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Regulating distance from the sand trap
One of the most common questions while giving a sand lesson is, “What is the best way to control distance from a bunker?” In the majority of cases, players have the notion that distance from a bunker is regulated by swinging slower or faster. This notion seems to make logical sense, however it could not be further from the truth. I could swing very hard, yet move the ball merely a few feet. So, what’s the best approach? There are primarily two methods to control distance from a sand trap. The first way is sand displacement and the second way is the loft of the club.
The best bunker players in the world, including legend Gary Player, are masters of this art because not only do they have great feel, but they are able to
regulate sand displacement with fine precision. If the target is several yards away, then it is only necessary to extract a little sand. Contrarily, if the
target is a few yards away more sand should be displaced. Club head speed makes little difference in this facet of the game.
A second method to regulate distance is the loft of the club. Playing from a square to slightly open clubface produces a lower trajectory that carries the ball further. In contrast, playing from a severely open clubface will produce a higher trajectory with less carry. Again, club head speed is NOT a determining factor when controlling distance.
The best way to become a better bunker player is to practice. I encourage you to experiment with these concepts during your practice sessions, so they become second-nature during competition. Bunker play truly is an art. Be creative!
Save the Scooping for the Ice cream Stand
If youv'e been struggling with your chipping recently, perhaps it's the result of a common fault. Of the many chipping lessons I've given to juniors and adults the most prominent mistake I see is the fault of "scooping." This is the action of the right hand (for right hander's) attempting to scoop or lift the ball off the ground.
In the back of the player's mind is the misinformed concept that the ball must be "helped" off the turf. Most of the time, this faulty motion leads to inconsistent contact, including chunking, skulling, and topping the ball. If you find yourself consistently coming up short or long of the target, here's a tip to remember. Practice keeping the hands and handle of the club moving forward through impact. This action should lead to "pinching" the ball off the turf. You should begin to discover cleaner and crisper contact, which should result in better distance control around the green. And then practice, practice, practice!
Parallel Left Alignment
One of the most important, yet overlooked topics in golf is the issue of alignment. Many swing faults can be the direct result of an improper understanding of how to properly aim at the target. So, what's the correct way to align you ask?
Probably the most common mistake by amateur golfers is the tendency to aim to the right of the target (to the left for left-handed players). This often times leads to an "over-the-top" downswing in order to get the ball to the intended target. There are essentially two things to consider with alignment. The clubface is aimed at the target, HOWEVER your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders should be aligned "parallel left." At first, it will seem as though you're now aimed to the left of the target, but this is actually correct alignment. Give it some practice and you'll be hitting more fairways and greens in no time!
Regulating distance from the sand trap
One of the most common questions while giving a sand lesson is, “What is the best way to control distance from a bunker?” In the majority of cases, players have the notion that distance from a bunker is regulated by swinging slower or faster. This notion seems to make logical sense, however it could not be further from the truth. I could swing very hard, yet move the ball merely a few feet. So, what’s the best approach? There are primarily two methods to control distance from a sand trap. The first way is sand displacement and the second way is the loft of the club.
A second method to regulate distance is the loft of the club. Playing from a square to slightly open clubface produces a lower trajectory that carries the ball further. In contrast, playing from a severely open clubface will produce a higher trajectory with less carry. Again, club head speed is NOT a determining factor when controlling distance.
The best way to become a better bunker player is to practice. I encourage you to experiment with these concepts during your practice sessions, so they become second-nature during competition. Bunker play truly is an art. Be creative!
Save the Scooping for the Ice cream Stand
If youv'e been struggling with your chipping recently, perhaps it's the result of a common fault. Of the many chipping lessons I've given to juniors and adults the most prominent mistake I see is the fault of "scooping." This is the action of the right hand (for right hander's) attempting to scoop or lift the ball off the ground.
In the back of the player's mind is the misinformed concept that the ball must be "helped" off the turf. Most of the time, this faulty motion leads to inconsistent contact, including chunking, skulling, and topping the ball. If you find yourself consistently coming up short or long of the target, here's a tip to remember. Practice keeping the hands and handle of the club moving forward through impact. This action should lead to "pinching" the ball off the turf. You should begin to discover cleaner and crisper contact, which should result in better distance control around the green. And then practice, practice, practice!
Parallel Left Alignment
One of the most important, yet overlooked topics in golf is the issue of alignment. Many swing faults can be the direct result of an improper understanding of how to properly aim at the target. So, what's the correct way to align you ask?
Probably the most common mistake by amateur golfers is the tendency to aim to the right of the target (to the left for left-handed players). This often times leads to an "over-the-top" downswing in order to get the ball to the intended target. There are essentially two things to consider with alignment. The clubface is aimed at the target, HOWEVER your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders should be aligned "parallel left." At first, it will seem as though you're now aimed to the left of the target, but this is actually correct alignment. Give it some practice and you'll be hitting more fairways and greens in no time!
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4449 Vincent Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55410 952-237-2805