5 minute read
Whole in One - by John Cook
Driving the Ball
There’s always something that golfers think they need. A new putter, new driver, etc., but there’s only one thing that all golfers want and that’s to play the game better.
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John continues his “whole in one” series on improving your golf with these great insights.
John Cook is Managing Director of finiteapps.com
• English Amateur Champion
• European Tour Winner
• Level 5 and European Tour Coach
• Past Under 18 England Boys Coach
• National Coach to Thailand
CONSISTENT DRIVING
There’s a saying that you drive for show and putt for dough. Well, if you drive the ball into the lake or the trees you won’t be putting for much dough! We seem to have a mental thing about hitting the ball harder with our driver than we do with any other club. A wild slash at the ball and so on.
The best tip I heard, relating to consistency with the driver, is to make the best and most balanced swing you have ever made. Keeping this thought in mind will encourage you to swing with more rhythm, it will also stop any kind of a slash at the ball. Try it this weekend, it will work.
DRIVING FURTHER
As a golf coach, the most common question I am asked is
Well it’s not by having a wild slash at the ball, that’s for sure. There are a few ingredients which you can add one at a time, then see the increased distance you hit the ball with your driver.
• Stand with your feet apart at the width of your shoulders.
• Stand tall, this will help you to create width in your swing.
More width in the swing
• Make a complete 90 degree shoulder turn during your backswing. This is when your left shoulder points at the ball.
• At the top of your backswing, the knuckle on the thumb of your right hand should be well away from your right shoulder. This will create a wide arc.
90° Shoulder turn
• Start the downswing with an uncoiling motion from the left hip. This will lead to the club being pulled down and creating leverage, a must for long drives.
• Don’t be frightened to release the club head through impact with the ball, also a must for creating more distance with your driver.
Create leverage
• Turn right through, onto your left foot, your belt buckle should now be facing the target.
• Hold onto a balanced follow through.
• Maintain your height throughout the swing. You cannot possibly think of all these things in one swing, so perfect one move at a time, and hit the ball further.
Achieve more distance
A FIRST TEE TIP
Put an identifying mark on your golf ball!
Even though they use a ball with a different number to their opponent you may have seen the tour professionals mark their ball with a permanent marker pen. Some put dots above or below the number, some will put their initials, others draw a smiley face etc. You may wonder why and there is a very good reason.
If, when reaching your ball, you were to find another ball of the same make and number lying nearby, one that had been hit by another player, not in your match, both balls would be deemed lost unless you were unable to identify your ball. That would mean a two stroke penalty! The same could happen if your ball ended up in the rough, near a similar ball that had been lost earlier, making it impossible to identify.
You can read more of John’s excellent golf tips in our 2018 July/August and September/October issues at www. thelocalbuzzmag.com/read-online, or in the sports articles section on our website.
COMPETITION
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