DBeane

Very "Duval"-esk swing...

What would you consider to be some of the most critical aspects of good ball striking? For example, Hogan and Trevino, are considered among the greatest ball strikers. Both of them (at least later in their careers) had fairly compact swings and were legendary for their amazing impact positions. So, what would you consider to be some of your most critical points for good ball striking and what are some things you do maintain them? My self, when my contact gets off, or I havent played in a while. I focus on firming up my wrists and hitting 3/4 shots to insure my hands are ahead at impact. This usually helps keep my ball striking under control. Just curious if anyone else thought about this at all. -Cheers

Captain Morgan Spiced Rum & Diet Pepsi. Sounds a bit "un-tough", but give it a try.

Go get some shafting epoxy. Reshafting a putter can be very easy. Unless its on of the ones with a bent shaft. -Beane

Try tightening up you grip pressure. Many reputadable players and instructors dont buy into to the "hold the club like a baby bird" idea. Steve Elkington noted about his grip pressure that he felt like "...3 men couldnt pull the club from my hands...". I have read similar remarks from Jesper Parnavik. -Beane

Yes. -Beane

Technically this is wrong. In tournament play if your keeping another players score then your obligated to the other players in the tournament to keep his score correctly. In a tournament you are the referee watching the game as well as the player. I dont care if I'm playing for a 50,000 first place or a plastic trophy, the last thing I would do is let some hack who's Mommy and Daddy didnt teach him the difference between right and wrong pencil whip me out of any type of prize. Amen for turning the rodent in, the game is hard enough without having to compete with some chops eraser. -Beane

I am glad to see the comments supporting Tiger and Paddy. I also agree it’s a bit silly to "fine" Tiger Woods. The golden Nike Swoosh handles on Tigers commode probably cost more than this Paramore character will make in his entire career. If they were actually trying to impart a punishment why not, say...suspend him from a tournament? Because they would lose more money than they could possibly fine him. So, the fine is just the PGA flexing their muscles. I think pace of play is the ultimate "...not me..." issue in golf. Everyone thinks they play fast and their friends play to slow. I think it’s important to be able to adjust your pace and rhythm to the group and/or conditions. Ultimately, the decision to rush a final group was a poor one. If they had decided to ignore the 15 minuets, I am sure that Bridgestone, the spectators, the players themselves and, the millions of fans watching wouldn’t have noticed. All of whom are more important to the tournament than some egg-head riding around with a tie and walky-talky. True, the game has rules for a reason. However, at that level some consideration has to be given to the business aspect of the game. Tiger handled the whole thing perfectly, very classy. Much better than I would have. I would have endorsed the back of the goofy giant check they handed me and told them to stuff it in their umbrella holder. -Beane

I focus on shoulders, core, and stretching. When I play, I walk to keep my legs in shape. I also walk or jog 2-3x per week. I do think it helps. If you are drawing your conclusions based on Fuzzy Zoellers current physique; I think that can be a bit skewed, he plays every day. For the average Joe that sits behind a desk the majority of the time, finding a balance between playing, practicing, and exercise is a recipe for improvement. Good luck, -Beane

Trying to release the club with your hands will always result in inconsistancy. Try getting your arms more attached to your body. The towel under both arms drill (place a towel under both arms and hit half shots without dropping the towel). Keeping your arms more connected to your trunk will allow you to release the club more consistantly. If you are doing the towel drill right and the shots are still right, then the release isnt the problem. Good luck, Beane

The last time I bought a putter I went and camped out on the indoor putting green at Golf Smith for 4 hours until I found one I liked. I dont care if its an old Zima bottle on the end of a giant popsickle stick...if it works, use it. -Beane

Check you allignement first(if your square, try flaring out your left foot a bit, sometimes keeping the left foot "squared in" can shut down the lower body). If you legs/lower body shutting down is whats causing the quick hook. Try the old Happy Gilmore drill (formerly the Gary Player drill) * Line up to a shot normally. (Assuming your right handed) Move your left foot back to your right. Turn to the top, step with your left foot to the target, then hit it. Sometimes I will walk through the shot (i.e. Gary Player). This should help with the sensation of getting through the shot. *Also, remember to Swing the club back. I have found many snap hook sufferers tend to break the backswing into two parts. Good luck on Tournament Day, Beane

Personally I would rather play the harder of the two. I have a course up the street from my house that I can always play at -1 - +1, regardless of how I'm hitting the ball (Its a pretty easy track). Point being, it can be deceptive. In last months golf digest Azinger had a great story. He noted that he had difficulty breaking 80 two days in a row until he worked at Bay Hill for a summer. His game improved dramatically and he credited it to playing a more difficult course. If given the choice between the two, play the harder. Good scores on a good track will build confidence. However, let your skill level decide. As important as it is to build confidence. I would hate to see a 30 handicapper go to Bethpage Black the day after the Open, shoot 152, lose 63 balls, and then hang himself in the locker room. My thoughts, -Beane

A "wristy" action can help ad spin to the ball. Play the ball back, weight foreward...dont choke down so much...that should get the ball to skid and check. Also, be aggresive, you have to have club head speed + good grip on the ball = spin.

The same issue with Greg Norman in the early 90's. He could be 8 shots back on Sunday....and your watchin' him. Its understandable, they gotta sell advertising space...Tiger sells....

I believe The Five Lessons is the standard for the fundamentals of golf. It seems people run into trouble when they try to "copy" Hogans actual swing, rather than focus on the fundamentals taught in the book. I do believe most would do better to start out with the grip tought in "Power Golf", or Tommy Armour's description of the grip in "The Complete Golfer". Great Book...

I reference the book often (I promise I have read others). Elkingtons book the "Five Fundamentals" has a great golf specific workout in the back that I follow. I can say it has helped my game noticably. -Beane

If your trying to groove a new "move", and your working on muscle memory. Hitting shot after shot isnt bad at all. At the end of a work out, I always make time to practice the routine. It takes me out of the driving range rythem and puts a little pressure on the shots I'm hitting. Its how I test to see if what I am working on is actually working. Its all part of a well rounded workout. I hope the ideas help, -Beane

I will go out on a limb and say hit what you want to hit. I dont believe equipment changes things that much. True, a pressimon driver and a balata ball vs. titanium and a pro V1, thats 20+ yards difference. I'll give Stuart Appleby the set of clubs my grandfather used in his 20's, and the head pro at your local course can play the best clubs that 5 grand will get him. Who would you put your money on? Go get the AP2's...if you think you'll hit them better, you will. To quote Crash Davis from the movie Bull Durham "...if a man thinks he's winning because he's wearing womens under wear, then he is...". -Beane

My thoughts.... 1. Dont just hit one ball after the other on the range. Step back off the shot, line up and then make the swing. Go through your on the course routine on the range. 2. Check your allignment. True, you could be "steering" the shot a bit. However I have seen cases were poor on course allignement can cause that. Its easy to get lined up on the range. I hope that helps, -Beane

Does anyone have any exercises that they do that are golf specific? I recently read Steve Elkingtons book and he had a very golf specific workout in the back...very good stuff if you havent yet read the book. With work, kids, and life getting in the way of my practice time; I suppose I was looking for ideas that one could do in there living room. Strength training? Flexibility? Stretches? Anything that you may have had success with? -Beane

The thought that helps me the most is "under control". To clarify, under control yet swinging the club "freely". My grandfather would say you dont want to put the "steering wheel" on the shot. When I see people (myself included) miss hit these shots off the fairway they are usually trying to hit the shot too hard. In a lot of cases I think this comes from not having a shot in mind. Example, if they hit a 3 wood 245 yards and they are 285 out. Rather than planning a realistic shot, they attempt to hit the shot too hard and put themselves in more trouble. If you have a swing flaw it will show up with these shots very quickly. When your swinging at it well, you should be able to hit any club off the deck. Its an old swing tip but try hitting them just like a 5 iron. I do try and fade the driver off the ground, mine is 7.5 degrees and it just feels better. Good luck, -Beane

I play the MP-33's. I have always loved a traditional looking blades. Being from Texas I have always liked a very flat ball flight (I know that has a lot to do with the shaft, I have S300's in mine). I also have to steal a line from Elk, in that I like very "plain vanilla" clubs.

Lot of good tips out here, a few I feel are a bit different and have worked for me and some folks I have worked with in the past. 1. Make sure spine angle is tilted a bit to the right at address (assuming you are right handed) 2. Point your chin at your right foot and leave it there until your right shoulder brings it up. 3. Make sure you are starting from the ground up. 4. Make sure there is no vertical movement, I have noticed with some people I have worked with that "standing up" during the back swing can cause an over the top action (yet it will seem to you like there is no way). Drill: Set up normally, then drop your right foot back 1 foot or more, keeping shoulders square. Hit some very under control "punch" style shots. Since you have created more room, it is easy to get the sensation of coming at the ball from the inside. -Beane

"When I swing its extremely passive, I let my arms go completely dead and my hands barely grip the club enough to where it doesnt fly out of my hands." I would add some tension to these areas. In Hogan, Elkington, and Armour's descriptions of the grip, all talked about tension in these areas. Elkington noted "...it feels like 10 men couldnt pull the club out of my hands...". This might help you stay more so connected to your trunk while swinging the club. Giving you a little more control when swinging the club faster. Hope this helps. -Beane