Tip Of The Month
By John Pallot
Director of Instruction
October 2005
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.
Previous Golf Tips
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