Golf: Tips From The Pro
Okay, its the first of July. We have been playing for a few months now and the weather is turning warmer (although it was 37 degrees at Fox Run this morning) and we are finally taking advantage of the long hours of daylight to enjoy golf. A funny thing is happening to our game though. We are hitting the dreaded mid season slump.
Early in the season we spend time focusing on our swing mechanics trying to regain that feel we had last season. Now we have been playing for a while and we are so anxious to get to the 1st tee that our swing is taken for granted. Its time to do a quick tune up.
First lets check the grip. The butt of the grip should lay across the base of the fingers in the left hand. (I am reffering of course to right handed players. If you play left handed just switch my rights and lefts. I am sure you are used to it by now.) The left thumb should lay just to the right of the top of the grip and the 'V' between the thumb and index finger should point to your right cheek/shoulder. The right hand is placed so the grip is in the first knuckle joint and the 'V' should point parallel to the left hand 'V'.
Check your glove. If you see wear under the thumb or on the pad of the palm then you are probably holding the grip too tight at address. It is difficult to hold the grip tightly and make a swing so we tend to loosing our grip at the top of the backswing. This relaxing of the grip pressure allows the club to turn in your hands, causing the wear spots. Try this tip. Set up with the clubhead resting on the ground. Grip the club tightly and lift the clubhead off of the ground. Repeat the proceedure only this time grip the club lightly. Notice how much more aware you are of the weight of the clubhead. This is very important since the clubhead is what you are swinging. Also the lighter grip pressure is easier to maintain during the swing. I like to equate the grip pressure to that of holding a fly swatter.
The second thing to check is alignment. Tee the ball up. In front of the ball place another tee, about 12"-15" out. This creates a target line. Take a longer iron ( try your 3 iron, since you got that new hybrid it probably doesn't come out of the bag much anymore - you do have a hybrid by now don't you?) and place on the ground parallel to the line created by the tees, about a foot away and towards your stance. Your toes do not have to touch the club but the line across them should be parallel to the club. Take another club (try the 4 iron, you should have replaced that with a hybrid by now also) and hold across your knees, then hips, and then shoulders. All of these lines should be parallel to the target line. This alignment should be checked frequently and never taken for granted. It is one thing the pro's work on constantly.
Remember, you cannot discount the importance of a proper grip and alignment. A good golf shot can't happen without them.
Keep swinging.
Bob
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