The Hands Lead the Clubhead – VI

Once again, I come to you with yet another way for you to accomplish this vital fundamental in spite of your impulsive desires not to. Hopefully this will be the easiest method of all because you don’t have to do anything. You just have to not do two things, which unfortunately, are very tempting to do.

At the top of the backswing, there is an angle between the left forearm (right forearm for lefties) and the clubshaft. The first thing not to do is release that angle at the moment you reverse the direction of your swing. By retaining it for just a split second at the very start, you will lock in that angle so that the momentum of your swing releases it naturally and at the right time. Easy!

As you come into the ball, however, there is still a chance for you to screw it up if you absolutely have to by adding a little bit of hit or steerage with your right hand (left hand for you lefties) just before contact, which throws the clubhead ahead of your hands, the opposite of what we are trying to achieve. The second thing not to do, then, is that.

Believe me this is as simple as I can make it. I can’t foresee a The Hands Lead the Clubhead – VII post. But you never know.

Hit a Draw With an Open Clubface

To draw the ball off the tee is the ideal shot for a recreational golfer. It looks great, and it gives you extra distance on the ground. The trouble is, it’s a hard shot to hit, for reasons there is no point going into now. I’d rather spend my time describing an easy way to hit one.

The title of this post sounds wrong, doesn’t it? Everybody knows you have to close your clubface to hit a draw, and that is exactly right.

But it’s closed in relation to what?

The club PATH, that’s what. That’s the geometry that gets you your draw. And here’s how to get it with an OPEN clubface.

Set up parallel to a line going from the ball to the target as if you were going to hit a shot straight at it.

Open the clubface about three degrees.

Here comes the magic trick: swing toward the ball from inside-to-out by about six degrees. Now your clubface, open to your stance line, is CLOSED to the swing path, and there’s your draw.

If you look at the diagram carefully, you will see (if you tilt your head a bit) that even though the clubface is open to the target line, it is slightly closed to the swing path. Hence, a draw.

To get an in-to-out swing path of about six degrees, you have to aim your swing.

Put your left arm out in front of you with the outside edge of the hand against your target in the distance. The inside edge of your hand is about six degrees away. Aim your swing for whatever is grazing the right edge of your hand. Forget about the target. Aim at that place or object.

This shot takes practice. To swing in-to-out, it helps greatly to take the club back in-to-out as well. This is something have to learn how to do. You also have to learn what angles of clubface and swing path work for you. The ones I mentioned above are just for mentioning.

Another place you can use this shot is to get out of trouble from the left side of the fairway.

I once was off the fairway in a bunch of trees with no straight shot to the pin, but I had an open look at the fairway. So I played this shot, but really exaggerated the angles. I opened the clubface about ten degrees and swung from about twenty degrees inside. (Don’t worry, I had practiced this shot, too.)

The ball took off way right then took a hard left turn towards the green and ended up just off the left side of the green. But I got my up and down.

Slow Motion Golf Swing Drill

The best way to practice your swing is to swing in slow motion. “Practice your swing” means to practice the swinging of the club, not to practice hitting golf balls with your swing.

By swinging in slow motion, the things you would not feel when you swing at your normal speed instead stand out clearly, both your errors and successes. That makes it easy to correct what went wrong and reinforce what went right.

The slow speed of the swing also gives you time to insert swing thoughts, or what I would rather call coaching, at the right moments, and consciously act on that coaching as you swing.

If you know what points are important to your swing, you can run through them in your head as the swing progresses, if the swing is slow enough, and quickly learn to get them right every time.

Hundreds of slow, self-coached repetitions of your golf swing create the unconscious awareness of the swing that you are trying to build up so you don’t have to think about what to do when you are playing. The right swing just comes out.

You can do this drill at home whenever you want to, as many times a day as you want to.

From time to time though, do hit balls with the swing that you’re developing. You need feedback to know if you’re on the right track. You could easily start teaching yourself a feel-good swing that is useless for hitting golf balls.

But remember, when you play, no coaching! Just swing. If it works, wonderful! If it’s still not quite right, you haven’t fully absorbed your coaching points into one whole movement at an intuitive level.

More slow motion practice!

How to Figure Your Iron Distances

Want a good way to find out how far you hit each iron? Try this.

Play a round of sprinkler head golf by yourself. Nine holes will do.

Play the first hole like you normally would. After that, hit your tee shot, pick up the ball and use the sprinkler heads or cement markers embedded in the fairway to stand at what you think your 9-iron distance (say) is. Then walk straight to the edge of the fairway and hit two shots.

You hit your shots from there so you don’t mark up the center of the fairway with your divots.

To know how much distance you have walked off from marker or sprinkler head, you need to know the exact length of your step using your typical stride.

Yes, I know, going to the edge of the fairway adds distance, but not much. With a fairway that is 40 yards wide, hitting from the edge of the fairway at 150 yard adds just over one yard (1.3275) to that distance.

In the notebook you brought, write down the distance club, and result–short or long by X yards, or just right.

It doesn’t matter if you hit the green or not. You can tell even when you miss if that was the right club or not and if not, by how much.

So you don’t slow things down, skip putting and move on to the next tee.

On the next hole, do this with your 7-iron, the 5-iron after that.

On par 5s, measure both the second shot where the ball ends up, not to where it lands, which you probably couldn’t determine accurately anyway.

After nine holes, you should have enough information to be getting a good idea how far you hit those two clubs. You can use the pattern they create to fill in the distance for the 8 and 6. Longer clubs you can measure on a long par 3, but don’t use a tee.

You might want to do it all over one more time to be sure.

Why would you do this on the course when you could get the same information from a launch monitor at a driving range?

The reason is to determine your distances under playing conditions, which are different than range conditions. There are very likely differences in the distance you will get from each, and the course is where you need to get the distances right.

I Asked ChatGPT How to Stop Hitting Duck Hooks

About month ago I went to ChatGPt to try it out. I thought I would ask a golf question. This is full transcript (long) of my bout with ChatGPT (and that’s what it was) about how to stop hitting duck hooks.

One thing I learned–ChatGPT is pretty wiggly. It speaks with authority, but remember it is just repeating what someone has fed in to it and has little awareness of starting to make no sense, and its answers are generally bland, obvious, and non-committal. But then, what do you expect?

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golf question. i hit duck hooks with my driver. how can i correct this

To correct a hook with a driver, try the following steps:
Grip: Ensure that you have a neutral grip on the club to reduce the amount of wrist action in your swing.

Alignment: Make sure you are aligned to the target line, as an incorrect alignment can cause a hook.

Ball position: Move the ball slightly forward in your stance to reduce the spin on the ball and limit the hook.

Swing path: Focus on swinging along the target line and avoid swinging across the line, which can cause the ball to hook.

Clubface: Make sure the clubface is square to the target at impact. An open clubface can cause the ball to hook.

Practice: Dedicate time to practicing and repeating the steps until they become natural in your swing.

Remember that correcting a hook is a process that may require patience and repetition. Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed.

thank you. i am confused by one point you made, though. doesn’t a open clubface cause the ball to slice?

Yes, you’re correct! An open clubface at impact can cause the ball to slice (move from right to left for a right-handed golfer). My apologies for the mistake in my previous response. To correct a hook, it’s important to have a square or slightly closed clubface at impact, which will help the ball travel straight or with a slight draw (move from left to right). Thank you for pointing out the error.

i should be more clear with my request. a hook starts out to the right and curves significantly to the left, with decent distance. a duck hook starts out left, stays low, continues to the left, and doesn’t go very far.

Ah, I understand your confusion now. A “duck hook” is a more severe form of a hook, which starts out left and stays low, curving even further left with limited distance.
To correct a duck hook, the following tips may help:
Swing path: Focus on swinging along the target line, rather than across it. A swing path that is too inside or over-the-top can cause a duck hook.

Release: Ensure that you are releasing the club properly through impact, as an early release can cause a duck hook.

Weight distribution: Make sure you are transferring your weight correctly during the swing. Improper weight distribution can cause a duck hook.

Clubface: Practice maintaining a slightly closed clubface position at impact. An open clubface can cause the ball to hook.

Practice: Dedicate time to practicing these adjustments on the range, hitting shots with a focus on the tips mentioned above.

Remember that correcting a duck hook requires patience and repetition. Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed.

i want to ask you what you mean by releasing the club properly through impact and how to do that, but let me remind you that you said once more that an open clubface will cause the ball to hook, when it actually causes the ball to slice.

I apologize for the mistake. An open clubface at impact will indeed cause the ball to slice (move from right to left for a right-handed golfer).
Regarding “releasing the club properly through impact,” it refers to the point in the swing when the hands and wrists uncock, allowing the club to release and complete the swing. A proper release helps generate more speed and power, and can also impact the direction of the ball.
To release the club properly:
Timing: The release should occur naturally in the downswing, just before impact.

Hands: Keep your hands relaxed and let them release through impact, allowing the club to complete the swing.

Wrist action: Let your wrists uncock and rotate through impact, releasing the clubhead for maximum speed and power.

Practice: Focus on feeling the release in your swing and repeat it consistently in your practice sessions.

Remember that a proper release is a key factor in generating distance and accuracy with your shots, and it can be affected by several factors including grip, posture, and swing mechanics. Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed.

if my wrists rotate through impact, doesn’t that create a serious timing problem? the clubhead is traveling through impact at a high rate of speed and it has to be square at just the right instant if my wrists are rotating at the same time

Yes, you’re correct! Maintaining a square clubface at impact is critical for accuracy and distance. If the clubface is not square at impact, the ball will go off course and will not travel as far.
In regards to rotating the wrists through impact, this is a natural part of a golf swing and can help generate speed and power. However, it’s important to time the wrist rotation correctly to avoid any negative impact on the clubface squareness. The wrists should start to uncock (rotate) just before impact, allowing the clubhead to release and complete the swing.
To achieve a square clubface and proper wrist rotation through impact, consider the following tips:
Clubface control: Practice keeping the clubface square to the target line throughout the swing, especially through impact.

Timing: Focus on timing the wrist rotation correctly, starting the rotation just before impact.

Drill: Try hitting shots with a focus on maintaining a square clubface and proper wrist rotation through impact.

Feedback: Use a launch monitor or video analysis to get feedback on your clubface position and wrist rotation through impact.

Remember that achieving a square clubface and proper wrist rotation through impact is a process that takes practice and repetition. Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed.

how about we just not rotate the wrists at all through impact, ensuring the clubface will stay square

While it is possible to not rotate the wrists at all through impact, it is generally not recommended, as it can lead to a loss of power and distance. The wrist rotation through impact is a natural part of a golf swing and can help generate speed and power.
However, it is important to maintain control over the clubface to ensure it remains square to the target line through impact. Maintaining a square clubface at impact will result in straighter, more accurate shots.
To achieve a square clubface while also maximizing wrist rotation:
Focus on a slow, smooth transition from backswing to downswing, to allow the wrists to start uncocking just before impact.

Practice hitting shots while focusing on maintaining a square clubface through impact.

Get feedback on your clubface position and wrist rotation through impact using a launch monitor or video analysis.

Remember that each golfer is different and finding the right balance between wrist rotation and clubface control will depend on your individual swing mechanics. Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed.

i agree that wrist rotation can generate speed and power,because I have tried that. when it worked, it worked very well, but when it didn’t the results disastrous. as to your points: 1. you can have a smooth transition at the top and still mess up impact; 2. i would do that by NOT rotating the wrists instead of hoping i could get the timing just right

I understand your concerns. Not rotating the wrists through impact can result in a lack of power and distance, but it can also help ensure a square clubface at impact. It’s a matter of finding the right balance between wrist rotation and clubface control that works best for your swing.
Here are a few tips that might help:
Experiment: Try hitting shots with and without wrist rotation through impact and compare the results to see what works best for you.

Short game: Focus on hitting short shots with a square clubface and minimal wrist rotation to help develop a feel for the clubface control.

Practice: Repeat the shots that result in a square clubface and minimal wrist rotation to ingrain the correct muscle memory.

Swing thought: Visualize a square clubface at impact and try to feel the clubface control through impact.

Professional help: Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed. They can analyze your swing and provide recommendations on wrist rotation and clubface control.

Remember that golf is a game of repetition and consistency. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at controlling the clubface and wrist rotation through impact.

mike malaska, a respected teacher, tells you wrist rotation ruined his game as a touring professional. it was only when he stopped doing that did he get the power and accuracy he needed. he also said you have to practice constantly to get your timing right with wrist rotation, and even then there are days when is just won’t work. that is my experience, too.

I understand your perspective, and it’s important to note that what works best for one golfer may not work for another. Mike Malaska is a respected teacher, and his experience with wrist rotation is just one example.
Each golfer is unique and has their own swing mechanics, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you. If wrist rotation has been causing problems for you, then not rotating the wrists through impact could be a good solution.
It’s also important to remember that golf is a game of repetition and consistency. If you decide to reduce or eliminate wrist rotation, it will take time and practice to develop the correct muscle memory and feel for the clubface control.
Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed. They can analyze your swing and provide recommendations on wrist rotation and clubface control that are tailored to your individual swing mechanics.

just asking. did you know that mike malaska was respected teacher before i said he was, or are you only repeating what you just learned

As an AI language model, I do not have personal experiences or emotions. I have been trained on a diverse range of texts and have knowledge about various topics, including golf and golf instructors. Yes, I was aware of Mike Malaska being a respected teacher in the golf community before you mentioned it.

getting back to duck hooks, have you considered that they might be caused by the softening of grip pressure between the right and left hand at the top of the backswing

Yes, grip pressure and the position of the hands can definitely affect the ball flight and cause hooks or slices. A change in grip pressure between the right and left hand at the top of the backswing could cause the clubface to rotate and result in a duck hook.
Here are a few tips to help maintain grip pressure and prevent a change in the clubface position:
Grip pressure: Focus on keeping consistent grip pressure throughout the swing, especially at the top of the backswing.

Hand position: Keep the hands in the same position at the top of the backswing as they were at address.

Swing thought: Visualize keeping the hands and grip pressure in the same position throughout the swing.

Practice: Repeat shots with consistent grip pressure to help ingrain the correct muscle memory.

Professional help: Consider seeking advice from a golf instructor if needed. They can analyze your swing and provide recommendations on grip pressure and hand position.

Remember that golf is a game of repetition and consistency. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at maintaining consistent grip pressure and hand position throughout the swing.

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At this point I had found out all I wanted to know about ChatGPT. A week later I went on and asked how to hit a driver straight. More vanilla advice, including that a neutral grip, instead of a weak or strong grip, maximizes distance. This in spite of my bringing up Ben Hogan and Fred Couples. I won’t bore you with that one.

One more thing. Academia is all in a tizzy about ChatGPT being able to write essays for students. I swear, if you can’t tell the difference between what ChatGPT comes up with and how a human writes, you shouldn’t be in teaching.

Straight Lines in the Golf Swing

We pay a lot of attention to making sure the clubface is square to the target line at impact because of the overwhelming effect that clubface orientation has on the flight of the ball.

Let us not neglect the club’s path, however. You can’t hit the ball north if your swing goes northwest.

I think the simplest way to ensure that the club is traveling along the target line at impact it to imagine that the club swings along the target line the whole time, back and through, kind of like a Ferris wheel.

We know that can’t happen. We can’t swing the club along a straight line like that. We can only swing it around.

But I believe that if you visualize the target line on the ground and “swing along it,” your normal swing will take the club up and around in such a way that prevents you from carrying the club too far to the inside or the outside at the start, and likewise back through the ball.

It works great at least for me.

I’m not suggesting you change your swing in any way, just the way you think about where your swing is going.

Two points. If your method is to hit at the ball instead of swing through it, this might not work. If you try to put in a conscious physical assist, that absolutely won’t work.

Just visualize the line and feel your swing going along it. That simple.

Twelve-Year-Old Shoots 2 Under at Genesis Open

This item is from today’s GolfWRX:

“Tiger Woods shot an impressive 2-under 69 on Thursday’s opening round at the Genesis Invitational. However, that’s not the only thing being talked about in regard to Woods as he prepares for round two.

“On the ninth hole yesterday, after outdriving his good friend Justin Thomas, Woods handed something to Thomas.

” Tiger Woods had a gift for Justin Thomas after driving it past him on number nine.
“(via @GettyImages) pic.twitter.com/HXZEQSAhEU
” — Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood) February 17, 2023

“The ‘gift’ was a tampon.

“What can you say? Tiger is back.”

What can I say? Well!

I can say that Thomas should have invited Woods to go have sexual intercourse with himself, though not in those words. But then you shouldn’t talk like that to a twelve-year-old.

And Tiger brings a tampon to the course with him, and carries it with him all day just in case there is a “moment”, which there was. Really?

And people still carry water for this guy? Good absolute grief.

Tiger is back, all right. Still the same man-child he always has been.

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February 21 update: This from GolfWRX.

Dumping My wedges

There was a time, up until yesterday, to be precise, when I carried four wedges: PW, GW, SW, and LW. I got into the Dave Pelz method of pitching, which uses four wedges and three swings, and used them all for chipping, too.

I must say I did very well with that approach. But no more.

For the past few rounds I tried pitching with my PW, 9-, and 8-irons. I found that method to be every bit as accurate distance-wise as with the wedges, and easier to get a good shot out of, mainly because you can hit the the shot with a shorter, and thus more controlled, swing. I was very happy with the result each time.

And doesn’t the shape of those clubheads, at least with the blades I play, say, “Pitch with me?”

So out of the bag went the GW and LW. I hardly ever used those clubs anyway.

Next time you go to the range, try pitching with the three clubs I mentioned and see what you think.

Little Differences That Make a Big Difference in How Well You Play