Tip Of The Month
By John Pallot
Director of Instruction
May 2005
    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.
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