John Lucas
Get straight for super shots
Published on Thu, May 26, 2011Read More Lucas
Last time in the basic fundamentals, we discussed the grip, so on to posture and alignment. Proper posture actually determines the proper motion. It is really the best medicine for correcting swing faults.
We need to set up in an athletic manner much like a quarterback or infielders in baseball anticipating a hit ball. We need to lean forward with our body out over the ball. Our weight should be over the arches, not on the heels. Knees flexed, not bent. Bending the knees too much will change your weight distribution. Approximately 60 percent of your weight on your right foot. Now of course, different terrain, wind conditions and hitting shots that must fly either high or low will change that.
Now for correct posture: Our spine must be straight from its base to the head. Bend from the waist. Now a good way to keep one’s spine straight while bending is to make a fist and put your little finger on your breastbone and your thumb against your chin. This will keep your shoulders from slumping, the major cause of coming over the top in the forward swing. Just let your arms hang freely from the shoulders.
Now how to attain proper alignment. The following method works well for Jack and Tiger, so let’s examine their methods. They stand directly behind the ball and draw an imaginary line in their mind, from the ball to the target they want the ball to start on. Then they pick a piece of grass, dirt, anything that is visible, about two to three inches front of the ball. Now their imaginary line is very short so they can approach the ball and just stand parallel to that line. Now you’re all set to break par. Well, off to a good start anyway.
Rules teaser:
Before teeing off, a player found he had 15 clubs in his bag. He declared a club out of play and placed it on the floor of his cart. Ruling?
Answer to
last teaser:
In match play, a player lifts his ball without marking it. His opponent then lifted his without marking and declared he won the hole because of illegal lifting of the ball. Ruling? Both balls must replaced and played without penalty.
John Lucas is the golf professional at SkyRidge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.
We need to set up in an athletic manner much like a quarterback or infielders in baseball anticipating a hit ball. We need to lean forward with our body out over the ball. Our weight should be over the arches, not on the heels. Knees flexed, not bent. Bending the knees too much will change your weight distribution. Approximately 60 percent of your weight on your right foot. Now of course, different terrain, wind conditions and hitting shots that must fly either high or low will change that.
Now for correct posture: Our spine must be straight from its base to the head. Bend from the waist. Now a good way to keep one’s spine straight while bending is to make a fist and put your little finger on your breastbone and your thumb against your chin. This will keep your shoulders from slumping, the major cause of coming over the top in the forward swing. Just let your arms hang freely from the shoulders.
Now how to attain proper alignment. The following method works well for Jack and Tiger, so let’s examine their methods. They stand directly behind the ball and draw an imaginary line in their mind, from the ball to the target they want the ball to start on. Then they pick a piece of grass, dirt, anything that is visible, about two to three inches front of the ball. Now their imaginary line is very short so they can approach the ball and just stand parallel to that line. Now you’re all set to break par. Well, off to a good start anyway.
Rules teaser:
Before teeing off, a player found he had 15 clubs in his bag. He declared a club out of play and placed it on the floor of his cart. Ruling?
Answer to
last teaser:
In match play, a player lifts his ball without marking it. His opponent then lifted his without marking and declared he won the hole because of illegal lifting of the ball. Ruling? Both balls must replaced and played without penalty.
John Lucas is the golf professional at SkyRidge Golf Course and can be reached at john98382@olypen.com.
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