DON’ T PLAY THE GAME AT 100 % POWER.
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DON’ T PLAY THE GAME AT 100 % POWER.
by Tom Atkinson, PGA Pro- Heswall Golf Club
My best work with students without doubt happens out on the course. After all, this is why we play the game of golf.
There’ s a putter and 13 other clubs in your bag therefore unless you’ re hitting your driver, there’ s a stronger club in there. What do I mean?
I hear so often when out playing or coaching,“ I’ m going to hit a hard 7” or“ I’ m going to lean on a sand wedge” A 7 is hard enough to hit so why make it harder, a hard 7 is just a 6 surely? It’ s there so hit it. And to lean on a sand wedge, to compromise the loft and the bounce, why!?? Hit your gap wedge, your pitching wedge or even your 9 iron. Don’ t forget that each club will only typically fly 10-15 yards further in the air.
THE THEORY
A shorter swing is easier to control. You’ re less likely to throw the club offline. Hitting your 6 iron easier will be far more controllable than hitting that 7 iron at 100 %. It will help you to take the spin off the shot, to keep the ball flight lower, to keep the ball more under control.
THE TECHNIQUE
Grip down the club, put the ball a little further back in your stance, swing it easy, hit the ball well, not hard.
THE TIP
By now you should have a yardage device and if you’ re a serous golfer without one, you’ re not a serious golfer. Next time you go out, do me a favour- play every shot from 100 yards and further away to the yardage to the back of the green, not the middle. You will be putting from closer to the hole and don’ t forget, the majority of trouble is at the front!
For lessons or more information on availability:
Tom Atkinson PGA 0151 342 7431 www. heswallgolfshop. com @ heswallgolfshop
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