I have a problem with hitting the ground behind the ball at times. I cannot seem to correct it. Could you give me a pointer on how to correct hitting the "big ball" before the small ball? My game would improve by at least 5 or 6 strokes if I could correct this.
Thanks
Jerry Brown
Hi Jerry,
Most of the time I have seen this problem, it was due to improper weight shift. When your swing is finished, all your weight should be on the front foot. If that is not the case, you must work on this. If that is not your problem, then make sure your head remains steady during the swing. Jack Nicklaus's instructor used to grab the back of his hair before he swung to make sure he knew when he was moving his head out of position. Some instructors say it is OK to allow your head to move sideways, but that is only for people who want extra distance and they already have no problems with ball striking.
Joe
Thursday, March 04, 2004
hi joe,
since the last time i emailed you about my duffing problem, i've managed to remove most of it. it still happens -- but not much now. how did i do this? i found a usgtf pro in singapore (67-year old single handicapper), who taught me rhythm and swinging with my shoulders. or and the proper way to address the ball. he suggested i hover the ball, take a rhythmic and slower 3/4 backswing and use my right shoulder to release the club from top. He said hit down on the ball, and throw the release to the right and release low (for irons). the result? straight (or if i prefer, draw or fade) shots. wow, i normally take between 26-30 shots (excluding putts) per 9 holes. this past saturday i hit 23 shots (5 of which were penalty strokes - he hadn't taught me how to drive yet, hence the penalties). By the way, i use a 10-finger grip because i've a torn ligament in my right last finger, and that finger hits a lot after a round if i use the overlapping. the shoulder turn bit is fantastic ... i now use a lot less hands, and connect cleanly on almost all the shots (i get the occasional duff and mishit when i look up). coach says i'll be able to cut my handicap to single digits by year's end. yesterday i got the lesson on woods and lo and behold, the ball goes straight now. long and i think i probably got 20 more yards from my 265-275 avg. the only thing is, i putt like a person without a clue. i use a 43" odyssey 2-ball belly putter (i'm too handsy). try as i might, i avg about 18-22 putts per 9-holes. the lowest i've had were 15 and 16 putts per 9 (and that's probably because i landed in the bunker often so i got it close ...because the net scores were about the same). Is it mental? strength? everybody tells me putting is about feel ... how you you learn feel? i got my long game in place now, and i can even chip and bunker out some. but putting .... oh my!
thanks for the advice.
DC
Hi DC,
Glad to hear about your progress. You are using an instructor from the USGTF (just like me), good decision. Now let's try to fix your putting problems. I also think your decision to use a belly putter is good. However, I am not sure you are using it correctly. Here is what I want you to try. Assuming you are right handed, put both hands lower on the shaft. Use your left hand to firmly press the end of the shaft into your belly all during the stroke. Experiment with different types of grips. Vijay Singh uses the belly putter with a left hand low grip. I use the right hand low, with both hands split apart. You have to find out which one works best for you. Have a contest and let us know how it turns out.
Joe
since the last time i emailed you about my duffing problem, i've managed to remove most of it. it still happens -- but not much now. how did i do this? i found a usgtf pro in singapore (67-year old single handicapper), who taught me rhythm and swinging with my shoulders. or and the proper way to address the ball. he suggested i hover the ball, take a rhythmic and slower 3/4 backswing and use my right shoulder to release the club from top. He said hit down on the ball, and throw the release to the right and release low (for irons). the result? straight (or if i prefer, draw or fade) shots. wow, i normally take between 26-30 shots (excluding putts) per 9 holes. this past saturday i hit 23 shots (5 of which were penalty strokes - he hadn't taught me how to drive yet, hence the penalties). By the way, i use a 10-finger grip because i've a torn ligament in my right last finger, and that finger hits a lot after a round if i use the overlapping. the shoulder turn bit is fantastic ... i now use a lot less hands, and connect cleanly on almost all the shots (i get the occasional duff and mishit when i look up). coach says i'll be able to cut my handicap to single digits by year's end. yesterday i got the lesson on woods and lo and behold, the ball goes straight now. long and i think i probably got 20 more yards from my 265-275 avg. the only thing is, i putt like a person without a clue. i use a 43" odyssey 2-ball belly putter (i'm too handsy). try as i might, i avg about 18-22 putts per 9-holes. the lowest i've had were 15 and 16 putts per 9 (and that's probably because i landed in the bunker often so i got it close ...because the net scores were about the same). Is it mental? strength? everybody tells me putting is about feel ... how you you learn feel? i got my long game in place now, and i can even chip and bunker out some. but putting .... oh my!
thanks for the advice.
DC
Hi DC,
Glad to hear about your progress. You are using an instructor from the USGTF (just like me), good decision. Now let's try to fix your putting problems. I also think your decision to use a belly putter is good. However, I am not sure you are using it correctly. Here is what I want you to try. Assuming you are right handed, put both hands lower on the shaft. Use your left hand to firmly press the end of the shaft into your belly all during the stroke. Experiment with different types of grips. Vijay Singh uses the belly putter with a left hand low grip. I use the right hand low, with both hands split apart. You have to find out which one works best for you. Have a contest and let us know how it turns out.
Joe
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Hey there is too much information, both audio and video. We all can't afford to buy ever one of them. Since 80 % of all golfers slice could you please give us a little info on how to stop it. I have just recently signed up for your tips and greatly appreciate them. My son and I enjoy golf and I would like to be able to rid him of that slice. Any help at all would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jim West
Hi Jim,
There are many things that contribute to a slice, such as the hand positions on your grip, your swing path, the way you use your hands during the swing, the way you shift your weight, the clubface position at impact, and even the type of equipment you are using. You don’t have to buy every video, just the right video for your problem. Having never seen your swing, I can only guess that you need to change your grip to a “stronger” position and swing with more of an inside-out swing path on the downswing.
Joe
Jim West
Hi Jim,
There are many things that contribute to a slice, such as the hand positions on your grip, your swing path, the way you use your hands during the swing, the way you shift your weight, the clubface position at impact, and even the type of equipment you are using. You don’t have to buy every video, just the right video for your problem. Having never seen your swing, I can only guess that you need to change your grip to a “stronger” position and swing with more of an inside-out swing path on the downswing.
Joe
Monday, March 01, 2004
Question, I just received your newsletter for the first time and enjoyed reading it very much. I have a question I'm sure you can answer for me but first a little history about my self. I'm 59 years old with a handicap of around 15. My big problem is, I'm still trying to kill my driver and fighting the urge to hold back. My driver is a 10 deg 580 with a regular shaft and my swing speed is 92 to 95 with a 3/4 swing. The old bones are to stiff to get it back any further, if you know what I mean. I usually hit it about 255 (+ -) 20 yards somewhere usually on the golf course but have been known to hit water holes, houses, and a lot of other places I shouldn't be. Matter of fact you could probably use some of my drives in your daily jokes material. My irons are the new Ping G2's with the 3 and 4 being HL's and to my standards, I'm very much satisfied with how I hit them. (Love the HL's) I would like (I think) to start using a 3 wood of the tee's to give me more consistency hitting fairways. I've been told and read many times over the years that the 3 wood would do the trick. (You know, a lot more straight and a little less distance) The 3 wood I have now has a very narrow face and it's almost impossible to hit off the tee, which is another consistency story. My question is: What type of a 3 wood would you advice/recommend I try to hit of the tee box. Is a high dollar club compatible with the mid range clubs in reference to 3 woods, or does it matter? Trying out a club all spring is something I really don't have time or patience for. Keep in mind that I would not use it the fairway just on the tee box?
Again, I appreciate you and your newsletter...I look forward to here your comments.
Thx's....Eddy
Hi Eddy,
I had the same problem, so I got a jumbo 3-wood with a deep face and I am very happy with it. I cannot hit it off the fairway but I don’t care because, as you said, that shot is for the club with the narrow face. If you cannot find a suitable 3-wood, look for a driver with maximum loft, like 15 degrees. I have never seen one, but I have heard they are available. To me the only difference between that driver and my 3-wood is the number 3 on the bottom. Both have huge heads and the same amount of loft. My choice is the John Daly Extreme model which is very reasonably priced.
Joe
Again, I appreciate you and your newsletter...I look forward to here your comments.
Thx's....Eddy
Hi Eddy,
I had the same problem, so I got a jumbo 3-wood with a deep face and I am very happy with it. I cannot hit it off the fairway but I don’t care because, as you said, that shot is for the club with the narrow face. If you cannot find a suitable 3-wood, look for a driver with maximum loft, like 15 degrees. I have never seen one, but I have heard they are available. To me the only difference between that driver and my 3-wood is the number 3 on the bottom. Both have huge heads and the same amount of loft. My choice is the John Daly Extreme model which is very reasonably priced.
Joe
Sunday, February 29, 2004
The old pro in Milwaukee, ( I forgot his name) said you should use your hands on the upswing and your arms on the downswing. Forget your hips, etc. What do you think?
Frank Harenza
Hi Frank,
I believe there is no single method that will work for all golfers, but there are a lot of good ideas and bad ideas to choose from. I think the simplest ideas have the best chance of working, so I think the idea you mentioned is worth trying. There is nothing wrong with this idea, but I predict it will work for some folks and will not work for others due to other things going on with the swing that I would have to personally see in order to better understand. You forgot to mention whether or not it worked for you or for others. Let us know.
Joe
Frank Harenza
Hi Frank,
I believe there is no single method that will work for all golfers, but there are a lot of good ideas and bad ideas to choose from. I think the simplest ideas have the best chance of working, so I think the idea you mentioned is worth trying. There is nothing wrong with this idea, but I predict it will work for some folks and will not work for others due to other things going on with the swing that I would have to personally see in order to better understand. You forgot to mention whether or not it worked for you or for others. Let us know.
Joe
