Joe,
All I want for Christmas is the single most important move a golfer can make during a swing.
Eddie
Hi Eddie,
OK, but you will have to be a good little boy first, and wait until Christmas for it.
Joe
Friday, November 26, 2004
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Joe,
I watch lots of golf programs on TV, such as the PGA Tour and I notice that the leading arm or left arm of the pros are always straight right to the top of the back swing during tee off, and fairway shots. I would appreciate if you can tell me how they do that or perhaps what sort of drill to do to maintain a straight left arm during the back swing. Thanks again and bye.
JLIM
Hello Jlim,
The straight arm allows the widest possible swing arc, which leads to higher clubhead speed. If you are having trouble keeping the arm straight, perhaps you are trying to take the arms too far back without enough shoulder turn. Try making the arms work together with the shoulders, and if the elbow starts to bend, do not go back any further.
Joe
I watch lots of golf programs on TV, such as the PGA Tour and I notice that the leading arm or left arm of the pros are always straight right to the top of the back swing during tee off, and fairway shots. I would appreciate if you can tell me how they do that or perhaps what sort of drill to do to maintain a straight left arm during the back swing. Thanks again and bye.
JLIM
Hello Jlim,
The straight arm allows the widest possible swing arc, which leads to higher clubhead speed. If you are having trouble keeping the arm straight, perhaps you are trying to take the arms too far back without enough shoulder turn. Try making the arms work together with the shoulders, and if the elbow starts to bend, do not go back any further.
Joe
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Joe,
I finally set my ego aside and moved to a senior flex shaft from a stiff shaft. The first thing I noticed was, someone told me, was the “whip action” of the shaft. The first time was by accident…the ball went long… 260 yards, high with a slight fade. I had slowed down my swing speed from 96 mph to around 80 mph…like I just wanted to hit my drive 100 yards.
Now..how to I repeat this action?
Thanks for any suggestions
Larry
Hi Larry,
In my opinion, if you have a swing speed of 96, a senior flex shaft is too flexible for you. If you try to slow your swing down to 80, the chances are you will not be able to repeat that swing consistently, sometimes you will swing just a little too fast or a little to slow, and the shaft will flex a little too much or a little too less, and as a result you will hit a lot of wild shots. If the stiffer shaft was not working for you, I am guessing you just wanted more distance, but your accuracy was OK, right? If so, try a regular shaft instead of a senior shaft. Good luck.
Joe
I finally set my ego aside and moved to a senior flex shaft from a stiff shaft. The first thing I noticed was, someone told me, was the “whip action” of the shaft. The first time was by accident…the ball went long… 260 yards, high with a slight fade. I had slowed down my swing speed from 96 mph to around 80 mph…like I just wanted to hit my drive 100 yards.
Now..how to I repeat this action?
Thanks for any suggestions
Larry
Hi Larry,
In my opinion, if you have a swing speed of 96, a senior flex shaft is too flexible for you. If you try to slow your swing down to 80, the chances are you will not be able to repeat that swing consistently, sometimes you will swing just a little too fast or a little to slow, and the shaft will flex a little too much or a little too less, and as a result you will hit a lot of wild shots. If the stiffer shaft was not working for you, I am guessing you just wanted more distance, but your accuracy was OK, right? If so, try a regular shaft instead of a senior shaft. Good luck.
Joe
Monday, November 22, 2004
Joe,
Shanks. I play on a 10 handicap and on average every couple of rounds I shank the ball badly with irons. My swing is on the correct path I am told and I hit a straight ball. I suspect that my hands drift away from my body nearing impact as I often hit the ball towards the heel of my driver when I start swinging too hard or towards the end of the game when I am maybe getting tired. Would this be the cause and what is the best fix or practice drill to remedy the shank?Regards,Pat.
Hello Pat,
I also had the shanks in the past, and it is a horrifying feeling to see the ball go 45 degrees off line, that can really ruin a round. In my case my weight was too much on my toes. The problem went away when I put my weight more on my heels. This does not mean it will also work for you, because maybe you are already on your heels, I don’t know. If so, you can try a more upright swing because a flat swing will tend to go more outward when you swing hard, as you described. Also when golfers get tired their swings tend to flatten a bit so that could explain it. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Joe (see my Bio at thinkandreachpar.com)
Shanks. I play on a 10 handicap and on average every couple of rounds I shank the ball badly with irons. My swing is on the correct path I am told and I hit a straight ball. I suspect that my hands drift away from my body nearing impact as I often hit the ball towards the heel of my driver when I start swinging too hard or towards the end of the game when I am maybe getting tired. Would this be the cause and what is the best fix or practice drill to remedy the shank?Regards,Pat.
Hello Pat,
I also had the shanks in the past, and it is a horrifying feeling to see the ball go 45 degrees off line, that can really ruin a round. In my case my weight was too much on my toes. The problem went away when I put my weight more on my heels. This does not mean it will also work for you, because maybe you are already on your heels, I don’t know. If so, you can try a more upright swing because a flat swing will tend to go more outward when you swing hard, as you described. Also when golfers get tired their swings tend to flatten a bit so that could explain it. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Joe (see my Bio at thinkandreachpar.com)
