Golf Tips From The Experts
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By: Alastair Canaway
The correct grip is a key fundamental component of a golfer’s game and is required to have a consistently good straight game, giving you the ability to shoot low scores with ease.
When the grip is faulty, poor shots often result along with an inconsistent and unreliable game. Therefore it is essential for your game that your grip is correct if you want to take your golf to the next level.
Firstly place the club in your left (opposite for lefthanders) hand, close your left hand around the grip as if you were shaking somebody’s hand. Your thumb should be pointing down the grip, slightly to the right of centre.
Then bring in the right hand, firstly interlock the little finger of your right hand with the forefinger of your left hand. The underside of the grip should be placed on the joints of the second and third fingers of the right hand. Your right thumb should also be pointing down the grip, while your right palm should be facing towards the target with your left hand facing away from the target.
Two V’s should be formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand, these should both point somewhere between your right shoulder and eyes.
When holding the club, the club must be held firmly but with the minimum of effort. Having the correct grip allows your hands to work freely with the utmost control while a poor grip leads to a lack of club head control.
Key Points:
• Your arms and hands are relaxed.
• Your left forefinger is linked with the little finger of right hand, 2 or 3 knuckles should be visible.
• The V’s created by the forefinger and thumb on each hand should point be to between your right shoulder and eyes. These V’s should be pretty much parallel to each other.
• The grip should be comfortable yet held firmly with little effort, it is vital that the club head does not open or close on impact.
To test that you have a good grip, it should feel as though both your hands work together as if one. When you lift the club and move it, your hands should feel comfortable and secure.
Problems and cures for slightly faulty grips: You may find that you are slicing the ball; this could be due to a problem with your grip, (although it may be due to other reasons mentioned in my other article that aims to solve the slice) try rotating your grip slightly clockwise around the grip; also try holding the club more in the palm of your left hand.
If you have problems with hooking the ball, make a conscious effort to feel the ends of the fingers on your right hand pushing upwards through impact with the ball. This should help prevent you from closing the clubface on impact and so helps prevent you from hooking the ball.
Discover amazing free golf tips and secrets to help you take your game to the next level and shave a minimum of five shots off your best round. Visit : http://golf-tipsandsecrets.blogspot.com
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By: Chuck Evans
THE TRIAD - CHUCK EVANS, G.S.E.D.
As players we NEED to understand that we MUST control the three parts of the golf club in order to strike quality golf shots. These three parts are:
The clubface
The clubhead
The clubshaft
These three parts MUST be controlled through three Stations - from Address, to the Top, and to the Finish. You’ll notice that Impact is NOT included in these locations. Impact does not have the rank of a station simply because it happens if you have controlled the club through the three Stations.
1. The left hand controls the clubface and its job is to impart “Hinge Action” to the face supplying direction, trajectory, and curvature. These three “Hinge Actions” are known as (1)Vertical - a wall, (2) Horizontal - a floor, and (3)Angled - somewhere in between.
In a Geometrically correct golf stroke (ideal application) the Horizontal Hinge Action is used. This action works just like a door that is opening and closing. While on a Horizontal Plane it is clear to see that there is NO turning or rolling in either direction. But on an Inclined Plane of motion there is a turn to the right and a roll to the left.
2. The right hand - more specifically the first joint of the right index finger - controls the clubhead, its job is to sense where the clubhead is at all times and to direct the action of the clubhead. Using what is known as the “Aiming Point Concept” the direction and point of location in the downstroke varies according to hand speed, and the club being used. The shorter the club the more in front of the golf ball the “Aiming Point” is.
For example, when hitting a greenside bunker shot the player should be looking at a spot behind the golf ball. This is because that’s where we want the club to strike the sand. The same principle applies here. A wedge for example would be in front of the ball. A 5 iron would be at the ball, and a Driver may be behind the ball.
3. Finally, the clubshaft controls the Plane. The Plane is the angle that the club moves back and down on. It can stay on the same Inclined Plane back and down, shift to another angle, or even have several shifts during the stroke. The simplest is to NOT shift at all. The next easiest is to only shift this plane angle once, then two shifts, then three shifts, etc. Annika Sorenstam, Tiger (when he’s on), Adam Scott, Michelle Wie, and host of others use either a “Zero” or “single” shift in their procedures. Nick Price, Nick Faldo and others use a “double” shift while Jim Furyk uses a “customized” plane and multiple shifts.
You can use any of these and obviously play great golf, but remember - ANY PLANE SHIFT IS DANGEROUS!
Learn to control these three parts of the golf club and you will be on your way to golfing “Nirvana”.
For more information on how you can learn how to control the club and your game or get your FREE Sample Copy of our eBook, “How To Build YOUR Golf Swing” - visit us at www.ChuckEvansGolf.com
Chuck Evans is one of only 31 Teachers in the world to hold the designation of “Doctorate in Golf Stroke Engineering”, he is one of the most highly sought after instructors in the world not only by players but other teachers as well and is known as the Teacher of Teachers!
Chuck has appeared on numerous golf talk shows, written and published instructional articles in local, regional, and national golf publications. His DVD, “60 Days To Game Improvement” has sold in excess of 10,000 copies and his new eBook, “How To Build YOUR Golf Swing” is in the library of amateurs and Teaching Profesional alike. He is also appeared as the featured instructor for education classes regarding the golf swing at various PGA Sections and Chapters around the country and has been nominated numerous times for Golf Digest’s Top 50 Teachers and Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers.
In addition Chuck has held the positions of Director of Schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy and the Director of Instruction for the United States Golf Institute.
You can reach Chuck through his Golf Academy in Mesa Arizona by calling 480.924.1350, by email at chuck@chuckevansgolf.com or through the website www.chuckevansgolf.com
By: Mike Pedersen
If you’re like most golfers, you’re always trying to duplicate that “perfect” golf swing. I know I am. Doesn’t it feel great to hit that effortless shot? Don’t you wish you could do it every time? That would be a similar feeling of what the pro’s have most of the time. It would be such a high!
So what’s keeping you from this goal? Do you think you just need to hit more balls? Or, are you already hitting hundreds every week? If that’s not working, do you need more golf lessons? Or, have you taken lessons but not seen improvement?
If it’s none of the above, then what?
I can tell you almost 100% for sure…it’s your BODY!
Your body dictates your golf swing. How many times have you felt like you can’t make a FULL turn or backswing? Do you think the solution is hitting more balls or taking more golf lessons?
It’s not! It’s improving your golf-specific flexibility and even strength.
Once you address and improve your physical limitations, your golf swing mechanics fall into place, with very little effort. Unless you don’t have a concept of what needs to be done to complete a proper golf swing, in which taking a golf lesson to understand it would be first priority.
The majority of amateur golfers have some kind of physical limitation that keeping them from a great game of golf. It could be flexibility, or it could be strength.
Combining the two is your most effective approach.
Getting a golf-specific evaluation by a golf fitness professional is your first step. Then, you can set up a game plan on what you need to work on and how to do it.
You’d be amazed at how quickly you can improve your golf swing and game with this approach. Don’t keep looking for the silver bullet. The answer is in the mirror. Now do something about it!
Mike Pedersen is a respected golf fitness expert, and the author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, numerous golf fitness tips and founder of several online golf fitness sites. For more information on his new, cutting-edge golf fitness e-book, go to http://www.ultimategolffitnessguide.com.
By: Jim McLellan
The policeman drops his paycheck on the kitchen table so his wife can go shopping and pay their bills. They are able to do this because somewhere down the line someone killed, raped, or robbed someone. An unnamed X (rated) President of the United States can have pizza and frollick with a starry eyed intern in the White House because you are paying the rent.
Here’s a news flash for you! If you have been in a coma or have spent the last half century on Neptune, you should know that the golf industry is now a multibillion dollar a year business. What did we learn in paragraph one? Somewhere down the line someone supports, funds, feeds or makes possible the growth and maintenance of such a insatiable glutton. How did IT get so humungous? Sit here on the Anti-Pro’s knee and lets toss some ideas around in our craniums.
This hungry monster needs a lot of food (money). The dope addict needs a fix. Somewhere there is a need. And, in the golf industry, that need is cleverly disguised as confusion. Confuse the golfer and he will be back for more. He doesn’t want anyone to think he is stupid or no talent, so he will convince himself that maybe he just didn’t get it the first time, or second, or…?
A reader sends along this interesting observation: “My experience has been that the overwhelming majority, 85-plus percent unduly complicate the golf swing. I have spent thousands of dollars to come to this conclusion. I often wonder if it is a deliberate attempt to keep one in golfing no-mans land.” Thanks, Chip!
Has the beast made a puppet out of us? Send the golfer a new magazine and watch him tear into it to find the “latest tip.” Try it. Doesn’t work? No problem, they will send you another next month that will give you just the opposite advice. The golf pro can’t tell you the golf swing is simple. He could explain it ALL in one lesson, but if he did and
IF the golf mags didn’t have new “bogus”tips and the book writers didn’t have a batch
of golfer wanabees drooling at the thought of getting better…..They would all die an
excruciating death from starvation. They CAN”T tell the truth…It would be Suicide.
AND that $500 driver? If your swing STINKS, it will NOT make any difference. It looks pretty goofy to stand up on the first tee with a $500 club and slice it into a subdivision.
Lets build the golf swing around this premise. A 3,4,5 year old watches a good golf swing, copies it and has a beautiful swing. No hi-tech, no books, no freeze frame analysis, no series of golf lessons. Watch Daddy walk….walk. Watch Mommy walk….walk. This is an A….write an A….this is a B.
There are thousands of languages here on Earth and the part of the brain that runs motor skills (your golf swing) does not understand one of them! If you continue to swallow the grub the golf industry is dishing out, get real comfy and enjoy your stay in…………….
…….No Man’s Land!
Introduced to golf in 1948 at age 8, Jim McLellan quickly became known as the “Whiz Kid” with an incredible swing and a gifted ability to instruct. At age 15, students came to him at his family owned golf course from four surrounding states for lessons. Jim was consistently breaking par, owned 2 course records and was “the skinny kid” who could drive the ball 300+ yards.
Jim attended Arizona State University at Tempe on a golf scholarship and graduated from the PGA Golf School in Long Beach California in 1960.
You can learn more about Jim’s simple approach to golf by going to http://www.mcgolf.com
By: Alastair Canaway
The slice is a shot which usually starts off slightly to the left, then swerves to the right in the air. The slice is a common fault that occurs in many beginners game and has to be one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a golfer. In most cases, the slice is uncontrollable and is destructive more often than not resulting in the ball being sent deep into the rough. It is also far more common than the hook which occurs when the ball does the opposite through the air.
Ways to cure the slice:
Firstly, make sure your body alignment is correct, your shoulders, chest hips and feet should all be parallel to each other as well as parallel to the ball to pin line. If your body is not aligned correctly and is aiming too far to the left, the upper body can not and does not rotate properly. This leads to an ‘out to in’ swing which means that the club will not be hitting through the ball but instead will be moving from outside the ball to inside the ball as the impact takes place. The consequence of this is side spin being generated on the ball and the dreaded uncontrollable slice follows.
Even if your alignment, swing and grip are perfect, the positioning of the ball in the stance can make a good straight shot into a shot that slices wildly out of play. This occurs when the ball is placed too far forward in the stance.
Once again the slicing of the ball occurs because the club face is no longer square on at impact with the ball. This is because the club face has come past square and is moving in from the ball to pin line, this again generates side spin resulting in the ball slicing again.
Ideal ball placement is different for every club, but this is a rough guide:
For woods and long irons, the ball should be placed inline with the inside of your left heel (opposite for left hand players), for short irons place the ball in the centre of the stance, for medium irons the ball should be placed between two positions mentioned above.
Posture should be checked as weight distribution can also have an affect. Having your weight too far forward can encourage the slice so be wary of your weight distribution.
If all else fails, try strengthening your grip. Do this by moving your hands slightly clockwise around the club, then adjust your grip so you’re holding it more in your fingers and lighten the pressure, this should help reduce the affect of the slicing.
Happy golfing!
The slice is a shot which usually starts off slightly to the left, then swerves to the right in the air. The slice is a common fault that occurs in many beginners game and has to be one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a golfer. In most cases, the slice is uncontrollable and is destructive more often than not resulting in the ball being sent deep into the rough. It is also far more common than the hook which occurs when the ball does the opposite through the air.
Ways to cure the slice:
Firstly, make sure your body alignment is correct, your shoulders, chest hips and feet should all be parallel to each other as well as parallel to the ball to pin line. If your body is not aligned correctly and is aiming too far to the left, the upper body can not and does not rotate properly. This leads to an ‘out to in’ swing which means that the club will not be hitting through the ball but instead will be moving from outside the ball to inside the ball as the impact takes place. The consequence of this is side spin being generated on the ball and the dreaded uncontrollable slice follows.
Even if your alignment, swing and grip are perfect, the positioning of the ball in the stance can make a good straight shot into a shot that slices wildly out of play. This occurs when the ball is placed too far forward in the stance.
Once again the slicing of the ball occurs because the club face is no longer square on at impact with the ball. This is because the club face has come past square and is moving in from the ball to pin line, this again generates side spin resulting in the ball slicing again.
Ideal ball placement is different for every club, but this is a rough guide:
For woods and long irons, the ball should be placed inline with the inside of your left heel (opposite for left hand players), for short irons place the ball in the centre of the stance, for medium irons the ball should be placed between two positions mentioned above.
Posture should be checked as weight distribution can also have an affect. Having your weight too far forward can encourage the slice so be wary of your weight distribution.
If all else fails, try strengthening your grip. Do this by moving your hands slightly clockwise around the club, then adjust your grip so you’re holding it more in your fingers and lighten the pressure, this should help reduce the affect of the slicing.
Happy golfing!
Discover amazing free golf tips and secrets to help you take your game to the next level and shave a minimum of five shots off your best round. Visit : http://golf-tipsandsecrets.blogspot.com
Discover amazing free golf tips and secrets to help you take your game to the next level and shave a minimum of five shots off your best round. Visit : http://golf-tipsandsecrets.blogspot.com
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By: Raynay Valles
How do you say goodbye to 3 and 4 putts? Practice, practice, practice. The key to improving your short game lies in putting practice. But where?
You can practice conveniently on your own home putting green and it may even increase the value of your home. If you’re thinking about installing a putting green, there are several factors to take into consideration.
Will your putting green be a portable one?
Portable greens are a simple and popular choice. Roll-out greens come in many sizes. Popular sizes are 2′ x 6′, 3′ x 12′ to 6′ x 15′. Some feature a regulation cup, while others have a smaller cup than regulation size, which will hone your targetting. Some feature a ball return.
When you are thinking about installing a green, you have more choices and other considerations. Large indoor installations can be as large as 12′ x 30′ or you can do a custom installation. Outdoor greens can be as large as you want.
How much do you want to spend?
Roll-out greens can be found in a wide range of prices from $20 to $300. Larger indoor greens can cost as much as $700. When you start looking at outdoor putting greens, you are talking about costs per square foot for all of the materials - the green material and the base layers.
What material will your green be made of?
Indoor greens are synthetic of course. When you’re considering outdoor putting greens, you have a choice of materials. Your choice is natural grass or an artificial turf.
At first glance, you may think all-natural grass might be best. Think again though. If you choose grass, you will need to spend time maintaining the green. The question is, would you rather be mowing, watering, feeding and weeding OR putting? Since most golfers choose putting, let’s talk about artificial greens.
Artificial outdoor putting greens
With an artificial putting green, maintenance is minimal which means more time to putt. The synthetic fibers are manufactured to resist fading and matting.
There are two popular UV-treated materials: polypropylene turf and nylon turf. Nylon turf is easier to maintain than polyropylene turf. The fibers spring back so your ball has a true roll to the cup. Nylon turf is also denser than polypropylene turf.
Polypropylene turf needs sand fill to keep the fibers upright. During installation, sand is spread across the top of the polypropylene surface and brushed into the turf with a broom. Since the sand can wear away, from time to time, you’ll need to add more sand.
Outdoor putting greens also require a base of stone or concrete. The cups are concreted into place. As for drainage, synthetic turfs drain off the turf, not through it. Drainage needs to be provided.
How fast will your outdoor green be?
Another decision you’ll make is regarding green speed. Stimp measures how fast the green is. You can have your green speed matched to your local courses or to a championship course. In general, adding more sand to your synthetic green makes it faster.
Will you Do-it-Yourself?
You can buy a putting green kit to install yourself. Many come with video instructions. Depending on the size and design, you may need help in installing the green.
Once your new putting green is installed, you can enjoy hours of putting practice and improve your golf game. For a putting green resource site, visit http://www.allputtinggreens.com/
Raynay Valles is a writer for http://www.golfcoursechicago.com. Visit today for golf resource directories, articles and golf tips.
By: Alastair Canawa
If you are seriously considering lowering your scores, then you must take your putting seriously, as roughly half the strokes you play in a round of golf are likely to be on the putting green. However good you are at driving, pitching and chipping, if your putting is not up to standard, you will never make the next level. My Dad told me the famous quote when I was probably about 12 or 13, ‘Drive for show putt for dough’, this says it all! That is why it is quite incredible that putting is not often concentrated on.
Tips for setup:
First of all I’d just like to say that there is no one correct putting grip/posture/stroke, there are wide variations, so if your technique is different, don’t worry, some of the top golfers have very different putting actions e.g. Bernhard Langer, Ben Crenshaw and Tom Watson all have very different techniques. These are basic tips that can be applied to most techniques to help improve your game.
An ideal putting stroke should strike the ball on the up, to do this the ball should be placed opposite the inside of the left heal (for a right hander), this results in the ball being hit on the up and top spin is generated.
In relation to setup, the hands should be either inline with the ball or ahead of the ball, if the hands are behind the ball, then a clean consistent strike of the ball is not likely, and the common result is the ball popping up in the air.
Tension on the green is one the most destructive things that can happen to your putting, especially with the short putts, this is known as getting the ‘yips’, this is caused by moving during the stroke. This causes you to ‘fluff’ your shot and miss your putt. To avoid this happening, concentrate on the spot where the ball was after impact rather than following the ball. This ensures that you do not move your head during impact and will help give you the clean smooth impact you require.
A simple technique to reduce the tension in the body and the stroke is simply to let your arms dangle in front of you before you putt and gently shake them. This should relax your muscles enabling an enhanced sensation of feel and touch, both vital for reliable consistent putting.
Tips for the swing
Your grip should not be too tight, and your arms should be relaxed. Gently and smoothly in a one piece action, sweep the putter backwards. It is important to keep the triangle formed between your arms and the line joining your shoulders consistent through the whole shot and the shape should not change. The move backwards should be like a pendulum movement with your arms, while your wrists remain stiff. A good tip for making sure that this is correct is by starting the action by dropping your left shoulder; this will get the pendulum motion started.
Keeping the triangle mentioned before in tact, in a pendulum motion, accelerate the putter smoothly through the ball; the ball should be hit on the up. Throughout this whole period, keep your eyes fixed on the ball to avoid fluffing the putt and keep the eyes fixed on that spot after impact.
It is vital after impact that the left wrist remains firm and does not break; the follow-through should go inline with the direction you were aiming and should be the same length as the backswing.
Key points
Try and relax before playing the stroke, this will help enhance your feel and touch and help avoid the yips due to excess tension
The stroke should be a pendulum action swinging with your shoulders and arms while the wrists remain stiff.
Don’t move your head during the swing.
Swing in a relaxed smooth fashion with a smooth and constant rhythm.
Keep the wrists firm throughout the stroke.
Play the ball from underneath the eyes.
Have the ball in the front of the stance to ensure that the ball is hit on the up.
Discover amazing free golf tips and secrets to help you take your game to the next level and shave a minimum of five shots off your best round. Visit : http://golf-tipsandsecrets.blogspot.com