Tip of the Month

December 2005

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

Recently I participated in Cadillac Appreciation Day at Don Shula's Hotel and Golf Club. Five hundred golfers from across Florida were invited to a one -day golf clinic conducted by local pros, plus a one-hour clinic with Tom Watson, a Hall of Famer with seven major titles and 47 wins on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. Each participant received instruction on putting, pitching, chipping, irons and driving. The local pro watched each invitee hit shots and then gave free tips. Tom Watson then gave the group a lesson on important fundamentals. It started with stretching, grip, grip pressure, posture and swinging the club. The e 50-yard sand wedge shot was also discussed by the legendary golfer followed by Tom treating the gallery to an exhibition of a variety of shots. High, low, fade, slice, and hook shots were executed merely by changing the ball position and grip.

I wasn't asked to drive a new Cadillac, but to work at the driving station. I emphasized hitting longer, straighter drives. Of course, the basics so vital to good shot making were covered. These included grip, swing tempo, balance, hitting the sweet spot, club-head speed and how to create it.

After an all day session of watching all types of swings I found ample evidence of two common swing problems. In this Tip of The Month the problems are described and the ways to overcome the problems are detailed in print and pictures.

Problem #1... The short, tight backswing. In order to create speed at impact there must be a free flowing backswing. The more flexible your wrists, hands, arms, and shoulders the more speed you can create. Light grip pressure and relaxed arms are essential in swinging the club back to parallel. My small muscles are tension free. Don't worry about a stiff left arm. The best drill to lengthen your backswing is hold the club-head 18 inches in front of the ball. From there let the club swing back to horizontal (parallel) to the ground. You'll find starting the club in front will give you more momentum to allow the club-head to swing all the way back. Hit some shots this way on the practice tee. This will help you feel a nice, free flowing backswing.

Problem #2... No extension and release with the arms post impact. In order to hit the ball straight or with a slight draw, the hands, wrists, and arms must extend and rotate over. This produces a swing toward the target, encourages maximum club-head speed, and the abliity to square the club-face; then close the club-face post impact. Bob Toski defines release as"rotate and accelerate the toe of the club." Look at the picture. See how the right arm has crossed over the left arm. The left hand, wrist, and arm also rotates, knuckles down. Practice this and draw some shots. If you've got the space, here's an effective drill to practice this extension and rotation. Use an old club and practice throwing it toward the target. Actually let the club fly out of your hands. It should fly toward the target if your hands, wrists, and arms are releasing properly. Practicing these keys will get your swing off to a flying start for 2006.