One of the major problems for the 100-shooter is hitting a bad drive and then compounding the mistake. If you're in trouble, you should have two goals. The first is to get out of trouble and back to the fairway with the least amount of risk. That usually means hitting a short iron out of the rough instead of trying to chop at it with a 5-wood or hybrid. Your second goal is to make solid contact on the shot you pick. Try this drill: Hold a balloon between your forearms at address, and practice hitting sand-wedge shots while keeping it in place. You'll create a longer, more consistent impact area. This drill works for every club -- even your putter.
Breaking 100
August 2008
Hold the balloon for solid shots
Point where you want your shot to go
It's so tempting to freeze your body and just use your arms to hit shots with a wedge. After all, you don't need to hit it that far, right? Unfortunately, those instincts are wrong. If you don't turn your body and shift your weight, you'll scoop your hands to generate more speed, and that's how you hit fat and topped shots. Instead, point your right index finger down the shaft, and hit shots concentrating on getting that finger, your right knee and your belt buckle all pointed at the target in the finish. Your body will be more involved in the swing.
SWING INDEX
Pointing your right index finger at the target in the finish is a great visual cue. If you restrict the clubhead from releasing, that finger will point down at the ball. Scoop, and it will point left of the target.
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