June 2008 Golf Digest

This month's articles

-Lesson Tee—K.J is so smooth in his rhythm and well balanced during his swing. The primary thing you should note in his coach’s instruction is that K.J is creating the “power fade” as a result of a swing change and not a setup change. While this is can be done with much daily practice, this is a high maintenance way to adjust ball flight. Much better would be to create the “power fade” through a setup change such as playing the ball slightly back in your stance.

-My New Stinger—Again notice that Tiger creates this ball flight by a swing change. This ball flight could also be created by closing the clubface slightly before you take your grip.

Trigger the Trap—Timing, timing, timing, too high maintenance. By the way, trapping the ball is a misnomer. You cannot trap the ball between the clubface and the turf unless you contact the all above the equator—and then it would never get airborne.

Open Mouth, Lose Tension—This could work for some players. What will work for every player is to put their attention on attempting to make the club move in a swinging motion (which is smooth and rhythmic) as opposed to attempting to make the club face crash into the ball.

Against the Grain—Ok.

How to Tame Your 3-Wood—Become “club blind”. Allow yourself the benefit of knowing that the swing is the same for all clubs. If you are thinking about the club you aren’t thinking about the swing.

How I Track My Stats—Ok.

Learn the Bumb-And-Run—So what is the difference between a “bump-and-run” and a chip shot? Nothing. Whether a lofted trajectory is desired or a low trajectory, the setup and swing are the same. The loft of the club determines the flight.

Get On The Ball—The key here is to learn to keep your balance during the swing. If the ball helps (and I doubt it will), fine.

The Importance of Speed—How long does a putt have to be when you want to lag it? Or, put another way how long does a putt have to be to keep you from trying to make it? Don’t lag putts, try to make them all. Statistically, if a putt is in the 20-25 foot range, a very good putt ends within 3 feet.

3 Steps to Fix Your Tee Shot—Since when is the fix for a slice a draw? And if that is a fix, why on the next page do they offer a fade fix for a hook? This is foolish. The fix is to hit the ball straight.

Breaking 100/90/80

Sand Solutions—OK