March is here and the spring golf season is right around the corner, and still, many golfers struggle wondering why they don't get any better at the game. Many players believe that just because they are one year wiser and more experienced they should get better at golf.
Unfortunately, golf does not work this way. Nor does that work in many other areas of life. I can guarantee you that a surgeon did not become a surgeon by simply getting one lesson. It takes hours and hours of practice and SUSTAINED EFFORT. Golfers often complain that they do not have the desire or the time of a professional to work on all aspects of their game. They have their career, wife and kids, and their finances to worry about. Many say that two or three hours a week is all they can muster to practice and are lucky to play twice a week.
If a golfer who consistently shoots in the 90s and 100s comes to me and says, I want lessons with you to help me lower my scores, what would my answer be?
"I will say are you sure you are ready to make this commitment? (Crickets will probably often follow this question). If you really want to get better then it will take more than one lesson from me. It will also require sustained effort on your behalf." And then I would hand him a wedge and say "Here is where we start."
BUT if the golfer truly does not have the time outside of the two or three hours a week, I will teach him three shots in our lesson; the chip, the pitch, and the bunker shot. I will suggest that instead of hitting 3 range buckets per week, that he go to the chipping green and practice these three shots.
Many professionals and coaches have different ways of teaching short game shots but for golfers who do not have the time I believe these basics will go a long way.
How to play the chip: Setup close to the ball with the club fairly vertical, by playing the ball in the middle-back of the stance, grip down toward the steel, with the club SLIGHTLY leaning towards the target. Have 60-70 percent of weight on left foot. Next, with relaxed hands, turn the chest and arms back and through and brush the grass, letting the ball get in the way of the club.
Goal? To get the ball rolling onto the green and toward the cup as soon as possible.
How to play the pitch: Similar to the chip, but utilizing more loft and a longer arm swing. Setup to the ball with the ball in the middle of the stance to a touch forward (Ideally, the bottom of the swing). Again with relaxed hands, turn the chest and arms back and through and brush the grass, letting the ball get in the way.
Goal? To fly the ball in the air over and beyond obstacles such as rough, fairway, or bunkers and onto the green and then the ball will bounce and roll to the cup.
How to play the bunker shot: Setup with a wide stance and dig the feet in for balance, with your hands lower to the ground than normal and the club face open. We DO NOT want the club vertical like we do with the chip shot, actually the opposite. Take a long, fluid swing, hitting the sand about an inch or two behind the ball and watch it soar onto the green. 😄
Goal? To get the ball out of the bunker on the first shot EVERY TIME, preferably on the green!
For golfers who only have a couple hours to practice per week, take those few hours and develop these three shots. Practice these shots from all lies and experiment with opening the face of your wedge. This will develop the touch and feel that is required to handle more difficult shots you will undoubtedly face on the golf course. I believe 100% golfers will be surprised at the feel and creativity that will be born even from just a couple hours of practice if you work on these three shots.
"Small changes eventually add up to huge results"
No comments:
Post a Comment