GOLF TIPS / POWERED BY ATHLON SPORTS

The Ultimate Pitching Tip

The 9 o’clock swing.

In pitching, all the basics apply: the grip, aim, setup, impact, swing plane, clubface all apply. Assuming that those are all sound, it’s time to work on distance control. One of the big factors is to develop a length of swing that controls the speed of swing and the distance. Instead of having a bunch of different lengths of swings, not to mention a bunch of different clubs, what most of us need to do is to perfect one swing length with one club.

Bad Lies: Steepen Your Angle

When you catch a bad lie in the rough, the first thing you have to understand is where the center of your stroke is. The center of the stroke is the left shoulder socket. Also understand that the swing is a circle or an arc, and the low point — or the divot — is going to be directly under that left shoulder. When the ball is sitting down in the rough, you want to position your center more forward, either by leaning on your left foot, or by positioning the ball back in your stance.

Half and Half

Here’s an effective technique to help you hit your putts without cutting across the ball or hitting it from the inside.
It starts by painting a ball half-black and half-white. Once that's done, you need to hit your putts so that you can watch the black and white going end over end without blurring. That means you’ve struck the ball cleanly.

Ultimate Driver Drill

Swoosh for more distance.

Take the driver, turn it over, hold it by the clubhead end and start making swings. You’ll be able to hear the “whipping” sound without a whole lot of effort. This is the key.

Slide-under Drill

When you’re in a bunker, you’re trying to hit the sand in the right way so that the sand pops the ball out of the bunker. But we’re programmed to hit the ball, and nobody told us how deep a divot we should take, so we have a lot of difficulty executing what the pros call the easiest shot in golf.

GOLF NEWS / POWERED BY ATHLON SPORTS

Teeing Off: 2010 U.S. Open

Athlon Sports' Rob Doster and ESPN.com's Bob Harig discuss the first two days of the 2010 U.S. Open - including Tiger's stumbling start and surprise leader Graeme McDowell - and preview the weekend ahead.

Golf: U.S. Open, Woods Return to Pebble Beach

Whoever hoists the hardware at Pebble Beach, this week’s U.S. Open, the fifth at the storied venue, promises plenty of drama. Each of the previous four has lived up to its billing, including Tiger Woods' incredible 15-shot victory in 2000.

Golf: St. Jude Classic

The St. Jude Classic in Memphis awards its winner with a seersucker jacket and encourages fans to “wear their stripes” on Sunday.

Golf: Memorial Tournament Musings

Former teen prodigy Justin Rose, whose flawless final-round 66 at Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament allowed him to overtake latter-day phenom Rickie Barnes for his first win on American soil, has finally justified the hype that accompanied his arrival on the golf scene as a 17-year-old amateur.

Golf: Tracking Tiger

Tiger Woods’ life may be shrouded in mystery, secrecy and injury, but predicting his 2010 playing schedule may not be that difficult.

Golf: Youngsters Steal Byron Nelson Spotlight

At a tournament that carries the name of the Texas gentleman who ruled as golf’s elder statesman during his golden years, youth was undeniably served this weekend with 22-year-old Jason Day winning his first PGA Tour event.

PGA: Who's No. 1?

Tiger Woods has been the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer for a record 600 weeks, including the last 258 consecutive. But there could be an opening at the top due to Tiger’s sore neck, broken swing and indefinite absence.

Golf: Scott Continues Lone Star Success

Continuing a trend of singular success in the Lone Star State, Adam Scott won his third Texas Swing event in the last four years, breaking a 37-tournament winless drought with a one-shot win over Frederik Jacobson in the Valero Texas Open.

Golf: Tiger's Injuries

After withdrawing from THE PLAYERS Championship with neck pain, Tiger Woods now has a long list of injuries, a broken swing and a shattered personal life.

Golf: THE PLAYERS Musings

South Africa’s Tim Clark won THE PLAYERS Championship to claim his first PGA Tour victory, while Lee Westwood struggled down the stretch and Tiger Woods withdrew from a tournament for only the second time in 15 years.

Great American Insurance News

COPYRIGHT 2010 GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE
MORE
SUBSCRIBE