 | Don Farquhar is Head Golf Professional at Rolling Hills CC, a position he has held since 1988. Don has earned several distinctive awards: 1991 South Central Section Golf Professional of the Year, 1994 South Central Section Merchandiser of the Year, 2003 & 2004 South Central Teacher of the Year and 7 Time Kansas Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year. Don has competed in 5 National Club Professional Championships and qualified for the USGA Public Links Championship. Don is also a member of the Titlist Custom Fitting Staff. Don may be contacted Rolling Hills Country Club Pro Shop, (316) 722-1181, 223 Westlink Drive, Wichita, KS 67209, or by e-mail at dafarquhar@pga.com. |
Golf
2013-02-01 10:10:41
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 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…
