Wednesday, April 14, 2004
trouble with my swing lately
Q: I am having lots of trouble with my swing lately. I
used to be a 5 handicap, but now it is up to double digits.
Here is the problem: I hit a lot of fat shots. I have NEVER
been able to hit fairway woods. I'm pretty good with short
irons, but when it comes to long irons and fairway woods,
I'm at a loss -- even when I make sure my head is kept down.
In fact, I tend to take huge divots with just about every
club except a wedge. Is there a tip you can give me? -- G.F.,
from the Web
A: "Keep your head down" is terrible advice because it
stifles motion through the hitting area. Staring at the
ground -- or in your case, a big divot -- after impact is
not good for either your score or your back. The harder
you try not to move your head, the more your body "freezes
up" until you're reduced to flailing at the ball with only
your hands and arms. Your goal should be to see the ball in
the air as quickly as possible after you hit it. Some very
good players (Annika Sorenstam, for one) actually take their
eyes off the ball before impact (it is called "looking off
the ball"). It's an important part of an aggressive rotation
through the shot. Teaching pro Brady Riggs outlines a good
drill for correct head rotation in the April issue of Golf
Tips magazine. "Place a second ball about 2 feet in front of
the actual ball at address and slightly inside the target
line," writes Riggs. "While hitting off a tee, look at the
second ball during impact."
golf tips
used to be a 5 handicap, but now it is up to double digits.
Here is the problem: I hit a lot of fat shots. I have NEVER
been able to hit fairway woods. I'm pretty good with short
irons, but when it comes to long irons and fairway woods,
I'm at a loss -- even when I make sure my head is kept down.
In fact, I tend to take huge divots with just about every
club except a wedge. Is there a tip you can give me? -- G.F.,
from the Web
A: "Keep your head down" is terrible advice because it
stifles motion through the hitting area. Staring at the
ground -- or in your case, a big divot -- after impact is
not good for either your score or your back. The harder
you try not to move your head, the more your body "freezes
up" until you're reduced to flailing at the ball with only
your hands and arms. Your goal should be to see the ball in
the air as quickly as possible after you hit it. Some very
good players (Annika Sorenstam, for one) actually take their
eyes off the ball before impact (it is called "looking off
the ball"). It's an important part of an aggressive rotation
through the shot. Teaching pro Brady Riggs outlines a good
drill for correct head rotation in the April issue of Golf
Tips magazine. "Place a second ball about 2 feet in front of
the actual ball at address and slightly inside the target
line," writes Riggs. "While hitting off a tee, look at the
second ball during impact."
golf tips
