Tip Of The Month
By John Pallot
Director of Instruction
March 2006
      March signals the start of the PGA Tour's Southern Swing. Five
tournaments leading up to Augusta and The Masters. The Ford Championship
kicked things off with Tiger Woods winning his second straight title.
He scorched the Blue Monster with a score of twenty under par. I
had the privilege of watching and filming "El Tigre's"
entire practice round. It was an awesome display of power, finesse,
and shot making. I particularly remember a "stinger" driver
on the 18th hole. It's a 467 yard par 4, one of the toughest holes
on the Tour and Tiger wanted a lower flighted drive into the wind.
His shot was executed to perfection. A low, boring, heat seeking
missile 320 yards down the middle. I can't remember seeing anyone
else on Tour even attempting this shot. This is what makes Tiger
so special. He has shots that no one else can attempt. Earlier on
the 16th hole, after a 330 yard blast left him a 50 yard pitch,
Tiger's short game prowess showed. He played a 60-degree lob wedge
within five feet of the pin. It was a high, soft spinner that landed
like a butterfly with sore feet.
This month's tip revolves around Tiger's power and finesse:
1) Delivery-this is one of the key elements in
Tiger's consistent power and accuracy. Notice the club-shaft is
pointing parallel to the target line at hip level on the downswing.
This online delivery sends the ball toward the target. Check yourself
with a mirror or on your practice swing. Notice the club-face is
perpendicular to the ground or straight. This makes it easier to
square the club-face at impact.
2) Flat Left Wrist at Impact-look at the left wrist
at impact. This ensures solid club-ball contact. It's a characteristic
trait of all great ball strikers. Practice this by hitting a vinyl
bag stuffed with towels or simply hit the ground and hold your position.
The wrist must be in line with the forearm. This is the key to Tiger's
lob spinner.
3) Extension and Release-Tiger's arms extend and
rotate over after impact. The left wrist stays flat even as the
arm rotates counter-clockwise. The best drill to realize this position
is right hand off at impact. Take small swings and let your right
hand come off the club at impact. This forces the left arm to complete
its rotation. 90% of amateurs stop this left arm supination. Hit
some shots and feel the club-face closing.
4) The Stinger- the key to Tiger's "stinger"
is to choke down on the grip two inches, tee the ball a little lower,
and abbreviate your follow through, This keeps the hands forward
at impact, the left wrist flat, and the radius of the swing smaller.
Work on these tips. They work for Tiger on the Blue Monster. Imagine
what they'll do for you on your home course.
Previous Golf Tips
2010 : January | February
2009 : January | August | September | October | November | December
2008 : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November
2007 : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2006 : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2005 : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2004 : February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
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