Archive for March, 2008

When making your back swing, much has been written regarding the movement in the left foot. In my humble opinion if you are flexible enough to make a full back swing with the left foot planted then do so!

Keeping the left foot planted throughout the swing allows most golfers to create some good resistance and balance, giving a great feel of coiling the upper body over a stable lower body during the back swing and a solid left side to swing into during the down swing.

I only encourage a little lifting of the foot if the client is struggling to complete the back swing with it planted, it simply allows a little more freedom of motion to some golfers, maybe helping them to complete a full turn. Then I ask them to plant it firmly down on the ground at start the down swing, that way giving them balance and a good weight shift in the down swing.

Let me know if this helps?

When playing those little chip and run shots from the fringe of the green, we encourage you to take onboard some basic putting principles to help you gain greater control.

Hold the club (say a no 7 iron for example) in exactly the same manner you hold the putter, using your standard putting grip. Basically this shot is like putting with a different club, so by taking your putting grip you will encourage a pendulum like motion, keeping the wrists very quiet in the process. It will allow you to use the loft of the club to nudge the ball over the thicker fringe grass and then run the ball down to the hole. Soft hands on the club and quiet wrists during a pendulum like stroke, should give you a consistent and controlled stroke.

One other small tweak on your normal set-up is to stand the club up a little more upright when addressing the ball. Even if the heel of the club then feels like it’s off the ground a smidge, don’t panic as this will help quieten the wrists and stroke the ball like a putt.

If your playing uphill and need a little more run out of the ball, then try a less lofted club. On the flip side, if the green falls away from you and the ball is going to run out quicker, then a more lofted 9 iron or wedge will help you control the run on the ball.

Good luck with this tip!