from the back leg to the front leg, your swing will bottom out before the club gets to the ball. Another reason would be if you do not keep your head steady, you do not know where your swing will bottom out. Lastly, if you do not keep your leading arm reasonably straight, the arc of your swing will vary, so you can improve your consistency by focusing on these 3 areas. Hitting the ground before the ball, or "fat shots" is a very common problem that can lead to injury. This is caused by mostly by improper weight shift. Proper weight shift is important and keeping your right shoulder back on the downswing (opposite for left handers) is crucial. There is a tendency to throw the right shoulder ahead as you come down creating an outside-in steep club path. Focus on swinging more around your body to remedy this. A good drill is to strap your upper arms to your body and hit balls. This makes it impossible to throw the shoulder forward. Don't forget to accelerate through the ball. When you slow down at the bottom of your swing, you will hit it fat every time.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-08-01 14:20:48

Q- I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A- Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. Last month we talked about one of the biggest problems of amateur golfers…the slice. This month, we will talk about the other way the ball can “bend” badly…the hook. It's easy to overcome a hook shot problem, once you identify the cause. Hook arises when your ball is wildly thrown to the left. Here are some following tips that can help you figure out the causes of your hook. 1. You should have a firm control over ball spinning, Left curve will be deep if the ball is spinning faster. This shot happens when the ball rotates in counter clock wise direction. 2. Your ball will spin in counter clockwise direction if the club-face is closed. The club face must be square and balanced, and should not be pointing right or left. Closed face directs left for right handed golfers and right for left handed golfers. 3. To overcome your hook problem you should start with a check on your grip. It's an easy way to fix a hook. Hold your driver and have a firm grip neither too tight nor too loose. A neutral grip is achieved if you can only see 2 knuckles on your left hand. Your club needs adjustment if you can see more than 2 knuckles. Now we will talk about the more delicate part. Allow your gaze travel down the shaft of the club moreover concentrate on your face and check whether it is square. Most probably it would be square. Still you might be wondering that you are square and ready for the shot, but you might not be when you bring the club down in the direction of the impact with ball. Your hands needs to be in a neutral grip when the club moves in the direction of the ball this would mean that the club face has no other option but to close at impact. If you want to fix that uncontrolled hook, you must begin with a close and sincere assessment of the grip on the club. Most golfers would decline to change their grip or they might not spend sufficient time to get accustom to the new grip, and then sooner or later they would revert back into their previous grip. 4. The next most important thing in fixing a hook is to check your balance. The weight of your body must not be on the heels but it must be on the balls of the feet. If you will do this, then it will permit your hips to twist easily and remain balanced. One major reason why people see their ball flying to left side is that they tend to be off-balance at the time of the impact. 5. For right handed golfers, you need to keep your left arm straight as the club impacts the ball. A good idea is to ask someone to observe your hits and tell you whether your arm is bending or not. You must keep one thing in mind…anything that would make the club face to close will result in a hooked golf ball. The above mentioned tips are definitely going to help solve your problems. Analyze each of these one by one and practice by hitting numerous balls. Try to make slight adjustments until you start hitting the ball straight. While it require some time and effort, it will yield good results.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-06-08 15:06:19

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel; the downswing…and the checkpoints. This month we will begin to talk about some of the undesirable things that can happen to a shot, why they happen, and how to correct them. First, let’s talk about the problem most amateur and recreational golfers have…the slice. There is no part of the golf game more frustrating than getting great contact on a drive...only to see it slice 50 yards into the woods. To compensate, many golfers make “on-the-fly” adjustments that usually make the problem worse. In this article, I’ll give you five FAQ’s on key swing fundamentals that will help you to stop slicing a golf ball (these FAQ’s are for right-handers..for left-handers, reverse the directions). There are more, but I consider these the basics. FAQ 1: The Setup - When a basketball defender is guarding his man, he tries to be perfectly balanced so that he can quickly react to the direction that his opponent is going. If he is leaning right, the offensive player could easily exploit that. In a similar way, you must be properly balanced as you setup to the ball. Bend your knees, get set and avoid leaning to the right or to the left. If you aren’t set properly, your swing is doomed before it begins. If you are perfectly balanced, you’ll be less likely to slice the ball. FAQ 2: The Shoulders – When you swing a club, your right shoulder should be LOWER than your left shoulder at the moment of impact. This is a common mistake of many golfers who have problems with slices. When you examine your swing at the moment of impact, if you find that you are one of the many golfers who keeps your left shoulder lower than your right…you have found the probable cause of your slice. FAQ 3: Proper Grip -- A quick test to make sure you have the proper grip is to insert two golf tees between your thumb and the webbing of your hand while gripping the club. If the tees point toward the target, than your weak grip is a typical slicer’s mistake. Make sure both tees are pointing straight in front of you. FAQ 4: Flat Left Wrist – At the top of your swing, make sure your wrist is flat. A loose wrist or a wrist that is at an angle will cause you to slice the ball. Many who slice the ball find that they have a tendency to cup their wrist at the top of their swing. Keeping that wrist flat and straight will help keep the slice out of your game. FAQ 5: Proper Hand Rotation -- After you have hit the ball, where are your hands? Your right hand, or ungloved hand (for those that only wear one glove), should rotate over and be on top of your left hand after you have struck the ball. If you’re not rotating your hands in this manner, you will find it very difficult to keep your ball straight. If you are able to implement these five FAQ’s, you should soon stop slicing the ball, see your drives heading down the fairway, and you’ll definitely see your scores start improving dramatically. Next month, we will talk more about the slice and begin to talk about the other way the ball can “bend” badly…the uncontrolled hook.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-04-19 13:02:08

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club, and how it all should feel. This month we will talk about the three checkpoints of the downswing and review of it all. First, when you are at the top the biggest mistake that most golfers make is they get the club way too far inside. This is something that causes them to cast the club, cut across the ball, and slice the ball all over the course. This is not something good and you do not have to deal with any of this type of golf anymore. Second, at the top before you begin the golf downswing you need to have the club parallel or as parallel as you can make it with your body type to the ground and your hands should be in line or as much in line with your sternum as possible. This is a good position to allow you to transition and come from the top of the backswing to the golf downswing. This is something that you need to get to and if you can get into this position you will have a great chance to hit the ball correctly and in the way that you plan to. Third, when you go from the top of the backswing to the downswing you will want to hold your lag or wrist hinge as long as possible and crack the club down on the ball like a whip. This is all started by bumping the hips towards the target and attacking the ball from the inside. If you look at nearly all of the top professional golfers you will see this specific hip bump starting their downswing. As a review, the golf downswing is very important, since it culminates into the perfect golf swing or the flawed swings normally associated with slices or short strokes. It doesn’t matter the level of success you have made with the other swing areas, this will either cancel or polish whatever had transpired before. It is the peak and is usually the last bad corner you need to go through before you head straight to the finishing line. Nothing annoys like achieving the best grips, stances, posture, top swings and backswings only to blunder at the downswing. Frustrating indeed, but don’t worry, there is a way forward. Just learn and be aware of the fatal errors that can ruin your golf downswing. Spinning your hips while failing to move the weight laterally, turning your right shoulder high toward the ball (if you are right hand person), moving the club head or slowing down the hands as you do the downswing are some of the grave problems that can ruin the downswing move. Many events ensue once errors are made. The errors can make you shoot earlier than expected. When you hit sooner, chances are you will drive the ball through a short distance. Another effect is that, it can make you hit from the outside in. If you hit outside in, you are likely to hit in the wrong direction. Hitting the ball in the wrong direction is simply slicing the ball. An erroneous golf downswing is definitely a setback to golfers, and should be corrected as early as possible. The best way to correct the moves include moving the hips laterally to the left while keeping the head back and making no effort no matter the circumstance to move the golf club. The lateral hip movement relieves the leg of some weight, turns the shoulder and sends the club to the ball by causing the shoulders to rock slightly as they turn. When you keep your head back, it prevents the upper part of the body from following the hip, and also loosens or relaxes the tension that had resulted from the backswing. The reason why we should not move the golf club with our arms, wrists, or hands, the golf club should be better moved by the shoulders for a perfect hit. The golf downswing can only be perfected by identifying the problems that ruin it are fixed using the above mentioned three methods or magic moves.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-03-22 15:34:49

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first get in the position to begin the swing. All of the previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and part of the downswing relative to keeping the head back and making no effort to move the golf club. This month we will talk about how it should all feel. For you who have been hitting from the top and from the outside for years (and you are about 95 per cent of all golfers), performing a golf downswing the way we suggest will feel strange indeed. In this section, we’ll try to describe the feeling you should have when you perform these actions. Words here become of even greater importance than they are customarily. So, since the same action feels different to different people, we will describe several feelings so that perhaps one of them may be recognized. Once a pro was giving a lesson to a doctor who was one of the most persistent hitters-from-the-top, outside-in swingers, and hip-stoppers we ever have seen. The pro told him to keep his head back, even holding it back for him. But that failed to give him the idea. Telling him to stay behind the ball had even less effect. Insisting he move his hips through brought no response. Other pros had told him to bring his hands straight down from the top, to bring the butt of the club straight down to the ground, to move his hands toward his right trousers pocket—all the standard gimmicks. He would do these things, in a sense, but he would always manage to turn his shoulders a little first, so when he brought his hands down he brought them down outside. Finally the pro said to him: “How do you feel when you are at the top of the swing?” “When I go there by myself I feel comfortable,” he replied,” but when you put me there I am uncomfortable.” That was the clue! “Okay,” the pro said. “Just go to the top a few times the way I want you to go, so that you are uncomfortable.” He did. “Now,” the pro said, “Go up the same way, only stay uncomfortable as you come down to the ball.” He followed instructions and drilled a 7 iron that was practically perfect—inside out with a late hit. You could see a light go on inside him. The idea of staying uncomfortable as he came down meant, to him, that he had to keep that uncomfortable body twist he had at the top, and the only way he could keep it was to keep his hips moving to the left past the ball. When he started his hips right from the top and kept them moving, he didn’t have time to make the little shoulder turn toward the ball that he invariably made to be comfortable, and he didn’t have time to do anything with the club head. Another pupil of the pro, who got the idea quicker, said: “My whole idea now is to move my hips so far that I feel them pulling my left arm down toward the ball. When I get that feeling I know I will hit a good shot.” Still a third, an engineer, gave it an excellent expression when he said: “I have the feeling on that first move from the top, when I do nothing with my arms and hands, that I am storing up something…energy or momentum or power…that I am going to release farther down in the swing.” This is a wonderful feeling to have, because that is exactly what you are doing when this first move is made correctly. You are storing up energy that is going to explode at the ball. What all this comes down to is two things. First, we coil ourselves up on the backswing to gain tension that is going to be released as late as possible on the downswing. Holding that tension is the “staying uncomfortable” feeling, the “storing up” feeling. That is what gives us distance. Second, as we move our hips laterally and keep our head back, but do nothing else, there is a complete absence of effort in our arms and hands. Then, if we have kept ourselves from uncoiling, the hands and club come down on the inside. That, plus club-face position, gives us direction. When we have made this first move from the top correctly, where does it bring us? It brings us to a position generally called the hitting area. It is not that, exactly. It is only one position in an infinite number that we pass through in the downswing. It is, roughly, the point in the downswing that we reach before the arm-shaft angle opens up much. The move brings us down so that our hands are nearly opposite our right leg, our weight is about equally distributed but moving toward our left leg, the body is beginning to bow out to the left, the right elbow is nestled against the hip bone, and the club is nearing a horizontal position. That is the feeling of a perfect golf downswing. Next month, we will talk about some downswing checkpoints.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-02-27 13:58:15

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first to get in the position to begin the swing. All of these previous articles are featured at www.theqandatimes.com. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and last month we began talking about the second move of the perfect downswing…that of keeping the head back. This month, we will talk about third move of the perfect downswing… making no effort to move the golf club. What did I say? I will repeat…making no effort to move the golf club. The golf club, of course, will move. It will be moved by the shoulders. What I mean is that no effort should be made with the wrists, hands, or arms to make the golf club move. That is the important point: If we could turn the arms, hands, and wrists into wood for a fraction of a second as the golf downswing begins, it would be perfect. Then they and the golf club would be “frozen” into one solid unit and they would all start down together in one piece, motivated by the rocking, turning shoulders. Then, if with some electronic impulse, we could switch them back to life again as the hands got down to about the hip position, we would have the perfect movement. The whole downward action is initiated by the lateral movement of the hips to the left. Since at the top we are in a tightly coiled position, this hip action causes the shoulders to rock to the right and turn. The rocking action, with the left shoulder coming up and the right going down, is what moves the arms and the club. If the right shoulder comes down (rocks slightly) as it begins to turn, it brings the upper right arm against the right side and the swing starts down on an inside line. It is when the shoulders turn, throwing the right shoulder high and out toward the ball, that the golf swing goes outside. Keeping the head back helps the slight rocking action which brings the right shoulder down. One of the most important things in golf is making this first movement from the top without letting the angle between the shaft and the left arm open. The peculiar thing about it is that if the hip, shoulder, and hand actions are correct, the angle will not open. If they are wrong, it will. The instant the right shoulder starts to move out high toward the ball, the arm-shaft angle begins to open, even if no effort is made by the hands to swing the golf club. Most of the time the angle is opened up because the hands are trying to do something with the golf club. But even without the hands doing anything the angle will still open if the wrong shoulder action is made. The start down from the top can be visualized in several ways. You can think of it as the “wooden freeze” just mentioned, a momentary period during which nothing happens except what is motivated by the hips. You can also imagine a triangle, formed on two sides by the shaft of the club and the left arm, with the third side an imaginary line from the dub head to the point of the left shoulder. From the top this triangle must be tilted and brought down a ways without changing the length of the imaginary side. This we call the “eternal triangle,” because it must be retained as long as possible. As the speed of the golf club head increases, the imaginary side of the triangle lengthens, of course, and the arm-shaft angle starts to open up. But the triangle should be kept constant as long as possible. Next month, we will discuss how it should feel as it takes place.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2012-01-26 11:27:56

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first to get in the position to begin the swing. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. We have already discussed the backswing…and last month we began talking about the downswing. This month, we will continue with the second move of the perfect downswing…that of keeping the head back. The head, at this stage of the golf swing, plays a vital role. You may have heard and/or read that the head is the anchor of the swing. That’s absolutely true. If we keep the head back as we move the hips laterally, it keeps the upper part of our body from going with the hips and thus loosening or relaxing the tension we have been at such pains to build up with the backswing. This tension that we had at the top of the swing must be kept as long as possible as the swing comes down to the ball. This is one of the chief factors that give power to the swing and speed to the club. If the head comes forward at this point, we lose the tension and get ourselves, in a manner of speaking, “over the ball” as we hit it. If we keep the head back we do in truth stay back of the ball where we should be. The head, as a matter of fact, has a strange little action of its own during the first movement of the downswing. That is what is meant by the advice to “stay back of the ball.” Contrary to the old principle that the head must be kept still at all costs, it moves. Pictures of our best modern golfers show that the head not only stays back but that it drops somewhat and, with most, even moves backward a couple of inches. This, of course, seems very wrong. Yet there is a logical reason for it. As the hips move as far as they can to the left, and turn when they can move laterally no farther, and as the shoulders tilt, elevating the left and depressing the right, the body bows out toward the target. If the head doesn’t go forward with the body, it has to come down — unless we suddenly grow a few inches during the downswing. An archer’s bow may be used as an example of what we mean: The bow may measure five feet from tip to tip before it is strung. When it is strung it curves outward and the distance from tip to tip is less than five feet. When the archer draws it to shoot an arrow, the tip-to-tip distance is still less. When a golfer hits the ball as he should hit it, his body takes the place of the bow. It curves out toward, the target, and the distance from head to feet is less than when he stands up to the ball. Another reason the head drops slightly as the ball is hit is that most of the better players develop a rather definite knee bend as they come into the hitting area. They make it a practice to keep both knees bent all through the swing, as they should be, and when they bring the club down to the ball with great speed, the centrifugal force exerted by the flying club head seems almost to pull them down just slightly and hence bend their knees ever so little more. Next month, the third move…making no effort to move the golf club.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2011-12-27 09:37:25

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: Thus far in this series, with help from several sources, we have talked about the things that one must do to first to get in the position to begin the swing. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. Last month, we talked about the backswing. This month, we talk about the downswing. With it we uncover the most common and at the same time most devastating flaws in golf. The golf swing itself is probably the most difficult and certainly the most elusive action in all athletics. The peak of frustration is reached here because, no matter what has gone before it, this one move can make a greater difference in the result of the swing and the shot than any other. We can have a perfect grip, start back from the ball properly, reach the top in faultless position — and then ruin it all by the next move we make. Not only can the swing be ruined by this move, it is ruined about 95 per cent of the time with amateurs…but it doesn’t have to be. The deadly moves, the most fatal flaws in the golf downswing are these: 1. Spinning the hips without moving the weight laterally, 2. With this spinning motion turning the right shoulder high toward the ball and 3. Trying to move the club head or slowing down the hands. These moves bring quick disaster by causing two things: 1.They make us hit too soon and they make us hit from the outside in. 2. The first robs us of distance, the second of direction — and what else do we want from a full shot? Because we hit too soon, the drive that might have gone 220 yards goes only 190, and into that trap that juts out into the fairway. Because we hit from the outside instead of from the inside, the ball is pulled and, if the face of the club is not square, it will be hooked, sliced, smothered or even shanked. The best we can hope for is that we will slice it only a little and that, after starting to the left, it will curve back into the fairway. Even if we are that lucky, we will know we have hit a weak shot. These are the actions and these are the shots that we see on every private course in the country, every public course and on most mats of every driving range. It can truthfully be said that this is the natural way to hit a golf ball – with the Sunday duffer spin. It is also the principal reason that the scores of our millions of players remain so high. These actions in this one area of the swing produce bad shots in such astronomical volume that the short game, no matter how good it is, can’t take up more than a little of the slack. We will say without fear of contradiction that a player who makes these moves and still gets around in 86 on a good day would cut ten strokes from his score if he made the right moves. So, what are the golf downswing magic moves? There are 3 moves: (1) Move the hips laterally to the left while (2) keeping the head back and (3) making no effort whatever to move the golf club. For a perfect golf downswing, you must move your hips laterally, and not in a turning motion. There are 3 reasons for this. First, when you move your hips laterally to the left from the top of the swing, they carry the weight (which has been mostly on the right leg) along. They move it toward the approximately equal distribution, at least, which you must have at impact. Second, since you are twisted and wound up tightly at the top, any turning movement of your hips turns your shoulders too. It turns your right shoulder around high and toward the ball. Hence, when you bring the club down, you have to bring it from the outside in. The hips will turn if they are moved laterally, but they are very liable not to move laterally if they are merely turned. You can prove this to yourself by standing up and moving your hips to the left as far as they will go. Make no mistake about it, the hips are what move the shoulders and club and start the downswing. As they near the limit of extension, they will turn and you cannot stop them. At the top of the swing, of course, the hips are turned somewhat to the right, maybe 45 degrees, and as you move them laterally they will quickly begin to turn back to the left. The trick is get them going to the left, laterally, before they turn too much. If you ask how much is too much, you become hopelessly involved. You might as well ask how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. You don’t have to worry about that. Just be sure you get your hips going laterally, and that you don’t try to turn them. The third reason for the lateral slide of the hips is that this is the movement which starts the club down toward the ball, by causing the shoulders to rock slightly as they turn. That movement of the hips — and nothing else — provides the first impetus for the downswing. Make no mistake about it, the hips are what move the shoulders and club and start the downswing. Next month, we will talk about the 2nd move, that of keeping the head back, and the 3rd move, that of making no effort to move the golf club.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2011-11-17 13:22:50

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: Thus far in this series, we have talked about the things that one must do to first to get in the position to begin the swing. They have been the grip, the alignment and the stance. The swing is broken down into two parts. The backswing…and the downswing. This month, we talk about the backswing. The backswing receives a huge amount of attention as far as golf swing tips and instruction is concerned. In one sense, this makes sense as it is the beginning of the swing however if you stop to think about it you don’t hit the ball on your backswing, so is all the fuss justified? My answer will consider this question and provide a few golf backswing tips. In general, golfers pay too much attention to their backswing and not enough on the ultimate objective, which is to get back to the ball in a good impact position. Of course, to arrive at the proper impact position requires a downswing that occurs in the proper sequence. So really the purpose of the backswing is simply to give yourself the best chance of making a good downswing. A popular piece of advice for the backswing in golf is “low and slow.” This may do more harm than good. First, the low part. If you try to force the club to stay very close to the ground for the first 12 to 18 inches of your backswing you will almost certainly sway backward from the ball, which will make it difficult to have consistent ball contact. Now for the slow part. This thought will be helpful for some golfers; those with fast herky-jerky swings, but in general an artificially slow backswing will encourage over-swinging and also a tendency to swing from the top on the downswing. Many golfers also try to examine their backswing at various stages: a foot or two off the ball, shaft parallel to the ground, nine o’clock position, etc. It is easy to see how paralysis by analysis can occur. Try thinking of only these two golf backswing thoughts the next time you hit the range. First, accept your physical limitations and swing within yourself. Most of us do not have the flexibility nor golf specific strength of the pros, so why try to swing like them? While it is admirable to try to achieve a 90 degree turn on your backswing and end up with your back facing the target, for most people it is just not realistic and in fact can be very detrimental. Any number of swing compensations will have to be made, such as losing your spine angle, which in turn will require more swing compensations to get back to the ball with any chance of hitting the ball well. The second thought, which is actually related to the first is to try to keep your arms, shoulders and chest moving in basically one piece. In practice, this will not really happen but if you try to key in on the idea that you should stop swinging your arms when your shoulders and chest have stopped rotating around your spine then you will be in a well-balanced position from which to initiate the downswing. In order to keep this connected feeling, you will likely find that your full backswing is closer to what you think of as a three-quarter or possibly even half swing. A good drill to help ingrain this feeling and avoid what is called a “flying right elbow” is to tuck a golf glove under your right (trailing) armpit and make sure it does not come out on the backswing. Try these golf tips for a more repeatable golf backswing with fewer moving parts. Next month, we will talk about the downswing.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2011-10-25 11:04:38

Q: I am looking for a logical and sequential process to initiate and complete my golf swing. Presently, I have a dozen thoughts running through my mind when I am getting ready to take a swing. I need a way to organize them, any ideas?

A: That is a very good question. Quite often, going back to fundamentals is one of the best ways to do a lot of things. Learning how to swing a golf club and how to play golf well, can be among the most challenging things anyone can learn. There are many golf swing tips that you can follow but it is important to follow simple approaches that you can apply to help you play better, and to improve your golf swing. Often, the simplest golf swing is also the most effective at hitting the ball farther and straighter. Last month, we talked about the stance. This month, we will talk about something that is often neglected by amateurs…the alignment. Alignment, or aim, is an often overlooked fundamental of golf. Proper alignment can go a long way in improving the scores and accuracy of an intermediate golfer’s game. The intermediate golfer has focused mostly on the basic fundamentals of grip, stance and swing along with chipping, pitching, putting and sand play. At this level, the golfer usually shoots scores from 85 to 105, but has trouble lowering his or her scores from that range. Assuming the golfer has good swing mechanics, improper alignment, or aim, can actually throw off the golfer’s swing, which can be detected in the flight of the golf ball. Practicing proper alignment will have a positive impact on consistency, accuracy and scoring. This tutorial will first show you how to evaluate ball flight and then instruct you on alignment. An intermediate golfer rarely checks his or her alignment, yet advanced golfers check their alignment at every practice session. This fundamental is simple just overlooked. Most swing path problems occur because the golfer simply aims portly and the golfer has to adjust for poor aim by swinging an outside-in swing path. To get proper alignment, or aim, start by positioning yourself about 10 feet directly behind the ball, keeping the ball between yourself and the target. Put your grip on the club at this point. Pick a spot on the ground about three feet in front of the ball that is on line to the target, and use that spot as a reference for addressing the ball and aiming your clubface. Keeping focus on your spot, walk up to the ball. With your feet together, get into your posture standing parallel to your target line, which is drawn from the ball to the spot three feet in front of the ball, toward the target. Address the ball, keeping your body square to the target line and positioning your feet appropriately for the club you are going to use. The line of the tips of your toes, knees, hips and shoulder should be parallel to your target line. Position the club behind the golf ball with the clubface pointed squarely towards the target spot in front of the golf ball. With strong swing fundamentals and proper alignment, the flight of the golf ball should go straight towards the target on every shot. Here is a practice drill you can use… Go to the range and place a club on the ground between yourself and your ball, to use as a reference. For a right-handed golfer, aim the shaft about five yards to the left of the target, and for a left-handed golfer, aim the club about five yards to the right of the target. Align your toes parallel to the club on the ground and practice about 20 shots, then remove the club and test yourself. Another way to test your alignment is to lay your club down on the ground against the tips of your toes after you hit a shot. Lay another club on the ground next to your ball, parallel to the other club. Now, step back and see where the club next to the ball is aimed in relation to your target. If the club is lined up straight to the target, then you’re perfect. If it is not aimed down the target line, then keep practicing your alignment. I will be back with more next month.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2011-07-01 13:56:00

Question: What should the wrists look like at the top of the golf swing if they are cocked properly? Is this an unconscious maneuver or should one think about “cocking the wrists”?

Answer: That is an excellent question and one that many people ask. Everyone is slightly different in their swings so this position will vary from player to player. At the top of the swing, the left wrist should be flat and firm. The position of the wrist should be parallel to the left arm and the face of the club should also be along this same line. The face of the club should be pointing at approximately 45 degrees toward the ground. This position is called square to the target line. Any other position, and the club face will either be open or closed to the line. In order to achieve this position with the wrists it is not necessary to cock or manipulate the wrists. If the trunk is turning and the arms swing up during the backswing, then the wrists will be in the right position at the top. The correct position of the wrists looks the same as if you were to hold your left arm in front of you and make a fist, stick a club in the fist and there you have the proper position. If cocking the wrists is a conscious decision, then chances are that the club, hands and left arm will not be in the proper position at the top of the swing. A player could hit a good shot from a poor position, but will likely be inconsistent in his ball striking. Working in front of a full length mirror is an excellent way to achieve the right position, and the right feeling. Stand with the mirror to your right and “looking” down the target line. Swing back to the top of your swing and hold it, turn your head to the right and look in the mirror. You should be able to see your left wrist flat, and your clubface parallel to the left arm. Repeat this movement several times until you see the proper results.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2011-06-01 12:22:00

Question: I do not think there is anyone who has read more or received more lessons on how to consistently play bunker shots than I, but I still can’t make them happen. What else can you tell me?

Answer: Many players have difficulty when their ball comes to rest in a bunker. Often times, this is because they don’t have an understanding of the proper technique. They may have the ability, but without the technique they will continue to struggle. If your tendency is to take a huge deep divot and leave the ball in the sand, then your leading edge of the blade is digging. The leading edge of the club should not dig, but rather the back edge of the sole should bounce off of the sand. This will help with not letting the club go too deep into the sand. Remember, the leading edge digs and the trailing edge bounces. There are times in a bunker when the player would want the club to dig. One of these instances would be if the ball were buried. Any time the ball is buried in the sand you must dig it out. Use the leading edge. Another instance would be if the ball were in a footprint, again you must dig it out with the leading edge. All other bunker shots require the club to bounce off of the sand and that means that the trailing edge must contact the sand first. Opening the face of the club will aid in the trailing edge striking the sand in the proper manner. Next time you get a chance, try both of these methods. You will need to practice but you’ll soon be a better bunker player!

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Golf

Jack Richards

2006-06-01 09:41:00

Question: I would love the game of golf were it not for the bunkers. I feel so inadequate when I have to hit a bunker shot. Do you have a step-by-step instruction of what to do and why?

ANSWER: There are lots of golfers who feel this way, but once they understand the hows and whys, many end up looking forward to the challenge, as opposed to fearing it. Try this technique with a bucket of practice balls, then let me know what you think.Once your ball has come to rest in a greenside bunker, settle into the sand to give you a nice solid base and feel for the thickness of the sand. Set up with the ball in middle of your stance. Without grounding your club, lay the face open then take hold of the club with your normal grip. This puts the club head in the right position so its wide sole bounces through and off the sand taking your ball with it. Tighten your grip but mainly with your left index and little finger. This keeps the club firm so it does not turn over into the sand but flexible. Because you have opened the clubface, it will now be pointing off to the right if your body is square to the target. To compensate, shuffle your feet and shoulders to the left until the face is square to the target again.Hover your club head behind the ball and pick a mark in the sand behind the ball. Aim to hit this spot. Your weight should be on your left foot not right to encourage a steeper line of attack for your club. Pick the club head up more sharply than normal forcing it outside your normal line.Swing the club head back down hard along the line of the shoulders. Your knees should be more flexed than for a normal shot, so you need to concentrate harder on keeping your head steady and not dipping down towards the ball. As you swing the club back towards the ball you should feel as though you are cutting across the line from outside to in. It may feel as though this will take the ball too far left. But it won't - it'll make up for the fact the open clubface is forcing the ball right. You should always take almost a full swing - the distance can be largely controlled by changing the amount of sand you take.The sand wedge has a wide sole. This means rather than slicing down into the bunker, the club head can 'bounce' through it and lift the sand - and the ball - skywards. It requires considerable club head speed to remove the ball, especially when the face is steep or the sand is wet. Aim to produce a solid-sounding 'thump'.It is extremely important to follow through to the target. Don't allow the club to 'die' into the sand. Imagine smashing the club down onto a pool of water and wanting to watch the droplets scatter all over the green. It is the same action - the sand absorbs some of the blow but bounces the club back out. Use your shoulder and hip turn to help it along.

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Golf

Jack Richards

2006-03-30 14:20:00

QUESTION: I can't tell you how frustrating it is to continue to fight a slice after playing the game for more than 40 years. It seems as though other golfers have such an easy time with the swing and hit the ball straight, or draw it a bit. Why is controlling a slice so difficult?

ANSWER: Playing golf with a an uncontrollable shot that curves left to right, is something many golfers think they have to live with and accept. This is not true--even if you've been a chronic slicer for years. In fact with a little time, dedication, and effort, you can learn to stop hitting stray, bending shots. Once you do, you'll start hitting the ball more consistently, have added distance, and achieve better control. Before long, the game will be more enjoyable. The following is a list of six quick fixes to help you hit straighter, more consistent shots. Each requires practice, but each will aid in controlling that slice. 1. Think "Topspin" and "Thumbs Up." Watching tennis can help your golf game. All good tennis players apply topspin to their shots by releasing or turning over their racket when they hit the ball. In golf, the move is similar only it's made with a club in your hand. Allowing for the release of the hands is critical to maximizing your potential and reducing slices. The next time you're practicing, take a club and swing it. As you pass the impact position, think of the right hand reaching out in front on the follow through with your thumps pointing upward. This shows that the wrists rolled properly and that the club was released. 2. Strengthen Your Grip. Chronic slicers have trouble getting their hands rotated through impact. Start by gripping the club in the fingers rather than the palm of your hand. At address, make sure you are able to see two or three knuckles of the left hand. This "strengthening" of the grip allows the hands to work actively.3. Pull the Rope. Most slicers cut across the ball on the downswing--they take the club back to the outside on the backswing and cross their plane (imaginary line) to the inside on the downswing. This is what produces a slice. To understand the correct swing path or downswing motion, picture a rope attached to a tree above you. Now, imagine yourself pulling that rope straight down. Take that thought with you to the driving range and try to pull your club straight down when starting the downswing. This also forces the right elbow to stay close to your side--a key to not crossing the line. Doing this gives you the correct inside path and a better ability to swing out toward the target. 4. Start Back to the Inside. Imagine the line of your swing on the ground as it goes back and through toward the target. Place a range basket, or something else you don't want to break, on the ground a couple of feet behind the ball and slightly inside the intended target line. Using this drill forces you to swing from the inside out toward the target--the proper way! 5. Shoulders Right to Hit Left. Most players aim farther and farther to the left to accommodate their slice. This only makes matters worse by opening the shoulders. Your swing plane tends to follow your shoulders. If they are open, your odds of cutting across the ball increase. Try just the opposite. Aim the shoulders as far to the right as possible at address. This forces the swing to stay on the proper path. 6. Swing around Your Spine. The best way to eliminate the typical slice, one that is caused by a reverse pivot or sway motion, is to swing around your spine and finish around and to the left. Use "X-ray vision," meaning to picture your spine staying in a near-perpendicular angle to the ground at all times during the swing. Now, just swing around the center of it! These tips work best if they're combined with each other. For instance, achieving the proper swing path won't stop you from hitting to the right if you don't use your hands properly as well. Practice each strategy separately in the beginning and then combine them. You'll soon be saying goodbye to your slice--forever!

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Golf

Jack Richards

2006-03-01 13:04:00

QUESTION: I’m considering starting my children in golf. How old do they need to be? What’s involved? Also, how much time should I expect to commit?

ANSWER: You may be surprised to learn it’s never to soon to introduce a child to the game of golf! As a matter of fact, as soon as kids are able to walk, all you have to do is offer a lightweight club and ball (preferably plastic) and give them some room. They’ll start to swing right away! Any two-year old picks this up immediately.To maximize the fun factor, as well as you child’s interest and skill level, look at the SNAG golf equipment and learning program at www.assuranceind.com/snaggolf/. SNAG (Start New At Golf) is a great way to jump start a child’s basic golf skills, which can be learned as early as four or five years of age. As children grow older and stronger, you will want to introduce a lightweight junior club. Single clubs vary in size and weight, and can be picked up at almost any golf shop. Some junior clubs are made to be lengthened easily, which softens the blow on the wallet in the long run!Seven to nine-year-old children are ready for a structured golf program. As with adults, golf is best offered in small doses to speed learning. Find a program that runs for several weeks over the summer that will give kids the opportunity to work on what they learn from week to week. Hold off on golf camps with intensive instruction till they’re older —possibly in their teens.Give them a lot of chances to play! Consider a junior golf membership at a local club. Generally, these are very reasonably priced, and allow your child to play as much as or as little as they’d like. Clearwater Golf Curse offers a five-day junior membership for $100. See http://www.clearwatergolfclub.com/.Foster interest in the game by talking and reading about it, and going to local tournaments or watching tournaments together on TV. Take them to a golf shop to look at equipment, and let them purchase an inexpensive golf ball with a logo they like, or a bag of colorful tees. Two fun, informative and interactive Web sites to check out are http://www.edimples.com/ and http://www.juniorlinks.com/, the official junior golf Web site shared by the PGA, LPGA and USGA.Expect kids to show varying levels of interest in golf. Of course, the best way to cultivate you child’s interest is to practice and play yourself. Expose them to the game by taking them to the putting green and practice range. As much as possible, let them experience golf on their own terms without a lot of pressure. Before you know it, they’ll be asking you for help! Make the most of teaching opportunities when they arise. Notice small improvements and praise them for their successes. With a few tools and a little encouragement, you can grant your child a gift that will last them a lifetime. Think spring! No matter how old or young your children are, now is the best possible time, as well as the best possible time of the year, to begin!

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2003-07-01 13:54:00

:  You have heard of a common problem called the flying elbow, well mine is a 747.  So how exactly does one correct a delinquent elbow? Do you have a drill or thought to ponder that might help?

Don Farquhar Question:  You have heard of a common problem called the flying elbow, well mine is a 747.  So how exactly does one correct a delinquent elbow? Do you have a drill or thought to ponder that might help?Answer:  If your right elbow gets above your right shoulder, you do indeed have a flying elbow. The term flying right elbow and ‘chicken wing’ are synonymous.  The term chicken wing can also be used to describe your arms on the follow through.This elbow problem will ultimately cause you to come over the top in your swing and hit a slice. Anytime that our swing plane is out of whack chances are that it is a problem with the right elbow.Something that you might think about would be to fold your right elbow immediately upon the start of the backswing. As the shoulders turn back, the elbow will start to leave your side, this is as it should be. Upon starting down, the right elbow should return to your side in a folded position.If you have a flying elbow, then you probably slice the ball. This problem is going to make your swing path outside in and this produces a right hand spin on the ball. With the elbow flying, the hands get too high and it makes you come over the top.If some of this sounds familiar, then you might make sure that you shorten your swing and keep that elbow down!

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2002-12-01 10:08:00

: Should the average player be using long irons as they have done for so long, or should they switch to more lofted fairway woods?

Don Farquhar Question: Should the average player be using long irons as they have done for so long, or should they switch to more lofted fairway woods? Answer: Hitting long irons is more difficult than ever because the manufacturers have taken loft off of these clubs in an effort to have the player believe that they are hitting it farther with their clubs. Long irons are difficult for most players to hit because they require a lot of clubhead speed to properly launch the ball. Most players don't possess this speed.More lofted fairway woods such as 5, 7, 9, and even 11 woods are becoming more popular because they are easier to hit, not because they travel farther.  These clubs don't require the high clubhead speed of long irons and because of the design they will hit the ball higher and softer. The design of these clubs make them fun to hit.If you are having trouble with your 2, 3, 4, and 5 irons you might consider switching to fairway woods and watch your scores come down.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2002-11-01 14:20:00

:   What should the wrists look like at the top of the golf swing if they are cocked properly? Is this an unconscious maneuver or should one think about 'cocking the wrists'?

ANSWER:  That is an excellent question and one that many people ask. Everyone is slightly different in their swings so this position will vary from player to player.At the top of the swing the left wrist should be flat and firm. The position of the wrist should be parallel to the left arm and the face of the club should also be along this same line. The face of the club should be pointing at approx. 45 degrees toward the ground. This position is called square to the target line. Any other position and the club face will either be open or closed to the line. In order to achieve this position with the wrists it is not necessary to cock or manipulate the wrists. If the trunk is turning and the arms swing up during the backswing, then the wrists will be in the right position at the top. The correct position of the wrists looks the same as if you were to hold your left arm in front of you and make a fist, stick a club in the fist and there you have the proper position.If cocking the wrists is a conscious decision, then chances are that the club, hands and left arm will not be in the proper position at the top of the swing. A player could hit a good shot from a poor position, but will likely be inconsistent in his ball striking.Working in front of a full length mirror is an excellent way to achieve the right position, and the right feeling. Stand with the mirror to your right and "looking" down the target line. Swing back to the top of your swing and hold it, turn your head to the right and look in the mirror. You should be able to see your left wrist flat, and your clubface parallel to the left arm. Repeat this movement several times until you see the proper results.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2002-07-01 15:42:00

Question:  I do not think there is anyone who has read more or received more lessons on how to consistently play bunker shots than I, but I still can't make them happen.  What else can you tell me?

Answer:  Many players have difficulty when their ball comes to rest in a bunker.Often times this is because they don't have an understanding of the proper technique. They may have the ability, but without the technique they will continue to struggle.If your tendency is to take a huge deep divot and leave the ball in the sand, then your leading edge of the blade is digging. The leading edge of the club should not dig, but rather the back edge of the sole should bounce off of the sand. This will help with not letting the club go too deep into the sand.Remember, the leading edge digs and the trailing edge bounces.     There are times in a bunker when the player would want the club to dig. One of these instances would be if the ball were buried. Any time the ball is buried in the sand you must dig it out. Use the leading edge. Another instance would be if the ball were in a footprint, again you must dig it out with the leading edge.All other bunker shots require the club to bounce off of the sand and that means that the trailing edge must contact the sand first. Opening the face of the club will aid in the trailing edge striking the sand in the proper manner. Next time you get a chance to practice try both of these methods. You might need a little practice but you'll soon be a better bunker player!

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2002-06-01 17:41:00

Question:  I am tired of getting in golf tournaments and having golfers shoot their lowest scores of the season and ‘winning it all’.  Is the current USGA handicapping system flawed?

Answer:  The current handicap system that the USGA has in place is only as accurate as those scores that are entered into it. Many believe that it is a flawed system. The truth is, if everyone posted all of their scores, both high and low, then it would be a much more accurate reflection of a players handicap.Often times a high handicap player will not post a score because he feels that it is too high and won't matter. Some players will only post low scores because they want a low handicap.  When they don't post their high scores they are only fooling  themselves.  On the other hand, some players only post their high scores in order to keep a high handicap for the purposes of playing in tournaments. The people are often labeled  ‘sandbaggers’, a label that is hard to shed.The players handicap is a measure of his potential, not his average score. The system recognizes the player’s lowest 10 scores of his last 20. This is why it takes so long to effect one’s handicap. In order for the system to work, all scores must be posted. You'll have a much better understanding of your golfing ability. Keep all of your old handicap cards and use them to chart your progress over the years. Hopefully, if you are taking lessons you will see that improvement during your season.  Remember, your handicap is a measure of your potential.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2002-04-01 11:59:00

Question:  I am in my 50's. I am what you might call a very odd person. I have never played a round of golf in my life. I recently sold my business and would like to consider taking up the game. What would you suggest as the best way to learn and start the game?

Answer:  Some people think that at age 50 you might be too old to learn the game. However, I am not one of those people. Having sold your business, you should be able to devote a lot of time learning how to play. And believe me, it will take a lot of time and practice.The most effective way to learn to play is to find a good PGA golf professional and start taking lessons from him or her. You should be careful in selecting a pro however, in order to make sure that he or she is capable of instructing beginners. Check around with some of your friends and ask for a recommendation. Then call the professional and ask for a meeting to introduce yourself. Ask him what his teaching philosophy is and maybe how comfortable he would be teaching a beginner. Ask about lesson times, duration, and price. Try to get a feel for whether or not you think you can connect with him. Any PGA professional would gladly welcome such a meeting with a new pupil. Spell out your goals and tell him how much you would be willing to practice. He'll appreciate your honesty.As for golf equipment, I recommend that you wait until you are sure you like the game before investing $1000 or more in equipment. The professional that you have chosen to work with will surly have some equipment you can borrow. When you feel as if you are ready to buy, again, go and see your professional. He'll know your swing and what's best for your game. Don't trust someone in an off course store who just wants to make a sale. This is too important a decision for that.Once you get started please realize that there are no shortcuts. This will take a while to learn, but if you are patient and keep at it you'll enjoy the game for the rest of your life.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2002-03-01 11:43:00

Question:  How is golfer's elbow different from tennis elbow? What is the best way to treat it?

Answer:  Golfer’s elbow and Tennis elbow are basically the same. I don't know all of the specifics and I don't profess to be a doctor, but as I understand it, the pain comes from the tendon rubbing against the bone in the elbow. This rubbing or vibration causes the tendon to become inflamed and thus the pain. The injury is often caused by repeated motion with some sort of aggravation during the swing (maybe hitting the ball fat). It should be treated by rest and maybe some anti inflammatory medication. Often times golfers don't want to rest the injury because it would mean laying off and not playing often times during the summer months. If the case isn't too bad sometimes a Band or wrap around the elbow before playing will help with the pain. If this problem persists I recommend that you see your doctor

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2001-12-01 16:44:00

Question: My bunker shots are horrible. Most of the time I either leave the ball in the bunker or hit it 30 yards over the green. It's like I freeze when my feet touch the sand. Why does a sand shot seem totally different to me than any other shot on the course? What is the best procedure for getting the ball out of the bunker and reasonably close to the hole in one shot?

Answer:  You are right, a bunker shot isn't like any other shot in golf. In every shot except a bunker shot you are trying to hit the ball, in a bunker shot you are trying not to hit the ball. If you develop the right technique you shouldn't fear the sand at all. Developing the right technique and practicing that technique is the trick.The easiest way to get the ball ut of the bunker and reasonably close to the hole is to:1. Open your stance slightly to the target line2. Play the ball closer to your left foot than your right.3. Open the club face so that the leading edge won't dig into the sand. We want the club to bounce off of the sand.4. Weaken your grip (turn tour hands to the left on the grip) so you won't be able to close down the club face at impact.5. Make sure that you take a full swing and try to throw the sand out of the bunker and onto the green.6. Be committed to hitting the sand7. Try to keep your legs quiet on the backswing. Too much movement will cause you to be inconsistent in where you hit the sand.Don't be overly concerned about hitting 2 or 3 inches behind the ball. Chances are that you won't be able to hit the exact spot every time anyway. Just stay committed to hitting behind the ball and throwing the sand out.If this method doesn't work for you and you find yourself hitting too far behind the ball, try moving the ball back closer to the spot where the club is entering the sand and the square the club face up. This will be more of a digging swing but it will get the ball out. It will roll a little farther than the other technique but if you are having trouble getting out of the sand it may be worth a try.A little practice goes a long way in learning how to play out of bunkers. Try these two techniques and give them a little time. You may be surprised and find out that you are in fact a good bunker player.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2001-11-01 17:37:00

Question: What is this new thing I hear about called ‘natural golf’? Can one really change his or her golf swing after 30 or more years of playing the game?

Answer:  Natural Golf really isn't a new thing. Its been around for a number of  years. Just in the past year or so has it gained any notoriety. Mo Norman is the father of natural golf but not the behind its promotion.The main difference between the natural golf swing and a conventional swing is in the set up and the grip. The set up in natural golf, as I understand it, is to take a very wide stance with your feet and to keep the club in a direct line with your forearms. This will put your hands in a much higher position at address.From this position, the natural golf swing is very much upper body and very little legs. The arms swing on one plane and the wrists and hands use a motion very similar to that of using a hammer. That is the right arm straightens at impact to obtain maximum power.The lower body does not turn very much on the follow through. This puts tremendous strain on your lower back. This is probably the reason more players don't use his method.As far as someone changing their swing after 30 years of playing, yes it can be done. Is it going to be productive? Who knows. That will depend on the student and how much time he is willing to spend practicing. I feel that it is much more productive to take the swing you have used for 30 years and try to refine it. It will be much more beneficial to have a repeating swing than it will to have a pretty swing that you cannot repeat. There is more than one way to skin a cat. Just look at all of the swings on the Senior Tour and the kind of scores they produce. The one thing they all have in common is that they repeat.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2001-11-01 15:28:00

Question: How important is the kind of ball to the average 14 handicapper? Is it something one should be concerned about or are there lots of other things that need to be addressed first?

Answer:  The ball choice for all players is an important one. Finding a ball to suit your game is as important as finding the right putter. There are several things to consider when choosing a ball. First of all, how important is distance to you? If it is your primary objective then you should be playing with a solid constructed ball such as a Pinnacle or Topflight. Several studies and tests show they travel the greatest distance.   They do not however provide spin.  This makes them very difficult to control.If distance is only somewhat important and you would like some spin and control on your shots, you should consider a three-piece constructed ball. This type of construction provides adequate distance and enough spin for a greater degree of control. The new Titleist NXT Tour ball would be a good example of a three-piece constructed ball.  Another would be a Slazenger.If feel and spin are your primary objectives then you should be playing with a premium ball such as the new Pro V-1. It provides maximum feel and spin while at the same time delivering a great amount of distance. The cover on this ball is also very durable. A great combination for any ball. That's why it has met with the success it has.    When choosing a ball players are often misguided by thinking only that they need more distance. It might be good to ask yourself... Will another 10 yards really make that much difference in getting the ball to the green?  Probably not. If you’re like most golfers, you will still spend most of your round chipping. Assuming that’s the case, then you should be playing with a ball that spins.  Your control around the greens will bring your score down, not another 10 yards off of the tee.Never however, would I want to underestimate confidence.  It can be an overriding factor.  If a ball will give you an extra 10 yards off the tee, and improve your confidence to be able to hit 5  or 6 more greens a round in regulation... then it might be worth it. Chances are a ball that spins is going to do more for lowering your score than any other type of ball.  Try a sleeve or two and watch your scores come down!

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2001-09-01 10:14:00

Question:  I've been putting for years with a very light blade putter, and I recently bought a high-tech putter that is heavily weighted on the heel and toe. I get a better roll from the new putter, but I am having trouble developing any touch with it. I actually like the new putter better on long putts, but the short putts are the ones that really count. Do I need to adjust my putting stroke for a heavier putter, or do I just need some more practice?  What are some 'can't miss' putting tips?

Answer:  Switching from a blade putter to a heel toe weighted putter is like switching from forged irons to cavity back irons.  It will help your putting but will take some getting used to.  A heel toe weighted putter is designed to allow for miss hits.  Your stroke doesn't need to be as precise.  Another advantage of the heel toe weighted putter is that it is easier to align.  They are marked with a line (or several) to aid you.  Blade putters do not have this option.Putters come in all shapes and sizes.  Make sure you find a putter that is a comfortable length and is the proper lie angle (your eyes should be over the ball and the putter sole flat).  The amount of offset on a putter will determine how well you are able to align the face.  Try different models out to find out which is right for you.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2001-07-01 16:07:00

Question:  You have heard of a common problem called the flying elbow, well mine is a 747.  So how exactly does one correct a delinquent elbow? Do you have a drill or thought to ponder that might help?

Answer:  If your right elbow gets above your right shoulder, you do indeed have a flying elbow. The term flying right elbow and ‘chicken wing’ are synonymous.  The term chicken wing can also be used to describe your arms on the follow through.This elbow problem will ultimately cause you to come over the top in your swing and hit a slice. Anytime that our swing plane is out of whack chances are that it is a problem with the right elbow.Something that you might think about would be to fold your right elbow immediately upon the start of the backswing. As the shoulders turn back, the elbow will start to leave your side, this is as it should be. Upon starting down, the right elbow should return to your side in a folded position.If you have a flying elbow, then you probably slice the ball. This problem is going to make your swing path outside in and this produces a right hand spin on the ball. With the elbow flying, the hands get too high and it makes you come over the top.If some of this sounds familiar, then you might make sure that you shorten your swing and keep that elbow down!

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2001-07-01 09:02:00

:  I have played golf for more than 30 years.  My normal swing  produces a slice, or at the best... an accentuated fade.  I am always fighting to control it.  I use my hands, club face, turn my right shoulder (I play from the right side) as I take the club back, concentrate on keeping my right arm tucked in during takeaway, try to get my swing plane inside out...  I have tried it all and can usually make it work enough to score mid-80’s but it is with so much effort.  Is this the way it will always be or is there some other tip you can provide that will make my normal swing hit it straight without the constant battles I have been used to?

Don Farquhar Question:  I have played golf for more than 30 years.  My normal swing  produces a slice, or at the best... an accentuated fade.  I am always fighting to control it.  I use my hands, club face, turn my right shoulder (I play from the right side) as I take the club back, concentrate on keeping my right arm tucked in during takeaway, try to get my swing plane inside out...  I have tried it all and can usually make it work enough to score mid-80’s but it is with so much effort.  Is this the way it will always be or is there some other tip you can provide that will make my normal swing hit it straight without the constant battles I have been used to?Answer:  The first thing that you need to understand is what is causing the ball to go to the right. After fully understanding this then it might be easier to correct when you play.  A ball slices because of the spin imparted on the ball. The spin comes from two factors. First is the angle of the club face- open, square, closed.  Second is the path of the swing- outside in, inside out, or straight down the line.    Your problem could be caused by one or both of these factors. You should first examine your club face. If you find that it is not square at impact, then you should work to correct it by being a little more active with your hands.  Think in terms of a steering wheel.  If you want your car to go to the left then you turn your steering wheel to the left.  If you want it to go right the you turn your wheel to the right.    Next check your divots to  find the direction of your path.  In your case your divot will point to the right.  This indicates an outside in swing path.  In order to correct this think of a bar hovering over your ball pointed down the target line.  Try to swing your club under this bar and down the line.  This should produce a better path.  Both of these thoughts are simple and can be used together or by themselves. They should be easy to incorporate into your game. Good luck, let me hear how you are progressing.

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Golf

Don Farquhar

2001-05-01 10:25:00

Question:  I have played golf for more than 30 years.  My normal swing  produces a slice, or at the best... an accentuated fade.  I am always fighting to control it.  I use my hands, club face, turn my right shoulder (I play from the right side) as I take the club back, concentrate on keeping my right arm tucked in during takeaway, try to get my swing plane inside out...  I have tried it all and can usually make it work enough to score mid-80’s but it is with so much effort.  Is this the way it will always be or is there some other tip you can provide that will make my normal swing hit it straight without the constant battles I have been used to?

Answer:  The first thing that you need to understand is what is causing the ball to go to the right. After fully understanding this then it might be easier to correct when you play.  A ball slices because of the spin imparted on the ball. The spin comes from two factors. First is the angle of the club face- open, square, closed.  Second is the path of the swing- outside in, inside out, or straight down the line.    Your problem could be caused by one or both of these factors. You should first examine your club face. If you find that it is not square at impact, then you should work to correct it by being a little more active with your hands.  Think in terms of a steering wheel.  If you want your car to go to the left then you turn your steering wheel to the left.  If you want it to go right the you turn your wheel to the right.    Next check your divots to  find the direction of your path.  In your case your divot will point to the right.  This indicates an outside in swing path.  In order to correct this think of a bar hovering over your ball pointed down the target line.  Try to swing your club under this bar and down the line.  This should produce a better path.  Both of these thoughts are simple and can be used together or by themselves. They should be easy to incorporate into your game. Good luck, let me hear how you are progressing.