In this class I will talk about three key shots from different parts of the course and explain how amateur players should approach them.
The specific shots will be:
1- Shots from the tee. Getting the most out of our driver.
2- Long shots with hybrids and woods from the fairway without the tee. Gain extra distance in shots from the fairway.
3- Short shots of less than 75 meters. More accurate and controlled shots.
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1. SHOTS FROM THE tee
It is very common to find in my daily golf lessons and with students with medium-high handicaps the slice effect in their long shots that greatly limits their results in their rounds on the golf course, as it makes them lose a lot of distance and accuracy. That is why my advice is to work on the opposite effect, to play with a little draw, right to left effect in right-handed players.
With the DRIVER
Stance
We must avoid positioning the ball too far to the left foot. It is best to center the ball in our stance and not to the left side of our body.
Grip
The grip will move slightly to the strong position: it will only be our left hand that we will have to turn a little to the right.
Body
1- We will set back our upper part with respect to the axis with the ball.
2- The right part of our body will be slightly set back (feet, hips and shoulders).
In this way, we will start our swing with our body already slightly turned.
Swing
By starting slightly turned we will facilitate an inside out line, our ball will come out a little more to the right of the target and, if we use our hands well, we will have a stroke with draw effect that will give us extra distance.
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2. LONG HITS FROM THE STREET WITHOUT TEE
Fairway woods and hybrids
The hybrid has made a lot of work easier for these shots and I think it is an indispensable club in our golf bag. The fairway woods are a bit more complicated to use but they will give us an extra distance compared to the hybrids. On a technical level we will have to work on the same factors.
Stance
The position of the ball should be as centered as possible, with the weight on the left side.
My advice is that your left leg should be slightly more bent than your right.
Grip
Try to grip the club a little shorter: this way you will feel the weight of the club head more, which is necessary to get a good impact.
Body
In this case it will help you to maintain the head-ball axis, although if you have it a little further forward it will help to achieve a more vertical angle. This posture will help you to avoid top shots, a very common mistake with these clubs when the ball is in the fairway and not on the tee.
Swing
Align the shoulders to the target, to avoid generating a very FLAT swing plane. It is important that the club reaches the lowest point and it is OK if you get some chop. If you are looking for a more in-line rise without dropping the club, you will improve these shots.
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3. SHORTEST SHORT STRIKES
(less than 50 meters)
My advice on these shots is that whenever there is a possibility of hitting it low, it will be better than high. Therefore avoid the clubs that you have to force for distance and use others that allow you to reach the target generating a more relaxed swing.
Stance
The club must be centered in the stance and the degrees of the stance should not be altered by closing or opening it too much. In no case bring your hands forward in front of your left leg. This is a very common mistake that generates heavy strokes, in addition to the weight slightly on our left leg.
Body
Posture is a key factor. The upper body will have to be positioned well inclined, as this will help to generate a good rotation of our upper body, essential for these strokes. A lateral displacement in these strokes will cause an error in the distance or direction of the stroke.
Swing
Avoid a full swing. Play with medium strokes on both the upswing and the downswing. The swing line will not be inside-out. Try to swing the club in line, but do not block the swing, as the club has to hit the ground or take a little bit of chop.
Playing with the bounce of the club
I want to make a little emphasis on this point; the placement is key to this factor.
If we advance the hands too much, the club will hit with the edge of the head and can be nailed.
Therefore, the base or bounce of the club comes into action when the hands are well placed. The bounce is designed so that the club bounces and does not stick, so keep this in mind and work on it, as it will help you a lot.
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