Bunker Fig. 1

 Get the basic sand technique right and banish your bunker nightmares-learn to splash the ball out easily.

By learning a few simple fundamentals you ‘ll soon have no problems splashing your ball out of the sand every time.

Many golfers are fearful [...]]]>

Bunker Fig. 1

Skills for the Sand    by PGA Golf Professional Liam McCool

 Get the basic sand technique right and banish your bunker nightmares-learn to splash the ball out easily.

By learning a few simple fundamentals you ‘ll soon have no problems splashing your ball out of the sand every time.

Get out every time

Many golfers are fearful of leaving their ball in the bunker. The main reason this happens is because they don’t commit themselves to the shot, leaving their club to slow down through the sand and ultimately getting stuck.
To overcome this happening try to think of your bunker shot like a drive. Always accelerate powerfully into and through the sand just as you would to hit the ball a long way off the tee. Another key element required is the importance of swinging with rhythm.

Set-up position

Start by opening the face of your sandwedge.Shuffle your feet into the sand and squat your lower half to drop your centre of gravity. Aim your feet about 30 degrees left of the target but your club just to the right of it. This allows the golfer to cut across the ball upon impact-sliding the club head under the ball which pops the ball out of the bunker- (fig. 1) & (fig. 3)
Hover the club above the point you want it to enter the sand, this hitting area is generally about two inches behind the ball. Let your weight favour your left side slightly helping you to drive down into the sand behind the ball with power and control.

 Sand before the ball

The bunker shot is one of the few situations in golf when you don’t want to strike the ball directly-you must strike the sand behind the ball (this will change accordingly for a fairway bunker shot which will be covered next week).
When you practise draw a line in the sand were you want the club to enter the sand ( 2 inches behind the ball).The aim of this drill is to strike the line, by adopting this exercise you soon have instant feedback on where your club is entering the sand in your swing- (fig. 2)
During the swing keep the back of your left hand pointing up at the sky as you swing through the sand. This will help you to keep maximum loft on the clubface, ensuring you get height and stop on your shots.

Distance control

Once you have mastered the basic bunker technique, try practising to different areas/distances on the green. Again you can use the line in the sand drill to help you with this. To hit the ball further you need to take less sand so move the line in an inch closer to your ball and square your clubface. To hit the ball shorter do the opposite. As a general rule the length of the backswing is determined by the distance you are from the target, but for most greenside shots just beyond waist high on the backswing (fig. 4) and the same on the forward swing are recommended. 

Equipment check

The amount of bounce (the wide flange on the sole of your sand wedge) can have a direct effect on how easily you get the ball out of the sand. If you play in bunkers with little sand you want a wedge with less bounce so the club just clips the ball off the top of the hard surface.
If you play in bunkers with deep sand you want a wedge with more bounce to prevent the club digging in and taking too much sand.

For more information regarding Golf Lessons log on at www.mccoolgolfacademy.com or call Ashwoods Golf Centre
at 028 66325321 or  07977 899656

A proper takeaway is critical to a good swing-it starts everything in motion.It introduces width and co-ordination into the swing and determines the quality and shape of the shot.

How far do we swing back?

Importantly,today’s golfers are taking full advantage of modern equipment and their swings reflect this new technology.The most [...]]]>

fig.1 Top of the backswing(7iron)

A proper takeaway is critical to a good swing-it starts everything in motion.It introduces width and co-ordination into the swing and determines the quality and shape of the shot.

How far do we swing back?

Importantly,today’s golfers are taking full advantage of modern equipment and their swings reflect this new technology.The most overwhelming feature I see is shorter more compact golf swings in today’s stars-the length of the backswing is shortening  yet distance numbers are advancing.

A shorter controlled swing is much more efficient than a long backswing because there  is a tendency to lose control at the top of the backswing.

Now that we have got the club back to the halfway stage and with the clubface in a square position our aim now is to complete the swing.

With the wrists having remained passive up until the halfway stage they will now gradually start to cock while continuing to complete your body turn and arm swing.In this completed swing the wrists perform their function naturally.Your main concern should be that the wrists remain supple and not locked by gripping the club too tightly.Excessive wrist action would be one of the most common faults in the golf swing.

Once you have reached the top of the swing (fig.1) your weight will also have moved mainly on to your right foot while maintaining the same resistance in the right knee as address.

 To create power and consistency your body must rotate correctly in the backswing-try to coil like a spring.You are aiming to turn your shoulders 90 degrees and your hips 45 degrees for a full swing.By turning  correctly you will also be maximising the power of those big muscles in the back and legs.

Next comes the key transition point,one that needs to be smooth and unhurried-so don’t rush it.

At the start of the downswing move your weight slightly to the left side while at the same time your hips will gradually start turning pulling your hands and arms back to the ball-let the spring uncoil ( fig 4 ).

fig. 4

 One of the most common mistakes is to allow the shoulders to start the downswing-causing you to comes across the ball at impact.It is the lower body that starts the downswing.

This part of the downswing is basically a reaction to what you achieved in your backswing.At this point you will have returned to the same position you assumed at your address position.Make sure at impact that you keep your body behind the ball similar again to your starting position-(fig. 2 ).

fig. 2

Continue to strike the ball,keeping the body and arms turning until you finish the swing in a high follow through position (fig 5 & 6 ).Your body will have turned to face the target with approximately all of your weight on your left side with your right foot finishing up on the toes-in a position where you simply could take a step towards the target.

fig. 5

fig. 6

Throughout the swing movement it is also extremely important to keep your head steady and at the one level-same as your address position.

Most good players are able to hold their finish until the ball has nearly landed.This is a sign of a golfer who has controlled his swing and transferred his weight through the hitting area and is well worth emulating-(fig. 3)

fig. 3

Primarily the main objective of this session is to intially develop [...]]]> Now that the correct grip and set-up position have been adopted we will now look at developing the golf swing.The main purpose of the backswing is to place the club in the correct position at the top-it is very much a positional movement.

Primarily the main objective of this session is to intially develop a half swing-back to waist high and then through to waist high.

Starting with a 7 iron  and after taking the correct set-up position and grip we will now work on moving the club back.

With the clubface square at address our aim is to have the clubface square at three main points throughout the half swing.

At waist high on the backswing (figures 2 & 5)

At the impact position (figure 3)

At waist high on the follow through position ( figures 4 & 6 )

In order to understand these positions it’s important to make the correct movements during the swing

Fig 1

 The principal thought is that the left hand and arm start the swinging movement and the body responds by turning to assist(not cause) the swing.In the correct takeaway the swinging of the left hand and arm takes the clubhead back at the proper/natural time.This natural swing helps to create the ideal swing plane,which we will discuss at a later time.

Fig 2

Fig 4

At the halfway stage of the backswing two positions to avoid are:

If the wrists roll open,the clubface will be open at this point(figure 7)

If they roll in the opposite direction the clubface will be shut,facing the ground 

These two positions will result in an off-line clubface position at impact,limiting your chances of straighter and more consistent strikes.

Figure 7

Figure 8

Two common takeaway errors to avoid are:

Too straight a takeaway causes the left shoulder to dip which leads to a steep/upright swing plane-preventing a correct downswing

Taking the club too much on the inside also prevents a correct downswing.

With the club now positioned correctly halfway back we will then swing forward to the impact position and through to wasit high on the forward swing.Once again checking for a square clubface at this two positions.

Spend some time working at making this swinging action a flowing movement,stopping occasionally to check your clubface at the so called checkpoints as  mentioned earlier.

During this swinging drill the movement in the lower body will be quite  limited.On the backswing the hips will be pulled slightly to the right with the left knee starting to move a little behind the ball and on the forward swing the hips will turn a little in the direction of the target with the right knee moving in the same direction,forcing the right foot to come off the ground slightly.

The setup/Address position is one of the most overlooked fundamentals

The overall setup position is made up of several main points:

Alignment At the address position your body should be positioned parallel to the ball to target line. How many times have you hit [...]]]> .How you position your body before swinging can greatly enhance your chances of performing well consistently.

The setup/Address position is one of the most overlooked fundamentals

The overall setup position is made up of several main points:

Alignment
At the address position your body should be positioned parallel to the ball to target line.
How many times have you hit good shots off target that were simply due to bad alignment.The next time you do this simply put a club down to check your stance and alignment,where they parellel to the ball to target line?.
The easiest method to remember this is to picture a railway track with the ball and square clubface on one line and your feet,hips and shoulders on the other.

Stance and Ball Position
The width of the stance should vary slightly based on what club you are using,but as a general rule the stance should be at its widest for the driver approximately shoulders width apart,then reducing slightly for the shorter clubs.
Driver/3 wood
The stance should be at its widest for the driver/woods(approximately shoulder width)with the ball positioned just inside the left heel.Weight should favor the right side slighty about 60%,this helps get the ball in the air.
Middle irons
Stance slightly narrower than the woods with the ball positioned between front and middle.Weight should be evenly divided between the two feet.
Short irons
Stance a little narrower with the ball positioned in the middle of the stance.About 60% of your weight should favour your left side.

Overall the weight in your stance should be on the balls of the feet and not favouring the heels or toes as any rocking of the weight in these directions can limit any consistent strike.

PostureThe body angles created at address in your posture have a mojor impact on the shape and quality of your swing.Keeping your balance throughout your swing is crucial to hitting good shots and is a direct result of good posture.

One of the easiest ways to adopt the correct posture position is to:
stand tall with the palms of your hands on your thighs
then push back from your hips until your fingertips touch your kneecaps
this simple exercise can quickly get you in the correct position

The position you create will have the following effects:

The knees will be flexed slightly and inwards
The body will be bent over from the hips towards the ball
The spine angle created from bending over the ball should be kept straight
Keep your head turned skightly right of the ball with your chin out and up,this helps to encourage a better shoulder turn.
At address your hands should always be opposite your left legno matter what club you are using.The distance between your hands and your body is determinded by the club you intend using.As a general rule this should be approximately be 4 inches for short/middle irons and 6-8 inches for long irons/woods.

1. Tee it high.

This helps you to sweep the club through  impact,creating a high launch with little backspin.

2. Ball position forward in the stance.

When driving,you should be hitting the ball slightly on the upswing.To

Proper address position for Driver

achieve this,you should position the ball in line with the inside [...]]]> Listed below are 5 tips to more consistent drives:

1. Tee it high.

This helps you to sweep the club through  impact,creating a high launch with little backspin.

2. Ball position forward in the stance.

When driving,you should be hitting the ball slightly on the upswing.To

Proper address position for Driver

achieve this,you should position the ball in line with the inside of your left heel.Your weight should be spread evenly between your feet.Your feet should be approximately shoulder width apart,but no wider as too wide a stance would  prevent a good shoulder turn.

3.Low and Slow.

A low smooth takeaway is essential to good driving.To achieve this,imagine that when you take the club back from the ball you are trying to hit a second golf ball about 12″ directly behind the ball.This drill ensures that your wrists do not hinge too early and helps create the wide arc necessary to maximise the distance you hit the ball.

4. Coil Like a Spring

To create power you have to coil like a spring in the backswingYou are aiming to turn your shoulders 90 degrees and your hips 45 degreesTry to encourage the feeling of the left knee moving behind the ball with the right knee resisting the coiling action.

Top of the backswing

5.Swing Through to a Full Finish Position

Most good players are able to hold their finish until the ball has almost landed.This is a sign of a golfer who has controlled his swing and transferred his weight through the hitting area and is something well worth emulating.Good transference of weight is vital to the creation of power.At the top of your backswing about 80% of your weight should be on your right side but at the end of the forward swing a similar perecntage should be transferred to your left side.

As this is your only contact with the golf club it is vital you adopt a sound hold on the club.What I have found in my teaching experience is that it is vital that the two hands must work as one unit throughout the swing.

In order to promote this feeling [...]]]> The importance of a good GRIP

As this is your only contact with the golf club it is vital you adopt a sound hold on the club.What I have found in my teaching experience is that it is vital that the two hands must work as one unit throughout the swing.

In order to promote this feeling I would recommend two types of grip :

the overlapping grip or the interlocking grip

To simplify the grip the main points to concentrate on are :

When placing your left hand keep your thumb to the right of the grip with approximately 2 to 3 knuckles visible.

Then place  your right hand on the grip with the feeling of palm of your hand facing the target.This time the thumb is positioned to the left of the grip.By creating this position you should have created a  v shape between your thumb and index finger,facing towards your right shoulder.

Too Strong a Grip

A neutral grip

A weak grip

With your two hands now well positioned on the club a vitally important element of a good grip needs to be addressed – grip pressure.Too tight a grip creates so much tension in  the upper body limiting a smooth tempo throughout the swing. A common sign of a tight grip can be highlighted in the condition of the hands after hitting a few shots-normally they will be quite red and extremly warm.

Obviously too loose a grip limits control of the swing and also ruins any chance of developing a smooth swinging action.

Grip the club just firm enough to have control it,develop the feeling that you can move your fingers on the grip and always avoid the situation where one is trying to choke the club.