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

Nine holes with Zach Johnson - August

Zach Johnson recently sat down and answered questions about the FedExCup, the 2009 majors, his favorite courses and more.

Golf: Garcia folds, Moore prevails at Wyndham

Ryan Moore has always had Tiger Woods potential, but until yesterday’s win at the Wyndham Championship, he had posted Willie Wood-style results.

Wyndham Championship

Days after a dramatic PGA Championship finish, the Wyndham Championship teed off in windy, rainy conditions.

Golf: Yang chases down Tiger to win PGA

Y.E. Yang shocked the golf world Sunday by chasing down and then overtaking Tiger Woods to become the first Asian-born player to win a major championship. Rob Doster looks back at his accomplishment.

Live from the PGA - Final Round

When Y.E. Yang upset Tiger Woods at the 91st PGA Championship at Hazeltine National GC, Athlon Sports was there.

Live from the PGA - Third Round

When the 91st PGA Championship teed off at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Saturday, Athlon Sports was there.

Live from the PGA - Second Round

When the 91st PGA Championship teed off at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Friday, Athlon Sports was there.

Teeing Off: The PGA Championship

Athlon Sports golf editor Rob Doster and ESPN.com's Bob Harig take golf fans from tee box to green in Athlon's weekly look at the PGA Tour. The guys breakdown the first day of action from Hazeltine and preview the weekend of the year's final Major.

Live from the PGA - Opening Round

When the 91st PGA Championship teed off at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Thursday, Athlon Sports was there.

Golf: PGA Championship hole-by-hole

The PGA Championship returns to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. this week as an elite field of players battle for "Glory's Last Shot." We've got a hole-by-hole look at what the players will be facing this week.

Primary links