Golf Tips and Instruction 06/11/08
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How To Break 80 Newsletter
June 11, 2008
“The Web’s Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter”
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In this issue we’ll discuss…
1) Conquering a Severe Slope
2) Hitting Against The Grain
3) Question of the Week – Trap The Ball For Crisp Irons
4) Article – A Sure Fire Way To Hit Bombs
5) Article – U.S Open To Offer Some Surprises
Jack’s Note: The Open has officially begun and the favorites are off to good starts. I just love it…can’t get enough. Also, the annual US Open Winner Contest is nearly over. Deadline for entries is today so if you want to get some of my DVD’s and books for free, make sure to cast your vote here.
And lastly, when you watch the Open this week, pay special attention to how those guys get out of the deep rough and mange the ball around the greens. Even the best will get into hairy situations at this venue. Next Tuesday the 17th I’ll be releasing my brand new Trouble Shots DVD which will show you the best, simplest and easiest ways to turn your bogeys into birdies. And oh yeah, I’m giving it away for free- but more on that on Tuesday.
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1) Conquering a Severe Slope
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Many golfers hate hitting from a sidehill lie. I know I do. Anytime the ball is below your feet, you’re in danger of mis-hitting the shot. If the slope is really severe, you could slice the ball off the club’s toe and into trouble, costing you several strokes. But this shot looks harder than it really is. Maintaining your balance helps you conquer a severe slope and saves strokes.
Here are six keys to hitting from a severe slope:
* Squat down in your knees
* Spread your feet a little wider
* Use a normal ball position
* Plan for a slice
* Take an extra club
* Use a three quarter swing.
Gravity is the culprit here. It pulls you down the slope, causing you to lose your balance and fall forward. As a result, your swing becomes too vertical and prevents the club from rotating properly at impact. To hit this shot successfully, you must battle gravity to prevent yourself from losing your balance.
To maintain stability, adopt a normal stance, squat down a little, spread your feet a slightly wider than normal, and put your weight on your heels. In short, “sit back” on sidehill lies to counteract gravity’s pull.
Retain that position during your swing. Don’t let your weight move you onto your toes, causing you to lose your balance. If you focus on keeping your knees flexed, you’ll be less likely to fall forward.
More importantly, with a severe slope, take an extra club and use a three-quarter swing. Don’t try to do too much. And, plan for the ball to slice. These adjustments make up for the slope’s severity and help you keep your wieght under control.
On a severe slope, focus on what you’re doing. A mis-step can cost you strokes. And don’t try to do the impossible. If you stay within yourself, you’ll make the shot.
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2) Hitting Against The Grain
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Digging yourself out of greenside rough is hard. But digging yourself out of thick greenside rough when the blades of grass are running in the opposite direction is brutal. Hitting against the grain twists the clubhead as it approaches impact and prevents you from getting predictable roll.
Here are six keys to hitting against the grain:
* Check your lie carefully
* Close the clubface
* Grip the club firmly
* Lean left at address
* Visualize the shot
* Focus on solid contact
Always inspect your lie carefully before hitting out of greenside rough. Check to see if the rough’s gain is with you or against you. Then make adjustments accordingly. Heavy grain twists the clubhead and opens the clubface as it approaches impact, adding loft, causing mis-hits, and preventing you from getting predictable roll. Heck, you might not even get out, leaving you with another tough shot.
To dig yourself out, close the face of a sand wedge to capitalize on the club’s leading edge. Grip the club more firmly to counteract the untoward effects of the grass. Lean left at address to promote an up and down swing. And focus on making solid contact to assure a good shot. Also, take a few practice swings. It gives you the feel of how the club will react through impact, so you can visualize the shot and get a good result.
Greenside rough is always a challenge. It’s even more of a challenge when the grain runs counter to the shot’s direction. So many things can go wrong. Use the keys described above and you’ll not only get out of the rough, you’ll also generate more predictable roll. That will save you a stroke or two. Adjusting to thick greenside rough separates good players from mediocre.
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3) Question of the Week – Trap The Ball For Crisp Irons
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Q. Hi Jack, I’m stumped. I can’t figure out why I’m suddenly having such a hard time hitting down and through the ball, creating a nice divot. For the past two weeks, I’ve been coming up on all my iron shots, either sculling or slicing them. Obviously, it’s becoming difficult to score well without crisply striking iron shots. I’ve also noticed a significant loss of power and distance on my drives. Golf isn’t much fun these days. I almost feel like quitting this stupid game! Any advice?
Todd
A. Thanks for the question, Todd. Hang in there. It will get better. It sounds like you’re not trapping the ball between the clubface and the grass. As a result, either you drive the club into the ground, chunk the shot, or stop moving your lower body through the shot, causing inconsistent impact. Whatever the case, your hitting poor iron shots.
Three things must happen to hit good irons:
1. The shaft must be leaning toward the target through impact for the clubface to pinch the ball between the clubface and the grass, producing a good divot on the forward side.
2. The lower body must lead the downswing, keeping the hands from flipping through the swing, maintaining proper timing, and triggering the trap.
3. The forward wrist must turn down gradually to keep the clubface from closing too quickly through impact.
Executing these three things traps the ball against the turf. And learning to trap the ball between the clubface and the turf will generate improvement quickly.
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/newsletter06112008.html
Here are some of my recent articles:
4) Article – A Sure Fire Way To Hit Bombs
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/a-sure-fire-way-to-hit-bombs.html
5) Article – U.S Open To Offer Some Surprises
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/us-open-to-offer-some-surprises.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.
