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Golf

2012-11-19 10:24:39

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. 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.