Three Elements to Lower Scores

Too often I see students coming to me to learn to swing better and hit the ball farther and straighter. I agree that every person would like to do those things with their game, but these students often neglect the idea of learning to score better. There are really three areas in golf that each student must learn and develop to score better. To properly play competitive golf each student must have a go-to-shot off of the tee, a go-to-shot from the fairway and a great wedge game with proper distance control.

A go-to-shot off of the tee is not hard but takes a little practice on the students part. To begin go to the practice range and try different things with your driver. You are not looking for the most beautiful shot at this point. You are looking for a shot that has a tendency to curve from right to left or left to right. Which way it curves does not matter but the idea is to have a shot that will be repeatable. Try teeing the ball low and aiming your body to the left. Next feel as if you are taking the club way outside on the backswing and through impact you would feel as though you are not going to release the club. This will produce a shot that will curve from left to right. Again it is up to the student to try different ideas. Tiger Woods uses his famous stinger shot, however he can hit that shot about 280 yards which most of us cannot do.

Keep em Long and Straight,

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13 Comments

Mike Simon Says:

Dear Sir:

I was told on a Peak Performance tape by Mr Trahan that there is to be
absolutely no changes in the wrist from the address. Is that right? Or, do they
change without thinking about it?

Mike Simon
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Wade Davis Says:

How about a swing “Key” to ensure the lower body goes first?

Thanks
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Trevor Coote Says:

My driving – I tee the ball just above my driver – about one widtrh forward of centre – a big back swing and every time the ball goes straigt and towards the end it goes off to the right – in trouble or out of bounds.Can you help me with this problem.
Trevor
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:06 pm
JOHN L Says:

I would think a go to shot off the tee would would consist of a go to club? also this might apply to certain shots off the fairway or off the fairway.
March 2nd, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Mike Says:

Ball positon…elimination slices & hitting a nice tight draw , I am a left handed golfer.

Thanks, Mike
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
martin taylor Says:

i snap hook with my driver is this my left wrist breaking ,or am i hanging back , it doesn`t happen with any other club . thanks
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
CJ Says:

Mike,
As an instructor I would want to fully read Mr. Trahan’s article about the wrist change. To say that there is absolutely no wrist change from address is incorrect in regards to impact. Mr. Trahan may have been describing that at address there is a slight cup in the left wrist and right wrist and that this should be the same at the top of the backswing and I would agree with that, however at impact the left wrist must suppinate and therefore create a forward lean in the shaft at address. It would literally be impossible for a player to hit consistent golf shots and control the golf ball without it. Again, without having read exactly what Trahan said I am hesitant to say he is wrong, however the wrists must change at some point and would obviously be hinging and unhinging throughout the golf swing. I hope this helps and would be happy to answer any further questions you have.
Keep em Long and Straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
CJ Says:

Wade,
Any swing key that works for that person is a good swing key. Please clarify for me one thing. Are you asking for a article or a key that you could use to ensure the lower body goes first? Please let me know and I would be happy to help you.
Keep em long and Straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
CJ Says:

Trevor,
This problem is actually quite easy to fix and can be cured in one swing. First to help you in the future I want you to divide the ball flight into two halves. The first half of the ball flight would be directly related to the path of the downswing. The second half is related to the clubface position. Since you described your problem in the second half of the ball flight I can determine that your clubface is open in relation to the arc of the swing. To fix this fault I want you to first check your grip. More than likely your grip needs to be stronger ( turned to the right for a right hander). This should immediately fix your slice and if it doesn’t I want you to split your hands a couple of inches on the grip and make a few practice swings. You will feel the right hand crossing over the left through impact and that is the feeling I want you to have during the swing. Feel free to hit a few balls this way with the ball teed up and continue to hit these until you hit hooks. This will solve your problem with the slice.
Keep em Long and Straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
CJ Says:

John L,
I think it is necessary to have a go to shot off the tee as well as a go to shot off the fairway. Please let me know if you need any help with this.
Keep em Long and Straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
CJ Says:

Martin,
I am happy that you have broken down the snap hook to two possible causes in your swing. More than likely this is happening with your driver because of the hang back. If you are not doing this with your irons and are taking nice divots then that is a clear indication that you are getting to your left side and therefore not hitting hooks. Lets try to solve this by forcing yourself to get to your left side with the driver and if that cures your hook then that is your answer. I am pretty sure that if you are getting to your left side and rotating properly then you probably would not be breaking your left wrist down anyways.
keep em long and straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Chad Says:

I tend to hit the ball very high with most every club, especially my driver. with a 9.5 degree driver the last time on a simulator my launch angle was between 17-23 degrees. Ball flight was 90% with the ball starting out slightly left then hooking farther left. Any ideas on how I can work on getting a lower ball flight?
March 9th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
CJ Says:

Chad,
Thanks for the question. Basically what it sounds like is that you are creating a lot of loft with the club by dumping the lag early or Casting the club from the top. That is the only way you can hit the ball so high and hit it left. The basic idea for you to get a lower ball flight is to learn to keep lag. A great thought for you is to feel as though the butt end of the club is an ice pick. Now imagine that there is a block of ice to the left of your left leg. Take the butt end of the club and drive that Ice pick into the block of ice and that will create the lag to hit the ball lower. Don’t worry if you initally hit the ball to the right as this may happen to have that feeling. Keep working on it and it will come.
Keep em long and straight,
cj
March 10th, 2010 at 1:31 am