GOLF TIPS - SO YOU WANT GOLF TIPS ? We've assembled all the top golf tips and the most effective golf drills in one location for you. There are sections covering the fundamentals of golf, the full swing, the short game and even a section on curing your slice. We think this may well be the best selection of golf tips and drills on the Net. http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/index.html Driving and Fairway Tips - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MAKE IT LOOK EASY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ever wonder how so many of the pros hit the ball so far with swings that appear to be so easy? Take your own shot at this maneuver by feeling as if you are pulling the club with your left hand (right hand for lefties) until your hands are over the ball. At that point your hands will "release." Let them go through as one with the follow through. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRACTICE EXTENSION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This drill, while easy enough, could make a positive difference in your driving accuracy. Tee the ball about 10 inches ahead of where you would ordinarily tee it. Now without leaning or swaying, hit the ball in this position. This will give you a feeling for the highly recommended extension of your driver through impact when you return to the conventional setup and swing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOW THE FADE IS MADE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The last time we perfected a kind of "power fade" was at the neighborhood association Christmas party, and it was only around 9 p.m.. The other kind can be achieved on the golf course with your driver by firming up your left hand grip with your left thumb along the center line of the shaft. You'll want to open your stance a bit, then swing along your body line. Keep your hands firm at impact. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - POWER THROUGH - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To some of us the terms "soft," "relaxed," and "flowing," may seem to be in contradiction with the application of "power" in the golf swing. Actually, the right combination of these attributes will produce the best results. So how to do it? Take the feelings of "easy" and "flowing" to the top of your backswing and to the start of your downswing. Smooth is the watchword. Now here's another seeming contradiction. Don't even think "power" until impact through two feet beyond. In other words, you are delivering power through the ball at impact. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FLATTEN YOUR DRIVE SWING - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you are prone to hit pop-ups or grounders with your driver, your swing is probably too steep on those occasions. Chances are, on the contrary, that you have no trouble with your 9-iron or wedge. When you hit driver, concentrate on swinging the club "around" your body, not up and down. Feel as though you are getting the club near to the tip of your rear shoulder at the top of your swing, and bringing it back around to impact. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DON'T HOOK (STAY BALANCED) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Among several reasons for pulled or hooked shots is arm movement so fast that the body cannot keep up. If this is your problem, remember to keep your whole body in balance from the ground up, shifting your weight from one foot to the other as it becomes necessary to support your arms on both back- and forward swings. Don't let arms get ahead of weight. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONQUER THE WIND - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Early spring golf tends to bring with it blustery days and additional challenges to your shot making ability. When the wind is blowing hard enough to frustrate you, try making only three-quarter swings with one more club than you would use otherwise. You'll keep the ball lower, and you'll get better control. And remember, swing easy when it's breezy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOLD THAT POSE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This sounds easier than it is. The next time you're on the practice range, with each shot, hold your finish position as long as it takes for the ball to hit the ground. (Actually, that would be easy for some of us.) This will help you develop a consistent swing motion, which should translate into better shots (if not a hernia). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT DRIVE! (TEE IT HIGH) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   If your tendency is to tee the ball low, you are likely hitting down on the ball, a no-no with a driver. Teeing the ball high - some say a half a ball above the clubhead - will promote the necessary hitting up with a sweeping motion and the resulting improvement in distance gained. Never hit the ground with your driver. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT DRIVE! (UNDER THE WIND) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   The wind on high is howling. You need to drive the ball low and straight to stay out of the wind's influence and to get maximum roll.   Tee the ball only about an inch high off the ground. Choke down and take hold of the club in the middle of the grip.   Swing your hands back to only about shoulder high and then swing completely through.   By shortening your tee height, club length and swing length you will hit the ball low, straight, and you'll make it run longer along the ground. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING DRILL! (GET ON THE BALL) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Concentrating on achieving that important "weight shift" during the golf swing sometimes results in the movement of weight so far back that a proper coil, then critical shift can't take place. If this is your problem, position a golf ball under the outside edge of your rear foot. This will produce the necessary tension, or pressure, on the inside of the back leg, which, when released during the downswing, will result in good clubhead speed and distance. This is an "old reliable" drill, used by many over the years. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING! (BOW THE KNEE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - One critical moment in a golf swing is the transition from backswing to forwardswing. Sam Snead would trigger that transition by "bowing" his left knee just prior to the start of his downswing. That is, he would move the left knee away from the right knee, creating a shift of weight and a tension that allowed for a "lag" and subsequent powerful release of the club. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT DRILL! (STOP AT THE TOP) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you're guilty of swinging "too fast," try this drill. Tee up a few balls and, with your 3-wood or driver, stop at the top of your backswing and count 1 . . 2 . . . before starting your downswing. This will slow down your swing, but what might happen the first few times is that your hands and arms will get ahead of your body. In that event, concentrate on starting the downward move "from the ground up," beginning with a transfer of weight from the rear foot to the front foot. Let the rest of your body unwind, in the process letting hands and arms drop into a position to hit when the knees, hips, arms and hands get squared up at impact. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SHOT! (NO SLICE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you struggle against a slice, here's a thought you can try that may help you conquer that curse. Concentrate on keeping your body square to the ball at impact and until the club has swung through to waist-level. This will keep you from rotating your lower body and shoulders too early, which in turn allows the clubface to remain open at impact, producing the slice. By not turning too soon, the power you store during the delay will translate into greater distance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SLICE CURE: GIVE IT THE COOL SHOULDER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you've tried to cure your slice, and nothing so far has worked terribly well, you might try concentrating on your left shoulder. We're told that many times the left shoulder pulls out of the shot a lot sooner than it should, resulting in a left-to-right shot. Do this: Set up and swing your club in normal fashion to the top. On the way down, try to fell your left shoulder hanging back a bit, then let your arms pass under the left shoulder as you complete the shot, which should result in a new right-to-left direction. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING! (FROM A RESTRICTIVE LIE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  When you're in the trees and don't have room for a full swing,    you have a couple options you may not have thought of.  You can take the club back to the inside, causing a relatively  short backswing and less distance.  Or you can take the club back to the outside for a longer swing  and more distance.  In that situation, take practice swings of each kind before you  hit. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SHOT! (DRAW / FADE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To hit a draw: Align your club face at your intended target. Align your body right of target. Position the ball further back in your stance. Feel your right arm working over your left arm in the downswing. To hit a fade: Align your club face at your intended target. Align your body left of target. Position the ball further forward in your stance. Feel your right arm working under your left arm in the downswing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TIP: HITTING HIGH OR LOW - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Two things cause a high shot: Ball too far forward in your stance or your backswing and follow-through are too long. Of course, the opposite holds true for low shots. If you need to hit a low shot, moving the ball back in your stance or shortening your follow-through will do the trick. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STILL SLICING? (TRY THIS) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Among the very many approaches to curing a slice, there's this one: Concentrate on keeping your left shoulder from leaving the scene of the swing. Keep that shoulder as still as possible until impact. Feel it hanging back. The better you can do this, the more likely you'll convert your left-to-right to straight, or even to right-to-left. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING! (MAKE A FIGURE-8) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Your stance is correct. Your grip is right on. You're aiming at the target. You swing. You slice. Why? Very likely because you are taking the club back to the inside and returning it from the outside. To overcome this tendency, think of a figure-eight as you swing your club back well to the outside, then loop it to the inside on the way forward. Practice this thought/swing combination until the move becomes ingrained. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING! (WATCH YOUR BUTT) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  If you swing your club to the inside at the start, you'll have no alternative but to come over the top on the way down, most likely producing a slice.  To eliminate this tendency, place a tee in the butt end of your club and practice aiming it at your toe-line on the backswing, then at the target line starting down. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING! (IF YOU CAN'T STAY DOWN) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have a tendency to top the ball, here's a drill to help keep you from coming out of a shot. Place a tee in the ground about six inches in front of your ball. Swing with the thought in mind of hitting the ball, then sweeping over the top of the tee. This will cause you to stay down through the shot – where you belong. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BALL - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When you hit that perfect drive, you've generated three + horsepower with clubhead speed of about 100 mph. About three quarters of a ton of force will have flattened the ball to half its diameter at impact. The ball will at first travel ballistically, then revert finally to aerodynamic flight. Distance achieved with a 10-degree driver: 250 yards. (From the Grimsby Telegraph) Sand Shot Tips - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - OPEN, BUT NOT TOO WIDE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - No need to take a wide-open stance when your ball is in a bunker. This can encourage too much spin, a short shot, or a flyer to the left. Instead, open from 20 to 25 percent, square your shoulders and club to the target, hit behind the ball, and follow through to the target. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT BUNKER SHOT! (LET THE WEDGE WORK) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Your ball is in a bunker, and you are getting ready to muscle it out of there. Don't. Just because you have to move both sand and ball together does not mean you have to power up. Conversely, this is the time to stay loose on the grip and let the wedge do the work. Its head is designed slip through the sand and under the ball without a fight - unless you bring it on. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT BUNKER SHOT! (IF YOU'RE INCLINED) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If your ball should, heaven forbid, come to rest in a bunker on an upslope, do not attempt to blast it out by slamming your club into the sand behind it. Rather, set your shoulders at the same angle as the slope, brace your back leg, and swing with your arms and shoulders to catch a bit of sand as the clubface slides under the ball. Follow through.	IT BEARS REPEATING If there's anyone out there who does not have an established, repeatable pre-shot routine, it's time to get one. Now. Stand behind the ball to set the direction in your mind, visualizing the flight to its intended destination. Stay relaxed and balanced as you set up, and hold the club loosely in your hands. Do this before each shot (yes, even during practice) to achieve a more consistent game. General Golf Tips - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PICTURE THIS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You're about to address the ball. What's on your mind? If you have a routine setup procedure, you won't be concentrating on that important aspect. So what else? Some swing thought? Thoughts? One hopes not. What you should have on your mind is a picture of the target, keeping it (the picture) there from setup to follow-through. Period. Doing so is not as easy as it sounds, but doing so promotes a smoother swing and more accuracy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ACCEPT YOUR SLOW PLAY LOT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sooner or later - most likely sooner - you're going to find yourself in a slow-play situation. Don't let that potentially frustrating turn of events ruin your round. In particular, don't let it turn you into a "faster" player than you would be normally. Don't hurry to make up for the slowness of others. Make your regular setup and swing, and resign yourself to the fact of a longer round than usual. Not to do so will only make things worse. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THINK "HOLE IT" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - What are you thinking from 60 yards out? Chances are you're thinking mainly about getting onto the green. Instead, try this. Think about getting the ball into the hole. By narrowing your focus, you're accuracy will improve. You might even hole one! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STANDING TOO CLOSE? TOO FAR? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ever wonder at address whether you're standing too close to or too far away from the ball? Try this test. Place your elbows so that they just touch your body and at the same time hold your golf club out straight. Then lower the club to the ground. It'll come to rest at just the right spot. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LEAD WITH YOUR LEFT (OR RIGHT) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Just as important as getting to the top of your swing in correct fashion, the downswing, obviously, is also critical. To begin the downward motion and to trigger the uncoiling process and let gravity begin its work, make a slight forward motion with your foremost knee before you start to drop your hands. This little move will set the correct process in motion, and will discourage your muscles from overpowering the other swing components. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DOWNSWING (SOMETIMES CALLED FWD SWING) PRACTICE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It's not new, but it's worth repeating. Practice your downswing move by performing the pump drill. Swing to the top of your backswing. Let your arms drop down to about waist high and then return them back to the top. Repeat this pumping action a few times before making a complete swing with follow-through. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SEEING IS ACHIEVING - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Before you swing, always have the shot in your mind’s eye. So simple a task, yet so easily and so often forgotten. When you visualize the shot during your swing, you are thinking positive thoughts, and you aren’t letting other matters clutter the occasion, which is a sure formula for disaster. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRACTICE WITH A FLARE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Here's something small you can try to see how it affects your swing. First, set up then hit with your forward foot square to the target line. Then, in subsequent shots, in small increments, flare that foot toward the target. Repeat until you find the spot that gives the best result. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - USE THE SAME TEE HEIGHT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ever wonder what difference it makes how high you tee your ball? It won't make any difference if you always tee up at the same height. If you vary the height, so also will your shots vary. As a rule of thumb, tee your ball to a height one half a ball higher than your clubface when you rest it behind the ball, and be consistent. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "VISUALEYES" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Can't say this often enough: visualize your shots. Once you've picked your line and done your set up, put everything out of mind but the picture of your ball flying to the intended target. The picture in your mind will, in fact, lend eyes to the golf ball. Is it magic? No, just good practice. Use it for every shot. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TAKE IT BACK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You can't get the clubface back to the ball squarely if you haven't made the correct takeaway, that is unless you have contortionist genes or the golf fairy on your shoulder. So try this: swing your club back to about waist high, then check to see that it's even with your toes and in a line perpendicular to them. If the club is too far beyond or too far behind the line, you'll need to make this a drill correct the tendency. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HIT GREENS (NARROW YOUR FOCUS) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Having trouble hitting greens? Maybe you're not zeroing in. Instead of just aiming in the general direction of the green, as many of us are inclined to do, pick something specific to shoot at. The most obvious target would be the pin, but something behind and in line with the green will also do. Do not succumb to the mindset that since you're not good enough to hit the pin, you might as well just hit toward the green. You'll be surprised. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TALCUM TIP (TO STOP THE TOP) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Know someone who has a topping the ball problem? Given that topping is caused mostly by trying to scoop the ball into the air instead of hitting down and through it, tell this person to practice with talcum powder. He or she should practice by putting a small amount of talcum powder just in front of the ball, then swing so as to hit the ball first and splash the powder into the air. Any remaining talc can be used where it itches. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DO NOT SIT ON THE JOB - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Never could get comfortable getting into that so-called "sitting position" advocated by so much setup instruction. With our butt sticking out there, we felt not only off-balance, but also vulnerable to a swift kick. Instead, we recommend an upright stance with a slight bend in the knees and a small bow at the waist. This will amount to a desirable "athletic" position. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - YOU CAN TOP THESE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you frequently "top" the ball, look for these as the probable causes: hands not relaxed on the grip; ball not centered in your stance; knees not flexed, stance too upright; not returning hips as you follow through; lifting head and body in follow through; left arm bent at impact. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING! (THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you ever saw the LPGA's Nancy Lopez play, you couldn't help but notice the uniqueness of her swing. Its most obvious feature was a brief pause at the top, just before it started forward. Many of us could benefit from such a pause, especially if we tend to swing too fast. A slight pause at the top will help to initiate the very important forward weight shift. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT DRILL! (GIVE 'EM "L") - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - One good way to warm up before a round of golf is to practice the L-to-L drill. Creating the letter "L" with your arms and the golf club with a back- and forward- practice swing results in the proper and necessary cocking and uncocking of the wrists. Swing back until your arms are parallel with the ground and the club points at the sky, making a perfect "L." Swing through until you make the "L" on the forward side. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BE AN OFF-SEASON SWINGER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We read a tip on The Golf Channel website the other day that we think is worth repeating at this time of year for many of us. "Keep your swing in the groove during the off-season by swinging a weighted club. If you don't have a weighted club, take a few of your wedges and swing them together. Swinging easy and often will keep your swing loose until next season." Sound like good advice? Keep the club(s) where you'll see them to help you remember. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SHOT! (SEEING IS ACHIEVING) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Instead of cluttering up your mind with swing thoughts that get in the way of each other, put your mind's eye on the shot you'd like to achieve. Along with your regular pre-shot routine, visualize what you'd like to see happen, and you'll increase the odds for a successful and satisfying result. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LOOSEN UP (GET A GRIP) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A suggestion for getting loose just before you swing: put a big-time squeeze on the club's grip just before you take the club away from the ball. Then return to a lighter grip. You'll find that this will relax not only your grip, but also your arms. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - USE YOUR HEAD (BUT NOT TOO MUCH) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - About that age-old caveat "keep your head still?" It's still a good idea, but don't get carried away. Keep your head steady, but not unalterably still. Let your head to move back slightly during your backswing and let it move forward as the club swings through the impact zone. Watch Annika Sorenstam. She's a good example of how to do it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT GOLF SWING! (PICTURE IT) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We like to watch the slow motion replays of how different players swing the golf club, especially the ones whose motion is by-the-book and ultra-smooth – ala Fred Couples, for one. Sometimes, in idle moments, we replay those swings in our mind. Then, by the magic of our imagination, we place ourselves in the golf shoes of that perfect swinger. We picture ourselves executing all the correct moves, then bingo! - we hit perfect shot. There is testimony to the fact that running through your mind your perfect golf swing, even when you’re nowhere near a golf club, can help you improve. So get that imagination going. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT RELEASE! (WORK ON A SHORT DRAW) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Here's a way to practice getting that all-important effective release of the golf club. On the practice tee, hit a lot of balls using a short swing, trying to draw the ball. You'll have to relax your grip and get the feel of your right hand (left for southpaws) moving over the left (right). Lengthen your swing as you become more comfortable drawing the short shots. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BALANCE PLAY AND PRACTICE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Here's a common sense formula for balancing your in-season play and practice time: Playing poorly - practice more; playing well - play more.  And remember, during practice, devote more time to your short game than to your full swing (as hard as this is to do). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The angle of your wrists, that is. You might add some distance to your drives by concentrating on the angle created by your wrists and hands to the clubhead on the downswing. Practice swinging down while envisioning your left/right wrist going past the ball before your wrists release. Holding that angle until the last possible moment will make the difference. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The most important shot of your round is always your next shot, not the two-foot putt you just missed. Many a next shot has been ruined, in fact many a round as well, by focus, not on what’s ahead, but on what has transpired. Easier said than done? Yep. Required? Absolutely. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT HANDICAP! (HOW TO GET IT) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - So you play once a week faithfully, sometimes twice, and you wonder why your handicap doesn't get any better. The answer is simple: you're not playing, or better yet, practicing enough. And that's fine if you're content to enjoy the game at your present level. But if you want to get those numbers lower, you'll have to do some grinding. Set up a practice routine and stick to it. Take some lessons, too. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - COMMON SENSE (STAY LOOSE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The worst thing you can do if your golf round starts off poorly is get "all het up" about it. This kind of behavior will only make things deteriorate even further. On the other hand, if you take the attitude that "this can't go on forever," it most likely won't, and the breaks will start going your way. For that to happen you have to stay free of anger and tension. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IF IT RAINS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Some things to keep in mind if and when you are playing in the rain. Your ball will fly straighter. A high drive will go farther than a low drive (3-wood?). You can go for the pin, since the greens will be slow. And we're also reminded of one reader's suggestion that latex gloves will keep hands firmly on your grips. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CARRY ON-COURSE SUSTENANCE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Besides your favorite tools of the trade, the next best stuff to carry with you on the golf course is something to drink - best of all, never alcohol - and something to eat. We like fruit, from which, especially later in a round, you'll derive energy from the sugar therein. Or maybe one of those "power       bars," if not for longer drives, for more drive.
Putting Tips - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WORTH REPEATING - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you are missing a lot of three-foot putts, you may be making a common mistake. You could be taking the putter too far back, then stopping at the ball. If that's the case, you must do just the opposite. Make a short backswing (2") and fully release the putter as if chasing the ball to the hole. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PUTT WITH COMMITMENT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You've lined up your putt, and you've determined how hard to hit it. Now stay with the plan. Once you are over the ball and you've determined how hard to hit it, it's no time for second guessing. Stay with your original feeling. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (GREAT UPHILL PUTT) GET IT THERE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There are only four ways to miss a putt: left, right, long, or short. A good way to increase your odds by 25 percent on an uphill putt is plan to have the ball finish one foot past the hole if the putt is off-line. Remember, most golfers leave missed uphill putts short of the hole. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - REHEARSE, DON'T PRACTICE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The difference between "practice" and "rehearse" may be fractional, but if you think of your preliminary "air" putting strokes as a rehearsal for the main event, not just as mindless exercises, you'll be able to adjust backswing and follow-through until they feel just right. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (WITH SQUARE SHOULDERS) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If your putting is shaky or somewhat erratic, it could be that you're opening your forward shoulder during the stroke. The putting stroke, unlike the regular swing, requires that you keep your shoulders square to the putting line. Ask someone to watch your stroke to make sure your shoulder points at the hole throughout the movement. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (HOLD THAT POSE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Simple but effective, the "hold it" practice technique will have you making more putts in no time. Stroke your putts, then hold your putter's face true to the putting line for a few seconds. This will keep you from turning over your hands and the putter head along with them. It'll also ensure the required follow-through. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (UPHILL OR DOWNHILL) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When faced with a putt on a sloping green, try this. If the putt is downhill, stroke lightly and think about getting the ball to just drop over the front edge of the hole. If the putt is uphill, putt firmly and think about making the ball hit the back edge of the hole. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED?) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Improve your sense of distance on the putting green by putting with your eyes closed. Hide the peepers, putt, then try to guess how far the ball traveled. Do this until you get good at guessing, and you will have helped yourself know how long or short a stroke to take with your eyes open. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - USE THE PUTTER, NOT THE WEDGE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We subscribe to the theory that says if your ball is anywhere within reasonable reach of the green if you putt it, then by all means use the putter. Why not take lofting the ball out of the equation if there is no reason for it. This is especially true when you're in a greenside bunker with no lip, in which case keep the ball forward in your stance and stroke the ball on the upswing. The ball will roll over the sand, and you'll have played it safe. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (BE DELIBERATE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ever miss a putt because you were careless? These are always the short putts, the ones you couldn't miss if you tried? Don't let this happen to you again. Treat every putt, long and short, with the same respect. That is, line it up, take aim, and swing through. Never rush, no matter what. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (TRY TAPPING) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Notice how many Tour players raise and lower the putter head a couple of times just before taking the club back? This helps to relieve tension and to give a feel for the weight of the club. Give it a try. See if it helps. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PICKING A PUTTER (A WEIGHTY MATTER) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you're in the market for a new putter (there's a lot of that going around), let club weight be one of your considerations. A correlation between the speed of the greens you regularly play on and the weight of your putter goes something like this: a putter with a heavy head will enhance your control on fast greens (contrary to conventional opinion) because you'll use a shorter backswing and have a better sense of feel. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When it looks that your putt will roll right to left, position the ball farther back in your stance than you would ordinarily. This will remove the possibility for hooking the putt and going low for the miss. Make this a drill on the practice green to see how it can work for you. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE UPS AND DOWNS (OF PUTTING PRACTICE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Are the greens at your course generally fast or slow? If they're slow, practice uphill putts to firm up your stroke. If the greens tend toward fast, repeating downhill practice putts will help you get a feel for lighter strokes. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PUTT! (NEVER UP, NEVER IN) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Never up, never in. The slogan is no stranger to most of us. How many actually follow the implied advice? Why not right now start practicing to miss your putts pats the hole, not in front? Remember, never leaving your putts short translates into more pars and birdies.	Chip/Pitch/Flop Tips - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HIT LOW, STAY IN TOW - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If hitting it low and stopping it soon seem contradictory to you, try this. To stop a low wedge or 9-iron chip play the ball back in your stance. Raise the club smartly on the backswing, and return it steeply for a clean hit. The key is to stop your follow-through at a point where the clubhead is only a foot above the ground. The result will be a low shot that stops quickly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  ELIMINATE THE FAT (SHOT) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you tend to chunk (hit fat) your short pitch shots, try practicing this. Raise your rear heel off the ground and bring the club back by turning your shoulders and letting the club do the work. You should strike the ball neatly every time. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHIP DRILL (FOR CONSISTENCY) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Insert a tee into the ground one or two inches behind the ball. Swing back and through without hitting the tee. By missing the tee you improve the angle away from and back to the ball, the result of which is a more consistent chipping stroke. As always, practice . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HIT DOWN TO SEND UP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have a tendency to "help" the golf ball into the air, you are not striking the ball with the necessary descending blow. That is, the shaft of your club at impact is leaning backward, not forward, causing any one of a number of mishits. Try this to mend your ways. Place two balls on the ground six or seven inches apart. Set up to the forward ball, then move the clubhead from behind the front ball to behind the other ball. From this position make a swing intending to strike the front ball. If you execute the swing without hitting the rear ball in the process, you have correctly "hit down" on the ball. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONSIDER LESS LEG ACTION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you tend to push or pull your short wedge shots - 60 to 90 yards - you could be putting too much leg influence into them. Hit these shots mainly with your upper body, and keep the legs "quiet" for straighter results. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TO HIT IT HIGH (OVER A TREE?) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We hope it never happens, but if you ever have to hit over a tree, then land on a green, do this. Play the ball toward your right heel, take the club back at a steep angle, strike the ball cleanly, and finish hands-high. Whatever you do, don't try to scoop the ball. The ball should land softly, even though you don't take a divot. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHIP STRAIGHT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The secret to effective chipping is to take your club straight back then swing straight through. Keep your hands quiet and ahead of the club head throughout the swing, and your ball will track to the hole, for sure. Lay a club on the ground just inside the ball and along the target line, and practice swinging back and through without touching it (the shaft). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT (FLOP) SHOT! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sometimes, like it or not, you need to hit a flop shot. This shot requires the highest lofted wedge in your bag. Set up aiming left of the target. Make a long, slow backswing and return the club along your foot line, accelerating through the ball. This one deserves some extra practice. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT CHIP (TO AN UMBRELLA) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get maximum benefit from your chipping or pitching practice, take an umbrella with you to your practice area, and hit balls into it (upturned). Use 10 balls, and start from 20 yards away. Then increase the distance by 10 yards. Get a feel for what it takes to carry specific distances. And remember, when hitting to a green, aim for a landing spot, not for the pin. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT CHIP! (TIP) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spot a tee about two inches behind a ball, then swing back and through without hitting the tee. By missing the tee you'll create the best angle away from and back to the ball. After practice, you should be able simply to envision the tee there in order to lock in a consistent stroke. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SWING! (FROM AN UPHILL LIE) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The next time you're facing a steep uphill lie, avoid the tendency to fall back as you swing back by placing most of your weight on your front foot and the ball in the middle of your stance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT PITCH! (UP A HILL) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - What's to do when you have a steep uphill pitch to the green? For one thing, keep still (your body, that is). Keep your left side firm, and severely restrict leg movement to help retain your balance. Then swing, allowing the club to follow the slope of the hill. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT CHIP! (USE ONE CLUB ONLY) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If, depending on your ball's position near the green, you choose among a variety of clubs to chip, you may be doing yourself a disservice. Since for the most part it doesn't matter what iron you use, you'll be better off choosing one you're most comfortable with, and practice with it alone. For many golfers it's the 9-iron, but there's nothing wrong with the 5, 6, 7,or 8. The one easiest for you to control is the one you want. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SHOT! (THE NO-FLOP FLOP) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There comes a time in almost every round of golf when a flop shot gets the call. This is a shot that needs more imagination than technique, so you'll benefit more from a bit of creativity than from harboring swing thoughts. Consider the lie, the distance, and the height, then set up with body aiming left, the ball a bit ahead of the middle of your stance, clubface at the target. Your swing should follow your body line, clubface facing the sky. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GREAT SHOT! (WITH A DELICATE TOUCH) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  No golf stroke requires more finesse than the pitch. You need to know what your club is up to every step of the way, and in order to know, you need "feel." That means a very light grip in the fingers, where the most sensitive nerve endings in you hands reside. Let the club speak to you through your hands. Rather than swinging club, let the motion seem as though gravity is pulling it through impact.