July 2008

July ’08 Golf Digest Magazine

LESSON TEE—Trevor Immelman’s swing is perhaps the most symmetrical on the backswing and the return of the club to the ball. Good balance.

A MATTER OF BALANCE—Tiger is unequivocal when he says, “One of the least discussed but most important elements of the full swing [really any swing] is balance. When you shift your weight, the club will not be square when contact is made.

KEEP IT SMOOTH—A swinging object accelerates at a constant rate and then decelerates at a constant rate—a swing is smooth. If it ain’t smooth it ain’t a swing. If it is not a swing don’t expect to get the speed and consistency that a swing always delivers.

KEEPING YOUR TEMPO—Ditto from above.

MASTER THESE TWO CHIPS—When the ball is high in the grass, raise your center (sternum) so that the bottom of your arc meets the ball. When the ball is down study the grass. You may need to play the ball back in your stance if the grass behind the ball is thick. Go with a very lofted club to improve your odds of escaping the rough. Disregard Butch’s comments about the legs.

MILK DOES A GOLF SWING GOOD—Oops! Disregard.

AIM CORRECTLY—NOT RIGHT—Ok.

LET YOUR HANDS WORK TOGETHER—Since when is neutral other than neutral? V’s to the right is strong. V’s to the left is weak. So where should neutral be? Yep, pointed at your center. And yes, keep the grip pressure the same throughout the swing (write me if you want to know why).

DON’T FLIP IT—Ok except for the last page. The left arm does not lead. If it does you’ll have to shut the club face to keep the ball from going to the right. Both arms swing together.

THE ONE LCUB YOU NEED—Ok.

BURNED TO A CRISP—Use suncreen—at least SPF 45.

ONE SIMPLE CHANGE TO HOLE MORE PUTTS—Try it. It’s not magic. Maybe it will help some.

HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY PUTTS—Ok.
TURN YOUR SHOULDER, SWING YOUR ARMS—The movement of the body can be described many ways. It is more useful to think of the hands swinging the club back, the arms swinging it forward, and the body responding accordingly to both.

BREAKING 100 / 90 / 80—Disregard.