Tips

CHECK BASICS

  • GRIP = club held in fingers of left hand/ right hand x2 knuckles & V/ back of left hand & palm of right hand face target/ don’t hold too tight
  • SET-UP / STANCE = balanced starting position / square parallel to target or flag / weight even / feet shoulder width apart / firm flexible foundation
  • BALL POSITION = for driver inside left heel / for shorter irons nearer to centre
  • ALIGNMENT = clubhead leading edge at right angles to ball-to-target-line

 

PRE-SHOT ROUTINE  (1) = focus & concentration

  1. posture
  2. alignment
  3. set-up / stance
  4. draw on mental gallery of past good shots
  5. visualisation / see the shot in your mind

SIZE UP THE SHOT = take notice

  1. length determines which club / look for distance markers to the green
  2. slope  & hazards /out of bounds /rough /ditches /trees /gorse / bunkers / water
  3. weather conditions = wind / rain /ground soft or hard
  4. club selection
  5. lie of the ball

PRE-SHOT ROUTINE (2) = mini rehearsal

  1. find intermediate target close to the ball
  2. relieve muscle tension to alleviate physical or mental pressure = waggle club / flex toes / flex fingers
  3. last glance at the target & breathe

 

THE SWING =

Aim for a repeatable swing with smooth power that holds up under pressure or as you get tired

KEY POINTS :

  • backswing needs a low slow takeaway .
  • understand role of big muscles of upper body / hips & legs & how they work in combination with arms / hands & shoulders
  • rotate body & coil back & come through with good rhythm & tempo
  • hinge wrists & keep knees flexed & balanced
  • keep eyes fixed on the ball on impact
  • start to drive forward & transfer weight
  • turn hips & chest through to target
  • right foot heel up
  • hold finish balance position – count 1 2 3
  • driver / 3 wood tee shot …. think low & slow
  • fairway / hybrid or wood … think sweep the ball away
  • iron to the green … think crisp strike

 

THE SHORT GAME = all about feel & distance control

 

PITCHING … for 30 – 100 yards to green

  • mini abbreviated version of full swing
  • club = pitching wedge or 9 iron / sand iron or lob wedge
  • open stance / feet narrower / square set-up
  • weight more on left side / hold down the grip / ball in centre
  • three quarter swing / compact backswing & follow through
  • firm left wrist on impact
  • crisp strike ( don’t try & scoop it ) need positive strong tempo
  • hold balanced finish

 

CHIPPING … feel is crucial & confidence is key

  • key confidence club = pitching wedge
  • other clubs can be used
  • distance control from a few feet 10 / 20 / 30 yards
  • depends on different pin positions = front / middle / back of green ?
  • depends on dry or wet conditions
  • depends on if it’s a big or small green
  • set up = align feet & clubface to target line or flag
  • ball position = back in stance
  • grip = hands halfway down wedge grip / hands forward
  • keep arms straight / don’t break wrists
  • keep head & legs still
  • keep take back & follow through same height = ankle / knee / hip height
  • weight 60-40 on left side
  • visualise & imagine … pick a spot where you want the ball to land on green
  • basic chip = one third in air & rest along the ground
  • back & through with same tempo / even smooth stroke
  • accelerate to get ball to the hole
  • follow through finish on flag
  • always have a practice chip to judge the distance / hear the club clip the grass
  • from  rough or behind a bunker = ball more forward / open club face / strong positive follow through

 

GREENSIDE  BUNKERS

  • key confidence club = sand wedge
  • negative mindset will paralyse your shot
  • can’t ground club so take practice swing outside bunker
  • need smooth crisp tempo so don’t quit on follow through
  • be confident as you step down into bunker
  • take stance & get firm balanced footing … then set up
  1. open stance / feet & hips point left of target
  2. ball position = centre / more forward for more height
  3. club face square
  4. keep weight on left foot
  5. choke down on the grip
  6. hover club / hit 1-2 inches behind the ball
  7. break wrists early / three quarter swing
  8. remove sand before you strike the ball
  9. needs a positive strike
  10. full follow through to balanced finish position

 

PUTTING  = The game within the game 

Positive putting with experience is the key way to reduce your score or your handicap. Perhaps the putter is the most important club in your bag … putting can be 50 percent of the game & requires feel / touch /confidence /ability to judge distance / ability to read the different greens / ability to judge length & line and take notice of different speeds & different pin positions. You need to trust in your putter  & your technique to achieve a repeatable smooth stroke & consistent roll . Various grips to choose from & try out but whatever the grip of choice … your hands need to be firm yet light. Pre putt marker routine is key & also a practice putt to gauge how far back & through required for distance control. Pace & tempo = back & through pendulum action. Keep same rhythm for different length putts. Uphill putt ? = be firmer / more aggressive with longer back & through. Downhill putt ? = be very soft / delicate with light arms & hands / short back & through action to be in control of your stroke.

  • take your glove off cos need to feel light grip in your fingers
  • always do your ball marker routine
  • allow for the amount of break
  • step away …  breathe & relax shoulders … then focus
  • line up & pick up your ball marker back into your pocket
  • set up feet /hips /shoulders square to target line
  • ball just forward in stance / eyes directly over the ball
  • have a practice putt / take back slow low & smooth
  • feel & stroke it forward … don’t hit it !
  • smooth rhythm … back & through
  • keep putter face square & online
  • always aim for just past the hole distance
  • look up after you stroke the ball

 

TROUBLE TIMES

Trouble shots are inevitable in every round of golf you play. Priority should always be to play within yourself in order to escape / recover & get back to safety straight away … not hit a career shot !  Be realistic & resist being over-ambitious.  Key is to have self belief & limit the damage in order to keep your round & score going.  Getting back into play will build your confidence for the next time you face a similar shot.

  1. ROUGH  =  assess the lie & be realistic / depends how much grass is behind the ball / from thick rough play percentage shot with lofted club
  2. FAIRWAY BUNKERS  =  assess how high the lip is in front of you & how close you are to it / damage limitation aim is to get out on first attempt
  3. IN A DIVOT =  it will happen sometimes & from a good shot is frustrating! but quickly accept that & focus/ easy to top or thin it so give yourself margin for error in case it shoots out / hit down sharply with three quarter swing
  4. TIGHT LIE = keep weight on front foot / hands forward / concentrate on three quarter swing / need clean crisp contact / expect it to come out lower
  5. LOOSE LIE = especially in autumn & winter conditions ball ends up on leaves twigs pine needles debris.  Remember can’t disturb ball.  Use lofted club / focus on top of ball for clean contact / need firm clip of ball
  6. UPHILL LIE = will make ball fly higher so results in shorter distance & right to left shot shape. Put ball in back of stance / align self with slope … don’t fight it. Aim right of target /keep balance with smooth rhythm & don’t force it. Shorten swing / use more of arms & hands shot
  7. DOWNHILL LIE = feels awkward & it’s easy to lose balance at top of backswing. The lie de-lofts the ball so it goes lower & goes longer. So take one club less … slope produces left to right fade shape. Take open stance with ball further back /weight will be on left foot so balance is important . Three quarter swing & keep shot smooth and under control
  8. BALL ABOVE FEET = ball will move right to left. Grip down club /aim right of target / take practice swings to focus on keeping balance
  9. BALL BELOW FEET = really tough shot cos feel will lose balance. Address ball & keep feet weight  back on heels. Bend over more & sit back for counter balance. Lie makes ball go left to right = fade shape/ and will lose distance so take more club. Get close to ball & have practice swings to keep balance confidence.  Three quarter swing … stay down & compact on the shot
  10. WINDY CONDITIONS = into wind = club up / lower tee / less follow through. Downwind = club down & tee up high.  Windy putt = needs a wider stance.

 

KNOWLEDGE IS KEY

R&A =  the governing body of golf. Their websites cover essential information on the rules, etiquette & pace of play.  So … checkout

 

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