Golf Tips and Instruction-June 7, 2006
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How To Break 80 Newsletter
June 7, 2006
“The Web’s Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter”
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In this issue we’ll discuss…
1) How to Hit a Fade
2) Understanding Bunker Technique
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1) How to Hit a Fade
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Knowing how to hit a fade comes in handy. Just ask Nick Price. Blocked out on the right side of the 15th hole at Wentworth during the 1989 Volvo PGA, price hit a cut-fade shot onto the green, from where he holed out for a birdie. A lot of Pro’s favor the fade because it provides for a softer landing with more control than hook and this comes in very handy when trying to hit fairways and greens.
Here are 5 key factors when hitting a fade:
• Check the lie
• Preset the clubhead correctly
• Cut across the line at the top
• Clear your left hip
• Swing through left of target
The ideal lie for a fade is closely mown grass or even bare ground, making it possible to create as much spin on the ball as required.
Your set-up determines the impact position for the most part. To move the ball left to right requires an out-to-in swing path combined with an open clubface at impact, so aim the clubface directly at the target and align the feet, hips, and shoulders left of target.
In the takeaway swing the clubhead along a path parallel to the line of your feet. The out-to-in takeaway produces a position at the top of the backswing where the club shaft points left of target—as it should. The body will still be fully coiled.
Uncoil the body just as you do with you normally do. The clubhead approaches the ball from outside the target line while the left hip starts to clear as the clubhead drops down on the correct plane.
As the clubface cuts across the target line, hold the clubface open as long as possible. The swing path should be out to in, with the ball starting out left of target before its spin brings it back on line. Swing through to where the belt buckle points left of target. That’s all there is to it.
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2) Understanding Bunker Technique
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Understanding how the sand wedge works is vital to becoming a good bunker player. Invented by Gene Sarazen in the 1930s, the sand wedge is the only club designed specifically to hit out of soft sand.
Sarazen filed away the leading edge of his pitching wedge, which he felt encouraged the clubhead to dig too deeply into the sand. Experimenting with this new design, he discovered that when the club entered the dirt, it created a splash affect, forcing the ball up and out.
Sarazen’s design change affects the way you hit a bunker shot. Below are 6 tips to keep in mind when hitting from a bunker:
• Open the clubface
• Form the grip
• Choke down on the club
• Open the stance
• Aim right of stance
• Dig a solid foundation
How and where your grip the sand wedge is critical to hitting a good bunker shot. Poorer bunker players grip the club and then turn their hands to open the clubface. As a result, the clubface tends to close during the swing, taking the players two or three shots to get out.
Instead, open the clubface and then grip the club. This approach ensures that the clubface stays open throughout the swing. Also, choke down on the club, improving control and compensating for having your feet below the level of the ball. Some players weaken their grip slightly. And don’t let the club touch the sand.
In addition, open your stance by pointing your feet, hips, and shoulders left of the target line, all while aiming the clubface right of your stance, placing it in line with the target. These two opposing principals work together to throw the ball out of the bunker.
Finally, dig your feet into the sand, establishing a solid foundation and preventing slippage in mid-swing. Doing this also tells you how the club will react when it enters the sand.
Thanks to the open stance, the swing follows an out to in path. When combined with the open clubface, it produces a straight shot, with a soft, high trajectory—exactly what you want when hitting from a bunker.
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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
Here are some of my recent articles:
Principles of Accurate Chipping
Dealing With Water: Know the Rules
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
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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.
