Golf Tips by Don Gilbert, C.P.G.A. GM/DIR, Fox Glen Golf club



CROSS-HANDED FOR FIRM WRISTS

Many good players, most notably Bernard Langer, suffered from poor putting only to be reborn by trying the cross-handed method. The cross-handed putting technique accomplishes a few particulars that a conventional putting grip does not. First, it prevents your wrists from breaking during the swing. The wrists should be firm throughout the putting stroke. The distance the ball goes should be controlled by the length of your pendulum stroke not by flicking your wrists. The cross-handed putting grip helps maintain firm wrists. Second, it helps keep your shoulder's level at address and at impact. This serves to keep the putter low to the ground throughout the swing. Keeping the putter lower to the ground will help ensure you are taking it straight back and straight through. To take a cross-handed grip simply grasp the putter with your rear hand at the top of the grip and put your target hand underneath. You will notice at address that your target hand is much straighter and your shoulders will feel level. Concentrate on making a slow, smooth stroke. The cross-handed putting grip gives you the feeling that the target hand and arm are controlling the stroke. The most important part in taking advantage of a cross-handed stroke is to give yourself plenty of time to become accustomed to it.


SWING SMOOTH INTO THE WIND

Have you ever stood on the tee knowing the wind is dead in your face and yet you still hit the highest shot you have all day? The most common fault when playing into the wind is to hit the ball too hard. This makes the ball spin faster and therefore go higher. When playing into the wind we want to keep the ball low, so we must make a few adjustments in the setup and also in the swing motion. The wind's strength will dictate which club you use. Always take at least two more clubs. For example, if faced with 7 iron distance, then take a 5 iron and choke down on the grip. Choking down on the grip will give you more control. Take a little wider stance than normal and play the ball further back in your stance. Keep your hands slightly forward of the ball, so that the shaft slopes more obviously towards the target. To avoid changing the clubface angle at address, be sure your hands are only slightly forward of the ball. This setup and club choice will give you a good chance of hitting a low shot. However, a swing adjustment is also needed. The first swing change is to shorten your backswing. Make what feels like a three-quarter length backswing. As you accelerate through impact, try to keep your hands ahead of the clubface. Having your hands ahead of the ball at impact will aid in keeping the ball low. Be sure to have a well-balanced finish. When practicing this shot at the range, hit some full 7 iron shots and then try to hit your 6 and 5 irons the same distance. When driving, tee the ball a touch lower and use the same setup. Remember, do not try to hit the ball too hard. Swinging into the wind can be very difficult and knock you off balance. Swing smoothly, and try to finish balanced.




BALL POSITION - KEEP IT SIMPLE

 Everyone has read or has been told by someone that the ball should be positioned between your feet in a different location, depending on which club you have selected. The problem is, many players have too many ball positions and are not consistent with them. The importance of ball position is quite often ignored but should not be. It’s crucial that the ball is struck at the appropriate point. With our more lofted irons, we need the ball to be struck at a point just prior to the lowest point of the arc. With our less lofted irons and fairway woods, we need the ball to be struck at the base of the arc. When the ball is on a tee, we need it to be struck just as the club begins to ascend. To achieve these proper points of impact during a full swing, I like to use three positions. This keeps it simple and consistent. When you address your golf ball, do so with your feet together and the ball positioned in the center of your body. Move your target foot 4-5 inches towards the target. Now move your rear foot the same distance away from the target. You now have the ball placed in the middle of your stance. This is the ball position I recommend you play all your irons, except the 3 and 4. Repeat your address position, only this time move your target foot 3-4 inches towards the target and your rear foot 5-6 inches back. You should now have the ball positioned just slightly ahead of center. I recommend you play your fairway woods, 3 and 4 irons from this position. Lastly, following the same address procedure, move the target foot 1-2 inches towards the target and the rear foot 7-8 inches back. You should notice the ball position is now just inside your target heel. I recommend you play your driver from this position. Consistent ball position will reward you with an increasing amount of crisp and solid shots.



Feel free to email Don Gilbert with any golf questions.