In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) The One-Hop-and-Stop Shot
2) Chipping From A Trap
3) Question of the Week - Proper Alignment Saves Strokes
4) Article - British Open Is Up For Grabs
5) Article - Online Help For Golfers

Jack’s Note:

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1) The One-Hop-and-Stop Shot
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If you’re like many weekend golfers, you have difficulty deciding what to hit from about 30 yards out and the pin cut close to the front. The lie may be ideal for a pitch shot. But if you hit your normal pitch shot, the ball will hit the green and run past the hole, costing you strokes. Try the one-hop-and-stop pitch shot instead. It hits the green, takes one hop forward, and bites.

Below are five tips on hitting this shot:

* Open the face of a sand wedge
* Play the ball off your big toe on your front foot
* Lean your weight forward
* Make an abbreviated backswing
* Accelerate through the ball

The key to this specialty shot is the set up. Use a sand wedge and open the face a little to generate extra loft. You’ll need it to carry distance with a faster swing. Also, play the ball off your big toe, lean your weight forward, and pull your hind foot back. To make sure your weight remains forward, roll the ankle of the hind foot slightly.

On the downswing pull the club down and into the ball. Try trapping it against the ground. It’s the key to generating the spin this shot needs. Also, make an abbreviated backswing. Your hands should go no higher than your hips. Accelerate through the ball and dig up some turf. Stop your hands on the follow-through when they reach hip high. When hit correctly, the ball lands, takes a hop forward, and then checks up.

Mastering this shot takes practice. But it’s time well spent, especially if you typically run your pitches past the hole. The one-hop and stop shot eliminates the indecisiveness you face when 30 yards out. More importantly, it saves you strokes.

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2) Chipping From A Trap
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Hitting an explosion shot 50 feet from the hole is one of the most difficult sand shots in the game. So if long bunker shots give you trouble, try something different than an explosion shot. Hit a chip shot. It’s easier to hit and easier to control once it lands on the green.

Below are six keys to chipping from a bunker.

* Use a short iron for the shot
* Choke down on the club
* Stay square to the line
* Place your sternum in front
* Make a triangle with your forearms
* Catch the ball before the sand

Use a 7-, 8-, or 9-iron, depending on the distance, to hit this shot. Choke down on the grip and set up with your feet close together and your body leaning forward. Keep everything square to the target line. Once set up, check to make sure your sternum is in front of the ball and your hands and forearms form a triangle. Press your hands forward.

Using your regular chipping swing, make a crisp pop of the ball. Swing harder than normal, since you need more speed to hit this shot than with your typical chip shot. The sand slows the clubhead down, plus you may need to roll the ball 20 to 30 feet. You’re normal swing speed won’t do. Also, make sure you catch the ball before the sand.

To practice this shot from a bunker, draw a line just in front of a ball and chip off it. Comb the surface just enough to take a bit of sand out of the bunker. Your divot should show the club entering the sand at the back of the ball and taking a divot in front of the line.

If you find it hard hitting a long bunker shot, try hitting a chip instead. It’s safer to hit, easier to control, and a good alternative to an explosion shot.

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3) Question of the Week - Proper Alignment Saves Strokes
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Q. Hi Jack, Thanks for the program and DVD’s. I truly believe the DVD’s and the program I purchased from you has significantly improved my game. My problem is when I align myself to the target on the golf course, I often find that I am off, so I back out of my setup and start all over. I use the “finding the intermediate target 1 to 2 feet in front of my ball” method. Aside from the “intermediate target alignment method is there any other alignment drills or tips, you have that could help the masses ensure they are aligning themselves properly?

Rich Tarbert
United States Marine Corp

A. Thanks for the question, Rich. Alignment is a key to accuracy—whether firing a rifle or playing golf. If you’re not aligned properly, there’s no way you can hit your target. But some weekend golfers neglect proper alignment. Check out the pros next time you watch golf on TV. See how carefully they align themselves to the intended target.

Since the intermediate target method of alignment works well for some players and not so well for others, teaching professionals have come up with additional alignment methods. Here’s a simple one. Try aligning your forearms to the intended target line. Keep them square to the line that the ball will travel. Don’t worry so much about where your feet are, but concentrate Instead on aligning your forearms.

For added precision, try combining the forearm method with the intermediate. Also, visualize ballflight before you hit and make sure the clubface is square to the target line. Those are also keys to making sure you hit your target. Semper Fi!

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

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If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter07162008.html
Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - British Open Is Up For Grabs
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/british-open-is-up-for-grabs.html

5) Article - Online Help For Golfers
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/online-help-for-golfers.html

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, send a blank email to break80ezine@aweber.com

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About the Author
===================================================
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

I’ve been talking about doing something special for the women readers we have and after a long, long time it’s now ready.

See, our women readers have two big complaints when taking up the game…

1. No one will “show them the ropes”…especially men
2. You have to learn on your own, which causes frustration and embarrassment

And even if a guy does teach you the basics, a guy’s game is different than a gal’s. We sometimes play for different reasons and to score well may go about our strategy in unique ways.

http://www.ultimatewomensgolfguide.com

In fact, some of us could probably use a good primer on the game, etiquette, and equipment to know how to enjoy the game to the fullest.

So, with the help of Katie Hoyt, one of the best students of the game I know and pretty decent player in her own right, we’ve put together “The Ultimate Women’s Golf Guide” and it’s officially “live” today.

It covers all aspects of the game but specifically, those areas that women are more concerned with and need help with namely:

-The three basic components of every course
-Which equipment you do/don’t need
-How to dress for success
-How to play (and deal with) men
-Definition of common golf terms
-How to swing the club the right way
-Mental aspects of the game
-And much more

It’s basiically a complete and comprehensive guide for women and how to play golf and we cover all possible areas of the game.

This guide is GREAT for beginners because it tells you everything in one place.

It’s also good for those who have been playing a little while and want to understand more about how to play the game.

In fairness, if you’re a woman and have been playing the game a while, this may not be for you. But you can be the judge on this one.

Check it out here http://www.ultimatewomensgolfguide.com

And let all the women golfers out there know about this guide…it’ll make the game much more enjoyable and lead to lower scores.

Yours in golf,

Jack

P.S. You’re the very first to hear about this brand new guide. As a subscriber of mine, you are entitled to a 50% discount off the retail price. See here:

http://www.ultimatewomensgolfguide.com

In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Achieving Putting Consistency
2) Senior Golf: Maintain Flexibility
3) Question of the Week - Struggling with Second Shots
4) Article - Hit it How You Want, When You Want
5) Article - Making Practice Pay Off

Jack’s Note: After watching the Women’s US Open recently, it dawned on my how big the ladies tour has really become. Used to be “uncool” to watch ladies golf but I gotta be honest…sometimes it’s more exciting than the men’s tour. More importantly, I think women’s golf is growing and in a good way. In fact, every day we have new subscribers who are women and for months I’ve been promising something to these ladies. I’m happy to announce after over a year of planning and hard work it’s finally complete. I’ll send you a quick note next week so keep an eye out

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1) Achieving Putting Consistency
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Whether you’re playing in your weekly foursome, a club tournament, or a PGA event, putting rules. Good putting is a key to winning the match. Check the stats of your favorite player next time he or she wins a big tournament, chances are good the player had great putting stats. The key to achieving good putting numbers match after match is consistency.

If there is one thing that hurts consistency, it’s ball position. If you place the ball too far back in your stance or too far forward in your stance, consistency suffers. The ball should be about an inch or two back from your front heel, with your head almost directly over the ball. Ball position should be a key checkpoint in your putting stance.

Below are four other tips encouraging putting consistency:

* Get comfortable
* Use shoulders only
* Swing the same distance
* Release the clubhead freely
* Be aggressive

Putting is an individual thing. But there are certain things every player must do to achieve consistency. One is using the right stance. Find a stance that feels comfortable, one that’s not too narrow and that provides a stable base, and use it every time you putt.

Also, use the right stroke. The modern putting stroke features little wrist or elbow movement. Instead, a rocking motion of the shoulders powers the putterhead. The clubhead travels the same distance in the front stroke and backstroke.

In addition, be aggressive. Ideally, you want to putt the ball with enough force so that the ball travels slightly beyond the hole. Putts that never reach the hole have no chance of going in. Just be careful when it comes to downhill putts.

Putting Drill
Playing games and doing drills make practice fun while honing technique. Here’s a drill designed to enhance consistency. Go around the hole putting tees about a step apart—all at a distance of about four feet from the pin. Try to make four putts in a row from each spot. Concentrate on speed and alignment. When you make four in a row, move to the next station. Go right around the hole.

Putting from all directions at the same hole forces you to work on left to right and right to left breaks, helping to improve consistency. Try this drill next time your on the practice green. It works.
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2) Senior Golf: Maintain Flexibility
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Loss of flexibility is one of the biggest obstacles to senior golfers. We all have some degree of flexibility when were young. But as we get older, we lose some of our flexibility, which has a major impact on both our swing and our game. However, we can do things to compensate for a loss of flexibility and put some enjoyment back in the game of golf.

Here are five tips on adjusting to a loss of flexibility:

* Focus on accuracy
* Swing within yourself
* Adjust your turn
* Think low and slow
* Get regular exercise

The majority of swing flaws with seniors come from trying to hit the ball like they used to do. That’s difficult if you’ve lost some flexibility. While senior golfers may not be able to hit for power like they once used to, they can still hit for accuracy. Hitting your targets compensates somewhat for the loss of power.

Also, learn to swing within yourself. That means swinging within the natural boundaries of your sense of balance. Flexibility and balance can’t be maintained, however, if you swing too fast. Slow your swing down. Find a comfortable swing rhythm and tempo that keeps you in balance. Start by making a nice smooth takeaway. Try saying “low and slow” to yourself when starting your swing.

In addition, focus on your shoulder turn. As you get older, making a 90-degree shoulder turn may not be possible. You need to make other adjustments to compensate. Once you’ve found your maximum coil, adjust your rhythm, tempo, and timing to fit it. Keep the same swing dynamics and principles the same—just use a condensed version of your swing.

The older you get, the more flexibility you lose. Do exercises, like Tai Chi or Yoga that target flexibility. Improving it—whether a young golfer or an experienced one—benefits your game. More importantly, learn to make adjustments to your game and swing that make up for your loss of flexibility.

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3) Question of the Week - Struggling with Second Shots
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Q. Hi Jack, I play off a 22 handicap and have been playing for a long time, but I don’t seem to get any better. My main problem is my second shot, which I invariably fluff by digging into the ground very heavily. I can feel myself dipping (lifting my body on the back swing). Have you a drill to help?

Regards,
Mike Catterall

A. Thanks for the question, Mike. What you need to do is re-program your downswing so that you’re using the proper fundamentals. Below is a drill that teaches that. It’s great for learning the proper sequence of the downswing:

To begin, hold a medicine ball or soccer ball with both hands. Begin your downswing with both your feet and legs driving the movement of your arms. As you approach the bottom of the swing, throw the ball “down and out” and into the ground. Keep doing the drill until you’ve ingrained the correct downswing motion. Then go out and hit some practice balls. Keep in mind when hitting balls that you need to swing down and through the ball, creating a divot on the other side of the ball.

A medicine ball is better for this drill because it is heavier than a soccer ball. It gives you the feel of needing to through the ball with the muscles of your core rather than you arms and legs. But a soccer ball will do. Just keep the difference in mind.

If you’ve got a golf question you’d like answered, send an email to us at questions@howtobreak80.com and we’ll review it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll use it but if we do, we’ll make sure to include your name and where you’re from.

===================================================
If you want to truly discover the secrets of shooting like the Pros and creating a more reliable and consistent swing, check out: http://www.HowToBreak80.com

Also, for past issues of this newsletter and some of my most recent articles, visit our blog at www.HowToBreak80.com/blog

To view this newsletter online, please visit:
http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter07092008.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Hit it How You Want, When You Want
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/hit-it-how-you-want-when-you-want.html

5) Article - Making Practice Pay Off
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/making-practice-pay-off.html

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

P.S. Feel free to share this newsletter with family and friends. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, send a blank email to break80ezine@aweber.com

===================================================
About the Author
===================================================
Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 and Shoot Like the Pros!”. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicaps quickly. His free weekly newsletter goes out to thousands of golfers worldwide and provides the latest golf tips, strategies, techniques and instruction on how to improve your golf game.

By Jack Moorehouse

Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. Whoever first said that never played golf. In golf, consistency is the key to a low golf handicap—the game’s holy grail It’s impossible to achieve a low golf handicap without developing consistency, golf lessons and golf tips not withstanding. Flipping the club at impact, however, destroys consistency. It also robs you of distance.

Flipping is all too common. Here’s a quote from Jim Flick, longtime teacher and golf guru, that suggest just how common he it is: “Having taught thousands of golfers for the past 53 years, I’d estimate that 80 to 90 percent of amateurs flip the club at impact.” Jim’s numbers maybe off a little, but one thing is certain. If you flip your club at impact, you’ll be hard pressed to achieve a low golf handicap.

The Proper Release
The most important position in the golf swing is where the club, wrists, and arms are through the strike zone. If you take a slow motion view of some pros swinging a club, you can see the way they release the club to achieve the required ball flight. The face is square to the target line, the shaft leans a bit forward, and the left wrist and forearm are slightly bowed.

Inconsistent golfers, on the other hand, flip the club through impact. They cup the left wrist (right wrist for left-handers) through the strike zone, resulting in too much loft and weak, uncontrolled shots. The grip is in back of the clubhead, instead of in front of it, and the left elbow is tense, instead of relaxed, preventing a controlled rotation of the forearms.

Causes of Flipping
The reason flipping hurts consistency is simple. Flipping forces the hands and arms to compensate for either your body or your hands being out of position at impact. Instead of delofting the club through impact, it adds loft to it. This results in a weak, less-penetrating shot.

Basically, there are four causes of flipping:

1. right hand dominates
2. body is too active,
3. club is too open,
4. body is too open.

Each cause has its subtleties when it comes to swinging the club, but the key is that either your hands or your body is out of position at impact.

Below are three drills you can practice to help groove the proper release. Drills are good because they undo bad habits and keep them from returning. But you have to practice them frequently—not just once or twice. If one of these drills is hard to do, then it’s probably the drill you need to practice the most.

Right Hand Off Drill
Start with your shorter clubs. Then move down the line to the longer clubs. Swing the club as you normal do, but let your right hand come of the club just after impact. This move teaches your left arm to lead the swing. It also teaches it to bow, rotate, and fold, eliminating the chicken wing swing fault.

Stability Drill
This drill develops the ability to stabilize the left hand at impact and works wonders for your release. Using a wedge, hit knock down shots less than 50 yards. Exaggerate your finish. You want to keep the clubhead low to the ground and your chest facing down. But keep your arms and shoulders relaxed.

Front-Loader Drill
This drill teaches you to hit a draw. Start with the clubhead in front of the ball. Make half- and three-quarter swings. Then move into a through-swing position, feeling your left forearm rotating and the clubface closing. Swing your arms and club back and through, hitting the ball with no cupping of the left wrist. Make sure your arms and hands swing freely with little tension.

In addition to these drills, hit shots at full motion, but different speeds with all your clubs. This drill develops sensitivity to squaring the clubface at impact. You should feel the face closing through impact without your left wrist breaking.

Conclusion
These drills not only train your muscles to release the club properly at impact, they also build trust and confidence. They give you a clear idea of what your body and your club should be doing at the most important position in your swing—impact.

If you’re serious about reducing your golf handicap, you’ll work on these drills as often as you can. Do them faithfully and you’ll improve consistency and generate distance regardless of the club used.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.