=================================================== How To Break 80 Newsletter

October 18, 2006

"The Web's Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter"
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In this issue we'll discuss...

1) Simplifying Swing Changes
2) Maintaining the Proper Spine Angle
3) Question of the Week- Distance vs. Control
4) Article- Simplicity: Three Keys to Better Chipping and Pitching
5) Article- Want Your Golf Game Scrambled or Over-Easy?

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1) Simplifying Swing Changes
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Most golfers hit clubs at one end of the spectrum better than at the other end. You probably hit an 8-iron or a pitching wedge better than a 3-iron or a driver. That’s because they require different swings. The shorter clubs need a steeper swing; the longer clubs a shallower swing. If you hit shorter clubs better, you probably have a predominately steeper swing.

The simplest way to make your swing fit your club selection is by adjusting your set-up. You can steepen or flatten your swing by adjusting your stance and shoulders. The more you open your stance and body alignment, the more the club swings up. The more you square your stance and shoulders, the more the club swings around your body.

For shorter clubs (7-iron through wedge) an open set-up works best. Drop your front foot back from the target line slightly, which also opens up your shoulders. This set-up forces the club to swing on the more upright plane needed for the shorter irons.
As you move from the middle irons to the driver, adjust your stance accordingly. Square your stance and shoulders to the target line. This set-up allows the club to swing on a flatter, shallower plane, with the club moving around your body—the type of swing required by the longer clubs for a solid hit.

As you adjust your set-up, you also need to think about ball position. If you really want to simplify things, keep the ball position consistent with every club—just inside the left heel. You can groove this position on the practice range by placing a tee lengthwise from the inside of your left heel toward the middle of the stance.

If you’re more comfortable moving the ball forward or backward as you change clubs, remember that when you open your stance the ball will seem to be further back than it really is. Either way, the easiest way to adjust your swing is by changing your set-up.

=================================================== 2) Maintaining the Proper Spine Angle
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Most swing errors are traceable to a poor set-up. That’s why so many professionals regard the set-up as the most important fundamental in a golf swing. A key element of a good set-up is your spine angle, which in turn results from of good posture.

Your spine angle at set-up, along with other angles you create at address, determines the quality of your shot. Indeed, the quality of your “static” position at address greatly influences the quality of the shot you hit. If your angles are correct to start with, your chances of hitting a good shot are greatly increased. In short, good posture equals good shots. Below are five tips on creating great angles:

• Flex your knees a little
• Stick your rear end out
• Keep your chin up
• Rest your arms on your chest
• Tilt your front shoulder and hip up

Try this simple exercise in front of a mirror. It will help teach you the proper posture for a good golf swing. It can be done with or without a club.

To start with, stand erect with your feet pointing outwards slightly. The distance between your heels should be no greater than the width of your shoulders. Now flex your knees a little until you can feel your weight moving forward on to the arches of your feet. Stick your rear end out—keeping your back straight—and keep your chin up.

Next, let your arms hang down as if holding a club. Feel your upper arms resting lightly on your chest. Finally, tilt your front hip and shoulder up a little, and at the same time relax your other side, dropping your shoulder just a bit. Your spine angle and center of gravity are now properly positioned.

Practicing your posture in front of a mirror seems trivial. But even great players occasionally struggle with their posture. And if you ask them, they’ll even admit that nine out of ten times it’s poor posture that triggers slumps.

=================================================== 3) Question of the Week- Distance vs. Control
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From Greg Winn - Virginia

Q: I have a colleague who consistently hits a slice – but he knows where it is going each time! He plays it from left to right and lands it in the middle of the fairway. He loses 20-30 yards to me every time – but he knows where the ball is going! How can I have distance and consistency in landing the ball – even if the flight of the ball is not straight? Perhaps it is better to curve the ball’s flight rather than try to hit it straight down the middle?

A. Thanks for the question, Greg. When it comes to a choice between distance and control, opt for control. It’s better to hit your drive 200 yards in the fairway consistently, than 250 yards in the deep rough. So what your friend loses in distance, he gains in control. As for more distance, a drive does tend to go farther when you hit a draw, because it runs when it hits the ground.

Here are five keys to hitting a draw:

• Adopt a closed stance
• Use a stronger left-hand grip
• Follow an inside track
• Aim right at the top of the swing
• Release the club through impact

When hitting a draw, the clubhead follows an inside track (inside the target line) on the takeaway and backswing. Also, it points to the right of the target at the top of the backswing. How far right depends on how much of a hook you want to play. Feel the toe of the club pass the heel, as you release your hands.

The draw is a handy shot to have in your repertoire and a good shot to be able to hit of the tee. But remember golfing great Jack Nicklaus advocates a fade instead of a draw off the tee because it promotes more control and predictability than a draw would.

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. Make sure and tell us your name and where you’re from. 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

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article- Simplicity: Three Keys to Better Chipping and Pitching

5) Article- Want Your Golf Game Scrambled or Over-Easy?

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.

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