In this issue we'll discuss...

1. Avoid Plumb Putting To Drain More Putts
2. Going With The Grain
3. Question of the Week - Stop Topping Your Ball
4. Article - Use Lead Tape To Square Clubface At Impact
5. Article - Controlling Trajectories Helps Lower Golf Handicap

Avoid Plumb Putting To Drain More Putts

Instructors don't always agree on golf mechanics. But one thing they do agree on is not exaggerating the arc of your putting stroke. Exaggerating the arc often leads to what some call "plumb putting. It's a flaw recreational golfers are prone to when they "overcook" or exaggerate the putting arc.

A good putting stroke moves on a slight arc—with the putterhead tracing a path slightly inside the target line on the way back and then again after impact. That's your ideal putting arc. But sometimes golfers pull the putting stroke too far inside by exaggerating their stroke. That spells trouble.

If you pull the putterhead too far inside on the way back, you must save the stroke with your hands. They shove the putterhead out on the way back. As a result, the face gets held open and you miss putts short and to the right (left for left-handed players).

This is called plumb putting. If you hung a plumb line from your hands, you'd want the putting stroke to stay away from that line on the backstroke. Instead make a gentle arc, and don't let your wrists arch or the putterhead "get tall." Your stroke will be smoother and more reliable:

The following drill helps improve your putting stroke:

Place two golf balls on the green. Set them up so there's just enough room for your putter to swing through them freely. Practice with out a ball for several minutes. Your goal is to move your putterhead through the two balls without touching either one. If you hit the inside ball, you've pulled the putterhead inside. If you hit the outside ball, you're looping out. In both cases, you must adjust your stance, head position, grip pressure, and shoulder alignment to generate the proper arc. Now use a ball in the drill. Start with short putts, then move out gradually to about 20 feet.

Don't let plumb putting cost you strokes. Develop a good putting stroke and you'll sink more putts.
Going With The Grain

Nutrition counts in golf. So that hot dog and candy bar you grab at the turn may not be the wisest snack choices. You may need a "higher grade of fuel" to ignite your play on the back nine, so grains are a much better—and healthier— snack choice than the hot do and candy bar. They give you the energy, endurance, and concentration you need to play well.

Here are six healthy snacks to pack in your bag:

• Whole grain granola bar
• Freshly popped popcorn
• Whole grain crackers
• Baked tortilla chips
• Whole grain muffin
• Turkey sandwich (whole grain bread)

Carbohydrates fuel the body. They turn into sugar, which is converted to energy. All carbohydrates, however, are not equal. When it comes to energy and endurance as well as your health, complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, top the snack list. They'll give you what you need to finish strong.

Whole grains include whole wheat bread, oats, popcorn, and brown rice. They are better food choices because they contain all three parts of the grain: the bran, endosperm, and germ, the combination of which provides unique health benefits.

Typically, whole grains are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant nutrition. These nutrients are essential to life. Compared to whole refined grains, whole grains are digested faster and converted into blood sugar more slowly. The slower process provides a gradual and sustained release of energy to help you reach the 18th green. It's why whole grains are recommended as the foundation of a healthy diet.

Don't underestimate how important good nutrition is on the course. Next time you're playing a round and you feel your stomach growl, reach for a whole grain snack. It's healthier and more satisfying than hot dog and candy bar…and a great way to go low.

Question of the Week - Stop Topping Your Ball

Q. I have a number of problems with my swing, but the one that really hurts my game is my mid irons. I always top the ball. When using irons from the 7-iron through the SW wedge I don't have any problem. It is only with my 4-, 5- and 6-iron. Instead of hitting a nice high shot with these clubs, I'm usually looking at the ball rolling down the fairway. Is there a drill that I can practice over the winter that will help me with this problem?

Sonny

A. Thanks for the question, Sonny. From your question, it sounds like you're trying to "scoop" the ball, rather than compress it against the turf when using these irons. The key to hitting these irons is being on your front side at impact. That means you may have to make some slight adjustments to your swing.

Take your regular address then shift your weight to your back leg. Ideally, your back hip should be over your back heel. This move tilts your shoulders upwards slightly and away from the target. Next, take the club back slowly. Stretch out your arms in your backswing as much as possible and keep your back heel planted. Keep your weight on your backside.

Now swing down on the ball. With your back side stretched taught at the top of your backswing, you're in position to deliver the club powerfully to the ball, compressing it and adding spin.

To get the feel of this stretching move, use a Theraband, which you can get at most sporting goods stores. Place the band around the instep of your front foot and the fingers of your left hand (right, if you're left-handed). The Theraband adds resistance as you swing to the top, the kind of resistance you should feel when swinging.

If you hit your longer irons thin, focus on compressing the ball. It's the key to hitting solid longer irons consistently. You might also consider getting a hybrid for your 3-, 4-, and 5-irons. Hybrids are easier to hit and provide the same yardage as these longer irons.

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

Here are some of my recent articles:

Article - Use Lead Tape To Square Clubface At Impact
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/use-lead-tape-to-square-clubface-at-impact.php

Article - Controlling Trajectories Helps Lower Golf Handicap
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/controlling-trajectories-helps-lower-golf-handicap.php

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, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsletter.htm
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 Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 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.