Golf Tips and Instruction-August 2, 2006
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How To Break 80 Newsletter
August 2, 2006
“The Web’s Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter”
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In this issue we’ll discuss…
1) The Back-handed Chip
2) Hitting Driver from the Fairway
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1) The Back-handed Chip
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When I get in trouble, the first thing I think about is damage control. More often than not, it’s the best strategy for coping with trouble. Sometimes, though, you need to gamble. I’m not talking about hitting a miracle shot, but a recovery shot that might mean the difference between saving par or carding a double-bogey.
The back-handed chip is a handy recovery shot. Ideal for situations where your ball is jammed against a tree, a wall, or another obstruction, and can’t be addressed hitting right-handed (for right-handers), the shot might just be needed at a round’s most important moment. The secret is not trying to do too much.
The keys to hitting the back-handed chip:
• Select the right club
• Address the ball with the toe
• Take a nice smooth swing
• Focus on clean contact
• Move the ball
The objective of the back-handed chip is putting the ball back in play. Use a 7- or 8-iron for the shot. (I prefer the 7-iron.) Turn your back on the target and hold the club with the right hand only. Grip the club with the toe-end of the clubhead sitting behind the ball, the heel clearly raised off the ground.
Now, swing your arm back and forth, nudging the ball toward the target. Don’t try to be too ambitious. Keep the swing slow and smooth. Avoid trying to generate too much force. Concentrate simply on making good clean contact and getting the ball away from the obstruction.
Another approach to this shot is the left-handed chip shot. Simply turn the club around and address the ball with the toe-end. In this case, the 8-iron is ideal. Try adopting as good a left-handed address position as possible. Make sure your left hand is below your right. Keep your swing as simple as possible and your wrist action to a minimum. Remember the objective is putting the ball in play.
Practicing recovery shots like the back-handed or the left-handed chip shot can make life a little easier. You may only need it four or five times a year, but the shot may just help you win a hole or a match.
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2) Hitting Driver from the Fairway
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The secret to playing in a headwind is keeping the ball low. Sometimes, I’ll hit a driver “off the deck” to combat a strong headwind. I like to use this shot on long par-4s or par-5s, when hitting into the green from a good distance away. You can even use it on the tee box on wind days.
Keep these 5 keys in mind when hitting a driver from the fairway:
• Assume a slightly open stance
• Tilt your back shoulder slightly
• Keep your feet and legs quiet
• Push off with your back foot
• Finish in balance
Start with a slightly open stance and with the ball positioned just behind where you would normally tee it up. Tilt your back shoulder slightly lower than your front shoulder, which allows you to fully extend your arms on the backswing. Grip the club loosely.
During the back swing, take the club back low and smooth. Keep the legs and feet as quiet as possible, giving you a stable foundation from which to hit the ball. Concentrate on rotating your torso and taking a full shoulder turn on the downswing.
As you turn into the ball, use your back foot to push off and transfer your weight to your front foot. Your hip rotation powers the club through the impact zone. Make a full extension of your arms and a balanced finish, with your body facing the target.
Hitting a driver from the fairway usually produces a left-to-right ballflight, so keep that in mind when hitting the shot. To become more adept at hitting a driver from the fairway, try practicing off a patch of hardpan without taking a divot. Use a sweeping pass instead of the down-and- through approach employed in an iron swing.
Hitting a driver off the deck will generate the low trajectory and added distance needed to combat a strong headwind. Try it the next time you’re playing in these conditions.
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Question of the Week
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From Richard Munsamy, (14 Handicap), Durban, South Africa
Improving Your Short Game Generates Pars
Q: I hit the fairway 80% of the time with my drives, which average about 250 meters. Usually, I have about 100 meters to the pin on most par-4s, yet I still finish with 5s and 6s. How do I improve?
A: It sounds like your game has hit a bit of a plateau. I would work on my short game. Develop a plan to improve this area of your game and work at it constantly. The plan should include drills on putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker play. Also, check my book for tips on improving your short game.
Personally, I’d concentrate on putting. Nearly 40 percent of your shots during a round are putts. You’ll see your scores go down as your putting improves. Focus on things like speed, swing, and alignment as well as tempo, pre-shot routine, and reading a green. Also, make sure your putter is right for you. Below is a putting drill to help you get started.
The Tee Drill
Find a spot on a practice green (or your carpet) that hasn’t had too much traffic, so it’s relatively flat and straight. Put four tees in the ground, making your own hole, so to speak. Put another tee about 17 inches (43 cm) beyond the makeshift hole. Try putting a ball through the hole and to the farthest tee. Repeat. This drill sharpens accuracy and tells you if a “holed ball” was moving at the ideal speed.
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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:
Five Keys to Consistency and Power
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 award-winning 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.
