Tip of the Month

March 2004

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

Tour pros earn big bucks. To learn how and why, I spent time at the Ford Championship in March watching the world’s best on the driving range. I noticed 10 fundamentals commonly shared. Of course, each has their own swing, but the 10 fundamentals are pretty much the same. If it’s good for the pros shouldn’t amateurs follow the same guidelines as the best players in the world? But first, a study, or “game” plan is needed to get the maximum from practice sessions and incorporate winning fundamentals into your swing. Regular testing by watching yourself in a mirror is a great way to check your fundamentals. Just 10 minutes a day ingrains the principles. Do it and you’ll notice the improvement. Now, here are the keys, the 10 sequential steps to hitting the ball like the pros. (tips written for righties, for lefties just opposite):

• Grasp butt of the club in left hand, club grip resting under the heel pad of the hand
• Body alignment is parallel to the target line
• Bend from the hips at address keeping back pretty straight
• Flex knees a couple of inches at address position
• A slight waggle (swinging to and from movement of the wrists while holding the club behind the ball) prior to the stroke helps relieve tension and promotes a smooth take-away
• At address position the clubface is square (leading edge perpendicular to the ground)
• Backswing - smoothly coil upper body around right leg(right foot doesn't roll out).
• Effortless motion (feel the weight of the club head when swinging)
• At finish of downswing right foot (up on toe) perpendicular to the ground
• Finish in balance (if you’re off balance, you’re swinging too hard)

Following the fundamentals will heat up your game this summer.