Every golfer wants power and accuracy off the tee!!
But those two things aren't always compatible. Usually, golfers achieve one at the expense of the other. When they try really cranking one, they often belt it deep into the rough. When they try pinpointing one down the fairway, they usually drive it 20 or 30 yards shorter than they want. But you can solve the power versus accuracy dilemma, if you know how.
Below are five tips to generate power and accuracy off the tee.
* Swing at a controlled pace
* Clear your hips faster
* Allow your back heel to lift
* Extend the club down the target line
* Turn your head toward the target
If want power and accuracy off the tee, try this:
First, get your swing under control. Instead of whaling away at the ball, swing at 75 percent. Focus instead on striking the ball solidly. Second, clear your hips faster. Rotating them at the start of the downswing lets your arms fire powerfully through impact. But be careful! Speeding up your hips too much throws your swing off. Third, let your back heel come off the ground. This helps you make a full downswing. Of course, if you can make a full downswing without lifting your heel, that's fine, too.
Just remember that Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson both let their heels lift up quite a bit. Fourth, extend the club down the target line. Visualize yourself shaking hands with the target. Some players like to flip their hands through impact to get more clubhead speed. This move almost never works. Fifth, turn your head toward the target. You want the clubhead to release naturally. To do that, you must allow your head to turn. When you hang your head back, you often hook the ball. Keep everything moving together. Turn your head and eyes with the club.
Work on ingraining these five tips!
You'll hit the ball farther and straighter off the tee, and solve the power versus accuracy dilemma
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Pin Hunting!!
Golfers who can hit high approach shots have an advantage. Since they can get their shots to drop and stop on the green, they can go directly at tough pin placements.
If you can't high approach shots, you have to play it safe, which could cost you strokes. Learning to hit high approach shot takes time and practice. But it pays off.
Below are six keys to hitting a high approach shot:
* Choose the right club
* Open the clubface
* Distribute weight equally
* Use a neutral grip
* Take a full shoulder turn
* Visualize the shot
Start by choosing the right club. Tiger Woods uses a 60-degree wedge. Ernie Els favors a 54-degree wedge. The wedge itself doesn't matter. Finding one that works for you does. Take a slightly open stance and play the ball forward. Also, open the clubface. It gives you more options. You can leave the face open for a high shot or turn it down through impact for a low shot. Distribute your weight equally and use a neutral grip. If you want to play the shot slightly lower, lean a little forward.Finally, take a full shoulder turn for power and consistency. Look directly at the ball over your shoulder as you complete the turn. Keep your eyes level. When the club gets to the top, the angle of the clubface should match the angle of your wrists. That means the face is square. Make a smooth transition and come down at a steep angle.Resist the urge to scoop the ball in the air. Let the club's loft do the work. And don't let the clubhead get ahead of your hands. Also, keep your lower body relaxed so it can respond to your turn. Visualize the shot before hitting it.If you learn to hit high approach shots, you can go after hard pin placements when it makes sense. Playing aggressively will save you strokes
If you can't high approach shots, you have to play it safe, which could cost you strokes. Learning to hit high approach shot takes time and practice. But it pays off.
Below are six keys to hitting a high approach shot:
* Choose the right club
* Open the clubface
* Distribute weight equally
* Use a neutral grip
* Take a full shoulder turn
* Visualize the shot
Start by choosing the right club. Tiger Woods uses a 60-degree wedge. Ernie Els favors a 54-degree wedge. The wedge itself doesn't matter. Finding one that works for you does. Take a slightly open stance and play the ball forward. Also, open the clubface. It gives you more options. You can leave the face open for a high shot or turn it down through impact for a low shot. Distribute your weight equally and use a neutral grip. If you want to play the shot slightly lower, lean a little forward.Finally, take a full shoulder turn for power and consistency. Look directly at the ball over your shoulder as you complete the turn. Keep your eyes level. When the club gets to the top, the angle of the clubface should match the angle of your wrists. That means the face is square. Make a smooth transition and come down at a steep angle.Resist the urge to scoop the ball in the air. Let the club's loft do the work. And don't let the clubhead get ahead of your hands. Also, keep your lower body relaxed so it can respond to your turn. Visualize the shot before hitting it.If you learn to hit high approach shots, you can go after hard pin placements when it makes sense. Playing aggressively will save you strokes
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Avoiding The Pop Up Tee Shot
The pop-up is one of the most embarrassing tee shots in the game, along with the little dribbler out in front. The pop-up goes straight up in the air, barely clearing the tee box and then comes straight down. Often, it doesn’t even clear the ladies tee. It’s even more embarrassing when you pop-up on the first tee.
Two things cause a pop-up: (1) shifting excessive weight forward, and (2) approaching the ball from a very steep angle. Most players who hit pop-ups never shift their weight correctly during the swing. Meanwhile, the steep descent de-lofts the clubface, causing the club’s topline to become its leading edge. Together, these swing faults cause the ball to go straight up in the air.
Here are 5 tips on eliminating pop-ups:
· Take a wider stance
· Maintain a higher position at the top
· Maintain a lower position at the finish
· Take a full shoulder turn
· Shift weight to your back foot
Some simple changes in your set-up help eliminate pop-ups. The key is making sure your set-up encourages a higher and longer backswing arc, which in turn shallows out your swing plane and reduces the steepness of your downswing. First, widen your stance, creating room for a big backswing arc. If you’re not comfortable using a wider stance hit balls with it in practice until you are, then take it to the course. Also concentrate on maintaining a higher position at the top of your backswing and a lower position at the finish.
These changes will train your body to take a full shoulder turn and shift your weight to your back foot on your backswing, and your forward foot on your downswing, instead of vice versa.Eliminating pop-ups may not turn you into the club champion, but it will improve your game and help save you face at the same time.
Jack Moorehouse has been kind enough to share many of his golf tips. I have to say Jack is one of the best instructor's I've ever seen. Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly
Two things cause a pop-up: (1) shifting excessive weight forward, and (2) approaching the ball from a very steep angle. Most players who hit pop-ups never shift their weight correctly during the swing. Meanwhile, the steep descent de-lofts the clubface, causing the club’s topline to become its leading edge. Together, these swing faults cause the ball to go straight up in the air.
Here are 5 tips on eliminating pop-ups:
· Take a wider stance
· Maintain a higher position at the top
· Maintain a lower position at the finish
· Take a full shoulder turn
· Shift weight to your back foot
Some simple changes in your set-up help eliminate pop-ups. The key is making sure your set-up encourages a higher and longer backswing arc, which in turn shallows out your swing plane and reduces the steepness of your downswing. First, widen your stance, creating room for a big backswing arc. If you’re not comfortable using a wider stance hit balls with it in practice until you are, then take it to the course. Also concentrate on maintaining a higher position at the top of your backswing and a lower position at the finish.
These changes will train your body to take a full shoulder turn and shift your weight to your back foot on your backswing, and your forward foot on your downswing, instead of vice versa.Eliminating pop-ups may not turn you into the club champion, but it will improve your game and help save you face at the same time.
Jack Moorehouse has been kind enough to share many of his golf tips. I have to say Jack is one of the best instructor's I've ever seen. Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly
Saturday, February 7, 2009
How to Hit Long Irons
Many golfers prefer hitting hybrid clubs to long irons. But some still like hitting long irons. The biggest danger with hitting long irons is catching the ball thin. The longer the iron, the greater the chance of catching it thin. The problem: lack of ball compression. Instead of compressing the ball into the ground, you're hanging back too long, causing the club to hit up on the ball.
Here are 5 keys to hitting long irons solidly:
* Take your normal address position
* Shift your weight to your back heel
* Stretch your backswing out
* Keep your back heel planted
* Hit down on the ball to compress it
You must be on your front side to hit long irons solidly, which means you may have to make some slight adjustments to your swing. Take your regular address then shift your weight to your back leg. Ideally, your back hip should be over your back heel. This move tilts your shoulders upwards slightly and away from the target.Having made these adjustments, take the club back slowly. Stretch out your arms in your backswing as much as possible and keep your back heel planted. Keep your weight on your back side. Now swing down on the ball. With your back side stretched taught at the top of your backswing, you're in position to deliver the club powerfully to the ball, compressing it and adding spin. To get the feel of this stretching move, use a Theraband, which you can get at most sporting goods stores. Place the band around the instep of your front foot and the fingers of your left hand (right, if you're left-handed). The Theraband adds resistance as you swing to the top, the kind of resistance you should feel when swinging.If you hit your long irons thin, focus on compressing the ball. It adds the distance and spin you need for drilling solid approach shots consistently
Here are 5 keys to hitting long irons solidly:
* Take your normal address position
* Shift your weight to your back heel
* Stretch your backswing out
* Keep your back heel planted
* Hit down on the ball to compress it
You must be on your front side to hit long irons solidly, which means you may have to make some slight adjustments to your swing. Take your regular address then shift your weight to your back leg. Ideally, your back hip should be over your back heel. This move tilts your shoulders upwards slightly and away from the target.Having made these adjustments, take the club back slowly. Stretch out your arms in your backswing as much as possible and keep your back heel planted. Keep your weight on your back side. Now swing down on the ball. With your back side stretched taught at the top of your backswing, you're in position to deliver the club powerfully to the ball, compressing it and adding spin. To get the feel of this stretching move, use a Theraband, which you can get at most sporting goods stores. Place the band around the instep of your front foot and the fingers of your left hand (right, if you're left-handed). The Theraband adds resistance as you swing to the top, the kind of resistance you should feel when swinging.If you hit your long irons thin, focus on compressing the ball. It adds the distance and spin you need for drilling solid approach shots consistently
Friday, February 6, 2009
Short Pitches From The Rough
Your approach shot barely misses the green. It lands in the rough, which is deep but not too deep. Your normal pitch shot won't work from here because the grass is too long. The shot won't give you the clean contact you need to escape the grass and leave the ball close. You need to adjust your pitching technique to get up and down.
Below are five keys to pitching from long grass:
1. Stand back from your address position
2. Positions your hands lower
3. Square the leading edge of the clubface
4. Swing normally with less force
5. Fine-tune your setup to land it close
Address the ball as you normally would, but stand back slightly. This stance lowers your hands a bit into a pre-cocked position, adding bounce to the club to push it cleanly through the grass. Square the leading edge of the clubhead, giving you more clubface area to strike the ball.
Make your normal pitch swing, but use 75 percent force. The low hands give you a sharp downswing, helping to slip the club under the ball. With this technique, the ball pops up more than moves forward, rescuing you from the grass.
Vary your stance and ball position depending on the grass and your distance from the pin. To pitch it higher, play the ball between the center of your stance and front foot. To pitch it lower, play the ball between the center of your stance and back foot. To pitch it farther, widen your stance and stay square to the ball. To pitch it shorter, choke down and use an open, narrow stance.
All pitch shots are not created equal. When the grass is really long, adjust your stance, swing, and grip based on the length of the grass and the distance to the hole. Practice this shot from different positions near the green to master this stroke-saving shot.
Below are five keys to pitching from long grass:
1. Stand back from your address position
2. Positions your hands lower
3. Square the leading edge of the clubface
4. Swing normally with less force
5. Fine-tune your setup to land it close
Address the ball as you normally would, but stand back slightly. This stance lowers your hands a bit into a pre-cocked position, adding bounce to the club to push it cleanly through the grass. Square the leading edge of the clubhead, giving you more clubface area to strike the ball.
Make your normal pitch swing, but use 75 percent force. The low hands give you a sharp downswing, helping to slip the club under the ball. With this technique, the ball pops up more than moves forward, rescuing you from the grass.
Vary your stance and ball position depending on the grass and your distance from the pin. To pitch it higher, play the ball between the center of your stance and front foot. To pitch it lower, play the ball between the center of your stance and back foot. To pitch it farther, widen your stance and stay square to the ball. To pitch it shorter, choke down and use an open, narrow stance.
All pitch shots are not created equal. When the grass is really long, adjust your stance, swing, and grip based on the length of the grass and the distance to the hole. Practice this shot from different positions near the green to master this stroke-saving shot.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Increasing Accuracy With Proper Alignment
Many golfers pay little attention to alignment. In a rush to hit their shot, they take their stance, glance quickly in the direction of their target, and hit away. They're amazed when their shots go awry.
Aligning yourself to the target is a key fundamental. Simply put, you can't hit your target if you aren't aligned properly. To increase accuracy, make alignment a vital part of you're pre-shot routine.
Here is a six-step routine for pre-shot alignment:
* Stand behind the ball
* Line up the target and the ball
* Take a full practice swing
* Focus on the target line
* Set your club along the line
* Take your stance
Start by standing behind the ball facing the fairway. Picking out your target. Be as specific as possible. Draw a line from your target to the ball. Still behind the ball, square your clubface to the target line and take your stance. Take a full practice swing. Visualize the clubhead moving down the target line through impact.
Next, focus on the target line in front of the ball. Walk into your ball from the side, keeping your eyes on the target line. Set your clubhead behind the ball with the clubface pointing down the line, set your feet perpendicular to the line, and settle into your stance. Once in your stance, give the target a final look. Then, turn your eyes to the ball and fire away.
Misalignment costs you strokes. Don't let it. Use an alignment routine for all shots. It will help you find the safest one to your intended target and increase accuracy. More important, it helps lower your golf handicap
Aligning yourself to the target is a key fundamental. Simply put, you can't hit your target if you aren't aligned properly. To increase accuracy, make alignment a vital part of you're pre-shot routine.
Here is a six-step routine for pre-shot alignment:
* Stand behind the ball
* Line up the target and the ball
* Take a full practice swing
* Focus on the target line
* Set your club along the line
* Take your stance
Start by standing behind the ball facing the fairway. Picking out your target. Be as specific as possible. Draw a line from your target to the ball. Still behind the ball, square your clubface to the target line and take your stance. Take a full practice swing. Visualize the clubhead moving down the target line through impact.
Next, focus on the target line in front of the ball. Walk into your ball from the side, keeping your eyes on the target line. Set your clubhead behind the ball with the clubface pointing down the line, set your feet perpendicular to the line, and settle into your stance. Once in your stance, give the target a final look. Then, turn your eyes to the ball and fire away.
Misalignment costs you strokes. Don't let it. Use an alignment routine for all shots. It will help you find the safest one to your intended target and increase accuracy. More important, it helps lower your golf handicap
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Hitting a Power Fade
The power fade is a stroke-saving, left-to-right shot (for right-handers) you hit on purpose. It's not a slice, though it may look like one. It's an intentionally curved shot ideal for holes that turn sharply right or when most of the trouble is on the left. A great go-to shot off the tee, a power fade is easier to hit than a dead straight shot or a draw.
Below are six tips on hitting a power fade:
* Tee the ball on the right
* Pick a spot on the left
* Align your stance to the spot
* Position the ball forward
* Aim for the outside quadrant
* Swing easy and don't try to kill it.
Start by teeing the ball on the right side of the box, which gives you more room to play your ball to the right. Now, pick a spot between the rough and the fairway on the left and align your stance to it. That's the line you want your shot to travel before it begins to turn.
Next, tee the ball about a ball forward of where you normally position it. Tee it up low so that the ball's equator and the club's sweet spot line up. A lower tee encourages you to swing level through impact and guards against hitting a hooking. Also, rotate your club open a few degrees.
Take a normal swing. Aim for the outside quadrant of the ball. Striking the ball on the outside quadrant increases the chances of the ball fading. Take a nice easy swing and don't try to kill it. The faster you swing the club, the easier it is for you to turn your hands over and hook it.
The power fade is a relatively easy shot to hit. Jack Nicklaus' favorite shot off the tee, it's great to use on the first few holes you play, especially if you haven't had time to warm up.
Until nex time
Below are six tips on hitting a power fade:
* Tee the ball on the right
* Pick a spot on the left
* Align your stance to the spot
* Position the ball forward
* Aim for the outside quadrant
* Swing easy and don't try to kill it.
Start by teeing the ball on the right side of the box, which gives you more room to play your ball to the right. Now, pick a spot between the rough and the fairway on the left and align your stance to it. That's the line you want your shot to travel before it begins to turn.
Next, tee the ball about a ball forward of where you normally position it. Tee it up low so that the ball's equator and the club's sweet spot line up. A lower tee encourages you to swing level through impact and guards against hitting a hooking. Also, rotate your club open a few degrees.
Take a normal swing. Aim for the outside quadrant of the ball. Striking the ball on the outside quadrant increases the chances of the ball fading. Take a nice easy swing and don't try to kill it. The faster you swing the club, the easier it is for you to turn your hands over and hook it.
The power fade is a relatively easy shot to hit. Jack Nicklaus' favorite shot off the tee, it's great to use on the first few holes you play, especially if you haven't had time to warm up.
Until nex time
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Feel free to email me any of your golf tips. Please only email tips that actually work and include an estimate of how many stokes per round you were able to save.
Tee to Green Golf Tips
This blog will help you become a better golfer. I've come across hundreds of golf tips over the years. So many that no one human being - even an avid golfer - can't remember their own top 20.
So I've decided to consolidate my thoughts on golf tips for the average golfer from TEE TO GREEN. Not just the tips from the tee box with your oversized driver but this blogger intends to include the tips that get you out of the sand and other trouble spots around the course. The type of TIPS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
So I've decided to consolidate my thoughts on golf tips for the average golfer from TEE TO GREEN. Not just the tips from the tee box with your oversized driver but this blogger intends to include the tips that get you out of the sand and other trouble spots around the course. The type of TIPS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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