Tip Of The Month

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

September 2005

In last month's tip I briefly touched upon my experiences playing links golf in Scotland at St. Andrews, Prestwick, Turnberry, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarnes. Truly magical experiences for me never to be forgotten. If you ever get the opportunity don't miss it.

This month's tip concerns some aspects of links golf I found especially fascinating. For example blind shots such as found at the 4th hole of St. Andrews, a true par 4. From the teeing ground all you can see in front of you is an eight foot high thicket of a prickly shrub native to Scotland called gorse. You must pick a spot on the horizon to aim at. Obviously this makes it much tougher to hit the ball to a good spot on the fairway, and not actually seeing the target makes it difficult to make a swing to the target. This requires visualization (a mental picture of the shot), positive mental approach, trusting your swing mechanics and execution.

Another feature of links golf, similar to blind shots yet difficult, is referred to as undefined fairways. The 14th at St. Andrews is a perfect example. All you can see from the tee box is heather and gorse, a stone wall to the right, and pot bunkers punctuating both sides of the otherwise hidden from view fairway. Again this makes it very difficult to aim and swing toward the target. You must pick a spot on the horizon and trust your swing. Links golf certainly presents many different challenges. Pothole bunkers, thick heather, gorse, hard greens, changing weather conditions and blind shots. However hitting straight drives can help you tame the links.

Here are my 5 keys to straight driving:

1) Proper distance from the ball - to consistently swing on plane you must be the correct distance from the ball. If you're too far away the club swings too inside on the take-away. Too close and the club-head swings outside or above the plane. Look at the picture. My hands and arms hang under my chin. My weight is on the balls of my feet. I'm in an athletic, ready position. Most amateurs set up too far from the ball.

2) Take-away - one of the keys to straight driving is to keep the club-face square on the take-away. At hip level the toe of the club-face is not quite toe pointing up or parallel to the spine angle at address. Most amateurs open the club-face when starting their swing. This makes it difficult to square the face consistently at impact.

3) Left arm at top of backswing - swinging on plane produces longer, straighter shots. Look at the picture. See how the left arm is parallel to the club-shaft angle at address. This is "on plane." Check yourself with a mirror or video. From here no manipulation with the hands, arms, or body is required to swing toward the target and square the club-face at impact.

4) Post impact - your arms must extend and rotate over just past impact. Most amateurs have the arms separated and the left wrist broken. This will ruin most shots. Take practice swings stopping the club-shaft short of parallel on your follow through. Your arms should be close together and the left wrist in line with your forearm.

5) Visualization - preparing yourself for a good shot is essential for straight driving. Picture the shot in your mind before pulling the trigger. Whether you're hitting a draw, fade, or straight shot, you must prepare your body to react. Develop a pre-shot routine after you visualize. Practice this on the range. Hit shots to a flag or tree. I like to focus on a 20 yard narrow fairway and split it. Focusing on a target will help you subdue negative thoughts. As Bob Toski once said, "Good players prepare themselves for success, poor players prepare themselves for disaster." Practicing these driving keys will help you no matter where you tee it up.

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