The Golf Teaching Tools

Another Golf Teaching Tool Tip: Experiment with a Weak Grip

In my experience, a weaker grip adds power and height to the average golfer’s shot. I recommend at least experimenting with this grip. When you take your grip, V’s should be created between the thumb and pointer finger of your right and left hand. For example, I’ll use the right-handed golfer. Most golfers learn from the beginning, to make both of the V’s created point at the right (back) shoulder. The result is a fairly strong grip. Here are the steps you should take if you are interested in trying a weaker grip.

1. Put the strong grip on the club. (Both V’s pointed at your right shoulder)

2. Don’t move your left hand

3. Keeping your right pinky in place, unlock the rest of your right hand, and rotate everything over the top of the grip. Your left thumb should be totally enclosed by your right palm. Now the V formed by your right hand should be pointed more at your head, or maybe even toward your left shoulder.

This new grip is going to feel strange at first, and may not work with your particular swing. But with certain swings, this weak grip is the missing link.

The Ball of Choice

I am recommending the Srixon AD 333. You can get them for about $20 per dozen, and I find that they perform much better than other balls in that price range. And hereby i'll give you an extra Golf Teaching Tool Tip: If you want to upgrade look into the Srixon UR-X. Srixon makes the best balls available today, and many of the tour players use them. They are top notch, and if you haven’t tried them, you’ll be very pleasantly surprised with their performance. The UR-X is very comparable to the Titleist Pro V1.

David Nevogt writes golf instruction material that helps golfers of all levels reach their full potential and lower their scores. David is the author of “The Simple Golf Swing” which guarantees to have you shooting 7 strokes lower in only 1 week from today. You can find more of his golf instruction by going to http://www.golfswingguru.com

Golf Teaching Tool Tip: Putting and Sand Play Tips

3-Feet from the Hole

The most important aspect of putting is to decide on your line before the stroke. The only thing to be thinking DURING the stroke is how hard you need to hit the ball. Control how far the ball rolls by controlling the distance you bring the putter back during the backswing. The length of the forward swing past the ball should ALWAYS match the length of the backswing.

When determining the “line” for the putt, pay particular attention to the lay of the green within a three foot radius around the cup, as your golf ball will be rolling fairly slowly, and therefore will break more sharply within that area near the cup. You need to determine where you want the golf ball to be when it is entering that three-feet-away radius. Always attempt to putt the ball so it will go about one foot past the hole if it misses. If it misses,watch the break PAST the hole, because that will give you the line for the tap in.

Get out of the Sand

Sand play around the green really is a different concept. Here’s all you need to know to have great sand play…Open the blade of your sand wedge so that it is directed about five feet to the RIGHT of the flag. Open your stance so the tips of your feet and shoulders are aligned with each other such that you are aiming about five feet LEFT of the pin.

When you swing back, only swing the clubhead as HIGH as your right shoulder. Don’t use more than about 60% power on the swing. The clubface should slice ACROSS AND DOWN THROUGH the sand, behind the ball. More than any other shot on the course, follow through is essential to lift the ball out of the sand. If you want the ball to stop more quickly, hit the sand about 1 inch behind the middle of the golf ball. If you want the ball to run, you need to hit about 2.5 inches behind the middle of the ball. Use this method and your days of poor sand play are behind you, but of course nothing comes without practice. Find a course in your area that has a chipping green with a bunker you can practice out of. After a while, your confidence will skyrocket.