Hi There,
I am a weekend golfer averaging between 83 and 90 per round...if I can just pin point my problem with my driver I'm sure I'll be able to lower my scores...the problem is that at the driving range I hit my driver almost perfectly every time ...but when I get to the tee I seem to pull my drives which is extremely frustrating .....what do you suggest I do to solve this annoying problem......maybe I'm trying to hit too hard ...maybe I'm turning too early ...I do not know .......driving range it works...on the tee it does not.....please suggest some drills that I can do to correct this.
Kindly
Saadiq

Hello Saadiq,
Some drills that will work are shown in the Body Golf videos, such as the double clubber and the toe drag. Many golfers find that everything seems to work better on the range than on the course, and there are 3 main reasons for this. First of all, if your range has rectangular mats, they help your alignment, while on the course you don’t have this help, so whenever possible, go to a range that has grass tee areas and align yourself to specific targets. Secondly, on the range there is no pressure, no penalty for a bad shot, so the muscles are more relaxed. On the course, muscles behave differently when the pressure factor is in play. Thirdly, on the range you are swinging every few seconds, so it is easy to get into a ‘groove’, while on the course you only swing once every several minutes, so it is harder to maintain this groove. I suggest on the range to get a mindset the same as on the course. Put a little pressure on yourself by picking a target, and tell yourself that unless you hit it at the target, you are going to deny yourself one of life’s many simple pleasures for the day, like watching TV or surfing the internet, or whatever penalty you choose, just to add a little fear factor.
Joe

Hello, I was excited when I saw the title of your ezine on 8/3 'thumb and palm' because I have had a reoccurring problem with my left thumb (I'm right handed golfer). The problem is a pain after play sort of like I've been stressing that joint. My game is ok (just need more practice to keep the cobwebs away), handicap about 6.1, but my thumb is sore all the time. Are you familiar with this complaint? Anything I can do... I don't like bowling!!!thanksdave baehr

Hi Dave,
If your thumb has no pain unless you play golf, then your grip may need adjustment. If you have not already been experimenting with different grip styles, I would suggest trying the ten finger grip, no overlapping or interlocking of the fingers, and weaken the left hand position to take the pressure off the thumb. Your handicap indicates you are a good golfer, so your ball flight must be fairly consistent. If you can strike the ball solidly and consistently with a different grip, and the thumb no longer hurts as much, then just learn to live with whatever new ball flight tendency you might have as long as it is consistent. The weaker left hand position may lead to a fade, but if so, you may be able to compensate with a stronger right hand position.
Joe

Joe,
did you ever have an omen that you were going to have a bad round?
Answer: Yes, I once lost my ball in the ball washer on the first tee.

Joe,
Greetings and Salutations. Hi My name is Brian Varley. I watch the Golf Channel over here in Britain. Dave has had a clinic on putting recently. However he did not cover my own method which was used by Sam Snead. When the system of putting -Croquet style was banned, Sam went over to the 'Side Saddle' method. Now I have used that for 30 years and find it the best because, it is like bowling, and skittles. There is no movement across the body, just a straight line through the putt. There is no turning of the hands after the putt has been struck. I still cannot comprehend why it has not been seized on by the golfing instructors. Your comments would be welcome.
Brian the Lion

Hello Brian,
Most people are too embarrassed to try different things, but the embarrassment goes away when the putts start to fall. Sam Snead and Ben Hogan were two of the best who ever played, but both of them, as well as many other golfers, lost their putting touch in their later years, so they had to do something. In Sam’s case, the side saddle method worked for him, and I commend you for also having the courage to try it. I myself have tried lots of different methods because I was never satisfied with my putting. I decided to have a series of contests to determine which method was best for me. You need the pressure of a contest or else everything seems to work well on the practice green. I tried different grips, different putters, different stances including side saddle, and the clear winner, and I repeat, the CLEAR winner, was the belly putter with left hand low like Vijay Singh (even though Vijay has now gone back to a conventional putter). Here is the reason this works for me. My hands would not work together consistently, one hand would always overpower the other and I never knew which one would do that (this may be one of the main reasons for The Yips). The belly putter method removes this problem by reducing the hand action. Anyway, there is no guarantee this will work for you, you must have your own contests and see which method is best for you, including the side saddle. Best of luck.
Joe

A Bit of Golf Trivia:Which golfer has a reputation for being one of the best ball strikers ever? Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Greg Norman, Moe Norman?

It's Canadian pro Moe Norman, winner of over 50 events in Canada. Moe was called “Pipeline” because he hit the ball straight every time. Ben Hogan, who believed all straight shots were accidents, watched Moe on the range one day, and kept saying “accident” after every one of Moe’s shots. After awhile, Ben gave up and told Moe to just keep hitting those “accidents”.

Moe’s comments on the golf swing:
"Why am I called the greatest ball-striker? Because I have the least moving parts. I keep it simple."
"Stay within yourself. I never swing 100 percent. Most of the time, it's 80 percent. Sure, you can swing 100 percent and the ball will go further, but it's work. Swing easy. Golf isn't a game of violence. Just bump it !"
"With a short backswing, you can't get off line. How can you not hit it straight when you do that?"
Moe’s comments on the mental side of golf:
"Be your own best friend. Have a good attitude. Don't let the game eat you – you eat the game. When you step up to the tee, be glad you're up. Don't be afraid."
"I never got mad at myself. Why? Because getting mad only makes you swing worse."
"Golf isn't supposed to be work. It's to have fun. So have fun!"
"Golf is easy. People make it hard."

Joe,
I have a problem on the course with my irons, in that I'm hitting them higher but shorter in distance. I use to hit my PW 120 yards; 9-130; 8-140; 7-150; 6-160; 5-170; 4-180; and 3-190 yards. Now, my irons distances are 20 yards or more less, but my shots are straighter and more consistent than before. I'm just wondering what I'm doing wrong and how I can fix this because of the changes in distances I'm having trouble hitting the greens with my irons. I practice a lot but again those distances fluctuate. Please Help.
Thanx,
Mike

Hi Mike,
I am guessing you noticed this when you got a new or different set of irons. This happened to me when I began using a different set. There are two reasons for this. The lofts are different from brand to brand, and also a more flexible shaft tends to send the ball higher than a stiffer shaft. Now if you tell me your “problem” happened all of a sudden with the same set of irons, then I have to ask if you have changed your swing recently. If so, you have to tell me how you changed it before I can comment any further. Actually, this may not be a bad thing if you just trust your new distances since you said you are straighter and more consistent. I would think you should be able to hold more greens with higher shots. Golf is a control game, so don’t get caught up in the macho mentality that you must hit your irons farther than everyone else.
Joe

Hi Joe,
This is probably a beginner's question, but that's about where I am. I've got a problem I was told was common to women golfers. It doesn't matter which club I use, seven iron or driver, everything I hit goes about 125 yards (the blessing is that I hit straight). This is fine on an executive course, but frankly, I have distance envy. Any tips??
Thanks,
Barbara

Hello Barbara,
If clubhead speed is too slow, then all clubs will hit the ball about the same distance. To increase clubhead speed, I would recommend a more aggressive weight shift on the downswing together with a delayed whipping action from your wrists. This means it would help to build up your wrist strength any way you can. Some examples would be pushups, or lifting hand weights with your wrists, with as many repetitions as you can stand every day. Gene Sarazen used to be a carpenter, and he attributes his distance to the hand strength he developed while hammering nails. Actually, a good drill would be to get on your knees and hammer some nails into a board sideways, or along the same path as your golf swing. I hope this helps you.
Joe

Joe,
I am a somewhat forgetful person, I leave wedges at the side of the green and forget to pick them up after putting out, and I sometimes move my ball marker for someone else’s putt, and then forget to move it back to the proper spot for my putt. Any ideas on how to overcome this?
Josh

Hi Josh,
There are two ways to remember to pick up your chipping club, one is to leave it in the direction of your bag so after you putt out you might trip over it, and the other is whenever the flagstick is pulled and laying on the green, lay your club on top of it, so whoever puts the flag back will say “hey whose wedge is this?” About the ball marker, whenever you have to move it for someone else’s putt, put a tee in your hand and keep it there until it is your turn to putt, and then you can ask yourself “Why is there a tee in my hand? Oh, now I remember, I have to move my marker”.
Joe

Joe,
Just a few words to let you know that when I receive your tips via e-mail I practice them and  find them to be a great help. Now can you help me on this part of my game, When driving I get very little run on the ball. i.e. when the ball lands it stops within a few yards, I have tried many different makes of balls but to no avail. Can you please help?
Keep up the good work and thank you.
R Webb.

Hi R.Webb,
I do not think the type of ball matters on running drives. Course conditions are the primary factor. Your course probably has soft fairways. Now if you tell me everyone else’s ball runs farther than yours, then they must be hitting it lower than you. More information is needed here, like how far do your drives carry in the air? If you are a short hitter, do you hit your average drive high or low? If you are a long hitter, and you are usually in the fairway, you are doing great, who cares about roll anyway? Do you have this problem also on dry rock-hard fairways that are downhill and with the wind? If you do, then the golf spirits must have put a curse on you. (Jody says you should quit using a sand wedge for your drives).
Joe

I constantly hit behind the ball. I think I am casting early. Any thoughts or drills you can recommend in order to fix this swing flaw. Thank You
John Adams, Birmingham, AL.

Hello John,
Casting is a possibility, also this can be caused by trying to lift the ball. Lifting never works. Think more about just making contact and let the loft of the club do the lifting. Two things that can help this problem are a more aggressive weight shift on the downswing and at the same time try to hit the ball on more of a steeper downward path. You are doing it right when you strike the ball first and then take a divot. This gives you a better margin of error when you hit down because the ball will spin up the clubface even when you make contact at the equator. If you are not hitting down and you strike the equator, you will hit a low line drive or grounder.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, I just got hooked on golf when I hit one long and straight and out of sight. Why can’t I do that all the time?
Answer: Because the first one was a fluke.

Joe,
I BEEN PLAYING ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW (WEEKEND PLAYER). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO READ  THE GREENS. WHAT TO LOOK FOR. SO I CAN IMPROVE MY GAME.
THANK YOU
RONALD 

Hi Ronald,
Reading the green starts when you are still on the fairway. First look at the overall terrain and see which direction rain water will likely flow off the green. Putts are likely to break generally in that direction. When you are on the green, without getting in the way, try to read other people’s putts and see if the results were the same as you expected. Watch Jim Furyk and others who use the “plumb bobbing” method of dangling the shaft to see if the hole appears perpendicular or tilted to the shaft. On a practice green, take notice if most of your reads tend to play too much or too little break in both directions. If the grass appears to be growing all blades in the same direction (called the “grain”), the putts will likely break in that direction. Faster greens and downhill putts break more than slower greens and uphill putts.  I hope this helps you.
Joe

Joe,
Secrets are noted by teachers here and there, such as Hogans' secret, but recently a book by a young man who shagged balls for Ben indicated that it was not the supination of the left wrist but rather the "driving of the right knee" toward the ball along with the right side as a unit. Any more info on this?
Bill

Hi Bill,
All of us are built differently, so a “secret” move for one person may or may not work for another person. Many times a “magic move” will work for awhile, and then it will stop working and you won’t know why. There are a lot of things going on during a golf swing, and sometimes a magic move will result in aligning your muscles in a good way. But your muscles are changing every day, some stronger, some weaker, in different combinations, so it stands to reason that many of these “secrets” fall in the category of “Mannerisms” which are different than “Fundamentals” which are more important. For example, in Hogan’s case the supination of the wrist is a mannerism that leads to the fundamental of lining up the club shaft on the same plane with the leading arm for the downswing. The driving of the right knee is the mannerism that leads to the fundamental of shifting the lower body weight from the back leg to the front leg. If you only think of the mannerisms without the fundamentals, then you have to guess how much or how little to supinate the wrist or how hard to drive the knee. By thinking of the fundamentals instead, you can get rid of that guesswork.
Joe

Joe, which golf rules would you change?:

Abolish stroke and distance penalties and provisional shots. Nobody should ever have to walk back to replay a shot, that is against the pace of play. Think, USGA, think!

Take the luck factor out of the game. Allow free lift from divots because landing in a divot is only bad luck. No difference between loose impediments or obstructions, neither one of them belongs there anyway. If you can move a dead animal, you should also be able to remove a live animal, which is against today’s rules. Dumb, real dumb.

Get rid of the penalty for the ball accidentally moving when addressed. What is the big deal? No advantage gained, no penalty. If that could be a new rule, that would make it more of a game of skill, and less of a game of chance.

People who have never broken 100 should be able to improve their lies anywhere, anytime, even use a tee until that magic number is broken.

Get rid of the term “ladies tees”. The forward tees and all other tees should be according to skill levels. There are ladies who hit the ball farther than men, and men who cannot hit the ball as far as ladies. This would speed up play if those who shoot higher scores were forced to play from the forward tees.

There should be no penalty for giving advice. Pros get advice from their caddies, while the average golfers who cannot afford caddies are not allowed to ask anyone, or even use an inaccurate optical device. Get serious, why would you ask an opponents anyway, they might give you bad information, and your well-meaning buddies are probably guessing as much as you are. Get rid of stupid unnecessary rules like this.

Joe,
Recently I've developed a hard pull to a hook with my driver, my thinking on this is that I may be to stiff in my swing and not doing a good job with my weight transfer. The only problem with trying to correct is not wanting to mess with my swing until I'm sure thats the problem. Look forward to your response. Thanks much, and keep up the great tips in the newsletter.
Don
 
Hi Don, 
I think you are right in deciding not to mess up your swing just for a driver. That suggests you are hitting your other clubs OK. If this is true, simply find a different driver because they are all so different. Recently, a reader was hitting all clubs OK except the driver which was going to the right, the opposite problem from yours. We suggested to get a heel-weighted driver to correct this, and I am guessing your driver may be heel-weighted, causing your pull-hook. Try some of the jumbo drivers that are not heel-weighted and let us know how it turns out.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, what bothers you the most about the people who believe all the rules of golf are good rules?
Answer:  They can vote and they can breed.

Joe,
This makes me really mad. Why is it that things always seem to work on the practice range but do not seem to work as well on the golf course?
Andrew
 
Hi Andrew,
It’s all about pressure. On the practice range, there is no pressure, since there is no penalty for a bad shot.  Also since you are swinging every few seconds, your muscles can get into a good rhythm.  On the course, it is several minutes between each shot, so there is less rhythm and that makes it easier to tense up. Tense muscles do not work the same as relaxed muscles.
Joe 
 

Joe,
I have a practice area in my yard that is 130 yards long. It is a steady up hill of about 25 to 30 feet above my feet. How do I determine the true distance for this up hill lie. Is there a formula?
If you could answer this question I would be grateful.
Thanks, Rick Rhodes

Hello Rick,
I do not know of any formula, but if I were you I would already know which club I usually use for 130 yards, and then hit several balls with that club in your yard and measure how far short your average shot ends up. On the course, always take at least one more club whenever you notice the slightest uphill approach, and if it is rather steep, consider taking two more clubs, also factoring in the wind and the type of lie that you have.
Joe

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR JOE.
THE QUESTION IS "HOW DO YOU SLOW DOWN YOUR SWING"? I HAVE BEEN SWINGING TO HARD FOR 45 YEARS WITH MY IRONS AND WOODS.
THANKS,
RON S.

Hi Ron,
After 45 years I think your motor muscle memory may be so ingrained, that it may be hard to “unlearn” your quick swing, but here is one thing you can try. The Body Golf videos have a tempo drill called the 2-club drill. If you do that drill every day, your tempo will eventually become ingrained and you will have then trained your body to swing with the same smooth even tempo that you seek. There is no way you can swing too fast with the 2 club drill, so just go with the flow and enjoy.
Joe

Joe,
I heard you can get more distance by hitting a draw rather than a fade. Why should it make any difference which way the ball curves?
Ron

Hi Ron,
A draw or hook is caused by the clubface being slightly “closed” at impact, so the loft is decreased, which is like hitting the ball with a lower numbered club. Similarly, a fade or slice is caused by the clubface being slightly “open” at impact, so the loft is increased, which is like hitting the ball with a higher numbered club.
Joe

Joe,
For 40 years I have played with persimmon woods--Wilson Staffs with steel shafts, regular flex. Great clubs that refused to die. Finally I put them out to pasture and bought a new set of metal woods because everyone said I needed new technology on my side.
Well, these new woods are fun to play with, and they have graphite shafts with lots more flex action. The Hammer driver is 10 degrees, and I hit the ball much further and higher with them--great for clearing tall trees. BUT, I tend to push the ball right with a natural swing--no slice--just to the right. I can easily over compensate and hook it but that solves little. I never did this with the old woods with steel shafts. The ball usually went straight with just a slight controlled fade that I liked. Only the Hammer Driver tends to go right--the 3-and 5-wood are fine whenever I connect.
Seems like a very fundamental correction is needed. My feet are pointed correctly, in line with the fairway, but the ball goes right. What should I do to correct a push right that is a straight ball all the way out? Any suggestions would be appreciated
Ed

Hello Ed,
I had the very same problem when I first tried the new jumbo drivers, and I found that the larger heads were harder to get squared to the ball at impact. So I attended a few “demo days” to see if there was any difference between brands, and yes there are differences. I found that the problem goes away with “heel weighted” drivers. In fact, some of them are so heavily heel-weighted that you may have to fight a hook. Examples are the John Daly Loco Crazy Long, and the Cleveland Launcher. You can try adding lead tape to the heel of your current driver and that might help you.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, how can you say the rules are too complicated? Can’t you read?

Answer: I guess the pros can’t read either, because they are always asking for rulings and holding up play until an official shows up.

Joe,
I would like to know why is it that the pros do not play like we do, just one player no help from a second man (caddy) and do their own thinking and find their own distance to hit or to put, I always taught that golf was one on one not two on two. What do you think about that I asked that question many times and so far so bad I never had an answer maybe I'll get one from you. Thank you.
Roger

Hi Roger,
You make a good point, it does not seem fair that the average golfers cannot use devices that measure distance, but pros can have caddies who can tell them the exact distance to the half-yard. Furthermore, golfers who cannot afford caddies do not have anyone to read greens for them, or forecaddies to find their shots in the rough, or have anyone to ask for advice (not supposed to ask opponents). This is why I feel recreational rules should be different than tournament rules. In defense of the pros, look at it like a race car driver who has a pit crew as a support function just as a caddie is a support function in formal competition. It would be pretty funny to see a race where the driver has to fill his/her own gas and change his/her own tires.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, in my opinion, golf is a game of integrity, so if you do not follow all of the traditional rules, you have no integrity. How do you justify not following all the rules?

Answer: You must be one of those people who turn yourself in to the police every time you drive 5 mph over the speed limit, and insist on getting a ticket, after all, you broke the rules. If you don’t do this, how do YOU justify it, where is YOUR integrity?

Joe,
What do you think about too much technology and illegal clubs?
Ted

Hi Ted,
Appendix II Section 4 of the official Rules state that the club must be plain in shape, yet some of the new putters look like Lunar Landing Modules, and they are deemed legal, so I think some of the rules are laughably inconsistent. I feel that if technology makes the game more enjoyable for you, then go for it. You just have to understand that if you ever want to play in formal competition, you must be careful to follow the rules. If you are just a recreational golfer, it really does not matter. Most putts are missed by misreading them, and no high tech putter will ever help that problem, even if you stroke the putt perfectly. Consider major league baseball allowing only wooden bats, but metal bats are allowed for all other levels. You can apply the same logic to golf. Unless you are playing in formal competition, use any kind of club you want and enjoy the game to the fullest.
Joe

hi joe,
I've recently changed my swing, making it simpler, with less thinking parts -- it's basically a straight head and spine, swing back and down. this has improved my consistency tremendously and i've managed to cut about 5 strokes off my score within the first 4 rounds of play. the only problem I have (other than putting, which is a constant) is with distances. The new swing, while accurate, is killing my judgement. as a guide, i've dropped about 15-25 yards a club from the 9 iron up. the pitching wedge is less severe, with only a 5-10 yard loss, so that's no issue. the other wedges I carry -- 51*, 56* and 60* -- have kept their usual distances. so i continue the upper body workout, and pushups, the core training and also work the quads for stability, and stretch like a cat out of bed. still no difference -- and to make matters worse, i now have jumping distances. it could be inaccurate distance markers, but i now occasionally get both my regular distance and the new swing loss of distance. The swing is not an upright swing ... neither is it flattish. it's about 45-50* at the top of my backswing. i used to hit my 7-iron 165-170yds. With the change and in spite of the training, i get anywhere from 143-150yds (when it low) to 170yds. i'm thinking that this new swing, while rhythmic and stable and accurate, is slow in swingspeed than its flattish predecessor (which causes the occasional pull/hook). which is the other thing i should bring up -- i still occasionally forget to focus and pull/hook the shot and the distances then are normal. So i guess the question i'm really asking is -- how do i increase swingspeed without compromising accuracy. like i've said, i've worked really hard each evening and i get no results. i've done religiously the simple dumbell drill that richard that advised some weeks back and while I feel stronger and more confident, i'm not seeing any results. and as you will surely concur, 143-150yds on a 7-iron is pathetic. i've lost even more distance with my driver ... from a regular 275-290 yds previously to only 230yds at best now. help please?!?
best regards,
cd

Hello CD,
Since I cannot see your swing, I can only suggest some possibilities. Your new swing has improved your scores despite your loss of distance, so your control must be vastly improved. Extra distance might cause you to lose that good control, but all of us golfers are never satisfied we want it ALL, right? Good for you, let’s see what we can do. First of all, you can call your current swing your “A” swing that you can always come back to when other “B” or “C” swing experiments might fail. I am assuming you are using the same clubs as before. If you are using different clubs, that might account for some or all of the distance loss. If that is not the case, your loss of distance could be “casting” or “hitting from the top”, which means your downswing uses up your wrist action too soon. Try delaying the wrist snap until the last possible instant before impact. Also make sure your lower body weight shift is aggressive, and extend your follow-thru fully.
Joe

Hello,
In your golf tips one of the tips say “You are separating your hands at the top of the backswing.” How do you correct this, what do you look for at the top of the swing.??
Jimmy Walker

Hi Jimmy,
With a proper grip, I don’t see how the hands can separate at the top of the swing unless one of the hands is letting go of the club. Whatever grip style you are using, interlock, overlap, or ten-finger, try the other two to see if they are better suited for you. If the problem persists with all 3 grip types, there are a number of drills you can try. First, swing the club back and forth several times with one hand, and then the other. This should train your hand muscles to hang on to the club. Notice the amount of wrist break with each hand, because if you use too much wrist, that might cause one hand to slip a little. Next, try a normal backswing and stop at the top and check your hands for slipping. Get the feel for starting the downswing with good hand control. When you get the feel for that, the only purpose of the backswing is to arrive at that position. Good luck!
Joe

Joe,
I have played golf once per week for many years, so I should be getting better and better, but I am not. I should not be hitting as many poor shots as I do. I don’t understand why. Any ideas?
Tim

Hi Tim,
If you play once per week, but you do not practice in between, then it is not logical to assume that things will get better while you continue to do things the same way as always. Nothing is going to get better unless you change the way you do things. If you cannot get to a range in between rounds, just hit some wiffle balls at your local park. At least you ball striking should improve. Have a contest with your current grip against a different grip. Many people think the interlock grip is best just because it is used by Tiger and Jack, however many people find that the overlap works better, and the 10 finger grip works best, despite the perception that it is a beginner’s grip, which is a false perception. Some people are blessed with a lot of natural athletic ability, while others must work at it to get better. Set some realistic expectations. There are not very many low handicappers who play or practice only once per week. On a daily basis, you can do the simple drills shown in the Body Golf videos, and you will be on your way to improvement.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, which shots are your favorites?
Answer: The mulligan, the foot wedge, and the conceded putt

Joe,
I keep reading about how the speed of a green is measured with a Stimpmeter. How does this work, when did they start using this, and who invented it?
Jill

Hi Jill,
The Stimpmeter was conceived by Edward Stimpson back in the 1970’s, but was not accepted by the USGA until 1997. It’s really quite simple. The higher the number, the faster the green. 7 would be slow, 8 would be medium, and 9 would be fast. Tournament speeds are over 10. The device consists of a 36 inch aluminum rail with a notch (to hold a ball) 6 inches from one end. The rail is slowly raised until gravity releases the ball (at about 20 degrees elevation), sending it to roll the remaining 30 inches down the rail onto the green (at a fairly level place) and the roll distance is measured. This is repeated for the opposite direction, 3 balls for each direction. The middle ball for each direction is measured, and the average for both directions becomes the official reading, in feet, so if a green is “stimped” at 9.5, the ball must have rolled 9.5 feet.
Joe

Joe,
I have one question for you. How I make good swing if my body only 165 cm high and 64 kg weight.
Thanx alot
Usman

Hello Usman,
Let’s see, if my math serves me right, you are about 5 feet 5 inches tall and you weigh about 140 pounds. There is no reason you cannot make a good swing no matter how tall or how short you happen to be. You can study the swings of shorter golfers like Gary Player, Ian Woosnam, or Corey Pavin, or you can study the mechanics of the LPGA players, who are living proof that your size is not a factor to be a good player. Another good choice, of course, would be to study the Body Golf videos.
Joe

Joe,
I have been playing golf about 18 months now with a 20 handicap. I am having a problem with distance. When I hit my lofted clubs and wedges the ball flies straight but the ball is really high. I just do not get the carry I feel I should. For instance a 160 yard shot I am using a seven iron. My mid and long irons have good distance but also fly really high.. What in your opinion could be the cause? Also any ideas on exercises that could cure the problem? Thanks for any help you can give.........
Sean

Hi Sean,
This sounds like a nice “problem” to have. Lots of people would love to hit their shots high and straight. You should have no problem holding any green. However, since you want more distance, there are some things you could try. First of all, if you have older clubs, the lofts may be higher than modern clubs. Borrow another set at a range and see if you get the same or different results. If that is not the case, you may need a more aggressive weight shift to the front foot on your downswing. If you are looking for exercises and drills, the Body Golf videos have some excellent examples.
Joe

) Joe,
I would like to know how to handicap, alternate stroke play for a 2 person team. What percentage of a person's handicap is used. This format will be used in a member-member tournament to be played in July in South Carolina. I feel this will speed up play when the temperature is in the 90"s.
Thank you,
Joan Strasser

Hello Joan,
The official rules of golf do not say anything specific about this, so the local rules take precedence. One simple example might be to simply add up the handicaps of both players and use the sum for the team. Personally, I never cared much for alternate stroke play because you are paying two greens fees to play one ball, you only get to hit half the shots. For the money, I would much prefer playing every shot, but that’s just me. Also, if your partner is having a bad day, there is very little you can do to save the team unless you hole everything, and then your partner feels guilty, and then you feel bad, etc. I don’t mean to rain on your picnic, I just prefer the scramble format, that way nobody has to feel guilty for bad shots. If speeding up play is the issue, you can make other local rules, such as max-double-bogey (pick it up if you do not hole the bogey shot), and max 3-putt (pick it up if you do not hole the second putt). Have fun!
Joe

Joe,
The pro's are able to swing smoothly inside, outside to back inside. They are able to open there shoulders very soon. Most everyday golfers slice and never get that swing plane where it belongs. I know there are many gadgets and simple fixes out there for sale. How about a simple training tip for free that can get people swinging on the right track.
Jim West

Hi Jim,
I’m not sure there is such a thing as a “simple fix”, there is so much information available that you never know which piece is best for you. It depends on your individual physique and how you swing, and since I have never seen you swing, I can only suggest a few things. Slices (or hooks) occur when the clubface is not square to the ball at impact, so you may have to adjust your grip. Swing plane could be a factor if the path is not square to the target line. When analyzing a pro’s swing, pay less attention to the shoulders and more attention to the way they execute the downswing, especially the weight shift to the front foot. The Body Golf videos have some excellent drills for this, and for fixing slices.
Joe

Joe,
Thanks for the ongoing tips, I've taken some of the advice and been successful at improving little aspects of my game. I am a 22 handicap and only an average putter (32-35 putts/round) and would like to improve that aspect. I would like to incorporate the "plumbing" aspect to improve on ability to read the proper breaks. What is the proper way to learn and use this technique?
Peter

Hi Peter,
Plumb-bobbing does not work for everyone, Lee Trevino was asked about it and he said the only thing he saw when he tried it was “Stiff flex” on the shaft. Anyway, the way it is supposed to work is to hold the top of the grip lightly and look at the putter’s shaft against the hole, and see if the hole line is perpendicular to the shaft, or does it tilt one way or the other. If there is a tilt, then the putt will likely break toward the low side. This could give you a false reading if your putter head has more weight away from the shaft line, so be careful to rotate the putter head to a position where the shaft is hanging straight down. Do this inside a building against an inner wall’s floor line that you know is level, and then you will know the correct way to hold the putter on the green.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, based on your comments about the rules, it seems you are not a “Team Player”, don’t you know there is no “i” in “Team”?
Answer: Yes, but Team does have “m” and “e”.

Joe,
If someone is in the sand trap and the golf ball is unplayable. So they take a unplayable ball do they have to put it in the sand trap or can they take it out of the trap and play it on the fairway? Let me know. I was told you can take it out of the trap and put it on the fairway as an unplayable ball.
Thanks Pati

Hello Pati,
According to Rule 28 you have 3 options, all of which are a one stroke penalty. You can replay your previous shot by walking back to where you started (not recommended due to pace of play),
or you can drop the ball as far behind your spot as you want, as long as you stay in the bunker, or you can drop in the bunker sideways to your spot within 2 club lengths but no closer to the hole. You cannot drop in the fairway. If your unplayable lie was at the back of the bunker, there may not be any legal place to drop, so you would have to go back to the previously played spot, which hurts the pace of play. Now remember these are rules for formal competition. If you are only playing for fun, then you and your partners can agree that hey, you have already been hit with a penalty, so drop it wherever you want, the USGA police are not going to arrest you, although they might arrest me for saying that. I won’t snitch if you won’t.
Joe

Dear Joe
First I like to say I enjoy reading your e-mails, I learn a great deal.
I have been playing golf for approx. 2 years. I am having trouble hitting with my irons (yes with all of them.) The trouble is that I cannot get any loft on the ball, it flies just above the ground. What do I need to do? Thanks for taking the time to read my e-mail.
Garry Rodriguez
Lubbock, Texas

Hi Garry,
Many new golfers do the same as you because they are trying to lift the ball and therefore hit it too thin. Start with a wedge or 9-iron and try to hit the ball down into the ground. You may have noticed the pros on TV usually take a big divot on fairway shots. That is caused by striking the ball with a downward blow, and the club continues downward into the ground, producing the divot. In golf, you have to hit down to make the ball go up. You can see the same result with a ping pong paddle and ball. If you chop down on the ball, you give the ball underspin and the ball rises. If you swing up at the ball, you give the ball overspin and it drops quickly. When you can successfully hit down properly with your 9-iron, it will also work with your other clubs. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Joe

nice newsletter.
Where can I get some info/help. I make solid contact, I keep pulling my ball about 30 yards left with my irons, this is killing me. What to fix? What doing wrong ?
thanks!
Ralph

Hello Ralph,
There are two possibilities here, grip or swing path, maybe both. First the swing path. Most people think they are swinging down the target line, but while the body is turning, by the time the clubhead gets to the ball, it is no longer down the target line, the turn pulls the club inside the target line. Let’s say the target line is 12 o’clock. If you are right handed, your path is probably pulled toward 11 o’clock. To correct this, swing toward 1 o’clock and exaggerate the follow-thru in that direction. For the grip, my first guess is that you are using the interlock grip, which I have seen many people struggle with. My second guess is the overlap, which I myself have used for over 40 years with some success, but now I am using the ten finger grip because I have gotten in the habit of having contests with myself using different methods, and the ten finger grip won. Try such contests yourself and use the grip that works best for you.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, what do you say about having to follow all the rules of golf, no matter what?
Answer: For those who say a rule is a rule and you have to follow it, then make sure you also follow these rules:

In California, it is illegal to set a mousetrap without a hunting license.
In North Dakota, it is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
In Seattle, residents may not carry concealed weapons longer than six feet.
In Vermont, it is illegal to whistle underwater.
In Carmel, New York, a man cannot go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.
In Denver it is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor.
In Devon, Connecticut, it is unlawful to walk backwards after sunset.
In Alabama, it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle
In California, it is illegal for anyone to try and stop a child from playfully jumping over puddles of water.
In California, it is illegal to eat an orange in your bath tub.
In Connecticut, a pickle is not officially a pickle unless it bounces.
In Sarasota, FL, it is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
In Kentucky, it is illegal to transport an ice cream cone in your pocket.
In Louisiana, it is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol.
In Louisiana, biting someone with your natural teeth is "simple assault", while biting someone with your false teeth is "aggravated assault".
In Massachusetts, mourners at a wake may not eat more than three sandwiches
In Nebraska, a parent can be arrested if his child cannot hold back a burp during a church service.
In Pennsylvania, a special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.
In Pennsylvania, no man may purchase alcohol without written consent from his wife.
In Texas, it is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.
In Washington, it is mandatory for a motorist with criminal intentions to stop at the city limits and telephone the chief of police as he is entering the town.
In Chicago, it is forbidden to fish while sitting on a giraffe's neck.
(if you don’t feel there is a need to change some of the golf rules, then don’t change these either)

Hello,
Is there a cure for the Yips?
Ann

Hi Ann,
When all else fails, you have to adopt an attitude with an edge to it. By that I mean you have to mix a little self anger along with determination that you are going to execute a stroke and you are not going to allow worry to affect the outcome. If the outcome is still not successful, tell yourself it is not because you did not execute the stroke properly, and therefore you have done the best you could. With this approach, the Yips should no longer be an issue. The Yips are only an issue if you worry about the outcome before and during the execution of the stroke. Take worry out of the equation with this “Edge” and execute. The outcome is going to happen whether you like it or not, but your outcomes will no longer be a result of worry, just execution, and things can only get better from there.
Joe

Hello,
I recently bought a DVD that claims that thru Neuromuscular exercises will help us in our swing. The theory is by watching a perfect swing over and over again with different clubs should give you a good tempo swing. I observed that the guy is swinging with his left heel off the ground during his backward swing. The guys on tour do not seem to swing like that. Is there a concern? Even Mark Sensei (Body Golf) doesn’t swing like that. Should I stop seeing it before I swing like a cockadoo? :) I also noticed that he is hitting with a very old wood, steel shafted. Ball flight is amazingly good!
Thanks
Jack

Hello Jack,
If you have ever seen Bobby Jones swing, you will notice that his heel comes way off the ground, and since Bobby Jones was one of the greatest golfers who ever lived, it is logical to say that this is only a mannerism, not a fundamental. If you try to copy every mannerism from every video, you will fry your brain. Mannerisms are minor differences in appearance that are not as important as the fundamentals that you must do to improve. Most mannerisms occur during the backswing (like Jim Furyk) and follow-thru (like Arnold Palmer), most fundamentals, the important things, occur from the top of the backswing to the point of contact. Watch the downswing, how the pros move their weight to the front foot, watch the position of the back elbow, and watch how they delay their wrist action until the last possible instant before contact. If you can imitate those things, then it won’t matter if you look like a cockadoo (whatever that is).
Joe

Hello,
I am a beneficiary of the advice given in your newsletter. I have a question for you...a pro measured me and told me to use Ping green dot clubs which, when I checked on the Ping web site, meant that these are 2 degree upright clubs. My question is which all companies make such clubs. I play with Lynx blade irons and the heel of it some times is above the ground and I have to readjust the club. I do not intend to buy some thing very expensive here in India as choices are a bit limited. Thanks for being there.
Admiringly
Anand (dr.A.V.Pathak)

Hello Anand,
Many golfers are not aware that they need more upright lie angles, and that is part of the reason why their shots are pushed or sliced. I assume you feel that the Pings are too expensive for your taste. The least expensive approach is to try to get your Lynx irons bent more upright, but you must understand there is some risk of cracking the club. If you intend to purchase new clubs, you can usually search the internet to find out which companies in India offer clubs made to your specs. If you can try some “demo” clubs, make sure you use “striking tape and board” to see where the tape gets scuffed when you swing down on the board. The tape should scuffed in the middle of the sole if it fits you properly.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, how can I get more distance on my drives?
Answer: Purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

Joe, my local courses are either too crowded, or too expensive. The only courses that are affordable and uncrowded are the shorter par 3 courses, but I like to hit my woods someplace else besides a driving range, and I don’t like traveling long distances to get to other courses. Any ideas?
Abe

Hello Abe,
Years ago, Jack Nicklaus was looking into the future and he saw this happening. His idea was to make a new ball called “half-golf” which would allow the construction of more short courses for people to play without consuming so much real estate. Jack’s idea did not catch on, but another company has come up with a similar idea. In my opinion, this is an idea whose time has come. I recently visited a website ‘almostgolfball.com’ where they have designed a new ball that travels about one-third as far as a real ball, but it is dense enough to allow chipping and putting, unlike most practice balls. It also hooks and slices just like a real ball. If you try these on a short par 3 course, it suddenly plays like a full sized course. At first it might seem like it will mess up your distance judgment, but just change the ‘yardage’ to ‘footage’. Since the ball travels only one-third the distance, and a 100 yard hole is 300 feet, the hole will play like 300 yards if you use the “A-Ball”. You already know what club to use for yardage with a real ball, so that translates into FEET for that same club with the A-ball. That same website also has a lot of other interesting information, check it out. For example, they have tournaments and Happy Gilmour style driving contests in any open field. The A-Ball is safer also, you are not likely to be hurt if you are accidentally hit by one. These balls are available on line, and also at some of the larger golf stores like Golf Galaxy.
Joe

Hi,
I am still considered a novice golfer as I took the sport up 4 years ago. I try and get out as much as I can and truly love the sport and wish I had taken it up at an earlier age. I'm 44. I can hit my irons pretty well but have limited success off the tee. I find that most of the drivers available today have graphite shafts and that is where I have the most trouble. I've been told that you need to alter your swing to allow for the "flex" in the shaft. How is one supposed to do this without totally screwing up our normal method of swinging a club? Should I instead try and find a driver that has a stiff shaft so I can swing the same as with my irons?
Thank you,
Jeff J. Najduk

Hello Jeff,
I like your thought process, you should not have to change your swing for a driver or any other club, especially if you are hitting your irons pretty well. You should definitely find a different driver. Too much flex results in wildness. Too little flex results in loss of distance, but usually better accuracy. Many people are having success with graphite shafts that have “low torque”, which means it has flex without twisting. It is the twisting that causes wild shots. Also, most drivers do not have enough loft for the average player, so you lose distance when your ball has less hang time. That is why many golfers do better with a 3-wood. Try to attend demo days where you can try different drivers with different specs and see which ones work best for you. Some driving ranges also will let you try some of their demo clubs. Phone ahead and find out which ones will do that. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
Joe

Hi Joe, I have a question, I have observed that the left foot of professionals golfers after striking the ball stays perpendicular to the target like at address but most of us would turn the left foot after striking the ball more that 45* outward. I tried to restrict my left foot from turning but it hurts and it feels like I am restricting my turn. Does the position of the foot after impact makes a difference to distance and accuracy of the shot? Do you know what they did right that I didn't while imitating their swing? I am a golfer that believes in text book swing and have change my swing 3 times to get it close to perfect. Its painful during those times but very rewarding at the end. I tend to analyse what I do right to hit a good shot then the reverse so that I can always fall back on the drills that allows to hit the best shot I can hit. Hence, I am assuring you that I am prepared to change my swing again for the better. Thanks,
Jack

Hello Jack,
The pros are people who have been blessed with a high degree of athleticism, and they get to play every day, so they can more easily execute moves that the rest of us cannot. In the case of the front foot, some people can keep it perpendicular while others feel restricted by that. Once planted, the spikes keep it from moving during the swing. In my case, I have had knee surgery so I like to turn the toe outward a little bit to take some of the pressure off the knee. I do not believe that affects distance or accuracy. Rather than pursue a textbook swing, you might do better if you take a look at the Body Golf videos.
Joe

Hi, I love the news letter. I am 9 index, but just lately I have developed a very bad push off tee with driver, sometimes with 3 wood also. Not a slice, just a dead straight push. Any suggestions? thanks.
Milt

Hi Milt,
Assuming you do not push your irons, I have to wonder if your woods are from the same matched set, like maybe your shafts are too long for you. If that is not the case, then your problem could be any number of things, starting with proper grip, weight shift, swing path, wrist action, etc. Without being able to see your swing, I can only guess. You might want to experiment with different ball positions. Some people have success playing all clubs from the same ball position while others get better results playing the ball more toward the front foot.
Joe

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

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.

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody, what is the easiest shot in golf?
Answer: I used to think it was the 4th putt until I saw Phil Mickelson 5-putt in a tournament last year.

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

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

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

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

Hello,
I am 63 years old and started golfing right after my retirement in 1992. I am slowly dropping my handicap down from once a 36 to now a 18 yet want to get better. I realize you must practice a lot which I rarely do and that could be the main problem. I would like to get better with my irons without changing a whole lot of things. I have bought numerous videos and golf magazines and after I've watched or read hints to improve my game I get worse. I know old habits are hard to change and I seem to be a little stubborn when things don't go right and go back to what got me where I am at the present. I seem to pull the ball left on 90 percent of my shots where I know I could improve my game if I could only straighten this problem a little. I'm getting a divot before the ball is struck, seems as though I'm taking the club back to fast and dropping my shoulder on the down stroke to get as much distance as I possibly can get with an iron. I think should get me to the green. Usually a 5 iron gets me 150 yards, then a 7 iron does the same thing at times but always left of the green. I try to compensate by aiming right of the flag by a whole lot and the ball goes right where I was aiming most of the time to the right of the green. Yet when I aim at the pin the ball goes left of the green. No consistency what so ever. I know your going to say go practice on a range, but I'd rather be out on the course where I enjoy doing what I like to do. All I want is a tip from you that I can take with me while I'm golfing and improve my game just a little. I know this may seem stupid to you for what I'm asking and what I refuse to do and that is go to a range and hit balls. I've tried this many times before and my game didn't improve, I believe in on the job training while playing cause it's more fun. Three more strokes off my handicap and I'd be happy for now.
Thanks,
Gerald Koski Sr

Hi Gerald,
The mind is a powerful thing, and sneaky too. When you aim at the flag, the mind allows your natural tendency to pull, and when you aim to the right, you mind adjusts your swing to finish to the right, and the ball goes right where you aimed. You may have already discovered the solution to your problem, and many others also have this problem. Convince your mind that if you try to swing down the target line while your body is turning, by the time your club gets to the ball, your body turn causes the path of the club to turn left also, which causes a pulled shot. Your mind already knows when you aim to the right, the ball goes straight, so your solution is to line up at the flag, but do not swing down the target line, direct your downswing a little to the right, and your body turn will bring is back to square, which is down the target line. Let us know how it turns out.
Joe

Hello,my name is Mike. I’m 13 years old and I love golf. I can hit 200 yards on an average swing but on some swings the ball just goes straight down to the ground and doesn’t hit the fairway. Why is this? Please email me back with your best answer. Thank you.

Hi Mike,
I am assuming you are using a driver with a deep face. If you look closely, you can see a bulge in the face, so if you strike the ball high on the face, it will fly high and long. However, if you strike the ball low on the face, the bulge is your enemy because it sends the ball too low. Try teeing the ball as high as you can without hitting popups. If this does not work for you, find a 3-wood with an oversized head. The extra loft might be all you need. Good luck!
Joe

Question:
what is the best tip you ever heard?
Answer: Don’t speak to strangers.

Joe,
My putting has been scaring the heck out of me....I read the putts and hit the distance but my line is off..Especially short ones...I push, I pull...Is this the yips?...I'm from Kansas City and remember Watson having a similar problem...My buddies accuse me of having a pebble taped to the front of my putter...please help..
Sincerely, Sean

Hello Sean,
It could be the Yips, it sounds like your left and right hands are fighting each other for control. When one of them wins you push your putts, and when the other hand wins, you pull, and you never know which hand will win. Here is a way to force them to work together. Take your Driver (yes, your Driver), which is about the same length as a belly putter. Put both hands low on the shaft, and press the shaft onto your belly, wherever it is comfortable. You will be surprised how smooth your putting stroke becomes, because when the shaft is anchored into your belly, the hands cannot fight each other. When you see the improvement, you can either invest in a belly putter or make your own by simply cutting off part of the rubber top of your putter’s grip and inserting any type of shaft extension down into the hollow shaft of your putter. Even a wooden dowel will work, or a piece of broken shaft that already has a grip on it. Also, you can experiment by gripping the club different ways to see which is best for you, like reverse overlap, left hand low, hands split apart, etc., almost any grip will work with a belly putter. Good luck and let me know how it turns out.
Joe

Richard, Your article the other day on keeping the back swing shoulder high (for a big guy) as opposed to over the head was of real interest. I find that my divot is much straighter however my distance is lacking. I use a strong grip. I feel this is for me but something is not quite right. Is it weight shift-turn or what happens first on the down shift. Could you perhaps shed a little more light . My 7 iron is good for about 105-110 yards if hit real well.
Dave

Hello Dave,
Richard asked me to answer this one. To start the downswing, your weight should already be on the inside of your back foot. You can shift your weight to the front foot by pushing off the back foot to start your downswing. If you can keep your front leg straight, you do not have to think about turning on the downswing because a proper weight shift will automatically result in a turn. If you want more distance, delay your wrist snap until the last possible instant before contact. Watch the slow motion replays of the pros on TV and you will see this is how they get maximum clubhead speed even when it looks like they are swinging easy.
Joe

Richard, Your article the other day on keeping the back swing shoulder high (for a big guy) as opposed to over the head was of real interest. I find that my divot is much straighter however my distance is lacking. I use a strong grip. I feel this is for me but something is not quite right. Is it weight shift-turn or what happens first on the down shift. Could you perhaps shed a little more light . My 7 iron is good for about 105-110 yards if hit real well.
Dave

Hello Dave,
Richard asked me to answer this one. To start the downswing, your weight should already be on the inside of your back foot. You can shift your weight to the front foot by pushing off the back foot to start your downswing. If you can keep your front leg straight, you do not have to think about turning on the downswing because a proper weight shift will automatically result in a turn. If you want more distance, delay your wrist snap until the last possible instant before contact. Watch the slow motion replays of the pros on TV and you will see this is how they get maximum clubhead speed even when it looks like they are swinging easy.
Joe

Joe,
Tempo, that is exactly my problem. I do not know how to get my body into the shot. I hit fairly consistently, but not very far. Can you help me with this? What is the sequence, hips, legs, arms? Is there an exercise for this? How can I get the tempo? If I try to move my hips or legs I wind up "sliding". If you can fix this, I will really be able to score.
Thanks,
Susan

Hi Susan,
For your problem, I highly recommend the Body Golf videos because they show you the drills you need to achieve better tempo, like the 2 club drill. If you think in terms of a sequence, it is like a house of cards, one false move and the whole swing is ruined. Get your body to work together smoothly. Hal Sutton says the smaller muscles do not work well under pressure, so instead rely on the larger body muscles (shoulders and hips) and simpler swing thoughts.
Joe

Question for the Evil Twin:
Jody,
What kind of holes are you favorites and why?
Answer: The 19th hole, of course, and the reason is BEER. I am not alone on this, here are other famous people who agree with me:

Sometimes when I reflect on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. I think, "It is better to drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver." -- Babe Ruth

I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. -- Lyndon B. Johnson

An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools. -- Ernest Hemingway

When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading. -- Paul Hornung

24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not. -- H. L. Mencken

When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven! -- George Bernard Shaw

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. -- Benjamin Franklin

Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza. -- Dave Barry

BEER: helping ugly people find love since 3000 B.C. -- W. C. Fields

Remember "I" before "E", except in Budweiser. -- Professor Irwin Corey

To some it's a six-pack, to me it's a "support group." Salvation in a can! -- Leo Durocher

One night at Cheers, Cliff Clavin explained the "Buffalo Theory" to his buddy Norm: "Well ya see, Norm, it's like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular elimination of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain! can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine! That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers." --Cliff Clavin

Joe,
I would like to know the exact way that you propose to "Hit thru the ball" I have a good hands and arm swing but do not get the yardage I should receive. I am 77 yrs young and would like to hit further.
Leroy Grossman

Hello Leroy,
Try this experiment. Take a ping pong paddle and ball, hold the ball out in front of you and swing at it with an arm swing. Then do the same thing, but this time delay the wrist snap until the last possible instant and watch how much farther the ball goes. A golf swing works the same way. Watch the slow motion replays of the pros on TV. You will see that the wrists do not snap until the last possible instant, which adds to clubhead speed at contact. People who fail to do this are “hitting from the top”, which means they use up their wrist snap too soon, reducing their clubhead speed at contact. This idea, along with a more aggressive weight shift on the downswing, should result in better distance.
Joe

Dear Joe:
I’m not sure if you’ve ever gotten a question like this or if you will be able to help me. If you can’t maybe you know someone who can. My problem is that I’m a well endowed woman. Not extremely, but well enough for it to cause problems with my swing. Most videos and books tell you to let you arms hang naturally at your sides to swing. Well, if I do that something gets in the way when I take the club away. I usually try to set my arms over them, but then I end up reaching for the ball which puts my weight on my toes, which in turn limits my weight shift and I end up hitting mostly with my arms. Any suggestions?
M.C.

Hi M.C.,
My evil twin is dying to answer this one, but I won’t let him. Did you ever see Nancy Lopez swing? Just before she starts her backswing, she extends her arms outward to be on the same plane as the club shaft. There are many books and videos on the market that give a lot of information, but some of the many ideas may not work for you, like the one you mentioned about how you must let your arms hang down. That is only a mannerism, not a fundamental. Natural Golf has built an entire system based on extending your arms outward to a single plane setup, so there is nothing wrong with reaching a little bit for the ball. However, do not allow your weight to go to your toes, stay back a little bit on your heels to maintain good balance. Another thing that might help is the type of sports bra that women athletes are using in today’s sports and exercise programs. My evil twin has offered to help you get fitted for this, but I won’t let him.
Joe

Hello, I am a keen follower of your articles. I have one question---how does one achieve a flat left wrist while gripping the club with your left hand. If you could guide me through I will be grateful.
Rgds
Bala
Bangalore India

Hello Bala,
A flat left wrist is a concept that is achieved at the top of the backswing, not when you grip the club. At the top of the backswing this helps to keep the clubface square for better ball striking. When gripping the club, assuming you are right-handed, place the shaft diagonally across the left palm and close the fingers. The V formed by the thumb and forefinger should point to your back shoulder, unless you hook the ball too much, then you can have this V point more toward your chin. Then as you take your backswing, your wrist can bend into the flat position at the top of the swing. If you have trouble doing this, here is a drill. Begin at the top of the swing and look at your wrist. Make it flat, and memorize how that feels as you start your downswing. The purpose of the backswing then is to arrive at that feeling.
Joe

– Joe, Please advise me...
I am a weekend golfer and could it be better for me to use blade clubs or I should I remain with my Oozler cavity backs. Awaiting for your favourable advice. My last weekend game was good among my previous game, my score was 95, from 142 to 95 (BIG Change)
Rgd Joe

Hi big change Joe,
If you just improved by 47 strokes, you might want to stay with your current clubs. But you are my kind of guy, 47 strokes is not good enough, you want more, I like that kind of attitude. Blade irons are for golfers who can hit the sweet spot every time, and it is a really sweet crisp feeling when you do, but if you miss the sweet spot, the errors are magnified. Cavity backs are a little more forgiving when you miss the sweet spot, so unless you are a single digit handicap, blades are probably not going to help you. Of course there are a lot of other factors in any club that may or may not be suitable for you, like proper shafts, lie angles, etc., so the only way to tell is to borrow different types and compare results on the range.
Joe

Joe, I have problems with the grass down here the ball lies like it was on hard pan. U have to go down after it. with the long irons and 5 wood I have a lot of trouble with it. How do U hit a ball like that with hardly any grass under it. Any advice U could give will help a lot. thanks
nick

Hi Nick,
From your description, I am guessing you are topping the ball or hitting it thin, right? When you say U have to go down after it, are you departing from your normal swing? Most people have better results when their normal swing goes down after it, no matter what the lie. In your case, ball position may be a factor. Play the ball in the center of your stance and hit down. If you are already doing that, and your results are not good, experiment with a more forward ball position and more aggressive weight shift on the downswing.
Joe

Question: On the range I am great, but on the golf course I stink. What should I do?
Answer: Bring some deodorant.

Hello Joe, I Would appreciate any help in assisting me to be able to hit down and through the ball and take a divot. I have always scooped the ball and realize this is not the way to play the game, especially with the short irons. Any drills or suggestions would be appreciated.
Don

Hi Don,
There are plenty of good drills in the Body Golf videos for this. Since you have been a scooper, you probably are not shifting your weight on the downswing to your front foot. If you can accomplish a more aggressive weight shift, it will be easier for you to hit down and take a divot. The step-thru drill is my favorite for this.
Joe

Hello Joe, I don't know why I am topping now? not my irons but with my woods. Can you help me. Thank You
David C.

Hi David,
If you are OK with your irons, but not with your woods, I suspect your woods may not be correctly matched to your swing. Many driving ranges have samples of different brands that they will let you try. Also try to attend demo days in your area, where you can hit different brands for free. You might even find decent woods at a garage sale for just a few bucks, which may or may not fit you, but for such a small investment, you never know, it might be worth a try.
Joe

Joe, thanks for your tips on putting (vijay's way with the belly putter). it has
proven to be worth -3 to 5 strokes per round to me (by cutting down on the
3 putts). now if i can somehow figure out how to putt straight with my 43'
odyssey white-hot 2ball from 3 feet in, i'll be able to cut another 4
strokes off the round. my question today is not about putting. you see, i
seem to have developed a distance problem. perhaps it is my swing or
perhaps i'm hitting it cleaner but my yardage has gone beserk lately. i'm
35 years old, 5'10, 165lbs with a 5'10 wingspan. i golf 2-3 times a week
(only in april since i'm clearing leave) and play hoops for 2-3 hours on
saturdays after golf in the morning. i use a set of forged titleist 690.cb
irons with royal precision flighted rifles 5.5 shafts and midsize softie
grips. about a month ago, i used to hit my pitching wedge 110 metres (121
yards). over the last 3 rounds (last week), the PW goes 125m (136 yards).
which means my 7-iron now goes to 155m (169 yards), up from 145m (158
yards). now this is normally a good sign for most golfers, but i'm missing
greens long by 20 yards or so, and it's irritating me to death. and it has
been inconsistent, because the yardage differences are small. here's my
carry yardage: 60*LW - 60m/66yds, 56* - 80m/88yds; 51* - 100m/109yds, 47*PW
- 125m/136yds; 9-iron - 130m/142yds; 8-iron - 137m/150yds; 7-iron -
155m/169yds; 6-iron - 165m/180yds; 5-iron - 180m/196yds. my clubs go at 4
degree increments from pw - 5-iron. i don't carry the 2-,3- and 4-irons
(although i can hit them); instead i carry a 19* rescue/utility club with a
39-inch flighted rifle and similar grip to my irons. this club gets me
(depending on whether i concentrate on the shot -- which is easier said
than done) anywhere from 180m/196yds to 230m/250yds. because of this
yardage, i almost never pull out my driver now, which is longer but gets me
penalties.
my question really is, will the yardage drop as i play less? and how do i
concentrate on releasing the club at the top of my swing, because if i
don't, i hook the little white fella into the jungle. that's why i said
it's easier said than done, beause i lose concentration quite often within
a round. is there a thought process which i can follow while at address?
i've resorted to mouthing out "release, release, release, xxxx" which is
irritating to my playing partners and looks quite stupid, and even then my
eyes sometimes lose focus of the ball during the backswing (the eye follows
the clubhead, and if i remember, i'll re-setup, if not, it's either a
pull/hook or push. i don't slice the ball anymore. help.
dc

Hello again dc,
I don’t know what the climate is where you live, but a month ago perhaps the weather was cooler, and that could account for the differences in distance per club. You are obviously doing everything you can to be physically fit. If this is a recent thing, that also could account for your increased strength. If you play more frequently only in April, the more you play, the stronger you get, that also could account for increased distance during April. I would have to see your swing in order to determine why you sometimes pull hook or push, but other people with the same problem tend to have a “flying elbow”. By keeping the back elbow closer to the front elbow especially during the downswing, and swinging inside-out, you might be able to correct this.
Joe

Joe,
What are shallow faced or deep faced woods. Some thing to do with there loft? Are there any 2 degree upright clubs available except.I have been told to buy 2 degree upright clubs (ping green dot).
Anand

Hello Anand,
Loft has nothing to do with deep face or shallow face. Measuring the clubface from bottom to top is the determining factor. Drivers have taller/deeper faces than fairway woods. Years ago, the Adams Tight Lies model introduced the shallow face concept to lower the center of gravity for fairway woods, making them easier to hit from any lie. However, if you try a shallow faced club from a tee or from fluffy grass, you risk hitting a popup. The upright lie angle is also not related to loft or deep/shallow face, it just measures the angle of the shaft when the sole of the club is resting flat on the ground. People who push or slice their shots might benefit from a more upright lie angle (if the divots are deeper at the toe), and the reverse is true for people who pull or hook their shots, they need a flatter lie angle. Forged clubheads can be bent to adjust the lie angle, but cast clubheads are at more risk of cracking when bent.
Joe

Question:
I am told I am way too conservative, what should I do?
Answer: For starters, you can stop painting your Easter eggs white.

My name is Howard and my wife has some hybrid woods that only reflect degrees. She has club degrees ranging from 13 degrees up to 22 degrees. Could you please advise me as to what these degrees equate to as compared to a normal driver, 3-wood, or 5-wood?
Thank you,
Howard Duarte

Hello Howard,
Normal drivers can be anywhere from 6 to 12 degrees, typical 3-woods are 15 degrees, and 5-woods vary to the point where it no longer makes sense to categorize a club by numbers, so it is better to use the number of degrees instead. Long ago, woods did not have numbers, they had names like Brassie, Cleek, and Spoon. Irons were called Mashie, Niblick, etc. but then the numbering system was made to correlate to specific degrees of loft, beginning with the sand wedge at 55 degrees, and four degrees apart uniformly downward. Then lofts became lower as the club manufacturers competed with each other to say their irons hit the ball farther, which was not really fair since the lofts were not the same. Anyway, a hybrid club is neither a wood nor an iron, so using the four degree “rule of thumb”, your wife’s 13 degree hybrid can either be a 2-wood or a 1-iron, and the 22-degree hybrid can be either a 5-wood or a 3-iron.
Joe

Joe,
I need some help in stance, body weight shift ??? short swing arc, . I am a right handed golfer and have played for years and recently I had to have left leg amputated due to infection. I have since been fitted with an" otto bock" computerized prosthesis. Am wondering if you or anyone you know has any experience teaching my situation.
joe Chesla
Lino Lakes, Mn.

Hello Joe C,
I’m sorry to hear about your leg problems, but I am glad to hear you are still able to make a golf swing. Although I have no experience teaching your situation, I would have to ask if your prosthesis allows you to have good balance and you can put your body weight onto it without pain. If that is the case, there should be little difference in teaching the golf swing. However, if you do have some balance and pain issues, you will have to modify your swing to allow most of your weight to remain on the right leg. Assuming you are right handed, this is exactly what people do with the “reverse pivot” anyway, so although a reverse pivot is a fault, at least it will allow you to make a swing. Let us know how you are progressing and we can take it from there. Best of luck.
Joe

Joe,
I can't get rid of my fade, which turns into a slice as I tire......during a round.....it seems that no matter what I do to correct it, I can't....I have tried all the tried and true methods...videos, lessons...the most I have done was hit it somewhat straighter....until I tire...then fade and then slice!!!!!! Frustrating to say the least....Help!!!!!!! I am loosing distance....mostly with my woods, my iron play while the distance isn't as great as it was last year is still pretty much straight or to the left.....
Ed

Hi Ed,
Sounds like you need the Slice Buster video, available from the thinkandreachpar.com website. Make sure your clubs fit you properly. Perhaps you do not have the correct shaft flex and lie angle. Another possibility is your hand positions on your grip. The V’s formed by your thumb and first finger should point at your back shoulder.
Joe

Hello. I am new to the golfing world and have a few issues. I am 6'5" tall and have extended length clubs (1.5" over standard length). I have an issue with lifting up on the down swing. Is there any exercises I can do to fix this issue? Also help with using drivers and fairway woods. I can hit my 3 iron around 210-230 yards almost everytime. When I try to use my driver or fairway woods it just does not feel right. I almost always top the ball. I know that the head lifting is part of the problem. Would a few lessons help me get this worked out? Please add me to your subscription I would enjoy the help. Does the brand of club matter? (TaylorMade, Callaway, etc.) I was always told its not the club its the person hitting the ball. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Jason Steele

Hi Jason,
Lifting up on the downswing is usually caused by improper weight shift. The exercise that should help you is the “step-thru” drill on the Body Golf videos. If you can hit your 3-iron over 200 yards, I suspect it fits your swing better than your woods fit. Have your 3-iron specs checked against your woods’ specs, maybe your woods are not the right specs for you. The brand of club is not as important as the specs. TaylorMade, Callaway, and many other brands have a wide range of specs. Try to attend a “demo day” at a local driving range. You might be amazed at the different results you get with the same swing using different brands of clubs with different shaft flexes and lie angles.
Joe

Hi, Thanks for your newsletter, I find the tips very helpful! I need specific help on body alignment. I have tried everything. What tips do you have on alignment, or do the golf videos address this? I make some good swings when I am set up and aligned correctly. Please help!!!
Willie Singleton

Hello Willie,
Stand behind the ball along the target line, and hold your club up so you can see both the ball and the target along the shaft. Pick a spot on the ground two feet in front of the ball. Usually there will be something on the ground like a weed or a divot or just discoloration. Then place your clubhead behind the ball, aimed at that spot. Then take your stance and you should be able to easily align the rest of your body (feet, hips, shoulders) parallel to that target line.
Joe

Question: Will it make a difference for me to use a 3-dollar ball instead of a 1-dollar ball?
Answer: YES, IT WILL MAKE YOU TWO DOLLARS POORER.

Why do so many people think it is OK to improve their lies?
Lyle

Hello Lyle,
There two schools of thought on this topic. The purists say you will never improve unless you learn how to play from bad lies, while others disagree. I have mixed emotions about this. Those who want to play in competition might as well get used to “playing the ball down”. Their handicaps will become higher, which gives them an advantage in formal competition. However, those who do not play in formal competition may not want to see a good round spoiled by a bad lie, especially when they don’t get to play very often, and are playing on course conditions that are nowhere near as good as tournament courses. One could argue that high handicappers have no business playing the ball down for two reasons. The pace of play will suffer due to more bad shots. If they cannot hit good shots from good lies, how on earth do you expect them to hit from bad lies? They will never gain any confidence. They can never be sure if the bad shot was due to a bad swing or a bad lie. With this in mind, it seems sensible for recreational golfers to improve their lies to get the most enjoyment out of the game and to improve the pace of play. However, if they ever want to establish a formal handicap, they will have no chance in competition when they have to play the ball down. Purists, stop and think about that, you should welcome it.
Joe

Hello, I'm a 14 yr old boy and have been playing golf 4 about 1.5 years. I got a bit of consistency of late, and I am hitting the ball fairly well (At least for my age). I want to ask you if there is any way I can increase the yardage of my shots and also increase it's height.
Thanking You,
Yours faithfully,
PP

Hello P,
Ben Hogan says it is a good thing to hit low shots, so instead of adjusting your swing to hit higher shots, just use clubs that have more loft. However, if you are speaking of drivers, you are correct to say you might lose distance if you consistently hit the ball too low. As you grow older and stronger, your power will increase, and this will give your ball more underspin when you swing down at it, and the extra spin will cause the ball to fly higher. Just keep a wide arc and smooth tempo with your weight shift. If you already have consistent ball striking as you say, you have a lot of potential. Oh to be your age again. A lot of us wish we were in your shoes, you have a lot to look forward to. Good luck and keep us informed on your progress.
Joe

Joe,
Thanks for your tips I receive every week, they are a help. My question is, I have the opinion, that I swing easier a wooden 5 than an iron 3/6. Could a wooden 7 may be usefull for distances between 100 to 150 meters. I way for your answer.
With kind regards
Jos Logister,56 yrs.
The Netherlands

Hello Jos,
Many people are finding a 7-wood to be a better alternative to long irons. In fact, some manufacturers are offering sets of irons without the 2-3-4, replacing them with “hybrid” clubheads which are thicker than irons but not as fat as the wood shape. Whether or not this really helps is an individual preference. I have seen some people so psyched out by the shape of a long iron that they will not even try one, and the same is true for others who are just as much psyched out by the shape of a wood. Some golfers benefit from this new hybrid shape, some do not. The only way to tell is to borrow different types of clubs and try them on the range before you purchase. You may also want to check to make sure your irons 3/6 are correctly matched to your wooden 7. If they are not matched, that might explain why you can hit your wooded 7 better.
Joe

Joe,
I have just been fitted with new clubs, but when I address the ball the clubs do not lay flat on the ground, the toe is up in the air. Does this sound wrong? Should I return the clubs?
JD

Hi JD,
Actually, this sounds correct, because when you address the ball 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. Therefore, unless you extend your arms at address (like Natural Golf), the bottom of the club will probably not be flat to the ground. 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 you are correctly fitted. Also notice your divots on the course. Are they deeper near the toe, or are they just as deep from heel to toe? Very few people have clubs with lie angles that are too upright, and the results will be pulls or hooks, so unless that is your problem, you may want to keep these clubs. Most people slice, and part of the reason could be their lie angles are too flat.
Joe

Joe,
I am told, I'm sure correctly, that I need to get my hips turning towards the hole at impact. I am aged 68, 12 handicap, and not as flexible as I used to be. My question is "what should be my swing thought on the downswing?" Left hip back? right hip through? rotate both hips? Right knee through? right heel off the ground? Something else? I would appreciate your advice.
Colin Sowter
England

Hello Colin,
I need to know what prompted your getting advice on hip turning, are you having a problem with pushed or sliced shots, or simply a loss of distance? You are correct in saying people in their 60’s should not be expected to have the same flexibility they had when they were younger, so sometimes the standard swing theories are not realistic for you. However, if you think you can get better results with a bigger hip turn, try a more aggressive weight shift during the downswing, and your hips should automatically turn more without you having to think about it.
Joe