PGCC GOLF Tips
Is 2016 the year that you are going to improve your golf game?
Is this the year you will break 100, break 90, break 80, or even
break 70? If this is the summer you are going to get better, it is
important the start the season off right.
If you follow these steps you will have a much better chance of
playing well early in the year and lowering your handicap and
scores.
Before you play your first round of golf, make at least one trip
to the driving range. Your session at the range should include the
following.
Stretching
Start your session off by doing some general stretching of
your shoulders, back, hips, and legs. It is important to get your
golf muscles loose anytime you go to the course or range, but
especially this time of year when you haven’t been very active. A
good way to loosen up is to take a couple of short irons, holding
them together, and swinging them back and forth slowly.
Putting
The short game is the hardest area of the game to get your feel
back. Good putting is critical to scoring well, making spending
some time on the putting green important. Start out finding a putt
with very little break on the putting green. Place several balls
at a distance of about three feet and work on hitting solid putts
into the back of the hole. Try to make 10 to 15 in a row before
quitting.
Next, get a feel for distance. Pick out the two holes farthest away
from each other on the putting green. Take several balls and putt
the balls back and forth, trying to get all of the balls to stop within
a foot of the hole.
Chipping
The motion made
chipping the golf
ball is a miniature version of the full swing. Hitting crisp, solid
chip shots will translate into solid hit shots with the full swing.
Remember, the correct technique is to set-up with a narrow
stance, weight on the front foot and the ball position off the instep
of the back foot. Grip down on the handle of the club and make a
short, brisk accelerated stroke. To make the ball go up in the air,
let the leading edge of the club work down to the ground.
Full Swing
Start your practice of the full swing with your shortest club.
Making short, easy swings with a pitching wedge or sand wedge.
As you start to get a feel for finding the center of the clubface,
start to make full swings. Progress your way through your clubs
by hitting a series of shots with every other club in your bag.
Move from sand wedge to nine iron to seven iron. Finally, hit
your fairway woods and driver.
Going through this type of practice session will give you a good
idea of where the golf ball is going and give you a feel for hitting
the ball solid. Confidence plays such a huge roll in how we play
so starting the season off on the right foot will make lowering
those scores much easier.
Do not forget to visit your local PGA Professional for more great
golf instruction and learn how to enjoy this great game to your
fullest potential. Hope to see everyone out on the first tee very
soon! See you soon at Prescott Golf and Country Club!
— Joe DeFilipps, PGA, Head Golf Professional, PCC
EXPIRES 5/31/2016
14 May 2016
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