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Golf

2012-06-08 15:06:19

Ask the pro - series

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.