Quick Golf Tips

In honor of the British Open we would like to pay respect to the wind-cheating knockdown 5-iron. Take a 5-iron, choke up a little; open your stance about 20 degrees; play the ball toward your back foot; shift your weight forward; have your hands pressed forward; and take the club back waist high and come down aggressively on the ball with very little wrist action. This shot can be used from under trees, from out of divot, off hardpan, off loose sand, into the wind, or when loft simply isn't necessary. The shot will produce a low roller that will keep you out of trouble.

1) Play the ball off your right heel.
2) Move your weight to your left side

Good Lie:
1) Open your club face.
2) You must open your stance.
3) Play the ball of your right heel.
4) Be sure to have your weight more on your right.
5) Aim to the right of the target.
6) Implant and secure both feet.
7) Hands must be in-front of the ball.
8) Hit 2 inches behind the ball with full follow through.
9) Finally, this is an arm and hand shot with no body movement.

1) Establish your target line to the left of the target.
2) Close your stance.
3) Maintain your weight more on the right side of your body through your swing.
4) Play the ball 2-3 inches of your right heel.
5) Be sure to have your hands in front of the ball.

1) You want to have a square stance.
2) Play the ball a little back from your right heel.
3) Place more weight on your right side.
4) Make sure your hands are a little in front of the ball.
5) Align your body a little left of the target.
6) Finally, check your grip, extend the right arm, and rotate your hips with good swing tempo.

Pitching a golf ball up and over a bunker or pond is one of the most frightening shots for the average player. They either top the ball into the hazard or skull it too far over the green. Gauging the correct distance and making the ball fly the right height are always uncertainties, as is not knowing when our old friend the "shank" will make an appearance.

A few simple steps in your address position and swing can make this one of your favorite shots and cut strokes off your score.

The Swing
1 - Swing the club back to waist high with little or no wrist break. Most golfers cock their wrist too much, which means it has to unlock at precisely the right moment on the downswing. If the club releases too early or late, a fat or thin shot may result.

2 - Keep the lower body quiet as you swing the upper body back. If your legs are moving too much it will be much harder to find the ball on the downswing.

3 - To start your downswing, kick the left knee in towards the ball. Moving the lower body first allows the legs to "pull" the arms and lets the club follow through towards the target. You should have a shorter backswing and longer follow through. Many golfers don't fire the left knee in enough, if at all, which results in the golfer hitting the ball solely with their arms, which will never produce consistent, crisp shots.

The Stance
1 - Turn your body approximately 20 degrees open, or right of the target line, with your feet about 18 inches apart. This gets your legs out of the way and lets the club find the ball squarely.

2 - Position the golf ball 2 inches inside your left heel. Playing the ball back in your stance encourages a downward blow, and keeps you from hitting the ball fat. Setting 75% of your weight on the right leg and keeping it there also promotes the downward hit.

3 - Choke up a few inches on the shaft. With the club a bit shorter, you can hit the ball harder without the fear of the ball going too far.

4 - Keep your weight back towards your heels, and watch that your head remains stationary. If the head moves out towards the ball, the club will also get pushed out towards the ball, resulting in a shank off the neck of the club.

After a few practice shots to refine your touch, I think you'll be on your way to becoming a better pitcher of the golf ball.