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How To Break 80 Newsletter

October 15th, 2010

"The Web's Most Popular Golf Improvement Newsletter"
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In this issue we'll discuss...

1) The Ultimate Touch Shot
2) Don't Strangle The Club
3) Question of the Week: Lead Hip Moves First In Downswing
4) Article - Mastering The Art Of Chipping
5) Article - Getting Your Spine In Line

Jacks Note: Did you see the message I sent yesterday? It was about getting free access to the Ultimate Lower Scores System program with absolutely no purchase necessary! (Unlike last summers promotion!). Some people had issues accessing the link to the page, so for those that missed it, go here.

This week we're doing something a little different, from now on the newsletter will be more blog based, so be sure and bookmark the blog!

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1) The Ultimate Touch Shot
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Today's greens are faster than ever. Thanks to advancements in cutting and measuring equipment, grounds keepers can closely manicure greens, making them faster. Because of this, approach shots often run through them. That can leave a delicate chip shot to the pin. Hitting this shot too hard runs it past the hole and leaves you with a tough putt coming back. Chunking it leaves you with basically the same shot. But simple adjustments will help you get it close every time.

Below are five keys to this shot:

* Take your most lofted club
* Choke down on it a few inches
* Stand closer to the ball
* Use a simple brush stroke
* Hold the clubface square through impact

Delicate shots like this can cost you strokes, if you're not careful. So don't take them lightly. Instead, concentrate on them like you'd do for any other shot. Here's how to execute the shot:

Take your most lofted wedge (whether a lob, sand, or gap wedge) and choke down on it a few inches. Choking down on a club increases sensitivity and feel.

Stand a little closer to the ball to compensate for choking down on the club. Standing closer positions the clubhead on its toe and reduces the chance of chunking it because the grass grabbed the club's heel.

Pick a landing spot on the green and swing away. Use a simple brush stroke back and through. Your stroke should be like what you'd use for a putt, but hold the face open as you come through the shot. This maintains the club's loft.

This shot takes a little work to master. But it will save a lot of strokes over your playing career and boost the number of pars you make.

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2) Don't Strangle The Club
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Don't strangle the club. That's advice all golf instructors would agree on. When you hold a club too tightly your whole body tightens. That prevents you from making a fluid, rhythmic swing. It also slows down your swing, which can cost you in distance and accuracy. You want to hold a club with just the right amount of pressure and no more. That's your ideal grip pressure.

Below is a five-step test to find your ideal grip pressure:

* Hold the club vertically with two hands
* Let it slide through your fingers
* Firm the grip pressure up slightly
* Hold the club vertically again
* Lower the club until it's horizontal

When you grip a club, you want most of the pressure in the last three fingers of your left hand (right hand, if you're left-handed), especially the little finger. Your index finger has the least amount of pressure.

To find your ideal grip, hold the club vertically in front of you. Let it slide down through your fingers. This grip pressure is too light. Now grip the club again but firm up your grip just enough so that the club doesn't slide through your fingers.

Using this grip pressure, raise the club again vertically. Then lower it to horizontal. When you lower it, you increase grip pressure slightly. That's the pressure you should use when you address the ball. Try to maintain this pressure throughout your swing.

Use this test to determine your ideal grip pressure. Hit some practice balls using this pressure until you get used to it. Holding the club with your ideal grip pressure will increase your distance and your accuracy.

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3) Question of the Week: Lead Hip Moves First In Downswing
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Q.

Hi,

What is the first body part that moves in the downswing? Love your e-mails.

Thank you for your response.
Robert Della Serra

A.

Thanks for the question, Robert. The first part of the body to move in the downswing is your lead hip. It opens up slightly. Then, the rest of the body follows. This is a key to a good downswing.

When making a downswing, try to avoid sliding forward with your hips. This causes mishits. To see if you slide forward, stick an old shaft in the ground along side of your lead hip. Now, hit some balls. If your lead hip touches the shaft, you moved forward.

Another key to achieving a fluid downswing is to keep your front shoulder from spinning open too quickly. The hips and shoulders must stay in sync and your feet must stay planted. Otherwise, you'll mishit the shot. A fluid downswing also features a rigid spine angle, flexed knees, and a steady head.

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

Click here to view this newsletter on the web

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Mastering The Art Of Chipping
http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2010/10/15/mastering-the-art-of-chipping/

5) Article - Getting Your Spine In Line
http://www.howtobreak80.com/blog/2010/10/15/getting-your-spine-in-line/

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

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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.

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