Joe,
I am 5' 7 1/2" tall, and am of average build (165 lbs). I measure 34" from ground to wrist with shoes on. My question is what length should my driver be and is there a 1/2" length reduction in each succeeding wood/metal as there is in irons. Thank you J. Keane
Hello J.K.,
Although there is a "recommended" driver length according to a person's height and build, I would need to know first if you consider yourself to be a good consistent ball striker who does not need more distance. Let's say you already are a good ball striker who wants more distance, then I would say to try longer lengths. If you are not such a good ball striker, then I would recommend shorter lengths which might improve your ball striking. The best thing for you to do is to get fitted somewhere that has a computerized hitting bay, and compare results with clubs of different lengths. Sometimes you will find the brand makes a difference also, and we have not even begun to mention other factors such as shaft flex, torque, kickpoints, lie angles, loft angles, swingweights, grip sizes, etc. Some people who think about all these things just throw their arms up and run away screaming into the night, and then use the John Daly philosophy, just grip it and rip it.
Joe
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Joe,
I read in a recent golf magazine an article about Jan Stephenson. One of her comments was to the effect that Tiger Woods was getting the club in front of him; however, he was not doing it the best way. Please describe the position "club in front." What does it do to help your ball striking? How is the best way to get the "club in front" of you? What are the common errors we amateurs make?
John
Hi John,
All instructors have their own theories about what things are most important, and to me, this is not one of them. I would love to be able to do things Tiger's way, even if it is not the best way. Who says it is not the best way, is there somebody out there who is better than Tiger and can show him how to do it right so the poor guy can win once in awhile?
Let me attempt to answer your last question first. Among the common errors we amateurs make are to over-analyze each part of the swing. The best thing we can do is to simplify things instead of over-complications which will surely hurt ball-striking consistency.
Since I did not yet read Jan's article, I have to guess at what she meant. Maybe it has to do with the moment of impact, for example did the club position catch up to the hand position for square contact? It seems to me for the "club in front" concept, the average golfer might over-do this and hit from the top, which robs you of power or causes a snap-hook. To maximize power, you want to delay the wrist snap until the last possible instant before impact. Most people find that the club will square up anyway, and if it does not, the worst that can happen is a power fade, and we can make further adjustments from there. Let me know if this helps.
Joe
I read in a recent golf magazine an article about Jan Stephenson. One of her comments was to the effect that Tiger Woods was getting the club in front of him; however, he was not doing it the best way. Please describe the position "club in front." What does it do to help your ball striking? How is the best way to get the "club in front" of you? What are the common errors we amateurs make?
John
Hi John,
All instructors have their own theories about what things are most important, and to me, this is not one of them. I would love to be able to do things Tiger's way, even if it is not the best way. Who says it is not the best way, is there somebody out there who is better than Tiger and can show him how to do it right so the poor guy can win once in awhile?
Let me attempt to answer your last question first. Among the common errors we amateurs make are to over-analyze each part of the swing. The best thing we can do is to simplify things instead of over-complications which will surely hurt ball-striking consistency.
Since I did not yet read Jan's article, I have to guess at what she meant. Maybe it has to do with the moment of impact, for example did the club position catch up to the hand position for square contact? It seems to me for the "club in front" concept, the average golfer might over-do this and hit from the top, which robs you of power or causes a snap-hook. To maximize power, you want to delay the wrist snap until the last possible instant before impact. Most people find that the club will square up anyway, and if it does not, the worst that can happen is a power fade, and we can make further adjustments from there. Let me know if this helps.
Joe
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Question: I am a senior citizen and I have never played golf, but some of my friends are urging me to try it. Unlike me, they all started playing at an earlier age. They took me to a driving range, but I made a fool of myself, so I am reluctant to go on to a real golf course. Is it simply too late for people like me to learn the game?
Grandpa Fuzzy
Hi Grandpa Fuzzy,
It is never, never, never too late to enjoy this game. Here are my recommendations. Take things one step at a time. Step 1 is zero cost - Borrow a putter from a friend and go to any local course that has a practice green, and you can putt as long as you want for free. Start with short putts about 3 feet. When you can make most of them, see if you can lag longer putts to within 3 feet most of the time.
Step 2 is also zero cost – Borrow a 7-iron and wedge from a friend and practice chip shots. This is not allowed on some practice greens, so make sure to check which ones will allow chipping. Start with shorter chips using the 7-iron from just off the fringe. The only difference between this shot and a putt is the ball position should be more toward your back foot, and the stroke should keep the hands ahead of the club at all times. When you get the hang of that, try the wedge to chip from a little further away from the green. You will have to hit the ball a little harder with the wedge because the energy of the club is directing the ball more upward rather than forward. Try to land the ball on the green and let it roll to the hole.
Step 3 is low cost – Get a set of cheap clubs from a garage sale and go to a driving range. Never try to hit the ball hard or you will mess up. Just keep the head steady, keep the leading arm straight, and hit down at the ball, don’t try to lift it, let the club do the work. Take notice how many yards you can hit each club.
Step 4 – Go to a par 3 course to develop some confidence.
Step 5 – Once you have made it thru the previous 4 steps, you are already just as good as many other people who play the full size courses. Enjoy the game for the rest of your life!
Joe
Grandpa Fuzzy
Hi Grandpa Fuzzy,
It is never, never, never too late to enjoy this game. Here are my recommendations. Take things one step at a time. Step 1 is zero cost - Borrow a putter from a friend and go to any local course that has a practice green, and you can putt as long as you want for free. Start with short putts about 3 feet. When you can make most of them, see if you can lag longer putts to within 3 feet most of the time.
Step 2 is also zero cost – Borrow a 7-iron and wedge from a friend and practice chip shots. This is not allowed on some practice greens, so make sure to check which ones will allow chipping. Start with shorter chips using the 7-iron from just off the fringe. The only difference between this shot and a putt is the ball position should be more toward your back foot, and the stroke should keep the hands ahead of the club at all times. When you get the hang of that, try the wedge to chip from a little further away from the green. You will have to hit the ball a little harder with the wedge because the energy of the club is directing the ball more upward rather than forward. Try to land the ball on the green and let it roll to the hole.
Step 3 is low cost – Get a set of cheap clubs from a garage sale and go to a driving range. Never try to hit the ball hard or you will mess up. Just keep the head steady, keep the leading arm straight, and hit down at the ball, don’t try to lift it, let the club do the work. Take notice how many yards you can hit each club.
Step 4 – Go to a par 3 course to develop some confidence.
Step 5 – Once you have made it thru the previous 4 steps, you are already just as good as many other people who play the full size courses. Enjoy the game for the rest of your life!
Joe
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Joe,
Why do the TV announcers sometimes call a fairway club a “3-metal” instead of the traditional “3-wood” that we are used to hearing? I know it is no longer made of wood, but the last time I checked, a 3-iron is also made of metal. How do you feel about this?
Anita
Hello Anita,
Good point! I agree with you, I don’t like the term 3-metal either. What if they start making clubs out of other materials? Will the announcers start calling them 3-plastics, or 3-ceramics? I feel the announcers should go back to the original terms like "brassie" or “spoon” or “cleek”. Then it no longer matters what material the clubhead was made from.
Joe
Why do the TV announcers sometimes call a fairway club a “3-metal” instead of the traditional “3-wood” that we are used to hearing? I know it is no longer made of wood, but the last time I checked, a 3-iron is also made of metal. How do you feel about this?
Anita
Hello Anita,
Good point! I agree with you, I don’t like the term 3-metal either. What if they start making clubs out of other materials? Will the announcers start calling them 3-plastics, or 3-ceramics? I feel the announcers should go back to the original terms like "brassie" or “spoon” or “cleek”. Then it no longer matters what material the clubhead was made from.
Joe
