By now, you've probably thought about or have a hybrid in your bag. If you have and you're using it, you know it's a good replacements for your 3- and 4-irons. A hybrid is shorter and easier to hit than a long iron. It doesn't take as long to learn to swing. And it hits the ball higher, making it idealfor shots in the fairway that must land softly on the green.But the hybrid is one of golf's most versatile clubs. It can beused in a variety of locations other than the fairway, like thefringe, the rough, the tee, and even a bunker, and in situationswhere you need to save strokes. Learn to hit a hybrid well andyou'll chop strokes off your golf handicap. Let's look at four ways this club can improve your game.
===========The Bunker===========A hybrid works well in a fairway bunker, as long as the lip isn't too high. You can hit this shot the same way you hit a normal hybrid shot, except for one adjustment--ball position. It's the key to making the shot. If the ball is too far backin your stance, you'll top it. If it's too far forward, you'll hit it fat. The best position is about an inch backof where you normally hit a hybrid. As you swing, keep yourfeet planted as much as possible and your weight centered.This steepens your swing and ensures first ball contact.
=============Bump and Run=============The key to the bump and run, is getting the ball on the ground as quickly as possible. The sooner it's on the ground,the more control you have over it. With the hybrid, the ballstarts rolling quickly, making it easy to gauge distance. Keeping the ball low to the ground is also one of the bestways of achieving consistency with this shot.The key to hitting the bump and run is choking down on theclub and holding it with a putting style grip. The idea isto emulate your putting stroke. Use a square-to-square stroketo achieve more accuracy and limit wrist movement, making it easier to judge speed and distance. Using the hybrid helpsyou get up and down successfully more often in this situation.
==============On the Collar==============No one likes playing a ball that's up against the collar.You're never sure how to play it or what club to use, the putter or the wedge. If those two choices don't thrill you,try a hybrid. It offers benefits the other clubs don't.It has a longer, wider sole, making it easier to hit solidlyand giving you a wider margin for error. More importantly,it won't slip under the ball or get stuck in the grass,as with a putter or a wedge.Address the ball with a putter style grip, but don't choke up.With the ball in the back of your stance, press the hands forward.On the backswing, cock your wrists to lift the clubhead slightlyand then swing downward on the downswing. Allowing your wriststo hinge slightly helps lift the club from the collar on thebackswing. The ball will pop and roll in a hurry, so read the green before hitting the shot and plan accordingly.
==============Above the Pin==============Here's a shot that I've never mentioned in my golf tips,but can save strokes. When a ball ends up in the light roughon the high side of a pin, most players assume that a puttor a lob would be your only choices. But a hybrid works justas well, as long as you know exactly where to get the ballrolling on the green. Plus, it's a safer shot than a wedge.First, make sure there's room to get the club behind the ball.Then address the ball like a normal chip, with your handsslightly forward and the majority of your weight on yourforward side. Your head should be directly over the ball.Chip the ball so it lands in the rough, not the fringe.The hybrid's extra momentum causes the ball to roll forward through the rough. It will then roll softly onto the green.If you really want to lower that golf handicap, learn to hitthe hybrid in the situations mentioned above. You can also useit in the fairway or the rough. Keep those in mind as well.However you use it, the hybrid is a versatile club that canshave strokes off your scores. Think about adding to your bag if you haven't already.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Power From The Tip of Your Tongue
Anyone interested in adding an extra 10 - 20 yards to your drivesinstantly?Just follow this quick tip and you'll have to go through and re-do all of your yardages for every club in your bag.
The secret is not some core rotational exercise (although those can be awesome).No, this is so simple that you won't believe it until you try it. It's all about the placement of YOUR TONGUE!
I first learned about the position of the tongue increasing overallstrength while over in India. One of my gurus would explain thatit helped to "complete the circuit" and give him strength andstamina while holding static Yoga poses. Of course it sounded kinda weird, but then again, this dude couldhold a handstand for over an hour! He probably only stopped thereout of boredom. But the guy was definitely onto something.
Now he didn't even know what golf was - but of course I'm ALWAYS relating everything to how it can improve our golf games, so hereit goes -Here's all you have to do: Gently place your tongue up on the roof of your mouth, with the tipresting against the back of your front top teeth. Gently hold it in that position while you swing. This will "close the circuit"...whatever the hell that means. Actually, I do know at least one theory, but let's just keep thisresults-oriented. Let me be clear about this - it should be gentle and subtle. Do NOT focus on it so that it becomes yet another swing thought.
To try this out for yourself, simply go to the range and warm up. Then pick a club and hit 10 ball "without tongue" and note the distance. Then hit 10 ball "with tongue" and compare. Be sure to compare only those shots with similar quality of contact.The chances are very good that you will notice increased distance when you "add a little tongue".
The secret is not some core rotational exercise (although those can be awesome).No, this is so simple that you won't believe it until you try it. It's all about the placement of YOUR TONGUE!
I first learned about the position of the tongue increasing overallstrength while over in India. One of my gurus would explain thatit helped to "complete the circuit" and give him strength andstamina while holding static Yoga poses. Of course it sounded kinda weird, but then again, this dude couldhold a handstand for over an hour! He probably only stopped thereout of boredom. But the guy was definitely onto something.
Now he didn't even know what golf was - but of course I'm ALWAYS relating everything to how it can improve our golf games, so hereit goes -Here's all you have to do: Gently place your tongue up on the roof of your mouth, with the tipresting against the back of your front top teeth. Gently hold it in that position while you swing. This will "close the circuit"...whatever the hell that means. Actually, I do know at least one theory, but let's just keep thisresults-oriented. Let me be clear about this - it should be gentle and subtle. Do NOT focus on it so that it becomes yet another swing thought.
To try this out for yourself, simply go to the range and warm up. Then pick a club and hit 10 ball "without tongue" and note the distance. Then hit 10 ball "with tongue" and compare. Be sure to compare only those shots with similar quality of contact.The chances are very good that you will notice increased distance when you "add a little tongue".
Monday, April 6, 2009
Using The Chi Putt
Long putts are difficult for many
golfers because of the length of
the stroke, it is much longer than
can be comfortably achieved.
In addition, they dont get a good
view of the ball because they are
in their putting crouch, and it is
difficult to judge distance
accurately.
Golfer Dave Pelz has developed a
shot called the "Chiputt", this
shot combines the best of the chip
and putt qualities.
Standing tall, nearly straight, is
one of the usual techniques called
for in chipping. This makes it
easy to judge distance and see the
hole while getting a sense of line
for the shot.
It allows a smooth, long swing
which sends the ball the correct
distance. Chip shots are made
from the back of your stance,
causing the ball to come off low
and with power.
The chiputt starts with a tall
stance, and doing the same thing
with it makes rolling the ball a
long distance easier.
Hold your putter as you would when
making a ship shot. Dont crouch
as in a putting stance, put feet
together with a small space
between them, you aim left of the
hole.
Place the ball halfway between the
ankles, since your feet are closer
together, its is back in your
stance, which is behind your
breastbone.
Leading the clubhead with your
hands, make a long, rhythmic
stroke into the ball. You may
want to allow the body to turn
slightly during long putts to
maintain a natural rhythm.
As with any new shot in golf,
practice it a lot before putting
it to use in your game, you will
find that it is quite effective
once you have learned its use.
This is also a great shot when you
are off the green with short
grass, fairway and putting surface
the only thing between you and the
hole.
golfers because of the length of
the stroke, it is much longer than
can be comfortably achieved.
In addition, they dont get a good
view of the ball because they are
in their putting crouch, and it is
difficult to judge distance
accurately.
Golfer Dave Pelz has developed a
shot called the "Chiputt", this
shot combines the best of the chip
and putt qualities.
Standing tall, nearly straight, is
one of the usual techniques called
for in chipping. This makes it
easy to judge distance and see the
hole while getting a sense of line
for the shot.
It allows a smooth, long swing
which sends the ball the correct
distance. Chip shots are made
from the back of your stance,
causing the ball to come off low
and with power.
The chiputt starts with a tall
stance, and doing the same thing
with it makes rolling the ball a
long distance easier.
Hold your putter as you would when
making a ship shot. Dont crouch
as in a putting stance, put feet
together with a small space
between them, you aim left of the
hole.
Place the ball halfway between the
ankles, since your feet are closer
together, its is back in your
stance, which is behind your
breastbone.
Leading the clubhead with your
hands, make a long, rhythmic
stroke into the ball. You may
want to allow the body to turn
slightly during long putts to
maintain a natural rhythm.
As with any new shot in golf,
practice it a lot before putting
it to use in your game, you will
find that it is quite effective
once you have learned its use.
This is also a great shot when you
are off the green with short
grass, fairway and putting surface
the only thing between you and the
hole.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Lumpy Donut
A condition cause by golfers on
every green in the world has been
titled the "Lumpy Donut", it
occurs with the first group of
golfers in the morning and is
there the remainder of the day.
Think about this; a normal
foursome will put about 500
footprints on the grass around the
hole; it takes two hours for a
footprint to bounce back to its
standing length.
In that amount of time however,
thousand more footprints have been
added to this green.
This has caused the grass and the
soil to be squished, flattened and
stomped on nearly everywhere on
the green. The only place not
affected by this phenomenon is
directly around the cup.
Golfers seldom step within a foot
of the cup, what this creates is a
two foot area around the cup where
the grass has not been touched, in
this area the grass is a little
higher than the rest of the grass
on the green.
This is what creates the "Lumpy
Donut" or a raised circle of grass
with the cup in the middle!
When a ball rolls toward the hole
it finds a man made hazard, as it
slows down to enter the hole, it
suddenly comes upon this ramp in
the grass, which tends to make it
roll off and to the side.
No matter how strong your putt is,
the "Lumpy Donut" can throw it
off, maybe not by much, but by
enough to make you miss your putt.
The way to deal with this is to
strike your ball with enough speed
that if it rolled directly over
the hole, and didnt fall in, it
would stop 17 inches on the other
side of the hole.
This is the perfect way to deal
with the lumpy donut, enough speed
to get the ball up the ramp, but
slow enough to allow it to fall
into the cup.
every green in the world has been
titled the "Lumpy Donut", it
occurs with the first group of
golfers in the morning and is
there the remainder of the day.
Think about this; a normal
foursome will put about 500
footprints on the grass around the
hole; it takes two hours for a
footprint to bounce back to its
standing length.
In that amount of time however,
thousand more footprints have been
added to this green.
This has caused the grass and the
soil to be squished, flattened and
stomped on nearly everywhere on
the green. The only place not
affected by this phenomenon is
directly around the cup.
Golfers seldom step within a foot
of the cup, what this creates is a
two foot area around the cup where
the grass has not been touched, in
this area the grass is a little
higher than the rest of the grass
on the green.
This is what creates the "Lumpy
Donut" or a raised circle of grass
with the cup in the middle!
When a ball rolls toward the hole
it finds a man made hazard, as it
slows down to enter the hole, it
suddenly comes upon this ramp in
the grass, which tends to make it
roll off and to the side.
No matter how strong your putt is,
the "Lumpy Donut" can throw it
off, maybe not by much, but by
enough to make you miss your putt.
The way to deal with this is to
strike your ball with enough speed
that if it rolled directly over
the hole, and didnt fall in, it
would stop 17 inches on the other
side of the hole.
This is the perfect way to deal
with the lumpy donut, enough speed
to get the ball up the ramp, but
slow enough to allow it to fall
into the cup.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Pendulum Putting Stroke
There are several ingredients to a
pendulum stroke, the first is a
consistent rhythm, and the second
is the triangle created by your
arms and shoulders.
This triangle must remain in tact
throughout the stroke for it to be
effective. The third is the
creation of a swinging pendulum
around a fixed point.
Standing in your stance, hold the
end of the putter loosely to your
breastbone.
The natural, back and forth swing
is what is called the pendulum,
this is what you should base your
pendulum on.
Watch this motion in a mirror and
you will see what this stroke
should look like during a putt.
Because the pendulum you are
creating is attached to a putter
and two arms the motion will be
slightly different.
Swing the triangle created by your
arms and shoulders without any
added motion from the arms or
hands and you will develop the
perfect pendulum, a smooth and
rhythmic shot that you can depend
on.
How to feel a pendulum shot:
*Hold you putter and take your
stance
*Do not move your body, but slide
the putter up until it touches
your breastbone
*Now re-grip wherever your hands
automatically fall on the putter,
somewhere near the head
*In this position it should be
nearly impossible to move any part
of your hands or arms other than
the shoulders.
*Keep the grip against your chest
and rock your shoulders back and
forth, this is how a good pendulum
stroke should feel
Once you have learned to use the
pendulum stroke properly, your
rhythm should come naturally.
Like the pendulum of a metronome
your swing should be consistent,
with a constant tempo.
In putting all of your strokes
should be the same rhythm, no
matter what the length of the
stroke is.
pendulum stroke, the first is a
consistent rhythm, and the second
is the triangle created by your
arms and shoulders.
This triangle must remain in tact
throughout the stroke for it to be
effective. The third is the
creation of a swinging pendulum
around a fixed point.
Standing in your stance, hold the
end of the putter loosely to your
breastbone.
The natural, back and forth swing
is what is called the pendulum,
this is what you should base your
pendulum on.
Watch this motion in a mirror and
you will see what this stroke
should look like during a putt.
Because the pendulum you are
creating is attached to a putter
and two arms the motion will be
slightly different.
Swing the triangle created by your
arms and shoulders without any
added motion from the arms or
hands and you will develop the
perfect pendulum, a smooth and
rhythmic shot that you can depend
on.
How to feel a pendulum shot:
*Hold you putter and take your
stance
*Do not move your body, but slide
the putter up until it touches
your breastbone
*Now re-grip wherever your hands
automatically fall on the putter,
somewhere near the head
*In this position it should be
nearly impossible to move any part
of your hands or arms other than
the shoulders.
*Keep the grip against your chest
and rock your shoulders back and
forth, this is how a good pendulum
stroke should feel
Once you have learned to use the
pendulum stroke properly, your
rhythm should come naturally.
Like the pendulum of a metronome
your swing should be consistent,
with a constant tempo.
In putting all of your strokes
should be the same rhythm, no
matter what the length of the
stroke is.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Practice Your Putting
Putting is one of the easier parts
of golf to practice, and if you
are serious about improving your
game, the time spent practicing is
well worth it.
And here's some tips to help you
start:
A small area of bare floor or
carpeting can suffice for
practicing putting, you do not
need a practice green or a sand
trap.
You can practice any time you have
a few minutes, at home, at the
office (make sure this wont get
you in trouble), or while watching
the pros on television.
Indoor practice is also a good
time to practice a few minutes
with two clubs on the floor
working on your straight-back,
straight-through shots.
If possible set up in front of a
full length mirror and check you
pendulum swing.
You can use a straight line on
your floor or carpet to check the
movement of the putterhead during
your strokes.
Practice the 17 inch rule by
dropping a coin on the floor and
trying to roll a ball over it
stopping 17 inches behind it.
You can also try putting with your
eyes closed, or practice putting
25 in a row in the same area.
These are all things you can do on
the outdoor practice green when
possible.
It is unlikely that you will ever
find a green as bumpy as your
carpet (even the smoothest of
carpet is worse the most greens)
or as fast as the hardwood floor.
However, using these extreme
surfaces helps develop better
touch, and allows you to learn to
contact the sweetspot.
Practice is not just rolling the
ball into a cup, it involves
trying different stroke speeds,
accelerating and decelerating your
strokes, and eliminate wrist
break. There is no end to the
things you can practice during
putting practice in doors.
Making a few practice putts before
any round is always advisable; it
allows you to judge the green and
moisture in the grass.
Practicing a few minutes every day
for a couple of weeks will cause a
noticeable improvement in your
putting.
of golf to practice, and if you
are serious about improving your
game, the time spent practicing is
well worth it.
And here's some tips to help you
start:
A small area of bare floor or
carpeting can suffice for
practicing putting, you do not
need a practice green or a sand
trap.
You can practice any time you have
a few minutes, at home, at the
office (make sure this wont get
you in trouble), or while watching
the pros on television.
Indoor practice is also a good
time to practice a few minutes
with two clubs on the floor
working on your straight-back,
straight-through shots.
If possible set up in front of a
full length mirror and check you
pendulum swing.
You can use a straight line on
your floor or carpet to check the
movement of the putterhead during
your strokes.
Practice the 17 inch rule by
dropping a coin on the floor and
trying to roll a ball over it
stopping 17 inches behind it.
You can also try putting with your
eyes closed, or practice putting
25 in a row in the same area.
These are all things you can do on
the outdoor practice green when
possible.
It is unlikely that you will ever
find a green as bumpy as your
carpet (even the smoothest of
carpet is worse the most greens)
or as fast as the hardwood floor.
However, using these extreme
surfaces helps develop better
touch, and allows you to learn to
contact the sweetspot.
Practice is not just rolling the
ball into a cup, it involves
trying different stroke speeds,
accelerating and decelerating your
strokes, and eliminate wrist
break. There is no end to the
things you can practice during
putting practice in doors.
Making a few practice putts before
any round is always advisable; it
allows you to judge the green and
moisture in the grass.
Practicing a few minutes every day
for a couple of weeks will cause a
noticeable improvement in your
putting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
