Go ahead and get Tacky on the Greens

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

The putting stroke that is best depends upon the individual. So try them all deciding which is best for you. Shoulders controlling: With the wrists in a locked position and with the shoulders and arms working in unison control, the club throughout the stroke.

The shove type: The word shove is misleading. An actual shove is illegal. It's only a feel. What gives this shove feel is the stroke is made with a very short backswing and a long followthrough. The advantage of this type of stroke is the shorter the backswing, the less chance of error.

The grip most certainly will influence the clubhead, but any type of grip that will keep the wrists from opening or closing the blade is a good grip regardless of how the hands grip the club. Whatever grip is chosen the thumbs should be on top. The thumbs are the feelers and being on top one can feel if the blade is square. Any stroke that holes the ball consistently is a good putting stroke. Regardless of the style of the stroke the putter head should never be taken to the outside of the target line on the backswing.

Finally, I have a drill that may work for you when practicing your putting stroke called the Tap stroke. To learn this stroke pretend there is a tack stuck in the back of the ball and when you make your stroke have the putter head drive the tack further into the ball. This will encourage you to hit the ball with more authority which with this shorter stroke there will be less chance of the putter blade getting out of what is called square position. So start getting "Tacky" on the greens!

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Reading the Green

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

Question:
What is the best way to learn to read the topography of greens when putting, as to whether the ball will break right, left or continue straight?

Answer:

The overall contour of the green can be assessed from 50-100 yards out. It's a fact that a ball will roll away from mountains and towards the ocean; so if there is a hill near the green the ball will roll away from it. If there is a lake near the green the ball will roll toward it.

The Grain affects the roll! Grain is mostly seen on the fringe of the green. Putts with grain roll faster and farther, against the grain slower and not so far. Check from both sides of your ball as well as behind the ball when lining up. The appearance of the grass shows the grain. If it looks shiny the grain is away from you. If dull, the grain is towards you

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Follow-Through is result of Movements.

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

The follow-through is the result of the prior body movements. After impact it's just a matter of releasing all tension and letting centrifugal force finish your swing. Centrifugal force will keep the clubface travel and clubface angle in the proper position. After the ball leaves the clubface there is nothing you can do that will affect the flight of the ball.

The reason for good extension in the follow through is to keep the clubface accelerating at impact! The reason that the slice is so common is that many players try to keep the clubface angle square to the target throught and after impact. This actually opens the face,resulting in a left to right spin to the ball (Slice).

Keeping the clubface angle square to the target after impact breaks down the left wrist, restricting the left arm rotation. These faults set up a chain reaction creating other faults. The lack of arm rotation affects both clubface direction and angle,resulting in both loss of accuracy and distance. Finally, your swing is going at such a high speed that it's a physical impossibilty for you to even attempt to make any adjustments so commit yourself to doing the right things properly in your setup and takeaway because after that things are out of your control.

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Good Grip (hands) leads to good wrist action.

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

Wrist action accounts for 90 percent of bad shots. Why is this so common? The natural way to control the club is with the hands and any attempt to use the hands encourages breaking of the wrists. To explain wrist action: There are two directions the wrists can move in the golf swing. That is the forward/backward or up and down. I am going to refer to the forward/backward action as the breaking of the wrists. The up/down as the hinging of the wrists. Some teachers call the up/down movements cocking the wrists.

This is one reason that the grip is so important. A faulty grip encourages breaking. One does not have to learn this up/down (hinging) if the grip is correct, and the left arm is in the correct position the hinging will be automatic. . The legs moving forward while the club is still traveling backwards forces the wrists to hinge.

In order for this action to happen keep the left wrist flat in relation to the back of the left forearm and the back of the left hand. It's as simple as that. If the left arm is in the correct position the wrists will hinge, if not there will be a breaking motion. Don't try to cultivate an independent wrist motion. Let it be natural. Swinging the club back farther than shoulder turn forces the wrists into a cupping(breaking)position. Result: A throwing motion.

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Overswinging

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

Overswinging is very common among players striving for more distance.

Mathematically a longer arc should create more clubhead speed. Not so,unless done correctly. Overswinging will definitely throw the clubhead in a very poor planeswing. How far should you take the club back? Only as far as you can turn your shoulders-with balance. If the club goes back farther than the shoulders,the left wrist will break down. This will not only open or close the clubface but will take the pulling action away from the legs,thus allowing the shoulders or hands,or both to take over and dominate the forward swing. This type of motion puts the club in an outside-in plane (Over the top).

How does a player cultivate the proper length of backswing? We are all individuals and our muscle coordination is not the same,therefore it would be foolish to try to force the club to a parallel position at the top of the backswing. Trying to take the clubhead to parallel will not only shorten your distance it will wreck your accuracy as well. So returning to the earlier premise:The club should not go back any further than you can turn your shoulders.

How can golfers learn this? By feel, Keep the left wrist in a flat position in relation to the back of the left forearm and back of left hand. This will allow the wrist to hinge naturally,not break,which will allow the club to go back only as far as the shoulders turn. Practice this drill daily,and before you know it your muscles will get conditioned and trained to stretch further under control to create the arc you desire without overswinging. Going to parallel is not the answer to solid shot making,and power. Distance is the speed of the lower body pulling the speed of the motion of your left arm corresponding together to launch the ball towards the target.

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The Angle of Approach

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

 

The clubhead should be descending at impact with the exception of the Driver and the Putter. What is meant by descending angle of approach?

Many players do not truly understand this term, and its meaning. Some think it is hitting down on the ball. Not So! Trying to get the ball airborne is the move that disturbs this clubhead path. The loft of the clubface is sufficient to lift the ball. Attempting to lift the ball tends to open the clubface which will slice the ball and lose distance as well.

To have a good angle the left leg passes the ball first, hands second, and clubhead last. This motion automatically moves the clubhead in the descending angle of approach. Having the clubhead passing the hands prior to impact creates an ascending angle of approach. Most of the time with this action the clubhead will hit the ground behind the ball (Chili dipping) or the swing bottoms out early and the ball is struck on the upswing, topping it.

To check your clubhead angle practice the hit and hold drill. This will give you immediate feedback in determining whether the clubface is preceding the hands at impact. Hit a few balls and hold, not allowing your hands to go past waist high on the follow-through. If the left wrist or hand is bent forward this indicates the clubhead was ascending rather than descending at impact. Final note: You cannot cheat this drill, as it will clearly show you where you are at in regards to your angle of approach on your golf swings.

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Keeping the ball in play.

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

Projecting to the target during the swing will not only help create accuracy, but encourage the body motions to swing the clubhead to and through the ball towards the target.

Learning how to aim is vital if your to have success in scoring. The clubface is the only thing that will make contact with the ball, therefore the clubface should be aimed towards the target with the shoulders paralleling the target line. Do not take the stance first. The feet do not hit the ball, so line up the clubface first, and then take your stance.

The target is not always the center of the fairway or green. To setup the next shot the target could be to the left or right of the fairway. Ball flight differs between players. If a player fades his tee shot, the target would be to the left of center of the fairway. If he draws the ball, the target would be right of center.One good point here is to always aim away from trouble on the course whenever possible. If there is trouble on the right, tee on the right side of the teeing area. Do the opposite if the trouble is on the left. In other words,tee the ball on the side the trouble is.

On shots to the green line up to the center of the green. If the ball should fade or draw,you are still on the green. This is a good rule of thumb, however if your highly skilled then hit the shot fading or drawing that your comfortable with as part of your arsenal. Keep the ball in play and avoid the penalties and difficult lies, and positions that will cause you to score those nasty high numbers during your round.

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Understanding how your wrists work in your swing!

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

To keep the clubface in the correct position throughout the swing, the left wrist must move in a flat position. What I mean by flat is in relation to the back of the left forearm, and the back of the left hand for right-handed players with the opposite for the left-handed players. To deviate from this position will roll the clubface out of position.

Keeping the left wrist in this flat position will allow the correct movement of the wrists at the top of the backswing, and the starting of the downswing, which is an up and down motion, keeping the clubface maintained in the proper position throughout the swing.

To check to see if the wrists are in the proper position that was mentioned above, swing the club half-way back about hip-level high with the clubshaft in the position horizontal to the ground. If the left wrist is in this flat position the clubface will be parallel to the target line, or the toe of the club will be pointing vertically towards the sky. Half-way through the forward swing with the shaft horizontal to the ground again the clubface should be parallel to your target line or toe facing upwards towards the sky. In these positions the left wrist has remained in the flat position throughout your entire swing which translates into a solid straight shot on line to your target. Finally, remember that any attempt to hit the ball with your hands will force the wrists out of position, and the cause them to break down which results in wayward shots.

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Seek first to Understand, and then to be understood

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

In my Golf seminars, I usually start out with this wonderful quote to make a point. Knowing that different words mean different things to different people, it's critical that the teacher and student are on the same page in order to reach the objectives collectively that each desires, which are getting the player to reach their goals they have set, and for the instructor to impart his or her knowledge to the student which will make an everlasting impression leading to a successful conclusion for both parties. I find it's incredibly important that I have an understanding of what my students have been exposed to, and their impressions, and interpretations on what they feel are attempting to do by taking up the game. The descriptions they give me allow me to create a greater understanding on where they are coming from, and how best to approach them in a way that they can learn most efficently. The biggest problem in learning is communication! In future articles I will deal with this subject at greater length

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The Best Lesson I Ever Had

Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

As a Golf Instructor who has traveled extensively around the world teaching the game of golf to players from all walks of life, I have heard numerous excuses from golfers on why they don't play better. Such worn out expressions such as " You can't teach an old dog new tricks", or I'm too old" to name a couple. Then a few years ago I ran into a fellow that changed my life, and inspired me to become a better teacher by walking in his shoes so to speak. When I stage golf clinics, or exhibitions I try to motivate golfers to reach their potential, and I have Steve Minot to thank.

Steve's example has not only made me strive to be a better instructor, but more importantly to have greater patience, understanding, and become more grateful for all that I have in my life. I never allow my students to use the word failure, or think for a moment that they can't succeed in reaching their desired goals.

"Failure is not about falling down in life, it's about not getting back up".

 

That profound statement reminds me daily of Steve Minot who heads up a Colorado based golf tournament that is held annually every August in the Denver area for disabled golfers. I have been privileged since 1991 to have been invited to participate in the tournament and stage a demonstration for all the golfers in attendance.

Steve has polio! I remember vividly the first time I played golf with him, and he would fall face down after each shot he hit. Well my first inclination was to help him up which I learned quickly that he had no need for my assistance. Can you imagine the love he must have to play the game under this scenario? Other golfers get tired after walking a few holes.

After we played, Steve asked me for some suggestions about his game which I gladly supplied. I felt that fundamentally he did a lot of good things. He's a fine golfer who regularly shoots in the high 70's and low 80'S. I was determined to get him out of the falling down mode after each shot which he had continued to do. I began to hit shots on one leg to simulate what Steve was experiencing to help give me a better understanding of how to attack his problem. This allowed me to reap information of the restricted motion that was forcing him out of balance after his shots.

Well, without going into great detail, I was quickly able to get Steve back on track, and eliminate his balance problem once and for all. It was so rewarding to see him hit the ball well, and maintain his balance throughout his entire swing. The bonus that was derived later was that he began to hit the ball much further than he ever had before and with tremendous accuracy.

Since that time a few years ago, I have incorporated numerous variations of (trick shots) so to speak, hitting on one leg, on my knees, behind my back, blindfolded, with only one arm, etc. In reality, these are solid fundamentals that drive home the point to people who attend my clinics will observe that no matter what limits you may have physically, they don't have to be mentally. Remember, that ball doesn't care if your black, white, red, or with one arm, one leg, sighted or not. Only 3 things effect the ball flight:

• 1. Speed
• 2. Angle of attack
• 3. Clubface at impact(square/open/closed).

Golf truly is a great equalizer because it doesn't discriminate. Finally, the wonderful saying "What the mind conceives, the body can achieve" really drives home this point that the only limits we have in our lives are in our "minds". I have Steve Minot to thank for this valuable lesson. It's the best lesson I will ever have, because it's a lesson of a Lifetime.

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Learning the Swing Center Feel for Better Shotmaking

The simple way to learn the proper feel of your swing center is to place a golf ball on the ground and, with sun to your back, take your stance in a position whereby the shadow of your head covers the ball. As you swing, keep your eyes on the shadow. During the swing the shadow will move slightly, however if it moves off the ball you have lost the correct swing center. If the shadow remains on the ball you have kept the swing in the correct position. Repeat this excellent drill daily so as to reinforce good habits that will yield the reults you seek.

You swing the club by feel, and you learn feel through good motion. Keeping your eye on your shadow will teach you the feel of your upper body staying in position - neither moving to the right or left- nor up or down.

To keep other body movements from moving the swing center keep your weight to the inside of your feet. Never allow this weight to transfer outside as this will pull you out of position. Allow the rotation of the shoulders and arms to carry the club to the top of the backswing. These are some key points that will give you feedback in understanding how to feel the proper swing center.

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Shoulder Movement in the Golf Swing

The club is indirectly tied to the shoulders, therefore shoulder movement will determine the direction the club will travel.

The left shoulder sets up the backswing by rotating down and under the chin. This shoulder movement directs the clubhead travel to the inside of the target line. The shoulder turn determines the length of the backswing.

When starting the downswing the shoulders should be passive, allowing the forward motion of the legs to pull the right shoulder down and forward, squaring the shoulders to the target line at impact. If the shoulders have moved into an open position (facing to the left of the target) prior to impact, the clubhead will travel outside-to-inside of the target line. This brings the clubhead over the ball promoting an over the top move.

If the shoulders are in a closed position (facing to the right of the target) the clubhead travel will be inside-to-outside of the target line. With the shoulders parallel to the target line at impact, the clubhead travel will be inside-to-direct. This shoulder motion allows the clubhead to travel to the target, not away from the target as in the other positions.Remember the shoulders must remain passive, and are a follower in your swing, not a leader.

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Golf Lessons By Tom Ward

"There is No Secret to the Golf Swing"

 While all golfers continue to look for that secret that will perfect their swing,. it is wishful thinking that they will find it because their is no secret to swinging the golf club. Even with the best of players no two swings are alike. What works for one player doesn't necessarily work for another. There are no two swings alike - similar, but not alike.

I could ask ten players what starts the downswing, and I would get ten different answers. It has been said that golf is both an art and a science. "To know a thing by its parts is science: to feel it as a whole is art." It helps to understand the mechanics (Science) of a swing. It also helps to understand how to develop the feel (Art).

Once the motion in your swing has started, there should be no interruption. It should be a smooth flowing motion from start to finish; not a series of abrupt actions. To teach your muscles the proper feel is to realize that the physical movements of the body determine how one swings the club. This is why a correct grip is extremely important since it's the only contact you have with the club and controls the clubface angle.

 

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Learn The Swing on the Practice Range.

To a beginning golfer hitting a golf ball seems easy until they try it. Golf can be a sometimes frustrating, and time-consuming game to learn. My recommendation is that players practice patience by not hurrying to the golf course to learn how to play. Do your learning on the practice range where your mind will not be on scoring, but on learning.

Some things to know and practice: First, and most important search and ask around about a respected golf instructor in your area, and get them to give you information on their program prior to starting an instructional series. You don't want someone giving you advice who is not qualified, and can impart poor information that can create bad habits.

Secondly, You learn to play golf by feel, not mechanics alone. Too much detail is confusing. You cannot think your way through a golf swing. You feel your way!

Finally, short practice sessions regularly are better than one long period. Practice, and good repetition, will teach your muscles to learn to feel - creating your own internal dialog from within that you, and only you, can describe to yourself.

Ultimately, start out with a plan, and take your time because as the saying goes "You must learn to crawl before you can walk."

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Knowing your wedges can help you manage your short game

By Les Miller
Contributor

When playing short par 4s or hitting your second shot on par 5s, I suggest you lay up to a full wedge shot distance. You can practice all you want, but the mid-range wedge shot (30 to 50 yards) is one of the hardest shots in golf, so leave yourself a full wedge shot distance when laying up.

Zach Johnson's win last week at the Sony Open in Hawaii showed how this strategy equals low scores.

Johnson laid up precisely to his full lob or sand wedge distance so that he could hit full wedge shots, achieving maximum distance control and optimum spin. This course management lets him play par 5s on tour better than many players who have more distance off the tee.

For improved wedge play, know thy distance

Every golfer, regardless of handicap, should know the distance that each of their wedges travels using a full swing. That's why many PGA Tour professionals, like Phil Mickelson, carry four or five wedges in their bags. This allows them to play shots from 60 to 120 yards using a full swing. They know they can make a comfortable full swing and hit most of their shots within 10 feet or so of the desired distance.

You can build your short game the same way.

First, develop a consistent full swing with your wedges, one that produces consistent distance and trajectory. Then make sure you carry enough wedges in your bag for the course conditions you are playing.

I would suggest four, which should give you many more options than you currently have. This course management leads to lower scores and more fun.

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Curing that slice is just a few practice drills away

By Les Miller
Contributor

With today's oversized drivers, it's easier to hit long drives - and easier to hit that big slice off the tee. Not only will sliced drives miss the fairway, they also rob you of distance. Try these tips, and I know you will cure your slice forever:

First, a sliced shot is caused by two major factors: Either the player has an open stance (aiming to the left of the target for right handed golfers), or the clubface is open at impact.

To fix these problems, start by addressing the ball with a closed stance (right foot slightly behind the left for right-handed golfers). From this position, make sure your feet, hips and shoulders are aiming slightly to the right of the target. Take a slightly stronger grip than normal.

 

To do this, turn both hands toward your right shoulder. This will encourage your hands to have an aggressive release and turn over through the impact area.

When you want the ball to go left, you move both hands on the grip to the right. This grip gives the hands more freedom to release and the arms the ability to rotate as they pass the center of your body.

To get the feel of the hands releasing, try this drill: Hold the club at waist level and swing as though you were hitting a baseball. Feel as though you want to pull the ball into left field. This motion should let you feel the clubface turning over through impact.

By swinging above the ball, you're swinging on a shallower plane, which speeds up the hands allowing them to release.

Remember, the more you open your stand, the more you will cut across the ball causing your slice to increase. To cure a slice, aim right, turn your grip to the right and feel like you are releasing the hands over through the impact area.

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Unhappy couple: Golf and the back may fight, but you can find harmony

By Brandon Tucker
Senior Writer

Most golfers experience back pain at some point during their career. Myrtle Beach Chiropractor Chris Garner has treated his share of golfers and offers his advice on how to save your back.

Even the top golf touring professionals with the prettiest, most fluid swings the human form can generate are susceptible to back problems.

For the rest of us duffers - with our abnormal twisting, awkward balance, spine angle - the prospect of a harmonious spine and a regular golf habit is practically impossible.

Dr. Chris Garner, chiropractor at Grand Strand Health and Wellness (www.GrandStrandChiropractic.com or tel. 843-357-WELL) in Myrtle Beach, sees plenty of golfers come in each year. One startling statistic he has come across in his research among golfers is this: 77 percent of pro golfers experience back pain at some point, according to a recent survey.

"Our bodies are meant for pure motion," said Garner, referring to the motion of forward-to-back, side-to-side and twisting. Combining any of these motions creates "shear force" on the 26 vertebrae in your spine, which can lead to problems, and the golf swing is practically impossible without creating this force.

"Whenever you put sheer force on a disk that combines two or more motions, it basically shreds your disk."

Try and visualize that the next time you rear back for a little extra on your drive.

And while pro golfers do their best to create a repeatable, healthy swing they can perform hundreds of times a day, the amateur player stands to encounter more problems, even if they're not banging as many range balls.

"If these (PGA Tour) players possess great swing mechanics and posture and still suffer from pain, look at the average player with less than good mechanics," noted Garner.

"They're going to be prone to higher risk."

It all boils down to a simple fact: The human body just isn't made to hit a golf ball properly. But for most golfers, that's probably not enough to keep you off the golf course.

Stretches to protect your spine on the golf course

For those with a back healthy enough for golf, Garner offers a lot of preventive care suggestions to his patients. He starts by providing a list of 10 stretches that cater to the stresses of the golf swing (you can find a complete list of "peak energy" stretches on the GrandStrandChiropractic.com Web site).

And while he won't be giving you any specific swing tips himself, he recommends getting your swing looked at by a professional who can help tune your swing to put less stress on your spine. One of Garner's favorite teachers he commonly refers patients to is Jim Fellner, director of golf at the Long Bay Club in the Myrtle Beach area.

"If a golfer can have solid mechanics, good posture, our shoulders at the right height, you'll be a lot less susceptible to injury," said Garner.

And before you give too much attention to your back, look to your feet. Garner said by investing in a pair of foot stabilizers, which can be fitted at a doctor's office by analyzing where the weight is in your feet during the swing, you can not only prevent back pain, but add 3-5 m.p.h. to your swing speed, which may result in up to 10 extra yards off the tee.

Another specialty the Grand Strand Health and Wellness has introduced with great success is the ProAdjuster, which is a NASA-inspired computer that measures a spine's precise levels of motion. Once you've been analyzed, treatment is then delivered by the doctor based on analysis results, and gentle treatment is applied to the discovered problem areas.

Other options for treatment include the use of ultrasound, traction, cables, hydro-therapies and massage. Disc compression therapy is another method that has an 82 percent success rate of curing problems.

Back pain may be a threat as long as players are on the links, but care and prevention methods continue to get more advanced - all in the name of being able to whack that little white ball.

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