Tip of the Month

May 2005

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

The 2005 annual Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Tournament took place at the Biltmore May 6. It brought back many fond memories of my days as a junior golfer in Coral Gables as I was teamed with two of my best childhood friends, Commissioner Bill Kerdyk Jr. and Marshall Smith. The three of us played junior golf together and were also on the Coral Gables High team. All of us took lessons and developed a love for the game at an early age. We share fond memories of many rounds at the Biltmore and Granada, and fondly remember some fine golfers and gentlemen including Bill Tinder, Dick Medford, Elmer Gerth, Jay Perkins, Hap Conklin, and Al Norman. Bill Jr., Marshall, and I were kids and they were older and of legendary status in our eyes. We learned from them, practiced what they taught, and achieved good golfer status. I remember practicing hours and hours on the putting green just to beat Dick Medford out of a quarter. I practiced hitting ball after ball just to try to hit an 8 iron over the "big tree" at the Granada practice area just like Dick Medford and Jay Perkins. Playing with Bill Jr. and Smitty on Saturday morning or afternoon was the highlight of my week. Who was to hit the longest drive,sink the longest putt, hit the closest iron to the pin, had the best score was up for grabs every Saturday. Winners had bragging rights for the week.

This month's tip reveals why after all those years Bill Jr.,Smitty, and myself even with busy schedules and families to attend still hit the ball awfully well. The secret to powerful ball striking is keep the club-shaft at a 90 degree angle to the left arm on the downswing. Look at the pictures. The lower body initiates the downswing with a shift toward the target. This allows the club-shaft and left arm to maintain a 90 degree angle and enables a pulling down or pump with the arms creating maximum acceleration at impact. Bill Jr. was hitting drives 300 yards with an effortless motion. The best drill to practice this pulling down or pumping action is the one-two-three pump drill. Take your backswing and stop at the top. Pump the club 3 times from the top until your left arm is parallel to the ground and then swing through and hit the ball. What you'll feel is your wrists uncocking at impact giving you tremendous acceleration at the moment of truth. This is one of the keys to effortless power. Practice this drill every time you can and remember to hold the angle as you pump, yielding a lifetime of effortless power.

Tour Golf Jargon. Each month we will be introducing new golf jargon that pro's use while on tour. Now you can talk like the pros or at least understand what they're saying.