Tip of the Month

October 2005

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

Another exciting finish thrilled golfers lucky enough to watch the final round of the American Express World Golf Championship, October 6-9, at Harding Park Golf Course, San Francisco. I watch a lot of them. Seems to me just about every tournament on the PGA Tour these days has finishes closer than the dimples on a golf ball. Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia, and John Daly all had opportunities to win this prestigious event. As often happens when he lurks, Tiger won when John Daly missed a three-foot putt on the second playoff hole.

Harding Park is a classy old-style course (designed by Willie Watson in 1925). The narrow fairways are outlined by towering Monterey cypress and fragrant eucalyptus trees. Deep bunkers frame the small, lightning fast greens. Reminds me of the Olympic Club, which is nearby, and site of three U.S. Open Championships. Tiger scored 10 under for the tourney. It's important to note that great as his long game and irons are, it was putting and short game that kept him in the fray. For example, several great bunker shots, and an amazing flop shot from deep rough which he played just like one of his bunker shots.

Our tip of the month deals with Tiger in a trap and the secret to his miraculous ability to escape. Here's how:

1) Open club-face slightly before taking your grip.

2) Position the ball even with your left ear (reverse for lefties). Use a slight open stance (left foot pulled back four inches).

3) Hit the sand with the trailing edge of your club. Practice with a splash board or painted piece of wood. Look at the bottom of your club after practicing. The paint or scuff mark should be on the trailing edge.

4) Make a 10 O'clock to 2 O'clock swing. Your wrists should hinge on the backswing and re-hinge on the front.

Hitting the sand with the trailing edge of your sand wedge allows you to hit the top layer of sand, thus sending the sand along with the ball on the green. The open club-face and open stance promote a slightly more vertical swing resulting in a nice high, soft lofted shot.

Follow these steps. It'll take practice. You'll be thrilled with the results.