Hello.
I'm 15 years old and I love to golf. My only problem is, I'm a very inconsistent player. Some days I can play really well and other days it looks like I've never played before in my life. It gets very frustrating. Do you have any tips on how I can become more consistent on my game? Thanks a million,
Nicole Thielges
Hi Nicole,
Everyone has varying amounts of inconsistency, all you can do is minimize this by developing your own set of “key” swing thoughts. Have a set of “keys” for the backswing and another set for the downswing. Of course it is not possible to think of more than one or two keys while swinging, but you can select a different key depending on what your particular problem happens to be at the time. Here are some keys to try on the backswing – head steady, keep the left arm comfortably straight, take it back low and wide, feel the weight shift to the inside of the back foot, while the wrist is hinging, get the shaft on the same plane as the leading arm. Here are some keys for the downswing – smooth tempo while shifting the lower body weight to the front foot, swing down at the ball on a path that is inside-out, extend the follow thru while you are still looking at the spot where the ball was after you hit it. These are just samples, there are many other things that may work for you, so compile your own list and then pick one or two at a time from the list until you find the right combinations for the backswing and downswing. Let us know how it turns out.
Joe
Friday, May 28, 2004
TRUE OR FALSE:
1) The number one fundamental of a good golf grip is comfort.
>____ False. Hand position is number one, comfort is nice, but you can feel comfortable with your hands in the wrong position.
2) The address position is similar to the position at impact.
>____ False. At address, the arms are not on the same plane as the shaft, at impact the force of the swing brings the arms to the same plane as the shaft. Also, at address the knees are bent about the same amount, but at impact the forward knee is straightened and the back knee is driving forward. Also, the hips are square at address, but are turning forward at impact.
3) For more distance, after the backswing it is important to get the clubhead online with the target line as quickly as possible.
>____ False, this may rob you of distance by causing “casting” or “hitting from the top”. For maximum distance, delay this action until the last possible instant.
4) At impact, both legs and arms should be extended as straight as possible.
____ False. Although the forward arm and leg should be straight, the trailing elbow and knee are flexed until after impact.
5) For straight shots, the clubhead should be square to the back .
of the ball at impact.
____ True.
6) There are six basic swings in golf: the driver off the tee, fairway woods, irons, flop shots, chipping and putting.
____ False, unless you consider greenside sand bunker shots to be in the same category as flop shots. I’m not sure if the author meant to say “types of shots” instead of “basic swings”, most of which are not really all that different.
7) The more upright the golfswing, the more explosive the impact can be.
____ False. There is such a thing as being too upright.
8) The general rule of thumb is: "The harder the sand, the harder the swing must be."
____ False. Club selection is more of a factor. Use a wedge with less “bounce” on the sole for hard sand.
9) Most hooking and slicing problems are caused by alignment problems.
____ False. Hooking and slicing are caused by the face of the club not being square at impact, no matter how you are aligned.
10) The more effort applied during the downswing, the further the ball goes.
____ False. This causes an arm swing, and robs you of the clubhead speed that you would get if you concentrate more on the effortless delayed wrist action at the last instant.
Responses from the Evil Twin:
TRUE OR FALSE:
1) The number one fundamental of a good golf grip is comfort.
>____ I can comfortably grip the wrong end of the club.
2) The address position is similar to the position at impact.
>____ True, when I am putting.
3) For more distance, after the backswing it is important to get the clubhead online with the target line as quickly as possible.
>____ Imagine the size of the outside-in loop that would create.
4) At impact, both legs and arms should be extended as straight as possible.
____ This might result in a leap.
5) For straight shots, the clubhead should be square to the back .
of the ball at impact.
____ Duh.
6) There are six basic swings in golf: the driver off the tee, fairway woods, irons, flop shots, chipping and putting.
____ This quite accurately describes my average hole but you forgot the foot-wedge.
7) The more upright the golfswing, the more explosive the impact can be.
____ And it produces a divot the size of a pizza.
8) The general rule of thumb is: "The harder the sand, the harder the swing must be."
____ The harder the swing, the more chance of skulling it. Maybe you could bank it off the clubhouse.
9) Most hooking and slicing problems are caused by alignment problems.
____ And the phase of the moon.
10) The more effort applied during the downswing, the further the ball goes.
____ The further it goes off line.
1) The number one fundamental of a good golf grip is comfort.
>____ False. Hand position is number one, comfort is nice, but you can feel comfortable with your hands in the wrong position.
2) The address position is similar to the position at impact.
>____ False. At address, the arms are not on the same plane as the shaft, at impact the force of the swing brings the arms to the same plane as the shaft. Also, at address the knees are bent about the same amount, but at impact the forward knee is straightened and the back knee is driving forward. Also, the hips are square at address, but are turning forward at impact.
3) For more distance, after the backswing it is important to get the clubhead online with the target line as quickly as possible.
>____ False, this may rob you of distance by causing “casting” or “hitting from the top”. For maximum distance, delay this action until the last possible instant.
4) At impact, both legs and arms should be extended as straight as possible.
____ False. Although the forward arm and leg should be straight, the trailing elbow and knee are flexed until after impact.
5) For straight shots, the clubhead should be square to the back .
of the ball at impact.
____ True.
6) There are six basic swings in golf: the driver off the tee, fairway woods, irons, flop shots, chipping and putting.
____ False, unless you consider greenside sand bunker shots to be in the same category as flop shots. I’m not sure if the author meant to say “types of shots” instead of “basic swings”, most of which are not really all that different.
7) The more upright the golfswing, the more explosive the impact can be.
____ False. There is such a thing as being too upright.
8) The general rule of thumb is: "The harder the sand, the harder the swing must be."
____ False. Club selection is more of a factor. Use a wedge with less “bounce” on the sole for hard sand.
9) Most hooking and slicing problems are caused by alignment problems.
____ False. Hooking and slicing are caused by the face of the club not being square at impact, no matter how you are aligned.
10) The more effort applied during the downswing, the further the ball goes.
____ False. This causes an arm swing, and robs you of the clubhead speed that you would get if you concentrate more on the effortless delayed wrist action at the last instant.
Responses from the Evil Twin:
TRUE OR FALSE:
1) The number one fundamental of a good golf grip is comfort.
>____ I can comfortably grip the wrong end of the club.
2) The address position is similar to the position at impact.
>____ True, when I am putting.
3) For more distance, after the backswing it is important to get the clubhead online with the target line as quickly as possible.
>____ Imagine the size of the outside-in loop that would create.
4) At impact, both legs and arms should be extended as straight as possible.
____ This might result in a leap.
5) For straight shots, the clubhead should be square to the back .
of the ball at impact.
____ Duh.
6) There are six basic swings in golf: the driver off the tee, fairway woods, irons, flop shots, chipping and putting.
____ This quite accurately describes my average hole but you forgot the foot-wedge.
7) The more upright the golfswing, the more explosive the impact can be.
____ And it produces a divot the size of a pizza.
8) The general rule of thumb is: "The harder the sand, the harder the swing must be."
____ The harder the swing, the more chance of skulling it. Maybe you could bank it off the clubhouse.
9) Most hooking and slicing problems are caused by alignment problems.
____ And the phase of the moon.
10) The more effort applied during the downswing, the further the ball goes.
____ The further it goes off line.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Joe,
I've got the yips on short chips. Help. Marshall
Hi Marshall,
You are a poet and you didn’t know it. Here are a couple of things to try. For short chips, try using a 5-wood like a belly putter. Press the end of the shaft into your belly just above the belt, put both hands down the shaft and putt. If that seems too weird for you, use a 7-iron with your regular putting stroke, but play the ball off your back foot to ensure better contact. If neither method works, then you are probably being to wristy. Keep your hands ahead of the clubhead at all times, even during the follow thru. Let me know how it turns out.
Joe
I've got the yips on short chips. Help. Marshall
Hi Marshall,
You are a poet and you didn’t know it. Here are a couple of things to try. For short chips, try using a 5-wood like a belly putter. Press the end of the shaft into your belly just above the belt, put both hands down the shaft and putt. If that seems too weird for you, use a 7-iron with your regular putting stroke, but play the ball off your back foot to ensure better contact. If neither method works, then you are probably being to wristy. Keep your hands ahead of the clubhead at all times, even during the follow thru. Let me know how it turns out.
Joe
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Hello,
I can hit off the tee ok, and get about a 200 yards, drive well in the fairway. But when I use my irons I dub it or shank it or put the grass farther than my ball (in the right direction). I am thinking of hitting the ball first and then the ground. I am swinging with the natural golf way. What is the way to hit the ball forward down the fairway straight? Where is my aim going? Help me…
Silly in love, happy in heart.
Hi Silly,
What you describe is typical of a “reverse pivot” which means you have your weight on the wrong foot at the wrong time. You need to transfer your weight correctly. The “dance of golf” is described as shifting the weight to the inside of the back foot while turning, and on the downswing, shifting your weight entirely onto the front foot. On the follow-thru, the only part of the back foot that is touching the ground is the tip of the toe. Watch the pros on TV, they do it perfectly. If you do this correctly, you should see some improvement in your shots.
Joe
I can hit off the tee ok, and get about a 200 yards, drive well in the fairway. But when I use my irons I dub it or shank it or put the grass farther than my ball (in the right direction). I am thinking of hitting the ball first and then the ground. I am swinging with the natural golf way. What is the way to hit the ball forward down the fairway straight? Where is my aim going? Help me…
Silly in love, happy in heart.
Hi Silly,
What you describe is typical of a “reverse pivot” which means you have your weight on the wrong foot at the wrong time. You need to transfer your weight correctly. The “dance of golf” is described as shifting the weight to the inside of the back foot while turning, and on the downswing, shifting your weight entirely onto the front foot. On the follow-thru, the only part of the back foot that is touching the ground is the tip of the toe. Watch the pros on TV, they do it perfectly. If you do this correctly, you should see some improvement in your shots.
Joe
Monday, May 24, 2004
Hello,
I was wondering if you could explain how an incorrect lie angle can affect the shape of a shot. The reason I ask is I feel like the toe of the irons I use sits up too high (they are standard lie). I have noticed if I hold my hands high at address so the club sits flatter on the round it is easy to work the ball left, (I am right handed) but it feels a little unnatural with my hands so high. Do you think changing the lie angle (bending the toe of the club down) will help.
Regards
Jeff Sinclair
Newcastle, Australia
Hi Jeff,
For right handers, lie angles that are too flat will send the ball more to the right, too upright will send the ball more to the left. Are your divots deeper near the toe or the heel? If neither, then your lie angle is correct. For most people, it is normal to address the ball with the toe up because your arms are hanging down and are not on the same plane as the club shaft. However, when you are swinging, the force of the swing causes your arms to go on the same plane as the club shaft, which means the bottom of the club will be correctly flat to the ground. Watch any slow motion replay of anyone’s swing and you will see this to be true. When you extend your arms at address (like Natural Golf), the bottom of the club is more flat to the ground, as you said. If you enjoy working the ball left, do not bend the toe down. If you do not like holding your hands high at address, but you still want to work the ball to the left, then bend the toe up. The best way to tell if your clubs have the correct “lie angle” is the “striking board”, where you put tape on the sole of the club and when you hit the striking board, you can see where the tape is damaged. It should be damaged in the center of the sole if your lie angle is correct.
Joe
I was wondering if you could explain how an incorrect lie angle can affect the shape of a shot. The reason I ask is I feel like the toe of the irons I use sits up too high (they are standard lie). I have noticed if I hold my hands high at address so the club sits flatter on the round it is easy to work the ball left, (I am right handed) but it feels a little unnatural with my hands so high. Do you think changing the lie angle (bending the toe of the club down) will help.
Regards
Jeff Sinclair
Newcastle, Australia
Hi Jeff,
For right handers, lie angles that are too flat will send the ball more to the right, too upright will send the ball more to the left. Are your divots deeper near the toe or the heel? If neither, then your lie angle is correct. For most people, it is normal to address the ball with the toe up because your arms are hanging down and are not on the same plane as the club shaft. However, when you are swinging, the force of the swing causes your arms to go on the same plane as the club shaft, which means the bottom of the club will be correctly flat to the ground. Watch any slow motion replay of anyone’s swing and you will see this to be true. When you extend your arms at address (like Natural Golf), the bottom of the club is more flat to the ground, as you said. If you enjoy working the ball left, do not bend the toe down. If you do not like holding your hands high at address, but you still want to work the ball to the left, then bend the toe up. The best way to tell if your clubs have the correct “lie angle” is the “striking board”, where you put tape on the sole of the club and when you hit the striking board, you can see where the tape is damaged. It should be damaged in the center of the sole if your lie angle is correct.
Joe
Sunday, May 23, 2004
Hello,
Can you or anyone explain why the golf shoe makers have reduced the number of spikes on a golf shoe? It was 11 or 12 at one time, and now it is down to 6 or 7. It certainly does reduce the amount of traction for us amateur golfers who have to use soft spikes. Is it merely a cost savings for the shoe makers ?
Thank You,
Marshall
Hi Marshall,
The older shoes were designed for metal spikes, one point per spike totaling 11 or 12 points of contact with the ground. Newer shoes are designed for soft spikes, which typically have 6 points per spike totaling 36 or 42 points of contact with the ground, which should be enough for good traction. However the soft spikes wear out quickly, so replace them if you feel your feet slipping. You might also want to try a style of shoe that does not have removable spikes, instead they have built in permanent rubber points.
Joe
Can you or anyone explain why the golf shoe makers have reduced the number of spikes on a golf shoe? It was 11 or 12 at one time, and now it is down to 6 or 7. It certainly does reduce the amount of traction for us amateur golfers who have to use soft spikes. Is it merely a cost savings for the shoe makers ?
Thank You,
Marshall
Hi Marshall,
The older shoes were designed for metal spikes, one point per spike totaling 11 or 12 points of contact with the ground. Newer shoes are designed for soft spikes, which typically have 6 points per spike totaling 36 or 42 points of contact with the ground, which should be enough for good traction. However the soft spikes wear out quickly, so replace them if you feel your feet slipping. You might also want to try a style of shoe that does not have removable spikes, instead they have built in permanent rubber points.
Joe
