Joe,
I thought it was supposed to be a Fundamental to have the club pointing at the target at the top of the backswing, but I see photos of Phil Mickelson, John Daly, and even the great Bobby Jones pointing the club way across the line. How do you explain that?
Pete
Hello Pete,
In my opinion, that is a mannerism, not a fundamental. It sure does look picture perfect when someone can point the club straight at the target, but that is no guarantee to result in a good shot. Starting from the top of the backswing, what happens next is an inside-out swing path, which the body turn brings to a square path at the point of contacting the ball (like a swinging door). When you think about the plane for an inside-out swing path, pointing it across the line at the top only helps to put the club on that plane, so I do not see anything wrong with that, as long as your results are good. If, however, you have a hook problem, then you might be pointing it too far across the line, but most people slice, so this idea may help to cure it.
Joe
Friday, April 08, 2005
Joe,
I am getting contradicting information about different ways on how to hit chip shots. Is there only one right way to chip?
Charles
Hello Charles,
Different people have had success with different methods, so you may hear or read some conflicting advice about which method is best (most methods agree on proper setup, so we will skip that). They all have one thing in common. No method will work unless you keep your hands ahead of the clubhead at impact. If you can do that, then the main issue becomes distance control.
Here are 3 chipping methods for distance control, find the one that works best for you.
Method 1 - use the same stroke and tempo, knees to ankles, for all distances, just change the club to adjust for longer or shorter shots. This usually works best for those who have enough confidence in their stroke that they never hit it fat or thin, they can hit the sweet spot every time.
Method 2 - use only 2 clubs to chip (one for minimum loft, one for maximum loft) depending on the amount of loft and carry needed to clear the taller grass. Use the same backswing, but vary the tempo or acceleration depending on the distance desired. This usually works best for those who have a good sense of touch.
Method 3 - use only 2 clubs to chip depending on the amount of loft needed. Vary the length of the backswing for distance control, and keep a consistent tempo. This usually works best for those who do not have enough confidence to rely on touch.
I am getting contradicting information about different ways on how to hit chip shots. Is there only one right way to chip?
Charles
Hello Charles,
Different people have had success with different methods, so you may hear or read some conflicting advice about which method is best (most methods agree on proper setup, so we will skip that). They all have one thing in common. No method will work unless you keep your hands ahead of the clubhead at impact. If you can do that, then the main issue becomes distance control.
Here are 3 chipping methods for distance control, find the one that works best for you.
Method 1 - use the same stroke and tempo, knees to ankles, for all distances, just change the club to adjust for longer or shorter shots. This usually works best for those who have enough confidence in their stroke that they never hit it fat or thin, they can hit the sweet spot every time.
Method 2 - use only 2 clubs to chip (one for minimum loft, one for maximum loft) depending on the amount of loft and carry needed to clear the taller grass. Use the same backswing, but vary the tempo or acceleration depending on the distance desired. This usually works best for those who have a good sense of touch.
Method 3 - use only 2 clubs to chip depending on the amount of loft needed. Vary the length of the backswing for distance control, and keep a consistent tempo. This usually works best for those who do not have enough confidence to rely on touch.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
The Evil Twin’s Purist Corner – Point and counter-point:
Point – (Mantra) – A rule is a rule and you cannot change the rule because all rules are good rules.
Counter-Point – Not all rules are good rules. Lemmings have a rule, if the first lemming marches off a cliff into the sea, then all the following lemmings must do the same (or else they might be penalized?).
In this case, if I were a lemming capable of rational thought, I might be tempted to get a parachute and life vest, or to consider breaking the rule (gasp!).
Point – (Mantra) – A rule is a rule and you cannot change the rule because all rules are good rules.
Counter-Point – Not all rules are good rules. Lemmings have a rule, if the first lemming marches off a cliff into the sea, then all the following lemmings must do the same (or else they might be penalized?).
In this case, if I were a lemming capable of rational thought, I might be tempted to get a parachute and life vest, or to consider breaking the rule (gasp!).
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Joe,
i have a problem flying shots from a wet
sand trap. please help with some advice.
thank you
john neily
Hello John,
You cannot treat wet sand the same way as dry sand. If
your normal sand shot uses a wedge with a lot of
"bounce" (the sole having the rear lower than the
front), it will not penetrate the wet sand so you are
likely to skull the ball over the green. Try a wedge
with little or no bounce like a lob wedge or pitching
wedge. Many people do not take the time to practice
these shots, but those who do practice them will
understand quickly what works and what does not.
Joe
i have a problem flying shots from a wet
sand trap. please help with some advice.
thank you
john neily
Hello John,
You cannot treat wet sand the same way as dry sand. If
your normal sand shot uses a wedge with a lot of
"bounce" (the sole having the rear lower than the
front), it will not penetrate the wet sand so you are
likely to skull the ball over the green. Try a wedge
with little or no bounce like a lob wedge or pitching
wedge. Many people do not take the time to practice
these shots, but those who do practice them will
understand quickly what works and what does not.
Joe
Monday, April 04, 2005
Joe, what kind of courses are your favorite and least favorite?
Answer – I like uncrowded courses that are not too expensive. Unfortunately these can be hard to find. What I really do not like is when I get talked into going to an upscale course, and two guys grab your bag out of your trunk before you can get your shoes out. Then you park your car and pay your greens fee and if you are lucky you can find your clubs somewhere on a motorized cart about a half kilometer from the practice area. You might be wearing your best golf outfit, but compared to everyone else you look like a commoner. Then you finally get to the first tee and then you get a lecture from a "course host," who has more stories than Mother Goose, and finishes by admonishing you that if your cart leaves the cart path, or if you cannot keep up with the Pace rules, you will be asked to leave. Having to stay on the cart path usually means a six-hour round, but they put you on the time clock anyway. Then another host takes pictures of your group and tries to sell them to you. Then you have to decide which of the 5 sets of tees to play. Then you finally get onto the course and then the beverage cart girl drives up, and if you order something and hand her a 5, she looks hurt if you ask for change. At the turn the least expensive fast food is a gourmet sandwich for $7 and a $3 drink, and don’t forget the tip. When you are done, whether you like it or not, a couple of kids grab your bag and start cleaning your clubs, and of course you will feel guilty if you don’t tip them too. Then a guy drives up in a golf cart and offers to take your clubs to your car. Where does it end? When you drive to the exit, there might be a guy who politely asked if you enjoyed your experience here, are we supposed to tip him too? These places are for people who say “Tally Ho the Fox”, but not for people like me who prefer to say “There goes the little *!@#$%”. Suddenly the local muni does not seem so bad.
Answer – I like uncrowded courses that are not too expensive. Unfortunately these can be hard to find. What I really do not like is when I get talked into going to an upscale course, and two guys grab your bag out of your trunk before you can get your shoes out. Then you park your car and pay your greens fee and if you are lucky you can find your clubs somewhere on a motorized cart about a half kilometer from the practice area. You might be wearing your best golf outfit, but compared to everyone else you look like a commoner. Then you finally get to the first tee and then you get a lecture from a "course host," who has more stories than Mother Goose, and finishes by admonishing you that if your cart leaves the cart path, or if you cannot keep up with the Pace rules, you will be asked to leave. Having to stay on the cart path usually means a six-hour round, but they put you on the time clock anyway. Then another host takes pictures of your group and tries to sell them to you. Then you have to decide which of the 5 sets of tees to play. Then you finally get onto the course and then the beverage cart girl drives up, and if you order something and hand her a 5, she looks hurt if you ask for change. At the turn the least expensive fast food is a gourmet sandwich for $7 and a $3 drink, and don’t forget the tip. When you are done, whether you like it or not, a couple of kids grab your bag and start cleaning your clubs, and of course you will feel guilty if you don’t tip them too. Then a guy drives up in a golf cart and offers to take your clubs to your car. Where does it end? When you drive to the exit, there might be a guy who politely asked if you enjoyed your experience here, are we supposed to tip him too? These places are for people who say “Tally Ho the Fox”, but not for people like me who prefer to say “There goes the little *!@#$%”. Suddenly the local muni does not seem so bad.
