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tee it up | BALLANTYNE SOLID STATE Reach Greens in Regulation by Staying Centered
By Andrew Kiger, PGA Class A Instructor, Dana Rader Golf School Photos by Ray Sepesy
AS THE GOLF SEASON quickly approaches, the time has come to knock the dust off those irons and get back into playing shape. Think about what will make this year your best on the golf course. Is it more power? More accuracy? If you're like most golfers, you want the ball to fly like a rocket, and for the shot to feel great. With that in mind, a good goal for this year might be to strike the ball more consistently to hit more
greens in regulation.
One of the most important aspects of solid ball-striking is to hit the ball first, then take a divot. This is done by controlling the low point of the golf swing. The low point should be just ahead of the golf ball to ensure solid contact.
How can you improve your low point so that you hit the ball solid every time? Start by staying more centered in the backswing.
When to Take A Divot When looking at the driving range this year at the Wells Fargo Championship, I saw every player on the range take a divot after the ball on his iron shots. The winner, Lucas Glover, was the best that week and provides a great example of staying centered in the backswing. Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and, with his recent
swing change, Tiger Woods, are also prime examples of great players who stay centered in the backswing.
Andrew Kiger Shifting your weight dramatically
to your right foot or swaying back away from the target with your upper body will make it almost impossible to control the low point of your swing. By shifting or swaying too much, you're
"Sway or shifting your weight" backswing. SPRING 2012
Centered backswing. BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE 93