Golf Tips and Instruction 6/25/08
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How To Break 80 Newsletter
June 25, 2008
“The Web’s Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter”
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In this issue we’ll discuss…
1) Hitting Tiger’s Stinger
2) Five Keys To Maintain Tempo
3) Question of the Week – Maintaining a Level Shoulder
4) Article – Taming A Hard Course
5) Article – Sand Solutions
Jack’s Note: Ever wanted a perfect, reliable and consistent swing? Well, this week I posted several brand new videos for our Fast Track Members on how to do this in four simple steps. Didn’t see them? You can log in here. These added goodies are just one of the benefits of the program. If you’re not a member yet and want to hear what all the fuss is about, go here to sign up .
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1) Hitting Tiger’s Stinger
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Ever player needs a “go to” shot, one that he or she can hit accurately under intense pressure. In Tiger Wood’s case, it’s his “stinger” or knockdown shot—a low bullet that cuts through the air. This type of shot is great on windy days. A knockdown shot works under all kinds of weather conditions, is conservative in nature, and highly controllable. It is a scoring shot, since it enables the golfer to play into the green.
Here are five tips on hitting the stinger:
* Swing at a normal speed
* Start when parallel to the ground
* Turn the back of your hand down
* Relax your arms when you swing
* Keep the hands in front of the ball
The key to hitting a stinger is staying on plane with your swing. Swing at full speed and keep the hands in front of the ball, from address through impact. Your goal is to keep the ball low and under control, especially if you’re playing into a headwind.
Use a one-piece takeaway for the shot. But start the club’s release when the shaft is parallel to the ground. Turning your left hand (right hand for lefties) downward delofts the club. Also, try to keep your arms as relaxed as possible during the swing. Trying to “muscle” the ball results in a higher shot and more backspin, the opposite of what you want.
Players sometimes finish with the forward swing low and only half completed, and the wrists not fully released, as they would be in a normal shot. In addition, the follow-through should be a mirror image of one’s backswing. If it is, it tells you that you’ve stayed on plane throughout the swing.
The knockdown shot travels low and rolls when it hits the ground, providing added distance if the ball is in the fairway. It’s a great shot to know when the pressure is on because it’s the ultimate control shot.
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2) Five Keys To Maintain Tempo
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Tempo is the speed of your swing. It’s the time it takes for you to complete your swing, from start to finish. When hitting the ball well, your tempo is the same for every swing. When hitting the ball poorly, your tempo is different for different clubs.
Good tempo is as much mental as physical. In fact, it may even be more mental than physical. Below are 5 keys to maintaining tempo:
1. Relax at the start of your swing
2. Use the same speed for every swing
3. Keep the club’s limits in mind
4. Check your finish after a swing
5. Step off and swing one-handed
The start of your swing keys your tempo. As you start your backswing, your body turns in unison. In other words, your hands and arms move in sync with the rotation of your trunk. To achieve a good tempo at the start of your swing, you need to relax. Take a few deep breaths, exhale fully, and waggle the club. Opening your mouth relaxes you as well.
You lose tempo when you swing too hard. Instead, try to achieve the same smooth tempo for every club. Ease up on your swing and remind yourself that every club has its limits—even your woods. In other words, stay within yourself. When you need more distance, take a longer club. And don’t think you have another gear for the driver. You don’t.
One tempo check is your balance at the end of your swing. If you’re not in balance at the end, you’ve lost tempo. Rate your balance at the end of your swing from 1 to 5. Anything less than a 3 means your swing is too fast.
If you lose tempo during a round, you can recover it. Step off and take some practice swings with just your right hand (left hand for lefties). With one hand on the club, it’s hard to rush your swing. Swinging one-handed also teaches you to build speed gradually through your swing.
Good tempo produces good swings. Good swings produce good ballstriking. And good ballstriking helps lower your golf handicap. Now who wouldn’t want that?
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3) Question of the Week – Maintaining a Level Shoulder
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Q. Hi Jack, I play off a 17 handicap and hit very few greens in regulation per round.My downfall is a dipping left shoulder on the backswing, which reduces power.This also leads to a reverse pivot, slicing, and fat shots. My goal is to break 80 and improve my long game, but I have been stuck on this handicap for 3 years now. Until I solve this problem, I don’t feel as though I am going to progress much further. Can you suggest some effective drills for a better swing plane?
Regards,
Martin Braunton Auckland, New Zealand.
A. Thanks for the question, Martin. Achieving a level turn of the shoulders (and hips) is one of the keys to an effective golf swing. A level rotation promotes consistent ballstriking and lays the foundation for achieving maximum distance. Unfortunately, weekend golfers tend to execute poor turns by lifting, tilting, or dipping their shoulders. These actions destroy key angles formed by the back shoulder, hip, and knee.
A good drill to curb this problem is taking practice swings at half speed with your left arm only (right arm, if left-handed). Focus on making a level turn with the shoulder and hips, and stop at the top of the backswing to make sure your right side angles have been maintained. Keep doing this until you’ve ingrained the movement. Then switch to using two hands. Once you ingrained the movement, you’ll be primed for power and on the right swing plane every time.
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/newsletter06252008.html
Here are some of my recent articles:
4) Article – Taming A Hard Course
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/taming-a-hard-course.html
5) Article – Sand Solutions
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/sand-solutions.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.
