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How To Break 80 Newsletter
June 4, 2008
"The Web's Most Popular Golf Improvement
Newsletter"
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In this issue we'll discuss...
1) Hitting Straight Irons
2) Making the Ultimate Touch Shot
3) Question of the Week - Starting The Ball On Target
4) Article -
Golf Lesson: Mastering Those Par 5s
5) Article -
Eliminating Exit Faults, Part II
Jack's Note: Be sure and read this week’s tip on hitting straighter irons you guys. It’s one of my favorites and has helped me quite a bit. Also, did you hear? My brand new Trouble Shots DVD will be available in the next week or so but this week I’m actually giving it away free. Go here to claim your copy (details near bottom of page).
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1) Hitting Straight Irons
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There are several keys to hitting straight irons. But one of the most important involves the back of the lead hand. Straight iron shots are hit with the back of the lead hand square to the target at impact. That's because the back of the lead hand mirrors the clubface. If the lead hand is square to the target, so is the clubface.
When you hit the ball with the side of your lead hand leading through impact, you slice. When you hit the ball with your lead hand turned over too much, you hook. In short, anytime the back of the left hand is compromised, you mis-hit.
To hit straight iron shots, you must ingrain the feeling of the back of the lead hand facing the target at impact, with the shaft leaning slightly forward. This position produces a nice divot on the forward side of the ball pointing directly at the target. Below are two drills to help you learn to hit straight irons.
Lead-Hand-Control Drill
To master your feel for guiding the clubhead back to the ball square at impact, practice hitting irons with just your lead hand. Grip more firmly if you have trouble returning the clubface square to the ball. Keep practicing until you've ingrained the feeling. Then put the other hand on the club lightly. Adding the second hand increases control. Start by hitting short wedge shots. Repeat the drill with a 7-iron. Repeat it again with a 3-iron.
Squash the Sponge Drill
Place a thick rectangular sponge under the front of your forward foot. Now turn back. As you do, you should feel some pressure on the sponge. As you change direction and execute your downswing, the pressure on the sponge should increase dramatically, squashing the sponge. To do that, your body must move forward in the correct fashion, transferring tremendous energy into your arms.
The last drill is a favorite of David Ledbetter, the golf guru. He uses it to teach students how to make a smooth, yet powerful downswing. When done in conjunction with the lead hand drill, the combination helps you to hit longer, straighter irons.
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2) Making the Ultimate Touch Shot
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Because greens are so fast these days, approach shots often bounce off and into the grass beyond the fringe. If the pin is within a few feet of where the ball stops, you face a delicate shot—one that can cost you if you're not careful. You must get the ball to clear the grass, land softly on the green, and sidle up to the pin to save strokes. Doing that isn't easy.
Here are five keys to hitting this shot:
* Use your most lofted wedge
* Choke down on the club
* Stand closer to the ball
* Swing like you putt
* Keep the clubface square
The key to making this shot is preventing the grass from catching the club's heel. With shots like these, the grass can grab and twist the heel as it approaches impact, resulting in a chunked shot or other type of mis-hit.
To compensate, use your most lofted wedge and choke down a little. The leading edge of the wedge cuts through the grass while choking down creates a shorter shaft, giving you more feel and less power.
In addition, stand closer to the ball, offsetting the shorter shaft. Standing closer also props the clubhead up on its toe, which reduces the risk of the club's heel catching the grass as it nears impact.
The swing is a simple brush stroke back and through, just like you'd use for a long putt. To maintain the club's loft, hold the face square to the hole through impact. That helps pop the ball up and over the grass.
This shot is easily mastered with a little practice. Knowing how to hit it will save you a ton of strokes around the green. Not to mention a lot of aggravation.
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3) Question of the Week - Starting The Ball On Target
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Q. Hi Jack, I have a tendency of pushing my tee shots to the right or snap hooking them to the left. How can I start the ball on the target line more consistently and not push it way right or snap hook it left?
Thanks,
MGR
A. Thanks for the question. The key to starting the ball on target is squaring your clubface at impact. When you contact the ball, however, your clubface is either opened or closed, causing a slice or hook.
He's a drill from pro golf instructor Jim McLean that teaches you to square the clubface:
Take your address position, with the clubface square to the target. Swing the club halfway back, consciously thinking of working the club into a toe-up position. Now turn your body to face the club and drop the clubface straight down. Your clubhead should still be dead square. If it's not, then you have a problem.
But just knowing that when the toe of the club points up, the clubface is square helps you employ the right physical movements to make it happen.
Also, when practicing the drill, think "hand back of clubhead." Then "then turn to the top," you'll quickly learn what your arms, hands, and shoulders must do to swing the club back into the square question. The added bonus: You take the bad angles out of your swing.
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
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.
