In this issue we'll discuss...

1) Finding Those Tough Pins
2) Bump and Run From The Sand
3) Question of the Week - Squaring Up The Clubface Adds Power
4) Article - Mastering Impact With Your Clubs
5) Article - Searching For The Perfect Stroke

Jack's Note: You guys ever wonder what causes so many mishits in your round? I'm talking about fat and thin shots. I struggle with these myself sometimes. If you guessed "swing plane" then you're right. See, if your swing is off plane, making consistent contact is very difficult, which means scoring will be a challenge as well. Now, for those of you who have been reading this ezine for sometime, you will know how passionate I am about swing plane. So much so that we've spent the last couple of months putting together an entire video on it. To give you an idea of it's importance, Hank Haney, Tiger's coach, in a recent interview stated that the swing plane is the #1 determiner of consistency. I'll be launching this great new Swing Plane DVD next week so keep an eye out for it.

1) Finding Those Tough Pins

Golfers who can hit high approach shots have an advantage. Since they can get their shots to drop and stop on the green, they can go directly at tough pin placements. If you can't high approach shots, you have to play it safe, which could cost you strokes. Learning to hit high approach shot takes time and practice. But it pays off.

Below are six keys to hitting a high approach shot:

* Choose the right club
* Open the clubface
* Distribute weight equally
* Use a neutral grip
* Take a full shoulder turn
* Visualize the shot

Start by choosing the right club. Tiger Woods uses a 60-degree wedge. Ernie Els favors a 54-degree wedge. The wedge itself doesn't matter. Finding one that works for you does.

Take a slightly open stance and play the ball forward. Also, open the clubface. It gives you more options. You can leave the face open for a high shot or turn it down through impact for a low shot. Distribute your weight equally and use a neutral grip. If you want to play the shot slightly lower, lean a little forward.

Finally, take a full shoulder turn for power and consistency. Look directly at the ball over your shoulder as you complete the turn. Keep your eyes level. When the club gets to the top, the angle of the clubface should match the angle of your wrists. That means the face is square. Make a smooth transition and come down at a steep angle.

Resist the urge to scoop the ball in the air. Let the club's loft do the work. And don't let the clubhead get ahead of your hands. Also, keep your lower body relaxed so it can respond to your turn. Visualize the shot before hitting it.

If you learn to hit high approach shots, you can go after hard pin placements when it makes sense. Playing aggressively will save you strokes.

2) Bump and Run From The Sand

The reason you hit a bump and run is simple: You want to get the ball on the ground as quickly as possible. Why? Because it provides more control than hitting it in the air. The bump and run works well when you're just off the green. But it's also an option when you're in a low-lipped bunker. You can use it to get close as long as you have room to run the ball.

Here are 6 tips on hitting this shot:

* Use a 6-iron for this shot
* Lean your weight forward
* Lean the shaft forward
* Move your hands away
* Pick out a landing spot
* Hit down on the ball

Distance control is key here. Use a 6-iron for this shot. It provides just enough loft to clear the bunker's lip. But not so much that it will pop it up. Remember you want the ball to roll. Now take a slightly open stance and lean your weight forward. Also, lean the club's shaft toward the ball. That encourages a downward stroke.

Position the ball away from your body. That tilts the shaft so that it's slightly more vertical than normal. Pick a spot on the green where you want to the ball to hit. Then take the club back and hit down on the back of the ball. It will come out low and run.

If you're going to hit a bump and run from the sand, remember two things: First, you can't ground the club in the sand. Second, you must have room to run the ball. If you don't, opt for another shot. Remember these two things and you'll find this shot a powerful weapon for saving par.

3) Question of the Week - Squaring Up The Clubface Adds Power

Q. Hi Jack, I'm having a problem with my short irons and pitching wedge. Most of the time I hit the ball with an open clubface. I don't know if my swing speed is wrong or my set up is off. Most of the time my clubface at impact is not square. I know that I have the right grip because I always check this.

Please let me know how to correct this and give me a drill to help cure this fault.

Thanks for your assistance.

Regards,
Boni Malimban

A. Thanks for the question, Boni. Hitting the ball with less than square clubface short-circuits power. Here's a drill that helps correct this fault. It's one that U.S. Open Champion Ken Venturi showed Jim McClean, the noted golf teacher.

Take your address position, with the clubface square to the ball. Swing the club halfway back, consciously thinking about working the club into a toe-up position. If you turn your body to face the club, and then drop the clubhead straight down, it will be dead square. Just knowing when the clubface is square helps you employ the right physical movements to make this happen later on.

If you practice this drill thinking "hand back of the clubhead" and then "turn to the top," you'll quickly learn what your hands arms and shoulders must do to swing the club back to a square position.

Also, when you address the ball, address it with an open clubface. At least that's what Jack Nicklaus suggests. He says that since you generally set the clubface a quarter of an inch or so behind the ball, it needs to be slightly open to the target at that point. If you don't, it will be slightly closed at impact, causing a hook.
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

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/newsletter02042009.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Mastering Impact With Your Clubs
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/mastering-impact-with-your-clubs.html

5) Article - Searching For The Perfect Stroke
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/searching-for-the-perfect-stroke.html

Until next time,

Go Low!

Jack

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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.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 9th, 2009 at 6:15 pm and is filed under Golf Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.