bret_gessner

Tiger without a doubt. No discredit to JAck but competition is a lot tougher now and the schedule is a whole lot longer.

So I have developed this problem which is annoying to say the least. On my backswing, my head lifts up as I reach to top of my swing which is more a less a 3/4 swing. If you look at tour pros, they stay centered over the ball and the head doesn't move. On camera, looks like my torso is raising up a bit which is leading to some inconsistencies. My thoughts on my backswing are keep the left arm connected to chest and stay down on the ball. Any thoughts... Anyone share in this issue?

Really cool feature

Practicing is a must to succeed in golf. A range routine is vital if you are going to better your game and build your confidence, but BEWARE. Do not go to the range and pound balls just to hit golf balls, total waste of time. The problem with a Driving Range is that there no penalty for bad shots so take aim for targets out there and pretend to play golf holes. It's amazing to me when I go to the range I just see people lurching at golf balls and swinging like they are chopping down a tree. When I played in college, all of the players at tourneys had a club down at their feet pointing to their target and would play the hole before we would head out to #1 tee. My routine is as follows: 1) 54 and 60 Deg pitch shots for first 15-20 balls 2) Short irons at various targets for next 15 balls 120-160 yards 3) Mid/long irons for next 10 balls 160-200 yards 4) 3 Wood/Driver 10 balls 5) Putt for 20 min -Tee off Range practice is not about quantity, if you hit 100 golf balls poorly you are ingraining bad habits. Even Tiger says some of his best practice sessions last 30 min. Good luck!

Shanks are embarassing, no one will argue that point. I do have a few drills for this total mental issue. Shanks are cause betwo factors, either extreme in to out swing path or extreme out to in swingpath. So try these drills. 1) Place a headcover on the opposite side of the ball at address and take 3/4 swings, this will prevet your from your excessive out to in path. 2) Take a broken shaft and put it to the right of your right foot about 2-3 inches behind you and this will help your path if you are coming too far from the inside. Also, you may be standing too close to the ball at address so check your distance.

No you do not have to be parallel at the top. In fact, I would suggest shortening your golfswing to 3/4 backswing. When I played on the college circuit, I am not sure if I ever saw a swing hit parallel at the top. Except for this one bloke who enlisted the John Daly technique and sprayed the ball all over the place. I am a firm believer, like Leadbetter, that power comes from lag, not the length of the backswing. Look at Tiger, Sergio, Michael Campbell - all short backwings. More control. If you want power, enlist some lag drills like hitting 3/4 knock down shots. You'll be surprised just how far they carry.

Scott has a more text book golf swing and seemingly flawless concentration when he is on. I would have to vote for Sergio though on natural ability, haven't seen that kind of lag since Snead or Hogan - just a matter of controlling it, too much lag will spray the ball left or right. And yes, a head check would help. Sergio will win more tournaments if he applies himself.