Golf Tips

Current Tips

DISTANCE CONTROL 1 ( May 2006 ) Focus on controlling the distance of your shot by concentrating on the length of your backswing Position the hands at 9 o'clock The arms and the club form a 90 degree angle The hands are opposite the sternum The shaft plane is between the feet and the ball

DISTANCE CONTROL 2 Position the hands at 11 o'clock The body's position prepares itself for the pivot to take the arm's to 11 o'clock, rather than a lifting of the arms Keep the same width for the arms as for the 9 o'clock position. Do not forget that a shorter swing, does not mean a deceleration Commit to the swing Maintain the width of the arms, with a degree of slackness ( the left arm should be extended, but not tense ) When under pressure, use less of a swing-length to generate more co-ordination DLGA France

PITCHING 1 - ( April 2006 ) Creating a consistent strike on the ball ! Here is a very simple drill that can really help you appreciate swinging the club up and down on plane. Position an umbrella vertically in the ground about a foot outside your right heel. Focus on using your wrist properly so that you hinge your wrists as to miss the umbrella whist still turning your body.

PITCHING 2 After a few goes this simple drill will encourage you to swing the club up a fairly vertical plane.

PITCHING 3 Having worked on your backswing, move the umbrella just inside your front foot to check that the follow through is also on a fairly vertical plane.

PITCHING 4 The simplicity of this drill enables you to enjoy the sensation of the swing because it simplifies the swing mechanics.

PITCHING 5 Skye Neal DLGA Director Sentosa Golf Club Singapore

HIGH AND LOW SHOTS 1 ( March 2006 ) There are many ways of adapting your set up to help manoeuvre the trajectory of your ball flight. I will show you three examples, all intrinsically linked but relative to the skill level of each player. Beginner To keep things simple.....just move your ball position forward toward your left foot, the higher you need to hit it; the further forward you need to play the ball. Intermediate To achieve a higher trajectory visualise an "Oak tree" between you and the target and raise your eye line to imagine the ball flying over the top of the tree, this small change will automatically adjust the angle of your spine away from the target allowing the shape of your arc to meet the ball closer to the upward part of the swing therefore giving the club face at impact more loft - lifting the trajectory.......Reverse this for low shots and look to the lower limbs of the tree therefore angling your spine more forward toward your left side increasing the descending angle of he club.

HIGH AND LOW SHOTS 2 Advanced Lots of great players make very subtle changes to their grip to achieve different shot characteristics. To help you hit the ball higher take a slightly weaker " to the left " grip and also go a fraction higher up the grip of the club itself - combine this small change with the two previous tips and this will give you a whole array of trajectories and spin rates. Reverse this to a stronger and lower on the club grip to bring your trajectory down. As ever; practice is crucial to give you an effective feel for these changes and to what degree these technical changes will effect your ball flight. This will also make your practice sessions fun and highly productive, creating a greater impact on your learning and skill level - Have fun !! Andrew Nicholson DLGA Academy Director - The Wynyard Club.

BALL POSITION 1 ( February 2006 ) This is an area where you will find many different theories. Some instructors advocate a ball position opposite the inside of the left heel and then just varying the position of the right foot depending on which club you hit. I would suggest this alternative : try 3 varying ball positions for all your clubs. Well forward in the stance ( close to the left heel ) for the sweeping blow delivered to your Driver and fairway woods.

BALL POSITION 2 2 golf balls back from the driver position for the mid and long irons.

BALL POSITION 3 Middle of the stance for short irons and wedges. Also, adopt a slightly wider stance for the longer clubs and a more narrow stance for the short irons. This is a simple and effective method that offers a little leeway for variation. Quintin Van Der Berg DLGA La Cala Resort Malaga, Spain.