November '05 Golf Magazine Instruction Critique

Many golfers look to Golf Magazine for information to help them play better. Unfortunately, the instructional information often appears contradictory but, more seriously, too often it is problematic. By problematic, I mean that the words in the instruction don't match the picutres and that the instruction given cannot produce the results being sought. The objective of this blog is to alert players to such instruction.

This month's articles:

KNOW YOUR ROLL. Good

HOW TO FIND THE HOT SPOT. Peter got this one close to right. His conclusion is that when you "catch one flush" that identifies the hot spot. "Flush" just means that the club face was square to the target line at impact. You can catch it flush any number of places on the face. To really find the hot spot you'll need a launch monitor and face tape on the club. If you decide to go through with finding the hot spot, the "stepping forward" drill is probably going to make hitting that little spot a lot more difficult. Remeber the mark on the driver is less than a half inch in diameter. Hitting that small of a spot will keeping your balance will be challenging enough. Hitting when you "step forward" makes it much less likely. Only try this if after a few session you can't make contact near the spot. The same goes Peter's idea for "ditching" your long tees.

NOW WHAT. This is more complicated than it needs to be. Always ask, "What can I do to adjust the ball flight that does not require me to change my swing at all." Want more height? Do either or both of these to set up changes: 1)position the ball further forward in your stance but swing as though the ball was in its normal position. When the blade meets the ball it will produce a higher trajectory. The ball flight will be left of target so compensate in your alignment, 2) Open the club face at address by rotating the grip in your hands. When you look down at the club it will have more loft and be aimed right. Again, adjust you alignment. A higher trajectory ball flight results from setup changes--NOT swing chagnes.

PULL DOWN FOR POWER. A golf swing is by definition circular. Pulling is linear. Pulling has not place in a golf swing. It creates habits that can ruin your golf. Stay away from pulling. Power is a good thing. Pulling is not.

HOW TO GO LOW. This is more complicated than it needs to be. Always ask, "What can I do to adjust the ball flight that does not require me to change my swing at all." Want more height? Do either or both of these to set up changes: 1)position the ball further back in your stance but swing as though the ball was in its normal position. When the blade meets the ball it will produce a lower trajectory. The ball flight will be right of target so compensate in your alignment, 2) Close the club face at address by rotating the grip in your hands. When you look down at the club it will have less loft and be aimed left. Again, adjust you alignment. A lower trajectory ball flight results from setup changes--NOT swing chagnes.

PUTT OR CHIP FROM THE FRINGE. Good

LET IT SLIDE. Good

A WEDGE BETWEEN US. Ok. But don't forget that your highest percentages for getting it close is with your lower lofted clubs. Use them every time you have plenty of green to work with.

SPEAK OUT. All are good except for Gale's comment. Hitting down (contacting the ball above its equator) can NEVER make the ball go up.

FULL CONTACT. Varying the position of each club at address is unnecessary and promotes inconsistency. All the clubs can work quite well if you play them all in the middle of your stance.

BURIED ALIVE. Good

TEN MOST WANTED SHOTS
SUPER LONG SUPER STRAIGHT DRIVE. Mike's recommendation is excellent for all shots.
SHORT IRON STOPS ON DIME. Hitting a ball off a tee will always optomize back spin. Here's a reliable formula: anytime you increase the loft of a shot or increase the speed of a swing, you increase back spin.
POWER DRAW. This swing changes is dangerous and requires split second timing. If you want a draw, just rotate the grip to close the club face, aim right, and don't change your swing.
LEFT TO RIGHT PUTT. OK
GO-FOR-IT FAIRWAY WOOD. Good concept. Accidental contact with the club laying across the bag could be disasterous.
LOW STINGER. Always steer away from instruction that uses a swing change to alter your ball flight. See above for lower shots.
HIGH SOFT PITCH. Always steer away from instruction that uses a swing change to alter your ball flight. See above for higher shots.
HALF WEDGE. OK
EASY-OUT. OK
LAG PUTT. Points #2 and #3 are ok. If you were going to toss a ball into a bucket, would you find yourself trying to imagine the apex of the toss so that the ball would then fall into the bucket? I don't think so. Your attention would always be on the bucket. ALWAYS keep your target in your mind. If it is a breaking putt your target will be to the side of the hole.

TRACK YOUR TAKEAWY. Ouch! The small inset photo is a problem. Notice how the shaft is leaning forward. Now look at the larger illustration with the butt of the club against the sternum. The shaft should never lean forward for normal shots.

POWER PRIMER. GOOD

COMETE IN PRACTICE. OK

FINISH FOR POWER. OK

SOLID-CONTACT WALL DRILL. OK