In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Draining Fast Downhill Putts
2) Trashing Hooks and Slices
3) Question of the Week - Hitting Into The Wind
4) Article - Are New Irons In Your Future?
5) Article - Scoring With The Sand Wedge

Jack’s Note: Hopefully you all enjoyed that video I sent earlier this week on adding distance and the single biggest mistake that leaks power. We’ve gotten a TON of positive feedback so I’m glad you like it. You can see the video here. I’ll be sending out another one in the next couple of days that goes into more drills on distance so look out for that one. In the meanwhile, hope you’re playing your best!

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1) Draining Fast Downhill Putts
===================================================
Fast downhill putts are dangerous. Hit them too hard and they’ll sail well past the hole, leaving you with a long uphill putt. If the slope is severe enough, they’ll roll right off the green and into the rough, forcing you to chip back to the hole. Either way, they can cost you strokes. But you can drain more of these putts, or at least leave them close, if you know what you’re doing.

Below are five keys to sinking fast downhillers:

* Make it a straight putt
* View the putt from the side
* Find the “breakpoint”
* Use your imagination
* Commit to the shot

The key to sinking a fast downhiller is making it a straight putt. To do that, you must find the putt’s “breakpoint” or “speed spot”—the point at which the ball starts traveling down to the hole. Once you’ve determined that, focus on putting straight to that point with the right speed. Let gravity do the rest.

To find the breakpoint, walk halfway between the hole and the ball. View the putt from there and try to get a sense of the slope’s severity. Find the breakpoint. Use your imagination to view how the ball will behave from this point on. Once you’ve developed this mental picture, return to the ball and take some practice swings.

The breakpoint is now your hole. Forget about the real hole. Instead, focus on hitting the breakpoint with the right speed.

Also, make sure you commit to the putt. If you don’t, you’ll leave it short, forcing you to make another tricky downhill putt. Putt with confidence and you’ll drain more downhillers or leave the ball close enough for a tap-in.

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2) Trashing Hooks and Slices
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You have to be very precise to hit a golf ball perfectly straight. As most golfers know, it’s easier hitting a draw or a fade than a straight shot. But nobody wants to hook it or slice it. These shots only get you in trouble.

If you’re an inside-out swinger and you hit more hooks than straight shots or you’re an outside-in swinger and hit more slices straight shots, below is a simple drill that helps straighten out your iron shots:

Take a small trash bucket with you next time you go to the range. Use your 7-iron or your 6-iron and hit some shots with the trash bucket placed just inside the big toe of your back foot, with the longer sides parallel to the target line.

If you hit the bucket with your right knee, you’re committing a fundamental error that’s contributing to your hook or slice. Your back knee is moving out to the right of the target. It should be moving straight ahead or even slightly left of the target if you’re right-handed (right of the target, if your left-handed).

Moving the knee properly is key to hitting an iron straight. It allows you to roll the inside of your back foot. More importantly, it lets you shift your weight and spin your hips correctly, providing leverage. When your back knee moves out instead of straight ahead or slightly left, you lose leverage for the shot. Being stuck on the back leg also contributes to hooks and slices.

Next time you’re at the range, try the bucket drill. It will help you hit iron shots straight. Think about moving the back knee forward. Moving your knee forward instead of out will trash those hooks and slices.

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3) Question of the Week - Hitting Into The Wind
=====================================================
Q. Dear Jack, Thanks for the very informative newsletters. They’ve vastly improved my game. I’m stretching my irons 20 yards further than before. I never thought I could hit my 7-iron 167-170 yards. My question is how do I control ballflight? My balls go really high (still with distance) and flop to the greens. I’m hitting down on the ball and divots are after the ball spot. My friends get distance with the same clubs, but the flight is completely different. The disadvantage with my ball flight comes when it’ s windy.

Thanks,
Vernon Harris
Philippines

A. Thanks for the question, Vernon. The key to playing well on windy days is controlling ball flight. Here are some tips: When it comes to club selection, personal experience is generally a better barometer than the yardage book on windy days. In general, use more club in a headwind and less in a tailwind.

Also, you don’t need to make radical changes to your swing. You just need to make some minor adjustments. Here are six keys to hitting when it’s windy:

1. Maintain a smooth rhythm to your swing
2. Focus on transferring your weight correctly
3. Swing more softly—even with a head win
4. Concentrate on making a complete turn
5. Stay low to the ground in the hitting zone.
6. Keep the hands ahead of the club

Since you want to drive the ball forward on a low, penetrating trajectory, you must finish with your weight going forward. That’s key. And turn your left hand (right hand for lefties) downward slightly. It delofts the club. Make sure your back shoulder faces the target at the finish and maintain balance throughout the swing.

Here are additional suggestions:

* In a crosswind, play the ball into the wind, if you want it to land softly. If you want it to land and roll, ride the wind.

* In a headwind, play the ball back in your stance. Swing about 80 percent of your normal swing.

* In a tailwind, do the opposite. Play the ball forward in your stance and hit it higher for more distance.

Practice on the range on windy days. Work on hitting low trajectory shots with your there. It will prepare you for when it’s windy.

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/newsletter07302008.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Are New Irons In Your Future?
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/are-new-irons-in-your-future.html

5) Article - Scoring With The Sand Wedge
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/scoring-with-the-sand-wedge.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, go to http://www.howtobreak80.com/newsetter.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.

By Jack Moorehouse

Tournament officials at the State Farm Classic disqualified Michelle Wie recently for failing to sign her scorecard. This wasn’t Wie’s first disqualification from an LPGA tournament. Tournament officials also disqualified her for taking a bad drop at the Samsung World Championship in 2005—her first event as a professional. Her drop landed the ball 12 to 15 inches closer to the hole. Neither of Wie’s violations was intentional. But they did violate the rules.

Some rules of golf may seem pretty harsh to the average weekend player. But they’re well thought out. They prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage on another golfer. Other “rules” of golf that players should follow are more courtesy than anything else. Golf’s rules of etiquette aren’t always covered in golf lessons and golf tips, but they make the game more enjoyable and should be adhered to as well. Below are some of the more common ones that all players should follow regardless of their golf handicaps.

Play Ready Golf
In tournament play the player whose ball is farthest from the hole generally plays first, followed by the player whose ball is second farthest from the hole, and so on, until everyone has holed out. In causal play, play ready golf instead. That means hit when ready, even if you aren’t away, until you reach the green. That speeds up play. Also, be prepared to hit when it’s your turn on the tee. And don’t spend more than 5 minutes looking for a ball. The idea is get around the course as quickly as possible without hurrying. Evaluate your play honestly and often. If you’re slow, speed up.

Repair Divots
This should really read, “Repair the ground you play on.” Many weekend golfers fail to repair the course out of laziness. Others simply don’t care. But making repairs only takes a minute or two and it helps keep the course in good shape. Carry a penknife or a divot tool to repair ball marks on the green. Replace divots when you can or use the seed mix packed on the side of your cart. And rake bunkers after hitting from them. Make the bunker as smooth as you can and don’t leave furrows after raking. Ask yourself if you would want to play from the bunker. If not, then go back to work.

Be Respectful On The Green
There’s nothing worse than someone talking or making a loud noise in the middle of your putt. Stand quiet and still from the moment a player sets herself until the ball has left the club. Then you can do all the talking and moving you want. If a player is putting, don’t stand in his field of vision practicing your swing. Never, and I mean never, walk in someone’s line of play on the green, even if you are wearing spikeless shoes. And never stand in a player’s line of play either behind the player or beyond the hole. Note where every ball is on the green, and then stay clear of everybody’s line.

Turn Off Cell Phones
Many people carry cell phones on a course for good reasons. But if you have to carry a cell phone, turn it off when playing. No one wants to hear one ring in the middle of one’s backswing, especially on the tee or the green. If you’re waiting for an important call, you can always check the phone between shots. If you have to return a call, keep your voice down and step off to one side. Also, make the conversation as brief as possible.

Observe Cart Etiquette
Carts are an integral part of today’s game. But they can damage a course. So observe good “cart etiquette” when playing. Ideally, your goal is to leave no trace of having driven a cart over the course. Avoid wet areas, areas under repair, and areas that have been beaten up. Follow the directional signs club’s put out and the pathways lining the course. Instead of following each other single file before branching off, scatter—everyone taking a different course—so cart traffic is spread out. Scattering minimizes the damage done to courses by carts.

Other rules of etiquette include laying the flagstick down carefully, tamping down spike marks when walking off a green, and letting faster groups play through. Also, always check the green before leaving to make sure you or another player hasn’t left a club behind that might interfere with another player’s shot.

These are just a few of the game’s rules of etiquette. Many aren’t covered in golf instruction sessions. But you can learn them by staying alert and noticing what others do. The idea is to make the game as enjoyable as possible. Following the rules of etiquette is something every golfer can and should do, regardless of his or her golf handicap. It’s just common courtesy.

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 handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) The One-Hop-and-Stop Shot
2) Chipping From A Trap
3) Question of the Week - Proper Alignment Saves Strokes
4) Article - British Open Is Up For Grabs
5) Article - Online Help For Golfers

Jack’s Note:

===================================================
1) The One-Hop-and-Stop Shot
===================================================
If you’re like many weekend golfers, you have difficulty deciding what to hit from about 30 yards out and the pin cut close to the front. The lie may be ideal for a pitch shot. But if you hit your normal pitch shot, the ball will hit the green and run past the hole, costing you strokes. Try the one-hop-and-stop pitch shot instead. It hits the green, takes one hop forward, and bites.

Below are five tips on hitting this shot:

* Open the face of a sand wedge
* Play the ball off your big toe on your front foot
* Lean your weight forward
* Make an abbreviated backswing
* Accelerate through the ball

The key to this specialty shot is the set up. Use a sand wedge and open the face a little to generate extra loft. You’ll need it to carry distance with a faster swing. Also, play the ball off your big toe, lean your weight forward, and pull your hind foot back. To make sure your weight remains forward, roll the ankle of the hind foot slightly.

On the downswing pull the club down and into the ball. Try trapping it against the ground. It’s the key to generating the spin this shot needs. Also, make an abbreviated backswing. Your hands should go no higher than your hips. Accelerate through the ball and dig up some turf. Stop your hands on the follow-through when they reach hip high. When hit correctly, the ball lands, takes a hop forward, and then checks up.

Mastering this shot takes practice. But it’s time well spent, especially if you typically run your pitches past the hole. The one-hop and stop shot eliminates the indecisiveness you face when 30 yards out. More importantly, it saves you strokes.

===================================================
2) Chipping From A Trap
===================================================
Hitting an explosion shot 50 feet from the hole is one of the most difficult sand shots in the game. So if long bunker shots give you trouble, try something different than an explosion shot. Hit a chip shot. It’s easier to hit and easier to control once it lands on the green.

Below are six keys to chipping from a bunker.

* Use a short iron for the shot
* Choke down on the club
* Stay square to the line
* Place your sternum in front
* Make a triangle with your forearms
* Catch the ball before the sand

Use a 7-, 8-, or 9-iron, depending on the distance, to hit this shot. Choke down on the grip and set up with your feet close together and your body leaning forward. Keep everything square to the target line. Once set up, check to make sure your sternum is in front of the ball and your hands and forearms form a triangle. Press your hands forward.

Using your regular chipping swing, make a crisp pop of the ball. Swing harder than normal, since you need more speed to hit this shot than with your typical chip shot. The sand slows the clubhead down, plus you may need to roll the ball 20 to 30 feet. You’re normal swing speed won’t do. Also, make sure you catch the ball before the sand.

To practice this shot from a bunker, draw a line just in front of a ball and chip off it. Comb the surface just enough to take a bit of sand out of the bunker. Your divot should show the club entering the sand at the back of the ball and taking a divot in front of the line.

If you find it hard hitting a long bunker shot, try hitting a chip instead. It’s safer to hit, easier to control, and a good alternative to an explosion shot.

=====================================================
3) Question of the Week - Proper Alignment Saves Strokes
=====================================================
Q. Hi Jack, Thanks for the program and DVD’s. I truly believe the DVD’s and the program I purchased from you has significantly improved my game. My problem is when I align myself to the target on the golf course, I often find that I am off, so I back out of my setup and start all over. I use the “finding the intermediate target 1 to 2 feet in front of my ball” method. Aside from the “intermediate target alignment method is there any other alignment drills or tips, you have that could help the masses ensure they are aligning themselves properly?

Rich Tarbert
United States Marine Corp

A. Thanks for the question, Rich. Alignment is a key to accuracy—whether firing a rifle or playing golf. If you’re not aligned properly, there’s no way you can hit your target. But some weekend golfers neglect proper alignment. Check out the pros next time you watch golf on TV. See how carefully they align themselves to the intended target.

Since the intermediate target method of alignment works well for some players and not so well for others, teaching professionals have come up with additional alignment methods. Here’s a simple one. Try aligning your forearms to the intended target line. Keep them square to the line that the ball will travel. Don’t worry so much about where your feet are, but concentrate Instead on aligning your forearms.

For added precision, try combining the forearm method with the intermediate. Also, visualize ballflight before you hit and make sure the clubface is square to the target line. Those are also keys to making sure you hit your target. Semper Fi!

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/newsletter07162008.html
Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - British Open Is Up For Grabs
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/british-open-is-up-for-grabs.html

5) Article - Online Help For Golfers
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/online-help-for-golfers.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

===================================================
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.

In this issue we’ll discuss…

1) Achieving Putting Consistency
2) Senior Golf: Maintain Flexibility
3) Question of the Week - Struggling with Second Shots
4) Article - Hit it How You Want, When You Want
5) Article - Making Practice Pay Off

Jack’s Note: After watching the Women’s US Open recently, it dawned on my how big the ladies tour has really become. Used to be “uncool” to watch ladies golf but I gotta be honest…sometimes it’s more exciting than the men’s tour. More importantly, I think women’s golf is growing and in a good way. In fact, every day we have new subscribers who are women and for months I’ve been promising something to these ladies. I’m happy to announce after over a year of planning and hard work it’s finally complete. I’ll send you a quick note next week so keep an eye out

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1) Achieving Putting Consistency
===================================================
Whether you’re playing in your weekly foursome, a club tournament, or a PGA event, putting rules. Good putting is a key to winning the match. Check the stats of your favorite player next time he or she wins a big tournament, chances are good the player had great putting stats. The key to achieving good putting numbers match after match is consistency.

If there is one thing that hurts consistency, it’s ball position. If you place the ball too far back in your stance or too far forward in your stance, consistency suffers. The ball should be about an inch or two back from your front heel, with your head almost directly over the ball. Ball position should be a key checkpoint in your putting stance.

Below are four other tips encouraging putting consistency:

* Get comfortable
* Use shoulders only
* Swing the same distance
* Release the clubhead freely
* Be aggressive

Putting is an individual thing. But there are certain things every player must do to achieve consistency. One is using the right stance. Find a stance that feels comfortable, one that’s not too narrow and that provides a stable base, and use it every time you putt.

Also, use the right stroke. The modern putting stroke features little wrist or elbow movement. Instead, a rocking motion of the shoulders powers the putterhead. The clubhead travels the same distance in the front stroke and backstroke.

In addition, be aggressive. Ideally, you want to putt the ball with enough force so that the ball travels slightly beyond the hole. Putts that never reach the hole have no chance of going in. Just be careful when it comes to downhill putts.

Putting Drill
Playing games and doing drills make practice fun while honing technique. Here’s a drill designed to enhance consistency. Go around the hole putting tees about a step apart—all at a distance of about four feet from the pin. Try to make four putts in a row from each spot. Concentrate on speed and alignment. When you make four in a row, move to the next station. Go right around the hole.

Putting from all directions at the same hole forces you to work on left to right and right to left breaks, helping to improve consistency. Try this drill next time your on the practice green. It works.
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2) Senior Golf: Maintain Flexibility
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Loss of flexibility is one of the biggest obstacles to senior golfers. We all have some degree of flexibility when were young. But as we get older, we lose some of our flexibility, which has a major impact on both our swing and our game. However, we can do things to compensate for a loss of flexibility and put some enjoyment back in the game of golf.

Here are five tips on adjusting to a loss of flexibility:

* Focus on accuracy
* Swing within yourself
* Adjust your turn
* Think low and slow
* Get regular exercise

The majority of swing flaws with seniors come from trying to hit the ball like they used to do. That’s difficult if you’ve lost some flexibility. While senior golfers may not be able to hit for power like they once used to, they can still hit for accuracy. Hitting your targets compensates somewhat for the loss of power.

Also, learn to swing within yourself. That means swinging within the natural boundaries of your sense of balance. Flexibility and balance can’t be maintained, however, if you swing too fast. Slow your swing down. Find a comfortable swing rhythm and tempo that keeps you in balance. Start by making a nice smooth takeaway. Try saying “low and slow” to yourself when starting your swing.

In addition, focus on your shoulder turn. As you get older, making a 90-degree shoulder turn may not be possible. You need to make other adjustments to compensate. Once you’ve found your maximum coil, adjust your rhythm, tempo, and timing to fit it. Keep the same swing dynamics and principles the same—just use a condensed version of your swing.

The older you get, the more flexibility you lose. Do exercises, like Tai Chi or Yoga that target flexibility. Improving it—whether a young golfer or an experienced one—benefits your game. More importantly, learn to make adjustments to your game and swing that make up for your loss of flexibility.

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3) Question of the Week - Struggling with Second Shots
=====================================================
Q. Hi Jack, I play off a 22 handicap and have been playing for a long time, but I don’t seem to get any better. My main problem is my second shot, which I invariably fluff by digging into the ground very heavily. I can feel myself dipping (lifting my body on the back swing). Have you a drill to help?

Regards,
Mike Catterall

A. Thanks for the question, Mike. What you need to do is re-program your downswing so that you’re using the proper fundamentals. Below is a drill that teaches that. It’s great for learning the proper sequence of the downswing:

To begin, hold a medicine ball or soccer ball with both hands. Begin your downswing with both your feet and legs driving the movement of your arms. As you approach the bottom of the swing, throw the ball “down and out” and into the ground. Keep doing the drill until you’ve ingrained the correct downswing motion. Then go out and hit some practice balls. Keep in mind when hitting balls that you need to swing down and through the ball, creating a divot on the other side of the ball.

A medicine ball is better for this drill because it is heavier than a soccer ball. It gives you the feel of needing to through the ball with the muscles of your core rather than you arms and legs. But a soccer ball will do. Just keep the difference in mind.

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/newsletter07092008.html

Here are some of my recent articles:

4) Article - Hit it How You Want, When You Want
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/hit-it-how-you-want-when-you-want.html

5) Article - Making Practice Pay Off
http://www.howtobreak80.com/articles/making-practice-pay-off.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

===================================================
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.