setup...SETUP...SETUP!!!

*Image sources: pga.com and perfectgolfswingreview.net

You approach the one- the drivable short Par 4. Bunkers left, water right...long bomb down the middle is what you're thinking.

Well before you could rip it and tap one in for eagle, don't be so quick to just swing harder. One of the most important things in any great driver is THE SETUP. The following are the keys to a solid setup and the benefits that come with it:

•  Widen your stance to at least shoulders width: While some golfers get away with having narrow stances (i.e., Miguel-Angel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia), most amateurs don't have the rhythm or balance to pull this off. Make sure your stance is at least shoulders-width to maintain proper weight transfer. Too wide of a stance will restrict your body rotation

•  Maintain SPINE ANGLE and BUTT CHEEKS! At address and throughout the swing, your spine angle should be at 60-70 degrees (Stand up straight but maintain bounce in lower base). Big problem I see with many golfers is the tendency to get up quick. Good tip I got from my old coach was the following:
  
• -Backswing: You want to feel like your right butt cheek (or left for lefties) is slightly turning outwards (*but maintain flexion in your knees and stay over the ball)
  
• -Downswing: Now you want to feel like your left butt cheek (or right for lefties) is rotating towards  your target line (*again, make sure to stay over the ball and make that slight lateral movement prior to the quick rotation of the hips)
  

Summary of Lesson:

- Widen Stance

- Butt cheeks out!

Weird blogging...but hope it helps!

 

Hybrids to the Rescue!

So my latest posts have been about chipping and that's because I can't seem to find consistency in making good contact between the club face and the ball. I tend to come down either too steep onto the ball or thin it. As a result, the HYBRID TO THE RESCUE!

Choke up the club and address the ball as if you were putting. Regardless of the lie, the club head seems to do the work and will penetrate the grass (*unless its REALLY thick, then a wedge is more ideal)

Gauging Chip Shots

*Source: Mel Sole, Ritson-Sole Golf School

Chipping's definitely my achilles heel...

While I'm fully aware of the technical aspects of chipping , I tend to say "SCREW IT...Let's Mickelson it up". 

Take out the 60 degree and check it next to the pin with some spin action

The only problem with this method is...it's extremely difficult and inconsistent (unless you're a greenside magician like Phil)

I really need to start believing in fundamentals and one of the greatest/basic tips anyone's told me is the "6-8-10 Ratio". The chart above pretty much lays it out for you! The golden rule: "Fly the ball as little as possible and roll the ball as much as possible"

Transition from Back-Swing to Down-Swing

Saw this daily tip on Yahoo! Sports and thought it was great! Power and distance tend to be generated with the lower body- especially the legs and hips. While the shoulders and the core provide much resistance and coil, the lateral transition with the lower body releases the potential energy and allows the club to become square

Article provided by Phil Ritson (via Yahoo! Sports)

Left Leg Leads — Phil Ritson

Experience has taught me that the best way to promote faster clubhead speed and square clubface-to-ball contact is by using your legs on the downswing. But the left leg must play the lead role. I recommend triggering the downswing by shifting your left knee outward, so the kneecap crosses above your toes. This move will spark a chain reaction: The left side pulls the right leg, right hip, and club down and through the impact zone. Be sure to keep the upper part of your left arm close to your body and the clubface will slam squarely into the back of the ball.

Maintain the TRIANGLE!

 Image Source: GolfDigest.com

Don't you hate it when you bomb your drive 280+ yards only to duff your sixty-yard approach shot? Below I've laid out a list of things to keep in mind when pitching around the green.

(1) Maintain the Triangle!

• Your hands are what physically connect you to your golf club and therefore, its important to make sure that your hands, arms, and shoulders are moving together in unison and with rhythm. Otherwise it'll be difficult to find any kind of consistency

(2) Keep your weight slightly left and follow through!

• It's somewhat difficult to pick the ball off the ground cleanly but I always found it nice to compress the ball and come down on it sharply. The benefits of this approach are the following: more flight and spin control. Also, this allows greater balance and stability throughout the pitch shot
• Basically at address you want to play the ball slightly back in your stance (1-2 in back from middle). Also favor about 60% of your weight to your left (if you're a lefty player, then to your right)
• Swing motion: as cliché as this may be...make sure you follow through!  The back swing should be relatively short and compact but your follow through should be long and smooth. 

(3) Mental Notes: Visualize and Accelerate!

• Before you address the pitch shot, remind yourself to accelerate through out the pitch! There's nothing worse then the dreadful de-acceleration and 2-yard chunkage. I always say better long, then short (give yourself a chance to at least get the ball into the hole!)
• Before you hit your shot, visualize the shot! Try to see where you want to land the ball and how it will react to the undulations around the hole

Purpose of Blog

Hello world and welcome to Golf Tipping where the motto is "Golfin ain't easy!"

With that mantra in mind, we all know how difficult this sport can be. Not only does golf demand great physical coordination and timing, but it also requires one to have mental toughness and discipline. 

Ever since I was kid, I've always been infatuated with the mechanics of the golf swing and how the ball curved depending on how you hit it. I always thought that if you hit a ball, it should go straight. But damn...was I wrong!

Many times we find ourselves hacking away  at the range to build that "consistent and perfect" swing- only to find that the only thing  consistent is that dreadful 50-yard slice. 

After 16 years of this love-hate relationship with golf, I've learned a couple things here and there and hope to share it all with you! For you professionals and golf swing gurus, feel free to criticize and comment (I'm always eager to learn more!)