Key to Getting the Ball Airborne is Learning How to Control “Low Point”

Have you ever asked yourself what the #1 goal in golf is? The answer to this question is pretty simple- it’s getting the ball airborne.

This must be the first goal because golf courses are designed with sand traps and hazards that must be carried. The key to getting the ball airborne is learning to control “low point,” or where the club hits the ground.

Now this may sound simple, however it is extremely pertinent to playing successful golf. If you've ever seen a child pick up a golf club for the first time, you will notice they generally pick the club up in the backswing and then swing back down at the golf ball. The child may or may not be successful in these attempts, but they have achieved the basic movement of the club.

However down is not at the golf ball, it is actually through the golf ball.

When you hit down at the golf ball, you are swinging immediately back up after making contact. To hit the ball solidly we must hit down through the golf ball, taking a divot as you continue down after the ball has left the face of the club. This insures you compress the ball, and it is that compression that gives the ball a chance to pick up spin launching it into the air.

The best way to practice taking a divot is to set up a row of golf balls, as you’ll see in my lesson video with Thomas. Once the row is set up, Thomas will take a practice swing making sure the club hits the ground right on the line of balls and then continuing to take a divot after the line. As the swing gets longer the divot should get bigger because there is more speed and force going into the ground.

With the introduction of bigger head drivers and launch monitors, there has been some confusion in the golf industry as to whether you hit down on the driver or not. Because the driver moves up in the backswing it must move down in the downswing. However the driver does not move down as steeply as an iron. With a driver you are trying to make sure the tee moves; you are swinging through the tee. This ensures the ball is hit higher on the face where the hot spot is.

Once a player can control low point, they are ready to move on to the next fundamental of golf. However, that does not mean low point can then be ignored; I have taught many low point lessons to better players because they’ve lost control of it through the processes of working on other parts of their game. Low point is golf’s number 1 fundamental and when you learn to control it, you will play better golf!
Low Point by Brandon Ray- View my Profile

Club Head Speed by John Marshal

Everyone from Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard to the average 30 handicapper wants to hit the golf ball farther. And everyone can, as long as they are willing to put in a little effort. As a long drive competitor, I know that hitting it longer is a function of three distinct factors: improving the biomechanical efficiency of the golf swing, increasing strength and flexibility, and making sure that your equipment is ideally suited to your swing and ability.

Ultimately a functional golf swing is a system of levers that work together in perfect harmony to create club head speed. The primary levers include the wrist hinge, the arm swing and the rotation of the body. Want some supporting data? Conduct a Google search for “Jamie Sadlowsi swing.”

For those not aware, Jamie has won the world long drive championship each of the past two years. At 5’10” and 165 pounds, he is not a giant. Check out the wrist hinge and the rotational speed. He is literally a blur from the beginning of the downswing to the finish. He consistently flies the golf ball over 380 yards in neutral conditions and with a low spin rate ends up with drives longer than 400 yards.

What you may notice about Jamie’s swing is that there really is not a lot of weight shift, a long-taught “fundamental” that I think is entirely overrated. When you make a conscious effort to shift your weight to the rear foot and then forward to the target-side leg, there is the danger of too much sliding of the hips and the possibility that the center of gravity gets outside the feet. When that happens, rotational speed plummets. Club head speed is all about producing centrifugal force. The faster we can rotate on our axis like a figure skater executing a spin, the farther that golf ball is going to fly as long as we are making solid contact.

Written by John Marshal- view my profile

PUTTING- Golf’s Softer, More Gentle Side.

Golf’s Softer, More Gentle Side
First installment in a series of three by Steve McCullough.

The game of golf came into being nearly 500 years ago. Ever since, it has been played on the ground and in the air. A lot of attention has been paid to the aerial part of the game, but nowhere near as much to the ground attack. When you observe the activity at any practice facility, you see where people spend their time. Far too many golfers concentrate their energy towards “Drive for Show “ and not enough towards “ Putt for Dough .” This series is intended to elevate the importance of putting and assist with becoming a better putter.

Putting seems so simple that anybody should be able to do it reasonably well. Therein lies the catch; looks can be very deceiving. The mechanical, physical, and mental skills necessary to be a great putter are numerous.

First, we will examine the mechanical aspects of putting. Great putters share four (4) common traits. They all tend to hold the putter with the palms of their hands facing each other. In addition, they place both thumbs on the flat side of the grip. When you arrange your hands in this manner, a delicate balance is created and maximum feel is promoted. The hands should adhere to the grip ever so softly which greatly refines the sense of touch.

Next, we will discuss what is commonly referred to as the pendulum stroke. This stroke is prevalent in today’s game due to advances in turfgrass varieties and maintenance. The pendulum stroke is achieved by moving the putter with one’s hands, arms, and shoulders simultaneously. The only noticeable joint movement occurs in the hip area. Thus the stroke is controlled by the large muscles of the torso, rather than the smaller ones in the hands and arms. This technique promotes a motion that is relatively easy to control and repeat.

While utilizing the pendulum stroke, it is critical that the putter accelerate through the striking area. From its’ farthest point in the backswing the putter head should move forward with smooth acceleration to the ball and beyond. This will cause the ball to separate from the putter face cleanly and roll with authority. Putts struck in this manner will be less affected by irregularities in and on the putting surface.

Putts aimed incorrectly tend to cause compensations in a players’ stroke. To avoid this, one should strive to get the ball to start on the intended target line. This can be facilitated by setting up to the ball with your eyes directly on top of the target line. You can achieve this position by setting up and then dropping a ball from either eye socket to the ground. The dropped ball should land on the target line. Gravity is such a wonderful thing! While in this setup position, by rotating your head toward the target you will be able to look down the line to the hole.

Next installment: Creating the proper body structure
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