Tips from the Pro: Takeaway

Takeaway is often an overlooked fundamental in golf. Most amateurs have a takeaway that is to quick away from the ball that will start a chain reaction of problems with the rest of the swing.

Problem with to quick a takeaway

If anyone has ever told you that you were "quick" it generally means that initial move away from the ball. This quick move puts the entire swing out of sequence resulting in a variety of shots most of which aren't good. Also when the takeaway is to quick so is the downswing usually causing stored energy to be released before impact.

Tip: Use a slower takeaway

With a slower takeaway, you should feel better balance throughout the swing. You will also be more likely to make a smooth transition from the top of your swing, allowing the club to naturally drop into position and "on plane" starting down into the ball. Also your overall rhythm should improve by slowing the tempo of your swing.

The key to remember is that it's not how hard or fast you can swing a club that will result in pure shots, it's about how consistently you can deliver the club squarely on the ball. You do that and you'll get all the distance you'll need, trust me.

Cheers,

Tips from the pro: Part 2 of ball position the easy way

If you missed part 1 check out last Wednesday's "Tip from the pro" post to get caught up. It's titled "ball position made easy". Part 2 will discuss the proper hand position, shoulder tilt, and stance width to accompany part 1.

*Remember that ball position uses the left armpit as the marker*

Hand Position:
Alot of golfers tend to forward press (shaft leaning toward target) to much. This move tends to close the face of the club resulting in decreasing loft and could also cause a hook. A better way is to use your zipper as a guide and let the shaft lean in response to ball position. So no matter the ball position "cover" your zipper with your hands.

Shoulder Tilt:
The key here is to make sure your not tilting your shoulders to much, where the right shoulder is significantly lower then the left. This position tends to cause golfers to "hang back" to much during the downswing not allowing for full weight transfer and more often then not a wicked slice. The right shoulder will naturally tilt at address, don't force it lower then it needs to be.

Stance Width:
Most golfers tend to adopt a stance that is to wide. The wider the stance the more restricted your hip and shoulder turn are. For the driver your feet should be just outside of shoulder width. With the mid-irons the feet should be in line with the shoulders. And for short-irons and wedges the feet should be inside the shoulders. Remember the narrower the stance the more flexible the hips.

Hope these tips help. check back next Wednesday for another installment of "Tips from the pro"

Cheers,

Tips from the pro: Ball position the easy way

For the next month or so I'll post tips that can be done in the comfort of one's home in front of a mirror. Also I'll post "Tips from the pro" every Wednesday as Wednesday's seem to be pretty boring in terms of golfing news.

So today I'll discuss ball position. I see alot of amateurs that still aren't real sure about where to place the ball in their stance in relation to club they are using. A key point to remember is that a ball positioned to far forward will tend to open up the shoulders causing a ball to go left, and a ball positioned to far back will close the shoulders causing the ball to go right.

Here are a few easy points to get your ball position right every time. My goal is to keep the tips simple, the simpler the tip the easier it is to retain.

It's important to know that your swing reaches its low point directly under your left armpit,(right-handed golfer) rather then in the middle of your stance like most are taught.

DRIVER - Tee up the ball slightly ahead of your left armpit. This will create an ascending blow to the ball, exactly what you need to maximize distance.

IRONS - Position the ball just behind your left armpit. This will create a slight descending blow to the ball, and help achieve ball then turf contact for solid strikes.

WEDGES - Position the ball two ball widths behind your left armpit. This will create a steep angle of attack at impact and will help you get maximum spin so the ball will drop and stop on the green.

Practice this in front of a mirror and become comfortable with the new positions. In PART 2 next week, I'll discuss hand position, shoulder tilt, and stance width.

Cheers,

Equipment Guide: What’s hot for 2010.

Here you are my loyal readers, the Faddy Golf equipment guide 2010. To be fair I used the info from my Golf Digest. I’m sure not all of you have a subscription to the mag though, so like Robin Hood I find it my duty to take from the rich and give to the…well you get the point. Enjoy.

The categories are as follows: Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids, Game-Improvement Irons, Players Irons, Wedges, Mallet Putters, and Blade Putters.

I listed only the top clubs from each category based on performance, innovation, look/sound/feel, and demand.

Drivers

Performance
Ping G15
Price (CAN) $360
Lofts 9, 10.5, 12, 13.5; Draw: 9, 10.5, 12
Players Comment: “Very stout and strong at address. Big head, but not overdone. Easy to look at.”

Innovation
Callaway FT-IZ
Price (CAN) $450
Lofts 9, 10, 11, 13; Tour: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5
Players Comment: “Looks like Darth Vader’s helmet. But don’t judge it by its looks. It can play.”

Look/Sound/Feel
Cobra ZL
Price (CAN) $400
Lofts 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5
Players Comment: “It’s like a punch in the mouth – a lot of straight power.”

Demand
Taylormade R9 460
Price (CAN) $400
Lofts 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5 (also in TP)
Players Comment: “Consistently high, far and forgiving…I like the ease of changing the head around.”

Fairway Woods

Performance, Innovation, Look/Sound/Feel
Taylormade R9
Price (CAN) $280
Lofts 13, 15, 17, 19
Players Comment: “It sits flush on the ground. The muted triangle shape is perfect.”

Demand
Callaway Diablo Edge/Edge Tour
Price (CAN) around $250
Lofts 15, 17, 19, 21, 24; Tour: 13, 15, 18
Players Comments: “Forgiving: This club is tough to hit a bad shot with.”

Hybrids

Performance
Callaway Diablo Edge/Edge Tour
Price (CAN) around $200
Lofts 20, 23, 26, 29; Tour: 17, 20, 23
Players Comment: “A really penetrating, high ball flight. I crushed it.”

Innovation
Adams Idea A7/A7 OS
Price (CAN) $170
Lofts 17, 19, 22, 25; OS: 17, 19, 22, 25, 28
Players Comments: “Impact is really smooth with a solid sound. Super easy to get in the air.”

Game-Improvement Irons

Performance, Look/Sound/Feel
Callaway Diablo Forged
Price (CAN) around $1000
Lofts 6-iron: 28, PW: 45
Players Comments: “This is like jet fuel in your hands. It stays in the air forever.”

Innovation
Taylormade R9
Price (CAN) $1000
Lofts 6-iron: 28, PW: 46
Players Comment: “This is a winner. Smooth, long and not a crazy amount of offset.”

Demand
Taylormade Burner
Price (CAN) $850
Lofts 6-iron: 27, PW: 45
Players Comment: “More fun then recess at school. These are ridiculously long.”

Players Irons

Performance, Demand
Titleist AP2
Price (CAN) $1200
Lofts 6-iron: 31, PW: 47
Players Comment: “It’s more then an iron. It’s a piece of jewelry.”

Innovation, Look/Sound/Feel
Mizuno MP-58
Price (CAN) $1050
Lofts 6-iron: 31, PW: 47
Players Comment: “The epitome of this category: great feel, trajectory and more then enough distance.”

Wedges

Performance, Look/Sound/Feel, Demand
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled
Price (CAN) $140
Lofts 48-64, come in black nickel, tour chrome, oil can
Players Comment: “If you don’t like this you need to call your doctor and have your head examined.”

Innovation
Cleveland CG15
Price (CAN) $140
Lofts 46-64, come in oil-quench, black pearl, satin chrome
Players Comment: “It exceeded every expectation I have for a wedge.”

Mallet Putters

Performance, Innovation, Demand
Odyssey White Ice Series
Price (CAN) $200
Styles: eleven
Players Comment: “Pure roll.”

Look/Sound/Feel
Titleist Scotty Cameron Kombi
Price (CAN) $350
Styles: one
Players Comment: “This sweet spot is really sweet.”

Blade Putters

Performance, Demand
Titleist Scotty Cameron California Series
Price (CAN) $350
Styles: four
Players Comment: “Very pure, very beautiful.”

Look/Sound/Feel
Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio Select
Price (CAN) $350
Styles: seven
Players Comment: “I set up with one of these and expect to make every putt.”

So there you have it. Hope you enjoyed the info. Any questions or comments just hit me up.

Cheers,

Tips from the Pro: Practice with Purpose

With the new year quickly approaching thousands of us will make resolutions, hoping that 2010 will be the best golf year of our lives. We'll buy new clubs, a new wardrobe, and even promise ourselves to start a workout program that would make Joe Weider himself proud. Fact is all will be for not if a solid practice routine isn't part of the makeover.

The key is to practice with purpose, with a plan, with a goal in mind. Do more then pummel drive after drive, or use your favourite club because you know you hit it well. Here are some suggestions that I use that will help not only practice sessions improve but also help to lower scores.

- Go with 1 goal in mind. If its to work on rhythm, work on rhythm, not rhythm then grip, then swing plane, then posture, and so on. Soon you'll forget why you were there in the first place.

- Start each practice session by stretching out a little. Loose relaxed muscles work better then stiff tight ones.

- Spend just as much time chipping and putting as working on your long game. And for the love of the game get into a bunker and learn to hit the green side bunker shot. Remember more then 70% of all shots are played from 125 and in.

- Work through the bag, hitting a few balls with each club. The idea is to not get in a groove hitting only one club. Imitate on course situations.

- Practice shots from a variety of lies. This includes rough, sand filled divots, with the ball above and below your feet. Don't give yourself a prefect lie every time, mix it up.

- Spend some time learning to hit a variety of shots. The fade, the draw, a high towering shot, a low stinger, these are all shots you will need in the bag at some point or another.

- Work on the quality of the practice session, not the quantity of the balls hit. My best sessions always happen when I cut it short before fatigue sets in.

- Play H-O-R-S-E or closest to the pin with a buddy. It really helps to get the competitive juices going, and forces you to hit a shot when you have to.

- Have fun. When you start cursing under your breath, and become to frustrated to focus call it a day. Trust me if you continue more harm then good will come out of it.

Hope these simple practice tips help. If you have some of your own that work let me know.

Cheers

Tips from the Pro: Work on finish to shape shots

When I'm teaching or playing a round with members at the club I work at, I'm often asked how to shape shots. First let's understand the three basic shot shapes. These include: straight, left-to-right (fade), or right-to-left (draw).

I found the easiest way to shape a shot is simply adjusting your finish position. To hit a draw, rehearse releasing the club fully (right forearm rotating over the left) through impact to a complete finish, with the club "wrapped" around your neck. To hit a fade practice holding off the release for a split second through impact, with your finish being "held off" with the club standing tall. (see picture above)

The secret is to visualize the shot you want to hit, then practice the swing while concentrating on the finish. Soon you'll be knighted as a shotmaker, and from there PGA super stardom.

Just remember who gave you the tip to make it all happen.

Cheers,

Tips from the Pro: Keep left wrist flat through impact

The most important moment in the golf swing is at impact. Even though alot of great players have individual swings, the impact position is always the same which creates solid contact. The secret is a "flat" left wrist position at impact. This position will compress the ball and utilize the club's true loft.

The thing to remember that with a neutral grip, the back of the left hand represents the club face. So wherever the left hand is facing at impact that's where the ball will go. During practice focus on aiming the back of the left hand at the target, and also keeping it flat at impact. (see picture above) This way you'll trap the ball between the clubface and the turf, keeping the true loft of the club, resulting in a pure, powerful pin seeker time after time.

If you have any questions or comments, hit me back.

Cheers,

Tips from the Pro : Escape a sandy prison

Today I’m going to discuss the standard green side bunker shot. For most amateurs the bunker shot sends chills down the spine, due to fear of not knowing the proper technique.

Well here’s a few tips to help you extract your ball out of a sandy grave with as little pain as possible.

- Position the ball forward in your stance. (Closer to your left heel)
- Open the clubface, and then take your grip.
- Open your stance relative to the flag. (Feet and shoulders point left of flag)
- Point the clubface at the flag.
- Distribute more weight on your left side. (60/40)
- Swing down your shoulder line to full finish.
- Remember not to try to hit the ball. Strike the sand 2-3 inches behind the ball.

Hope these few simple tips help. Remember; don’t be afraid of the shot. Take these tips and get into the bunker with confidence.

Cheers,

Tips from the Pro: Which ball is best for you?

When I’m teaching I’m often asked if a golf ball really makes a difference to over all performance. In short, Yes. This post is intended to help you pick the right ball based on three questions.


-What is you skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
-How do you play (long/short hitter, hook/slice the ball, high/low ball flight)
-What do you want out of your ball (distance, feel, more/less spin)

Once these questions are answered you will be able to make a more educated purchase the next time you need to fill your golf bag with balls.

The Beginner:

As a beginner you are going to want to lean towards a two-piece distance ball. These balls have a harder cover to help reduce spin to lessen a hook or slice, produce a higher ball flight, and help you gain a few extra yards. These balls are also fairly cheap, so losing a few isn’t going to cause a breakdown. Nike Power Distance, Topflite XL, Pinnacle FX Long, Callaway Warbird are all good choices.

The Intermediate:

As your skill level improves so should the ball you play. A two-piece low compression/performance ball is a better fit then a distance ball. These balls have a larger core for added distance and a softer cover for improved feel around the greens. Bridgestone e5/e6, Maxfli Noodle, Titleist NXT, Pinnacle Platinum would fit into this category.

The Advanced:

Players at this stage are looking for a ball that provides benefits for all aspects of the game from tee-to-green. A multi-layer performance ball such as Titleist Pro V1/V1x, Callaway HX Tour, Bridgestone B330, and Nike One Platinum are the best you can get. Each layer enhances a specific part of your game, a Urethane cover for feel and spin, a firm mantle to increase energy transfer for distance, and added durability are the characteristics that will help your assault on par.

So next time you go to buy a dozen eggs take a few minutes and get the right ball for your game, don't just grab a hand full out of the experinced ball bin.

Cheers,

Tips from the Pro: Say bye to the shank

If there's one word in golf that will send tremors down the spine of even the best of us, it's the SHANK. Most can't even bring themselves to utter the word. Well today I'll explain how it happens, and the cure for that dreaded screaming hosel rocket that darts right at an impossible angle.

The Problem:

Because the ball flies low and right, most golfers think that an excessively open club face is the culprit. But in fact it's usually an excessively closed clubface. The players swing path is out-to-in (in relation to the target line) with the club face closing hard at impact, both moves causing the hosel to creep closer to the ball. If the hosel catches the ball through impact, it's an ankle bitter to the right.

The Solution:

Try this easy drill on the range to help get your swing path back on track. Place a headcover just outside the ball, practice hitting wedges first. If your swing path is out-to-in, face closed, you'll hit the headcover. To miss it, you'll have to swing more from inside-to-out, with the face more open resulting in purer contact and eliminating the shank.

Hope this helps, and if you have any questions about the swing or drills to help fix a problem don't be afraid to ask.

Cheers,

Tips from the Pro: Grip

Today I'll go over some simple tips to help inprove your grip. Grip is probably the most important, yet most severly overlooked fundamental when trying to develop a sound swing. Alot of times when I'm teaching, poor contact, distance, and direction relates back to a poor grip.

Tip: Get your Grip back on track

- Never grip the club in the palm of the left hand. (left-handed golfer) The club should be gripped in the fingers. Ideally the grip should run diagonally across the left hand, from the first knuckle of the index finger to the base of the little finger. This provides the best combination of feel and control of the club head.

- Don't grip the club to tightly. Tension is a power sapper. Keep the grip pressure free and relaxed. A great tip to "feel" the proper pressure is to imagine holding a tube of toothpaste with the cap off. You want to hold it tight enough so it doesn't fall out of your hands, but not so tight that paste comes out of the tube.

- Adopt a neutral hand postion to square the club at impact. This is achieved when looking down at address the V's formed between the index fingers and thumbs of both hands point between your chin and right shoulder. (left-handed golfer) If the V's point to far to the right the grip is considered "strong" causing a hook, if the V's point left of the chin, the grip is considered "weak" causing a slice.

Hope these few simple tips help. If you have any questions or comments feel free to ask.

Cheers,

Jer

Tips From the Pro

Hey guys, my name is Jeremy. I'm co-owner of Faddy Golf and a Teaching Golf Pro. Every couple of days I'll post a new tip that will help your golf game, so check back often. Also if you have any questions about the swing, technique, or our company feel free to ask.

Cheers,

Tip: Playing in the Wind/Cold

Now that it's fall golfers everywhere have to deal with cold, windy conditions. Here's a few tips that should help you enjoy your round even when the wind is blowin'

- Use a softer compression ball. When it's cold the ball won't compress as much when hit. So the softer the cover on the ball the easier it is to compress and squeeze a few more yards out of.

- Take an extra club and try not to kill it. There's an old saying: "when it's breezy, swing easy". Taking one more club and swinging easier will help keep some spin off the ball, allowing it the cut through the wind more effectively.

- Tee the ball down lower. Not only will this help you hit the ball straighter, it will keep the trajectory of the ball down keeping it below the wind, and helping it run out for a few extra yards.

Hope these tips help. Remember to check back often for more "Tips from the Pro"