Tag: Learn Golf

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Fairway Bunker Shots

Tips and instruction to learn proper fairway bunker shot technique.

By Kevin Cotter, PGA

The primary difference between a fairway bunker shot and a green side bunker shot is you strike the ball first then the sand in a fairway bunker.  The angle of attack to the ball is also more shallow than that of a green side bunker, in a fairway bunker the clubhead travels somewhat level to the ground through impact.

Also, position the ball more towards the middle of your stance.

Plan on up to a 1/3 distance loss with fairway bunker shots, therefore you may have to take some extra club, but do make sure you still have enough loft to to clear the lip of the bunker.

Check out the video link below with PGA Professional Michael Breed demonstrating a key tip on how to position the right foot in the sand in an effort to stabilize the back leg during the swing minimizing lower body movement. You must emphasize movement of the upper body with fairway bunker shots and keep the lower body fairly quiet.  This helps prevent your feet from pivoting/shifting in the sand during the swing.

Fairway Bunker Shots | PGA.com

PGA Professional Michael Breed hits Hazeltine National Golf Club to give you some helpful tips on the best ways to get out of those dre…
Below, Phil Micklelson describes the shallow attack angle and how he casts the club (breaks the wrists early in the downswing) to create a more shallow angle:

 

Happy golfing!

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Spirit of Golf

spirit of golf thought of the day

April 28, 2013

Most do not understand that true power comes from releasing internal resistance rather than from pursuing, chasing, toil, and grind. We become conditioned to believe that we have to effort hard in order to achieve everything we want; in effect, we must struggle to deserve our success. In truth, we could relax and chill our way into receiving anything we want and desire, unless we don’t believe this to be true. Our belief about how easily results will unfold is ultimately what makes them appear. It is we and we alone who get to decide how much joy or misery is going to be involved along the way.

Orlando, FL – April, 2013 

Irish Links Trip

Upcoming events

Join us in the following cities for upcoming Spirit of Golf workshops and clinics. For a full listing of our upcoming events, including our webinars and player/instructor certification programs, click here.

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How to Cure a Slice

  1. Great swing tips to fix your slice quickly and easily!
    The cause of slicing the golf ball simply boils down to delivering the clubface to the ball in an open position at impact (clubface pointing to the right of the intended target line for right handed players). Here are the most common causes and cures for the dreaded slice:
    Grip Position
    Your first area of examination is to check your grip position at address. If the hands are rotated too far to the left on the club an open position at impact will likely result. Check out this article for more details about proper grip positioning:
  2. Use Two Tees to Cure your Slice – GOLF.com

    Jun 25, 2007 … Your grip is making it difficult to square the clubface at impact. How to fix it … If you slice, line up the tees ov…
    Golf
  3. Wrist Position Top of Swing
    The next area to explore is the back of the left hand and wrist position at the top of the swing.  If the left wrist is cupped (concave) the clubface is likely open and if returned to the ball in the same position a slice will occur.  The following video demonstrates both wrist cupping and grip positioning quite well:
  4. Instant Fix: Correct Your Slice – Video – GOLF.com

    Dec 30, 2012 … In the first installment of his “Instant Fixes” series for Golf.com, Top 100 Teacher Tim Mahoney has three t…
    Golf
  5. Pronation
    The final area of concern at least for the sake of this post would be to check and see if your right hand is pushing against and breaking down the left hand through impact, as opposed to properly rolling over / pronating through the ball.  In the video below Chuck Cook delivers a great tip on how to properly rotate the hands and forearms:
  6. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG0ktg-Yllk?feature=oembed&w=400&h=225]
    Chuck Cook: Slice Cure: Wrist Roll
    golflink
    ·

    Sun, Mar 03 2013 15:02:33

  7. A simple quick fix or two can make a huge difference in reducing or eliminating your slice, and therefore making for a much more enjoyable round of golf!
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Greenside Bunker Tips

  1. Improve your greenside bunker play with some great practice tips!

    By Kevin Cotter, PGA

    By far, the most important aspect to successful greenside bunker play is striking the sand an inch or two behind the ball.  As another PGA Professional recommends as a sort of visual is to “Imagine the golf ball lying on top of a dollar bill and you’re scooping the entire bill and ball up together.”The video below from Alan Wronowski PGA Director of Golf demonstrates a great practice technique by drawing a line in the sand to practice striking a specific spot.

  2. Greenside Bunkers | PGA.com

    Allen Wronowski, PGA Director of Golf at Hillendale Country Club in Phoenix, Md. , talks about greenside bunkers and gives some tips to …
    Pga
  3. Below “Your Best Bunker Tips” from PGA.com offers some interesting comments from Facebook fans on greenside bunker play including some great tips as well, starting out with my favorite of course “Don’t hit it in the bunker to begin with.”

    Enjoy!
  4. Your best bunker tips | News | PGA.com

    When we think of Florida, we think of many things. Among them?
    Pga
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Practicing Your Golf Swing in Slow Motion

  1. Slow down when working on your swing for amazing results!

    Practicing your golf swing in slow motion is a concept I’ve always believed in and have religiously articulated throughout my teaching career, “If you can’t do it in slow motion, how could you ever do it in fast motion.”

    Now some have argued they are not one in the same in the sense that with a full speed swing the dynamics are different when considering the impetus generated through centripetal force.  I believe this is true but only to a certain degree as they are overall missing the point that the player first needs to understand the exact positions they need to achieve within the swing and repeat those motions slowly over and over again and habituate them then slowly transgress over to full speed swing.

    Check out the Slow Mo Drill video below:

  2. Slow Motion Golf Swing | Golf Channel

    Jan 2, 2013… and in this video Brad Brewer shows you how to practice in slow motion to … In this video segment, Brad Brewer shows y…
    Golfchannel
  3. Amazing, here is a video of Ben Hogan actually practicing in slow motion as referenced above by Brad Brewer.
  4. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5vTfi0gtZ8?feature=oembed&w=400&h=225]
    Ben Hogans’ slow motion practice routine
    TSSfootage
    ·

    Sun, Feb 24 2013 15:29:35

  5. Just for the sake of analysis here is a great slow motion swing video with Professional Golf Coach Mitchell Spearman examining the swing of the 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.
  6. Slow Motion Golf Swing Videos | Hit The Perfect Golf Ball Video

    Golfing World have amazing slow motion golf swing videos so you can see exactly how … The Path to Par Series – Perfect PracticeProfes…
    Golfingworld
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Executing the Perfect Pitch Shot

  1. This is a great tip to improve your pitching game.  The primary key to the shot is keeping the arms, shoulders and body moving somewhat in sync as described in this article by Krista Dunton PGA, by allowing the right elbow to fold against the right side during the back swing and left elbow to fold against the left side during the through swing.  Check out the article and video below for some great short game pointers.
  2. executing the perfect pitch shot | Short Game | PGA.com

    That troublesome 20-30 yard pitch shot is easier than you think.
    Pga
  3. Todd Anderson on the Pitch Shot
  4. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGA9HofE1Ek?feature=oembed&w=400&h=225]
    Golf: Pitch Shot
    SIvideo
    ·

    Sat, Feb 23 2013 15:37:26

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Hitting the Ball Farther

  1. This is a great tip by Martin Hall PGA.  I provided an excerpt below from my recently posted article referencing the one-piece-takeaway and how it also helps establish the coiling affect described in this video. Combining the two thoughts will certainly go along way in “Hitting the Ball Farther.”

    “The “one piece takeaway” sets the timing of the swing into immediate sync. The desired sequence of movement is; clubhead, hands, shoulders, hips and lower body in that order. This backswing sequencing establishes proper coiling of the upper body against the lower body, providing a power generating spring like action to be unleashed during the downswing.”

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7488903

  2. Hitting the Ball Farther | PGA.com

    Martin Hall, PGA Director of Instruction at Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida talks … Hall demonstrates a drill …
    Pga
    ·

Of course better physical condition can also help you hit the ball farther, check out these drills from PGA.com to help build the muscles you need to hit the ball farther! 

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The Golf Grip

By Kevin Cotter, PGA

The grip is the primary connector from the body to the club, and as the great Arnold Palmer once said, “The grip is the crucial junction point from which all the body’s strength and rhythm transferred to the club.”

There are three grip options from which to choose:

The most common grip is the overlapping or Vardon grip, named after Harry Vardon, where the little finger of the right hand (lower hand) is positioned over the top and between the left hand’s first two fingers. 

The second option is the interlocking grip, where the little finger of the right hand is intertwined with the index finger of the left hand. This adjoining or melding of the hands with both the Vardon and overlapping grip helps unify the hands and aids in preventing one hand from overpowering the other, resulting in increased distance and consistency. 

The third option, or the ten-finger grip, sometimes called a baseball grip, is only recommended for very young or physically weak individuals without adequate strength to hold and swing the club.

 
4 Steps to A Solid Grip
Brian Mogg, GOLF MAGAZINE Top 100 Teacher
 
 
Step 2 – Put your glove on and take your left-hand grip. Place the club how you had it in Step 1 — your palm on top and your fingers curled around the handle. You should apply pressure with the last three fingers of your left hand; you shouldn’t feel pressure in your palm.
 
 
Step 3 – When you position your right hand, the handle should rest across the base of your right pinkie to the top crease of your index finger. This sets your right palm to the side and a little on top of the club. Your index finger wraps around the handle.

Step 4 – With your fully formed grip, hold the club at waist height in front of you and check the positioning. The Vs formed by the thumbs and index fingers of both your hands should point to the right side of your face. If you see the two Vs point there, you are good to

 

  • Lower scores are just a click away! Go to www.BestGolfeBooks.com today! Your golf eBook Superstore!

    Also, please check this article out for a great overview on developing a fundamentally sound championship level golf grip!  Click Here

     

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Releasing the Clubhead

This story is for you if…
• You want more distance and accuracy
• You often miss your target to the right
• You don’t understand what “release” means

  2. Erika Larkin

    Photo By J. D. Cuban/Golf Digest

    BY ERIKA LARKIN

    It’s no big mystery why you’re slicing your driver. The clubface is open to your swing path at impact. And that slice can get worse if you pull in your arms on the downswing to try to steer the ball into the fairway. Here’s my easy fix: Remember to roll and reach as you swing through. Let your forearms roll over to square the clubface and then reach your arms toward the target.

    You can get a feel for this full release by hitting some “bunt” shots with your driver. Tee up a ball and take your driver back until the shaft is parallel to the ground and the toe of the club points straight up (see photo). From there, focus on extending the shaft toward the target so it mirrors that halfway-back position, with the toe up again. Bunt some balls down the range, and don’t worry about distance.

     

     

     The Standard Advice

    Try to square the clubface at impact for straighter and more accurate shots.

    Why it’s Misleading

    Impact lasts only a few milliseconds, so trying to perfect that moment is nearly impossible.

    The Tip You Really Need

    A solid release guarantees proper clubface rotation through impact, so perfect it instead. Plus, it’s easier to control your release. As you drive through the hitting zone, give the ball a slap with your right hand, changing your right wrist from bent back to bowed. Check the positions at left to see what it looks like.

     Elbow In

    Your left elbow should hang tight against your torso as your hands release. You can’t unhinge your wrists if your left arm bows out (no chicken-winging).

     Shoulder Under

    Your right shoulder moves under your chin, not in front of it. This allows your hands to power the clubhead correctly through impact and then around your body.

     KEY MOVE – Active Wrists

    Prior to impact your right wrist was bent. Now it should be bowed. This doesn’t happen by itself—”slap” the ball with your right hand to release the club properly.

     Club on Line

    A proper release whips the clubhead around your body in a circular motion and into your finish.

     

  3. Make a Power Release | GOLF.com

    Jun 22, 2007 … This story is for you if… • You want more distance and accuracy • You often miss your target to the right • You don&…
    Golf
    ·

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My Favorite Shots To Save Par

See on Scoop.it – golf instruction

Brandt Snedeker shares his favorite shots around the green. (RT @GolfDigestMag: One of Brandt Snedeker’s favorite shots around the green? The hands-free lob.

BestGolfeBooks‘s insight:

The "Hands free lob" is an adaptation to the pitching swing and is a great tool in and around the green.  The firmness in the hands provides a high degree of consistency.

See on www.golfdigest.com