Too often I hit what I think are great drives only to realize that the distance was not near what I expected. Although I hit my driver very well, there are times when my ball seems to fall out of the air for no reason. Well, after some research (in the past) I realized that I created too much spin on the ball when hitting my driver. Sometimes the RPM would be thousands of rotations above the accepted norm of approximately 2500 rpm when hitting my driver off the tee. The results is a shorter hit and increased frustration.
Continue readingTips
Proper Setup When Chipping
How far do you stand away from the ball when chipping? I can honestly say that when I set up, I think I am in a natural position, but I never really measured. Normally, I stand in a quasi upright position so that the heel of my club is slightly off the ground. This position works and after measuring I found that it is about two feet away. That is the ball is about two feet away from the heel of my lead foot. If you are wondering how I know this, well….
Continue readingTiming and Tempo Of a Golf Swing
The challenge for many amateurs is to figure out the what’s and how’s of their golf swing. There is so much information floating around in the golf biosphere, it is difficult to ascertain what advice would best fit our game. The general understanding of terms is helpful, but knowing what they really mean is more important. I have worked on my game for 45+ years in the hopes that I find that perfect golf swing for my physical abilities. Low in behold, I was focused on the wrong area, but happen to fall into a swing that works. I am grateful I was able to reach a point where I am comfortable with my swing tempo and timing. Understanding why the what’s and how’s of my swing mechanics, now, will be helpful moving forward.
Continue readingSteering The Golf Ball Is A Bad Thing
Steering the golf ball is a topic that creeps up in many of my conversations from time to time. This swing error is defined as an attempt to guide the flight of the ball that usually results in a loss of distance and accuracy. It is a common problem for many amateurs who try feel that ‘helping’ the club hit the ball is a great strategy. The fact is that it is not a strategy to follow because of the consistently poor results. Steering the golf ball is a bad thing, but fortunately there is a way to avoid it.
Continue readingHitting A Fairway Wood With Success
Measuring the success of any golf shot is in the eye of the beholder. Every golfer has metrics they use to determine the quality of the outcome after each hit. Hitting a fairway wood is the one club that has the greatest of variance when I determine the success of my shot. Depending on the parameters or challenges faced during the shot will have the greatest impact on whether I am happy or disappointed. This fairway club, in my case a 3 wood, is the one club that I shape more than any other and because of its versatility it provides, I am totally confident attempting a long shot with obstacles in the way. How to hitting my fairway wood is not a secret, but I must accomplish one pre-shot step in order to come close to meeting my high expectations of success.
>!–more–>When hitting my 3 wood from the fairway, I do everything that Rick Shiels suggests in order to make great contact with the ball. The contact I make is generally solid and I hit my ball about 220 yards. I can squeeze a bit more out of my 3 wood if I need to, but I am most comfortable hitting the ball to this above distance. To say comfortable within my golf swing, I follow what Rick says in the video below:
As I mentioned above, I do try to work my ball with the 3 wood more than any other club. I am confident I can fade and draw this club as required as long as perform one pre-shout step without fail. Regardless of what type of shot I am looking to hit, I must visualize my shot in order to be successful. Right now most of you are saying ‘of course’ visualization is key to any golf shot, however in my case it is critical to a successful 3 wood shot.
If I take just a bit more time visualizing the shot I want to make, my body seems to take cues from my mind by performing what is needed to accomplish my end goal. I do visualize with other clubs, but I have greater results off the fairway with my 3 wood for some reason. I cannot explain why, but it happens. Thus, regardless if I am trying to shape my shot, garner more distance, or hit to a spot, visualization is the key to my successful fairway shot.
As I am writing this article today, it dawns on me that visualizing with more intent with all my shots will help achieve my goal of winning more competitive golf this year. I talk about finding that mental edge for success this year and visualizing every shot is a great place to start. I will have to ponder this more.
Hitting a successful 3 wood is not as difficult as we think. Following Rick Shiels tips and visualizing more intently will lead you down the path of success. By developing a great 3 wood shot for your game will lower your golf scores and that is the goal of every golfer.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 