Golf Tips and Instruction- October 31, 2007
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How To Break 80 Newsletter
October 31, 2007
“The Web’s Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter”
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In this issue we’ll discuss…
1) Controlling Spin on Short Iron Shots
2) Using Plyometrics To Power Your Swing
3) Question of the Week – Using Parallel Alignment To Improve Consistency
4) Article – A Golf Lesson on Matching Swing Plane and Body Type
5) Article – The Three-Wedge System Increases Accuracy
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1) Controlling Spin on Short Iron Shots
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Golfers often cost themselves strokes on short iron shots because they can’t control spin. So even if they hit a great short iron shot, its useless because their inability to control spin means their shots won’t hold the green. Their balls hit and bounce over the green or roll off the backside. Now they must hit back to the green, adding stokes to their scores.
Learning to control spin on short iron shots is critical, if you want to lower your golf handicap. It means you can really “stuff it in there” on tight pins, leaving you within putting range of the hole.
Here are five keys to controlling spin on short iron shots:
* Take more club than normal
* Play the ball slightly back of center
* Delay your wrist set on the backswing
* Take a shorter swing
* Slow down the pace of your swing
The key to controlling spin on short iron shots is shallowing out your swing. That reduces your angle of attack, which takes spin off the ball. If you approach the ball on too steep an angle of attack, you’ll increase spin and lose control of the shot.
To shallow out our swing, make these adjustments. First, take more club than normal, allowing you to swing “softly” and still reach the green. Second, play the ball slightly back of center to reduce trajectory. Third, delay your wrist set slightly while taking a shorter backswing. And fourth, slow the pace of your swing down. If you execute these adjustments right, your ball will hit the green and stay there.
Mastering spin helps cut strokes off your scores. It lets you hit your target on the green and not have the ball roll or bounce off. That in turn increases your chances of making pars and birdies. And who wouldn’t want that?
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2) Using Plyometrics To Power Your Swing
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Plyometrics—a type of exercise using a rapid movement, followed by a short rest, followed by another rapid movement—is becoming increasingly popular with professional athletes. More and more athletes in sports requiring fast explosive moments, like a golf swing, are turning to plyometrics to fine-tune their activities. What’s the attraction? Plyometrics increases an athlete’s power output without necessarily increasing his or her maximum strength output.
Most exercises involve a muscular contraction that starts off rapidly, but decelerates suddenly before the end of the repetition. For example, lifting a barbell involves jerking the weight quickly into the air, then bringing this motion to a sudden halt. This decelerative phase is lacking in plyometrics exercises.
Plyometrics use explosive movements, like sudden lunges, to develop muscular power. They are usually open-ended movements into free space. (Think of kangaroo jumping through the outback.) They increase the speed or force of muscular contractions, with the goal of increasing a jump’s height or a punch’s speed. With golf, the exercises would be designed to enhance a player’s power by increasing clubhead speed through impact.
The lunge drill, in which you step sideways from your left foot to your right foot and back for 30 seconds, is a typical plyometrics exercise. It builds up the thigh muscles, which is where a quick body turn comes from as well as good clubhead speed. Another plyometrics exercise is catching and tossing a medicine ball to an assistant while you lie on your back. The triceps and chest muscles work while they are lengthening (catch phase) and contracting (toss phase).
Plyometrics is not dangerous, but they are high intensity, so stress on joints and muscles occurs. Flexibility is required for injury prevention and enhancing the effect of the stretch shortening cycle. And balance, coordination, and agility are required for safe performance. Other considerations include age, surface footwear, and bodyweight, and technique.
If you’re looking to increase your power or you’re just bored with your regular routine, add plyometrics to your work out. It’ll not only improve your game, it’ll also improve your health.
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3) Question of the Week – Using Parallel Alignment To Improve Consistency
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Q. Hi Jack, I’ve been golfing for 11 year now (15 handicap), and while my overall game has improved I’ve had the most difficult year hitting off the tee. I’ve been taking lessons in an effort to correct the problem. On the range I find myself hitting the ball very well, but on the course I struggle badly. I truly believe it is between the ears and find myself second guessing alignment and swing path while standing over the ball. As a result, my swing becomes all arms, resulting in very poor and inconsistent drives.
Any suggestions for dealing with the mental aspects as well as any tricks and tips to assist with aligning oneself to the target consistently?
Thanks
Chris Gorman
A. Thanks for the question, Chris. Most people have a range game and an on-course game. But, like you, they can’t seem to fit the two together. And to a certain extent it’s mental. The key is practicing like you play.
For example, if you’re having problems keeping the ball in play from the tee, go to the range and try imagining a tight row of trees on either side of you. Now try to keep the ball between those two sets of trees. Or, line yourself up in the middle of two yardage markers on the practice tee and try to drive the ball between. Practicing like you play, instead of just swinging freely, helps you take your range game to the course successfully.
As for proper alignment, pick out a spot, such as a divot or a leaf, a club-length or so beyond the ball but along the intended target line. Aim the club directly over the spot. Now, align your body to match the clubface’s angle, keeping the clubface square to the target.
With the clubface squared and the body aligned, take your stance. Align the shoulders, hips, and feet square to the clubface position. Flex the knees slightly and assume the correct spine angle, bending from the waist. This stage locks you in to the correct position. This process is known as perfect parallel alignment. Pros like Ernie Els and Tiger Woods adhere to it because it has a positive effect on the shape and quality of their swings, ensuring accuracy. Why shouldn’t you?
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/newsletter10312007.html
Here are some of my recent articles:
4) Article – A Golf Lesson on Matching Swing Plane and Body Type
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/bodytype.html
5) Article – The Three-Wedge System Increases Accuracy
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/manballrool.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
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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.
