Before starting with our class, I would like to talk a little about the important developments in materials and technology in recent years. These advances are not matched or compensated by the small evolution in the design of the fields.
For some years now, the results in professional and amateur tournaments have been dropping dramatically. The records are being smashed and although the players are every day more prepared mentally and physically, a very high percentage is due to the material they use and the technology with which they work today.
Talent and ability
Hitting perfect shots in the center of the clubface is not as important nowadays, as clubs have their sweet spot much more spread out on the clubface.
Distances and designs
Adapting course designs to such an evolution is very difficult, and that is why we are playing in many cases on courses with a design more than 50 years old with clubs and balls created in laboratories with very advanced designs and technologies.
Conclusion
The best thing about this is that we all play on equal terms and we have to adapt to the times, but it is true that today’s results do not take away or give value to new generations, since being the same sport a few years ago was something very different, possibly less spectacular, but where the talent and the moment of form of the player marked much more the differences in their results.
Internet video tip
On many occasions I see high handicap players on the driving range trying to do very complex exercises because, according to them, they have seen on social networks or internet videos of a professional doing them.
My main advice is that you can not listen to everything you see, as there are many golf exercises that not only can not help you but, on the contrary, could harm you. Always ask your professional for advice before starting any exercise for your swing.
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PRACTICE IN HIGH HANDICAP PLAYERS
If your handicap is high, you have to control a key issue: How many balls do you lose in your rounds of golf?
In the case of many high handicap players, effectiveness off the tee is very important and keeping the ball in the fairway is basic. The scorecard will notice a big change if we eliminate those penalties for lost balls and missed shots.
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TIPS AND STROKES TO WORK ON FOR HIGH HANDICAPPERS
1.- Eliminate the slice, look for more draw
2.- The street wood and the top
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1.- Eliminate the slice
The slice or left to right spin shot (for right-handed players) is a shot that not only deflects the ball from the target, but also makes us lose distance.
The factors that cause it are:
1.- A cross stance
2.- Ball too far forward
3.- A weak grip, which causes the face to arrive open.
4.- Over the top: lowering from the outside inwards
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2.- Search for draw
The factors that cause it are:
1.- Closer stance (from behind you would see the left side of the body more forward than the right side).
2.- Ball more to the center (so it will be more difficult to cross each other).
Stronger grip (both hands turn a little to the right side).
4.- The swing line is key: try to make it more inside out.
The draw or right-to-left stroke (for right-handed players) is a stroke that is generated with top spin: the ball spins more in the direction of the target since it leaves the club head. This means that with less effort we get more distance.
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Street woods and top
The question is: IS IT NECESSARY FOR HIGH HANDICAPS TO USE STREET WOODS WITHOUT TEE?
Going back to the introduction of this class, today we have the hybrids, for me, along with the ball, a tool that has changed the results a lot.
So, if we can incorporate a hybrid that is between 19 and 22 degrees, we will minimize the number of hits with the woods from the fairway.
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Avoid the top
Angle of attack factor.
The confusion has always been not to differentiate the angles of attack between hitting a wood with a tee ball and hitting it without the tee, and that is why a club that usually has such a wide base generates a large number of hits on the top of the ball.
Tee ball: more positive angle or through (we hit when the club goes up).
Ball without tee: more negative angle (we hit when the club is lowered).
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How to avoid top in fairway woods
1.- Stance with more weight on the left side, hold the club a little shorter.
2.- Ball further back (to the center of the stance)
3.- Shorter and more balanced climb with the finish (three quarters of a climb).
4.- Swing speed control (check that you do not lose balance at the end).
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PRACTICE IN MEDIUM HANDICAP PLAYERS
If your handicap is medium, you have to control two key issues: Do you know how to move the ball with spin and how well do you control your distances?
I have talked about high handicap players and how important their long game is, especially because they have to regulate their fairway shots a lot.
Medium handicap players will have to work a lot on the regulation of shots to the green and for this purpose work on shots with effects and distances: this is fundamental.
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TIPS AND STROKES TO WORK ON FOR MEDIUM HANDICAPPERS
1.- THE PRACTICE OF THE FOUR EFFECTS
Low ball
A.- Use extra stick, gripping the lower grip.
B.- Short climbs and a softer swing than usual.
High ball
A.- Use a more open stick, gripping the grip higher up.
B.- Lift start and swing accelerating in the impact zone.
Draw strikes
A.- Place feet, hips and shoulders where you want your ball to come out.
B.- Close grip so that your club is pointing at the target p>
C.- Swing in the direction you want your ball to go
Fade hits
A.- Place feet, hips and shoulders where you want your ball to come out.
B.- Open the grip so that your club is pointing at the target.
C.- Swing in the direction you want your ball to go
2.- DISTANCE CONTROL
Having control over distances makes it much easier to achieve great results, since knowing a priori that the club we have in our hands is the right one for that shot gives us a plus of confidence that affects the performance of a good swing.
There are two factors that influence this point:
The quality of the impact
Swing speed
I will now explain how to work with them.
1.- The quality of the impact
The quality of the impact is a fact that teachers know when we divide:
BALL EXIT SPEED / CLUB SPEED
It is a complex issue, but it is useful to know it, since it has a direct influence on distances.
2.- Swing speed
It is part of the division I have explained to you. Work:
Climbing length and end: always try to make the climb and the end of the swing as similar as possible in the length (avoid climbing at 100%).
Control and check the club pitch: when working distances, try to generate similar impacts. Therefore, avoid deep divots or clean hits. Check only those shots that are similar in impact.
Make several practice swings where your club brushes the ground: have a good feel on the practice swing, never get on the ball if your feel in practice was not good.
DG GOLF ACADEMY by David Gil – dggolfacademy@outlook.com
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