Dave Pelz specializes in short-game instruction and in this video he shares a few exercises that will improve your short-game aim.
The exercises Pelz demonstrates will eventually train golfers to aim directly at the target each time. Pelz emphasizes the importance of correct body alignment, alignment with the target and hitting the mark.
To show how to get the proper alignments, he employs the use of a T-square made of PVC tubing. Although such a device is banned in professional games, it is an effective practice tool that will allow golfers to accurately set up the shot.
Ask professional golfers on tour what swing mechanics they work on the most and the majority of players will say ball position and alignment.
The proper ball position and alignment start when you address the golf ball. If you are lined up incorrectly, your body feels this and makes you change your swing path to correct this faulty alignment. Also, if you have the ball positioned too far forward or too far back in your stance, it leads to inconsistent and poor golf shots.
Most golf instructors agree if you start your swing with the proper alignment and ball position, you have an excellent chance of hitting good shots. So, if you are out of alignment and the ball is positioned incorrectly, it is almost impossible to consistently hit quality golf shots.
Here are a few tips that will effectively help adjust your body into the correct position at address:
First, face your target and take a step toward it with your left foot (for right-handed golfers). Now, from this position, turn your body to the right until your shoulders and chest are aligned parallel to your target. You will now be properly aligned to the target, and your feet will be the proper distance apart at the address position.
Next, hold you arms out in front of your chest shoulder width apart and clap. Where your hands come together is where they should be at address position and also where the ball should be played in your stance.
Now, using your normal grip, take your 5 iron and hold the club straight out in front of your waist. Next, bend over from the waist until the bottom of the club rests squarely on the ground. From this position, slightly bend your knees like you are about to sit on a chair.
To get a feel of what I mean, practice leaning forward from the waist so your arms hang straight down in front of you - remember to keep your back straight, don't hunch over. From this position add some knee flex. (This is where you grab your 5-iron to judge how much lean and knee flex you need when addressing the ball.) In your golf swing, as you swing back and through the ball, it's critical that you try to maintain this position (spine angle) during the golf swing.
When you hear golf announcers on TV talking about how tour players retain their spine angle through impact, they are commenting on how these players are returning the club to the same position they started with at address. This is why it is so important to start with a good set-up, proper alignment and proper ball position.
Ronald Bruce Romberg During the winter months, many of us don't get out to play golf or exercise as much as we do during the spring and summer. Therefore, I would like to emphasize the importance of staying flexible and strengthening all year to increase your power once you play again!
Most of us experience some sort of joint stiffness and loss of flexibility after not swinging for a period of time and then teeing it up on the links, or many others experience pain after hitting too many balls or playing too much. Either way, pain is usually the result of these problems which then leads to loss of distance and power. We want to keep those muscles in use even in the winter months when we may not swing as much. For many golfers with a form of arthritis, like myself, it is absolutely necessary that you stick to a program of some sort advised perhaps by a trainer or physical therapist to get you started. Then stick to it! The following are suggestions to get you started, and what have kept me in "tune" year around:
FLEXIBILITY: Try to stretch at least two times each day by doing the following:
1. Reach up to the ceiling with both hands stretching your sides to the right and left. Then, flex your knees slightly and touch your fingers to your toes-this will loosen up your lower back.
2. Stand with your back facing a doorway and grab the inside first with your left arm and lean forward and then with your right arm. This will stretch arms, shoulders, and neck.
3. Stand with your back against a wall and raise your arms up over your head. Keep them flexed while touching the wall as well. Do this ten times-make sure your body keeps in contact with the wall.
4. Stand arm's length from a wall with both hands touching the wall and fall to the wall as if you are doing a push-up. Try this with your hands at different heights and hold each at least twenty seconds. This stretches the chest and shoulder muscles.
5. Sit in a chair and tilt head and neck back-then pull forward so it's even with your shoulders again. Do this with your neck to the sides as well. Hold each for at least ten seconds before slowly returning to front position. Do ten repetitions of each. This will help with neck and upper back stiffness.
6. A middle-upper back stretch is accomplished by pulling each elbow toward the opposite shoulder and holding for ten seconds each time.
STRENGTH: Try to do the following at least once a day.
1. Partial sit-ups are great for strengthening front neck, chest, and abdominal muscles! Hips and knees are slightly bent, and then arms reaching for the knees, head and shoulders lift off the floor simultaneously. Rise only to the point where the lower back is raised from the floor. Add a slight left and right twist as you come up to strengthen all abdominal muscles.
2. Use rubber tubing for resistance to strengthen upper back and shoulder muscles. Keep elbows into your side with forearms extended outward. Rubber tubing is between both hands. Pull in a rotating fashion outward. Complete ten reps at a time.
3. Hold arms directly in front of you with tubing between hands. Pull horizontally out and then retract back in. Do ten reps-helps shoulder blade muscles.
4. Hold rubber tubing with one hand even with your hip. With the other hand, pull from your side up as high as you can. Then pull out from your side only so your arm is parallel with your shoulder. Do ten reps of each and then switch arms.
5. Hold onto a weighted ball by the right side of your head and make a full twist to the left-do ten reps. Then, hold ball on the left side of your head and make a full twist to the right-ten reps. Then swing the ball from right to left practicing your torso turn for golf to add yards!
6. To strengthen arms and wrists use soup cans or 2-3 pound weights and keep elbows into your body and pull the cans or weights into your chest. Do ten together and then ten with each arm separately. Next, keep arms stationery and roll wrists toward your forearms-same reps as with your arms.
Combining flexibility and strengthening exercises along with perhaps a brisk walk of twenty to thirty minutes three to four times a week can alleviate everyday aches and pains we may experience while playing golf. This game uses so many of our muscles that it's important to keep them toned to avoid serious injuries. By taking thirty minutes out of your day to prepare your muscles, you can return to the links anytime and feel good with your swing and ultimately achieve more distance!
TIP OF THE MONTH:
You can hit the ball high or low in both the long game and short game depending on the placement of the ball in your stance. Keep your hands in neutral position at address-center or slightly left of center. Then, for a high trajectory shot place the ball toward your left foot(for right-handers) and swing! Experiment to see how much trajectory you'd like in relation to where the ball is placed. To hit the ball lower with more run play the ball off your left foot and swing! Experiment again for position. Remember: Left=loft and Right=run.
Here's a simple tip to control your shots more effectively around the greens. Set up with a narrow stance keeping your weight placed on your forward foot and remember to keep the shaft leaning toward the target (hands slightly ahead of the ball).
Next try choking down on the grip as this will help you gain control and increase feel. You want to be sure to keep the clubface square and feel like you are brushing the ground during the swing.
The key to consistent chipping is a smooth motion that allows the clubface to just nip the ball off the ground.
Let the loft of the clubface get the ball in the air, don't try to "help" the ball up! Feel as though you are throwing the ball underhand toward the hole.
Practice throwing golf balls underhand to the hole then using the set-up described above try the same underhand motion when you chip.
Chipping is all about getting the proper feel of the chipping motion. If you practice this tip for five minutes before every round of golf you will be sure to lower your scores.
Ronald Bruce Romberg There are better places to play from than the bunkers. But should the ball come to rest in a bunker, the type of sand can make a noticeable difference in play - especially on your scorecard.
Balls may form "plugged" or "fried-egg" lies in the bunker sand when the ball makes a crater in the sand on impact. Your golf course superintendent looks at several variables when selecting bunker sand to prevent your ball from being buried should your shot go astray.
The United States Golf Association specifies particle-size criteria for selecting bunker sand. Sand in the prescribed range provides the best all-around conditions in terms of ball lie, firmness of footing and ease of bunker maintenance.
For some golf facilities, bunker maintenance is an important aspect in sand selection. For example, a golf course that is subject to high winds would have to stay away from selecting sand that is too fine. If the sand is too fine, wind will displace the sand particles, causing a continual need for replacement.
The predominant particle shape of sand and its "sphericity," - or roundness - also comes into play. A desired bunker sand shape is angular with a low degree of roundness. The sharp corners of an angular sand help it resist movement after impact from a golf ball, resulting in fewer "plugged" or "fried-egg" lies.
Truly round or "soft" sand requires a substantial amount of skill to play from. It's like playing a shot in a pudding-filled pit. Round sand needs to be avoided because it shifts more under the weight of the golfer and can allow golf balls to bury and disappear on impact.
A hard, silica sand is often preferred in bunkers, since silica sand will resist weathering and retain its original shape longer. Sand such as limestone sand is more subject to weathering and the fine particles released in the process affect the playability and maintenance of the sand.
Limestone sand can "set up" or become "crusted," because of the cementing action of finer silt and clay particles. Limestone sand requires more frequent raking to maintain a suitable playing surface.
Your golf course superintendent may choose to have a certified soils testing laboratory help evaluate sand when making changes at the course. The lab will check the sand's particle-size, distribution, shape, color, crusting potential, hydraulic conductivity (ability to drain water) and its resistance to buried lies.
Bunker sand selection affects the condition of play as well as bunker maintenance. Always do your part to preserve favorable playing conditions by raking the area that you disturbed after hitting from the bunker. By doing so, you can help make the game more enjoyable for other golfers unfortunate enough to hit their golf balls into the sand.
When choosing a bunker surface, the varying skill levels of golfers must also be considered. A lower handicap player typically prefers a hard, smooth bunker surface. However, the higher handicap player prefers a softer surface that allows them to get their club through the sand. As a result, superintendents will try to provide a surface that satisfies the widest range of players.
Even though a golf course management staff devotes considerable time to bunkers, it is important to remember they are still hazards. It is not realistic for golfers to expect to hit shots with the same skill and accuracy as they do from turf.
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