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(1).."ALL ABOUT THE GRIP"

The purpose of the grip is to connect your body with "the instrument" (the golf club) in such a way as to return the club face squarely to the ball at impact.  This is best accomplished by placing the left hand in a strong position and the right hand in a relatively weaker position, as most players' natural tendency is to control the club with their right hand (something that will most assuredly spoil the golf shot).

The grip should be taken with relatively light grip pressure, like holding a bird in your hand just tight enough so that the bird won't fly away, but light enough to avoid injuring the bird. This light grip pressure accomplishes two key things:

(1) It allows the player to maintain a tension-free feeling in the forearms and wrists, which is critical to achieving maximum possible distance simply because it stops you from tightening your spine and allows you to take advantage of all the energy you stored up in the turn. A relaxed, tense free swing WILL ALWAYS generate greater club head speed than a tight, tense swing, ALWAYS.

(2) It allows the club face to come back square to the ball. If you grip the club to tight, you tighten your left fore arm which results in the club face being open at impact. A square club face at impact is critical in achieving directional predictability of golf shots.

There are three basic types of golf grips. None is better than the others--top professionals have used all three:

(1) The Vardon Grip. The most commonly used by top players.  The distinguishing characteristic of this grip is how the pinkie of the right hand rests atop the index finger of the left hand, or rests in the crease between the left index and middle fingers.

(2) The Inter locking Grip. Many of the top players use this grip, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Preferred by many with short fingers, this grip is distinguished by the pinkie of the right hand is wrapped around the index finger of the left hand, and the two fingers are intertwined, or inter locked.

(3) The Ten-Finger Grip. Also called the baseball grip. Preferred by juniors and a few pros, including Gene Sarazen. In this grip, all ten fingers rest on the club. The pinkie of the right hand rests on the club, just below the index finger of the left hand.

There is also a cross handed grip used primarily in putting where the left hand is on th bottom. (right handers)

Placing your hands on the club

The left hand is placed on the club first, with the club resting diagonally from just below the heel pad to the first knuckle of the index finger. A good test is achieved by placing the club on the ground. Then, place the heel pad of the left hand on top of the grip, and using only the left index finger wrapped around and under the club, you should be able to lift the club with ease. Then, close the hand. The V formed by the crease between the thumb and index finger should point to your right shoulder, and you should be able to see at least two knuckles of your left hand. The left thumb should point down the shaft of the club, and should rest just slightly to the right of center of the shaft at about one o'clock.

The right hand is then placed on top of the left hand, with the left thumb fitting into the lifeline of the right palm. The then base of the middle and ring fingers of the right hand should rest on the side of the club, and the right index finger may be (or may not be) separated slightly from the middle finger, creating a trigger-like sensation. The right thumb should be placed on the left side of the club or touching the index finger, like making the OK sign. The "V" formed by the crease between the right thumb and index finger should point toward the player's right ear or shoulder.

The right pinkie may rest on top of the left index finger or on top of the crease between the left index and middle fingers (Vardon Grip), or may be intertwined with the left index finger (Inter locking Grip), or may rest directly on the club just below the left index finger (Ten Finger Grip) as described above.

A proper grip might feel awkward at first if you've been previously gripping improperly, but it is the bedrock of a good golf swing and probably the most ignored by golfers. Even if you take a perfect golf swing, a poor grip will surely limit the wrist cock, cause problems and inconsistency in your shots.

You can not consistently strike the ball squarely without a good relaxed grip which will result in a tense free golf swing.

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(2) "PUSHED SHOTS"

....If you are pushing your shots (they go to the right and do not curve) while making an aggressive swing the problem probably lies in your left forearm.

When you get to aggressive you tighten your left forearm the end result is a club face that is open at impact. This tightness might even be a result of gripping the club to tight during those aggressive swings.

If you take one of your irons, grip it with you left hand only and hold it straight out in front of you, parallel with the ground (relaxed forearm). Now tighten your left forearm which is usually preceded by a tightening of the grip, and watch the club face open up. This is what happens when you get aggressive. Practice making swings with a relaxed left forearm and grip. I'm sure your push will be a thing of the past and you might even enjoy an increase in distance and better feeling shots.

A lot of guys try to fix pushed shots by rotating either the left or right hand clockwise when they grip the club (strong grip) thus pulling the club face closed at impact compensating for the tight grip and left forearm. Do yourself a favor and don't do this!!!! Maintain a neutral grip and relax, this is the only way to maintain consistency and that is what the game of golf is all about, CONSISTENCY.

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(3) "TAKE DEAD AIM"

I have noticed that many shots that are hit to the right or left and blamed on some fault of the swing are nothing more than poor alignment.

In order to hit the ball at a target you must line up correctly.

Before hitting, stand behind your golf ball about 3 to 5 feet so it is between you and your intended target. Now pick an object on the ground no more than two feet in front of the ball, (a golf tee, blade of grass, cig. butt,leaf, anything) that lies on the imaginary line that goes from your ball to your intended target.

This is important:

Walk up and address the ball and pretend the object on the ground is your target, align the lines on your club face so they are perpendicular to the object (90 degrees), now with the grip pointing at your zipper look down at your shoes and make sure they form a "T" with the golf shaft. Open your stance and finish the address.

DO NOT even look at your real target until you have established your address and then be sure to trust your alignment and not to change your stance.

If you still hit to the right or left using this method, you most probably have a swing problem and that will eventually be addressed in these tips or do yourself a favor and don't listen to every thing said out on the links (good golfers are not necessarily good teachers) see a golf teaching professional. Let me put it this way, I am pretty good with a pair of pliers, but I doubt if you would like me to pull your tooth.

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(4) "PUTT FOR THE DOE"

1. STEADY EYES FOR SURE STROKES

When your eyes wander during the putting stroke, the putter face angle will also wander. Train your eyes to remain steadily focused on the ball until the putter head past the impact point.

2. DISTANCE, DISTANCE, DISTANCE

Most three putts are caused by poor distance control on the first putt. Even the tour pros miss almost 50% of their putts from six feet, but they do not leave themselves six footers coming back. Good distance control can be achieved if you are consistent with these items.
A....MAINTAIN the same speed,no matter how long the putt is, only change the length of your putting stroke.
B....However far you come back with the putter from the ball,that is how far your putter should be in front of the ball when you finish your stroke.
C....The big secret is to ONLY CHANGE THE LENGTH of your putting stroke to achieve distance control. Try using your toes as a guide and practice putts (ie.) 1 inch past my toe equals what distance, 5 inches past my toe equals what distance?
Practice these three things and I'll think you will be surprised how good your distance control will become and you will start knocking strokes off your game.

3. PRECISE FOCUS FOR PRECISE PUTTS

When reading the green pick precise targets for every putt. Telling yourself the putt is a little bit uphill and breaks a little bit left is a recipe for a tentative stroke and a missed putt. If we expect to roll the ball into a 4.25" hole, the brain needs specific information.

4. STRAIGHT BACK, STRAIGHT THROUGH

If you are having problems with direction control especially on short putts, check your take away. If the putter head comes inside on the take away you will tend to push your putts and if you take it outside you will tend to pull or cut putts. Find a straight line or lay down two clubs parallel to each other and practice taking the putter straight back on every putt.

5. PLAY THE PERCENTAGES

Putts make up 45% of the shots in the average round of golf. If you two putt every green, that is 36 strokes, think about it! Practice your putting and your scores will start dropping.

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(5) "PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE"

Needless to say, volumes could be written on practicing your golf swing. Personally, I feel it to be extremely beneficial to keep it simple. Beating balls can be boring and unproductive if you let it become so.

You might try giving yourself some challenges. When at the driving range taking full swings or in the back yard chipping, always, always, ALWAYS work with a target. See how many shots you can hit to a target you have chosen. Furthermore, as you change your clubs, change your target. Keep yourself focused on what you are trying to accomplish with each practice session.
Harvey Penick said it best "Take Dead Aim".

Focus your entire mind on your intended target and you will be amazed at the irregularities in your golf swing that the "mass of Grey matter" between your ears will compensate for and produce a good golf shot.

When you practice try to swing in a calm, smooth, unhurried manner. Do your pre-shot routine for every shot and take dead aim at your chosen target. What is going on in your mind has a great deal to do with how you swing the club. It's NOT how many balls you can hit and how fast, or how FAR, it's how many balls you can hit well, consistently.So practice with a purpose.

The next step is learning how to turn a round of golf into a practice round to improve your game.

First of all, we all have certain clubs that we do not hit very well, be it the long irons,the driver, whatever. Forget scoring and concentrate on bringing those clubs into your game. Let's face it, you will NEVER be able to hit those clubs if they stay in your bag.

For example: The clubs I could not hit were my 3 and 4 irons. To force myself to use them I changed the way I played certain holes. If I normally hit driver-short iron on a particular hole to reach the green, I would change my club selection so what ever I hit off the tee on that hole required a 3 or 4 iron to get to the green. I began to tee off with my 3 iron on a particular narrow, par 5 at my home course and guess what? the 3 and 4 irons are now as comfortable for me to hit as my 9 iron. Believe me, it works and you will improve your golf game, provided you are patient with yourself and practice with a purpose.

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(6).."UNEVEN LIES"

How many times does a your ball come to rest on an uneven lie? How much do you practice hitting from uneven lies?

In playing a round of golf it is amazing how many times you have uneven lies, even in the fairway. Do you really know how to execute shots from these lies? By not learning some these common shots that frequently come up, you are simply adding strokes to your golf game and I for one like taking strokes off my game. Obviously it is important to know how to execute such shots.

General Rules:

On any unlevel lie, there are a few basics one should follow.

First, you must alter your address position by allowing your weight to follow gravity.

Second, tilt your shoulders so they are aligned with the slope.

Next, as you swing the club, swing it along the angle of the slope.

Lastly, keep your lower body movement to a minimum.

BALL ABOVE YOUR FEET

This is probably the easiest of all uneven lie shots. Start by moving the ball back a little in your stance and choke down on the club. Your weight distribution should be equal on both feet. The lie will have tendency to hit the ball to the left, so aim you shot to the right of your target. To picture this, with a sand wedge on the ground at address pick the club up straight armed and observe the loft of the club. It will be pointing more and more left the higher you raise the club. Make a flatter swing which follows the slope of the land. The swing key to keep in mind is to have a more passive body and extend your arms through the shot.

BALL BELOW YOUR FEET

This is a more difficult shot. In this position it is harder to keep your balance as your weight can easily spill over to your toes and beyond. I have seen a on occasion golfers shank the ball from this position. I don't want that to happen to you!

Start with a little wider stance than normal and place the ball forward from the normal position. This lie tends to hit the ball to the right so aim left of your target. Grip the club at the very top or in extreme slope cases even partially off the shaft. This will give you maximum length to get to the ball. Your weight distribution should be equal. The lie dictates a more upright plane and again, don't fight it. Good swing keys are to keep you knees flexed and stay down through the shot.

UPHILL LIE

When you are faced with an up-hill lie, the first thing you want to do is accept the fact that the ball is going to spend more time in the air and less time on the ground. Don't fight that fact. Select one more club than you would from an even lie. Next, move your ball position forward in your stance. For the uphill lie, you will have to tilt your spine to the right to keep your shoulders parallel with the slope. Place 60 percent of your weight on you back foot. In executing, keep the body passive and make more of an arms and hands swing. Remember to stay down in the follow through.

DOWN HILL LIE

When you are faced with a down-hill lie, the first thing you need to do is realize that the ball now will spend more time on the ground and less time in the air. Again, don't fight it. Select one less club than you would with an even lie. Position the ball back in your stance. Tilt your spine angle to the left to keep your shoulders parallel with the slope. Place 60 percent of your weight on your front foot. In executing, again keep the body passive and make more of an arms and hands swing. Remember to stay down in the follow through.

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(70).."THE PITCH SHOT"

The Pitch position A pitch shot is a wonderful scoring shot and can be played with just about any club.

A pitch shot is a controlled shot that is struck crisply and has the flight of a dart. To hit a pitch shot start with your pitching wedge. Choke down just a bit maybe an inch or so. Place about 75% of your weight on your left side. Play the ball slightly back in your stance. Take a 3/4 back swing with little wrist breakage and minimal leg movement.

The down swing starts by pulling the left arm down and extending the club face down the target line chasing the ball as long as possible. Follow through with a three quarter swing. The flight of the ball will be lower with little ball movement.

The pitch shot is a great shot to play in all types of conditions and can become your bread and butter scoring shot!

Select your 8 iron, pitching wedge, and sand wedge. Pick out 3 targets between 50 to 120 yards about 15 yards apart. Practice your pitch shots alternating targets and clubs to develop feel and distance in your pitch shot.

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