Enjoy the Winter!
But don’t forget to visit the driving range regularly to keep that swing in shape for next year. The winter months would be a good time to take lessons.
Need to Cut Down Some Strokes?
Use your putter from the fringe when possible. The putter is easy to hit, and you will lower your score by hitting more easy shots, so make the putter your first option.
Getting Started: Loosen Up and Relax
What happens in the first six holes often is created by your pre-round warm up on the range. Don’t try to hit every shot perfectly; instead, focus on loosening up your body and finding a smooth tempo. You should feel as if you’re swinging easily, yet still achieving good distance. On the first tee, you want to know that your body doesn’t have to work too hard to make a good swing.
You’ll Get the Best Combination of Carry and Roll
when your driver catches the ball just slightly on the upswing. To do that, your head must behind the ball at impact. And since your head goes wherever your weight goes, set up with 70 percent of your weight favoring the right (back) leg and your head will be behind the ball. The ball has a natural tendency to return to the set-up position at impact, so you’ll be in the right position to make an ascending hit.
Breaking 100
Keep your eye on your goals, and keep things simple by applying principles that don’t confuse you. If you’re not breaking 100, you’re probably three-putting more holes than not. Your stroke is probably all over the place. Stroke your putts with an even beat for a repeating motion. Think to yourself “back and through” as you do so. The length of your stroke will change, but focus on keeping your rhythm constant. For a drill, putt three balls from 10-feet away and try to keep them within a three-foot circle of the hole. Move out by 5-foot increments, and continue the drill.
Chipping Versatility Saves Shots
Successful chipping entails not only proper technique and execution, but also visualization. Pick a spot where you want the ball to land and visualize the ball’s flight and roll. That determines the club selection. Chip with anything from a lob wedge to a 3-wood. For example, if you have plenty of room to work with, you may choose to bump and run with an 8-iron. If you need to land the ball softly with less roll, use a sand wedge. For a standard chip shot, use a standard setup: stance slightly open to target; ball just ahead of your back foot; weight slightly forward; hands slightly ahead of the ball to encourage hitting down on it. Let your shoulders initiate the swing, followed by the arms and hands. Keep your hands ahead of the ball through impact.
Learn to Hit Down
Most of your practice should be devoted to the basics, but for handling bad lies, learn how to make a sharply descending blow on command. Using a 5-iron, stick a tee in the ground about six inches behind the ball, directly along the target line (it should extend about a half and inch above the grass). Hit some shots. If the club hits the tee before the ball, your path is too shallow. Only by making a sharply descending blow will you avoid the tee and still hit the ball solidly. Move the ball back in your stance or grip down until you are making consistently solid contact with the ball while missing the tee.